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A review by antonism
Low Town by Daniel Polansky
5.0
5 / 5
Low Town, by Daniel Polansky, is the first book of a trilogy that can be characterized as adult slightly-urban fantasy. Trying to write a synopsis in a few sentences will do this book no justice so if you’re curious just find and read the official one. It is dark, it is gritty and violent and raw. It is tense and exciting. But most of all it is amazing. Did I like this book? I loved it! It succeeded in checking almost every point that I want from such a book and left me wanting for more! Read below to find out why and how.
If you have an idea of what a flawed main character is, then square that and you might still not have enough to Polansky’s one! The Warden is a fucked up individual, but in a very down to earth and realistic way. A way that it could just as well be us or everybody in his position, if only we’ve been through what he has. I loved and hated him at the same time. I disliked his actions and liked his justifications of them. How weird is that? Polansky’s characterization is in general amazing and top-notch. There was not a single character that felt unrealistic, not a single moment that I felt one’s actions unjustified.
Before I move one to other aspects of the novel, I want to mention two things that enhanced characterization so much. One is the first person view, which when done correctly, gives such a personal point of view and creates amazing tension. I loved this too much and I found it a joy to read. The second is the expertly created “flashbacks” that were there not only to give background info on the story but also to flesh out the characters involved. I felt they were very well balanced, inset at the proper moments and with just the right amount of length so that they never felt tiring or boring.
Plot-wise, the story feels actually very much like a detective story but with a very different tone. This is in essence a who-done-it but the stakes are high and there’s tension and urgency from the get-go. The atmosphere at times is so thick that you need to chew some passages! The pace is amazing; this book is a true page-turner and it’s hard to just stop at the end of a chapter without wanting to continue.
To top all that, Polansky’s writing is excellent and matches the setting and his main character perfectly! Reading it was a pure joy and I was hard pressed not to underline quotes every second page. Dialogues are witty and clever and the descriptions are sharp and eloquent without being too verbose.
I’ve been wanting to write a really thorough and detailed review about this one but such is the nature of this book that I feel that it would be no good. For me and according to my very personal preferences, this book came close to perfect, and try as I might I can find absolutely no wrong or nothing to complain about. Simply put, if you like fantasy with a twist, if you like some grittiness and you’re not squeamish, if you enjoy a heavy and thick atmosphere, a well-crafted setting and expert writing, then I fully recommend this book without a doubt! I’m sure you will love it as much as I did! Well done Daniel Polansky, you got yourself another fan!
5 / 5
Low Town, by Daniel Polansky, is the first book of a trilogy that can be characterized as adult slightly-urban fantasy. Trying to write a synopsis in a few sentences will do this book no justice so if you’re curious just find and read the official one. It is dark, it is gritty and violent and raw. It is tense and exciting. But most of all it is amazing. Did I like this book? I loved it! It succeeded in checking almost every point that I want from such a book and left me wanting for more! Read below to find out why and how.
If you have an idea of what a flawed main character is, then square that and you might still not have enough to Polansky’s one! The Warden is a fucked up individual, but in a very down to earth and realistic way. A way that it could just as well be us or everybody in his position, if only we’ve been through what he has. I loved and hated him at the same time. I disliked his actions and liked his justifications of them. How weird is that? Polansky’s characterization is in general amazing and top-notch. There was not a single character that felt unrealistic, not a single moment that I felt one’s actions unjustified.
Before I move one to other aspects of the novel, I want to mention two things that enhanced characterization so much. One is the first person view, which when done correctly, gives such a personal point of view and creates amazing tension. I loved this too much and I found it a joy to read. The second is the expertly created “flashbacks” that were there not only to give background info on the story but also to flesh out the characters involved. I felt they were very well balanced, inset at the proper moments and with just the right amount of length so that they never felt tiring or boring.
Plot-wise, the story feels actually very much like a detective story but with a very different tone. This is in essence a who-done-it but the stakes are high and there’s tension and urgency from the get-go. The atmosphere at times is so thick that you need to chew some passages! The pace is amazing; this book is a true page-turner and it’s hard to just stop at the end of a chapter without wanting to continue.
To top all that, Polansky’s writing is excellent and matches the setting and his main character perfectly! Reading it was a pure joy and I was hard pressed not to underline quotes every second page. Dialogues are witty and clever and the descriptions are sharp and eloquent without being too verbose.
I’ve been wanting to write a really thorough and detailed review about this one but such is the nature of this book that I feel that it would be no good. For me and according to my very personal preferences, this book came close to perfect, and try as I might I can find absolutely no wrong or nothing to complain about. Simply put, if you like fantasy with a twist, if you like some grittiness and you’re not squeamish, if you enjoy a heavy and thick atmosphere, a well-crafted setting and expert writing, then I fully recommend this book without a doubt! I’m sure you will love it as much as I did! Well done Daniel Polansky, you got yourself another fan!
5 / 5