A fantasticly novel take on fantasy

This books seems to run on the saying "Everyone is the hero of their own story" and this book has so many interesting characters.
The world is also just a mad of ideas that could be individual stories just as well. A fantasy city under occupation from a strange Nation that aims to perfect the world by rendering magic down to pure power for their own use, a university of ideal driven students, demon powered factories, gangs of organised crime and underground magic users. And that's just the stuff on the surface, this world has a depth that just unfurls so naturally in your mind, it's a treat to read.

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1 person found this helpful

Perfect hit for me

I enjoyed this story far, far more that typical fantasy. Compelling characters, interesting social observations and lack of simplistic moralisms plaguing fantasy (and SciFi) recently. I want more!

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4 people found this helpful

Not sure the narrator got the text

Complex set up at the beginning- Lots of characters. Names hard to remember and so blurred them sometimes and found it a bit hard to follow. Thought the narrator struggled with the author’s text rather than bringing it to life much of the time. But despite all of that, overall a really interesting story and if there are more books in this series (is it a series?) then more if the complex world building should make sense / have more time to evolve. So hugely imaginative but a bit hard to follow at least in the beginning.

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An amazing book!

I absolutely loved this book, it was dark but hopeful, grim but humourous. I hardly knew what was going to happen next and even when I did I was still somehow surprised by it! The narrator also did an excellent job and was a true pleasure to listen to, a good range of voices and great intonation. I want more books like this!

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2 people found this helpful

Could have been shorter...

This novel starts like a collection of short stories. It takes many hours to draw the various bits together, and by the time the Plot sort of comes together I had forgotten what happened in the earlier parts which were somehow supposed to inform what was then happening... It took a very long time to go anywhere and then seemingly a very long time to wrap up. Or rather not wrap up.
Also why are most of the characters Scottish? This was a confusing choice, a little more vocal differentiation would have been enjoyable. Lots of characters and factions but lots of.the same voice... perhaps it would be more enjoyable to read rather than listen to.
There also seem to be some issues with production which make for a clunky listen.
This is the second book from this author I've listened to and I can't say I'll be rushing to read any more!

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1 person found this helpful

Highly Recommended

Excellent, even by Adrian Thchaikovsky's extremely high standards. A thoroughly engrossing and engaging story full of rounded, utterly believable characters, in an unforgettable city.

Superb narration by David Thorpe too, lending each character a unique and distinctive tone.

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7 people found this helpful

Didn’t work for me.

I got two thirds of the way through and realised I didn’t really know what was happening, I didn’t care about any of the characters and the narrator’s “Scottish” accent was making me wince.
However, I can see why people have praised the narrator because he transitioned seamlessly between characters, the emotion was spot on and he was very engaging. I just couldn’t take the accent any more.
The story was complex and I think if I was reading it myself I could get into it. It was just too complex for me personally as an audio book but I can see how fans of political fantasy would be enamoured with this book.

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2 people found this helpful

Should have been grade but it's just ok

I like the author but sometimes he is allover the place.
This book has a lighter tome and is funny, the reader is perfect for this.
The world is very interesting, very fantastic but no elves.
It is gritty in someplace and there is a part near the end that really makes you go 'daaaam'.

BUT somehow it did not hook me. I could have dropped it at any point and would hot have minded.
I also started looking at how long it still had multiple times.
So good but somehow shallow and pointless.

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1 person found this helpful

A must read!

Best book by Adrian Tchaikovsky. Well worth listening to. He creates a dystopian world/city populated by great characters. All of whom are not heroes or heroines in the classic sense overcoming insurmountable odds, but flawed characters doing their best for themselves. This makes it easier to identify and sympathize with each character. However bad they are.

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Extremely well done

I loved the writing and the story was excellent. brilliant author. I would recommend

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