Amberlough

This study in contrasts extends to the characters, in that many of them lead double lives; are hiding secrets about themselves; or both. Cyril DePaul is supposed to be a spy trying to bring down a smuggling ring, but is in fact sleeping with the leader of said smuggling ring. Aristide Makricosta is a criminal, but is also the most popular entertainer in the most popular cabaret in Amberlough. And Cordelia Lehane is a dancer at the same cabaret as Aristide, but is also a drug runner. None of the characters in this novel are, strictly speaking, ???good people???; they do things that would be considered reprehensible, but their reasons for doing so are often understandable, if not outright sympathetic. This is especially true as the plot progresses; the adage ???the road to hell is paved with good intentions??? becomes especially applicable as the plot goes on and chaos descends upon Amberlough and on the characters, some of whom are partially responsible for bringing down that chaos in the first place.

It is also in that adage that supports the novel???s thematic backbone. Throughout the novel the characters make decisions that impact the fate of those around them both directly and indirectly as Amberlough starts to fall apart all around them. Some of them ignore what is going on until they cannot ignore it any longer, while others gamble, taking first one course of action and then another in order to protect what ??? and who ??? they value the most. Some of them turn out to be unlikely heroes ??? while others turn into unlikely villains. Either way, they do what they do because in the moment they make their decisions, they think they are doing the right thing. It is only later, at the end of the novel, that the characters really understand the consequences of their actions ??? and what they need to do in order to go forward.

Full review here: https://wp.me/p21txV-Gt