this was a little strange to get in to - wasnt sure I was following - got confused a couple times - not sure it was world building or I was hoping and then it wasnt and then it was again...
but over all - it was a good book and I'm now starting the second book in the series. ( )

A wonderfully intriguing world with three-dimensional characters that show growth through their adventure. It built to a wonderful climax that was riveting. I'd like to check out other books by this author. ( )

Setting aside at page 68 (of 447) because this story is being told to me, not shown, and certainly not felt. I think it's probably an interesting story - we have a steampunky Russian-esque archipelagan empire held together by airships and ruling classes and riddled with subjugated classes, famine and pestilence (of hinted magical/phenomenon origin). We've hit issues of class and race inequality from the get-go, through our two viewpoint characters of Nikandr (a Prince, a have) and his mistress Rehada (a wanderer of the underclass, a have-not), and I could see those developing in promising ways. But through both narrations, we keep being told about emotions and yearnings of which no evidence is shown. The story thus far has been tremendously opaque - not to mention that we haven't yet achieved the inciting incident outlined on the back of the book - and the writing isn't charming enough for me to want to hang around waiting for tidbits of elucidation to be doled out.

It took me a time to get myself oriented amon the Russian-like and Arabic-like names and words but it was rewarding. I liked this book a lot, the plot, the magic system (the drowning chambers, brrr), the characters, very human and not two-dimensional characters. ( )

Beaulieu's novel is a deep, highly original work of fantasy. The use of airships may cause an initial impression that this is steampunk, but it's not--this is hardcore epic fantasy with fascinating magic and political backstabbing galore. ( )