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A review by caylieratzlaff
Stolen City by Elisa A. Bonnin
4.0
Thanks NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC of this novel. 4/5 stars!
I LOVED Dauntless by Bonnin, so I was excited to request and receive this one. Also, the cover? Like STUNNING. The premise of this speaks to me, especially when dealing with thievery, heists, magic, and the everpresent consequences of imperialism. While it was a bit difficult to stay focused on the plot with FOUR different POVs, it all connected well toward the end of the novel. I particularly like how morally gray the characters all were, as they all grappled with moral decisions and how their decisions can have a larger impact on their actions and the ramifications of them Zephyr's betrayal arc, Liam's dark magic, Carvar's change in ideas, and Arian accepting who she was made interesting plot points, and I like how there wasn't a right or wrong answer for most of their decisions.
The lore is really interesting too, but I think there needed to be more explanation for it. There is a LOT of lore and world building in the novel, and while it leaves itself open for more books at the end, I think some of the message and the plot was lost because the world building was not fleshed out enough. I wanted to learn more about the weavers, and the clans, and the empire, and imperial and all of that, and I think it would have made the story more developed and potent in its message.
I LOVED Dauntless by Bonnin, so I was excited to request and receive this one. Also, the cover? Like STUNNING. The premise of this speaks to me, especially when dealing with thievery, heists, magic, and the everpresent consequences of imperialism. While it was a bit difficult to stay focused on the plot with FOUR different POVs, it all connected well toward the end of the novel. I particularly like how morally gray the characters all were, as they all grappled with moral decisions and how their decisions can have a larger impact on their actions and the ramifications of them Zephyr's betrayal arc, Liam's dark magic, Carvar's change in ideas, and Arian accepting who she was made interesting plot points, and I like how there wasn't a right or wrong answer for most of their decisions.
The lore is really interesting too, but I think there needed to be more explanation for it. There is a LOT of lore and world building in the novel, and while it leaves itself open for more books at the end, I think some of the message and the plot was lost because the world building was not fleshed out enough. I wanted to learn more about the weavers, and the clans, and the empire, and imperial and all of that, and I think it would have made the story more developed and potent in its message.