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sophiesmallhands's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
medium-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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Gun violence, Violence, Blood, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Cursing, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual assault, Slavery, Torture, Medical trauma, War, and Classism
Minor: Child death, Domestic abuse, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Police brutality, and Trafficking
stick2theplan's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
lighthearted
mysterious
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
3.75
I enjoyed this book and will probably read the sequel, but it’s not without its flaws. Foundryside required me to actively suspend my disbelief and hold it at bay. My foes in this task included an ancient, sentient key , whose anachronistic manner of speaking most closely resembled the “hello, fellow kids” meme, and a magic system that made less sense the more it was explained. And it was explained a lot.
Once I forced myself not to think too hard about it, I did enjoy Foundryside for what it is: a heist novel. The plot itself was solid and the pacing was good, though the ending felt a little abrupt. The book was laden with twists and reveals, some of which were very well executed. I also found the lore interesting. Because none of the POV characters understood the lore, it didn’t suffer from the over-explaining that hindered the magic/technology of the present.
As for the characters, they were mostly likable but satisfyingly complex. There was appreciable, earned growth from all the secondary characters. I think I was most underwhelmed with the main character’s arc. I’d like to have seen more of her development manifest throughout the novel; it was sort of spelled out for her by a literal deus ex machina. So much telling, not enough showing in this book. Still, the characters did feel fleshed out. The tropey stock characters were few and far between. That said, Bennet uses the antagonist-to-ally bait and switch one time too many for the eventual antagonist reveal to have much shock value.
At the end of the day, this is still a novel I’ll recommend to my friends.
Once I forced myself not to think too hard about it, I did enjoy Foundryside for what it is: a heist novel. The plot itself was solid and the pacing was good, though the ending felt a little abrupt. The book was laden with twists and reveals, some of which were very well executed. I also found the lore interesting. Because none of the POV characters understood the lore, it didn’t suffer from the over-explaining that hindered the magic/technology of the present.
As for the characters, they were mostly likable but satisfyingly complex. There was appreciable, earned growth from all the secondary characters. I think I was most underwhelmed with the main character’s arc. I’d like to have seen more of her development manifest throughout the novel; it was sort of spelled out for her by a literal deus ex machina. So much telling, not enough showing in this book. Still, the characters did feel fleshed out. The tropey stock characters were few and far between. That said, Bennet uses the antagonist-to-ally bait and switch one time too many for the eventual antagonist reveal to have much shock value.
At the end of the day, this is still a novel I’ll recommend to my friends.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Slavery, Violence, Blood, Excrement, Medical trauma, Murder, Colonisation, and War
Moderate: Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Torture, Vomit, Trafficking, Fire/Fire injury, and Classism
Minor: Emotional abuse, Pedophilia, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Cannibalism, and Car accident
propsnplanes's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-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? It's complicated
4.75
I could not put this book down. It was such a good read with great characters an intriguing plot and a fascinating magic system that felt fresh and complex in the best way possible. I am so excited to start Shorefall, but that may have to wait for tomorrow because it is now 3am because I had to know what happens.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Gore
Minor: Sexual content
There are some points in the book where it can have sexual context, not going in depth but mentions of it. It also contains some graphic deaths.mandyjedi's review against another edition
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Torture, and Blood
ashley_mrose530's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
This is such a good book and I'm really excited for this series. I loved the characters and the magic system and world building was so good. I think Cleff was my favorite character but they were all still really good.
I will say that there was something off-putting to me at first. I'm not entirely sure what it was but it had something to do with the voice whether it was the voice of the main character or the writing style or if it was the actual voice of the narrator, I'm not sure. But I was able to get used to it and get over it after a little bit.
I also didn't like the multiple threats of SA in this book. It seemed like every time the main character was in danger, she was also being threatened with rape. It happened like at least three times that I remember for sure and probably more than that and it was just really unnecessary. Like we get it, they're really bad men, but we don't need that referenced every time she's alone with one of them. It was frustrating and could be very triggering so be wary of that.
But other than those two things, I enjoyed this first book in the series. I thought the magic system was so interesting even though learning it did take some time and sometimes I still didn't understand how they were programming things and its intricacies - like sometimes it had to do with math and I was just lost haha - but I was able to understand it overall and in general so it didn't bother me too much.
I can't wait to read the rest of the series but I don't think my Libby has them so we'll see when that is.
I will say that there was something off-putting to me at first. I'm not entirely sure what it was but it had something to do with the voice whether it was the voice of the main character or the writing style or if it was the actual voice of the narrator, I'm not sure. But I was able to get used to it and get over it after a little bit.
I also didn't like the multiple threats of SA in this book. It seemed like every time the main character was in danger, she was also being threatened with rape. It happened like at least three times that I remember for sure and probably more than that and it was just really unnecessary. Like we get it, they're really bad men, but we don't need that referenced every time she's alone with one of them. It was frustrating and could be very triggering so be wary of that.
But other than those two things, I enjoyed this first book in the series. I thought the magic system was so interesting even though learning it did take some time and sometimes I still didn't understand how they were programming things and its intricacies - like sometimes it had to do with math and I was just lost haha - but I was able to understand it overall and in general so it didn't bother me too much.
I can't wait to read the rest of the series but I don't think my Libby has them so we'll see when that is.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Sexism, Sexual content, Slavery, Violence, and Trafficking
Moderate: Rape and Sexual assault
Minor: Misogyny and War
thoseoldcrows23's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
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
3.0
This was a fun read that I had a really good time with. However, I found the worldbuilding to be quite clunky and the plot is riddled with convenience. So many times in this book handy-dandy pieces of lore are just revealed out of nowhere so that the characters can escape certain death, or so that a difficult thing that needs doing can be done quickly, and these little tidbits where never foreshadowed or hinted at in any way beforehand. I also feel that, though I enjoyed the characters and their relationships, things develop way too fast. You have these people who are coming from completely opposite circumstance and who have every reason to distrust each other, and it takes them exactly 10 minutes to be willing to risk life and limb for each other/on each others word. Still, as I said, I did have a good time, and I will be continuing the series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Blood, and War
Moderate: Vomit and Cannibalism
Minor: Child death, Sexual content, Sexual violence, and Death of parent
courtmckenz's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Death, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Slavery, Torture, and Blood
jessicalauren22's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Misogyny, Slavery, and Violence
Moderate: Sexual assault and Torture
Minor: Sexual content
laraloops's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
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
4.5
Very cool premise and world building throughout, the pacing is also great and keeps you on the edge of your seat. I found all the characters memorable, especially the main characters and the writing for them was funny as well. The themes of capitalism were well woven into the story and there were some amazing lines regarding the dehumanization that is integral to the system of capitalism. There are some triggers for this novel to keep an eye on if you are affected by anything in particular.
I do appreciate a novel that tears down the whole "we just need more female CEO's" concept. The ultimate antagonist of the novel is a woman who has gone through abuse but it very much does not justify her actions.
Having a novel that focuses on dehumanization and makes it part of the magic system was very very interesting to me. I especially like it when people make magic systems that are not only cool but are part of the fictional world and reflect on issues in our own world.
The overall descriptions of the magic/world were very intriguing to me and I am very excited to continue to read this trilogy and see what other revelations are in store.
Having a novel that focuses on dehumanization and makes it part of the magic system was very very interesting to me. I especially like it when people make magic systems that are not only cool but are part of the fictional world and reflect on issues in our own world.
The overall descriptions of the magic/world were very intriguing to me and I am very excited to continue to read this trilogy and see what other revelations are in store.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Slavery
Moderate: War
Minor: Sexual assault and Sexual content
raneyak's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
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
4.25
Really enjoyed it! Good world building and an interesting magic system. Points docked for the lackluster romance buildup and overuse of the word “scrumming”.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Confinement, Death, Gore, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Medical trauma, Murder, Alcohol, Colonisation, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Misogyny, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Torture, Trafficking, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Pedophilia, Sexual content, Vomit, and War