jmazzone's review
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
siria's review
1.0
A real disappointment. Admittedly, I might not have found Torn so thoroughly exasperating if I hadn’t read it while living through the first half of 2020. Rowenna Miller’s prose is competent, if never thrilling, and the core idea—a young dressmaker with magical abilities living in a city that bears a passing resemblance to late 18th-century Paris, trying to make a living despite her immigrant background and growing civic unrest—has lots of potential. That concept (plus the admittedly eye-catching cover design) was more than enough to make me pick up the book.
But if you’re going to write a fantasy novel that tries to tackle what it means to live within a system of inherited power, actually write that book. Don’t write a book whose thin veneer of progressivism hides an apparent sympathy for monarchism and a distaste for any attempt at revolutionary change.
True, Torn is set in a fictional world. There’s nothing to say that the class system there would work in the same way that it did in 18th century Europe. Miller establishes that the predominant religion bears no resemblance to Christianity, so there’s no reason that sexual mores should have to operate in the same way as Ancien Reegime France. But there’s nothing in what Miller writes that shows that she actually understands class, or poverty, or hunger, or oppression, or the intersections of gender with all of those things, then or now. Her aristocratic characters are all presented to us as interesting, caring, talented individuals who perhaps party a little too much—but can you blame them when running a large estate is such a stressful business! Meanwhile all the leaders of the pro-democracy movement are villains and/or idiots of the cardboard-cutout, moustache-twirling variety.
It’s 2020. Black and brown people are dying. The world’s burning. The rich are getting richer. Forgive me if right now I have little patience for a book whose message boils down to “Working-class revolt is very messy, isn’t it? Why not wait for the enlightened aristocrats to decide on some reform to introduce from above without surrendering any actual authority?” Ugh.
But if you’re going to write a fantasy novel that tries to tackle what it means to live within a system of inherited power, actually write that book. Don’t write a book whose thin veneer of progressivism hides an apparent sympathy for monarchism and a distaste for any attempt at revolutionary change.
True, Torn is set in a fictional world. There’s nothing to say that the class system there would work in the same way that it did in 18th century Europe. Miller establishes that the predominant religion bears no resemblance to Christianity, so there’s no reason that sexual mores should have to operate in the same way as Ancien Reegime France. But there’s nothing in what Miller writes that shows that she actually understands class, or poverty, or hunger, or oppression, or the intersections of gender with all of those things, then or now. Her aristocratic characters are all presented to us as interesting, caring, talented individuals who perhaps party a little too much—but can you blame them when running a large estate is such a stressful business! Meanwhile all the leaders of the pro-democracy movement are villains and/or idiots of the cardboard-cutout, moustache-twirling variety.
It’s 2020. Black and brown people are dying. The world’s burning. The rich are getting richer. Forgive me if right now I have little patience for a book whose message boils down to “Working-class revolt is very messy, isn’t it? Why not wait for the enlightened aristocrats to decide on some reform to introduce from above without surrendering any actual authority?” Ugh.
amandabgreenway's review
challenging
dark
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
khourianya's review against another edition
challenging
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0
satashii's review
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
cat80324's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
taleisin's review
4.0
When I first started reading this book I thought it was another epic fantasy story wherein the heroic working poor rise up against the oppressive nobility. The classic freedom fight. A story I have read a number of times, yet the magic system sounded cool so I thought to give it a try. I'm SO glad I did.
Yes, it is indeed the story of the poor working class rising up against the oppressive nobility. However, Miller approaches this classic story arc with a unique magic system, compelling characters and a bit of social commentary thrown in for flavour.
I LOVED our main character, Sophie! I liked that she was older (as a woman in my thirties it is refreshing to read fantasy that doesn’t revolve around teenagers). She owns an established business and has ambitions that have nothing to do with the revolution. I also enjoyed that this is a largely female cast. Characters include women from various situations, from lowly apprentices, to wise matrons, to a queen. Women are shown as being intelligent and aware of the situation around them, with their own ideas about what sort of reform is necessary.
It was the magic system that drew me to this book initially. It did not disappoint. Sophie has the ability to sew charms (for good luck, protection, etc) into fabric. It was interesting to see how this ability shapes her relationships with the people around her.
My one major complaint with this book is the love story. I still like the couple! I just think it went too fast. It was not instalove but it was not far off either. Especially given that this is intended to be a series. I thought that Sophie’s willingness to change her goals so suddenly based on romantic love to be out of character.
While this book is high fantasy, it reads more like historical fiction. Torn would be an excellent bridge book for someone new to the genre. In the way of most epic fantasy, this book is slow to get started, time is spent laying the groundwork. That said, I read the last 60% in one sitting. Every time I went to put it down something else would happen!
Yes, it is indeed the story of the poor working class rising up against the oppressive nobility. However, Miller approaches this classic story arc with a unique magic system, compelling characters and a bit of social commentary thrown in for flavour.
I LOVED our main character, Sophie! I liked that she was older (as a woman in my thirties it is refreshing to read fantasy that doesn’t revolve around teenagers). She owns an established business and has ambitions that have nothing to do with the revolution. I also enjoyed that this is a largely female cast. Characters include women from various situations, from lowly apprentices, to wise matrons, to a queen. Women are shown as being intelligent and aware of the situation around them, with their own ideas about what sort of reform is necessary.
It was the magic system that drew me to this book initially. It did not disappoint. Sophie has the ability to sew charms (for good luck, protection, etc) into fabric. It was interesting to see how this ability shapes her relationships with the people around her.
My one major complaint with this book is the love story. I still like the couple! I just think it went too fast. It was not instalove but it was not far off either. Especially given that this is intended to be a series. I thought that Sophie’s willingness to change her goals so suddenly based on romantic love to be out of character.
While this book is high fantasy, it reads more like historical fiction. Torn would be an excellent bridge book for someone new to the genre. In the way of most epic fantasy, this book is slow to get started, time is spent laying the groundwork. That said, I read the last 60% in one sitting. Every time I went to put it down something else would happen!
alexalily's review
adventurous
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism
Moderate: Death, Sexism, Confinement, Kidnapping, Racism, and Violence
Minor: Child death, Murder, Alcohol, Blood, Torture, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail
jennms_qkw's review
4.0
I found this book browsing at the library. I think I passed it up once, but the fiber crafts drew me back to it. I cannot wait to read the other two books in the series!
Expert seamstress with magic stitches owning her own business! Brother is a rebellion. She falls in love with a prince.
Give me more!
Expert seamstress with magic stitches owning her own business! Brother is a rebellion. She falls in love with a prince.
Give me more!
vfesh's review
How have I never heard of this book? I love it so much! I feel that this gives a different perspective than most "overthrow the ruler" books. I definitely felt torn through the whole book on which side I was rooting for (I literally just got the title lol).
My one complaint is that all the nobles we met in the book were generally good. I have a feeling this will change in Book 2, but I definitely think it could've added to Book 1. I think it was because of this that I was SO FRUSTRATED that she never told ANYONE about what was happening until it was way too late!! I feel like this would've been solved in 2 seconds. Also, I guessed the plot twist so early, but maybe I was supposed to?
Still a great book, and well worth the read.
Side note: The level of HATRED I felt for the villain in this book was off the charts!
My one complaint is that all the nobles we met in the book were generally good. I have a feeling this will change in Book 2, but I definitely think it could've added to Book 1. I think it was because of this that I was SO FRUSTRATED that she never told ANYONE about what was happening until it was way too late!! I feel like this would've been solved in 2 seconds. Also, I guessed the plot twist so early, but maybe I was supposed to?
Still a great book, and well worth the read.
Side note: The level of HATRED I felt for the villain in this book was off the charts!