Mer Barr

I first listened to this book while driving to and from work. I was so fascinated with the high-level view of history and how much there was of it that I just had to get a copy of my own to reread at leisure.

It's been decades since I read this series. And I've been introduced to many, more recent, fantasy books. I have to say, this book stands up well today, not outdated or uninteresting to my tastes today. Good characters, the author doesn't veer off the storyline, and the pace keeps moving.

It's going back into my collection and not the repurpose box.

Starts out rather slow but in hindsight the author is set up something to compare to later and giving background on the various players. I liked it well enough to move on to the next in the series and would consider a reread years later. When I've forgotten the details enough to enjoy again, or if I find out later, there are layers to the story that I didn't pick up on the first time around that would become apparent with another read.

NPR on a regular basis checks in with bookstore owners around the country to see what they would recommend for the upcoming reading season; this was one of those recommends.

It wasn't the murder mystery element that interested me but the dynamics of the cities. The beginning is great as you try to understand the rules, the middle is quite slow because it's mainly the murder, but the really interesting part of the story is towards the end; during the big reveal. The pace is, of course, quicker but trying to keep up with both the reveal and the dynamics is to fascinating part.

The summary says the storyline starts out dark but then shifts after awhile. The beginning is just too dark for where I am right now and there are so many people wanting to read this next, that I returned it.

What I did read was well written, especially when trying to describe the technologies involved in the world. The main character's longing for her family is described in a way that is very clear and convincing.