Steve
This is a good reimagining of Harry Potter that stands out for its convincingly different cultural setting. While some may object to the comparison—arguing that shared tropes are inevitable—the story mirrors too many key beats from HP to feel entirely coincidental. That said, this is less a critique and more an observation, as the distinctive setting and cultural influences lend the narrative its own unique identity. However, these parallels can occasionally feel a bit distracting.
One aspect that gave me pause was the handling of violence. As in Binti, the consequences of violence and death seem surprisingly minimal, leaving little in the way of lasting impact. This feels especially incongruous given that, in the UK, the book has been retitled and marketed with a younger audience in mind—an odd choice, as the content and themes seem better suited to an older readership.
Overall, this is a solid fantasy and a quick read, though very much part of a continuing series, so don’t expect a neatly wrapped conclusion. While it has its merits, I am not sure if I’m compelled to continue with the series.
This is a good reimagining of Harry Potter that stands out for its convincingly different cultural setting. While some may object to the comparison—arguing that shared tropes are inevitable—the story mirrors too many key beats from HP to feel entirely coincidental. That said, this is less a critique and more an observation, as the distinctive setting and cultural influences lend the narrative its own unique identity. However, these parallels can occasionally feel a bit distracting.
One aspect that gave me pause was the handling of violence. As in Binti, the consequences of violence and death seem surprisingly minimal, leaving little in the way of lasting impact. This feels especially incongruous given that, in the UK, the book has been retitled and marketed with a younger audience in mind—an odd choice, as the content and themes seem better suited to an older readership.
Overall, this is a solid fantasy and a quick read, though very much part of a continuing series, so don’t expect a neatly wrapped conclusion. While it has its merits, I am not sure if I’m compelled to continue with the series.
Added to listRead In 2024with 58 books.
Updated a reading goal:
Read 52 books by December 30, 2024
Progress so far: 50 / 52 96%
Added to listSwordandlaserwith 194 books.
Added to listRead In 2024with 57 books.
This is an engaging reimagining of Harry Potter that stands out for its convincingly different cultural setting. While some may object to the comparison—arguing that shared tropes are inevitable—the story mirrors too many key beats from HP to feel entirely coincidental. That said, this is less a critique and more an observation, as the distinctive setting and cultural influences lend the narrative its own unique identity. However, these parallels can occasionally feel a bit distracting.
One aspect that gave me pause was the handling of violence. As in Binti, the consequences of violence and death seem surprisingly minimal, leaving little in the way of lasting impact. This feels especially incongruous given that, in the UK, the book has been retitled and marketed with a younger audience in mind—an odd choice, as the content and themes seem better suited to an older readership.
Overall, this is a solid fantasy and a quick read, though very much part of a continuing series, so don’t expect a neatly wrapped conclusion. While it has its merits, I am not sure if I’m compelled to continue with the series.
This is an engaging reimagining of Harry Potter that stands out for its convincingly different cultural setting. While some may object to the comparison—arguing that shared tropes are inevitable—the story mirrors too many key beats from HP to feel entirely coincidental. That said, this is less a critique and more an observation, as the distinctive setting and cultural influences lend the narrative its own unique identity. However, these parallels can occasionally feel a bit distracting.
One aspect that gave me pause was the handling of violence. As in Binti, the consequences of violence and death seem surprisingly minimal, leaving little in the way of lasting impact. This feels especially incongruous given that, in the UK, the book has been retitled and marketed with a younger audience in mind—an odd choice, as the content and themes seem better suited to an older readership.
Overall, this is a solid fantasy and a quick read, though very much part of a continuing series, so don’t expect a neatly wrapped conclusion. While it has its merits, I am not sure if I’m compelled to continue with the series.
Added to listRead In 2024with 56 books.
On the positive side, the collection feels like an authentic representation of a culture unfamiliar to me, one imbued with a sense of magic—either just beneath the surface or woven into everyday life. There is a strong thread of magical realism running through the stories. The two standout pieces, in my opinion, are The Last Storyteller, which skillfully blends science fiction elements with cultural nuances, and The Flying Man of Stone, which leans towards a more allegorical and magical realist tone.
On the downside, most of the stories felt underdeveloped, reading more like outlines than fully fleshed-out narratives. The heavy reliance on telling rather than showing was a particular drawback for me, as were the numerous plot holes. That said, I could imagine these as fireside tales, meant to be shared aloud in the flicker of flames, where simplicity might serve their purpose. However, as satisfying reads, they didn’t quite work for me.
On the positive side, the collection feels like an authentic representation of a culture unfamiliar to me, one imbued with a sense of magic—either just beneath the surface or woven into everyday life. There is a strong thread of magical realism running through the stories. The two standout pieces, in my opinion, are The Last Storyteller, which skillfully blends science fiction elements with cultural nuances, and The Flying Man of Stone, which leans towards a more allegorical and magical realist tone.
On the downside, most of the stories felt underdeveloped, reading more like outlines than fully fleshed-out narratives. The heavy reliance on telling rather than showing was a particular drawback for me, as were the numerous plot holes. That said, I could imagine these as fireside tales, meant to be shared aloud in the flicker of flames, where simplicity might serve their purpose. However, as satisfying reads, they didn’t quite work for me.
Added to listAudio Bookswith 120 books.
Added to listpatrick-o-brianwith 8 books.
An interesting twist on a famous fairytale.
An interesting twist on a famous fairytale.
An engaging story full of found-family dynamics and vengeful gods (and humans). I went into this thinking it was a standalone, but as the ending approached, it became clear that several major plotlines were still unresolved. Despite this, the story still delivered a satisfying conclusion. I’m hopeful the next book will keep up the momentum.
An engaging story full of found-family dynamics and vengeful gods (and humans). I went into this thinking it was a standalone, but as the ending approached, it became clear that several major plotlines were still unresolved. Despite this, the story still delivered a satisfying conclusion. I’m hopeful the next book will keep up the momentum.
Another cosy/dramatic/mythical vignette, or series of vignettes, set in the world of Singing Hills.
Another cosy/dramatic/mythical vignette, or series of vignettes, set in the world of Singing Hills.
Added to listRead In 2024with 55 books.
A bit of a weird one. This starts off feeling very YA, with an extremely tell-don't-show first half, that rushes through a whole bunch of exposition before things finally pick-up, and get much more violent, in the second half. The story is a sub-Rivers of London urban fantasy, which is set, for no clear reason, in 1983. The author has an odd obsession with unnecessary detail, with the make of every car and gun clearly noted, as is the author of every book (of which there are lots). Whenever a gun is mentioned, the main character's ability to clearly identify the make and model is explained away as the result of a specific film or book (given that there is no other reason why the average British woman - or person in general - in 1983 would have such knowledge).
So, the second half makes the book readable, and gains it the 4th star, but otherwise this feel very uneven.
A bit of a weird one. This starts off feeling very YA, with an extremely tell-don't-show first half, that rushes through a whole bunch of exposition before things finally pick-up, and get much more violent, in the second half. The story is a sub-Rivers of London urban fantasy, which is set, for no clear reason, in 1983. The author has an odd obsession with unnecessary detail, with the make of every car and gun clearly noted, as is the author of every book (of which there are lots). Whenever a gun is mentioned, the main character's ability to clearly identify the make and model is explained away as the result of a specific film or book (given that there is no other reason why the average British woman - or person in general - in 1983 would have such knowledge).
So, the second half makes the book readable, and gains it the 4th star, but otherwise this feel very uneven.
A bleakly humorous hybrid of Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy and the Wizard of Oz. Not as satisfying as some of the author’s work, but a brisk read nonetheless.
A bleakly humorous hybrid of Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy and the Wizard of Oz. Not as satisfying as some of the author’s work, but a brisk read nonetheless.
This was fine. I’m struggling to say much more. A girl hunts with a (admittedly very large) bird; things happen. Stakes are not too high. It was short, and it got where it was going efficiently, but I don’t think it will stay with me.
This was fine. I’m struggling to say much more. A girl hunts with a (admittedly very large) bird; things happen. Stakes are not too high. It was short, and it got where it was going efficiently, but I don’t think it will stay with me.
Added to listRead In 2024with 51 books.
Two mediocre stories, joined by the interstitial gimmick of injecting the author from the “real” thread into the fantasy thread. I’ve generously bumped this up to 4 stars, for the effort, but to be honest there is not much beyond the main gimmick. Both story threads are very slight, with a whole lot of hand-waving and loose ends, not much in the way of real threat, and the fantasy romance feels very underwritten. At least the story moves fairly quickly.
Given that this appears to be generally highly rated on Goodreads, I’m guessing I’ve wandered into an unfamiliar genre or fandom and so am missing something.
Update: I’ve just noticed that they compare this to Terry Pratchett in the blurb, which such an egregiously unwarranted comparison I have downgraded this to 3 stars. Do not be fooled; the closest this gets to Pratchett is the junk mail that he found on his doormat in the mornings.
Two mediocre stories, joined by the interstitial gimmick of injecting the author from the “real” thread into the fantasy thread. I’ve generously bumped this up to 4 stars, for the effort, but to be honest there is not much beyond the main gimmick. Both story threads are very slight, with a whole lot of hand-waving and loose ends, not much in the way of real threat, and the fantasy romance feels very underwritten. At least the story moves fairly quickly.
Given that this appears to be generally highly rated on Goodreads, I’m guessing I’ve wandered into an unfamiliar genre or fandom and so am missing something.
Update: I’ve just noticed that they compare this to Terry Pratchett in the blurb, which such an egregiously unwarranted comparison I have downgraded this to 3 stars. Do not be fooled; the closest this gets to Pratchett is the junk mail that he found on his doormat in the mornings.