Robert S.
This was overall an enjoyable read with characters that I enjoyed getting to know and ended up caring about. The setting struck me as fairly typical urban fantasy à la Dresden Files or Valkyrie Collections, which, to be transparent, is not my favorite. In this world, magic folk exist in parallel to the mundane world, and there is some sort of sprawling magical law enforcement agency. Although the urban fantasy setting and tropes were well-executed, they didn't particularly grab me. The main POV character is Chinese, and so there was much more of an exploration of East Asian magic, mythology, and folklore than in many urban fantasies. I found those aspects really engrossing and wished there had been even more. The dialogue and banter were a lot of fun--snappy without being over the top. I found the plot propulsive and overall this was a read I consistently looked forward to. The romance element was more primary than I realized going in--this is really 50/50 fantasy-romance. Honestly, the romance didn't viscerally grab me, but it was definitely well-drawn and spicy. If there is a direct sequel, I probably won't pick it up, but I would definitely like to read more from this author.
This was overall an enjoyable read with characters that I enjoyed getting to know and ended up caring about. The setting struck me as fairly typical urban fantasy à la Dresden Files or Valkyrie Collections, which, to be transparent, is not my favorite. In this world, magic folk exist in parallel to the mundane world, and there is some sort of sprawling magical law enforcement agency. Although the urban fantasy setting and tropes were well-executed, they didn't particularly grab me. The main POV character is Chinese, and so there was much more of an exploration of East Asian magic, mythology, and folklore than in many urban fantasies. I found those aspects really engrossing and wished there had been even more. The dialogue and banter were a lot of fun--snappy without being over the top. I found the plot propulsive and overall this was a read I consistently looked forward to. The romance element was more primary than I realized going in--this is really 50/50 fantasy-romance. Honestly, the romance didn't viscerally grab me, but it was definitely well-drawn and spicy. If there is a direct sequel, I probably won't pick it up, but I would definitely like to read more from this author.
This novel seemed equal parts historical and fantasy, with a strong grounding in the geography, religion, and stories of the Viking age, and an equally strong element of magic and invention. The plot mostly moved along at a good clip, introducing new characters to keep things interesting without making the cast too big to keep track of. Although I liked the characters and thought that several developed in interesting ways, I didn't have a strong emotional connection to any particular character. I enjoyed seeing fully realized people against the backdrop of an historical era and culture in which people are often portrayed as one dimensional. There were also several good plot twists and reveals that I really enjoyed. Interesting, informative, and fun enough to keep me pulled in.
This novel seemed equal parts historical and fantasy, with a strong grounding in the geography, religion, and stories of the Viking age, and an equally strong element of magic and invention. The plot mostly moved along at a good clip, introducing new characters to keep things interesting without making the cast too big to keep track of. Although I liked the characters and thought that several developed in interesting ways, I didn't have a strong emotional connection to any particular character. I enjoyed seeing fully realized people against the backdrop of an historical era and culture in which people are often portrayed as one dimensional. There were also several good plot twists and reveals that I really enjoyed. Interesting, informative, and fun enough to keep me pulled in.
I didn't know much about this novel going in, but if I was expecting anything it was an urban fantasy about electromancers. I suppose you could reduce the story to that description for a book jacket, but really this was a decades and ultimately centuries-spanning epic about families, nations, and societies. I got definite Kim Stanley Robinson vibes. I also kept thinking about James Michener's multi-generational works, though I am not entirely sure that tracks, as I have not gone back to those since I was a teenager. I think my touchpoint there was the depth of exploration of place, culture, and history.
I enjoyed the ideas about social change and technological adaptation in the face of climate change. As near future sci-fi, this hit the mark for me. I also liked the overall mix of ideas, plot, and character. I responded to many of the main characters and was especially attached to Amon. The last third of the book was my favorite as the plot picked up steam and ended with a bang.
My biggest quibble was pacing. Although I enjoyed almost all of the different sections/settings, with the notable exception of the Hopeland founding history, there were parts of each story where my attention flagged. The prose was beautiful, but the story could have been tighter. I also generally felt that the electromancy was peripheral, and I would have liked for it to either be fully explored or left out. Ultimately, I found the migration plotline in the final third of the story really engaging, and I thought the ending was a banger with a lot of catharsis. I left this book thinking and feeling, and while I might have had to push myself to keep going through some slow spots, I suspect I will be thinking about it for a long time.
I didn't know much about this novel going in, but if I was expecting anything it was an urban fantasy about electromancers. I suppose you could reduce the story to that description for a book jacket, but really this was a decades and ultimately centuries-spanning epic about families, nations, and societies. I got definite Kim Stanley Robinson vibes. I also kept thinking about James Michener's multi-generational works, though I am not entirely sure that tracks, as I have not gone back to those since I was a teenager. I think my touchpoint there was the depth of exploration of place, culture, and history.
I enjoyed the ideas about social change and technological adaptation in the face of climate change. As near future sci-fi, this hit the mark for me. I also liked the overall mix of ideas, plot, and character. I responded to many of the main characters and was especially attached to Amon. The last third of the book was my favorite as the plot picked up steam and ended with a bang.
My biggest quibble was pacing. Although I enjoyed almost all of the different sections/settings, with the notable exception of the Hopeland founding history, there were parts of each story where my attention flagged. The prose was beautiful, but the story could have been tighter. I also generally felt that the electromancy was peripheral, and I would have liked for it to either be fully explored or left out. Ultimately, I found the migration plotline in the final third of the story really engaging, and I thought the ending was a banger with a lot of catharsis. I left this book thinking and feeling, and while I might have had to push myself to keep going through some slow spots, I suspect I will be thinking about it for a long time.
