Solid instalment in the series - looking forward to reading the third!
The mythology continues to evolve and intrigue. There are tantalising hints thatSolid instalment in the series - looking forward to reading the third!
The mythology continues to evolve and intrigue. There are tantalising hints that this world might be more than it seems, which again, just makes me ready for the third. Despite that, the book is certainly whole in and of itself - all the pieces are now in play!...more
3.5 again. Glad to see a strong woman & science plot, but I find the ahistoricity (someone else discovered chromosomes etc!) difficult to not nit-pick3.5 again. Glad to see a strong woman & science plot, but I find the ahistoricity (someone else discovered chromosomes etc!) difficult to not nit-pick at so I wasn't fully in the story. And this was a case of a heroine being blind to bad behaviour for way too long, even if for once the bad behaviour came from her family rather than the love interest....more
3.5! Loads of fun, but a few too many twists and turns on the journey for me. Nonetheless, it's recommended!3.5! Loads of fun, but a few too many twists and turns on the journey for me. Nonetheless, it's recommended!...more
Uh oh, I'm addicted to this series. At least they're easily consumable, especially the novella!Uh oh, I'm addicted to this series. At least they're easily consumable, especially the novella!...more
So, romance novel! Victorian romance novel! But one made for feminist romance fans to devour, every page a masterclass in how to write a story that isSo, romance novel! Victorian romance novel! But one made for feminist romance fans to devour, every page a masterclass in how to write a story that is erotic, humorous, romantic, and even a tiny bit plausible without succumbing to misogynistic (or misandrist!) tropes that so often plague the genre. A lot of fun!...more
3.5 rounded up to 4, because I liked the whole a great deal more than the individual parts. This introductory book to the series is definitely about c3.5 rounded up to 4, because I liked the whole a great deal more than the individual parts. This introductory book to the series is definitely about character and world building, and I'm very curious to see where it goes next. ...more
The penultimate book is a hard one; it wasn't that this book was bad, but I just really, really, really want to know how all of this plays out and somThe penultimate book is a hard one; it wasn't that this book was bad, but I just really, really, really want to know how all of this plays out and some of this felt like a holding pattern rather than progress forward. (Then again, there were some pretty great moments, like the reunification of a family that shall remain nameless because spoilers). I love the character of Inys - wish he had a POV chapter, too!...more
The series continues to run along at breakneck speed, and I'm right there with it. Geder continues to be an idiot; Cithrin is growing up; Marcus & KitThe series continues to run along at breakneck speed, and I'm right there with it. Geder continues to be an idiot; Cithrin is growing up; Marcus & Kit are auditioning for the next Indiana Jones instalment (though I think the immortal line will have to change to 'why did it have to be spiders?'); Clara continues her machinations that are seemingly pointless yet surely are not!
Anyway, highly enjoyable third book - it didn't disappoint and I am ready for the next one. ...more
There are problems with various characters (though I think Cithrin improves vastly in this instalment), and nearly all of them aThe story continues...
There are problems with various characters (though I think Cithrin improves vastly in this instalment), and nearly all of them are rather horrific in some way or another. But I have been enjoying spending time with them. Moreover, the central mystery of the Righteous Servant and her(?) priests has me completely hooked. I continue to enjoy the detail on banking and trade....more
This book is just plain fun. I have some quibbles with world-building/plot (why didn't they just move Roen to Europe?, etc) but they fade away in the This book is just plain fun. I have some quibbles with world-building/plot (why didn't they just move Roen to Europe?, etc) but they fade away in the face of the page-turning Chu generates. I'm eager to spend more time with Tao....more
This was a five-star for me purely based on my enjoyment. (I think if I were being more objective it would be 4 stars, as it was not entirely without This was a five-star for me purely based on my enjoyment. (I think if I were being more objective it would be 4 stars, as it was not entirely without flaw, but eh, who cares?). I just loved it! I would have happily spent more time in the world of the Checquy and especially with Myfanwy. She's just a great character - so funny & real. (I especially like that this is a female main character who does not have a romance subplot, even though I like romances! It's just refreshing, for all that Myfanwy does really need to find herself a partner, if only for a night!) Anyway, if you fancy conspiracies, secret societies and superpowers, this one is for you too. ...more
Thoroughly enjoyable novel told in brief, interconnected vignettes that slowly unknot the mystery of the carpet makers. Sometimes the jumps in perspecThoroughly enjoyable novel told in brief, interconnected vignettes that slowly unknot the mystery of the carpet makers. Sometimes the jumps in perspective felt jarring, but the overall work held together beautifully. ...more
3.5 stars. I feel that the book is a bit rough around the edges and I'm not in love with the heavy-handed portrayal of a recognisable modern religion,3.5 stars. I feel that the book is a bit rough around the edges and I'm not in love with the heavy-handed portrayal of a recognisable modern religion, but I liked it enough to continue with the series. Characters are strong, bug tech is fascinating, but there are so many disparate elements to this book. I'm interested to see how the further ones progress as Hurley writes more....more
A bittersweet gem of a book. One of those where not a lot happens, but instead the focus is on fine writing, deep characters, and a slow unraveling (oA bittersweet gem of a book. One of those where not a lot happens, but instead the focus is on fine writing, deep characters, and a slow unraveling (or revealing?) of the larger world. ...more
Finally remembered to update my review (stolen from my comment below): I have my quibbles with certain parts but at the same time I feel like it's a bFinally remembered to update my review (stolen from my comment below): I have my quibbles with certain parts but at the same time I feel like it's a book I could read and reread for the depth of characters and fun world building. Plus, I just love that it's centred in a non-white, not exclusively heterosexual or monogamous world. And while I know some in the SFF community will try to complain about it, I really admire Jemisin for putting forth works that are exactly what SHE wants to see in SFF, and which showcase the diversity of human life. Unexpectedly, there are so many powerful, quiet moments in this book about the legacy & psychological impact of slavery that I almost feel like it should be read alongside more conventional works on the same themes (Toni Morrison, Alice Walker)....more