Started: 03/03/22
Finished: 12/03/22
Spoilers: No
At this point, I'm just repeating myself in my praise for this book series. One review will sound much like the other because I consistently love each one and have no complaints so far. Book 3 was fantastic to start to finish. This may even be the best one so far.
Characters
Very quickly, easily, and rightfully, the crew of the Ketty Jay are becoming one of my favourite casts of character ever. They are so much more than just a misfit bunch of outlaws, crooks, and drunks. They're a family, albeit a little dysfunctional at times. They guys would die for each other. They probably begrudge it, but they'd do it, and that's why I love them so much. It's these kinds of morally grey ensembles that truly remind me why I love reading so much.
The characters continue to grow in deep, meaningful ways, often faced with a choice between their 'family' or something more, some semblance of the normal life they crave. That decision can sometimes be the difference between life and death for the rest of them.
In the last book, we saw the deeper development of Jez and Crake's characters, this time around, Malvery and Silo get the growth treatment. I loved getting Silo's POV for the first time. He definitely had the most growth in this story, facing his past and finally putting to bed some old demons.
Also, so proud of Malvery. He got his moment to shine and, my god, did he shine brightly.
Ashua was also a pleasant new addition to the crew. I honestly thought she wouldn't still be around by the end to continue on with the crew as she will no doubt change the dynamic of the group, but I enjoy her as a character and I'm glad she's there.
Frey and Trinica seem to be a one step forward two steps back kind of couple, even though they're not together, the elephant in the room is that they clearly still love each other. Their romance is so slow-burn it's killing me. I'm dying to know if they finally admit their still smouldering feelings for each other, even after all these years and everything that's happened. They deserve to be happy, damn it!
Plot
I love how each book starts by throwing us in at the deep end in the middle of a failing mission. Every opening sequence finds the crew of the Ketty Jay in a sticky situation, though never truly life-threatening cause this is only chapter one of course, but it offers great humour and exciting action from the outset before getting down to business: the job offer.
After pulling off an impossible train robbery, Durian Frey finds himself cursed, and he has 12 days to steal back what he stole and return it, or he's dead. I love these race against the clock narratives. The tension and sense of urgency was fantastic, but the story never lost its humour or heart.
Though somewhat formulaic in structure and presentation, these books differ just enough to never get boring. I think if you go into these books expecting something deeply complex, poignant, or moving then you're expecting the wrong things. This series isn't those things, but it's a hell of a lot of fun. A high stakes, funny, action/adventure romp that isn't greatly taxing on the reader. This book and the series in general, demands nothing of the reader except that you have a damn good time and go away with a smile on your face. And it never fails on that account.
Setting
Chris Wooding does a remarkable job of setting each novel in a new place, country, or territory, so they never feel samey.
Each country feels distinct from the last in every way, climate, culture, customs, race, fashion, and language. Samarla is undeniably individual and completely different to Vardia or Thesk, or Yortland, or anywhere else we've visited with this crazy crew.
I also found it fascinating to visit one of the fabled Azryx cities. I love fantasy worlds that feature this kind of ancient, lost civilization that was more technologically advanced, but whose advancements have been lost to time. Seeing this lost city and some of its interesting tech up close was a great direction to take this book.
Writing Style
I feel like book four will be the biggest, most important one yet. With each book, there has been one connecting theme (I mention because spoilers), but it all feels like it's going to culminate in book four and shit is going to go down. I think it's a massive point for Wooding's writing that he's clearly been building up to this moment. With each book, more hints are dropped, but it wasn't until the end of this one that I finally put all the pieces together and realise the picture was a coming civil war. And I'm unbelievably excited to start reading.
Final Impression
Loved it. Fucking loved it. I'm going to be so gutted when I've finished this series. This has undeniably been one of the best series I've read. what a fucking blast.
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