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A review by mordshunger
Empire in Black and Gold by Adrian Tchaikovsky
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
It's about fantasy races, so brace for fantasy racism, including constant halfbreed slander.
While the story mostly moves slowly, but smoothly, one of these things is not like the others. All friends bumble about a bit in classic tropey fantasy style but one of themjust hits the ground running killing, slaughtering everyone in her way, joining a gang, ascending to right hand assassin, sleeping with the gang boss, murdering a rival boss and declining a life of crime because she fears she would grow to like the violence (??). This takes two days. Honestly hilarious, could not tell you if Adrian wanted to rush through this plot or if she is his favourite. In any way, the only noticeable outlier.
Lots of great little bits, like the butterfly-kinden changing their names all the time. "Grief in Chains"? Iconic. Fighting your dad in the sewers to gain his respect? Swearing oaths to a haunted forest? Chucking out the bleh Losing Virginity to replace it with the glorious Gaining Wings? What more could I want for? Leaving no trope behind, this is a glittering setup for a rich fantasy world. I'm sure I could devour all ten parts over a cold, rainy winter.
While the story mostly moves slowly, but smoothly, one of these things is not like the others. All friends bumble about a bit in classic tropey fantasy style but one of them
Lots of great little bits, like the butterfly-kinden changing their names all the time. "Grief in Chains"? Iconic. Fighting your dad in the sewers to gain his respect? Swearing oaths to a haunted forest? Chucking out the bleh Losing Virginity to replace it with the glorious Gaining Wings? What more could I want for? Leaving no trope behind, this is a glittering setup for a rich fantasy world. I'm sure I could devour all ten parts over a cold, rainy winter.