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qalminator's review
5.0
Good introduction to the serial, with fascinating characters. I had forgotten this was in the same world as Swordspoint when I started reading, but, as I read, I kept thinking, "This reminds me of Swordspoint...", and then a few key details made it very obvious it had to be in the same world. Lots of fun, with more variety in characters than Swordspoint (a duchess, a foreigner who's learned just enough swordplay to get herself in trouble, and an autistic youth in town to sell turnips).
Note: In the original Swordspoint, and so far in this prequel, there was no magic or anything else to merit the name "fantasy," other than the town of Riverside and its peculiar blend of politics and violence are entirely fictional.
Note: In the original Swordspoint, and so far in this prequel, there was no magic or anything else to merit the name "fantasy," other than the town of Riverside and its peculiar blend of politics and violence are entirely fictional.
rebeccacider's review
4.0
DELIGHTFUL. Occasional copy-editing fail and Micah, while a very likable character, is a bit of a stereotype - but I really enjoyed returning to the world of Swordspoint. A cozy, engaging read.
(Also, if Micah and her family are intentionally all named after characters from Cold Comfort Farm - well played, Ellen Kushner, well played.)
I'll be interested in how the serial reading experience works for me. So far I really enjoy the episode length and structure.
I would normally not talk about the economics of publishing in a book review, but I want to address Serial Box's pricing model. The price per episode feels a bit high if you jump in late (my bad, honestly, I forgot that I would lose the discount if I didn't subscribe from the beginning). However, there are a lot of talented writers working on this, and I want them to all get compensated fairly - and my understanding is that the word count of Tremontaine is going to exceed a typical novel. So the price is fair, but it is a high price point and word count commitment for a book.
This is probably GENIUS, because it's so challenging to get people to pay out adequately for fiction. I do hope the series eventually gets bundled and distributed through library eBook vendors, for people like me who don't have a lot of disposable income for media.
(Also, if Micah and her family are intentionally all named after characters from Cold Comfort Farm - well played, Ellen Kushner, well played.)
I'll be interested in how the serial reading experience works for me. So far I really enjoy the episode length and structure.
I would normally not talk about the economics of publishing in a book review, but I want to address Serial Box's pricing model. The price per episode feels a bit high if you jump in late (my bad, honestly, I forgot that I would lose the discount if I didn't subscribe from the beginning). However, there are a lot of talented writers working on this, and I want them to all get compensated fairly - and my understanding is that the word count of Tremontaine is going to exceed a typical novel. So the price is fair, but it is a high price point and word count commitment for a book.
This is probably GENIUS, because it's so challenging to get people to pay out adequately for fiction. I do hope the series eventually gets bundled and distributed through library eBook vendors, for people like me who don't have a lot of disposable income for media.
chirson's review
3.0
(Good enough to encourage me to check out the next volumes at some point, but not quite to encourage me to spend on the subscription. I guess I'm not quite the right market for it, since I'm just not quite into the serialised format, and the American prices are somewhat steep considering the length of each installment.
But I'd probably be tempted if there was ever any discount.)
The characters were fun, the world sounded interesting, the story - compelling, but I wish it was more of a real story and not just a teaser to justify the purchase of the next episode.
But I'd probably be tempted if there was ever any discount.)
The characters were fun, the world sounded interesting, the story - compelling, but I wish it was more of a real story and not just a teaser to justify the purchase of the next episode.
karlycay's review
5.0
Oh no. What have I done? I really shouldn't sign up for this series. But it's like my favorite parts of Robin Hobb's Liveship Traders series, but with queer people. I love it. And it's free on serialbox.com
lindick's review
4.0
Ok I'm pretty/very obsessed with this now, will maybe consume all the "episodes" in one day??
declaired's review
5.0
I AM SO EXCITED TO BE BACK IN THE CITY. There are so many ways I have longed for the cobbled cramped streets of Riverside, with its danger and blood; the hungry ravens of the University; the bitchy finery and refinery of the Hill.
There are 3 ongoing plot lines, one following my very favorite Duchess Tremontaine, known and loved from Swordspoint and the stories in The Privilege of the Sword, another with Micah, a neuro-atypical math savant kid getting into trouble at the University, and my new fave, a foreign trader named Ixkaab Balam, who wants to be a swordswoman and is itching for trouble, and who got one of the top lines of this "episode"-- "The agent laughed with the patronizing amusement of one not used to hearing his language imperfectly understood. What a hick!" (AMAZING. WHAT A TURNABOUT OF A LINE)
Anyway! So much diversity in storytelling main characters, so much casual queerness, so many subtle noble power games and passive aggression, so many promises of FURTHER SWORDS, LADIES LADIES EVERYWHERE, etc etc, I knew this would be amazing based on the authors and the premise and it IS.
The format is also AMAZING I love serial writing, can't wait to read this over the next couple months!
There are 3 ongoing plot lines, one following my very favorite Duchess Tremontaine, known and loved from Swordspoint and the stories in The Privilege of the Sword, another with Micah, a neuro-atypical math savant kid getting into trouble at the University, and my new fave, a foreign trader named Ixkaab Balam, who wants to be a swordswoman and is itching for trouble, and who got one of the top lines of this "episode"-- "The agent laughed with the patronizing amusement of one not used to hearing his language imperfectly understood. What a hick!" (AMAZING. WHAT A TURNABOUT OF A LINE)
Anyway! So much diversity in storytelling main characters, so much casual queerness, so many subtle noble power games and passive aggression, so many promises of FURTHER SWORDS, LADIES LADIES EVERYWHERE, etc etc, I knew this would be amazing based on the authors and the premise and it IS.
The format is also AMAZING I love serial writing, can't wait to read this over the next couple months!
kikiandarrowsfishshelf's review
3.0
This entry into the Tremontaine series is to set up the characters. I enjoy the fact that Micah is a girl, and a character type that is usually done as a boy. Enjoyable start by fantasy's Jane Austen (with more swords than weddings).
bichito_feo's review
3.0
Love the concept of a serial novel... The first part was intriguing enough that I want to read the second.