The Plastic Magician

meh

This book was less engaging than the others. Perhaps I got burned by hoping this would be about the characters from the prior three books, but the narrator really annoyed me. This also felt more like a romance than anything else, which wasn't what I'd expected. I'd qualify this as a good vacation read but otherwise not worth the energy.

This is a cute story, but it's lackluster in comparison to The Paper Magician. It just doesn't have the same level of charm that the original series has. Alvie is a much better character than Ceony because she doesn't do stupid things. In Ceony's defense she also wasn't stupid in the first book.

But the Polymaking is boring in comparison to Folding. I understand that it's a new discipline and there just isn't much to work with. But I also think that's a cop out for Holmberg to not have to come up with some on the same level as Folding. Basically Folding is just origami and there's plenty of resources on origami. I loved how disability was prominently featured, but it wasn't done in a negative way. The disabled person isn't showcased as the villain and she doesn't hate being disabled. She doesn't see it as her life being over and I as a physically disabled woman appreciate that.

It was good to see old characters we've grown to love. I loved seeing Ceony and Emery! And Bennet has redeemed himself in my book. I didn't like how he implied Ceony was a whore. Whether or not she slept with Emery is irrelevant. He had no right to judge her. I loved Ethel!!!!! She was so funny and very good for Alvie. They were good for each other.

I will read the rest of this series if it ever comes to fruition. But Polymaking is going to have to get so much more interesting.