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thefantasylib's review against another edition
2.0
An okay read, but it felt like I could take it or leave it an any point in the story. There was nothing that drew me in or kept me interested. Neither the plot or the characters or the city made me sympathize with their plight.
I think that with the characters they felt too clinical, robotic in a way. They were manufactured it felt to fit the plot and to resolve things in the plot. I didn't think that the sympathy both Tain and Jovan and Kalina felt was organic either. Why did they sympathize so much with the countrypeople? I didn't understand why they were so passionate in their defense of them. Are they just these perfectly moral creatures who want everyone to live well and prosper? I just couldn't make myself buy it.
I think that with the characters they felt too clinical, robotic in a way. They were manufactured it felt to fit the plot and to resolve things in the plot. I didn't think that the sympathy both Tain and Jovan and Kalina felt was organic either. Why did they sympathize so much with the countrypeople? I didn't understand why they were so passionate in their defense of them. Are they just these perfectly moral creatures who want everyone to live well and prosper? I just couldn't make myself buy it.
lukeb314's review
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Poison and intrigue in the midst of a siege that took everyone by surprise; this book is full of twists with satisfying substance and I enjoyed it immensely.
eroof514's review against another edition
This one was a dnf (did not finish) book for me. I am quite bored with this book and nothing has really happened. I'll keep it and may pick it up later but it is not happening right now.
bookstoashes's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 Stars
Picked this up for Library Lotto episode 3!
Since I knew nothing going into this book, I wasn't sure how to feel at first. It started off pretty quickly with characters being poisoned, and the rush to figure out a antidote all the while trying to figure out who the culprit was.
Once we get past the start, a lot of the middle of the book felt a little prolonged. I was bored for small parts of it, but other scenes really kept me hooked.
I didn't love the main characters but I did find interest in them, especially Jovan. The love interest for him was definitely not for me though, but at least there weren't really any others in this book (I prefer my fantasies to have little to no romance, unless it's specifically a fantasy romance or if it's done well).
There were some really well written scenes, one in particular that I adored, but this would have benefited a hundred or so pages shorter. It just dragged at bit at times but I have to admit that it made sense considering the plot. It just made for some boring parts.
I'd recommend this book for anyone who likes sieges, mystery, poison testers (proofers) and hints of politics. Magic is barely touched upon, but I can see it becoming more important in the later books.
I'd have given this book a 3 stars, but the ending was really well done. Sam Hawke does a really good job writing action scenes so I had to bring it up to a 3.5 and ultimately, rounded to a 4.
I may continue this series, it had enough of my attention to do so, but I'm not 100% sure. Once I'm caught up on all the series I've already started, I might give the next book a go.
Picked this up for Library Lotto episode 3!
Since I knew nothing going into this book, I wasn't sure how to feel at first. It started off pretty quickly with characters being poisoned, and the rush to figure out a antidote all the while trying to figure out who the culprit was.
Once we get past the start, a lot of the middle of the book felt a little prolonged. I was bored for small parts of it, but other scenes really kept me hooked.
I didn't love the main characters but I did find interest in them, especially Jovan. The love interest for him was definitely not for me though, but at least there weren't really any others in this book (I prefer my fantasies to have little to no romance, unless it's specifically a fantasy romance or if it's done well).
There were some really well written scenes, one in particular that I adored, but this would have benefited a hundred or so pages shorter. It just dragged at bit at times but I have to admit that it made sense considering the plot. It just made for some boring parts.
I'd recommend this book for anyone who likes sieges, mystery, poison testers (proofers) and hints of politics. Magic is barely touched upon, but I can see it becoming more important in the later books.
I'd have given this book a 3 stars, but the ending was really well done. Sam Hawke does a really good job writing action scenes so I had to bring it up to a 3.5 and ultimately, rounded to a 4.
I may continue this series, it had enough of my attention to do so, but I'm not 100% sure. Once I'm caught up on all the series I've already started, I might give the next book a go.
sapphic_book_dragon's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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? It's complicated
5.0
alwroteabook's review against another edition
5.0
Review as promised - https://www.alwroteabook.com/2018/09/10/review-city-of-lies-by-sam-hawke/
nclcaitlin's review against another edition
3.5
Jovan is seven years old the first time his uncle poisons him.Â
Over the next ten years, and hundreds of poisonings, Johan’s uncle gives him many gifts: immunities, scars, an appreciation of their family's honorable and secret role as protectors to the City of Shona’s ruling family.Â
Our story starts with the assassination of the Chancellor and Jovan and Kalina’s uncle with an impossibly unknown poison and then an army attacking the city seemingly for religious reasons.
This has dual first person perspectives shared between Jovan and Kalinia.Â
Jovan and his sister Kalina are part of the six Credol Families making up the council who vote and decide on the city and manage the estates outside, responsible every possible aspect of life.Â
Whilst Jovan is trained in poisons, Kalina has the more political mind: her body too weak to handle the poisons, she’s spent hours memorising books, traditions and languages, and familiarising herself with the councillors allegiances and interest.Â
Jovan offers neurodivergent representation, dealing with overwhelming compulsions and the need for control and order. Probably not the best when dealing with a chaotic, uncertain invasion.Â
I'm drowning, I thought, drowning in my own head.
This also deals with the rich benefitting whilst the voiceless suffer and the issue of ignorance, i reporting, and hate crime. Similar to our own reality, those who stand out are treated with suspicion, as outsiders, targeted merely for their beliefs or their differences.Â
“I grew up here thinking we were the most civilized city in the world, that we were better than all our barbarous neighbors. And then I found out we're not better, we're worse, because our foundations are rotten. Don't you see? My whole city ... my whole world, it's all been built on lies."
Despite this having a latter focus as a siege book, I was most impressed by the start of the book and the initial poison focus and jostling within the city. However, the battle and sly, underhanded, back alley attacks towards the end added tension and increased stakes as the situation grew even more hopeless and bleak.Â
Some parts felt slightly dry, but this was an engaging read filled with politics, backstabbing, and war strategies equally.Â
Also, I’m a sucker for any sibling relationships.Â
If you enjoyed this, I would recommend City of Brass, Mask of Mirrors, Empire of Exiles, and The Black Coast.Â
Over the next ten years, and hundreds of poisonings, Johan’s uncle gives him many gifts: immunities, scars, an appreciation of their family's honorable and secret role as protectors to the City of Shona’s ruling family.Â
Our story starts with the assassination of the Chancellor and Jovan and Kalina’s uncle with an impossibly unknown poison and then an army attacking the city seemingly for religious reasons.
This has dual first person perspectives shared between Jovan and Kalinia.Â
Jovan and his sister Kalina are part of the six Credol Families making up the council who vote and decide on the city and manage the estates outside, responsible every possible aspect of life.Â
Whilst Jovan is trained in poisons, Kalina has the more political mind: her body too weak to handle the poisons, she’s spent hours memorising books, traditions and languages, and familiarising herself with the councillors allegiances and interest.Â
Jovan offers neurodivergent representation, dealing with overwhelming compulsions and the need for control and order. Probably not the best when dealing with a chaotic, uncertain invasion.Â
I'm drowning, I thought, drowning in my own head.
This also deals with the rich benefitting whilst the voiceless suffer and the issue of ignorance, i reporting, and hate crime. Similar to our own reality, those who stand out are treated with suspicion, as outsiders, targeted merely for their beliefs or their differences.Â
“I grew up here thinking we were the most civilized city in the world, that we were better than all our barbarous neighbors. And then I found out we're not better, we're worse, because our foundations are rotten. Don't you see? My whole city ... my whole world, it's all been built on lies."
Despite this having a latter focus as a siege book, I was most impressed by the start of the book and the initial poison focus and jostling within the city. However, the battle and sly, underhanded, back alley attacks towards the end added tension and increased stakes as the situation grew even more hopeless and bleak.Â
Some parts felt slightly dry, but this was an engaging read filled with politics, backstabbing, and war strategies equally.Â
Also, I’m a sucker for any sibling relationships.Â
If you enjoyed this, I would recommend City of Brass, Mask of Mirrors, Empire of Exiles, and The Black Coast.Â
emiann2023's review against another edition
5.0
It took me a little time to get into this one, but boy, once I did. Hooked.
Jovan and Kalina are two really interesting, well fleshed out characters. I found Jove's perspective more interesting most of the time, but I sympathized with Kalina as well.
This was a wild ride of a book, and there were a lot of twists. All of them gave me a lot to think about and I was constantly suspicious. A ton of fun.
Jovan and Kalina are two really interesting, well fleshed out characters. I found Jove's perspective more interesting most of the time, but I sympathized with Kalina as well.
This was a wild ride of a book, and there were a lot of twists. All of them gave me a lot to think about and I was constantly suspicious. A ton of fun.
jvilches's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
3.75
debchan's review against another edition
4.0
so fascinating.
take [b:There Will Come a Darkness|41823536|There Will Come a Darkness (The Age of Darkness, #1)|Katy Rose Pool|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1552324202l/41823536._SX50_.jpg|65273490] but multiply the complexity by five. i got the ancient civilization, dead gods, guilds/sects vibe that i really like.
jovan: a master of poisons, best friend to the chancellor's son, tain, and human shield for him against attacks from the shadows. not only is that the coolest thing ever, but jovan was just such a cool character. driven by the society's view of honor and duty to one's family, jovan must risk his life every time he takes tain's food and drink. jovan is characterized as having obsessions, yet it wasn't considered a hindrance, since his suspicions and habits served to help him later on with the plots and schemes.
kalina: a diplomat trained to make everything think she is weaker than she is. kalina has chronic pain, causing her to be constantly overprotected by everyone (including jovan), EXCEPT tain, who knows her true powers of manipulation. her chapters were definitely less exciting that jovan's, but i still liked her subtle way of getting people to relax around her and then probing them for their secrets.
tain: for some reason, i thought i would dislike tain from the first couple of chapters, but i was WRONG. tain is literally the least problematic person in all of silasta. he's still just a kid (but not really) who sees the best in everyone and wants to be with his friends. the way he loved both jovan and kalina and was literally all they had!! their friendship was everything. probably my favorite character, and i wish he showed up more.
hadrea: i suppose i had to mention hadrea, but i did enjoy reading about her. i loved how her anger at the mistreatment of her people caused jovan to realize that he, too, was one of the aristocrats who had assumed the poor were content with richening the wealthy. her humor as well made me smile several times, and i wish her friendship with kalina could have had more time. but there was a point where i didn't like what the plot did with her and jovan...
but speaking of plot!
one of the main reasons i enjoyed this book so much. the worldbuilding was immaculate. i loved the descriptions of the different people groups, the foundation of the city, and the mythology. putting the reader right into the heart of the city, along with jovan and kalina, was an extremely smart idea, as it felt realistic to me how the politics played out in front of children forced into adulthood.
an approaching peasant army, the awakening of dead gods, a poisoning that a master poisoner could not cure, and betrayal from every sides: what's not to like? there really isn't much to say without major spoilers, but the plot is essentially a mystery. who is the mastermind, the cause of all of tain, jovan, and kalina's troubles?
alright, so the one thing that bugged me, that bumped my rating down to 4 stars was
can't wait for book 2!
take [b:There Will Come a Darkness|41823536|There Will Come a Darkness (The Age of Darkness, #1)|Katy Rose Pool|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1552324202l/41823536._SX50_.jpg|65273490] but multiply the complexity by five. i got the ancient civilization, dead gods, guilds/sects vibe that i really like.
jovan: a master of poisons, best friend to the chancellor's son, tain, and human shield for him against attacks from the shadows. not only is that the coolest thing ever, but jovan was just such a cool character. driven by the society's view of honor and duty to one's family, jovan must risk his life every time he takes tain's food and drink. jovan is characterized as having obsessions, yet it wasn't considered a hindrance, since his suspicions and habits served to help him later on with the plots and schemes.
kalina: a diplomat trained to make everything think she is weaker than she is. kalina has chronic pain, causing her to be constantly overprotected by everyone (including jovan), EXCEPT tain, who knows her true powers of manipulation. her chapters were definitely less exciting that jovan's, but i still liked her subtle way of getting people to relax around her and then probing them for their secrets.
tain: for some reason, i thought i would dislike tain from the first couple of chapters, but i was WRONG. tain is literally the least problematic person in all of silasta. he's still just a kid (but not really) who sees the best in everyone and wants to be with his friends. the way he loved both jovan and kalina and was literally all they had!! their friendship was everything. probably my favorite character, and i wish he showed up more.
hadrea: i suppose i had to mention hadrea, but i did enjoy reading about her. i loved how her anger at the mistreatment of her people caused jovan to realize that he, too, was one of the aristocrats who had assumed the poor were content with richening the wealthy. her humor as well made me smile several times, and i wish her friendship with kalina could have had more time. but there was a point where i didn't like what the plot did with her and jovan...
but speaking of plot!
one of the main reasons i enjoyed this book so much. the worldbuilding was immaculate. i loved the descriptions of the different people groups, the foundation of the city, and the mythology. putting the reader right into the heart of the city, along with jovan and kalina, was an extremely smart idea, as it felt realistic to me how the politics played out in front of children forced into adulthood.
an approaching peasant army, the awakening of dead gods, a poisoning that a master poisoner could not cure, and betrayal from every sides: what's not to like? there really isn't much to say without major spoilers, but the plot is essentially a mystery. who is the mastermind, the cause of all of tain, jovan, and kalina's troubles?
alright, so the one thing that bugged me, that bumped my rating down to 4 stars was
Spoiler
the strange romance of jovan and hadrea. i'm not sure how i'm supposed to feel after years, pages, chapters of perfect chemistry between tain and jovan, for it all to boil down to jovan falling in love with hadrea. and even hadrea and jovan are extremely rocky, since jovan is still led by duty to tain. if book 2 explored this relationship better then i might have no qualms with it, but as is, it felt rushed, stuffed into the last pages. no plot would be removed if their relationship did not happen. but really, i'm not the biggest fan of even jovan and tain ending up in a relationship, because not every book needs a forced romance to make it interesting; it produces the opposite effect. and while jovan/tain would be tolerable, jovan/hadrea felt like a forced romance that won't go anywhere well.can't wait for book 2!