What I have been reading, April edition

[scripsi]

I’m always so late with these posts…

I have been better at concentrating on my reading lately, even if I’m still far from my usual pace. And I only managed to finish two books, namely part 1 and 2 of Shadow of the Leviathan-series, The Tainted Cup and A Drop of Corruption by Robert Jackson Bennett. Several people on my f-list had read and liked them, and so did I. Basically they are crime novels in a fantasy setting, with the main character, Dinios Kol, being the Watson to the very strange, but brilliant detective Ana Dolabra. I guessed who the villain really was early on in both books, but I usually do, so that didn’t diminish my enjoyment of the mystery.

I also liked the fantasy setting, which I found original, and a bit unsettling. In this world the country is invaded by gigantic sea monsters once every year, wrecking havoc until they are killed. And their dead carcasses are used to help enhance humans in various ways. Kol, for example, has perfect recall, others have their sense of smell or sight improved, and so on. I found Kol a likeable protagonist, and I very much look forward to part 3.

Comments

[siduri1959]

I absolutely loved these two books! And I quite agree that the setting is really unsettling at times and how the Empire is framed is particularly scary-they way people are augmented, how the land is manipulated, all this for the Empire and to keep the Leviathins at bay-I do have my suspicions about just what they are, lol.

[scripsi]

I do have my suspicions about just what they are, lol.

So have I. :) I look forward to find out if I'm right, or not. :)

[lirazel]

Glad you enjoyed them! Agreed that the setting is original but unsettling, which seems to be Bennett's thing, at least judging from the first 15% of City of Stairs, which is also both of those things.

[scripsi]

He is new to me, but I'm eyeing City of Stairs.

[shanaqui]

I really love these books too, I love Bennett's worldbuilding (I remember loving City of Stairs as well).

[scripsi]

I haven't read anything else by him, but now I definitely will!