luisvilla's review against another edition
5.0
Came to it via the author's post on John Scalzi's blog, where she basically said that she'd wanted to turn the conventions of the Regency romance on its head by focusing on those at the periphery of the empire. And of course do it with magic. Did a great job of that, without being didactic. Highly entertaining - can't wait for her next book.
raeanne's review against another edition
Totally lives up to the hype even years later. It was hard but necessary to read about his parents, and his conflicted feelings of diaspora. It's a clear demonstration without dumbing it down or pandering to white audiences.
At the same time, it shows how race and gender intersect to create misogynoir and how black men and white women often miss the point with black women.
Gods I love Prunella. I just really fucking love her.
Zacharias is a fuddy duddy trained by the white supremacy but he gets better. In the face of contrary evidence, he changes his opinions. Unlike the white elitists who have to be dragged kicking and screaming like spoiled brats they are.
Romance is all companionship & teasing suggestion from others until the very end with The Kiss.
I did not suspect the twists and conclusions, which plays a small part in making it perfect.
At the same time, it shows how race and gender intersect to create misogynoir and how black men and white women often miss the point with black women.
Gods I love Prunella. I just really fucking love her.
Zacharias is a fuddy duddy trained by the white supremacy but he gets better. In the face of contrary evidence, he changes his opinions. Unlike the white elitists who have to be dragged kicking and screaming like spoiled brats they are.
Romance is all companionship & teasing suggestion from others until the very end with The Kiss.
I did not suspect the twists and conclusions, which plays a small part in making it perfect.
vicveldi's review against another edition
4.0
Entretenido y fascinante, un estilo de escritura que se disfruta y recuerda a las novelas clásicas de época más dragones porsupuesto.
rebeccazh's review against another edition
The writing and world building seemed strong. Unfortunately, I prefer my fantasies to be books where race and gender equality have already been established.
bookwisp's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
alexikakon's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
chirson's review against another edition
4.0
Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell gets an update, and it's sweet, cool and immensely funny.
Finally a Zen Cho I really got into! After my initial two half-failed attempts--stories I appreciated but didn't quite feel too compelled by--I think I was finally on the same wave length with the story. The tale of Zacharias, a Sorcerer Royal whose position (a source of trouble in itself) is constantly endangered by the racism of his contemporaries, and of Prunella, who is extremely magically talented, but happens to be neither well born, nor a man, nor white (unwritten and written conditions of being a thaumaturge), kept me guessing and gave me a female protagonist who's as ruthless, pragmatist and unfazed as one could want her to be.
It took me a good few chapters (and Prunella's appearance) to get into the story (and then I took a break to read the newest Temeraire book) but once I did, I enjoyed it immensely. The characters were interesting and likable. The plot, while it felt slightly contrived at moments, was interesting enough (although I thought the pacing wasn't without its problems). But it was the voice that I loved best--the irreverent, amusing tone that made me re-read passages. If Perilous Life... and Terracotta Bride both seemed emotionally removed for the sake of creating the right impression, here this distancing seemed to make sense in light of the overall worldbuilding and time setting. And above all else, there was an emotional climax that felt fully satisfactory for me, unlike in these earlier stories.
I look forward to Zen Cho's next.
Finally a Zen Cho I really got into! After my initial two half-failed attempts--stories I appreciated but didn't quite feel too compelled by--I think I was finally on the same wave length with the story. The tale of Zacharias, a Sorcerer Royal whose position (a source of trouble in itself) is constantly endangered by the racism of his contemporaries, and of Prunella, who is extremely magically talented, but happens to be neither well born, nor a man, nor white (unwritten and written conditions of being a thaumaturge), kept me guessing and gave me a female protagonist who's as ruthless, pragmatist and unfazed as one could want her to be.
It took me a good few chapters (and Prunella's appearance) to get into the story (and then I took a break to read the newest Temeraire book) but once I did, I enjoyed it immensely. The characters were interesting and likable. The plot, while it felt slightly contrived at moments, was interesting enough (although I thought the pacing wasn't without its problems). But it was the voice that I loved best--the irreverent, amusing tone that made me re-read passages. If Perilous Life... and Terracotta Bride both seemed emotionally removed for the sake of creating the right impression, here this distancing seemed to make sense in light of the overall worldbuilding and time setting. And above all else, there was an emotional climax that felt fully satisfactory for me, unlike in these earlier stories.
I look forward to Zen Cho's next.
readingwithhippos's review against another edition
4.0
This is a fantasy novel for the fancy reader, maybe one who wears a monocle or eats caviar. It’s set in Regency London where magic exists (yay!) but the supply is mysteriously drying up (boo!) and the new (and very unpopular, due to his African heritage and the murky circumstances of his takeover) Sorcerer Royal, Zacharias Wythe, has to figure out a way to get the magic flowing again from Fairyland. The language is elevated to reflect the time and culture, but the action, especially when servant-turned-sorceress Prunella Gentleman joins the mix, is anything but stuffy.
I’ve seen this compared to [b:Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell|14201|Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell|Susanna Clarke|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1357027589s/14201.jpg|3921305], and I can’t resist chiming in here to say I don’t know what two books those people are reading, but it can’t be the same two I read, because holy crap is this one exciting and action-packed and riveting from page one--basically everything Jonathan Strange wasn’t.
More book recommendations by me at www.readingwithhippos.com
I’ve seen this compared to [b:Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell|14201|Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell|Susanna Clarke|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1357027589s/14201.jpg|3921305], and I can’t resist chiming in here to say I don’t know what two books those people are reading, but it can’t be the same two I read, because holy crap is this one exciting and action-packed and riveting from page one--basically everything Jonathan Strange wasn’t.
More book recommendations by me at www.readingwithhippos.com