anise's review against another edition
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
darylnash's review against another edition
3.0
Prior to my planned re-reading of the Vlad Taltos series and reading of the Khaavren romances next year, I thought I'd get my feet wet with a book that has sat on my shelves unread for nearly twenty years. What a strange little book. It's like a fairy tale through the lens of Dragaeran mythology. Knowing Brust's political leanings, it's hard not to see this as sort of a Marxist fable, but the pieces don't line up just right, so perhaps I'm missing something and the Hungarian (and Greatful Dead!) influence is more important. I can't imagine coming to this as a reader without some familiarity with the Vlad novels. As a stand-alone novel, Brokedown Palace is somewhat lacking, but as a satellite to the Dragaeran novels, it's fascinating.
katmarhan's review against another edition
3.0
[b:Brokedown Palace|133455|Brokedown Palace|Steven Brust|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1172020578s/133455.jpg|1423] is the first book I've read by [a:Steven Brust|27704|Steven Brust|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1198549712p2/27704.jpg], and I know I will read more, but I have to say I had a hard time getting into this book.
What I liked: the characters, especially Prince Vilmos, Countess Mariska, and Brigitta. While they didn't feel like "main" characters, each was a key in the story.
What I didn't like: the Interludes--for the most part, they felt incongruous, especially the ones that were "legends" of past kings, princes, or other Fenarians. I tried to figure out what they had to do with the main story, but most of the time, I was clueless. I also didn't like how many things were just unexplained--the various animals, for example--there was very little description and I was unable to picture them.
I will admit to being a not very careful reader--I usually read too fast and, in this book, I read it in fits and starts and didn't get into a "flow" with it. At the end of the book, I couldn't recall where Miklos had previously met Devera. And although I understand that Brigitta had Power from Faerie, I don't understand the oblique reference to who her father was. Nor do I understand what happened to Mariska before she came to Fenario.
So--I enjoyed the book enough to want to read more of Brust's work, but I hope I won't always be so frustrated and feel so confused at the end of his books.
What I liked: the characters, especially Prince Vilmos, Countess Mariska, and Brigitta. While they didn't feel like "main" characters, each was a key in the story.
What I didn't like: the Interludes--for the most part, they felt incongruous, especially the ones that were "legends" of past kings, princes, or other Fenarians. I tried to figure out what they had to do with the main story, but most of the time, I was clueless. I also didn't like how many things were just unexplained--the various animals, for example--there was very little description and I was unable to picture them.
I will admit to being a not very careful reader--I usually read too fast and, in this book, I read it in fits and starts and didn't get into a "flow" with it. At the end of the book, I couldn't recall where Miklos had previously met Devera. And although I understand that Brigitta had Power from Faerie, I don't understand the oblique reference to who her father was. Nor do I understand what happened to Mariska before she came to Fenario.
So--I enjoyed the book enough to want to read more of Brust's work, but I hope I won't always be so frustrated and feel so confused at the end of his books.
fallona's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed this. I picked it up mainly for the novelty of a fantasy novel with Hungarian names, but ended up quite enchanted.
I do feel like I should have a lot more to say about it, other than that I'll seek out more of Brust's novels now--and the fact that I find the concerns about communism in some of the other reviews I've seen comical.
I do feel like I should have a lot more to say about it, other than that I'll seek out more of Brust's novels now--and the fact that I find the concerns about communism in some of the other reviews I've seen comical.
wmhenrymorris's review against another edition
I like the way that the characters/setting didn't always react in the way that a fantasy reader would expect. Part of that is due to the novel being an allegory, but I think it outgrows the allegorical-ness and turns into something a bit more interesting and strange while still very familiar -- a fairytale-ish, family drama-ish, high fantasy-ish, allegorical-ish kind of thing.
lottpoet's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
cheezvshcrvst's review against another edition
5.0
"Point? I don't know, my Prince. Maybe, within this story, there is a prophecy of the tale of your own life. Maybe more. Maybe the point is the futility of all human endeavor. Maybe it is the triumph of justice, whatever the cost. The point? I don't know. You wanted to hear a story so I told you a story. Ask yourself the point. If you were entertained, that is enough for me."
What a brilliantly-written novel. Burst is on poin here. Each character is crafted finely, and you can really get a feel for the history and place of this stand-alone story both in context of the Dragaera novels and without those for context. A really beautiful and mature story. And you'll never realize how much you care about norska until you read this book- full of Hungarian and winks at things to come for Vlad Taltos himself and so much more.
What a brilliantly-written novel. Burst is on poin here. Each character is crafted finely, and you can really get a feel for the history and place of this stand-alone story both in context of the Dragaera novels and without those for context. A really beautiful and mature story. And you'll never realize how much you care about norska until you read this book- full of Hungarian and winks at things to come for Vlad Taltos himself and so much more.
kikiandarrowsfishshelf's review against another edition
1.0
I'll proably try reading this again at one point for the fairy motifs, but it is boring the H.E. double hockey sticks out me and I like the idea of talking horses.
woodge's review against another edition
3.0
Enjoyable stand-alone fantasy. I liked the four brothers.
semidreamless's review
3.0
Five stars for the writing, definitely. Fewer for being very dude-heavy/dude-centric. Also, this is the only book I’ve read by this author, so I think there’s some worldbuilding context I missed.
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