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richardpierce's review against another edition
4.0
There were a number of reasons I loved Greaveburn. It took me into an imaginary world that was entirely believable. It is so visual that I can imagine it being turned into a film or a 3-part BBC drama, sumptuously produced. It introduced be to a cast of different characters, each so well drawn that I had no problem visualising them. And it had a flawed hero, flawed not just physically, but psychologically, too. Add to that a narrative that kept me turning the pages, and you've got an almost perfect book.
I say almost perfect advisedly, because, as a writer, reviewing books by other writers is not easy, as it's almost impossible to switch off the writer part of me and to become only a reader. There was the odd word here and there which seemed out of place, but nothing significant. And certainly nothing to stop Greaveburn being an all-enveloping, all-consuming experience.
Elsewhere I have likened it to Ghormenghast, but not in a derivative sense. It has that perfectly-built world that all good fantasy books should have, a self-contained universe which makes sense, and where all threads are combined into a rich tapestry of story. It's a book written by someone who can tell stories, a born story-teller, because that's what good novlists are - story-tellerswho write their stories down rather than relying on the memory of others to replicate them.
I do hope there is a sequel, or at least another story to come out of the fantastic creation that the city of Greaveburn is. Craig Hallam is a talent who deserves to cross over into the mainstream and have significant commercial success.
I say almost perfect advisedly, because, as a writer, reviewing books by other writers is not easy, as it's almost impossible to switch off the writer part of me and to become only a reader. There was the odd word here and there which seemed out of place, but nothing significant. And certainly nothing to stop Greaveburn being an all-enveloping, all-consuming experience.
Elsewhere I have likened it to Ghormenghast, but not in a derivative sense. It has that perfectly-built world that all good fantasy books should have, a self-contained universe which makes sense, and where all threads are combined into a rich tapestry of story. It's a book written by someone who can tell stories, a born story-teller, because that's what good novlists are - story-tellerswho write their stories down rather than relying on the memory of others to replicate them.
I do hope there is a sequel, or at least another story to come out of the fantastic creation that the city of Greaveburn is. Craig Hallam is a talent who deserves to cross over into the mainstream and have significant commercial success.
caitlinejones's review against another edition
4.0
"The silence didn't fall, it crashed, killing all the passengers and the driver."
Can we just talk about how good that line up there is first? Because "Greaveburn" is a lot like this one line; surprisingly clever and intricately written.
With themes ranging from "The Count of Monte Cristo" to classic fairy tales, and set purely within the confines of the gothic city, the story send its large cast of character out against lines of political plots, mysterious deaths, and conspiracy. The beginning does feel slower and more complex than the rest of the book, if only due to world-building. It did not distract from the characters though, who only grow in intrigue as the story goes on. Normally, a book this length might not be able to hold so many people, but most of the cast is well fleshed out by the end (I was particularly fond of Wheldrake and Corwater myself). The world of Greaveburn was richly written and left me wanting more.
A surprisingly dark and fun read. The finale also leaves room for a promising sequel, which I certainly look forward to!
Can we just talk about how good that line up there is first? Because "Greaveburn" is a lot like this one line; surprisingly clever and intricately written.
With themes ranging from "The Count of Monte Cristo" to classic fairy tales, and set purely within the confines of the gothic city, the story send its large cast of character out against lines of political plots, mysterious deaths, and conspiracy. The beginning does feel slower and more complex than the rest of the book, if only due to world-building. It did not distract from the characters though, who only grow in intrigue as the story goes on. Normally, a book this length might not be able to hold so many people, but most of the cast is well fleshed out by the end (I was particularly fond of Wheldrake and Corwater myself). The world of Greaveburn was richly written and left me wanting more.
A surprisingly dark and fun read. The finale also leaves room for a promising sequel, which I certainly look forward to!
ksmarsden's review against another edition
3.0
A city needs saving, as its ambitious ruler oppresses the common folk. People are disappearing; experiments are unsanctioned; and the Broken folk swarm the sewers.
I bought this book after meeting the author at a book event before Christmas, which was pretty awesome.
This story is about Greaveburn, a city pushed to breaking point by greedy, grasping nobles; and other unsavoury characters that are taking advantage of the chaos.
It is very creative, and the setting is solid, weaving science, steampunk and political danger.
I think the city of Greaveburn steals the story, it's like a slumbering giant, waiting for fate to play its hand. The other characters are simply the supporting cast, whether they are working for their own purposes, or have their strings pulled by another.
I found it quite an original take on the genre.
But I think its strength is also its weakness.
The narrative is split between various characters, and although a few of them play a bigger role than the others, you never really feel connected to any of them.
Abrasia is set up as the rightful heir, who can finally bring peace and prosperity to Greaveburn. She is sweet and kind-hearted, but she is simply a token figure that represents a good future. She doesn't actively do anything, even her thoughts and opinions are without any agency or purpose. She is moved about like a chess piece by the other players.
The most interesting character is Darrant, who goes from being Abrasia's right-had man and protector, to the lowest of civilians - the Broken folk. But even from the sewers, he rebuilds his life and his purpose. Under the guise of Riccall, he becomes a Robin Hood character, who tries to save the commoners, and drives the rebel attacks. He was pretty awesome, and it was a shame that he faded into the background, while the story followed the much-less-interesting Steadfast.
I was surprised by the time jump of two years between the two parts of the book. I don't mind lapses in time, as long as it benefits the story. I didn't really feel that it did on this occasion.
None of the characters made any progress with their own stories during this time. Developmentally, and plot-wise, they were all in the same place.
I mean, it didn't negatively impact the story, I just found it ineffective.
The only other problem I had, was that the narrative was sometimes stilted by the overuse of metaphors and similes.
'The collar of Chief Inspector Cawber's shirt was slick with sweat, like an eel wrapped across his shoulders.'
'Silence stretched out, drawing sweat from the Constables' foreheads like snake venom.'
Hallam gives us some of the most creative descriptions I've ever read.
I'll always remember when a friend said he was advised to keep the similes down to 5 or 10 in each piece of work. Greaveburn can have 5 per page in some sections, and then nothing for another chunk. The unevenness made it feel like the writer had approached these sections at different times, giving us a different effect.
Overall, I like the premise and creativity. You can tell this is a debut novel, and I look forward to Hallam's future, more polished work.
I bought this book after meeting the author at a book event before Christmas, which was pretty awesome.
This story is about Greaveburn, a city pushed to breaking point by greedy, grasping nobles; and other unsavoury characters that are taking advantage of the chaos.
It is very creative, and the setting is solid, weaving science, steampunk and political danger.
I think the city of Greaveburn steals the story, it's like a slumbering giant, waiting for fate to play its hand. The other characters are simply the supporting cast, whether they are working for their own purposes, or have their strings pulled by another.
I found it quite an original take on the genre.
But I think its strength is also its weakness.
The narrative is split between various characters, and although a few of them play a bigger role than the others, you never really feel connected to any of them.
Abrasia is set up as the rightful heir, who can finally bring peace and prosperity to Greaveburn. She is sweet and kind-hearted, but she is simply a token figure that represents a good future. She doesn't actively do anything, even her thoughts and opinions are without any agency or purpose. She is moved about like a chess piece by the other players.
The most interesting character is Darrant, who goes from being Abrasia's right-had man and protector, to the lowest of civilians - the Broken folk. But even from the sewers, he rebuilds his life and his purpose. Under the guise of Riccall, he becomes a Robin Hood character, who tries to save the commoners, and drives the rebel attacks. He was pretty awesome, and it was a shame that he faded into the background, while the story followed the much-less-interesting Steadfast.
I was surprised by the time jump of two years between the two parts of the book. I don't mind lapses in time, as long as it benefits the story. I didn't really feel that it did on this occasion.
None of the characters made any progress with their own stories during this time. Developmentally, and plot-wise, they were all in the same place.
I mean, it didn't negatively impact the story, I just found it ineffective.
The only other problem I had, was that the narrative was sometimes stilted by the overuse of metaphors and similes.
'The collar of Chief Inspector Cawber's shirt was slick with sweat, like an eel wrapped across his shoulders.'
'Silence stretched out, drawing sweat from the Constables' foreheads like snake venom.'
Hallam gives us some of the most creative descriptions I've ever read.
I'll always remember when a friend said he was advised to keep the similes down to 5 or 10 in each piece of work. Greaveburn can have 5 per page in some sections, and then nothing for another chunk. The unevenness made it feel like the writer had approached these sections at different times, giving us a different effect.
Overall, I like the premise and creativity. You can tell this is a debut novel, and I look forward to Hallam's future, more polished work.
millymollymo's review against another edition
3.0
This book just would not be left. Sure I have read a couple of others since starting it, but something kept drawing me back, perhaps it was the deliciously dark environment. Maybe the characters that refuse to be confined to stereotype - or is that archetype.
coinmanatee's review
I just cant with a book that describes the main girl as "having the eye of all the men in town, and also the eyes of their fathers"
tykewriter's review
5.0
Catch my review on Cheshire Today: http://www.cheshire-today.co.uk/culture/review-greaveburn-craig-hallam
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