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completenictory's review
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
purple_bear's review
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
samstanish's review against another edition
5.0
the paradox of reading a work that can’t be completed is that the ideal outcome is for you to hate it
unfortunately for me, with aspects that was likely never in the cards. i was pulled in by the dynamic cover, and only noticed later it was emblazoned by a quote from Robert Jordan. the back has a review by Ellen Kushner about it being a masterwork in the fantasy of manners subgenre. all signs pointed to my disappointment that i would never be able to read the entire intended series, but i continued anyway.
the first fifth is well done as you try to catch up with the characters’ (and author’s clearly well and deeply thought out) understanding of the world against the backdrop of parliamentary proceedings, but it was for me the section where the protagonists arrive by train to a large country manor where the regular guests refer to one another as “players” and played tabletop war games, donned Masks, and passed every moment with deep and prolonged conversation that the book became supremely “my shit”
sad we can’t read more of this, it was going to be so good, i can only be certain.
unfortunately for me, with aspects that was likely never in the cards. i was pulled in by the dynamic cover, and only noticed later it was emblazoned by a quote from Robert Jordan. the back has a review by Ellen Kushner about it being a masterwork in the fantasy of manners subgenre. all signs pointed to my disappointment that i would never be able to read the entire intended series, but i continued anyway.
the first fifth is well done as you try to catch up with the characters’ (and author’s clearly well and deeply thought out) understanding of the world against the backdrop of parliamentary proceedings, but it was for me the section where the protagonists arrive by train to a large country manor where the regular guests refer to one another as “players” and played tabletop war games, donned Masks, and passed every moment with deep and prolonged conversation that the book became supremely “my shit”
sad we can’t read more of this, it was going to be so good, i can only be certain.
ashcomb's review against another edition
2.0
Not for me
Beautiful prose with an elegant setting, but I was looking for the wrong thing, it seems. Some books just don't fit, and that's okay.
Beautiful prose with an elegant setting, but I was looking for the wrong thing, it seems. Some books just don't fit, and that's okay.
merlandre's review against another edition
5.0
I started to read this knowing from Neil Gaiman's introduction that it was unfinished. Fair enough. I hadn't read (or even been aware of) John M Ford so I had no expectations. An amazing book. It could have been a lengthy series and, had Ford died several books into the series, we would still be unsatisfied. So many interesting characters, such a world to explore. Different magical abilities with their own inherent dangers. All in all, it's not for the faint of heart. Lots of strange vocabulary that you just have to live with and learn (or not) as you go along. I'm now going to start on some of his finished works.
siavahda's review
5.0
It's nothing short of a tragedy that this went unfinished. What we have is a rich, gorgeous gem of a book, and I'll be mourning what could have been for a very long time.
bloomis427's review
2.0
I don't think I'm smart enough for this book and while complicated, dense fantasy books usually end up being my favorite, this book and series is unfinished (the author died), so know room to grow on me.
infinite_fun's review
2.0
Incomplete (due to the author’s premature death), slow, excessively cryptic. Excessively obsessed with trivial descriptions of physical artefacts and absolutely no inkling of any plot coming together.
I only got through 60% of the book so take my review for what it’s worth.
I only got through 60% of the book so take my review for what it’s worth.