• the_river_cass [she/her]
    ·
    4 years ago

    The Traitor Baru Cormorant -- read it if you want something that 1. doesn't do this and 2. manages something that feels like it very well could exist in our own world in the early modern era while being an utterly different world. the main character's home is colonized at the beginning of the story, and the three book cycle (all completed) that begins here is about her struggle to take down the empire that killed one of her fathers. the series is deeply anti-colonial and it rejects the great man view that so much fiction struggles to be rid of. it's also a serious emotional ride -- the ending to this first book is notorious, heart-wrenching, and unforgettable. I honestly can't recommend it enough.

    • naive [he/him]
      ·
      4 years ago

      I dropped the first book thinking my heart can't take an ending like that.

        • naive [he/him]
          ·
          4 years ago

          Every review of the book said the ending was gut wrenching and after reading it halfway through I can kinda see how it will happen. I didn't drop it per se but waiting for the right time to finish it, when I hope not be too affected by ending.

          • the_river_cass [she/her]
            ·
            4 years ago

            yea, totally feel you. I'm not sure such a time exists - it's uniquely devastating - but I can say it was extremely worth it, overall.

            • naive [he/him]
              ·
              edit-2
              4 years ago

              I hear ya. Till where I did read the book, it was one of the most refreshing take on fantasy I've seen.

              Spoilers

              Currency inflation, what its effect would be and how it can be used to one's advantage was not something I was expecting in a fantasy book . And that's just one of the many interesting things present in the book. I'm definitely gonna read it at some point but I'm a very moody reader with an aversion to tragic endings lol.

              • the_river_cass [she/her]
                ·
                4 years ago

                when you finish it, please send me a note! I'm also moody but I like the catharsis of tragedy - crying feels good.