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A review by kintha
Fly Trap by Frances Hardinge
3.0
First, let's lay a problem that is not the really fault of this book on the table: I could not find a sufficiently comprehensive summary of the first book anywhere. When events from the first book are referenced, I found myself straining and then failing to remember what I had read 5 years ago. Finally I ended up buying [b:Fly by Night|710437|Fly by Night|Frances Hardinge|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1177525648s/710437.jpg|198421] so I could re-read the ending. Annoying.
Anyway, a city that requires a toll for both entry and exit is interesting. A city which divides its population into day people and night people is interesting. But making them the same city seems a bit much. People riot for less. I get that the Locksmiths kept the night city in line, but this seemed like it was a recent development. Why did anyone put up with it for so long? Further, these gimmicks make the plot predictable. You know that Clent and Mosca will get into the city and need to find a way out. You know that one of them will end up in the day city and the other in the night city.
Additionally, like the first book, the story seems very back-loaded, with the pace intensifying significantly towards the end. I'd like that pacing for the whole book, especially since it's the second book in series and should in theory require less set up.
All that said, Hardinge's writing is clever and really propels you through the book quickly. I liked this book, but came away thinking I could have liked it more.
Anyway, a city that requires a toll for both entry and exit is interesting. A city which divides its population into day people and night people is interesting. But making them the same city seems a bit much. People riot for less. I get that the Locksmiths kept the night city in line, but this seemed like it was a recent development. Why did anyone put up with it for so long? Further, these gimmicks make the plot predictable. You know that Clent and Mosca will get into the city and need to find a way out. You know that one of them will end up in the day city and the other in the night city.
Additionally, like the first book, the story seems very back-loaded, with the pace intensifying significantly towards the end. I'd like that pacing for the whole book, especially since it's the second book in series and should in theory require less set up.
All that said, Hardinge's writing is clever and really propels you through the book quickly. I liked this book, but came away thinking I could have liked it more.