A darker volume than the first (which wasn’t all sunshine either) as Spurrier’s run approaches its premature conclusion. I loved the ideas for the parA darker volume than the first (which wasn’t all sunshine either) as Spurrier’s run approaches its premature conclusion. I loved the ideas for the particular mini-arcs (the one with the unicorn and a certain member of the royal family might be my favourite) as well as the way they were weaved together in the end. The whole run was an inventive exploration of English mytho- and psychology, and the ending offered a powerful meditation on pride and what underlies it....more
A great ending to the series, which offers an incisive look at the desires that animated the vote for Brexit in England, and that animate similar phenA great ending to the series, which offers an incisive look at the desires that animated the vote for Brexit in England, and that animate similar phenomena in other parts of the world.
If there are any downsides, I'd say it's that the main plot overshadows the personal plotlines of the characters. Zoya is delightful in her bluntness, and her relationship with Jas is plainly informed by the author's own experiences and it shows. But Lizzie's plot, as much as it's a very welcome addition to the character, feels a bit... perfunctory in how it's developed throughout the book. (I also don't understand why Lizzie doesn't just tell Autumn at the end.)
Overall, though, I loved the magical England this series presented....more
A fantastic expansion of the mythology sketched out in the first book. And a wonderful continuation of the two protagonists' story. The complications A fantastic expansion of the mythology sketched out in the first book. And a wonderful continuation of the two protagonists' story. The complications felt very organic and logically following from the status quo established at the end of "Silver in the Wood".
Full of charm and humour, some nice twists, a little spookiness, and delicious l o n g i n g....more
A lovely gay fantasy novella rooted in English landscape and folklore, all of which makes it extremely my jam.
(view spoiler)[I have some quibbles abouA lovely gay fantasy novella rooted in English landscape and folklore, all of which makes it extremely my jam.
(view spoiler)[I have some quibbles about the ethics of the resolution and generally the Wild Man's role, but I also recognise the author put effort to make those elements work, so let's chalk that up to my monster-loving heart and leave it at that. (hide spoiler)]...more
A spy novel set pre-WW2 in a world where the British have colonised afterlife. A breezy, twisty plot, lots of fascinating worldbuilding, complex charaA spy novel set pre-WW2 in a world where the British have colonised afterlife. A breezy, twisty plot, lots of fascinating worldbuilding, complex characters with intertwined narratives, murky ethics and complex philosophical questions – I wanted to read a novel of ideas and this was just the perfect thing: pleasantly dense, but also very light reading that married interesting SFF with Greene-like spy antics.
PS. I'd been warned about the author's blind spots regarding misogyny in his previous trilogy. In Summerland, (view spoiler)[one of the two protagonists is Rachel White, a capable spy sidelined because of her gender and conducting a rogue operation against a Soviet mole. While there where elements that made me raise an eyebrow – like the moment where she contemplates blackmailing an old superior with false accusation that he'd molested her if he doesn't go along with her plan – I thought overall she was a complex and sympathetic character. If anything, in the first half the novel is a little heavy-handed in trying to demonstrate how her male colleagues blatantly dismiss her with condescending suggestions about her feminine condition. But she shines right from the start and once the situation escalates all that's left is her brilliance. (hide spoiler)] Without having read the Quantum Thief trilogy, I think perhaps Rajaniemi developed in this regard, or perhaps the focus of the novel forced him to a different approach....more
I approached By Force Alone with both excitement and trepidation. I enjoy seeing new takes on Arthuriana and the time after the RomaPower and ideology
I approached By Force Alone with both excitement and trepidation. I enjoy seeing new takes on Arthuriana and the time after the Romans withdrew from Britain is a fascinating period. At the same time, I tend to be wary of cynical and brutal stories because they run a risk of devolving into an exercise in empty misery that masquerades as profoundness.
Overall, I'm happy to say that my worries were unfounded. Don't get me wrong: it's a pretty bleak story. It's just that the bleakness has a purpose and isn't all there is to the book.
I've seen Tidhar describe the book asessentially King Arthur for the Brexit era and you can see that in the book's preoccupation with myth-making, with the way people and events get turned into stories – and the fact that the stories are tools made by someone for a specific purpose (and not a good one, of course) – as well as in its focus on the tensions between the various groups that dwell or arrive in Britain.
It's also a book that doesn't fall for romanticism of conquests, warriors, kings, the glamour of fighting and fucking. In fact I'd say it's completely disillusioned with power, and absolutely clear about how base the drive for power is, how utterly miserable it makes the world.
But it's not just shit and mud and misery. 'By Force Alone' is in a way a reversion of the Clive Owen 'King Arthur' movie. Where the latter was gritty 'realism' masking a typical Hollywood yarn that sands off all the edges (including Lancelot dying so that Guinevere can't cheat on Arthur), the former is historical materialism coated in a mish-mash of absolutely buck wild ideas. Some of them are deep cuts from Arthurian legends (such as Cath Palug, a ghost mer-cat), some are taken from folklore (like the Fae) – and then there are elements from other genres that Tidhar mixes in (Lancelot knows kung fu in this one, and where Tidhar ultimately goes with the Grail is best left unspoiled, although earlier parts might remind readers of Jeff Vandermeers Reach Trilogy).
Those elements disrupt the bleakness and make the book very entertaining. And while everyone is a murderous asshole to an extent because everyone is willing to go along with Arthur in order to climb the ladder, there are characters who also exhibit sympathetic traits. Arthur himself seems most consumed by the lust for power and it's interesting that the reader always sees him at a remove. But there is Gawain who's dragged into stuff against his will; Lancelot who's torn between desire for riches and more elusive pursuits and who's increasingly Done With Shit; sir Pellinore chasing after his Questing Beast; and possibly the coolest Guinevere I have ever encountered. It was also really cool to see some gay and lesbian characters, as all too often fantasy books that pretend to a degree of historical realism mistakenly assume queer people did not exist in the past.
The book is long, but moves at a brisk pace, jumping in time, switching perspectives, never overstaying its welcome. It occasionally can feel a little disjointed and certain characters seem to just drop out of the narrative (I would have loved more Guinevere); but the novel feels very purposeful in how it stays very little in Camelot once it's established. The characters can't really enjoy the wealth and splendour they chased after – nearly as soon as they've 'made it' a rot sets in and the time comes for a doomed fight against another young upstart who wants a shot at the crown. I also really enjoyed the prose style: it's concise and not too ornate, but has a slightly elevated register that brings to mind epic poetry.
'By Force Alone' is a very cool revisionist take on Arthurian legends, one that seems to come from a similar place to Kieron Gillen and Dan Mora's 'Once & Future'. It skillfully mixes a bleakness of outlook with some pleasantly bizarre ideas and a touch of humour in a very enjoyable way.
Note: I received an electronic review copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review....more
Magic! Friendship! Faeries! Dorky lesbians being hopelessly in love! Drama!!!
Another wonderful return to magical Angland, this time focusing on Miss FMagic! Friendship! Faeries! Dorky lesbians being hopelessly in love! Drama!!!
Another wonderful return to magical Angland, this time focusing on Miss Fennell and Miss Banks – two characters whom I wanted to read more about ever since their first appearance in Snowspelled. Now finally we get their story and it’s everything I could have asked for.
The tumultous events of Thornbound affected their relationship, and now, meeting for the first time in months, sparks fly in more ways then one. While their feelings for each other are never in doubt (at least for the reader, since we follow the plot from both of their perspectives), there are still conflicts between them. Their desire to protect each other also causes quite a bit of crisis that they both have to overcome!
I really like how the author writes loving relationships that still allow for some conflict and strife. The series is full of well-meaning characters who argue and lash out due to their personal hangups and the heroines of Moontangled are no exception. I know a fair few people who hate drama based on miscommunication (or an outright lack thereof), so let me hasten to add that Stephanie Burgis has a very clear-eyed view of the characters’ problems and their need to open up and move beyond their issues is absolutely part of the point. As we find out, both Miss Fennell and Miss Banks grew up in emotionally... neglectful households, and honestly for me their complexes and insecurities felt extremely relatable.
At the same time, the happy ending is never really in doubt, which I appreciated very much. I love characters who are allowed to work through and resolve their issues, and if you add to that the images of friendship among women that this series offers, mutually supportive partnerships, and now a same-gender couple of protagonists who love and desire each other so openly and joyously... squeeing is very much guaranteed. This series is full of tension, but it’s also very warm and sweet, which is a winning combination for me.
The books is not even out yet, but I’m already finding myself dreaming of another installment. The world is certainly open enough and there are enough gaps and loose threads to support other stories in the series. I certainly hope the author will return to it one day, and in the meantime, I might have to start planning a re-read....more
A Golden Age crime novel about any social progress in England being hampered by ossified and obsolete class structure? Featuring an heir who's also a A Golden Age crime novel about any social progress in England being hampered by ossified and obsolete class structure? Featuring an heir who's also a fascist leader? It's more likely than you think.
Needless to say, I loved this book. It was funny and incisive, with well-developed characters and appropriately twisting plot.
A spy novel about Brexit? I was intrigued and excited - and at the same time afraid because I thought my only previous le Carré novel, Tinker Tailor SA spy novel about Brexit? I was intrigued and excited - and at the same time afraid because I thought my only previous le Carré novel, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, was God-awful.
I'm happy to report that Agent Running in the Field is pretty good. Sure, there is some occasional weirdness around writing women and/or young people, and the diatribes against politics are pretty heavy-handed. But there was a plot, there were emotions, and ultimately some very affecting relationships. As well as blurred lines between wrong and right and conplicates moral decisions to be made. I feel vey satisfied. It was a light, engrossing read....more
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