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mimosaeyes 's review for:
Two Serpents Rise
by Max Gladstone
I'm realising that these books are going to be hard to rate. In terms of concept and the ideas they explore, I'm all in. But for a second time now, there's something standing in the way of my enjoying the story itself.
Caleb, with his scars and backstory and morality, has all the makings of a compelling protagonist. But his sexual tension with Mal eclipses every other aspect of his motivation for most of the book. It was very frustrating. I don't like when instant-romance (or instant-lust) is used to 'spice up' a book, especially when it's so unconvincing. I much preferred reading scenes between Caleb and his friend, Teo.
I do like the way the plot leads you to contemplate the cost of civilisation - exploitation, oppression, inequality. I'm starting to get a sense of the overarching themes and feel of this sequence.
Caleb, with his scars and backstory and morality, has all the makings of a compelling protagonist. But his sexual tension with Mal eclipses every other aspect of his motivation for most of the book. It was very frustrating. I don't like when instant-romance (or instant-lust) is used to 'spice up' a book, especially when it's so unconvincing. I much preferred reading scenes between Caleb and his friend, Teo.
I do like the way the plot leads you to contemplate the cost of civilisation - exploitation, oppression, inequality. I'm starting to get a sense of the overarching themes and feel of this sequence.