Foundryside

I found the concepts in this book and the “magic” system to be very unique. IMO this is secretly a sci-fi book masquerading as a fantasy. Overall some neat twists and ends the book off in a satisfying way yet promises even more to come.

This book was great! I liked most of the characters and felt like the magic system was extremely believable - a cleverly twisted fantastical take on the role computers play irl. It reminds me of the Legend of Eli Monpress, but not so much as to detract from its originality. The plot overall wasn't exactly mind bending, and things played out more or less as expected, but I was easily carried away by the story and the pacing is on point. A cleverly portrayed glimpse at the nominal freedom of modern society. There is a touch of romance that seems somewhat sudden and shoehorned in, but there are only so many pages a book can have and it really isn't the point of the story anyhow. Extremely compelling ending; I can't wait for the next one.

The Divine Cities trilogy is one of my favorite reads from last year and probably one of the most impactful fantasies I have ever read. Though I never went back to reading RJB's earlier works, I knew I would want to check out his upcoming books. When I realized the ARCs for his latest were available, I had my fingers crossed and I can't describe the elation I felt when my request was approved. Foundryside is another amazing action packed new fantasy series with interesting characters, a corrupt city and a rich history full of almost godlike beings.

Sancia Garbo is a master thief in the city of Tevanne who is on her way to her latest job, which might just provide a solution to all her troubles. When she realizes the object she has stolen might lead to devastating consequences in the wrong hands, it's obvious that she might not be safe anymore. Captain Gregor Dandolo is a righteous war veteran who just wants to bring some law and justice to his city where none exist and wants to start that by bringing the thief who stole from his warehouse and burned half the waterfront to justice. What starts off as a typical cops and robbers type of chase turns into much more when assassins start looking for Sancia and Gregor is caught in the crossfire. Both of them join hands with an unlikely crew to dig deeper and figure out the conspiracy that might have far reaching consequences to their world.

The worldbuilding here is rich and masterful and it comes alive in the skilled hands of RJB. Tevanne is a city divided between the four merchant house compounds who are law unto themselves. Anyone who can't afford to live in the campos has to make do living in the slums between the compounds called The Commons where there is hardly any food or work and every day is a struggle to survive. The merchant houses have become all powerful and rich using the magic system called “scriving”, which is a way of writing sigils on objects that make them slightly sentient and change their reality – like making a carriage believe it's always going downhill so that it goes faster and without a driver (or) making an arrow believe it has been falling down from a much longer distance so that it hits with a very high velocity. As the story progresses, we get to know about more complicated scrivings, the scrivers who are responsible for imagining new possibilities while keeping ahead of the rival merchant houses and the washed out scrappers who work the underground market to provide some comfort to the poor people living in the Commons.

Sancia is an excellent protagonist. She is fiery, angry and pragmatic, her survival skills are top notch and she is extremely brave. Her past as a tortured slave still haunts her, leaving her with some form of PTSD. Her special talents also make her a unique being in the city, someone who could be used for nefarious purposes but the way her character is written is very realistic and likable and she never falls into the “special snowflake” trope. Gregor starts off as the stereotype of a soldier – proper, polite, righteous, thinks he can bring about a change by just instituting laws – but he quickly sees through the rampant corruption of the merchant houses, especially by listening to Sancia's history and resolves that the city needs a revolution. Orso is the master scriver of Dandolo house and comes across as a pretentious academic, but he is ultimately just a seeker of knowledge and has his heart in the right place. His assistant Berenice is talented and confident and can think on her feet even in dire situations rigging up scrived objects to get them out. Claudia and Gio are scrappers but are quick to help Sancia not just for the money, but also the opportunity to do more with their scriving talents. And most important and my favorite is Clef, the artifact that Sancia initially stole who is so much more than just a key and the one around whom much of the story revolves.

The story is full of action packed heists and chases, planning daring adventures and figuring out the history of the ancient hierophants, who did much more than just bending the reality of objects. The world and magic system is very original and unique and thoroughly detailed and I loved getting to know more about it. The writing is also very easy to read and not as intimidating or dense as other adult fantasies and I couldn't put it down once I started. Between all the life and death stakes that the characters are fighting, we also get some wit and humor – I especially enjoyed the conversations that Sancia and Clef had with scrived objects to make them do things they didn't want to.

Just like I expect from RJB, we get some subtle commentary on the effects of slavery, how rampant and unchecked capitalism concentrates wealth and power in the hands of the few and lets the ordinary people suffer, how the pursuit of knowledge run amok can blur the lines of morality. The parallels to our world are uncanny because these are all questions we do ponder on frequently, especially with the rising wealth gap and extreme advances in biotechnology and genomics. The magic system of “scriving” and the way Sancia uses her talents to get around the loopholes in scrived objects is also eerily similar to computer programming, hacking and artificial intelligence and how the creations might get ahead of the creators one day. The author actually calls it “the magic equivalent of database management” and I think that's a brilliant analogy.

The city of Tevanne is so dependent on scriving and rigged objects that even a minute failure in an essential component can bring down the whole infrastructure; this is a direct parallel to our over dependence on technology in everyday life and the constant threat of cyber warfare and collapse of our technological infrastructure. On the other hand, the slavery in the plantations is an essential component of trade and wealth for Tevanne and none of the merchant houses care for the conditions of the slaves or how they are tortured, which is again how our world works; in most cases, we live in our own bubbles while human rights are violated every day in other parts of the world and we believe that it would never affect us. The deft way that the author incorporates all these themes into a fantasy heist story just shows his amazing talent as a writer.

I'm so much in love with this book and it's characters and I'm definitely looking forward to reading it again. This would be a delight for all Robert Jackson Bennett's fans and anyone who enjoys reading about well developed fantasy worlds with unique scientific magic systems.

Thanks to Crown Publishing and Netgalley for proving me with the advance copy of this book. All opinions expressed are solely mine.

Robert Jackson Bennett is a weird author to place. He gets lumped in a lot with Brian McClellan and James Islington as sort of the successors to the hypermodern Sanderson school of fantasy. This is the type of fantasy that dispenses with elves and dwarves and dragons and instead reinvents worlds with crazy laws of physics that must be followed exactly to a T, and flawlessly executes intricate bulletproof plots in said worlds.

The thing is, this is not a really good description of Bennett, from the two novels I have now read from him. He's not interested in bloat, side quests, or epic/cosmic plot shenanigans. He basically writes thrillers and mysteries in modern fantasy worlds, very much like a Genevieve Cogman or Rachel Aaron, but since he's a man and writes hard sci-fi descriptions of his magic systems instead of pointless romance subplots, he gets taken more seriously.

I'm more bashing the public's advertising of Bennett than the man himself, because I liked this book. It's a fun and well-executed fantasy novel set in a world that's loosely based on Renaissance era Milan but which ends up feeling very weird and inhuman (and downright Islingtonian). The well-leashed cast of six main characters are all developed well, the pacing is good, the dialogue is snappy, etc. The writing and character interactions, and the sort of “art-style” of the characters, reminded me a lot of Foucault's Pendulum and Umberto Eco in general. It's a novel with impressive construction and execution.

I return to my half-joking “manliness” argument here because I think Bennett in general pays too little attention to any sort of emotional payoffs and instead wants a reader to find catharsis from solving increasingly important problems. If you're an engineering type and you enjoy when a problem is solved from a patient and distant perspective, you'll love this book. If you can't stand the people who methodically sit down, pull out a pencil and a neat sheaf of white paper, and start carefully drafting solutions when something is desperately and urgently wrong, you will be irritated like I was. There's really not enough “human interest” in this book, which is something I rarely find myself saying.

It is fun to figure out how everything works and follow the characters as things are slowly unveiled and they each find their successes. Bennett won't be making it on my all star author list anytime soon, but he's solid enough and I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the series for sure.

Rating: 7.5/10

Closest comparison: The Sunlit Man, for all the problem solving and engineering jargon.

I DNF'd this book at 35%. The premise was interesting, but I found that I was not that invested in the story or characters. I may get back to it at some point.

Robert Jackson Bennett’s Foundryside is a thrilling blend of heist, mystery, and inventive fantasy that grips you from the first page and doesn’t let go. Set in the city of Tevanne, where magic operates through "scriving"—a system of programming objects with written commands that alter their reality—the novel follows Sancia Grado, a skilled thief with a mysterious past and an unusual gift. When a high-stakes job puts her in possession of a powerful artifact, she becomes entangled in a deadly struggle between the city's ruthless merchant houses and something far older and more dangerous.

Bennett’s worldbuilding is top-notch. The magic system is both intricate and logical, offering fascinating possibilities while maintaining internal consistency. In fact, for me, this was both a strength and a personal frustration. The way scriving works is so well-explained, so systematic, that at times it almost felt more like science fiction than fantasy. I loved the book, but at the same time, I have complicated and contradictory feelings about it—while I admire the thoughtfulness of the magic system, I don’t necessarily want my fantasy to be so rational and well-explained, and I don’t want my sci-fi to have fantasy elements. I guess I might be discovering that I don’t like these two genres to mix too much. This isn’t a fault of the book at all, just a matter of personal preference.

That being said, Foundryside has so many elements I adored. The idea of objects "speaking" is fascinating, and Clef—the talking key—was an absolute highlight. I initially expected the story to take a very different direction with Clef, but I loved him (or it) regardless. The character dynamics are also strong, especially Sancia’s interactions with Gregor, Orso, and Berenice. Their contrasting personalities and complex relationships add richness to the narrative.

The pacing is brisk, with the novel reading like a mix of a cyberpunk heist and fantasy. The action sequences are well-executed, and the unraveling mysteries surrounding scriving and Sancia’s past keep the tension high. The story also doesn’t shy away from exploring deeper themes, including power, control, and the ethics of technology.

Despite my mixed feelings about how it straddles the line between fantasy and sci-fi, I loved Foundryside and will definitely be reading the second book in the series. Now that I know what to expect—a fantasy novel that speaks the language of sci-fi—I might enjoy the sequel even more.

This was such a pleasant surprise. The world and magic system is so unbelievably innovative and unique. The pacing was excellent and the characters were very likeable and realistic given their circumstances. I cannot wait to see where this story goes in the next books!

“Pride...it's so often an excuse for people to be weak.”

A wonderful beginning to this trilogy. Foundryside drops you into an interesting society with an even more interesting magic system as it's backbone. You navigate that society, Tevanne, with a delightfuly fucked up cast of characters who are all affected by its issues. Loved it!

One of the most interesting magic systems I've read in a long time ! I went into this almost blind (I had only read the very beginning of the description, about how it's about industrialized magic and I was in) and I had a blast.
I loved the “heist” flavour, I liked all the characters, they were all intriguing, well-written and flawed and I loved that ! I really liked the pacing too.
I liked the end a little bit less, it was all becoming too big for my liking.  

If you want to read a book qith an extraordinary and intruiging magic system then red 👏 this 👏 book👏.

Seriously, I love the reality altering magic system and the characters and their backstories are so interesting as well.

I also loved how the stark contrast between poor and "rich" was depicted, experiencing it through Sancia and Gregor's different PoVs was really well done.

Also, speaking of PoVs, all of them were so interesting. I can't wait to see where this journey is going to take us in books 2 and 3!

Definitely a highlight of this year

a book that i was supposed to love... concept and magic system had me hooked but wasn't enough to compensate for my utter lack of investment in the characters, the stakes, and the world-building :/

Storyline, Worldbuilding und magic system sehr interessant, hab noch nie etwas ähnliches gelesen. Aber der Schreibstil ist manchmal holprig, hat sich so angefühlt als hätte es nocheinmal überarbeitet werden sollen.

City of Stairs is what got me into my current reading groove. I had never read more than a handful of books for my own personal pleasure over the years. Something felt special about the whole world Robert Jackson Bennett built.

I won’t go as far to say he’s done it again but it’s fun to see the motifs he plays with. This time being a magical coding world. Mostly threads the needle of the fun of a heist and playing with a somewhat complicated magical system.

It does take a good chunk to get going as I think action is not where RJB excels. Or I’m just dumb. Logistically his writing always makes me feel like I’m missing one piece of the geography to fully map it. That pops up a couple times in the book. But once they get into the actual systems and how that shapes the world we are really cooking.

4 stars. I really like this one and I'm excited to see where the series will go. Thematically, this is my bread and butter. Im an IT nerd so all of the programming and AI undertones in this really piqued my interest and it was well executed. Hoping book 2 and 3 expand on that and get better

An interesting story, decent characters, the world building and magic system really stand out. If I had to describe the world-building, I would say it's Arcane and Fable smashed together.

Foundryside plunges us straight into the heart of an exhilarating heist, showcasing Sancia Grado's prowess as an expert thief. Bennett masterfully crafts these opening scenes with a blend of engaging dialogue, a vibrant setting in Tevanne, and a magical system that is both original and captivating. This initial surge is thrilling, filled with the kind of energy and promise that makes you lean in, eager for more.

Bennett's creation of the scriving magic system is initially a gem, intricately detailed and fascinating. However, as the narrative unfolds, this complexity begins to weigh down the story. The pacing suffers, turning what started as a sprint into more of a stagger. It's as if the book itself is a scrived object that's been overcoded — initially impressive but increasingly cumbersome as more layers are added.

The characters, especially in the latter half, struggle to shine as brightly as the initial setup promised. The plot, which initially seemed focused and sharp, meanders, losing the clarity and pace that made the opening chapters so compelling. This inconsistency in storytelling is reflected in the overall experience of the book — a journey that begins with potential but gets lost in its own labyrinth of details.

In the concluding chapters, “Foundryside” makes a valiant attempt to recapture the initial allure of its opening scenes with a new heist. However, this late effort struggles to match the early excitement, primarily due to the pacing issues and complex expositions that have unfolded in between. The narrative, though rich with potential and innovative ideas, doesn't quite manage to maintain a steady grip on the reader's engagement throughout. This leads to a finale that, while aiming to echo the thrill of the beginning, doesn't fully deliver on the promise shown at the start. Foundryside is a book of contrasts, where the brilliance of its concept and the initial chapters shines brightly, but the journey through its pages reveals the challenges of sustaining that brilliance to the end.

The initial complaints I had here got better (at least for me). Some good moments, nothing really noteworthy overall.

Very cool book. I loved the concept of scrived things. I am still a bit confused about the world and how it looks, but I hope to finish this trilogy soon.

DNF @10%

I had been wanting to read this for such a long time that when I finally got a hold of it at my library, I was disappointed with it. It wasn't what I had expected going in, which is too bad because I know that a lot of people really love this book (and series). I'm not much one for grunge fantasy, so maybe that's why it didn't appeal to me. Maybe I'll give it another shot at some point, but it's unlikely.

What an outstanding book. If you like Six of Crows you most surely will like this.

Foundryside is a very unique and fresh story. It's fast paced, action packed, funny, and loads of magic. The authors word play is so witty sometimes. It really shines a light on his intelligence. I never thought I'd be that into magic packed stories other than Harry Potter because I'm more into medieval fantasy but boy this book might flip me.

The story follows Sancia who is an expert thief who has magical abilities that nobody else has. She gets hired to steal an artifact of serious magical power. People in power want this device for their own personal gain. Sancia's life is on the line and she must have the help of the most unlikeliest of friends to help keep her alive, the object safe, and to take down the people after her.

downgraded from 4 to 3. Had really good worldbuilding and interesting heist plot. Magic was kinda handwavey but thats chill. Also characters were aight. Pretty solid 3/5 but the worldbuilding put it at a four for me.

But then i started thinking about the message of the book and how it took on freedom and slavery and shit and i was like its alright i suppose. It like got the job done but its just like inadequate in a sense :/ So back to 3

Very interesting story and unputdownable at times.

The story follows a young thief named Sancia, who after doing the biggest heist of her life, finds herself involved in something far worse than she could ever imagine.

‘Grudges,' said Sancia, ‘are a privilege I can't afford.'

Characters - it didn't take long to be invested in Sancia's story. RJB done a fine job in making you root for Sancia from the minute the story started moving. A likeable rouge, who is fighting her own demons, amongst the houses of Tevanne.
The other side characters were likeable also, however not as much as Sancia. The bond the characters start building is enjoyable to read. My favourite of them all has to be Clef but the less said about him the better!

Magic / Worldbuilding - the magic system is fascinating. I personally haven't read anything similar and would say it is unique. It does sit amongst the likes of Brandon Sanderson, I feel both writers have similar skills of building their magic systems.
The world of Tevanne is very though out. From the slums all the way up to the main houses, each area designed differently, with separate states of residents and their own personal agendas.

The plot moves along nicely, keeping at a decent pace. The pay off is great at the end and makes you excited to read the second of the trilogy - Shorefall.
The heist set up is nice, I've not read much heist stories but would like to read more after this.
It does leave on a sort of cliff hanger, so be prepared to be invested in the full 3 books.

Overall 4/5 - enjoyable read throughout. Recommend for anyone who enjoys their heists with a side of magic and likeable characters.

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This book was perfect at so many levels. I'm not a massive fan of heists, but I must confess- Foundryside hooked me to the story from the first pages!

- Perfect blend between character-driven & plot-driven story
- Amazing magic system where objects are persuaded to act/be as other things- e.g. you can persuade a house rotten to believe its pillars are solid and of hard stone, a door to grant passage only if you whisper the correct password,...
- Sentient key: which completely stole my heart!
- Realistic characters and motivations
- Impressive world-building!

Just a 10/10! Mis dieses!

I have a BookTube channel- check it out! https://www.youtube.com/c/FunFantasyBooks

This book was perfect at so many levels. I'm not a massive fan of heists, but I must confess- Foundryside hooked me to the story from the first pages!

- Perfect blend between character-driven & plot-driven story
- Amazing magic system where objects are persuaded to act/be as other things- e.g. you can persuade a house rotten to believe its pillars are solid and of hard stone, a door to grant passage only if you whisper the correct password,...
- Sentient key: which completely stole my heart!
- Realistic characters and motivations
- Impressive world-building!

Just a 10/10! Mis dieses!

For more of my reviews, check out my blog.

I read this book for the first time last year, in the midst of my maternity leave. It was one of the first books I picked up after having my son, and WOW did I get lucky with my choice. Foundryside is one of the best books I read last year, no question. I picked it up again, now, because I was approved for an ARC of the last book of the trilogy. A reread was in order so I could appropriately appreciate the series as a whole.

My opinions of this book have not changed in the slightest. Foundryside is a tightly plotted fantasy book that takes place in the city-state of Tevanne, that is (I think) based off of Venice, Italy. There are canals and merchant houses, so that's what I'm basing that off of. In Tevanne, “magic” is done by scriving — convincing an object to do something other than what reality says it is supposed to by the use of sigils. That sounds complicated, but it really isn't inside the confines of the book. An example — they make carriages move forward by convincing the wheels that they are going down a hill. This magic system is so amazingly unique and used in the most fascinating of ways throughout the course of the novel.

Sancia, the main character, is a gruff and mean thief with a strange ability — she can listen to objects by touching them. She'll lay her hand or a finger on a wall and immediately know what the inside of the building looks like. She uses this ability to steal and during a particularly well paying job, she steals something extremely rare and valuable. It's this object that starts off the entire plot. This object — a key — is my absolute favorite character of the bunch. And yes, you read that right — the key is a character. I won't get much more into that because I really don't want to spoil anyone.

The main plot of the book is to keep someone from doing something absolutely horrifying (seriously, just HORRIFYING) with scriving in order to gain massive amounts of power.

Robert Jackson Bennett manages to weave an incredibly detailed world into being inside Foundryside's 501 pages. The Tevanne lore includes myths of massively powerful gods that created the scriving language, and mentions of long ago cultures/civilizations that used particular tools. This lore is not only believable inside the context of the novel, but also creates a large sense of the world. I can't get over how masterfully this is done.

The next book in the series, Shorefall, is just as amazing. I'm onto that book next so I can dive into my ARC of Locklands, the third and final book in the series. Please go read this series. You will not regret it.