Reviews

City of Last Chances by Adrian Tchaikovsky

akennedy772's review against another edition

slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No

4.0

I think this one might grow on me. Epic fantasy with a lot of characters took time to get going 

cookieburger01's review against another edition

dark funny mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

testaroscia's review against another edition

4.0

Mixes of Miéville, of Gaiman (and probably Pratchett although i yet to read him) a dash of Abercrombie. This Tchaikovsky is very different from the SF one. More playful but just as complex. Satisfying.

ramtinaat1377's review against another edition

2.0

DNF
I don't know if it's generally a tough read or if i'm a snowflake. But i read about 60 pages, and i had no desire to move on. Maybe i will try to read it later

emiliaheiden's review against another edition

adventurous dark medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

zngzag's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark funny 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

4.0

thelostvoid's review

Objectively well written and with interesting world building, but I just don't care about any of the characters or what happens to them, or the city itself. A real shame, but I am glad to have given it a go and now know I don't really like reading revolutionary political fantasy. 

sarrahchang's review against another edition

adventurous dark funny tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

zickcantkill's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

lskywalker918's review against another edition

4.0

Someone said this was like Les Mis but with magic. Well, they weren't wrong. The story was intriguing. The characters memorable. However, this read like a history book, albeit the exciting part of a history book. The chapters were long and my ADHD brain staying on track.

If you pushed through this epic fantasy, you would discover the genius that is Adrian Tchaikovsky. His worldbuilding was superb. There was no awkard info dump. Yes, things were confusing at first when we first entered this world. There were strange jargons, unfamiliar titles, and unique magic. As we continued deeper into the story, we picked up on how things were in this strange land of Ilmar. Tchaikovsky's vivid imagery further built on this steange new world.

Despite the large cast of characters and the many POVs that were confusing at first, you somehow became invested in each character's story. By the end, all the loose threads come together to create a beautiful tapestry that told the many nuances of a revolution sparked by the theft of a magic artifact. There were many players in a revolution and everyone had their own motivation beyond the altruistic rising against the oppressor.

Some of the plot points (like the journey into the Reproach) would also make for a good DnD campaign.