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A review by taciturn_sprocket
City of Broken Magic by Mirah Bolender
5.0
I don't usually leave reviews because my memory is terrible and beyond the basic "I like it, you should totally read it" which my 4 stars and above ratings imply, I tend to not have much time or energy to delve into why. if you know me, you know why.
however, I need to yell a lot about this book, because it was really a great debut novel. I've been reading sf/f for nigh unto 35 years and when a new idea pops up in the genre and immediately engages me with its novelty, I'm surprised and delighted.
There are many things to unpack about this book and I don't want there to be spoilers, but let me just say, the premise is fresh, the characters are very relateable, the relationships are very natural, the worldbuilding is pretty comprehensive, the magic internally consistent, and you can definitely see that the author watches anime from her "ero, guro, nansensu" descriptions of the infestations.
Another friend and I decided it would make an excellent Ghibli film.
Are there aspects that need work? of course, it's a first novel. but I'm excited to see the next story, and to see what Laura -- and the writer -- do next.
however, I need to yell a lot about this book, because it was really a great debut novel. I've been reading sf/f for nigh unto 35 years and when a new idea pops up in the genre and immediately engages me with its novelty, I'm surprised and delighted.
There are many things to unpack about this book and I don't want there to be spoilers, but let me just say, the premise is fresh, the characters are very relateable, the relationships are very natural, the worldbuilding is pretty comprehensive, the magic internally consistent, and you can definitely see that the author watches anime from her "ero, guro, nansensu" descriptions of the infestations.
Another friend and I decided it would make an excellent Ghibli film.
Are there aspects that need work? of course, it's a first novel. but I'm excited to see the next story, and to see what Laura -- and the writer -- do next.