This review is going to begin by addressing two recurring critiques I'm seeing for this book.
It would seem that those who gave it a lower rating did so because 1) they were disturbed by the abuse and neglect the main character suffers through most of the plot and 2) that said plot was slow.
If reading about abuse is triggering for you or just really not your cup of tea, that's one thing and completely fair. But the reviews containing this criticism are misleading. While Ophelia (and several other characters, for that matter) certainly suffers abuse and neglect, the reviewers seem to be fixating on the fact that abuse and neglect exist at all, painting a "bleak" picture, while simultaneously overlooking the result. Readers should be paying attention to how Ophelia overcomes her suffering, and what she discovers are some of the core values of feminism. It’s a terrific takeaway, especially for female readers of any age.
The second criticism can be taken as a trade-off: basic, slow-moving plot in exchange for total set immersion. Trust me, it’s a satisfying trade. It's also important to keep in mind that this is the first book in a four-novel series and tons of things will not necessarily happen or be resolved all at once in this volume.
Main Points of Praise:
Comparisons
I agree with the reviews that compare this writer to other big fantasy names. To break it down, I would say Dabos’s style is a delightful mix of the murky magic of Dianna Wynne Jones; the quirky prose of J.K. Rowling; the dark pragmatism of Philip Pullman; and, lastly, the fantastical atmosphere of Hiyao Miyazaki. It’s a really good cocktail, but it is definitely particular. I would caution those looking for something more mainstream, in style and substance.
World-building
In a word, it is stellar. For me, what makes it stand out from other fantasy novels is that the characters know their world. So many fantasy novels follow a common formula where the reader and the protagonist learn about the latter’s powers and world simultaneously, or the protagonist has to explain everything, usually in 1st person, so it feels jarringly unnatural. Not so here. All of the characters are familiar (or, if unfamiliar, certainly not phased) with various aspects of their broken-up, semi-diasporic world: the arks, the people who live on those arks, the powers attached to those arks, etc. Ophelia, for example, already knows her abilities in and out. As far as we need be concerned, things just Are, everyone already Is, without over-exposition, which is a tricky but essential quality, particularly where magic is the key component of a story.
Character Development
At this point in the series, I would call it characterization more than development because there isn’t so much growth happening as there is unfolding depth to the characters. The best example is, naturally, Ophelia. Some of the Amazon reviewers criticize her lack of strength or find her too timid—but that’s sort of the point. Every character in the book underestimates her and the reader, I think, is supposed to feel that way too. And yet, through every adversity, she keeps moving forward, without tears or self-pity or defeat, but with resolve. I’m not sure where certain readers overlooked that point.
The other standout is Thorn, obviously, because he is frightfully enigmatic at all times, there’s weight to every scene he’s in, and you’re never, ever sure what he’s up to, if his motives are honest, if his intentions are good, all bad, sorta bad. I also really appreciate that we, as readers, cannot (yet) fully rely on him or his political power to protect Ophelia from the traps around her. We learn, as Ophelia does, that ultimately she must be her own savior.
One criticism I have is that Dabos makes frequent use of defining physical traits to reinforce her characters, and it can feel repetitive at times. I would hope that the 2nd volume moves toward different sets of traits to reflect further character development.
Ambiguity
This is not a straight-forward love story! I don’t know if it will even become a love story, but there’s heaps of foreshadowing to that end and it definitely follows the enemies-to-lovers trope. For those struggling with the ambiguity of Ophelia and Thorn’s relationship, just keep in mind the circumstances that began their relationship. A straight-forward love story really is out of the question where ever an arranged marriage is concerned, which isn’t to say that there isn’t or won’t be a developing romance. It’s simply more subtle and non-conventional, appropriate to a non-conventional way of viewing marriage in contemporary times. But there is undeniably a slow, slow burning chemistry there.
Lastly, my main criticism is that the translation and/or ebook edit is shaky at times. This could be the real reason it doesn’t apparently strike well with some English readers. The best way I can describe the narrative, which is already being told in 3rd person, is that at times it’s like you’re being held at arm’s length.
And that's my long-winded review!
Morgan
J. Perry