Book #70: Court of Fives, by Kate Elliott

[grav_ity]

If you have not read this book, you need to read this book.

About six pages in, I was all "Is this the mixed-race, epic fantasy version of LITTLE WOMEN?", and then it very was, and I have to tell you, it was absolutely glorious.

(I put off reading this for...reasons? I don't even know. Don't make my mistake, lovelies.)

(Wait: I remember: I wasn't a huge fan of COLD FIRE, and I'm always hesitant to read people who cross "down" into the YA market. And I was very wrong on both counts.)

Anyway, this is very much a "set up" book in that the stakes are (comparatively) low, and no one saves the world long-term, but YE GODS, what a world (religion, politics, military assholes, revisionist history, i am so here for all of it)! And the characters are also magnificent, and Elliott goes for a discussion about race and femininity and family and legacy and goes hard.

Of course, now I have to wait for book two.

Comments

[lizbee.livejournal.com]

Okay, I haven't read this because I got a third of the way through COLD FIRE and stopped because it was just so ... dull and smug and Factually Wrong About Rome. Maybe I'll give this a go after all.

[grav-ity.livejournal.com]

I disliked COLD FIRE for those exact reason (I am SUCH a snob when it comes to archaeo-fiction!). Emma read portions of it out loud to me a few years ago, mostly so she would stay awake herself.

But, man, hit stride with FIVES. Can't wait for book 2 on Tuesday!

[lizbee.livejournal.com]

I disliked COLD FIRE for those exact reason

OH THANK GOD, I THOUGHT IT WAS JUST ME.

Things I use my Classics degree for:

- criticising fiction that's Wrong About Rome
- Tumblr fights

Anyway, I might see if the library has FIVES. As soon as I've finished rereading all the Harry Potters, then the Oz YA I just bought.

[grav-ity.livejournal.com]

That is also what I use my arch degrees for: sighing about books and tumblr fights.

Related: suddenly much more excited about Still Theoretical Trip to Australia this January-February. :)

[lizbee.livejournal.com]

I so wanted to do archaeology. But then I had foot surgery in year 12, and realised it was one of the worst possible choices for me, health-wise.

I MIGHT STILL BE SLIGHTLY BITTER.