Torn

paperback, 480 pages

Published March 20, 2018 by Orbit.

ISBN:
978-0-316-47862-5
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(7 reviews)

2 editions

This was not the book I was looking for

This was not the book I was looking for. The blurb mentions it is French Revolution-inspired in a fictional world with magic. The magic system is interesting: a few seamstresses can cast charms into their stitches, making charm protected garments. The protagonist, Sophie, is one of those expert seamstresses and has her own business. Her brother, Kristos, is a revolutionary that wants to overthrow the monarchy (hence the French Revolution inspiration). But the revolution didn’t seem convincing. It was a bit of a slow burn towards political revolution from the POV of someone who is connected to it (Sophie) but doesn’t really want to get involved. Sophie was so reactive and her lack of agency annoyed me at times. There was not enough texture in the story to make it a compelling revolution inspired story.

None

 

Perhaps, I conceded, I didn’t hold myself blameless for my silent consent to the policies I didn’t agree with.


Well... for a book about a working-class heroine in a society on the brink of an anti-monarchist revolution, I've gotta say this was pretty damn classist. :D

I did enjoy a lot about the story. It was certainly interesting and twisty, if a little slow, and there's this cool magic system: pretty loose, yet teasing at great narrative opportunities. If I end up continuing the series (I'm not sure yet), it will largely be because of the worldbuilding, especially the magic, and being super curious about what else the author is going to do with it. While I didn't find most of the characters particularly likable, I do think they're compelling and well-rounded. The prose flows well, and the tension is upheld nicely throughout the book.

What I took issue …

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