iamgaarden

The blurb made me think that Cassie was actively trying to manipulate the investigation which would make for an interesting story. But that's not at all what happens. So ignore the blurb.

There's something about the "old classmates with a dark, common secret meet at a reunion many years later, and secrets start bubbling to the surface" trope that always leaves me with the assumption that I can't trust anyone. None of them. Not even myself. I really love unreliable narrators because it makes it difficult for me to "figure it all out" too early.

I did enjoy that part of Bleeding Heart Yard, but I also did have a hunch very early on that, sadly, turned out to be correct. Which means I "figured it all out" way too soon. In lieu of that the ending was disappointing. But I really do have an insanely correct hunch with these things, and I won't assume many people will figure this one out. Don't let my experience here hold you back.

Bonus points for a lesbian MC (Harbinder Kaur). There aren't many in this genre.

Fast-paced, easy to read.
I like the worldbuilding but wish it got more attention.
The book does something very interesting with the question “What makes a hero?” setting up the main character as someone I would categorize as a terrorist. I had zero sympathy for Kyr, but halfway through everything unravels to reveal more complexity ??? she starts questioning her own perception of the world. Where will it take her?

I don't particularly like the final 3rd of the story (specifically the ending ??? really, it could've ended after two 3rds and I would've been happier with it). Something about the choice of resolution... And it felt a bit too YA for me (even if it isn't YA?). Maybe a bit too rushed too?

2.75*

I picked this up because it fit into my request for more fantasy with lgbt characters. While there are lgbt characters, it's not a theme of the book, and it takes up so little of it that it's barely even there. I'm surprised how much that disappointed me. Maybe it's because Foundryside has many great things to offer, and the lgbt aspect would've perfected it for me? Maybe.

The worldbuilding is magnificent. The concept of magic isn't really magic, but something akin to symbol-writing overriding laws of logic and reality. It's hard to explain ??? Bennet does a very fine job at it, though. There are elements of AI in this, but it's not technology as we know it... I haven't read anything like it before.

The characters are easy to love, even the villains. In fact, there's a very fine line between villains and heroes and at some point you'll realize Bennett has woven his plot masterly to the point where your own concept of right and wrong has been tampered with.

For all the great things that is Foundryside, I don't really care to mention the little things that annoyed me. They don't really matter when I've had to force myself to put down the book and go to bed the past two nights.