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A review by laurentined
The Fall of the Kings by Delia Sherman, Ellen Kushner
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
High point of the series by a long shot—these are Kushner's best characters, plot, and execution in Riverside and it's worth getting to.
The very imagery heavy, flowing, sensual prose of Swordspoint makes a return here and the clarity of plot from Privilege of the Sword as well. We'd not gotten any nod to magic in the series thus far and I appreciate that she tackles it obliquely without every explaining it, the way I'd expect of this world.
This still isn't a queer normative setting but it's queer permissive, maybe. But with a lot of societal pressure and taboos remaining to create tension between all its characters.
This one is heavily involved in The University, which the prior two books mostly stayed away from, which almost gives it a dark academia type flair.
As usual, it's a cast of imperfect people, full of angst, navel-gazing their way through events of political upheaval. A total pleasure to read.
The very imagery heavy, flowing, sensual prose of Swordspoint makes a return here and the clarity of plot from Privilege of the Sword as well. We'd not gotten any nod to magic in the series thus far and I appreciate that she tackles it obliquely without every explaining it, the way I'd expect of this world.
This still isn't a queer normative setting but it's queer permissive, maybe. But with a lot of societal pressure and taboos remaining to create tension between all its characters.
This one is heavily involved in The University, which the prior two books mostly stayed away from, which almost gives it a dark academia type flair.
As usual, it's a cast of imperfect people, full of angst, navel-gazing their way through events of political upheaval. A total pleasure to read.