craftybookwyrm's review against another edition
5.0
The magic system of the Craft Sequence is refreshingly unique and complex. The third book in the series really focused on the philosophical question of places, people, and objects changing or remaining static. Isn't it natural for things to evolve? What does it mean to protect a place or a person? Does that mean maintaining the status quo and forcing it to remain the same? Or can it change and still be the place, person or object?
There are two main character focuses for this novel and one of them is a trans character. I believe the author handles it very well. The novel does not focus on the character being trans, it's just a fact of her life and it's accepted by the people who knew her before.
There are two main character focuses for this novel and one of them is a trans character. I believe the author handles it very well. The novel does not focus on the character being trans, it's just a fact of her life and it's accepted by the people who knew her before.
marklpotter's review against another edition
4.0
I had some trepidation going in to this one, hoping against hope that we weren't in for a sophomore slump. Max Gladstone avoided that with style and flourish! Full Fathom Five continues to expand on the mythology introduced in the first two books of this series by dropping us in yet another country with another set of characters and another set of gods, well almost but not quite? And therein lies the rub really.
Mainly focused around a street urchin, a priest, a poet, and an avatar this one is set on a tropical island obviously modeled after Hawaii. Now that's not a detractor at all. Of Gladstone's major strengths is giving us enough familiar things that suspension of disbelief is a just a little easier before dropping his well crafted mythology right in our laps.
While I think most folks won't see this installment of The Craft Sequence as having the same punch the first two did I think they'd be wrong. This is a look at the business side of things in a world where your soul is currency and the people involved in that side of things. I don't mean the business side of things like the guy selling tacos from a cart but the very corporate side of idolatry for profit. What this leads to is a lot of character development, in the first half of the book, that doesn't seem to be all that relevant.
Perseverance is more than it's own reward here. All of that character development actually plays in to the very meat of the plot which becomes apparent and then takes off at a sprint about halfway through. I think the pacing might be a bit off but it doesn't detract from the story in any noticeable fashion.
Like both of the other books in this series this story works as a standalone and can be read as such. I appreciate the effort that must go in to making that happen because it can't be an accident. However I think the background that the other books provide make reading this one more enjoyable. I highly recommend this series.
Mainly focused around a street urchin, a priest, a poet, and an avatar this one is set on a tropical island obviously modeled after Hawaii. Now that's not a detractor at all. Of Gladstone's major strengths is giving us enough familiar things that suspension of disbelief is a just a little easier before dropping his well crafted mythology right in our laps.
While I think most folks won't see this installment of The Craft Sequence as having the same punch the first two did I think they'd be wrong. This is a look at the business side of things in a world where your soul is currency and the people involved in that side of things. I don't mean the business side of things like the guy selling tacos from a cart but the very corporate side of idolatry for profit. What this leads to is a lot of character development, in the first half of the book, that doesn't seem to be all that relevant.
Perseverance is more than it's own reward here. All of that character development actually plays in to the very meat of the plot which becomes apparent and then takes off at a sprint about halfway through. I think the pacing might be a bit off but it doesn't detract from the story in any noticeable fashion.
Like both of the other books in this series this story works as a standalone and can be read as such. I appreciate the effort that must go in to making that happen because it can't be an accident. However I think the background that the other books provide make reading this one more enjoyable. I highly recommend this series.
bookslikegranola's review against another edition
4.25
A fun return to form in the craft sequence.
Kai is priest of Kavekana, someone who builds artificial gods and uses them to invest in the stock market. When one artificial god appears to awaken to sentience and then quickly die, Kai must uncover what is really going on. I really love Gladstone’s mix of corporate (?) high fantasy and this is another great example. Also, the problems I had with book two’s romance are fully absent here, which I really appreciated, so if you had a rough time, I’d recommend giving this series another shot (as long as you liked the first one, of course). It did feel like it took a bit to get going, or perhaps that it danced around the plot a bit, but the end was super satisfying. I guess I just always want the main POV to be a craftsperson, as they really seem to be at the heart of this world, but Gladstone is interested in telling a variety of stories, which is fair. I just miss the high power lawyer craftperson vibes from book one.
Highly recommended to fans of craft sequence books.
ink_and_fury's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
elusivity's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 STARS rounded up
Set in the same fascinating world populated by gods who die and the once-mortal Deathless Kings.
This installment is a good read that suffers only in comparison to the first book. Kavekana's industry is original in conception. The Penitents are terrifying both as a form of punishment and as instruments of potential-fascism. The plot is intricate. Characters are unique in the genre and interesting. Yet somehow it is not AS CREATIVE; nor AS INTRICATE; nor as engaging. The plot took a long time to get started -- there is not much action until 1/3 of the book -- before which the characters merely seem to live their lives, barely sensing anything is wrong -- leaving the reader in a state of limbo, waiting for the other shoe to drop.
The writing is smoother, more poetic. Every short chapter ends in some Meaningful still tableau or bon-mot. Indeed, these literary flourishes are starting to get in the way of plotting, and characterization..
Regardless, an above-average book. Recommended!
Set in the same fascinating world populated by gods who die and the once-mortal Deathless Kings.
Spoiler
Set on a section of the world akin to Hawaii, Kavekana's primary business mode is being a god-free zone for rich people to store their soul-stuff. Kai is a priestess who makes and maintains idols -- simple constructs that act as proxy-gods to store soul-stuff -- artificial beings that have powers, yet neither volition or thoughts. Izza is a thief and goddess to a series of gods who are killed off almost as soon as they are born. A series of idols is being destroyed by seemingly unavoidable and/or unwise management. Somewhere, a poet is struck by a muse and speaks poetry heard by Kai as she tries to rescue an idol from final destruction, an impossibility, since idols are merely dolls and has no ability to speak, let alone create. Of course, these events are all related..This installment is a good read that suffers only in comparison to the first book. Kavekana's industry is original in conception. The Penitents are terrifying both as a form of punishment and as instruments of potential-fascism. The plot is intricate. Characters are unique in the genre and interesting. Yet somehow it is not AS CREATIVE; nor AS INTRICATE; nor as engaging. The plot took a long time to get started -- there is not much action until 1/3 of the book -- before which the characters merely seem to live their lives, barely sensing anything is wrong -- leaving the reader in a state of limbo, waiting for the other shoe to drop.
The writing is smoother, more poetic. Every short chapter ends in some Meaningful still tableau or bon-mot. Indeed, these literary flourishes are starting to get in the way of plotting, and characterization..
Regardless, an above-average book. Recommended!
janedoelish's review against another edition
5.0
Gladstone does not bother to pamper his readers, and his novels are all the better for it. There's no fish-out-of-water characters serving as receptacles for expository information dumps. Everything you need to learn and understand about the settings only comes with the territory, after you have immersed yourself into the fictional world.
zozoisgolden's review against another edition
5.0
This entire series ages like fine wine.
One thing I love about Gladstone's writing is that female characters are rich and complex. Like a lot.
I loved seeing my favorites from the earlier book back!
Honestly the world building is the best I've ever seen and I want to keep gushing about this book but I need sleep so.....
One thing I love about Gladstone's writing is that female characters are rich and complex. Like a lot.
I loved seeing my favorites from the earlier book back!
Honestly the world building is the best I've ever seen and I want to keep gushing about this book but I need sleep so.....
mrsbluejay's review against another edition
5.0
Wow, I really like this part of the series a lot. In contrast to the other books I've read so far, here the main characters are less grey. They stumble into the story and find and pursue a common goal. Everyone feels very relatable to me, even though the cast is quite versatile. The plot is simple, but not in a bad way. In a way, this part is like the palate cleanser of the series, simple, enjoyable, without major let-downs or backstabbing.
I think Gladstone does an excellent job with this series and I will surely proceed to read more of his books.
I think Gladstone does an excellent job with this series and I will surely proceed to read more of his books.
tmikerx's review against another edition
5.0
I would give this book ALL of the stars if I could. I love this world that Max Gladstone created. I love the characters, even the antagonists. The magic, the lore, the history - it's all so detailed and complete and fulfilling. Please read this book!
chayes77's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
3.5