nomiddlename's review against another edition
4.0
I love these books, and I’m so glad that Steph Swainston has returned to writing them - even though they have flaws that would usually annoy me (why are they drinking tequila slammers in a world that does not have Mexico in it?). There’s just something very charming and exciting here, and I live in hope that at some point there will be a good reason for the strange world building anomalies.
laurenrebeccanewson's review
challenging
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
megandawn's review
5.0
An exhilarating return to the Fourlands. Swainston's prose, above all else, continues to astound me. There is one scene in particular, an explosion viewed from underwater, that was just stunning. I also really liked that somehow Jant has become the responsible one, and Saker is a little wild. Who could have seem that coming! (Definitely not Jant). I await the next book with great anticipation.
nigellicus's review
5.0
Gunpowder has come to the Fourlands, courtesy of an arrogant but brilliant ex-artist fro the newly acquired island. So now there are muskets and rifles and massive traps packed with enough explosive power to wipe out waves of Insects. Or it would, if at the last minute it wasn't discovered that most of the gunpowder has been stolen. This causes horrible problems at the front, but that's nothing compared to the havoc that ensues when the thieves out the gunpowder to uses of their own. Terrorism has come to the Fourlands.
Brilliant, thrilling, horrifying breakneck action as an ossified social order acting as bulwark against an existential external threat comes under attack from centuries of built-up anger and resentment, harnessed by one driven genius consumed with hatred and a desire for revenge. But surely no-one could or would threaten the Emperor himself?
Brilliant, thrilling, horrifying breakneck action as an ossified social order acting as bulwark against an existential external threat comes under attack from centuries of built-up anger and resentment, harnessed by one driven genius consumed with hatred and a desire for revenge. But surely no-one could or would threaten the Emperor himself?
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