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branch_c's review
3.0
Without a doubt this is one for the China Miéville fans - which I thought I was for a little while, before recognizing that his work is generally a bit too grim for me. Anyone who liked, for example, Iron Council, I can pretty much guarantee will like this one.
Anyway, this book starts off more magical and lyrical compared to Miéville's harsh and gritty stories, and if it had continued in that vein, I would have given it higher marks. Unfortunately, it slowly but surely descends into the same grim chaos of urban violence that's become Miéville's trademark, and I've found that I just don't find that enjoyable to read, regardless of how creative the setting and concepts are.
The writing, I have to say, was top notch: clear and evocative, and the characters were for the most part intriguing. A twist that comes around page 400 (of 448) was particularly well executed, and some of the grace and magic that was evident at the beginning returns to the story, making the climax and ending engaging and fairly satisfying. I would look forward to trying something else by Gilman if he does anything that emphasizes what I thought was positive about this one.
Anyway, this book starts off more magical and lyrical compared to Miéville's harsh and gritty stories, and if it had continued in that vein, I would have given it higher marks. Unfortunately, it slowly but surely descends into the same grim chaos of urban violence that's become Miéville's trademark, and I've found that I just don't find that enjoyable to read, regardless of how creative the setting and concepts are.
The writing, I have to say, was top notch: clear and evocative, and the characters were for the most part intriguing. A twist that comes around page 400 (of 448) was particularly well executed, and some of the grace and magic that was evident at the beginning returns to the story, making the climax and ending engaging and fairly satisfying. I would look forward to trying something else by Gilman if he does anything that emphasizes what I thought was positive about this one.
abigcoffeedragon's review against another edition
1.0
Did not finish -
100 pages in (25%) and nothing is happening except for story-telling - little dialog, and a ton of description - no real conflict - it is pages of character thoughts and world building, but nothing interesting is ever revealed - amped up and wide awake, this book is like NyQuil - it makes me tired and restless, but cures nothing - I know people will ping me for this review, but I have written more words in this review than there is dialog in what I read - think on that for a while ....
100 pages in (25%) and nothing is happening except for story-telling - little dialog, and a ton of description - no real conflict - it is pages of character thoughts and world building, but nothing interesting is ever revealed - amped up and wide awake, this book is like NyQuil - it makes me tired and restless, but cures nothing - I know people will ping me for this review, but I have written more words in this review than there is dialog in what I read - think on that for a while ....
peapod_boston's review
3.0
An enjoyable story with some interesting characters and ideas, hampered somewhat by workaday style.
csdaley's review
4.0
I really liked this book but I admit that I am sucker for fantasy that is dark and twisted. Not as good as Mieville, or as dark, but along the same lines. A city that never stays the same. A dark corrupted god that stalks its' citizens. In the center one man in search of his lost god stalked by another. It had a few first novel problems but nothing that ruined the story for me. I can't wait to read the next one but I will. I think I will save it for my cruise.
krivens's review
2.0
I wanted to like it. But I didn't get caught up in the story and in the end, I kind of think its a bit of a mess.
shendriq's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
amyhuang's review
3.0
I didn't find any of the characters very likeable. Nobody apparently takes any issue with killing, and there is so much death it's absurd. The pacing and ordering of the main character's quests were also weird. Very cool setting and imagination of what a living city would be like, though.
theartolater's review
3.0
So many blogs raved about this book. Honestly? It had its moments, but I did have to struggle through it a bit. Sort of a mystical version of The Lies of Locke Lamora in a way, but hardly close to the best fantasy book I’ve picked up in recent memory.
grimread's review against another edition
2.0
This is a tough one. Another re-read of the book so that I can continue the series and remember what happened in this one. Although I don't think it's a badly written book I will leave the 2 star rating because of one fatal flaw. The main characters, good or bad, in this book just have no real meaning. It almost seems like their existence adds nothing to the story.
In the beginning you get to know them and get exciting to see how they will all meet. Then somewhere in the middle when the "revolution" starts they all get somehow lost in the city. What ever they do has no impact on the story or the city. And then the ending has to resolve something so we get back to Arjun and Jack and in 4 pages they manage to fix the vengeful-god-problem and getting the city back to normal, something that hasn't really been tried for the last third of the book.
A portion of this book is dedicated to trying to build them into something but then when the part of Ararat is in action (raids, fire, angry god) they become completely impotent, drifting somewhere in the sidelines. Arjun follows Holbach because he just can't seem to think for himself, Jack leads his Thunderers into pointless fights that don't really make sense, Arlandes is moping in his office. Arlandes is probably the most wasted character in the book. The way Gilman writes it you expect for Arlandes to pull through in some daring stunt with the Thunderer, but there is nothing in the book to make him be a loved or hated character. He is the most annoying self pitying waste of paper I have seen.
It also seems that it is written for every character that in the end they do the exact opposite of what they were saying. Olympia and Holback wanted to stay but they left the city; Arjun wanted to leave but stayed; Arlandes wanted to fight for the Countess but then he leaves her for the ship; Jack is probably the only one who achieved his goal. He wanted to be free.
I think this lack of keeping the reader interested in the characters is what made me choose such low rating.
In the beginning you get to know them and get exciting to see how they will all meet. Then somewhere in the middle when the "revolution" starts they all get somehow lost in the city. What ever they do has no impact on the story or the city. And then the ending has to resolve something so we get back to Arjun and Jack and in 4 pages they manage to fix the vengeful-god-problem and getting the city back to normal, something that hasn't really been tried for the last third of the book.
A portion of this book is dedicated to trying to build them into something but then when the part of Ararat is in action (raids, fire, angry god) they become completely impotent, drifting somewhere in the sidelines. Arjun follows Holbach because he just can't seem to think for himself, Jack leads his Thunderers into pointless fights that don't really make sense, Arlandes is moping in his office. Arlandes is probably the most wasted character in the book. The way Gilman writes it you expect for Arlandes to pull through in some daring stunt with the Thunderer, but there is nothing in the book to make him be a loved or hated character. He is the most annoying self pitying waste of paper I have seen.
It also seems that it is written for every character that in the end they do the exact opposite of what they were saying. Olympia and Holback wanted to stay but they left the city; Arjun wanted to leave but stayed; Arlandes wanted to fight for the Countess but then he leaves her for the ship; Jack is probably the only one who achieved his goal. He wanted to be free.
I think this lack of keeping the reader interested in the characters is what made me choose such low rating.