ronsos's review against another edition
4.0
Don't think I could say much meaningful without a long review, so I'll just say really good, unique, and worth a read. This book may break your mind a little.
Also it just kind of stops which is really frustrating. Can't even find a release date for book 2!
Also it just kind of stops which is really frustrating. Can't even find a release date for book 2!
creativeflow's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
2.5
tbart1126's review against another edition
1.0
I couldn't get through it. The concept was really cool, but the story just didn't grab me and most of the characters weren't that intriguing.
ink_and_pages_'s review against another edition
5.0
Absolutely loved this book. Loved the characters, the universes, the gender nonconformity and and the reversal of gender roles to name but a few things. Looking forward to the next book in this series.
rdiosteve's review against another edition
4.0
I hate phrases like "tour de force" as much as most people, but I've wracked my brains for adjectives to describe the world-building in this book an can't think of anything that comes close. Hurley draws a complete world in this book, in her unflinching and original style. The story unwinds with a slow-burn feel, and reaches a most satisfying conclusion. It sets up the next book very well in a way that is not specifically a cliff-hanger, but leaves you knowing this story will continue. I think on general I'm running out of adjectives to describe Hurley's writing. I'll have to start making them up.
ghostaiken's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
midrel's review against another edition
4.0
I distinctly remember one of the first things I heard about this book was how so many elements seemed like they were meant to be shocking for the sake of it. And I remember wondering how did that matter at all. If the elements were so well interwoven that they all made sense within their world and pushed the story forward instead of holding it back, then what did it matter whether the author had originally picked these elements only for their shock value? And more importantly, how could anyone make such a claim?
Whatever the reason, the world of the Mirror Empire is refreshingly different from the usual fantasy fare, with a good many nations and cultures each drawing from both similar and disparate ideas and civilizations from across the globe. For those of you tired of the same old European fantasy rehash, you'll be delighted by this very unique setting. Those who have read other books from the author might get reminded of some of the social constructs and magic system of [b:God's War|9359818|God's War (Bel Dame Apocrypha, #1)|Kameron Hurley|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1303144535s/9359818.jpg|14243275], something that in many ways seems like a theme and constant in all her books.
The basic gist of the story is that of a recurrent cataclysm pitting down parallel world against parallel word. For the most part I really loved this book. I loved how it dove right in, exploring the setting and each character culture and motiovation without getting immediately bogged down on explanations, letting them come at their own pace. I was fascinated, not so much by the premise of parallel worlds at war, but by the way it went about it. Each place felt wonderfully alive and vibrant, and deeply interwoven with each other.
That being said, one thing the book seems to fail noticeably is at exploring scenes with gravitas. Everything is treated with the same brisk pace as everything else, which ends up being something of a let down as some particular scenes pass you by that you can't help but wish the author had lingered on.
Another thing that started becoming more and more apparent as the book went on was just how much of it felt like the typical 'set-up' book so often found in trilogies. It does not even have anything that feels even remotely close to a climax. Perhaps this is partly more the fault of the author's inability of exploring gravitas like already mentioned as opposed to a real lack in the book, but nonetheless this is how it feels to me.
Whatever the reason, the world of the Mirror Empire is refreshingly different from the usual fantasy fare, with a good many nations and cultures each drawing from both similar and disparate ideas and civilizations from across the globe. For those of you tired of the same old European fantasy rehash, you'll be delighted by this very unique setting. Those who have read other books from the author might get reminded of some of the social constructs and magic system of [b:God's War|9359818|God's War (Bel Dame Apocrypha, #1)|Kameron Hurley|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1303144535s/9359818.jpg|14243275], something that in many ways seems like a theme and constant in all her books.
The basic gist of the story is that of a recurrent cataclysm pitting down parallel world against parallel word. For the most part I really loved this book. I loved how it dove right in, exploring the setting and each character culture and motiovation without getting immediately bogged down on explanations, letting them come at their own pace. I was fascinated, not so much by the premise of parallel worlds at war, but by the way it went about it. Each place felt wonderfully alive and vibrant, and deeply interwoven with each other.
That being said, one thing the book seems to fail noticeably is at exploring scenes with gravitas. Everything is treated with the same brisk pace as everything else, which ends up being something of a let down as some particular scenes pass you by that you can't help but wish the author had lingered on.
Another thing that started becoming more and more apparent as the book went on was just how much of it felt like the typical 'set-up' book so often found in trilogies. It does not even have anything that feels even remotely close to a climax. Perhaps this is partly more the fault of the author's inability of exploring gravitas like already mentioned as opposed to a real lack in the book, but nonetheless this is how it feels to me.
raven_morgan's review against another edition
5.0
Review eARC received from Netgalley.
Here's a secret for you: I burned out on epic fantasy several years ago. I was just *over* seeing the same old tropes, the same old worlds, the same old characters.
And then Kameron Hurley's "The Mirror Empire" was announced. And I warily thought, hey it's Kameron Hurley, maybe this one is going to be different.
(As an aside, if you've not read any of Hurley's online essays, you damn well should)
Some of those tropes are here, of course, but Hurley uses them in such a way that I did not care one bit. The world(s) that she has created are fascinating, with an awesome (and at times, more than a little disturbing) magic system.
I was there at the use of blood magic, and the carnivorous trees and plants, but then Hurley tossed in another layer: the way she looks at gender and gender roles through her fantasy world is just amazing.
I did have some issues balancing the immensity of the world and cast (which may be entirely by fault as a reader), and it did feel at a few times like there were simply "too many notes", in terms of too many things happening, with not enough time given for the reader to get a handle on it all (which again, may be entirely my fault as a reader, and you'll probably see a hundred reviewers who had no problem with it at all). I'm planning on re-reading this, now I have a handle on the world, and I suspect it'll be much easier upon re-reading to keep it all sorted in my head.
If Goodreads allowed half stars, I would probably in all honestly give this one four and a half stars on the first read, simply because of some of the issues I had keeping some characters sorted, but I'm choosing to round up to five stars instead of down to four, simply because the world is so damn awesome.
Really looking forward to seeing whatever Hurley chooses to write in this world, and I suspect this is going to be showing on some awards ballots in the future (and deservedly so).
Recommending to anyone and everyone.
Here's a secret for you: I burned out on epic fantasy several years ago. I was just *over* seeing the same old tropes, the same old worlds, the same old characters.
And then Kameron Hurley's "The Mirror Empire" was announced. And I warily thought, hey it's Kameron Hurley, maybe this one is going to be different.
(As an aside, if you've not read any of Hurley's online essays, you damn well should)
Some of those tropes are here, of course, but Hurley uses them in such a way that I did not care one bit. The world(s) that she has created are fascinating, with an awesome (and at times, more than a little disturbing) magic system.
I was there at the use of blood magic, and the carnivorous trees and plants, but then Hurley tossed in another layer: the way she looks at gender and gender roles through her fantasy world is just amazing.
I did have some issues balancing the immensity of the world and cast (which may be entirely by fault as a reader), and it did feel at a few times like there were simply "too many notes", in terms of too many things happening, with not enough time given for the reader to get a handle on it all (which again, may be entirely my fault as a reader, and you'll probably see a hundred reviewers who had no problem with it at all). I'm planning on re-reading this, now I have a handle on the world, and I suspect it'll be much easier upon re-reading to keep it all sorted in my head.
If Goodreads allowed half stars, I would probably in all honestly give this one four and a half stars on the first read, simply because of some of the issues I had keeping some characters sorted, but I'm choosing to round up to five stars instead of down to four, simply because the world is so damn awesome.
Really looking forward to seeing whatever Hurley chooses to write in this world, and I suspect this is going to be showing on some awards ballots in the future (and deservedly so).
Recommending to anyone and everyone.
a_sullivan16's review against another edition
4.0
The most challenging fantasy book I’ve read to date and it was worth every second. I’ve also never read anything so grim and horrifying. Hurley’s tone is somehow shocking, detached, and immense all at once. I didn’t think her style would be sustainable - just like I thought that I’d never be able to keep up with her insane world-build! - but I was totally surprised. This gave me the horror + epic fantasy combo I never knew I needed till it was sitting right in front of me.
This was just such an impressive book and I’m shocked at the mixed reviews I’ve seen for it. IMO - The Poppy War and The Priory of the Orange Tree are necessary pre-reqs for this beast. Be prepared for gruesome violence and an unforgivable rendition of cosmic (in)justice. I’ll also have to unpack Hurley’s gender politics another time, but I think I love it.
I’m giving it 4/5 stars because, truly, I was so lost at times and had to pause my read to catch myself up, and I wish more threads had been wrapped up by the end. But I cant wait to enjoy the rest of the series and I’m confident I’ll get the answers I want in due time, if I can keep up the reader commitment and endurance that Hurley rightfully demands of her audience.
This was just such an impressive book and I’m shocked at the mixed reviews I’ve seen for it. IMO - The Poppy War and The Priory of the Orange Tree are necessary pre-reqs for this beast. Be prepared for gruesome violence and an unforgivable rendition of cosmic (in)justice. I’ll also have to unpack Hurley’s gender politics another time, but I think I love it.
I’m giving it 4/5 stars because, truly, I was so lost at times and had to pause my read to catch myself up, and I wish more threads had been wrapped up by the end. But I cant wait to enjoy the rest of the series and I’m confident I’ll get the answers I want in due time, if I can keep up the reader commitment and endurance that Hurley rightfully demands of her audience.