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A review by manicventure
Our Lady of the Ice by Cassandra Rose Clarke
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
*Possible Spoilers*
Almost a DNF for me. This book had SO MUCH going for it. The world is very interesting, I saw another review describe it as "alternate history nior" which is very fitting. The story takes place in a dome city in Antarctica somewhere in the late 20th century but it's like the city is frozen (pun intended) in time in the 30s or 40s. You follow 4 main characters but REALLY you only push the story with the 3 ladies Eliana, Marianella, and Sofia. Eliana is the only female PI in the city, Marianella is an actress gone politician with a VERY big secret, and Sofia is an android trying to free herself from human prejudices and control. Then there's Diego's perspectives which always just feel like filler or a way to close off plot hole maybe? Its ashame since I felt like he had alot to give to the story with his background and obvious emotional conflict but he's just a character written to get a sheen of the oppositions movements which feels unnecessary most of the time. Which brings me to the main reason I dont think I really enjoyed this book despite the amazing premise. It really dragged. I was half way through the book and even with Marianella about to get thrown out of the dome which you think would be stressful and shocking....you as the reader are just sitting there going "is this ever going to go anywhere?". All in all I do think this is a good book with a fantastic plot, I just simply could not get past the pacing.
Almost a DNF for me. This book had SO MUCH going for it. The world is very interesting, I saw another review describe it as "alternate history nior" which is very fitting. The story takes place in a dome city in Antarctica somewhere in the late 20th century but it's like the city is frozen (pun intended) in time in the 30s or 40s. You follow 4 main characters but REALLY you only push the story with the 3 ladies Eliana, Marianella, and Sofia. Eliana is the only female PI in the city, Marianella is an actress gone politician with a VERY big secret, and Sofia is an android trying to free herself from human prejudices and control. Then there's Diego's perspectives which always just feel like filler or a way to close off plot hole maybe? Its ashame since I felt like he had alot to give to the story with his background and obvious emotional conflict but he's just a character written to get a sheen of the oppositions movements which feels unnecessary most of the time. Which brings me to the main reason I dont think I really enjoyed this book despite the amazing premise. It really dragged. I was half way through the book and even with Marianella about to get thrown out of the dome which you think would be stressful and shocking....you as the reader are just sitting there going "is this ever going to go anywhere?". All in all I do think this is a good book with a fantastic plot, I just simply could not get past the pacing.