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A review by songwind
Full Fathom Five by Max Gladstone
5.0
Book 3 of the Craft Sequence continues to examine the relationship between gods, magic, and humanity through the lens of commerce. Or was it examining commerce through the lens of magic and religion?
The setting of the book is intriguing. An island archipelago is both a vacation destination and money haven. In this post-God Wars reality, where the priesthood was left with no gods to serve, they have become brokers of sorts, creating sub-divine idols as repositories for others soulstuff (aka money.) The tropical paradise tourism industry places a premium on things being just so, and no untidy ugliness to distract the guests. Between these two forces, the poor and unfortunate fall into the cracks with very little chance for help or advancement.
The story itself revolves around the idols in the priests' mutual fund cum tax haven, and whether they're really what everyone says they are. By the end, several old faces from the first two books have made an appearance as well, and just like those books, things will never be the same again.
The setting of the book is intriguing. An island archipelago is both a vacation destination and money haven. In this post-God Wars reality, where the priesthood was left with no gods to serve, they have become brokers of sorts, creating sub-divine idols as repositories for others soulstuff (aka money.) The tropical paradise tourism industry places a premium on things being just so, and no untidy ugliness to distract the guests. Between these two forces, the poor and unfortunate fall into the cracks with very little chance for help or advancement.
The story itself revolves around the idols in the priests' mutual fund cum tax haven, and whether they're really what everyone says they are. By the end, several old faces from the first two books have made an appearance as well, and just like those books, things will never be the same again.