Scan barcode
A review by deadgoodbookreviews
The House of Binding Thorns by Aliette de Bodard
4.0
Full review up on my blog: http://bit.ly/2r5Hvwh
Aliette De Bodard has a way of creating atmosphere that very few other authors have. She creates this alternative version of Paris that makes me wish I had any artistic ability whatsoever because I would love to paint it. Something about her descriptions and her writing style just conjures these really powerful images and intense feelings I just can’t pick it apart it is so captivating.
What I will critique, even though I don’t want to get negative because I really enjoyed this book (in fact, these books) is I don’t think she is a particularly wonderful storyteller. I got to a point where I wasn’t actually sure who was on the side of whom and what precisely was happening. I mean I understood the major plot arks but there were quite a few intertwining stories that never really made complete sense to me. But that is the only reason this book didn’t get five stars from me. I think it would require a re-read to really get to grips with the plot and I’m the kind of person that likes to know what is going on from one pass.
Back in to the positives, this book, as does the first book, tackles some real-world issues in a fantasy setting quite well. The main example I could mention is addicition. The story of Madeleine, an alchemist addicted to Angel Essence is moving and at times hugely frustrating, which is what makes it so powerful. This isn’t a fairytale story of miraculous recovery, it’s far more real than that.
There’s also a character who specifically states he is interested in more than one gender which is thrilling, as well as multiple same-gender pairings which fills my heart with joy. It was nice that this wasn’t the entire scope of the novel it was just a feature of the characters in the context of the wider plot.
So yes, I cannot fault De Bodard’s writing style, in fact I adore her prose. My one issue is her storytelling, but I may be being overly picky. Perhaps, if my TBR ever diminishes slightly, I’ll be able to read it again and fully get into the story.
My rating: 4/5 stars
Aliette De Bodard has a way of creating atmosphere that very few other authors have. She creates this alternative version of Paris that makes me wish I had any artistic ability whatsoever because I would love to paint it. Something about her descriptions and her writing style just conjures these really powerful images and intense feelings I just can’t pick it apart it is so captivating.
What I will critique, even though I don’t want to get negative because I really enjoyed this book (in fact, these books) is I don’t think she is a particularly wonderful storyteller. I got to a point where I wasn’t actually sure who was on the side of whom and what precisely was happening. I mean I understood the major plot arks but there were quite a few intertwining stories that never really made complete sense to me. But that is the only reason this book didn’t get five stars from me. I think it would require a re-read to really get to grips with the plot and I’m the kind of person that likes to know what is going on from one pass.
Back in to the positives, this book, as does the first book, tackles some real-world issues in a fantasy setting quite well. The main example I could mention is addicition. The story of Madeleine, an alchemist addicted to Angel Essence is moving and at times hugely frustrating, which is what makes it so powerful. This isn’t a fairytale story of miraculous recovery, it’s far more real than that.
There’s also a character who specifically states he is interested in more than one gender which is thrilling, as well as multiple same-gender pairings which fills my heart with joy. It was nice that this wasn’t the entire scope of the novel it was just a feature of the characters in the context of the wider plot.
So yes, I cannot fault De Bodard’s writing style, in fact I adore her prose. My one issue is her storytelling, but I may be being overly picky. Perhaps, if my TBR ever diminishes slightly, I’ll be able to read it again and fully get into the story.
My rating: 4/5 stars