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A review by tempse
The Hammer by K.J. Parker
adventurous
challenging
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
This book started out so innocently. But boy, did it get darker as it went on!
I'm always impressed by how minimalist and subtle yet highly efficient Parker is in developing his characters. He somehow manages to create deep and highly intelligent characters with seemingly inconsequential words and without you actively noticing.
The same goes for his worldbuilding: Parker knows exactly which elements of the world he needs to describe explicitly and which ones the reader simply supplements in their imagination so that overall a vivid world is created.
It's also fascinating how trivial the plot feels for a long time before you realize that every little detail had been set up very intentionally, and Parker had known from the beginning exactly how to bring together all elements to create an impactful finish.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
I'm always impressed by how minimalist and subtle yet highly efficient Parker is in developing his characters. He somehow manages to create deep and highly intelligent characters with seemingly inconsequential words and without you actively noticing.
The same goes for his worldbuilding: Parker knows exactly which elements of the world he needs to describe explicitly and which ones the reader simply supplements in their imagination so that overall a vivid world is created.
It's also fascinating how trivial the plot feels for a long time before you realize that every little detail had been set up very intentionally, and Parker had known from the beginning exactly how to bring together all elements to create an impactful finish.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book.