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lunaratu's review
4.0
With this book the characters move on to a nation that is more steampunk than Medieval arcane fortress. With the exploration into the workings of arcane machinery along their travels Felix is forced to finally grow as a character, relearning kindness and patience do not have to be absent from true magical genius and strength. I liked how they continued the thread of mikary and the pervasive nature of labyrinths in their world as a directive conduit for arcane energies and bleeding centers of dark energy.
ineffablebob's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The fourth and final book in the Doctrine of Labyrinths follows brothers Felix and Mildmay north, away from the medieval France feel of Mélusine into the country of Corambis. Corambis feels more like Victorian England with its railways and north-south political strife. Like the other three, this book is very much a journey of the brothers' characters as they search for stability with themselves, one another, and the world around them. Unlike the third book, though, this one has a fairly clear plotline following the third viewpoint character, Kay, a native who gets enmeshed in the workings of an ancient magic. Kay wasn't my favorite character - I liked Mehitabel in the last book much better - but that's just personal preference. Monette writes all her characters with depth and feeling, as always.
In terms of character development, I thought this was a fine ending to the series, getting Felix and Mildmay through some of the worst of their demons and into a place of (at least mostly) contentment. As far as world-building goes, the series leaves a whole lot of dangling strings - everything going on back in the Mirador, the Bastion and its imperial ambitions, various other lands mentioned but never visited. So don't read this series as a grand epic that transforms a world, but rather as a personal journey of the brothers that happens to drop in on some interesting places. A journey written extremely well, which I greatly enjoyed.
In terms of character development, I thought this was a fine ending to the series, getting Felix and Mildmay through some of the worst of their demons and into a place of (at least mostly) contentment. As far as world-building goes, the series leaves a whole lot of dangling strings - everything going on back in the Mirador, the Bastion and its imperial ambitions, various other lands mentioned but never visited. So don't read this series as a grand epic that transforms a world, but rather as a personal journey of the brothers that happens to drop in on some interesting places. A journey written extremely well, which I greatly enjoyed.
vivianw's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
cgirl98's review
3.0
Melusine Series: Book #4 I found this to be a good ending to this series. I love good characters and ones that aren't always perfect and good. This series throughout it's four book gave me plenty of that. Felix is a brat and so damaged and the writer makes no bones about it. AndMildmay is always looking for love and acceptance and lacking in confidence and self-worth. They are a mess. But in this book by the end I saw that they were learning and growing, and perhaps even getting better.They did not remain stagnant or change the basics of who they were even while evolving. By the end of the book I felt that...yes...maybe I just might finally be happy. They are still not perfect and they still are damaged goods..but in the end they have each other and are trying to be better, and perhaps that is all they need to do.The book also left enough room and hints that more stories in this world might be coming, there is still much to tell.
threerings's review
4.0
All in all, I really enjoyed this series. Monette's characters, all her characters, are fantastic and it's a thrill just to keep company with them. I'm not sure these books have the tightest plots in the world, but it doesn't really matter. I would love to get to see more of Felix and Mildmay, but I'm not holding my breath. While I wouldn't call this book a satisfying conclusion, I am ok with how she's left her characters for now.
craftyhilary's review
5.0
The fourth and final installment of Sarah Monette's superb Doctrine of Labyrinths is, for me, the perfect conclusion.
Doctrine of Labyrinths encompasses politics, magic, and technology in a masterful display of world-building. These aspects are given depth and relevance through the complex voices of Felix Harrowgate, Mildmay the Fox, and an array of unique supporting characters.
Felix and Mildmay's relationship is the beating heart of the series. Without their fear, hope, despair, pride, guilt, and love, the novels would fascinate, but they wouldn't breathe and speak and touch the reader so powerfully.
The literal and metaphorical labyrinths that frame Monette's story work brilliantly. I wouldn't dare spoil the series by speaking of any particular way in which they guide and inform the tale, but suffice it to say that "Doctrine of Labyrinths" is both appropriate and meaningful.
I cannot remember the last time I immersed myself in such a harrowing, moving, and richly imagined set of novels. Nor can I recall an ending to such a saga that was so entirely satisfying. Destined to be a classic of the genre.
Doctrine of Labyrinths encompasses politics, magic, and technology in a masterful display of world-building. These aspects are given depth and relevance through the complex voices of Felix Harrowgate, Mildmay the Fox, and an array of unique supporting characters.
Felix and Mildmay's relationship is the beating heart of the series. Without their fear, hope, despair, pride, guilt, and love, the novels would fascinate, but they wouldn't breathe and speak and touch the reader so powerfully.
The literal and metaphorical labyrinths that frame Monette's story work brilliantly. I wouldn't dare spoil the series by speaking of any particular way in which they guide and inform the tale, but suffice it to say that "Doctrine of Labyrinths" is both appropriate and meaningful.
I cannot remember the last time I immersed myself in such a harrowing, moving, and richly imagined set of novels. Nor can I recall an ending to such a saga that was so entirely satisfying. Destined to be a classic of the genre.
jkh107's review
4.0
Banished from Melulsine because of spoilery things, Felix and Mildmay travel to the country of Corambis, where they go kinda steampunkish. The new narrator, a blinded, defeated rebel, holds the key to a dangerous magical force--at the center of a labyrinth, of course--which must be stopped. However, the magicians of Corambis have bound Felix's magical powers, leaving him with a limited ability to help.
A great end to a great series. I closed this book and wished it would go on and on, and I usually don't wish that about doorstop-sized fantasy book series.
A great end to a great series. I closed this book and wished it would go on and on, and I usually don't wish that about doorstop-sized fantasy book series.
jambery's review
3.0
A really satisfying conclusion to the story. I was thrown at first by the appearance of a new point of view (Kay) in the last book of the series, but Monette handled it well. Felix finally has his character arc and Mildmay continues to be his fulcrum - the balance in the middle of chaos.
I am glad of the ending, though I wish there was another book continuing their adventures at Grimglass! How does Kay end up? He had just begun his healing process. Can the healers in Corambis do anything for Mildmay's leg? Does Corbie become a virtuer? Oh, so many questions ...
I am glad of the ending, though I wish there was another book continuing their adventures at Grimglass! How does Kay end up? He had just begun his healing process. Can the healers in Corambis do anything for Mildmay's leg? Does Corbie become a virtuer? Oh, so many questions ...