lyndiane's review
3.0
2.5 stars DNF
Essentially, this is a bundle of short stories (each ghost has its own story to tell) linked by the common thread, Drozde, who is befuddled by the fact that all these ghosts seem to know and revere her for some inexplicable reason.
I am not a fan of short stories, and although the historical setting had some appeal, the whole premise of the individual narratives became an exercise in tedium. Klaes' efforts at solving a rather bland mystery didn't add any allure to the story, and I eventually abandoned this book at 47%
Essentially, this is a bundle of short stories (each ghost has its own story to tell) linked by the common thread, Drozde, who is befuddled by the fact that all these ghosts seem to know and revere her for some inexplicable reason.
I am not a fan of short stories, and although the historical setting had some appeal, the whole premise of the individual narratives became an exercise in tedium. Klaes' efforts at solving a rather bland mystery didn't add any allure to the story, and I eventually abandoned this book at 47%
vsbedford's review
3.0
This is the first book by either of the Careys that I have not fully invested in and, ultimately, enjoyed. Does this book reward a deep dive? Perhaps, but the first third dragged so much for me that, once the narrative really began to sing, I was unmoved.
I received an ecopy from the publishers and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I received an ecopy from the publishers and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
urlphantomhive's review
4.0
Read all my reviews on http://urlphantomhive.booklikes.com
To me, this was an unexpectedly nice surprise of a book. The story gripped me from the first pages and wouldn't let me go until I reached the end of Pokoj's fate.
In the days leading to yet another 18th century war, a new regiment is sent to the house of Pokoj, near the Narutsin village at the Prussian border. While there is immediate distrust between the soldiers and the villagers, tension continues to rise as Drozde, the quartermaster's woman and puppeteer of the soldiers, learns stories and truths from the inhabitants of Pokoj.
I liked it, a lot. Drozde's story was very interesting and the writing was great. While this is a ghost story, and the ending was slightly predictable, I think it still gave a new twist to it, which I liked. The ghosts' stories that are interwoven with the main story were nice, although of course, one was more interesting than another. I do think, however, that there might have been a little bit too much drama, for my liking at least, surrounding Drozde.
Nevertheless, I would certainly pick up another book by these authors!
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
To me, this was an unexpectedly nice surprise of a book. The story gripped me from the first pages and wouldn't let me go until I reached the end of Pokoj's fate.
In the days leading to yet another 18th century war, a new regiment is sent to the house of Pokoj, near the Narutsin village at the Prussian border. While there is immediate distrust between the soldiers and the villagers, tension continues to rise as Drozde, the quartermaster's woman and puppeteer of the soldiers, learns stories and truths from the inhabitants of Pokoj.
I liked it, a lot. Drozde's story was very interesting and the writing was great. While this is a ghost story, and the ending was slightly predictable, I think it still gave a new twist to it, which I liked. The ghosts' stories that are interwoven with the main story were nice, although of course, one was more interesting than another. I do think, however, that there might have been a little bit too much drama, for my liking at least, surrounding Drozde.
Nevertheless, I would certainly pick up another book by these authors!
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
thistledownhair's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
kaykayaa's review
challenging
mysterious
sad
slow-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
An unusual ghost story wrapped in a magical realism mystery.
cupiscent's review
4.0
A very interesting and layered sort of story, much like its sister novel, [b:The City of Silk and Steel|17403672|The City of Silk and Steel|Mike Carey|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1361361157s/17403672.jpg|18005586]. As with that novel, this doesn't flinch from the hard truths of its setting - the unpleasant realities of life for those less-privileged, and the lack of safety and justice that comes with it. And as with that novel, House was concerned with the personal stories within a broader sweep of historical forces and events.
In some ways, I found this the most challenging aspect of reading the story; it was so focused-in on the "small" - but vitally important to the participants - events of this particular microcosm of the First Silesian War. In some ways, it seemed like only tiny things were happening, but the entire novel pivoted on those tiny things - stray words, careless actions, minor overreactions snowballing into something that swallowed everything... but still, "everything" was only a house, a company of soldiers, a village. It's both vital and trivial.
So while I think this was a very good book, with strong and interesting characters engaged in meaningful developments, it was also at times quite dragging to read. There's a lot of food for thought, though, in ruminations of the importance of our stories - of everyone's stories.
In some ways, I found this the most challenging aspect of reading the story; it was so focused-in on the "small" - but vitally important to the participants - events of this particular microcosm of the First Silesian War. In some ways, it seemed like only tiny things were happening, but the entire novel pivoted on those tiny things - stray words, careless actions, minor overreactions snowballing into something that swallowed everything... but still, "everything" was only a house, a company of soldiers, a village. It's both vital and trivial.
So while I think this was a very good book, with strong and interesting characters engaged in meaningful developments, it was also at times quite dragging to read. There's a lot of food for thought, though, in ruminations of the importance of our stories - of everyone's stories.
archergal's review against another edition
5.0
Wow, I really enjoyed this book.
I'm a sucker for a tale where Story is important. And this book if full of stories. And ghosts.
Stories are what keep us alive here, what keeps the ghosts alive. Time is fluid and changeable. We learn from stories, and live within stories.
This particular story takes place in a (relatively) unfamiliar time and place. As best I can tell, Charles VI of Austria has died (1740.) His daughter Maria Teresa reigns as archduchess. Not everyone in the surrounding countries is happy about this. Uppity women on thrones, bah! seems to be the attitude. Prussia, in particular, is threatening war. Under these circumstances, a troop of soldiers and artillery are sent to reinforce a spot of border. They take up residence in a crumbling mansion called Pokoj. The soldiers are attended by the usual camp followers and whores. The officers have their wives with them, because apparently that was a thing back then.
And there's Drozde, described by some characters as a "gypsy". She's a puppeteer who entertains the troops with puppet shows. She's accepted the bed and protection of the company's cook, Molebacher. Molebacher is a cunning and brutal man. He's managed to ingratiate himself with the company's commander. Lieutenant Klaes is a young soldier, with more scruples than are strictly helpful for a man in his position.
Drozde has seen ghosts all her life. The ghosts she sees at Pokoj, however, are more vivid than any other ghosts she's seen. And they have secrets.
This is, in part, a story about women's dependence, and about women's strength and INdependence. Drozde and other women in the camp have made a pragmatic decision to take male protectors (soldiers in camp), even though it makes them whores in the eyes of the rest of the world. They look after each other. Their lives are hard, but they do their best. There are other women among the living and the dead whose stories we learn. I think it's a really strong feminist work without being strident or preachy.
It's a good story that wraps other, small stories up within itself. Some of those small stories will stick in your mind.
I picked this book up because it had Mike Carey's name on it, and I've enjoyed his work in the past. I'm not sure who Linda and Louise Carey are in relation to Mike, but I'm glad they all wrote this book.
I'm a sucker for a tale where Story is important. And this book if full of stories. And ghosts.
Stories are what keep us alive here, what keeps the ghosts alive. Time is fluid and changeable. We learn from stories, and live within stories.
This particular story takes place in a (relatively) unfamiliar time and place. As best I can tell, Charles VI of Austria has died (1740.) His daughter Maria Teresa reigns as archduchess. Not everyone in the surrounding countries is happy about this. Uppity women on thrones, bah! seems to be the attitude. Prussia, in particular, is threatening war. Under these circumstances, a troop of soldiers and artillery are sent to reinforce a spot of border. They take up residence in a crumbling mansion called Pokoj. The soldiers are attended by the usual camp followers and whores. The officers have their wives with them, because apparently that was a thing back then.
And there's Drozde, described by some characters as a "gypsy". She's a puppeteer who entertains the troops with puppet shows. She's accepted the bed and protection of the company's cook, Molebacher. Molebacher is a cunning and brutal man. He's managed to ingratiate himself with the company's commander. Lieutenant Klaes is a young soldier, with more scruples than are strictly helpful for a man in his position.
Drozde has seen ghosts all her life. The ghosts she sees at Pokoj, however, are more vivid than any other ghosts she's seen. And they have secrets.
This is, in part, a story about women's dependence, and about women's strength and INdependence. Drozde and other women in the camp have made a pragmatic decision to take male protectors (soldiers in camp), even though it makes them whores in the eyes of the rest of the world. They look after each other. Their lives are hard, but they do their best. There are other women among the living and the dead whose stories we learn. I think it's a really strong feminist work without being strident or preachy.
It's a good story that wraps other, small stories up within itself. Some of those small stories will stick in your mind.
I picked this book up because it had Mike Carey's name on it, and I've enjoyed his work in the past. I'm not sure who Linda and Louise Carey are in relation to Mike, but I'm glad they all wrote this book.
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