peapod_boston's review
3.0
A solid and engaging first novel that takes many of the mystery and spy tropes into the fantasy world, with a well-rendered magic system and a well-built world.
I found myself more invested in most of the secondary characters, rather than the main character. I suspect that's largely because of the genre, where the lead is an investigator and catalyst, a fish out of water there to stir up and uncover. The second book is set back in her home country and I suspect engages the reader more deeply in that character.
I don't necessarily consider this a negative. Many of the best mystery series and books are more about the character, motivations, actions and suffering of the "victims" of the mystery, and character development of the protagonist is designed to happen over the long-haul, as the series progresses. I quite enjoyed the book and will likely pick up the second at some point.
I found myself more invested in most of the secondary characters, rather than the main character. I suspect that's largely because of the genre, where the lead is an investigator and catalyst, a fish out of water there to stir up and uncover. The second book is set back in her home country and I suspect engages the reader more deeply in that character.
I don't necessarily consider this a negative. Many of the best mystery series and books are more about the character, motivations, actions and suffering of the "victims" of the mystery, and character development of the protagonist is designed to happen over the long-haul, as the series progresses. I quite enjoyed the book and will likely pick up the second at some point.
ricefun's review
5.0
My reading preferences shy away from fantasy, but I read this as part of the Heroines Book Club for our local book shop. I'm glad to be enticed out of my comfort zones by participating in groups like this. The Drowning City is an engaging and well written book filled with lush description and fulling formed characters. I particularly appreciate that the females in leadership don't need to justify their roles, Downum has constructed a world where balanced-gender leadership is the norm.
I do think that had I been better acquainted with ancient mythology, some of the characters and "creatures" in this book would have made more sense to me. That is a thin-place in my own literary education, not a criticism of this novel.
Overall, a great read.
I do think that had I been better acquainted with ancient mythology, some of the characters and "creatures" in this book would have made more sense to me. That is a thin-place in my own literary education, not a criticism of this novel.
Overall, a great read.
mjdale95's review
3.0
DNF'd about halfway through, the setting and descriptions were nice but I wasn't connecting with any of the characters.
I think I'm gonna start dropping more books if I'm not enjoying them life is too short !
I think I'm gonna start dropping more books if I'm not enjoying them life is too short !
atarbett's review
2.0
It's not the worst fantasy I've ever read. But my overall impression is one of "meh."
My biggest problem was the characters. There was no sense of them as real people. They were just names (confusing and seemingly interchangeable names) that went from one scene to the next. There was no sense of life or passion in any of them. These people are killing and breaking hearts and pretty much setting the whole world on its head and I don't know why.
The setting was interesting and well-developed, but I had no sense of the international politics. Honestly, but the end of the book, I still couldn't tell you the city or country the whole story took place in.
If you're really hard up for a book, then give it a try, but there are better stories out there.
My biggest problem was the characters. There was no sense of them as real people. They were just names (confusing and seemingly interchangeable names) that went from one scene to the next. There was no sense of life or passion in any of them. These people are killing and breaking hearts and pretty much setting the whole world on its head and I don't know why.
The setting was interesting and well-developed, but I had no sense of the international politics. Honestly, but the end of the book, I still couldn't tell you the city or country the whole story took place in.
If you're really hard up for a book, then give it a try, but there are better stories out there.
book_hoarding_dragon's review
5.0
This was a fabulous read. The world building was great. The characters were great (however, due to school and work. I found myself paging back to refresh myself about the secondary characters). Isyllt was awesome, but I'm hoping to hear more about Asheris (I certainly loved his twist in the story) and Adam in the sequel.
Xinai... I just couldn't bring myself to really like her character. I can understand the choices she made even joining the group. But the deaths they wreaked... no. They were basically the same as the Khas, but she ignored that probably due to her mother or due to some sense of that they were the remnants of her people.
But this was a great read nonetheless.
Xinai... I just couldn't bring myself to really like her character. I can understand the choices she made even joining the group. But the deaths they wreaked... no. They were basically the same as the Khas, but she ignored that probably due to her mother or due to some sense of that they were the remnants of her people.
But this was a great read nonetheless.
raygina's review
2.0
I wasn't really fond of this book and don't think I will continue reading the series. To me it bounced around and wasn't really consistent.
emzorzin3d's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
After sitting on my shelf for years I decided to finally give it a go. Sadly, it just didn't click with me. I loved the setting but that was about it. Things weren't explained properly so twists and reveals didn't land as they should.
drey72's review
3.0
This review originally posted on my blog, drey's library.
There are pirates, smugglers, and revolutionaries in Amanda Downum’s The Drowning City. Water spirits who’ll lure you to your death, long-dead ghosts harboring long-held resentment, and spies. Let’s not forget the spies, after all our heroine Isyllt Iskaldur is one. And she’s not only a spy, but a necromancer too.
Isyllt is exiled sent (sounds so much better, don’t you think?) south to Symir to keep an eye on the revolutionaries and the Imperial government after a disagreement with her man. She’s tasked with helping to move the revolution along if she can, and she’s not too bothered by the request as the Empire has been eyeing the lands to the north – lands that would like to remain free of the Empire’s chains. She travels with two mercenaries and her wits, which may or may not be enough to keep her alive – especially in the hijinks to follow.
The political intrigue is satisfyingly complicated, and I want to know how it plays out. The characters are interesting, and you like them enough to care as you watch them fumble through. And the story is well-told enough that I’ve already got my copy of The Bone Palace to inhale – and you know I’ll let you know what I think of that, too. :)
drey’s rating: Pick it up!
There are pirates, smugglers, and revolutionaries in Amanda Downum’s The Drowning City. Water spirits who’ll lure you to your death, long-dead ghosts harboring long-held resentment, and spies. Let’s not forget the spies, after all our heroine Isyllt Iskaldur is one. And she’s not only a spy, but a necromancer too.
Isyllt is exiled sent (sounds so much better, don’t you think?) south to Symir to keep an eye on the revolutionaries and the Imperial government after a disagreement with her man. She’s tasked with helping to move the revolution along if she can, and she’s not too bothered by the request as the Empire has been eyeing the lands to the north – lands that would like to remain free of the Empire’s chains. She travels with two mercenaries and her wits, which may or may not be enough to keep her alive – especially in the hijinks to follow.
The political intrigue is satisfyingly complicated, and I want to know how it plays out. The characters are interesting, and you like them enough to care as you watch them fumble through. And the story is well-told enough that I’ve already got my copy of The Bone Palace to inhale – and you know I’ll let you know what I think of that, too. :)
drey’s rating: Pick it up!
tansy's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
4.0
Extremely readable fantasy novel about a necromancer who works as a spy and a city on the verge of a bloody revolution. The plot is weakened by a couple of convenient coincidences early on, but the climax felt satisfying.
vaderbird's review
3.0
5 star - Perfect
4 star - i would recommend
3 star - good
2 star - struggled to complete
1 star - could not finish
4 star - i would recommend
3 star - good
2 star - struggled to complete
1 star - could not finish