Reviews

The Pale City by Marshall J. Moore

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cookie_reads's review

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adventurous mysterious tense

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

grumpybakerjames's review

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adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

The Pale City is a fun and fast paced fantasy book that combines mystery, action, and political intrigue without neglecting any aspect of the story. Marshall J. Moore manages to craft a fully fleshed out world within the first few chapters of the story. The twists and turns make it almost impossible to put down, and the pacing makes the 300 page book read like a novella. The fight scenes are particularly well written, combining brutal combat with especially interesting tactical insights into the actions of the fighters.

I have no real complaints with The Pale City, but part of me was still wanting a little something more from this book. That being said, I am quite invested in this story and this author, and I am excited to continue the series.

angelsays's review

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adventurous mysterious 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

4.0

inksy's review

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adventurous tense fast-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

2.0

natenason's review against another edition

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emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

ringthebell's review

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adventurous dark mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

kagedbooks's review

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adventurous dark emotional hopeful mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

"Two dead men stood awaiting my command."

That is a really solid opening line! I really enjoyed this debut novel by Marshall J Moore.

The premise of this story is that the Roman-esque world uses their dead as "Attendants" that serve in the role of servants and soldiers. Only certain highly trained people (Legates) have the ability to control the attendants...

Enter our Main Character Legate Gaius Cassius Calvus, who is was injured in battle limiting his ability to control the attendants, this forces him into an early retirement;

Soon after he returns to the capital he finds himself entwined in a new world of political intrigue as he investigates a crime that shouldn't be possible, a murder committed by an attendant.

I really enjoyed the blending of fantasy with a detective story. One of my favorite things is when an author finds a way to use necromancy useful by people other than the bad guys.

I found the pacing and worldbuilding to be enjoyable. I had some minor gripes regarding how the MC handled his investigation in ways which I do not think an accomplished general would I, but nothing that took me far outside of the story.

I will definitely be reading the sequel, The Ashen City, in the near future.