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4.18 AVERAGE
4.18 AVERAGE
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This is the third novel-length entry in the series that began with "Point of Hopes," set in a world where the stars do in fact steer one's fate. As before, the perspective shifts between two very likable viewpoint characters: Rathe, who is roughly the equivalent of a city police officer, and Eslingen, a former soldier. This time around there are murders, dog-racing, and disappearing silver.
As murder mysteries go, this is comparatively gentle (though there is still a dose of gruesome). It was a considerable pleasure to spend more time with Rathe and Eslingen. I could happily read another twenty books about them.
About my reviews: I try to review every book I read, including those that I don't end up enjoying. The reviews are not scholarly, but just indicate my reaction as a reader, reading being my addiction. I am miserly with 5-star reviews; 4 stars means I liked a book very much; 3 stars means I liked it; 2 stars means I didn't like it (though often the 2-star books are very popular with other readers and/or are by authors whose other work I've loved).
As murder mysteries go, this is comparatively gentle (though there is still a dose of gruesome). It was a considerable pleasure to spend more time with Rathe and Eslingen. I could happily read another twenty books about them.
About my reviews: I try to review every book I read, including those that I don't end up enjoying. The reviews are not scholarly, but just indicate my reaction as a reader, reading being my addiction. I am miserly with 5-star reviews; 4 stars means I liked a book very much; 3 stars means I liked it; 2 stars means I didn't like it (though often the 2-star books are very popular with other readers and/or are by authors whose other work I've loved).
adventurous
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Actual rating: 4.5 stars
Really enjoyed the mystery in this one, couldn't figure out who has behind it until the end
Really enjoyed the mystery in this one, couldn't figure out who has behind it until the end
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
I want a million books in this world. Quasi-medieval matriarchal low countries murder-mysteries of my heart.
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
People get killed with silver coins and I have never been so invested in dog racing????
Excellent. This is the third novel in a wonderful police procedural fantasy series. This one's all about dogs and bad magic and it's fascinating. The writing, characters, world-building, love story, and mystery plot are all really excellent. Like all the other books in the series, this is full of subtlety and depth and detail and really takes its time to tell the story fully, and it's a great reading experience and something to savour. I suppose this could stand alone as a mystery, but to get the full picture of Astreiant and its culture and to really appreciate the adorable subtleties of Nico and Philip's delightfully understated relationship, I definitely recommend starting at the beginning (the excellent [b:Point of Hopes|836592|Point of Hopes (Astreiant, #1)|Melissa Scott|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1336165029s/836592.jpg|2136966]) so you don't miss out. I do believe a new Astreiant book is in the works, so I'm looking forward to that immensely.
adventurous
mysterious
tense