Releasing: March 22nd, 2022
Publisher: Orbit Books
Pages: 512
Genre: Adult Fantasy
My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
SYNOPSIS
Four realms, one for each of the gods. Four Houses, whose powerful heirs are the gods’ descendants. But the gods have abandoned them all in the realm of Vitae, and closed the portals to the other realms.
Taesia Lastrider, with the shadows of Nyx
Nikolas Cyr, with the light of Phos
Angelica Mardova, elementalist of Deia
Risha Vakara, necromancer of Thana
In the kingdom of Nexus, the heirs vie for the throne. But their realm of Vitae is dying, and the four heirs must form a reluctant alliance to save the realm, the kingdom, and their people.
REVIEW
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Plot:
The beginning is slow, with not a whole lot happening. I needed something at the start to really to engage my attention. I wanted more stakes in the game and a sense of urgency.
But I’m so glad I stuck with it because once the book started to take off (around chapter six for me) it hooked me in and didn’t let go. The building tension and rising discord is skillfully designed.
There are mysteries I was invested in solving.
The plot is multi-layered and the many facets of sub-plots are deftly woven together into the story as a whole. I love that some things we are able to discover on our own and yet some things are tactfully remained hidden.
There are so many truly-unexpected twists and turns, like one bombshell after another.
A delightfully complex tale, The City of Dusk is riveting and I can’t wait for the next book in this series!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Characters:
One of my favorite parts of this book is the characters, and there are many. Each is unique in their personality and motivations, and with the multiple points of view we get extensive insight.
There are many groups and relationships that both form and end throughout the story.
Having all the conflicting emotions and desires gives the story more depth and makes the characters more relatable. The side-characters’ involvement in the plot is intricate.
There are even a few slow-blooming intimate relationships that I would love to see come to fruition in the future installments in this series.
One thing that really bothers me is that I still can’t get a grasp on the characters’ ages. I don’t know if they are intentionally left vague, but I think knowing this would’ve helped me feel more connected to them and understand them better.
This story has so much potential between all its players and I hope to see more of their interactions developing. I feel like we have just brushed the surface of this story and I can’t wait to see how much more it has to offer!
⭐⭐⭐⭐Writing:
The writing is flowy and gripping.
There are shining moments when a few sentences of backstory and exposition show so much about the characters.
And there are moments of brilliance where the descriptive language is gorgeous.
Only a few times did I feel like I was being told things just for the sake of it. At first, some of the dialogue feels bland and forced.
But once the story gets into a rhythm, I find the banter between characters is fun, engaging, and starts to flow naturally.
And who doesn’t love the punchy one-liners?
⭐⭐⭐Pacing:
The first few chapters are a bit wobbly for me, but then the story seems to get into a flow and really take off.
There are some scenes throughout that I feel don’t really serve to further the plot or character development that could’ve been cut to make the pacing a little stronger in places.
By chapter six, the stakes are upped and I was super invested.
The ending didn’t quite pack the punch I was hoping for, especially considering how much tension is built up by that point, but it’s still action-packed and sets up really well for the next book in the series.
Typically, I find that the middle is where a book tends to drag, but in this one I think the middle (parts two and three) is my favorite part.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐POV:
I enjoyed seeing this story unfold from so many different perspectives.
You’d think with so many that it may get confusing, but actually, each character’s voice is strong and unique and I never second-guessed whose perspective I was reading from.
Props to the writer for accomplishing this so well.
I also love how we as the readers are able to get different pieces of information from all the characters and start putting them together to solve the puzzles even before they do.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐World-building:
The richness in lore and complexity of the magic system is fascinating and immersive.
I love how mythology and science-fiction are woven together to create such a masterpiece of magical fantasy.
I do wish some things had been explained a little more clearly up front, because it took me a little while to really wrap my head around the story world.
It felt a little convoluted at the beginning trying to grasp the names, rules, and places. I know there’s a fine balance to strike so you aren’t simply info-dumping at the beginning, but I needed just a little more background as a knowledge basis for what was happening.
The captivating story world is one of my favorite parts about this book.
Overall, it is an expertly crafted atmosphere that I would love to visit again and again.
Recommend for readers who love:
- political intrigue
- family dynamics
- action-packed
- multi-layered plots
- dark atmosphere
- morally-grey characters
- rich and complex lore
- religion and mythology
- multiple points of view
- diverse cast
- complex and immersive worlds
Huge thank you to Netgalley and Orbit Books for blessing me with an early copy of this book in exchange for my feedback!
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