Synopsis:
War is only part of her story.
When I was young, I fell asleep to the song of artillery.
We were told we would win.
But the enemy never got the message.
They came from across the mist with the devil’s magic, stole our land, and enslaved our families.
And then you decided to send me, of all people, into the fire? To bring back the secrets that would save our nation?
Are you bloody mad?
What happened, you ask? Oh, I’ll tell you.
But let me start at the beginning.
Robin Hobb meets Fonda Lee in this intimate WWI-era fantasy saga of family, love, duty, and betrayal.
Review:
Sometimes I worry I am a harsh rater and then I read a book like this and I know there is a specific feeling that cements a book as FIVE STARS.
When I was eleven, my face exploded.
How to describe this book? It is just under 1,000 pages and I went in fairly blind. I knew there was an ongoing war; it was a dark, epic fantasy endorsed by one of my trusted friends; and it was a framed narrative (if you know me, a lot of my favourite books have this: The Name of the Wind, Empire of the Vampire, Blood Song, Whispers of the Storm).
Fifty years of war, Kiana is the daughter of a gunsmith. She is confessing and revealing her story as a grown woman, looking back on her childhood with a melancholic retrospective. The character voice was one of the best I’ve read: I felt everything Kiana did.
The opening line was perfect (quoted above). It gives you an idea of the tone and characterisation of Kiana. She was an incredible character to follow: fleshed out with an amazing development arc. She is witty, ambitious, emotional, and complex.
“I was setting the stage,” I say. “Introducing our protagonist. Don’t you sympathize with her by now?”
The writing is self-aware and plays with literary conventions and expectations. I don’t want to dive into the genius because I think this is best experienced. I will say if you like: unreliable narration, coming-of-age, well-timed reveals – you will adore this.
The world-building is epic. The culture, religion, turmoil, and prejudices culminated into an immersive read. The magic system was slightly harder to grasp, but the vague answers seem deliberate as Kiana herself is unsure if it’s science, magic, religion.
I won’t lie: this is an epic undertaking. It is 800+ pages and it is a slow set up. I would say that the true ‘plot’ doesn’t start until 65%. However, trust the author and process. Not a page is wasted. You get to know Kiana so well that you don’t care you don’t know the direction of the book.
That’s what I loved about this. I got so completely lost in everything Kiana did/survived/initiated. It was a unique reading experience, especially in a book space where books are marketed (and spoiled) by tropes, predictable structures, and a driving pace.
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