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jodar's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-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? It's complicated
3.5
4.25 stars in the fun-but-superficial scale.
The novel is a fun fantasy adventure romp set in an alternative 19th-century-like European-like city. I got a bit of the same vibe as in The Count of Monte Cristo. There are some nice plot complications and misdirections that the reader experiences along with the MCs. The MCs have quite a few near scrapes, too,though it’s pretty obvious the goodies will pull through in the end. Be aware there are some dark and gruesome practices of wizardly nastiness described in quite some detail.
The main characters are engaging, with clever dialogue that pushes the plot along and at the same time rounds out personalities nicely. There are both smart and clever men and women; if anything, it’s only some of the men who are bit too clever for their own good.
The pacing did drag for me in places, but it ramps up nicely from about the last third as the action become increasingly intense.
Two odd passages, though: first, the ordering of someone to spread feathers (down) on a floor:
The novel is a fun fantasy adventure romp set in an alternative 19th-century-like European-like city. I got a bit of the same vibe as in The Count of Monte Cristo. There are some nice plot complications and misdirections that the reader experiences along with the MCs. The MCs have quite a few near scrapes, too,
The main characters are engaging, with clever dialogue that pushes the plot along and at the same time rounds out personalities nicely. There are both smart and clever men and women; if anything, it’s only some of the men who are bit too clever for their own good.
The pacing did drag for me in places, but it ramps up nicely from about the last third as the action become increasingly intense.
Two odd passages, though: first, the ordering of someone to spread feathers (down) on a floor:
Nicolas stepped back, letting Reynard tell their prisoner to lay down on the dirty floor. (Chapter 13)
and second, out of the blue the MC’s worry about some sort of oviparous entity lurking inside a house:
... [Nicolas] hoped [Madeline] would be able to maintain [her disguised role] once they saw what was sure to lay within. (Chapter 17)
Perhaps the second was a red herring? Or perhaps, while we all know that chickens lay eggs and cows lie down, these passages are intended as fantasy embellishments…!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, Violence, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Confinement and Drug abuse
Minor: Grief
inkfingers's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Addiction, Child death, Death, Drug abuse, Gun violence, Homophobia, Excrement, and Medical content
Minor: Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Vomit, Kidnapping, and Stalking
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