Book Review: The Hexologists by Josiah Bancroft
Posted on October 10, 2023 21 Comments
I received a review copy from the publisher. This does not affect the contents of my review and all opinions are my own.
The Hexologists by Josiah Bancroft
Mogsy’s Rating: 4 of 5 stars
Genre: Fantasy, Mystery
Series: Book 1 of The Hexologists
Publisher: Orbit (September 26, 2023)
Length: 386 pages
Author Information: Website
I confess, I wasn’t a huge fan of Josiah Bancroft’s first series, The Books of Babel, but as soon as I read the few pages of The Hexologists, I just knew it was going to be a very different book and one that is more to my liking. After all, it’s not every day you get to read a story about a king who wants to be baked into a cake.
For married couple Isolde “Iz” and Warren “War” Wilby, however, it’s just another typical day on the job for them as magical investigators. After questioning the royal secretary on the king’s apparent madness (he was even about to climb into the oven), our protagonists learn that the monarch is being blackmailed with a devastating, decades-old secret that can throw the line of succession into question and alter the destiny of the kingdom. Despite having no love for the nobility, Iz reluctantly agrees to look into the case by examining the piece of evidence that started it all—a letter written by someone claiming to be the king’s bastard son, stamped with a royal signet ring that supposedly went missing years ago—not to mention, rampaging golem attacks tend to have a way of forcing a decision.
Thus begins an adventurous and sometimes meandering journey through a steampunkish Victorianesque world with Iz and War as they pry into every nook and cranny in search of evidence. Often, these bold undertakings lead our hexologists to discover much more than they bargained for, from resentful old chums from magic school to an epicurious dragon who lives in an enchanted carpet bag. Bolstered by their love for each other and their commitment to helping people, this dynamic husband-and-wife duo never hesitates to dive headfirst into danger to solve even the darkest and most perplexing cases.
As much as I ended up enjoying this novel, I have to say, the first few chapters weren’t easy. While I was hooked on the premise from the start, the writing style did take some time to get used to. No doubt inspired by the setting, stylistically the prose came across vaguely Victorian in that it exhibited a sense of formality that can be felt in both the narrative and dialogue. Occasionally, these long, overly ornate sentences would just jump out at me because they were so awkwardly dense and clunky. It didn’t help either that the early plot was all over the place, making it easy to lose track of what the Wilbys were even supposed to investigate.
Of course, all of this is also my way of complimenting Bancroft, who has managed to capture the setting’s tone so perfectly. Fortunately, too, I found my footing after a few chapters and the rest of the novel went more smoothly. I was able to start connecting to the characters, appreciating their individual quirks and charms. One thing I absolutely loved about The Hexologists is that it features a married couple as its main protagonists, and hence, what romance you see in the story will be very different than what you’d normally get in other books of this type. For one, it’s on the lighter side, but when those little moments of devotion between Iz and War do show up, they’re tender, sweet, and beautiful.
From silly puns to situational irony, there’s also a lot of humor, which starts coming through in spades once the story establishes a solid foundation. The characters’ antics definitely got a few smiles out of me as well. Mystery and action-adventure elements combine to send the plot deeper and deeper into territory both strange and wondrous, and my early doubts eventually gave way to fascination and excitement.
To conclude, while The Hexologists had a somewhat shaky start with occasional moments of disorientation, it ultimately evolved into an engaging narrative of intrigue and daring. With its rich setting and clever wit, I would recommend this novel for readers who enjoy stories that weave together the charm of detective mysteries with paranormal magic. That said, for me it’s Iz and Warren Wilby who totally stole the show. They are simply the most wonderful and endearing pair of protagonists I’ve ever met, and I hope we’ll get to see more in this series starring these two soon!
Book Review: Sword Catcher by Cassandra Clare
Posted on October 9, 2023 18 Comments
I received a review copy from the publisher. This does not affect the contents of my review and all opinions are my own.
Sword Catcher by Cassandra Clare
Mogsy’s Rating: 3.5 of 5 stars
Genre: Fantasy
Series: Book 1 of Sword Catcher
Publisher: Del Rey (October 10, 2023)
Length: 597 pages
Author Information: Website
Years ago, in the bustling city-state of Castellane, a boy named Kel was plucked from an orphanage and brought to the palace to take on the important role of Sword Catcher, the title given to the body-double of the royal heir, due to his resemblance to the young Prince Conor Aurelian. But even as time passed, the two boys remained inseparable, not just out of necessity, but also because of true friendship. After all, they were raised together, for in order to be a convincing stand-in for Conor, Kel must know the prince as well as he knows himself—his thoughts, his mannerisms, his habits. One day, he may even be expected to die for Conor, a sacrifice Kel would make gladly, not only because it is his duty as his bodyguard, but because the two are as close as brothers. However, problems begin to arise as Conor approaches marriageable age, and Kel realizes his protection can only go so far, especially as the prince has grown into a reckless and impulsive young man. When Conor gets mixed up in some trouble, as always, it falls to Kel to clean up his messes.
Meanwhile, elsewhere in the city, Lin Caster is a member of the Ashkar, a community of magic users who are shunned for their abilities. A healer by trade, all Lin wants to do is to further her studies in medicine but is told that certain books and resources are barred to her people. However, to save a dear friend who is very ill, Lin simply cannot stand idly by. If the city won’t help her, then perhaps the Ragpicker King will. As the reigning crime lord of Castellane, he has the power to grant many favors—but for a price. Left with few options, both Lin and Kel find themselves turning to him for answers but end up being caught up in a dangerous web of political intrigue and shady schemes instead.
This is my first book by Cassandra Clare, well known for her immensely popular work in YA. Sword Catcher being her first crack at an adult fantasy series, I really had no idea what to expect, though as always, I was curious to see how an author deals with a switch in genres. Still, one thing I had heard is that Clare can be very descriptive and overly detailed with her writing style, and thus regarded as long-winded by some readers. Admittedly, when I looked at my copy of Sword Catcher, a veritable tome at nearly 600 pages, I did wonder if that might be true.
Ultimately, here’s what I thought: The good news is that, indeed, the author excels at bringing an immersive and intricate world to life. The setting of Castellane was simply phenomenal, a living and breathing backdrop that allows readers to envision it easily in their minds. The city is bursting with life, from its decadent palace halls to the dark alleyways of the criminal quarter. It is also steeped with corruption from top to bottom, which the narrative masterfully and successfully portrays. That said, yes, the writing can be a little verbose at times, though to be fair, I was never bored even when it led to slow pacing. Of course, one can also argue that a more efficient writer could achieve just as much in fewer pages, and, not going to lie, there were times where I found myself reading several chapters only to look back and realize not much has actually happened.
Another thought that I had: Habits die hard. Sword Catcher may be an adult novel in that it features older protagonists and deals with more mature themes, but stylistically, it still shares a lot of YA elements, especially in the way characters interact with each other in dialogue and how the romantic subplots are handled. Nevertheless, character development shines through, and despite their growth falling on the more simplistic and predictable side, all the POVs were sympathetic and relatable, even if I would have preferred to see more of Lin.
At the end of the day, even with a few minor hiccups, Sword Catcher was a captivating read and the start of a series I am definitely motivated to continue. While is officially described as Cassandra Clare’s adult debut, I would say it has enough crossover appeal to satisfy readers of YA as well. As for the novel’s length, could the story have benefitted from a bit of tightening? Perhaps. But in the end, it comes down to personal preference. I’m all for a more streamlined narrative, but in this case, I can also appreciate and see value in the author’s lush prose, making this book a good choice for readers who enjoy complex fantasy worlds featuring rich lore and magical systems.
Bookshelf Roundup 10/08/23: Stacking the Shelves & Recent Reads
Posted on October 8, 2023 10 Comments
Bookshelf Roundup is a feature I do every weekend which fills the role of several blog memes, like Stacking the Shelves where I talk about the new books I’ve added to my library or received for review, as well as It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? where I summarize what I’ve finished reading in the last week and what I’m planning to read soon. Mostly it also serves as a recap post, so sometimes I’ll throw in stuff like reading challenge progress reports, book lists, and other random bookish thoughts or announcements.
Received for Review
My thanks to the publishers and authors for the following review copies received, and be sure to click the links to their Goodreads pages for more details and full descriptions!
The Ghost Tracks and The Devil’s Promise by Celso Hurtado (Inkshares): These two novels from a paranormal horror mystery series about a young man from the wrong side of track who starts a detective agency can apparently be read individually as standalones, but the publisher was kind enough to send both books in case I want to start at the beginning. Once my TBR calms down a little next month, I just might!
Emily Wilde’s Map of the Otherlands by Heather Fawcett (Del Rey): Needless to say, this was the most exciting arrival of the week. The first book Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries was probably my first five-star read of the year, and I can’t wait to dive into this sequel.
A Haunting in the Arctic by C.J. Cooke (Berkley): A haunting? In the Arctic? It’s like this book was written just for me. I also enjoyed the author’s The Lighthouse Witches so there are many reasons why I’m looking forward to this one.
Reviews
- 3.5 of 5 stars to The Quiet Room by Terry Miles
- 3.5 of 5 stars to Starling House by Alix E. Harrow
- 2.5 of 5 stars to Mister Magic by Kiersten White
Recent Reads
This week, I got to fit in Shield Maiden, which was okay except for the main character. What’s the nicest way to put this? I hate to use the term Mary Sue as it’s lost all meaning at this point, but there were times where I seriously wondered if I was reading a fanfic of Beowulf. Next was A Haunting on the Hill, which was so-so but I didn’t think it was adding anything too new to the haunted house genre. Edenville, though, was one I nearly DNF’ed. I have to say, it was the closest I’ve come to giving a book 1-star in years.
Have you heard of or read any of the books featured this week? What caught your eye? Any new discoveries? I hope you found something interesting for a future read!
Book Review: Mister Magic by Kiersten White
Posted on October 5, 2023 10 Comments
I received a review copy from the publisher. This does not affect the contents of my review and all opinions are my own.
Mister Magic by Kiersten White
Mogsy’s Rating: 2.5 of 5 stars
Genre: Horror, Mystery
Series: Stand Alone
Publisher: Del Rey (August 8, 2023
Length: 288 pages
Author Information: Website
Books like Mister Magic are why I typically avoid any reviews or media commentary prior to reading so that I can approach them with a blank slate, and hence I did not find out until the end of the novel with the author’s note that this story was meant to be an allegory for some of Kiersten White’s own experiences. Had I known this beforehand, it might have changed a few of my thoughts as I was reading, though I doubt it would have ultimately raised my rating. However, it did explain for some of the heavy-handed messaging I saw, or why in certain sections the writing felt overly self-indulgent.
For as long as she can remember, Val has been living on a farm with her father, working for its owners. She can’t recall anything from her early childhood before he brought her here, and it has never bothered her until his death brought a couple of unexpected visitors to the funeral. One of them is Isaac, claiming that when they were younger, he and Val were on a children’s show called Mister Magic along with three other kids—Marcus, Javi, and Jenny. Or was it four others? Val has no memory at all of what Isaac is talking about, but something about him feels familiar. She also thinks he may be able to help shed some light on why she keeps seeing visions of a mysterious girl in her mind.
As it turns out, the other cast members, now all grown up, have been trying to find Val to get the old gang back together for a special reunion podcast. Apparently, Mister Magic had been quite popular in its heyday, with many nostalgic fans still discussing their favorite episodes on online forums dedicated to the show. But mixed in with these conversations are some unsettling questions as well, like why Mister Magic ended up being canceled. Most agree that it was due to a tragedy, though no one can remember what exactly happened. What’s weirder still is that no footage of the show can be found anywhere, or any proof the show itself even existed, though surely it must have. For Val, who realizes she will find no answers on her own, the only choice left is to accompany Isaac and the others to Utah where the podcaster has set up an interview space in the old house where the original cast supposedly stayed.
There’s no doubt a lot of strangeness to untangle here, and this is certainly the most complex book I’ve read by White to date. Sure, we’re dealing with some pretty abstract themes, not to mention all the bizarre things that happened in the story, but these were not the factors that made the novel a challenging read. Instead, what gave me an incredibly hard time was not knowing where the narrative was going with all this. Mister Magic is being marketed as horror, and to its credit, that’s exactly the way it started, infused with the creeping dread of blank memories and unanswered questions. But by the end, it was clear the story was becoming so much more, and to be honest, with the plot spiraling out of control, I wasn’t sure I liked the direction things were going.
Instead of clarity, all I got was more confusion. Now, I get it—this book is clearly important to the author, who has poured all her pain and trauma into the writing. Speaking with admiration and respect, that takes a lot of guts. With that said, at times I could feel it getting personal, to the point where some of that emotional release was leaking into and intruding upon the story. There were moments where I felt the entire premise was too flawed for the points she wanted to make. Some ideas were hammered home a little too forcefully or injected into the most inconvenient and illogical places, the characters (especially the antagonists) too simplistic or stereotypical to be convincing. Admittedly, after learning Mister Magic is an allegory, I did understand a bit better, along with White’s reasons for writing it, but unfortunately my frustration with the plot structure and heavy-handed writing style remained unchanged.
To sum it all up: it was a mentally draining experience trying to engage with Mister Magic, and while I deeply admire Kiersten White for addressing an issue that impacted her so negatively in her youth, I’m not sure that, without her afterword providing a full explanation, I would have gotten any of it on my own. In many places in the book, the writing simply felt weak, making it difficult to discern the novel’s identity or deeper message.
Waiting on Wednesday 10/4/23
Posted on October 4, 2023 14 Comments
Waiting On Wednesday” is a weekly meme that first originated at Breaking the Spine but has since linked up with “Can’t Wait Wednesday” at Wishful Endings now that the original creator is unable to host it anymore. Either way, this fun feature is a chance to showcase the upcoming releases that we can’t wait to get our hands on!
Mogsy’s Pick
Mister Lullaby by J.H. Markert (November 21, 2023 by Crooked Lane Books)
“In the vein of T. Kingfisher and Christopher Golden, the boundary protecting our world from the monsters on the other side is weakening—and Mister Lullaby is about to break through.
The small town of Harrod’s Reach has seen its fair share of the macabre, especially inside the decrepit old train tunnel around which the town was built. After a young boy, Sully Dupree, is injured in the abandoned tunnel and left in a coma, the townspeople are determined to wall it up. Deputy sheriff Beth Gardner is reluctant to buy into the superstitions until she finds two corpses at the tunnel’s entrance, each left with strange calling cards inscribed with old lullabies. Soon after, Sully Dupree briefly awakens from his coma.
Before falling back into his slumber, Sully manages to give his older brother a message. Sully’s mind, since the accident, has been imprisoned on the other side of the tunnel in Lalaland, a grotesque and unfamiliar world inhabited by evil mythical creatures of sleep. Sully is trapped there with hundreds of other coma patients, all desperately fighting to keep the evils of the dream world from escaping into the waking world.
Elsewhere, a man troubled by his painful youth has for years been hearing a voice in his head he calls Mr. Lullaby, and he has finally started to act on what that voice is telling him—to kill any coma patient he can find, quickly.
Something is waking up in the tunnel—something is trying to get through. And Mr. Lullaby is coming.”
Book Review: Starling House by Alix E. Harrow
Posted on October 3, 2023 15 Comments
I received a review copy from the publisher. This does not affect the contents of my review and all opinions are my own.
Starling House by Alix E. Harrow
Mogsy’s Rating: 3.5 of 5 stars
Genre: Fantasy
Series: Stand Alone
Publisher: Tor Books (October 3, 2023)
Length: 320 pages
Author Information: Website
Starling House by Alix E. Harrow is a novel which blends elements of gothic fantasy, subtle horror, and intriguing mystery to deliver an enchanting read with low-key creepy vibes—perfect for the spooky season. While I can’t say it’s my favorite of the author’s works due to its more generic themes, the story’s broad appeal is also why I think it will resonate with a wide audience.
As the book opens, readers are transported to a small dying town in rural Kentucky called Eden, known only for a peculiar legend surrounding a haunted house. It’s said to have belonged to a reclusive 19th century author named E. Starling, who wrote one celebrated masterpiece and then seemingly vanished into thin air. The locals say that the Starling House is cursed, warning others to stay away lest they too become caught up in its dark energies and run afoul of misfortune like its original owner. Its current and lone occupant, Arthur Starling, is the last of his line and lives a quiet and isolated existence, burdened by the weight of his family’s legacy and the secrets that the old house holds.
Starling House is also the last place Opal wants to be, but as a struggling young adult with no real job prospects living in a motel room and trying to raise a little brother by herself, she can’t afford to be selective. So, when Arthur offers her a job as a housecleaner, Opal reluctantly accepts, hoping that the extra cash will be enough to give her brother Jasper a better life after high school, far from the dead-end bleakness of Eden. But in truth, there’s more to it than that. Long before she even set foot in Starling House, Opal had been haunted by visions of it in her dreams. By agreeing to work for Arthur, she is answering a call that has been echoing in her heart for years, and she could hardly pass up the opportunity to get to the bottom of her mysterious dreams.
First, the good. I felt the overall premise of Starling House was superb. For self-professed scaredy-cat readers, I also have great news: I personally would not categorize this novel as true horror. Infused with an atmosphere that’s at once a little gloomy and a little whimsical, “eerie” is perhaps the best description for the general mood of the story. I’ve said before as well that I enjoy an unexpected romance, and indeed there was one in here that snuck up on me and took me by surprise. While I have my issues with Opal (more on that later), I can’t deny being drawn to characters with diametrically opposed personalities coming together, sparking a certain dynamic which adds depth to the relationship.
As for the not-so-good, I have to say I was somewhat let down by the unoriginal nature of the book’s plot and themes. This is Alix E. Harrow, who wrote such imaginative works as The Ten Thousand Doors of January and The Once and Future Witches, and I’m afraid Starling House simply does not achieve a similar caliber. For one thing, the world-building seemed a bit slapdash, skimping on some details and glossing over others that don’t make sense. For another, while this novel is marketed as an adult novel and Opal reads like she is around her late teens or early twenties, the overall formation of the narrative feels strangely YA.
Much of it may have something to do with Opal herself, whom I oftentimes found infuriating. She’s a tough young woman, but also stubborn to the point of self-destructiveness, and I just really can’t stand characters who are “my way or the highway.” These pages are filled with examples of Opal constantly sabotaging herself, either because she’s too full of her own selfish pride or unable to deal with her many hang-ups leading her to take them out on others. Take the way she is with her brother, for instance—clearly, she loves Jasper very much, yet she doesn’t seem to trust or respect him enough to actually listen to him and honor his wishes.
In sum, Starling House is a novel of mostly hits but also a few misses. While it is not the best or the most innovative story that I’ve read by Alix E. Harrow, it is still a good showcase of her talent especially her skills in creating moody atmospheres and immersive fantastical worlds that draw readers into the plot
Book Review: The Quiet Room by Terry Miles
Posted on October 2, 2023 14 Comments
I received a review copy from the publisher. This does not affect the contents of my review and all opinions are my own.
Mogsy’s Rating: 3.5 of 5 stars
Genre: Science Fiction, Mystery
Series: Book 2 of Rabbits
Publisher: Del Rey (October 3, 2023)
Length: 432 pages
Author Information: Website
From my review of Rabbits by Terry Miles, I wrote: “Wow, this was one real head trip, and I mean it in the best way possible. Rabbits is the kind of story that worms its way into your mind, and you find yourself mulling over it even days after you finish.” As the second installment, The Quiet Room not only continues where the first book left off but also maintains its mind-bending intrigue and mysterious energy.
Featuring a new cast of characters, The Quiet Room can technically be read as a standalone, but those with knowledge of the first book or the podcast which this series is based on will probably enjoy it more with another level of appreciation. Imagine you are playing a game and trying to follow the rules without realizing you’re the one writing the rules. This, in a nutshell, is the game Rabbits. Using the real world as a platform, players seek out patterns and unlikely connections to uncover even more clues until one winner ultimately prevails in unraveling the thread to its conclusion, gaining the fulfillment of their deepest desires. Once an iteration of a game has been won, another will begin again.
If wrapping your head around this concept makes your brain hurt, this isn’t even scratching the surface. The Quiet Room begins as Emily Connors, who almost won the last iteration of Rabbits, suddenly finds herself trapped in a dimension where the game does not exist. But then there are the “Rabbit police,” asking Emily very specific questions that seem to suggest there is more going on. Because if the game doesn’t exist, then why does she feel like something is pushing back every time she thinks she’s found a thread?
Meanwhile, Rowan Chess is a theme park designer who has unwittingly stumbled into the newest iteration of Rabbits. Without realizing it, he is playing the game—noticing a string of odd coincidences and other strange things like a disappearing blind date. But having found a connection with the missing woman, Rowan isn’t about to give up on finding her. His search ultimately leads him down a path that converges with Emily’s and other Rabbit players, working to navigate a web of unexpected events and challenging puzzles.
The thing about Rabbits is that most of the time, the players themselves don’t even have a clue what’s going on, and when you’re a guy like Rowan, who doesn’t even know he’s playing, you’ve got no chance. As you can imagine, for readers, it’s an even more perplexing experience. While the plot itself is not too difficult to follow, things do get weird with the involvement of alternate realities on top of the nebulous nature of the game. Once you think to yourself, “Are they just making things up as they go along?” then you’re getting it.
As such, reading The Quiet Room can be equal parts rewarding and frustrating. But even at my most confused, I never considered putting it down. And that is the draw of the Rabbits series. It’s why I decided to read this sequel and the reason why I’m happy for the fact it builds successfully on the captivating premise of the original. Of course, like the first book, it also runs afoul of some of the same issues in that the ending went too over-the-top and took things off the rails—and believe me, when you’re dealing with a story where the main hook is “anything goes”, that’s really saying something.
All told, if you’re prepared to read a book which makes an art of not making sense—where, in fact, not making any sense is probably its strongest asset—then The Quiet Room and the Rabbits series in general will be right up your alley. While that sentence may make you go all googly eyed, I truly mean it as a compliment. Clearly it won’t be for everyone, but for the right audience this unique novel promises an enthralling journey filled with surprising twists and a relentless quest for answers.
More on The BiblioSanctum:
Review of Rabbits (Book 1)
Bookshelf Roundup 10/01/23: Stacking the Shelves & Recent Reads
Posted on October 1, 2023 8 Comments
Bookshelf Roundup is a feature I do every weekend which fills the role of several blog memes, like Stacking the Shelves where I talk about the new books I’ve added to my library or received for review, as well as It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? where I summarize what I’ve finished reading in the last week and what I’m planning to read soon. Mostly it also serves as a recap post, so sometimes I’ll throw in stuff like reading challenge progress reports, book lists, and other random bookish thoughts or announcements.
Received for Review
With thanks to Quill Tree Books for:
- Champion of Fate by Kendare Blake, a young adult fantasy novel about the Aristene, a group of mythical female warriors who immortalize heroes in stories by guiding them to victory. Aptly, the series is called Heromakers.
With thanks to Nightfire Books for:
- The Dead Take the A Train by Cassandra Khaw and Richard Kadrey, an urban fantsy of cosmic horror set in New York City’s dark magical underbelly. I’ve enjoyed both authors’ work individually, and I’m excited to read this collab.
- Knock Knock, Open Wide by Neil Sharpson, a supernatural horror inspired by Celtic myth and folklore.
Reviews
- 3.5 of 5 stars to Starter Villain by John Scalzi
- 3.5 of 5 stars to Cyberpunk 2077: No Coincidence by Rafal Kosik
- 2.5 of 5 stars to The Trade Off by Sandie Jones
Recent Reads
I got started on some of my early October reads this week, like The Quiet Room (which was weird) and Starling House (a different kind of weird), and also caught up on The Hexologists. It was definitely more my cup of tea compared to the author’s Books of Babel series, but it still took me a while to really get into it because of the writing style, which was very evocative of the Victorian era setting. I ended up really enjoying it though.
Have you heard of or read any of the books featured this week? What caught your eye? Any new discoveries? I hope you found something interesting for a future read!
Book Review: Cyberpunk 2077: No Coincidence by Rafal Kosik
Posted on September 29, 2023 8 Comments
I received a review copy from the publisher. This does not affect the contents of my review and all opinions are my own.
Cyberpunk 2077: No Coincidence by Rafal Kosik
Mogsy’s Rating: 3.5 of 5 stars
Genre: Science Fiction
Series: Cyberpunk 2077
Publisher: Orbit Books (August 8, 2023)
Length: 417 pages
Author Information: Website
Whatever you feel about Cyberpunk 2077, there’s no denying video game tie-in fiction has gotten a lot better as a whole in recent years. This has also led to a change in the way I review the genre, holding them up to a higher standard so that we may continue to get quality reads for a long time to come. As such, while 3.5 stars might come across as a middling rating for the first official novel of the Cyberpunk 2077 franchise, the truth is I enjoyed No Coincidence more than I thought I would, and it was actually quite impressive for a video game novel.
Plotwise, it is essentially a heist story. While it is set in the universe of Cyberpunk 2077, playing the game is not a prerequisite, nor is watching the Netflix animated series Cyberpunk: Edgerunners. The plot of the novel stands alone, following a crew of misfits who are reluctantly roped into a dangerous job by a mysterious employer who holds something over each of their heads. All the characters are as different as they are interconnected; we have an army veteran turned mercenary, a rookie netrunner (a cybernetically augmented hacker), a freewheeling corporate negotiator, a desperate ripperdoc (a medical professional specializing in cyberware), and a stripper with a child who needs a lifesaving operation. Like any heist crew, each member brings a specialized skill to the table, but they are all united by a singular goal: to rob a Militech convoy of their precious cargo. Of course, not one of them has a clear idea of what it is they’re trying to steal. Still, does it matter as long as it’ll make them a lot of money?
The problem with most heists though, is that nothing is ever as simple and straightforward as it seems. One job always leads to another, often leading to deadly consequences as the situation spirals out of control. Our disparate characters must learn to overcome their differences to not only work together but also depend on each other, or else one by one, Night City will eat them alive.
Again, you can read this book even with no prior knowledge of the Cyberpunk 2077 franchise. But would it help if you did? Definitely. From the publisher description alone, you can see how heavily the story leans on references to the game world and lore, simply based on the jargon and terminology. From the very beginning, readers are thrown into the thick of things and unless you are an experienced sci-fi enthusiast or already a cyberpunk genre fan, all the details you’ll need to take in on the fly can get pretty overwhelming. As someone who has played the game though, and actually liked it a lot, my experience admittedly felt somewhat easier as the setting was already familiar.
In fact, being a fan of the game might have biased me against the book a little. Sure, it felt grand to be back in Night City, but that would be the extent of the connection I felt. For the most part, the writing captured the spirit of the characters embodying the gritty and downtrodden mood of the setting—which was a good thing, don’t get me wrong! At the same time though, I wanted and needed more. It simply wasn’t enough to get more of the same; I wanted characters that transcended the game because now I was back in the world in another medium, yet there was nothing memorable or notable about the people I’m reading about beyond what I’d already expected.
But like I said, I’m being picky. If you’re looking for a good heist novel, No Coincidence delivers. Bonus if you feel drawn to the world of Cyberpunk 2077 or can appreciate its aura of bleakness that you can also see manifesting in its desperate populace. This makes the book somewhat unique because there is so much the franchise brings to the table even in the well-established genre of cyberpunk in general while still expanding on the world of the game. Fans will be delighted by how at home this story will feel in the Cyberpunk 2077 universe because of the way the writing captures the game thematically and stylistically. At the same time, it manages to be fun and exciting, which will appeal to newcomers as well.
Thursday Thriller: The Trade Off by Sandie Jones
Posted on September 28, 2023 13 Comments
I received a review copy from the publisher. This does not affect the contents of my review and all opinions are my own.
Mogsy’s Rating: 2.5 of 5 stars
Genre: Thriller, Mystery
Series: Stand Alone
Publisher: Minotaur Books | Macmillan Audio (August 15, 2023)
Length: 304 pages | 9 hrs and 56 mins
Author Information: Website
Well, not everything Sandie Jones writes is a winner, but there is something to her style that keeps me coming back. Her latest psychological thriller called The Trade Off lays bare the ugly, cutthroat world of tabloid reporting, and what you’ll read will enthrall you but quite possibly also confuse you (not to mention make you feel a little dirty as well).
The story revolves around the careers of two women, Jess and Stella, who both work for The Globe. Stella is a seasoned reporter now serving as deputy editor, but she’s not done rising and won’t settle for anything less than the top job. That means she’ll stop at nothing to get the latest scoop, and certainly isn’t beneath pulling a few unscrupulous strings to get the jump on publishing the latest and biggest scandals. On the other hand, Jess is a newcomer who left her previous position at a small local paper in order to pursue her dream of making it as a big-time journalist. Despite her inexperience, she is hired The Globe editor Max Forsythe who believes Jess’ strong morals and work ethic will eventually help steer the paper away from the celeb gossip sphere and into more respectable and topical news reporting.
Stella, however, is not on board with this new direction or the latest hiring decision made by Max. She will continue to do what has always worked for her, dirty tricks and all, which is also in line with the sentiments of the paper’s owner, who only wants to sell more copies. But when Stella’s latest machinations to entrap an up-and-coming young actress in a fake drug bust leads to disaster, it is Jess who feels broken and guilt-ridden for the part she played in it. Things only get worse when another TV star ends up dead. With her eyes newly opened to the reprehensible nature of her profession, Jess decides to turn her efforts towards uncovering the corruption running deep at the heart of The Globe.
Despite its scintillating premise, The Trade Off was a decent novel by Sandie Jones but it was certainly not the greatest or her best. The book’s only clear strength is its pacing; Jones is a master at keeping readers’ attention by relentlessly revealing new layers of mistrust and deception. Between Stella and Jess’ chapters, there were plenty of intriguing developments that kept the tensions high, making it difficult to stop reading.
However, the novel lost me when it came to almost everything else. In terms of characterization, Stella was wholly unlikeable, and Jess was bland and lacking in depth. The ruthlessness and ambition of the former felt contrived while the latter’s motivations came across as shallow and overly simplistic. When the two ultimately teamed up near the end to take down the corrupted elements at the paper, it was hard to overcome the distaste to actually bring myself to root for them or even care. I found it particularly irksome that I was supposed to forget all the shitty things Stella had done just because the villain they decided to take down is an even shittier person. It doesn’t work like that.
There’s also a lot driving this story, and inspiration from the current discourse like issues surrounding privacy, exploitation, misinformation as well as movements such as #MeToo can clearly be discerned. But whatever point, if any, the author was trying to make was unfortunately lost in the confusion of ideas and a narrative that doesn’t seem completely sure of what it wants to be. That might be the real trade off here—a book that unambiguously starts off as a thriller, but by the second half, that becomes debatable as the plot veers off into something that more resembles drama and workplace suspense. In the end, this shift resulted in the final message being diluted and robbed of its impact.
In short, The Trade Off was not my favorite book Sandie Jones due to the fact its story didn’t seem as well told or put together. However, I do praise the narrators for the audiobook edition for delivering great performances, though not even the superb narration of Nathalie Buscombe or Sofia Engstrand could help me overcome the novel’s shortcomings.
The BiblioSanctum 