Reviews

Now at the third book in the series our young protagonists are truly facing events that strip them of all innocence. This book splits up our heros as the events happening in the world become more and more pressing and widespread. Thus must our heros also split up to deal with them. This also allows us to see more of the world and meet more of the interesting insect based races. This book is also one contrast. While Cheerwell heads to the bright and sunny city of Solarno where gifted pilots fight gripping dog fights over a glittering lake, her lover heads instead north to an altogether less attractive city by a very different lake. This one marshy and grimy full of smugglers and secrets that dwell deep in its deapths.
I really enjoy the way this story is developing and highly recommend it.

karinlib's review against another edition

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adventurous fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

I continue to enjoy this series.

jaydoncornell's review against another edition

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adventurous mysterious fast-paced

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

3.75

mwplante's review

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3.0

With this third, tiny entry in the series, Tchaikovsky is just showing off his ability to get things done. He carries forward the war in the lowlands while opening new fronts in the fringes of the Spiderlands and a tiny smuggling town called Jerez, (one that conceals a fascinating secret beneath its neighboring lake). A fun book but not quite as exhilirating as its predecessor. Still, Mr. Tchaikovsky lays a ton of groundwork here that I have no doubt will pay off in future volumes.

misterwisp's review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

3.5

It's an epic sequel. Some new characters are introduced, more time is given to previously very minor characters, and you can tell characters and plot arrangements continue to be moved into place for intense conflicts and other big happenings in the next book. Much of this book feels like setup for the next book so the pace slows down in parts. But even so, later on in it there are still scenes that provide some satisfying payoff. The world and it's factions continue to be developed in a compelling way. The point of view keeps shifting to different character groups and more time with certain characters would have been nice, but the book overall is definitely more about setting up a bigger picture than any one character's single arc. It's a good read overall and continues the saga in an enjoyable way. Everyone gets some good action to some extent, and it will be interesting to see where things go from here.

Content Warnings

helenamt's review against another edition

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adventurous dark slow-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

3.75

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