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A review by kelseysej
Tarnished City by Vic James
3.0
Ugh, I have such mixed feelings about Tarnished City and the Dark Gifts trilogy generally. The premise feels unique and different from the thousand and one other dystopian/science fiction/fantasy books that have hit the shelves in recent years. Tarnish City (and the series) does not take place in the future, which is refreshing. None of the characters are cast in the role of "chosen one", which is refreshing. The roving viewpoint provides readers with a panoramic view of the unfolding plot line, which is refreshing.
But still.
Ugh.
The first two books were frustrating to read--I want to love Tarnished City and it's predecessor Gilded Cage because of all the refreshing elements both have. But I can't love them. Both feel very, very surface level. As a reader, I want MORE. When three fairly major characters die within the span of fifty pages, I want to feel my insides ripped out and stomped on. I want to feel the pain and immensity of those deaths. I want to know that the character's lives were more than a throwaway plot device. I don't want to feel like I'm being held at arms length.
This--the holding the reader at arms length thing--is the biggest issue with Tarnished City . James does a great job of correcting a lot of the issues I (personally) had with the first book. The plotting is tighter, the roving viewpoint makes a lot more sense, but the reader is still held at arms length.
So, three stars. While reading, I remained interested. However, this book (and series) aren't going to be ones that I think about six months from now when I'm reflecting on the stand out books of 2018. In the end, Tarnished City is a good but unmemorable read.
But still.
Ugh.
The first two books were frustrating to read--I want to love Tarnished City and it's predecessor Gilded Cage because of all the refreshing elements both have. But I can't love them. Both feel very, very surface level. As a reader, I want MORE. When three fairly major characters die within the span of fifty pages, I want to feel my insides ripped out and stomped on. I want to feel the pain and immensity of those deaths. I want to know that the character's lives were more than a throwaway plot device. I don't want to feel like I'm being held at arms length.
This--the holding the reader at arms length thing--is the biggest issue with Tarnished City . James does a great job of correcting a lot of the issues I (personally) had with the first book. The plotting is tighter, the roving viewpoint makes a lot more sense, but the reader is still held at arms length.
So, three stars. While reading, I remained interested. However, this book (and series) aren't going to be ones that I think about six months from now when I'm reflecting on the stand out books of 2018. In the end, Tarnished City is a good but unmemorable read.