Reviews

Mordew by Alex Pheby

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janey's review against another edition

3.0

Okay I knew in advance that this isn't really my speed but I couldn't resist the way the book feels in my hands. And now I've finally read it and it's not a surprise or a particular disappointment that I wasn't enraptured by it. Before you judge me, consider that I also don't care for The Lord of the Rings, Narnia, George R. R. Martin, or Rowling. I'm going to try to finish Gormenghast, though.

nikki42m's review against another edition

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Just wasn't into it, too scattered to focus on it

a_chickletz's review against another edition

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2.0

My first buddy read of the year with Cecil

Mordew is a book that while it flows quickly and the chapters are brief... you ask yourself, what the hell did I spend 600+ pages reading?

I read The Mirror Quartet, so I think I can handle strange and unusual fiction/fantasy. I was heavily impressed by the magic and what happens to people born in the mud. I was intrigued by the powers that the Master and Nathan have. I loved the cast of characters, I loved the 'world'.

However, the plot and the goal of the story was lost on me. I don't understand what the end-game is, I don't understand why there was a fight between the two islands (continents?). I just didn't understand why Nathan's family fell into obscurity and poverty. How can a book that provides so much provides so little in terms of understanding?

I just didn't get it. I don't think I will.

archiegitdog's review against another edition

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4.0

Lots and lots of questions - interesting and fun book and you have no idea where it is all going. I am definitely getting book 2 just to find out what was going through the Mum's mind - what was she playing at? Seems not to stack up but maybe book 2 will reveal more. Why did she put herself through the utter filth and basically being a prostitute (as well as selling Nathan to the master) but it seems she had wealth and power all the time, doesn't sit right with me but maybe book 2 will make me understand better.

ranaldclouston's review against another edition

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3.0

FinishedReading book 1 of Alex Pheby's Cities of the Weft trilogy, picked up on a random recommendation through Mastodon. This New Weird Fantasy of baroque metaphysics and bizarre worldbuilding sometimes reads more like a dark grisly fairy tale or myth than a conventional novel. It is a bit unsatisfying how passive the protagonist is, mostly following the (sometimes magical) orders of others rather than driving the narrative. Highly memorable