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thetravelingpages's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
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? Yes
5.0
Hello my fellow beggars, thieves, and guildmates, I am excited to bring in my first review for the new year! The Gutter Prayer, the debut book for Gareth Hanrahan, and the first book in the Black Iron Legacy Series. This book has been on my radar for a long time and finally got around to picking it up while I was traveling for my job back in October and finally got around to reading it at the start of this month. I have been excited about it for a long time and so now the question becomes, did it live up to the hype I had placed on it? Let's see! As always, I will not spoil anything major in the plot, and I will provide a TLDR section at the end for those who want a concise read. Without further ado let's check out the summary:
>Enter a city of saints and thieves...The city of Guerdon stands eternal. A refuge from the war that rages beyond its borders. But in the ancient tunnels beneath its streets, a malevolent power has begun to stir. The fate of the city rests in the hands of three thieves. They alone stand against the coming darkness. As conspiracies unfold and secrets are revealed, their friendship will be tested to the limit. If they fail, all will be lost, and the streets of Guerdon will run with blood.
**Overview:** *Change is simultaneously a fast and a slow process. The great forces of history are slow-moving and unnoticed by those surrounded by them, visible only in hindsight where they appear inevitable.*
Some of my favorite videogames of all time have been produced by one company. FromSoftware, they aren't that big of a deal, they only developed Demon's Souls, Dark Souls, Bloodborne, Sekiro, and Elden Ring. One of my favorite games in their catalog is Bloodborne, for a few reasons, one it was the game that helped me through a very dark time in my life, but two I had never been as fascinated with Lovecraft until I played that game. As some of you may have, I read Redgrave's Paleblood Hunt, a one hundred page lore document detailing the game's story and events. What does that have to do with the Gutter Prayer? Well, FromSoftware has this innate ability to immerse you in their worlds if you give them a chance to. When I finished Bloodborne, I remember thinking I wish I could read a book that was like Bloodborne. Enter the Gutter Prayer. Gareth's debut novel that released in 2019 to critical acclaim, and the trilogy itself finished in 2021 with the release of the final book, the Broken God and he just released a new novel for a new series back in 2023 called The Sword Defiant.
This book exceeded my expectations. That's the short version. I loved it. It is one of the most immersive books I have ever read. But before we dive into that I wanted to share some information about the author. Gareth hails from Ireland, specifically, the city of Cork and was going to go into computer programming but took a three month "break" to focus on Freelance writing. He credited with being a game designer and has worked on a Rune Quest setting and the Sci-Fi RPG Traveller. His love for the genre shines through the pages. This is a book that had a lot of time and effort poured into it. Now let's discuss why this book is so good.
**Plot:** *Now, we turn to the gods - not for guidance or protection, but as experimental subjects*.
To describe the plot to you without spoiling has proven difficult. It is very much like trying to explain Bloodborne, in that it is something that has to be experienced, but I will give you the barebones of it. Guerdon is a neutral city, while the rest of the world is involved in the Godswar. The plot centers around three main characters Cari, a young orphaned runaway who has joined up with two members from a local thieves guild, Spar and Rat. Spar is a Stone Man, a person who is afflicted by a plague that turns their skin to stone, and Rat is a ghoul, an bottom feeder from the city's depths that consume the dead. Together these three are at the center of a conspiracy that is involved when a grand tower is blown up at the beginning of the book. This leads to shenanigans involving old secrets, gods, cults, and ancient oaths. To explain anymore would spoil the plot but that's the gist. While this is not treading new ground, it is told so well that it feels so unique and inventive. That's not to say that Gareth doesn't have unique ideas presented in this book, he absolutely does, but the tropes you may have seen before. The difference though is in how its presented to us and when an author knows how to use it effectively it is harder to notice.
All that to say the mystery, intrigue, and noir aspects of this story hit all the right notes. Even when a particular revelation did not surprise me towards the end because it was foreshadowed early, I still found the moment to be impactful. That's not to say there weren't moments of surprise though either. To go into them is why this is difficult. This book is driven by its plot and central mystery/conflict so we can dive into specifics. I will say the beginning is a little slow but once it picks up, it picks way up, and Gareth does such a great job of keeping you invested that its easy to read 50 to 100 pages without realizing it. The pacing can meander at times though and it does slow way down near the middle, but it picks back up after a bit. Spar's storyline in this book I would say was part of this problem, a lot of his moments are sitting and waiting, or gathering support. I found his moments less engaging personally compared to Jere, Rat, and Cari.
**Characters:** *But there are moments when things can change, when the forces balance and it's possible for people - individual people - to make a big difference.*
The three main characters as I mentioned are Cari, Spar, and Rat, but there are some other characters along for the ride as well. Jere Taphson, a Thief Taker, Professer Ongent, a university professor and his son Miren, Eladora Thay, an assistant to Ongent, and one of my personal favorites, Aleena. The main POVs you spend the most time with are Cari, Spar, Rat, and Jere. The characters are all distinct voices with a fun dynamic. Cari is a brash, impulsive, and often selfish person due to surviving on her own. She does things that are quite frankly self-serving and it makes you hate her for it at times. Spar is often a stoic, proud to the point of stubbornness, and often on the move due mainly due to him being a stone man. I will expand on the world and lore in the world-building section, but essentially Spar's infected with a plague that is essentially leprosy but instead of body parts falling off. They calcify and turn to stone. Once it progresses far enough the person infected can no longer move and die in a prison of their own making as they suffocate due to their internal organs turning to stone. Rat is a ghoul which is a human/wolf hybrid with hooves. I imagined him in the way I would imagine a Wendigo. He's not human and often is very practical. He is an eater of the dead and lives underground normally. He slinks in the shadows because people don't really enjoy the presence of corpse eaters. Often he thinks of things in a practical sense, kill it if it's dangerous, eat it so nothing is wasted.
Jere was definitely a favorite. He felt so different from the others. It was like reading a noir novel. Jere is a retired soldier and turned to Thief Taking, which is often at odds with the City Watch. Think the detective that doesn't follow the rules. He is doing his best to uncover what's going in the city and uncovering the conspiracy behind the Tower of Law's explosion (the inciting incident that sets things into motion). Jere was just always fun to read because it felt like he was always fighting an uphill battle. Other side characters were interesting, Aleena, was the stand out, she is a Saint, which is this world's version of a demi-god often coming into a scene blurting obscenities' and telling people the straight facts. Eladora had some POV chapters but we don't get to know her as well as the others but that is rectified in the sequel so I've heard. All in all I thought the characters were great but they were not the standouts of this story. That honor belongs to the city of Guerdon.
**Worldbuilding and Prose:** *From here, you see the heart of the Old City, its palaces and churches, and towers reaching up like the hands of a man drowning, trying to break free of the warren of alleyways and hovels that surround them.*
One of the reasons I love Bloodborne, and truly all of FromSofts games that I have played, is there attention to detail. The worlds immerse you. Guerdon feels like a real place with rich history and lore. A lot of fantasy can fall into the trap of being as wide as an ocean but as deep as a puddle. While the world of the Gutter Prayer is small in scope, comparatively, what is here is deep and intriguing. It's a steampunk/dark gothic/victorian setting (duh a lot of these stories are). Their is an alchemists guild who creates unholy abominations such as Gullheads, human bird hybrids that are in constant agony but are also insanely strong, Raptequines a bird/horse hybrid that feeds on meat and are known to eat people who get to close, and the Tallowmen, which are humanoid wax constructs that are unnaturally disturbing. Seriously, the Tallowmen are terrifying. They will kill anyone that gets in their way and have no emotions. The Alchemists are basically that doctor from Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood (You all know the one).
Outside of that there are the aforementioned stone men and ghouls. But there are also Saints, who are conduits of godly power and sometimes not just a single god but a pantheon of them, Crawling Ones, sentient hive mind worm sorcerers that where porcelain masks (you read that correctly), and other things that we can't talk about yet. The gods of this world are not only active in Guerdon, but in the world as the godswar ravages nations outside of this neutral city. It is imaginative and brilliant. Gareth reportedly based Guerdon from his hometown of Cork, and after a quick google search I can see it. Magic is rightly mysterious in this world, with it being seen with distrust (you have to have a license to use it) due to the godswar and deities being known to deploy saints who are essentially walking nukes. From how I understand the magic, it is borrowed often from the spiritual ether, some people can use small amounts of it, but others like the Saints are lightning rods directly filtering that divine power which is what makes them stronger than a normal mage in this world.
In terms of the prose. It is beautifully written. I included the passage above because I felt that was such an evocative scene from the prologue. Also don't worry while the prologue is in second person, I know that's not exactly popular, it only happens there, in an interlude, and the epilogue. At first, Gareth's writing is a little weird to get used to. It's told in Third-Person present tense which is jarring to get used to at first, but once you've read a few pages you get used to it. Sometimes the characters are written in a way where we get their entire inner monologues where they meander down a side path only to return. These instances can feel a little chaotic, but I felt that the prose are some of Fantasy's bests. I am not sure I would put him up there quite with Tadd Williams (in my opinion he's one of the best), but it is very close.
**Let's Wrap It Up (TLDR Section):** *God's shit. That's your idea of a fucking short cut?*
The Gutter Prayer is one of the most immersive books I have ever read. It is an exceptional debut to a dark fantasy/steampunk adventure filled with eldritch horrors, inventive ideas, and unique creatures that are not seen normally in the fantasy genre. Gareth Hanrahan has delivered one of my favorite reads in the fantasy genre and I would recommend this book 100%. It's not perfect! No book is. It meanders at moments and the writing while very good can be a little odd getting used to, and there are some twists that are a little too telegraphed. However, at the end of the day this is great book and worth your time if you give it the chance to sink its claws into you. Check this one out if you haven't yet. Feel free to check out the books I read last year as well if you would like! [Books I Read in 2023](https://www.reddit.com/r/Fantasy/comments/199ev5g/books_i_read_in_2023_end_of_the_year_superlatives/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3). Until next time friends.
​
​
>Enter a city of saints and thieves...The city of Guerdon stands eternal. A refuge from the war that rages beyond its borders. But in the ancient tunnels beneath its streets, a malevolent power has begun to stir. The fate of the city rests in the hands of three thieves. They alone stand against the coming darkness. As conspiracies unfold and secrets are revealed, their friendship will be tested to the limit. If they fail, all will be lost, and the streets of Guerdon will run with blood.
**Overview:** *Change is simultaneously a fast and a slow process. The great forces of history are slow-moving and unnoticed by those surrounded by them, visible only in hindsight where they appear inevitable.*
Some of my favorite videogames of all time have been produced by one company. FromSoftware, they aren't that big of a deal, they only developed Demon's Souls, Dark Souls, Bloodborne, Sekiro, and Elden Ring. One of my favorite games in their catalog is Bloodborne, for a few reasons, one it was the game that helped me through a very dark time in my life, but two I had never been as fascinated with Lovecraft until I played that game. As some of you may have, I read Redgrave's Paleblood Hunt, a one hundred page lore document detailing the game's story and events. What does that have to do with the Gutter Prayer? Well, FromSoftware has this innate ability to immerse you in their worlds if you give them a chance to. When I finished Bloodborne, I remember thinking I wish I could read a book that was like Bloodborne. Enter the Gutter Prayer. Gareth's debut novel that released in 2019 to critical acclaim, and the trilogy itself finished in 2021 with the release of the final book, the Broken God and he just released a new novel for a new series back in 2023 called The Sword Defiant.
This book exceeded my expectations. That's the short version. I loved it. It is one of the most immersive books I have ever read. But before we dive into that I wanted to share some information about the author. Gareth hails from Ireland, specifically, the city of Cork and was going to go into computer programming but took a three month "break" to focus on Freelance writing. He credited with being a game designer and has worked on a Rune Quest setting and the Sci-Fi RPG Traveller. His love for the genre shines through the pages. This is a book that had a lot of time and effort poured into it. Now let's discuss why this book is so good.
**Plot:** *Now, we turn to the gods - not for guidance or protection, but as experimental subjects*.
To describe the plot to you without spoiling has proven difficult. It is very much like trying to explain Bloodborne, in that it is something that has to be experienced, but I will give you the barebones of it. Guerdon is a neutral city, while the rest of the world is involved in the Godswar. The plot centers around three main characters Cari, a young orphaned runaway who has joined up with two members from a local thieves guild, Spar and Rat. Spar is a Stone Man, a person who is afflicted by a plague that turns their skin to stone, and Rat is a ghoul, an bottom feeder from the city's depths that consume the dead. Together these three are at the center of a conspiracy that is involved when a grand tower is blown up at the beginning of the book. This leads to shenanigans involving old secrets, gods, cults, and ancient oaths. To explain anymore would spoil the plot but that's the gist. While this is not treading new ground, it is told so well that it feels so unique and inventive. That's not to say that Gareth doesn't have unique ideas presented in this book, he absolutely does, but the tropes you may have seen before. The difference though is in how its presented to us and when an author knows how to use it effectively it is harder to notice.
All that to say the mystery, intrigue, and noir aspects of this story hit all the right notes. Even when a particular revelation did not surprise me towards the end because it was foreshadowed early, I still found the moment to be impactful. That's not to say there weren't moments of surprise though either. To go into them is why this is difficult. This book is driven by its plot and central mystery/conflict so we can dive into specifics. I will say the beginning is a little slow but once it picks up, it picks way up, and Gareth does such a great job of keeping you invested that its easy to read 50 to 100 pages without realizing it. The pacing can meander at times though and it does slow way down near the middle, but it picks back up after a bit. Spar's storyline in this book I would say was part of this problem, a lot of his moments are sitting and waiting, or gathering support. I found his moments less engaging personally compared to Jere, Rat, and Cari.
**Characters:** *But there are moments when things can change, when the forces balance and it's possible for people - individual people - to make a big difference.*
The three main characters as I mentioned are Cari, Spar, and Rat, but there are some other characters along for the ride as well. Jere Taphson, a Thief Taker, Professer Ongent, a university professor and his son Miren, Eladora Thay, an assistant to Ongent, and one of my personal favorites, Aleena. The main POVs you spend the most time with are Cari, Spar, Rat, and Jere. The characters are all distinct voices with a fun dynamic. Cari is a brash, impulsive, and often selfish person due to surviving on her own. She does things that are quite frankly self-serving and it makes you hate her for it at times. Spar is often a stoic, proud to the point of stubbornness, and often on the move due mainly due to him being a stone man. I will expand on the world and lore in the world-building section, but essentially Spar's infected with a plague that is essentially leprosy but instead of body parts falling off. They calcify and turn to stone. Once it progresses far enough the person infected can no longer move and die in a prison of their own making as they suffocate due to their internal organs turning to stone. Rat is a ghoul which is a human/wolf hybrid with hooves. I imagined him in the way I would imagine a Wendigo. He's not human and often is very practical. He is an eater of the dead and lives underground normally. He slinks in the shadows because people don't really enjoy the presence of corpse eaters. Often he thinks of things in a practical sense, kill it if it's dangerous, eat it so nothing is wasted.
Jere was definitely a favorite. He felt so different from the others. It was like reading a noir novel. Jere is a retired soldier and turned to Thief Taking, which is often at odds with the City Watch. Think the detective that doesn't follow the rules. He is doing his best to uncover what's going in the city and uncovering the conspiracy behind the Tower of Law's explosion (the inciting incident that sets things into motion). Jere was just always fun to read because it felt like he was always fighting an uphill battle. Other side characters were interesting, Aleena, was the stand out, she is a Saint, which is this world's version of a demi-god often coming into a scene blurting obscenities' and telling people the straight facts. Eladora had some POV chapters but we don't get to know her as well as the others but that is rectified in the sequel so I've heard. All in all I thought the characters were great but they were not the standouts of this story. That honor belongs to the city of Guerdon.
**Worldbuilding and Prose:** *From here, you see the heart of the Old City, its palaces and churches, and towers reaching up like the hands of a man drowning, trying to break free of the warren of alleyways and hovels that surround them.*
One of the reasons I love Bloodborne, and truly all of FromSofts games that I have played, is there attention to detail. The worlds immerse you. Guerdon feels like a real place with rich history and lore. A lot of fantasy can fall into the trap of being as wide as an ocean but as deep as a puddle. While the world of the Gutter Prayer is small in scope, comparatively, what is here is deep and intriguing. It's a steampunk/dark gothic/victorian setting (duh a lot of these stories are). Their is an alchemists guild who creates unholy abominations such as Gullheads, human bird hybrids that are in constant agony but are also insanely strong, Raptequines a bird/horse hybrid that feeds on meat and are known to eat people who get to close, and the Tallowmen, which are humanoid wax constructs that are unnaturally disturbing. Seriously, the Tallowmen are terrifying. They will kill anyone that gets in their way and have no emotions. The Alchemists are basically that doctor from Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood (You all know the one).
Outside of that there are the aforementioned stone men and ghouls. But there are also Saints, who are conduits of godly power and sometimes not just a single god but a pantheon of them, Crawling Ones, sentient hive mind worm sorcerers that where porcelain masks (you read that correctly), and other things that we can't talk about yet. The gods of this world are not only active in Guerdon, but in the world as the godswar ravages nations outside of this neutral city. It is imaginative and brilliant. Gareth reportedly based Guerdon from his hometown of Cork, and after a quick google search I can see it. Magic is rightly mysterious in this world, with it being seen with distrust (you have to have a license to use it) due to the godswar and deities being known to deploy saints who are essentially walking nukes. From how I understand the magic, it is borrowed often from the spiritual ether, some people can use small amounts of it, but others like the Saints are lightning rods directly filtering that divine power which is what makes them stronger than a normal mage in this world.
In terms of the prose. It is beautifully written. I included the passage above because I felt that was such an evocative scene from the prologue. Also don't worry while the prologue is in second person, I know that's not exactly popular, it only happens there, in an interlude, and the epilogue. At first, Gareth's writing is a little weird to get used to. It's told in Third-Person present tense which is jarring to get used to at first, but once you've read a few pages you get used to it. Sometimes the characters are written in a way where we get their entire inner monologues where they meander down a side path only to return. These instances can feel a little chaotic, but I felt that the prose are some of Fantasy's bests. I am not sure I would put him up there quite with Tadd Williams (in my opinion he's one of the best), but it is very close.
**Let's Wrap It Up (TLDR Section):** *God's shit. That's your idea of a fucking short cut?*
The Gutter Prayer is one of the most immersive books I have ever read. It is an exceptional debut to a dark fantasy/steampunk adventure filled with eldritch horrors, inventive ideas, and unique creatures that are not seen normally in the fantasy genre. Gareth Hanrahan has delivered one of my favorite reads in the fantasy genre and I would recommend this book 100%. It's not perfect! No book is. It meanders at moments and the writing while very good can be a little odd getting used to, and there are some twists that are a little too telegraphed. However, at the end of the day this is great book and worth your time if you give it the chance to sink its claws into you. Check this one out if you haven't yet. Feel free to check out the books I read last year as well if you would like! [Books I Read in 2023](https://www.reddit.com/r/Fantasy/comments/199ev5g/books_i_read_in_2023_end_of_the_year_superlatives/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3). Until next time friends.
​
​
timinbc's review against another edition
3.0
I have to applaud the author's decision to mash the gas pedal to the floor and hold it there, but I fear we have ended up with a firehose of creativity that has left us spluttering and soaked.
Disclaimer: I see that GH comes from a gaming background, and I don't. No doubt we have different expectations, and it's his book not mine.
A couple of things bothered me throughout.
First, I had no big issue with the Worm People (5000 worms in a trench coat, three little boys in a trench coat, meh) but I just couldn't buy the Tallowmen. Just not feasible with what they can do and how they work. HOW are they so fast? How are they made to look like their originals?
Second, the characters turning to stone kept ringing my Jemisin Alarm.
And .. "Carillon" ? Did she never once ask, "Mommy, why am I called Carillon?" Did she never once make the connection herself?
I didn't much care for any of the major characters. Aleena is terrific, and Jere had some real promise. I liked the way we were gradually shown Heinreil's utterly pragmatic approach. Miren has potential for the next book as a character who has more power than capability -- or will he become something else?
But overall, too many manipulators, few of them with a clear or credible purpose.
One reviewer suggested that the worldbuilding here is a triumph of quantity over quality. I'm leaning to agreeing. I never really got a feeling of what the city looked like. Bunch of towers and a dock is all I remember.
I was somewhat "WTF just happened?" at the end, but upon re-reading I accept it. It's thin, but the author DID set up the connection and relationship that made it possible.
For all that I have said, this was exciting. I will read the next one, and I think GH has a blockbuster in his future if his imagination can be tamed.
Disclaimer: I see that GH comes from a gaming background, and I don't. No doubt we have different expectations, and it's his book not mine.
A couple of things bothered me throughout.
First, I had no big issue with the Worm People (5000 worms in a trench coat, three little boys in a trench coat, meh) but I just couldn't buy the Tallowmen. Just not feasible with what they can do and how they work. HOW are they so fast? How are they made to look like their originals?
Second, the characters turning to stone kept ringing my Jemisin Alarm.
And .. "Carillon" ? Did she never once ask, "Mommy, why am I called Carillon?" Did she never once make the connection herself?
I didn't much care for any of the major characters. Aleena is terrific, and Jere had some real promise. I liked the way we were gradually shown Heinreil's utterly pragmatic approach. Miren has potential for the next book as a character who has more power than capability -- or will he become something else?
But overall, too many manipulators, few of them with a clear or credible purpose.
One reviewer suggested that the worldbuilding here is a triumph of quantity over quality. I'm leaning to agreeing. I never really got a feeling of what the city looked like. Bunch of towers and a dock is all I remember.
I was somewhat "WTF just happened?" at the end, but upon re-reading I accept it. It's thin, but the author DID set up the connection and relationship that made it possible.
For all that I have said, this was exciting. I will read the next one, and I think GH has a blockbuster in his future if his imagination can be tamed.
chadwick102's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-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
rwatkins's review against another edition
4.0
4/5 stars - Overall: 19/25
A fantastic read with a slow mystery driving the narrative, grim and unique characters, a dark urban fantasy setting and balanced writing. Perfect for fans of weird urban fantasy and grimdark settings.
Characters 3.5/5: Follows a trio of thieves that includes a young woman developing prophetic powers, a man slowly turning into Marvel's version of The Thing, and a ghoul that feeds on the flesh of the dead. They each receive major external changes through the course of the story, but there isn't much focus on, or execution of, internal change.
Plot 3.5/5: A bit of a meandering mystery plot unfolds around a heist gone wrong and some mystical happenings. There is a b-plot involving a possible rising rebellion.
Setting 4.5/5: While not wide in the scope of world, the city this story is limited to and takes place in is very detailed and developed. From the power factions to religion to history, a lot of things are included to flesh out the worldbuilding without being overwhelming. The magic is kept undefined and mysterious, with some vague connections to alchemy and divine interference. There is a lot of creativity here, from a Candlestick police force to ghouls and worm-sorcerers living in abandoned underground subway tunnels. I got some major Perdido Street Station style vibes/influences.
Style 4/5: There is a healthy blend of short, simple sentences and longer, more descriptive portions that made for an enjoyable balance in prose. There are some stalled sections, that felt a little like side-questing, but chapters are short and pacing is quick. There isn't much time spent on reflection or improvements, as the things do moving forward. Some small parts can be difficult to keep up with, due to some overuse of head-hopping, but most of the story is clear and easy enough to follow.
Themes 3.5/5: Expect darker themes at work here, with betrayal, abuse of power, corruption, lawful brutality and lack of oversight as key players. Disease, death, secret histories, crime and punishment, bounty-hunting and all sorts of ideas get introduced but are mostly left underdeveloped.
A fantastic read with a slow mystery driving the narrative, grim and unique characters, a dark urban fantasy setting and balanced writing. Perfect for fans of weird urban fantasy and grimdark settings.
Characters 3.5/5: Follows a trio of thieves that includes a young woman developing prophetic powers, a man slowly turning into Marvel's version of The Thing, and a ghoul that feeds on the flesh of the dead. They each receive major external changes through the course of the story, but there isn't much focus on, or execution of, internal change.
Plot 3.5/5: A bit of a meandering mystery plot unfolds around a heist gone wrong and some mystical happenings. There is a b-plot involving a possible rising rebellion.
Setting 4.5/5: While not wide in the scope of world, the city this story is limited to and takes place in is very detailed and developed. From the power factions to religion to history, a lot of things are included to flesh out the worldbuilding without being overwhelming. The magic is kept undefined and mysterious, with some vague connections to alchemy and divine interference. There is a lot of creativity here, from a Candlestick police force to ghouls and worm-sorcerers living in abandoned underground subway tunnels. I got some major Perdido Street Station style vibes/influences.
Style 4/5: There is a healthy blend of short, simple sentences and longer, more descriptive portions that made for an enjoyable balance in prose. There are some stalled sections, that felt a little like side-questing, but chapters are short and pacing is quick. There isn't much time spent on reflection or improvements, as the things do moving forward. Some small parts can be difficult to keep up with, due to some overuse of head-hopping, but most of the story is clear and easy enough to follow.
Themes 3.5/5: Expect darker themes at work here, with betrayal, abuse of power, corruption, lawful brutality and lack of oversight as key players. Disease, death, secret histories, crime and punishment, bounty-hunting and all sorts of ideas get introduced but are mostly left underdeveloped.
nclcaitlin's review against another edition
3.5
Cari, Rat, and Spar - a nomad girl, a ghoul, and a Stone Boy -three thieves pulled into a centuries old magical war between ancient beings, mages, and humanity.
Sadly, it is not the start of a joke and will probably end in the destruction of the city of Guerdon. A refuge from the war that rages beyond its borders.
The worldbuilding is definitely the highlight and strength of this book. The utter uniqueness of this steampunk world which creates an expansive and immersive city.
Sometimes, I do feel that this overshadowed the plot as the worldbuilding overwhelms the story, the plot seeming to be driven by this element.
I really liked the idea of saints and gods acting through vessels. It reminded me of T Kingfisher’s Saints of Steel series.
The city was ready for change. The old order was starting to melt away, and we swam in the meltwater.
I think you could read this as a standalone without continuing with books two and three and still feel extremely satisfied with how it is wrapped up.
shawniebooks's review against another edition
3.0
There was so much going on during the last quarter of the book that I probably missed details and connections. I found most of the characters unlikable and wished to see more connection between them. They fell a bit flat for me. On the flip side, many aspects of the world and magic system, such as the saints, tallowmen and stone men, were creative, new and interesting.
dboyd22's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
tshim's review against another edition
3.0
This author shows a heckuva lot of promise, but the book's a swing and a miss and a baseball to the eye.
The best way I can put it is this: If you've ever read a China Mieville book, you're familiar with one of my favorite aspects of the New Weird movement, which is the stage of the book where you start to get your bearings in the slightly skew world the book creates, and your puzzlement transitions smoothly into a simultaneous horror and wonder. This book forgot the wonder, and didn't make me care about the characters enough to offset the grimdark turn.
The Gutter Prayer combines an amazing amount of stuff I really really like in books, but puts it together in an unfortunate way. I loved lots of small things about the author's writing style, I enjoyed the plotting, I adored the world, but this is a painful book for me as a reader. I hope the author takes another crack at it, because I'd love to see his vision realized well.
The best way I can put it is this: If you've ever read a China Mieville book, you're familiar with one of my favorite aspects of the New Weird movement, which is the stage of the book where you start to get your bearings in the slightly skew world the book creates, and your puzzlement transitions smoothly into a simultaneous horror and wonder. This book forgot the wonder, and didn't make me care about the characters enough to offset the grimdark turn.
The Gutter Prayer combines an amazing amount of stuff I really really like in books, but puts it together in an unfortunate way. I loved lots of small things about the author's writing style, I enjoyed the plotting, I adored the world, but this is a painful book for me as a reader. I hope the author takes another crack at it, because I'd love to see his vision realized well.
cbroderick226's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
protomolecule's review against another edition
3.0
I picked this series because I love Bloodborne and I heard this book had some of the vibes, and it does! The city of Guerdon is as much of a character here as Yharnam is in Bloodborne and there are nods here and there to the game and other media, but I appreciate how this book took all those Lovecraftian ideas and did something different and original with them.
Unfortunately I never quite loved the main character and one of the subplots just seemed like a waste of time that ended up going nowhere.
But overall I enjoyed this book enough to continue reading the series, and book 2, which I'm currently reading, is a huge improvement.
Unfortunately I never quite loved the main character and one of the subplots just seemed like a waste of time that ended up going nowhere.
But overall I enjoyed this book enough to continue reading the series, and book 2, which I'm currently reading, is a huge improvement.