reubenalbatross's Reviews (521)

Yess!

I was worried after reading Lies that the series wasn't as good as I remembered, but that must just be a dud book.

I loved all of the different plots going on, and it was disturbing as I remembered. 

I was a bit shocked to see that Orc's leg gets ripped off by the evil insects, and it isn't mentioned how he got it back? I assume he can just re-grow his gravel body, but I'm not sure that was ever explained.

What an amazingly powerful, yet somehow understated book.

A great snapshot of life, which felt completely pure and genuine. 

The way mental health issues were written about was so powerful and accurate. I found myself reliving moments of my life through Queenie's eyes.

And the narrator for this audiobook was stellar! 

Overall I did enjoy this one, but it felt like a slog at times, mainly in the middle chapters. A bit too much 'political intrigue', and not enough shocking action in between. 

I also find it a bit weird that life outside London is never brought up (obviously apart from in The  Hunted). For example, surely there are sickos in the rest of the UK? Did they spawn in other places? Though they do mention being able to work on the cure (more like vaccine) in peace, so maybe they'll be safe then venture out to other places when they've figured it out?

I really liked the ending of the battle, a great way to end a great series. 

I have missed Rincewind so much! He's by far my favourite character, especially his relationship with Death. 

 

I have so many thoughts about this book! Some of them may be coloured by the fact that this was the first time I have listened to an audiobook, and did spend a little time getting adjusted. I also listen at work, so sometimes do get a little districted and miss things. 

In general, I thought the book was just ok. It didn't leave me with a strong desire to read the next book in the series, but also didn't entirely deter me from reading it. 

The good things: 

- I thought the basic premise of the world and where the people originated from was an interesting idea, with the human race essentially devolving, though this idea could have been expanded on more 

- I enjoyed the side character's POVs (a lot more than Kelsea's) 

- I liked the idea of the mother figure who was so idolised in Kelsea's mind slowly being soured by each discovery about her 

 

The not so good things: 

 

- It was very obvious that the author was an American trying to write about British based things e.g. they used £ as currency, but said 'math' not maths', which got on my nerves at times, and made the novel feel less authentic 

- Specifically about this audio book - the narrator pronounced some words in such an archaic way (I assume in the attempt to keep a ‘regal’ British tone) that it stopped me from feeling completely immersed in the story as they felt out of place 

- Also about the audio book - the Mort were given French accents, and some place names were said with French inflection, but some were not, this got on my NERVES. Mort and Calais were pronounced in very English ways (hard t and s), even by the French accented characters  

- There was very little descriptive writing and world building. Normally when I read, I have very clear pictures of each scene in my head, but I hardly did at all with this one. Again, this may partially be due to me reading as an audiobook, but I have since finished a different audio book, and have clear pictures for those scenes 

- For a fantasy it all seemed quite basic/bog standard, e.g.: 

1. The magic which Kelsea has ZERO trouble using, and straight away fixed every problem she came across without any real effort 

2. The romance which was the (now overdone) dark mysterious stranger you think is an enemy but actually turns out to be a good guy (I swear if he turns out to be immortal somehow in the next book I'll scream) 

- It seemed like most of the book was just filler scenes to pass time until the next (admittedly rather compelling) action scene 

- The inclusion of slavery seemed to be included purely for the shock value, there was no way near enough commentary on it for it to have been included for any other reason. It was also a very white book to be talking about slavery - only one black character was mentioned in the entire book, and they were presented almost as an 'exotic' curiosity, with the only comments about them being about their skin colour 

- The inserts at the start of each chapter talking about Kelsea's rule as Queen took all of the risk factor out of the book, as we knew she was going to survive and stay Queen for years after the book was set 

- The traitor was so obvious 

- Most of the Queen's Guard seemed very flat. They had no defining features unless they were needed in the story 

- Kelsea's morals were all over the place e.g. she killed one traitor, but let another live who had done much worse things 

- It had a really anticlimactic ending, which made it feel like a standalone novel, rather than the start of a series 

 

After writing out this review, I have realised that I actually did not enjoy the book all that much, and the bad things about it heavily outweigh the good. Already mid-way through wiring my star rating went from a 3 to a 2, maybe I should even change it to a 1... 

Still might pick up the sequel though, just to see how much worse it can get... 

So beautiful. 

Mateo spoke to me so much as a character. I used to be so much like him when I was younger, and know the struggle of being afraid to live life the way you want to.

The interwoven side characters throughout were a nice change of pace, and gave wider context and natural world building to Mateo and Rufus' story.

What an absolutely BEAUTIFUL book. The 'hype' around this book is 100% deserved. I was expecting to be disappointed, as I often am with really popular books, but this might be the best thing I've read so far this year.

Every message in this was gorgeous, and I loved the queer rep. It made me realise that I've hardly ever, or indeed ever, read a book about gay characters without there being some sort of conflict caused by their sexuality. Their sexuality being completely accepted, even by unlikeable characters, was such a breath of fresh air, and truly what we need more of in media. 

I'm in love.

I was enjoying this book, and feeling like it would be a 4 star... until Chapter 14. The chapter includes a completely unnecessary domestic abuse scene. Any number of things could have happened to end that relationship, so I found it gross that domestic violence was used. If it had been explored in the story in any way, this would have been a different matter, but it was completely glossed over, and no attempt at social commentary was given. This is a main character you are meant to root for, but I despised him after he so nonchalantly beat the woman he supposedly cared so much about. And for Naipaul to present the woman as almost caring more for Salim after the abuse, and still 'offering herself' to him, was vile.     

Aside from this, I found that small, scenic things were described in beautiful detail, which gave a real atmosphere. However, main 'plot points' (though it isn't a book with much plot) were skimmed over, and I was left feeling as if I'd missed important information when none was actually given.  

I felt I was missing the wider picture of Africa seen from Africans themselves, and not just from 'outsiders'. There were many Africans in the book, but they were hardly ever in prominent positions, which I suppose is the point of the novel. Reading this has made me realise that I want to read more books actually set in Africa, not just books by people of African descent.  

An outstanding end to an outstanding series.

I devoured the last 200 pages in one sitting!

The court scene was incredible - some of the most compelling writing I've read in a long time.

I think this one suffered from filler-book syndrome a little. I still enjoyed it, but the drama didn't feel as intense as in the first two. 

There was a bit too much island and Zil content, and not enough Caine. 

I believe some of this could also be because this is a re-read, and a lot of the tension in this particular book comes from not knowing things. As I'm aware of pretty much all of the twists, I therefore wasn't as affected by them.