Scan barcode
A review by faithd
Prosperity by Alexis Hall
adventurous
challenging
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
I probably would have dnf-ed this if I wasn't doing it as a buddy read. It is written in phonetic dialect, which I normally don't mind at all, but this particular dialect (I don't even know what kind of dialect you would call this?), I was having a really hard time with.
It didn't help that the story takes place in a fantasy world that works differently than ours, or that there are straight made up words and phrases mixed in with the archaic words/phrases. Perhaps it's easier to read this if you're British? I don't know. Maybe it's because I'm American, or maybe I'm just not very smart, but I was ready to throw in the towel a few times.
In any case, I was wishing there was a glossary, so I started making one (see below), feel free to fill in the gaps if you know them!
As far as the story itself, it started to pick up for me at about the 50% mark. THIS IS NOT A ROMANCE. (sorry for the caps, it's just, I feel like it helps to be prepared). There is a bit of a love triangle going on, but we get the perspective of the not-chosen-one (think: Jacob from Twilight, or Eric from Phantom of the Opera). It was a bold choice, and in my opinion, it paid off. It is an interesting world with lots of adventure, well-developed characters (I think my fave was the non-binary ship captain) and a little humor too .
Also...there are kraken! But not the sexy kind...boo
There are a few steamy scenes and they are *chef's kiss*
Here is my glossary for Prosperity, hope it helps:
Glims - eyes
Conk - nose??
Nowt - nothing
Clicketing - f*cking
Cove - guy/man
Mebbe - maybe
Sommat - something
Sky hooks - I think they're like anchors in the sky for airships, aetherships, and “sky towns” like Prosperity
Aethership - A fancy airship?? I think they go faster than airships or something….
Phlogiston - A valuable (and explosive) substance mined from clouds
fin/forefin - arm/forearm
bob/bobbed - to steal from someone
Swinking - f*cking
Tantwivy - ?????
Nib/Nibby/Nibbing - No clue…maybe “f*ck” again?
Wosserscope - telescope
Fogle - a handkerchief???
Stag - see/glimpse
It didn't help that the story takes place in a fantasy world that works differently than ours, or that there are straight made up words and phrases mixed in with the archaic words/phrases. Perhaps it's easier to read this if you're British? I don't know. Maybe it's because I'm American, or maybe I'm just not very smart, but I was ready to throw in the towel a few times.
In any case, I was wishing there was a glossary, so I started making one (see below), feel free to fill in the gaps if you know them!
As far as the story itself, it started to pick up for me at about the 50% mark. THIS IS NOT A ROMANCE. (sorry for the caps, it's just, I feel like it helps to be prepared). There is a bit of a love triangle going on, but we get the perspective of the not-chosen-one (think: Jacob from Twilight, or Eric from Phantom of the Opera). It was a bold choice, and in my opinion, it paid off. It is an interesting world with lots of adventure, well-developed characters (I think my fave was the non-binary ship captain) and a little humor too .
Also...there are kraken! But not the sexy kind...boo
There are a few steamy scenes and they are *chef's kiss*
Here is my glossary for Prosperity, hope it helps:
Glims - eyes
Conk - nose??
Nowt - nothing
Clicketing - f*cking
Cove - guy/man
Mebbe - maybe
Sommat - something
Sky hooks - I think they're like anchors in the sky for airships, aetherships, and “sky towns” like Prosperity
Aethership - A fancy airship?? I think they go faster than airships or something….
Phlogiston - A valuable (and explosive) substance mined from clouds
fin/forefin - arm/forearm
bob/bobbed - to steal from someone
Swinking - f*cking
Tantwivy - ?????
Nib/Nibby/Nibbing - No clue…maybe “f*ck” again?
Wosserscope - telescope
Fogle - a handkerchief???
Stag - see/glimpse
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content