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rotewaffel's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
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? No
4.25
Magical lawyers and necromancer investigating a gods death, trying to save or at least his church. The magic system in this was very cool, sort of straddling the fence between hard and soft. Magic can be written down in contracts, binding it, and magic energy is quantified and traded with, two quite hard characteristics. But when freeforming magic outside of contracts there seem to be many possibilities for what is possible, and while there probably are limits (definitely on sheer power), the abilities of magic appear wide ranging and with little constraints on what can be affected, especially when gods are involved. Part of that probably is that the main characters we accompany are very skilled and capable. The protagonist, Tara, has just graduated at the start of the book, not quite finished her studies and thus definitely isn't at her peak, but already quite skilled, and the more senior mages far more so.
The authors managed to make me detest the antagonist, great character work on that one, A+. The "good guys" were also well written, but far more likable, of course. The team comes together over the course of the story, each with their own difficulties and some conflict between them. While this is, to some extent, the group of unlikely heroes coming together under adverse circumstance, the way it way executed is different enough it didn't immediately remind me of the trope, which is a good thing, as I'm a bit tired of it. The main POVs are Tara and Abelard, a priest of the dead god Kos, whos death they are investigating and trying to reverse. While there are more POVs (the book qualifies for hard mode on the Multi POV square), the others are for a few scenes here and there, not constant, which keeps the story focussed on the most important parts.
The plot has a mix of different elements: Tara and her mentor are hired as lawyers, but have to work like investigators, but there are also political machinations involved, and every now and then they have to fight as well.
The book has intrigued me and I want to see where the characters and the world are going, so I'll be continuing this series, although I haven't been good in keeping up with series recently, so who knows when I get around to that.
The authors managed to make me detest the antagonist, great character work on that one, A+. The "good guys" were also well written, but far more likable, of course. The team comes together over the course of the story, each with their own difficulties and some conflict between them. While this is, to some extent, the group of unlikely heroes coming together under adverse circumstance, the way it way executed is different enough it didn't immediately remind me of the trope, which is a good thing, as I'm a bit tired of it. The main POVs are Tara and Abelard, a priest of the dead god Kos, whos death they are investigating and trying to reverse. While there are more POVs (the book qualifies for hard mode on the Multi POV square), the others are for a few scenes here and there, not constant, which keeps the story focussed on the most important parts.
The plot has a mix of different elements: Tara and her mentor are hired as lawyers, but have to work like investigators, but there are also political machinations involved, and every now and then they have to fight as well.
The book has intrigued me and I want to see where the characters and the world are going, so I'll be continuing this series, although I haven't been good in keeping up with series recently, so who knows when I get around to that.
wilbobaggins's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
aphrael's review against another edition
This books is quite out there thematically. But it's quite interesting to see how it commidifies gods and magic, and how magic is tied to legal details. I would love to know some more about the God War and that backstory. I'm surprised to see this listed as part 3 of a series, it was easy to read on its own, I had no idea it was part 3, I guess I'll need to go back and read part 1 and 2, I'm assuming those have different characters because the main character is just starting out in the world.
dreamingofspaceships's review against another edition
4.0
Decided to reread this on a whim because I remembered a lot of good writing ("What example do you use for convenient fiction?" "Reality"!!!) but not much of the plot other than the incredible ending and because I wanted to continue the series. Very good decision - book is as good as I remembered. Max Gladstone has a deceptively simple prose that is actually great without being too showy for the most part. Definitely continuing the series now.
meghaha's review against another edition
4.0
The god’s flesh was black and deep as night. The curvature of his limbs was the subtle and paradoxical curvature of deep space. He swelled in the dark, a pregnancy of form in nothingness.
The body had the usual four limbs, two eyes the size of small moons, a mouth that could swallow a fleet of ships—features that for all their immensity were beautiful, and because of their immensity were terrifying. It was a great and hoary thing ancient of days, a clutch of power that would shatter any mind that tried to grasp it all at once. It was more than man evolved to comprehend, and Tara’s job was to comprehend it.
She bared her teeth in a hungry smile.
“I know Him,” Abelard said, quietly.
“Yes.”
Kos Everburning, Lord of Flame.
His chest was not moving.
Very enjoyable. Can't understand how it took me years to get around to this one, while I wasted my time on a bunch of bad fantasy books on the way. Ms. Kevarian is probably my favorite character (that last scene!). Tara is pretty cool as well. Gladstone's strength isn't emotional bonding with the characters however-- it lies more so in crafting a cool magic and religious system aesthetic.
Gladstone's presentation of the Craft and Craftspeople is really interesting. I love the idea of magic being power that was wrested forcefully from the gods, and the backgrounding of a war between magic users and gods. The descriptions of the magic these characters wield, the showdowns between them, and of the gods manifestations were my favorite parts of the book. Not entirely sure if the world-building held together otherwise for me -- certain elements, such as the vampires and nightclubs, almost seemed like something pasted in from another book.
Already have the sequel on hold at the library.
gabrielrobartes's review against another edition
4.0
Well! As occult-urban-steampunk-courtroom-drama-thrillers go, this was very entertaining indeed. And just the thing for Walpurgis Night.
celiapowell's review against another edition
4.0
I love the world-building in these books - living gods and necromancers, with a steampunk-ish vibe. This one is about Tara and Miss Kevarian's fight to resurrect the god Kos, after his unexpected death - complicated and vividly detailed and hugely exciting.
jimber101's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
bookpanther's review against another edition
3.0
3 stars. Three Parts Dead is an enjoyable novel set in an interesting world. It's a mix of many genres -- fantasy, steampunk, mystery, & paranormal. The story does bounce around a lot though, and I wish some of the characters and their relationships were developed better. Overall, it's rough around the edges but shows a lot of potential for the upcoming books.