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The Gates of the World #1
The Iron Ship
The Twin flees across the sky, bringing in its wake the Great Tide. The Earth trembles under the shadow of its brother. Times are changing.
The order of the world is in turmoil. An age of industry is beginning, an age of machines fuelled by magic. Sprawling cities rise, strange devices stalk the land. New money brings new power. The balance between the Hundred Kingdoms is upset. For the first time in generations the threat of war looms.
In these turbulent days, fortunes can be won. Magic runs strong in the Kressind family. Six siblings strive – one to triumph in a world of men, one to survive murderous intrigue, one to master forbidden sorcery, one to wash away his sins, one to contain the terrible energies of his soul.
And one will do the impossible, by marrying the might of magic and iron in the heart of a great ship, to cross an ocean that cannot be crossed.
The order of the world is in turmoil. An age of industry is beginning, an age of machines fuelled by magic. Sprawling cities rise, strange devices stalk the land. New money brings new power. The balance between the Hundred Kingdoms is upset. For the first time in generations the threat of war looms.
In these turbulent days, fortunes can be won. Magic runs strong in the Kressind family. Six siblings strive – one to triumph in a world of men, one to survive murderous intrigue, one to master forbidden sorcery, one to wash away his sins, one to contain the terrible energies of his soul.
And one will do the impossible, by marrying the might of magic and iron in the heart of a great ship, to cross an ocean that cannot be crossed.
512 pages, Paperback
First published May 26, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 92 reviews
November 2, 2015
Originally reviewed at Bookwraiths Reviews
The Iron Ship grabs your attention from the prologue’s first paragraph. The descriptions of a barren land of buried roads, volcanic glass obelisks, rustless metal ruins, and undiscovered artifacts tantalizing. When a lone woman treks across this Red Expanse to a hidden temple where her forgotten god and his sacred rites are revealed, the anticipation of ominous, wonderful things to come only grows. Even when the priestess gives way to a Guider named Aarin Kressid making his way along the Paths of the Dead in Karsa City, the story loses none of its charm, as the vision of a world ruled by the Great Tide, islands of floatstone riding upon its crest, and a “priest” raising dead spirits seamlessly assumes the spotlight.
At this point, the novel seemed to be a dream come true for a fantasy fan like me who was craving something familiar, yet wonderfully different. This world a grand fusion of primitive sorcery and magic-powered science, ancient history and modern mysteries, medieval upper class and growing bourgeois that was amazingly addictive. But then something happened: Nothing.
“Nothing.” It is an ominous word when used to describe certain things. When a person asks how much money they have in their bank account and the answer is “nothing” that is definitely a bad thing. Similarly, when speaking of the story line in a book, the idea that “nothing” happens with the plot is not a good thing. And, unfortunately, in The Iron Ship, nothing much happens after that amazing beginning; an occurrence that is terribly disappointing.
Now, to be fair, some things do happen in the book. I mean, it doesn’t spin its wheels for hundreds of pages, after all. And K.M. McKinley does nurture a few story elements into very interesting epic fantasy faire.
One of those is the cast of memorable characters; the majority of which are the Kressid siblings. There is the already mentioned Aarid Kressid, who guides spirits to the afterworld; Trassan Kressid, an engineer of immense skill who is building the iron ship herself; Guis Kressid, a playwright haunted by dark magic and personal mental illness; Rel Kressid, a roguish soldier banished to the edge of civilization for impropriety; Katriona Kressid, a brilliant woman trying to use her business skills in a male-dominated society; and Garten Kressid, the dedicated family man and bureaucrat. Joining them are others, such as the living god of wine, Elturion, the Hag of Mogawn, and her loyal servant Mansanio. All of them taking their turns as the central focus of the narrative; their personal struggles adding layer upon layer to this story of a magical world going through the birthing pains of an industrial revolution.
The other is that amazing world, which I’ve just mentioned. Modern and ancient, magic and science co-existing side by side. A vast land dominated by the Great Tide, but not solely about it. Culture after culture mentioned in passing. Social change and class upheaval clearly suggested, as brewing problems lying right below the surface. And numerous mentions of past civilizations that have disappeared, must now be rediscovered, and which might hold the keys to unlocking a growing mystery.
No matter those stellar elements, however, The Iron Ship was a very frustrating novel for me. Every single story line, every character’s personal plot reading like foreshadowing of future events. The book quickly turning into one long prologue, one huge buildup to the next book of the series. Not that I expected the story to be wrapped up in a single volume (This isn’t a standalone novel.), but it would have been nice if something, anything had been resolved. Nothing was, however, and that disappointed me immensely.
Does that mean I won’t read the next book of the series?
No, it doesn’t. Actually, I fully intend to pick it up. The foundations of this world and its cast of colorful characters have too much potential for me to cast aside The Gates of the World series that easily. But K.M. McKinley definitely needs to reward my perseverance with more resolutions and less foreshadowing in book two.
This book was provided to me by Rebellion and Netgalley in exchange for a fair review. The above review is my personal opinions of this novel and was not influenced by anyone else.
The Iron Ship grabs your attention from the prologue’s first paragraph. The descriptions of a barren land of buried roads, volcanic glass obelisks, rustless metal ruins, and undiscovered artifacts tantalizing. When a lone woman treks across this Red Expanse to a hidden temple where her forgotten god and his sacred rites are revealed, the anticipation of ominous, wonderful things to come only grows. Even when the priestess gives way to a Guider named Aarin Kressid making his way along the Paths of the Dead in Karsa City, the story loses none of its charm, as the vision of a world ruled by the Great Tide, islands of floatstone riding upon its crest, and a “priest” raising dead spirits seamlessly assumes the spotlight.
At this point, the novel seemed to be a dream come true for a fantasy fan like me who was craving something familiar, yet wonderfully different. This world a grand fusion of primitive sorcery and magic-powered science, ancient history and modern mysteries, medieval upper class and growing bourgeois that was amazingly addictive. But then something happened: Nothing.
“Nothing.” It is an ominous word when used to describe certain things. When a person asks how much money they have in their bank account and the answer is “nothing” that is definitely a bad thing. Similarly, when speaking of the story line in a book, the idea that “nothing” happens with the plot is not a good thing. And, unfortunately, in The Iron Ship, nothing much happens after that amazing beginning; an occurrence that is terribly disappointing.
Now, to be fair, some things do happen in the book. I mean, it doesn’t spin its wheels for hundreds of pages, after all. And K.M. McKinley does nurture a few story elements into very interesting epic fantasy faire.
One of those is the cast of memorable characters; the majority of which are the Kressid siblings. There is the already mentioned Aarid Kressid, who guides spirits to the afterworld; Trassan Kressid, an engineer of immense skill who is building the iron ship herself; Guis Kressid, a playwright haunted by dark magic and personal mental illness; Rel Kressid, a roguish soldier banished to the edge of civilization for impropriety; Katriona Kressid, a brilliant woman trying to use her business skills in a male-dominated society; and Garten Kressid, the dedicated family man and bureaucrat. Joining them are others, such as the living god of wine, Elturion, the Hag of Mogawn, and her loyal servant Mansanio. All of them taking their turns as the central focus of the narrative; their personal struggles adding layer upon layer to this story of a magical world going through the birthing pains of an industrial revolution.
The other is that amazing world, which I’ve just mentioned. Modern and ancient, magic and science co-existing side by side. A vast land dominated by the Great Tide, but not solely about it. Culture after culture mentioned in passing. Social change and class upheaval clearly suggested, as brewing problems lying right below the surface. And numerous mentions of past civilizations that have disappeared, must now be rediscovered, and which might hold the keys to unlocking a growing mystery.
No matter those stellar elements, however, The Iron Ship was a very frustrating novel for me. Every single story line, every character’s personal plot reading like foreshadowing of future events. The book quickly turning into one long prologue, one huge buildup to the next book of the series. Not that I expected the story to be wrapped up in a single volume (This isn’t a standalone novel.), but it would have been nice if something, anything had been resolved. Nothing was, however, and that disappointed me immensely.
Does that mean I won’t read the next book of the series?
No, it doesn’t. Actually, I fully intend to pick it up. The foundations of this world and its cast of colorful characters have too much potential for me to cast aside The Gates of the World series that easily. But K.M. McKinley definitely needs to reward my perseverance with more resolutions and less foreshadowing in book two.
This book was provided to me by Rebellion and Netgalley in exchange for a fair review. The above review is my personal opinions of this novel and was not influenced by anyone else.
June 11, 2015
A promising debut - will this be the next big, huge epic fantasy saga?
The world here is of a sort that seems to be getting more popular: what if a sword-and-sorcery society hits their industrial revolution? The feel reminded me at times, just a little bit, of Swanwick's 'Iron Dragon's Daughter' and Addison's 'Goblin Emperor.'
But, unlike those novels, this is a sprawling saga, not a self-contained story. Right off, we're introduced to a family of six siblings... not to mention all their various associates. At first, it can be slightly hard to keep track. It takes a while to get to know everyone, and there's a nearly complete lack of dramatic tension for most of the book. This is definitely one for readers who love getting immersed in a world and following sometimes-quotidian events and details, rather than those who demand tight plotting.
However, as the book progressed, I found myself being won over. The world here IS enjoyable just to spend time in, and I gradually became invested in each character's struggles and goals.
As the title suggests, the main thread that weaves through the book is that of a plan to build an iron ship - a technologically innovative vessel incorporating both magic and mechanics, which will (its builders hope) allow for a successful expedition through dangerous territory in order to reach a rumored archaeological site which may hold untold secrets - wealth and lost technology. Of course, along the way there are complications & setbacks - not to mention corporate espionage, sabotage, and competition.
The long book ends with plenty more story to-come - but I'd be more than pleased to continue on with a sequel and spend more time in this world.
Many thanks to Solaris and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this engrossing novel. As always, my opinions are solely my own
The world here is of a sort that seems to be getting more popular: what if a sword-and-sorcery society hits their industrial revolution? The feel reminded me at times, just a little bit, of Swanwick's 'Iron Dragon's Daughter' and Addison's 'Goblin Emperor.'
But, unlike those novels, this is a sprawling saga, not a self-contained story. Right off, we're introduced to a family of six siblings... not to mention all their various associates. At first, it can be slightly hard to keep track. It takes a while to get to know everyone, and there's a nearly complete lack of dramatic tension for most of the book. This is definitely one for readers who love getting immersed in a world and following sometimes-quotidian events and details, rather than those who demand tight plotting.
However, as the book progressed, I found myself being won over. The world here IS enjoyable just to spend time in, and I gradually became invested in each character's struggles and goals.
As the title suggests, the main thread that weaves through the book is that of a plan to build an iron ship - a technologically innovative vessel incorporating both magic and mechanics, which will (its builders hope) allow for a successful expedition through dangerous territory in order to reach a rumored archaeological site which may hold untold secrets - wealth and lost technology. Of course, along the way there are complications & setbacks - not to mention corporate espionage, sabotage, and competition.
The long book ends with plenty more story to-come - but I'd be more than pleased to continue on with a sequel and spend more time in this world.
Many thanks to Solaris and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this engrossing novel. As always, my opinions are solely my own
Read
December 19, 2016DNF at 35%. Actually I made it to 40% but the last 5% was me scanning the pages. I really do not like having to post a DNF. I actually feel guilty and disappointed in myself. At the same time the mere thought of picking up that book again...ugh. I also very much do not like writing a negative review, let alone a review on a book I didn't finish. However, the point of reviews is to receive both good and bad feedback. If I had to rate this, just on what I read I would probably give it 1-1/2 stars, maybe two for the potential this story could have had.
The worst part about this is that I really wanted to like it, even more so because I received the second book, The City of Ice, on NetGalley and I have to do a review on it. The covers of these books are amazing and they make you want to read them.
I will say that I didn't not finish this book because it was bad or poorly written. The first chapter sucked me in and I actually closed the book the first night and smiled. I couldn't wait to read more. Then little by little, somewhere, I got lost. Between the numerous characters and their names and the numerous places/cities/towns most with names I couldn't pronounce and a very, very slow plot, I got lost. I found myself re-reading sentences and then re-reading paragraphs. I found myself paging back a page or two to remember where I was when I picked it up again. Then, to only be at 35% after 4 days...I called it. This was a very sleepy read, not bad, just boring. Another reviewer said "nothing" happens in this book and that's exactly what I found.
As I said this book takes off right in the beginning starting with the Prologue. There's this girl that goes into this cave and bathes in this pool (fountain of youth) that heals her wounds and makes her young. Then she goes further into the cave and performs some ritual before a statue, the statue comes alive and gives her some sign about something she has been chosen to do. Couldn't wait to read more about her. But...
Chapter One, The Haunted Marsh, was just as good with one of the five or six Kressind brothers (Aarin) who is a Guider and his assistant, Pasquanty crossing a haunted marsh on the Path of the Dead. They are followed by two dead zombie like people who are carrying a chest. They are confronted with a ghost, Hollow Anika, looking for her children. They are taking the chest to The Stone of Passage to perform a ritual that will call upon a ghost or a spirit, Mother Moude, who is called from the chest from a pile of bones and a skull. She's a bit pissed off when she comes out of that chest and wants very much to be set free. The Kressind brother brings her out of the chest to ask her why the Rite of Passage is changing. She tells him "You will see, you will see! The layers in the Earth hold the answer. The lights in the sky know! Go ask them!". When he tries a second question she basically tells him to go fuck himself (sorry for the language) unless he will free her, which of course he refuses to do and sends her back in the box.
I know, I know...you're thinking what in the hell did that all mean? I was too but I thought my answers were coming in the following chapters. I may not know what was meant by the Rite of Passage was changing nor did I know what it meant by the layers in the Earth hold the answer but I was patient, I would wait to find out.
It was in the chapters that followed that I began to lose interest because none of the following chapters had anything to do with the Prologue or Chapter One...or maybe they did and I just didn't put it together. All I can honestly tell you from 5% to 40% is there is a hanging, a wedding, there's a big Iron Ship being built (duh!), there's a bunch of brother's all going in different directions, one of which has a little thing that lives in his hair and talks to him (a Tyn) and the one engineer brother is trying to find this lost city, which I think is in the ocean somewhere? Oh and there's this other guy Boskovin and a slave he bought, that are going someplace too but unfortunately, I just didn't care enough. I think the story itself is a good one and it has potential. It just took too long to get there.
It is with regret that I have to decline to review City of Ice because I didn't finish book one and I'm not interested in reading the second book in a series without having read the first.
The worst part about this is that I really wanted to like it, even more so because I received the second book, The City of Ice, on NetGalley and I have to do a review on it. The covers of these books are amazing and they make you want to read them.
I will say that I didn't not finish this book because it was bad or poorly written. The first chapter sucked me in and I actually closed the book the first night and smiled. I couldn't wait to read more. Then little by little, somewhere, I got lost. Between the numerous characters and their names and the numerous places/cities/towns most with names I couldn't pronounce and a very, very slow plot, I got lost. I found myself re-reading sentences and then re-reading paragraphs. I found myself paging back a page or two to remember where I was when I picked it up again. Then, to only be at 35% after 4 days...I called it. This was a very sleepy read, not bad, just boring. Another reviewer said "nothing" happens in this book and that's exactly what I found.
As I said this book takes off right in the beginning starting with the Prologue. There's this girl that goes into this cave and bathes in this pool (fountain of youth) that heals her wounds and makes her young. Then she goes further into the cave and performs some ritual before a statue, the statue comes alive and gives her some sign about something she has been chosen to do. Couldn't wait to read more about her. But...
Chapter One, The Haunted Marsh, was just as good with one of the five or six Kressind brothers (Aarin) who is a Guider and his assistant, Pasquanty crossing a haunted marsh on the Path of the Dead. They are followed by two dead zombie like people who are carrying a chest. They are confronted with a ghost, Hollow Anika, looking for her children. They are taking the chest to The Stone of Passage to perform a ritual that will call upon a ghost or a spirit, Mother Moude, who is called from the chest from a pile of bones and a skull. She's a bit pissed off when she comes out of that chest and wants very much to be set free. The Kressind brother brings her out of the chest to ask her why the Rite of Passage is changing. She tells him "You will see, you will see! The layers in the Earth hold the answer. The lights in the sky know! Go ask them!". When he tries a second question she basically tells him to go fuck himself (sorry for the language) unless he will free her, which of course he refuses to do and sends her back in the box.
I know, I know...you're thinking what in the hell did that all mean? I was too but I thought my answers were coming in the following chapters. I may not know what was meant by the Rite of Passage was changing nor did I know what it meant by the layers in the Earth hold the answer but I was patient, I would wait to find out.
It was in the chapters that followed that I began to lose interest because none of the following chapters had anything to do with the Prologue or Chapter One...or maybe they did and I just didn't put it together. All I can honestly tell you from 5% to 40% is there is a hanging, a wedding, there's a big Iron Ship being built (duh!), there's a bunch of brother's all going in different directions, one of which has a little thing that lives in his hair and talks to him (a Tyn) and the one engineer brother is trying to find this lost city, which I think is in the ocean somewhere? Oh and there's this other guy Boskovin and a slave he bought, that are going someplace too but unfortunately, I just didn't care enough. I think the story itself is a good one and it has potential. It just took too long to get there.
It is with regret that I have to decline to review City of Ice because I didn't finish book one and I'm not interested in reading the second book in a series without having read the first.
August 6, 2015
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
This is a remarkable debut. The writing is still finding its way, and is a bit on the formal side for my taste, but the vision of this world is the most original I've read in quite a while.
We read about a world with two moons and a twin planet, causing massive tidal shifts. We get wonderful imagery like a castle built upon "floatstone" and attached by massive chains to a valley floor, so that when a huge tide comes in, the castle floats about the newly made bay, attached by chains so it doesn't float away.
The book is set in an age of industrialization. Magic and glimmerstone, silver and iron all must be mixed and used carefully to power trains and ships, with consequences like a nuclear meltdown if the formula is wrong.
The book focuses on one family, the Kressinds. Trassan, the engineer, is building an iron ship to race to the pole to be the first to explore an ancient city which may have wonderous magical artifacts. His brother Garten works in government bureaucracy and helps him get a permit which allows him to pass the Drowned King's waters. Ghosts exist in this world, and the Drowned King owns the souls of all the sailors who have perished at sea. Aarin is a Guider, a priest who lays unquiet souls to rest, and who also dabbles in necromancy. Guis (my least favorite, I'm never fond of playwright characters) should be the heir to the merchant family fortune, but is no longer in line, due to him being touched by magic and madness. He uses a small fairy, or Tyn, to keep the darkness at bay. And Katriona has married another merchant. Constrained by traditional feminine roles, she nonetheless wants to take a hand in running her husband's mills and ironworks, since she has perhaps the keenest head for business in the entire family. Rel, the soldier, has been sent off to the Black Sands, at the end of the civilized world due to some poor romantic choices. He is a cavalier who rides a raptor/dracon lizard, since horses don't exist on this world and dracons and giant dogs do their work. Something is awakening out in the sands, and monstrous creatures are beginning to stir.
So, there's more than enough for an immensely dense book with lots of interesting and original takes on magic, fairies, industrialization/steampunk, ghosts, and the age of exploration. Did I mention the Countess who's enthralled with understanding the movement of heavenly bodies because she thinks a cataclysm is approaching? The agitation of the mill workers for better conditions? Gods that are mostly gone, but have a small presence left on the earth? No? Well, there's even more that I'm leaving out. While the pace of the book is slow and the stories are fragmented between the characters, there's so much to explore in this world that I enjoyed taking my time and learning. I look forward to see what happens next!
This is a remarkable debut. The writing is still finding its way, and is a bit on the formal side for my taste, but the vision of this world is the most original I've read in quite a while.
We read about a world with two moons and a twin planet, causing massive tidal shifts. We get wonderful imagery like a castle built upon "floatstone" and attached by massive chains to a valley floor, so that when a huge tide comes in, the castle floats about the newly made bay, attached by chains so it doesn't float away.
The book is set in an age of industrialization. Magic and glimmerstone, silver and iron all must be mixed and used carefully to power trains and ships, with consequences like a nuclear meltdown if the formula is wrong.
The book focuses on one family, the Kressinds. Trassan, the engineer, is building an iron ship to race to the pole to be the first to explore an ancient city which may have wonderous magical artifacts. His brother Garten works in government bureaucracy and helps him get a permit which allows him to pass the Drowned King's waters. Ghosts exist in this world, and the Drowned King owns the souls of all the sailors who have perished at sea. Aarin is a Guider, a priest who lays unquiet souls to rest, and who also dabbles in necromancy. Guis (my least favorite, I'm never fond of playwright characters) should be the heir to the merchant family fortune, but is no longer in line, due to him being touched by magic and madness. He uses a small fairy, or Tyn, to keep the darkness at bay. And Katriona has married another merchant. Constrained by traditional feminine roles, she nonetheless wants to take a hand in running her husband's mills and ironworks, since she has perhaps the keenest head for business in the entire family. Rel, the soldier, has been sent off to the Black Sands, at the end of the civilized world due to some poor romantic choices. He is a cavalier who rides a raptor/dracon lizard, since horses don't exist on this world and dracons and giant dogs do their work. Something is awakening out in the sands, and monstrous creatures are beginning to stir.
So, there's more than enough for an immensely dense book with lots of interesting and original takes on magic, fairies, industrialization/steampunk, ghosts, and the age of exploration. Did I mention the Countess who's enthralled with understanding the movement of heavenly bodies because she thinks a cataclysm is approaching? The agitation of the mill workers for better conditions? Gods that are mostly gone, but have a small presence left on the earth? No? Well, there's even more that I'm leaving out. While the pace of the book is slow and the stories are fragmented between the characters, there's so much to explore in this world that I enjoyed taking my time and learning. I look forward to see what happens next!
April 13, 2015
https://koeur.wordpress.com/2015/04/1...
Publisher: Rebellion/Solaris
Publishing Date: May 2015
ISBN: 9781781083505
Genre: Fantasy
Rating: 4.9/5
Publisher Description: In these turbulent days, fortunes can be won. Magic runs strong in the Kressind family. Six siblings strive – one to triumph in a world of men, one to survive murderous intrigue, one to master forbidden sorcery, one to wash away his sins, one to contain the terrible energies of his soul. And one will do the impossible, by marrying the might of magic and iron in the heart of a great ship, to cross an ocean that cannot be crossed.
Review: This novel follows the lives of the individual Kressind siblings as they make their way in an epic world built from ancient majiks colliding with science that appeals to a wondrous sense of synergy.
The character development is astounding. There is constant movement coupled to intense characterization as to be immediately caught up in any characters particular instance. Captain Rel Kressind is sent to the Black Sands for shagging the wife of some noble, the story of which, could ride as a stand-alone novel in and of itself. Changelings, shape shifters, glass fortresses, huge modalman and Dracons top out this frontier borderland that verges on the insane. Guis Kressind, of a fractal mind, has inherent mage abilities that lie stunted as his will struggles with the darkling within. Katriona Kressind possessing the most business intellect and begrudged her fathers legacy, seeks to build an empire of her own. Aarin Kressind guides and releases the souls of the departed, accompanied by two animated corpses. The myriad story lines thread around the building of a great iron ship, designed by Trassand Kressind, master engineer.
Truly a wonderfully written novel that embraces excellence in story line and character development and an expansive world building that you can barely get your head around. This author joins Michael J. Sullivan as another of my favorite authors, and like Michaels works, I look forward to the next.
Publisher: Rebellion/Solaris
Publishing Date: May 2015
ISBN: 9781781083505
Genre: Fantasy
Rating: 4.9/5
Publisher Description: In these turbulent days, fortunes can be won. Magic runs strong in the Kressind family. Six siblings strive – one to triumph in a world of men, one to survive murderous intrigue, one to master forbidden sorcery, one to wash away his sins, one to contain the terrible energies of his soul. And one will do the impossible, by marrying the might of magic and iron in the heart of a great ship, to cross an ocean that cannot be crossed.
Review: This novel follows the lives of the individual Kressind siblings as they make their way in an epic world built from ancient majiks colliding with science that appeals to a wondrous sense of synergy.
The character development is astounding. There is constant movement coupled to intense characterization as to be immediately caught up in any characters particular instance. Captain Rel Kressind is sent to the Black Sands for shagging the wife of some noble, the story of which, could ride as a stand-alone novel in and of itself. Changelings, shape shifters, glass fortresses, huge modalman and Dracons top out this frontier borderland that verges on the insane. Guis Kressind, of a fractal mind, has inherent mage abilities that lie stunted as his will struggles with the darkling within. Katriona Kressind possessing the most business intellect and begrudged her fathers legacy, seeks to build an empire of her own. Aarin Kressind guides and releases the souls of the departed, accompanied by two animated corpses. The myriad story lines thread around the building of a great iron ship, designed by Trassand Kressind, master engineer.
Truly a wonderfully written novel that embraces excellence in story line and character development and an expansive world building that you can barely get your head around. This author joins Michael J. Sullivan as another of my favorite authors, and like Michaels works, I look forward to the next.
September 30, 2015
A thoroughly modern fantasy played out across a sprawling continent of intrigue and adventure, by a cast of compelling, believable characters. The Iron Ship introduces us to a world as rich and detailed and innovative as any in the canon of fantasy.
The clean, lucid prose easily embroils us in the travails of the Kressinds, giving equal gravitas to the epic and the mundane, familial crises to world-changing events.
The clean, lucid prose easily embroils us in the travails of the Kressinds, giving equal gravitas to the epic and the mundane, familial crises to world-changing events.
August 10, 2016
Review also published here
The Iron Ship is a very slow burner. It takes its sweet time to introduce things and characters and flesh out the setting. But once the ship gets going, it is difficult not to be deeply invested in the fates of the Kressind siblings and their peers.
The industrial revolution-style of the setting, adorned with steampunky goodness, magic and a promising underlying mythology, is engrossing and fully fleshed-out. Yet for all the mythical elements, the book still maintains a healthy amount of realism and accountability and presents the reader with a world that is easy to visualize in its workings and even architectural style.
So yes, The Iron Ship takes its time to get the plot rolling, and jumps from character to character, especially early on. Some of these characters might become fully relevant to the plot again until the last third or even quarter of the book, but all of them contribute to realizing a tightly-knit civilization with all its prejudices, social problems and even glories. To me, seeing the city of Karsa unfold before my eyes was wondrous, with different aspects being filled in, and commented on, from chapter to chapter.
Sadly, this often comes at the cost of rapid event progression and quick payoffs. A lot of books, and by extension authors, are afraid to let the reader soak in the details and instead try to keep their attention with a shotgun approach and little subtlety. While that can be a very entertaining romp for sure, I love it when an author takes the risk to actually establish their setting and character before striking me with disaster or racking up a list of character deaths.
For many, this approach won't work, and they might feel lost and confused in Karsa City, the Morthrocksey Mills or the dozens of countries or kingdoms that make up the Hundred in McKinley's world of Ruthnia. There is a certain degree of info-bombing going on for sure. However, those who dare step into the book and forge on through the thick early sections will find a cast of compelling characters that move further and further into the spotlight, and whose lives become center of the stage.
It is a rewarding experience, and I would recommend sticking with the book if you end up struggling.
I have been reading the book on and off over the past year(!), though I will admit that the fault is completely my own, and I never thought badly of it. In fact, I adored the finely crafted story from the start, and often felt guilty for not reading it faster. I simply ended up associating it subconsciously with health-related appointments and waiting rooms, and it was tough breaking out of that. But even then, hours waiting passed quickly and relatively pleasantly thanks to this novel. It isn't easy for me to focus on reading for longer stretches when people around me are coughing or get up to see a doctor while I get more nervous by the hour, waiting to be called in myself. However, The Iron Ship managed to draw me in and forget checking the clock every two minutes, and instead focus on the Kressind siblings and their relationships.
The cast here is extensive. In fact, even towards the end of the book, it still kept growing and setting up future events. There is, for example, one character who I fully expect to be aboard the Iron Ship, to be revealed in the sequel, The City of Ice . I was surprised that the author had the patience to hold off on doing that towards the climax of the story, and indeed, I may be completely wrong in my prediction - but it would fit so neatly, I doubt it.
Either way, the big players of the story are the Kressind siblings:
Trassan, the inventor of the Iron Ship. Garten, a bureaucrat of the admirality. Guis, a playwright with something sinister haunting him. Aarin, a Guider seeing the spirits of the dead to peace. Rel, a young dracon-riding soldier sent to the Gates of the World as punishment for indecent behavior. And not to forget dear Katriona, whose station as a woman is keeping her from being the grand merchant and businesswoman she could be.
On top of these, there are an intellectual countess, shunned for her appearance and odd behavior; a businessman who many will find hard to gauge on the like-dislike scale, and various other, colorful and diverse characters who provide both conflict and support to the protagonists.
There is a lot going on here, especially once the ship nears completion. Social issues like emancipation, the loss of mystery in the world, a coming apocalypse, the departure of Gods by the hands of a powerful magician, a technological armsrace, racial discrimination against non-humans, workers' rights.... The Iron Ship manages to tackle all of these topics and more to greater or lesser extent and as a result manages to be authentic, despite all its weird ideas. When Katriona dares defy societal norms, her actions, and those of the people around her, seem plausible and relatable. When Aarin goes to meet his mentor for a final time, their relationship feels familiar and touching. When Guis struggles with his paranoia yet seeks to overcome it, the reader can feel the tension rising. It is a gripping web of narratives that might just have been spread out too far at times, but are still highly compelling in themselves and click together later on.
The Iron Ship is by no means perfect. It has a bunch of problems (including, at times, odd typos that shouldn't have slipped through the editing process), the early pacing and scattered narratives chief among them. I can see where it might lose people by meandering. But when all was said and done, I was taken aback and wanted more. The trade paperback is over 500 pages long, with a comparatively small font, and yet I yearned for more, for the book to continue. Thankfully, the aforementioned sequel is due this December (according to Amazon), and I preordered it months ago.
The last 100 or so pages were full of twists and turns that will have big repercussions for the series. I can't wait to find out what they will entail.
Hopefully McKinley gets to write a bunch more books to follow. If this is the degree of world building one can expect from him, oh boy, are we in for a treat!
The Iron Ship is a very slow burner. It takes its sweet time to introduce things and characters and flesh out the setting. But once the ship gets going, it is difficult not to be deeply invested in the fates of the Kressind siblings and their peers.
The industrial revolution-style of the setting, adorned with steampunky goodness, magic and a promising underlying mythology, is engrossing and fully fleshed-out. Yet for all the mythical elements, the book still maintains a healthy amount of realism and accountability and presents the reader with a world that is easy to visualize in its workings and even architectural style.
So yes, The Iron Ship takes its time to get the plot rolling, and jumps from character to character, especially early on. Some of these characters might become fully relevant to the plot again until the last third or even quarter of the book, but all of them contribute to realizing a tightly-knit civilization with all its prejudices, social problems and even glories. To me, seeing the city of Karsa unfold before my eyes was wondrous, with different aspects being filled in, and commented on, from chapter to chapter.
Sadly, this often comes at the cost of rapid event progression and quick payoffs. A lot of books, and by extension authors, are afraid to let the reader soak in the details and instead try to keep their attention with a shotgun approach and little subtlety. While that can be a very entertaining romp for sure, I love it when an author takes the risk to actually establish their setting and character before striking me with disaster or racking up a list of character deaths.
For many, this approach won't work, and they might feel lost and confused in Karsa City, the Morthrocksey Mills or the dozens of countries or kingdoms that make up the Hundred in McKinley's world of Ruthnia. There is a certain degree of info-bombing going on for sure. However, those who dare step into the book and forge on through the thick early sections will find a cast of compelling characters that move further and further into the spotlight, and whose lives become center of the stage.
It is a rewarding experience, and I would recommend sticking with the book if you end up struggling.
I have been reading the book on and off over the past year(!), though I will admit that the fault is completely my own, and I never thought badly of it. In fact, I adored the finely crafted story from the start, and often felt guilty for not reading it faster. I simply ended up associating it subconsciously with health-related appointments and waiting rooms, and it was tough breaking out of that. But even then, hours waiting passed quickly and relatively pleasantly thanks to this novel. It isn't easy for me to focus on reading for longer stretches when people around me are coughing or get up to see a doctor while I get more nervous by the hour, waiting to be called in myself. However, The Iron Ship managed to draw me in and forget checking the clock every two minutes, and instead focus on the Kressind siblings and their relationships.
The cast here is extensive. In fact, even towards the end of the book, it still kept growing and setting up future events. There is, for example, one character who I fully expect to be aboard the Iron Ship, to be revealed in the sequel, The City of Ice . I was surprised that the author had the patience to hold off on doing that towards the climax of the story, and indeed, I may be completely wrong in my prediction - but it would fit so neatly, I doubt it.
Either way, the big players of the story are the Kressind siblings:
Trassan, the inventor of the Iron Ship. Garten, a bureaucrat of the admirality. Guis, a playwright with something sinister haunting him. Aarin, a Guider seeing the spirits of the dead to peace. Rel, a young dracon-riding soldier sent to the Gates of the World as punishment for indecent behavior. And not to forget dear Katriona, whose station as a woman is keeping her from being the grand merchant and businesswoman she could be.
On top of these, there are an intellectual countess, shunned for her appearance and odd behavior; a businessman who many will find hard to gauge on the like-dislike scale, and various other, colorful and diverse characters who provide both conflict and support to the protagonists.
There is a lot going on here, especially once the ship nears completion. Social issues like emancipation, the loss of mystery in the world, a coming apocalypse, the departure of Gods by the hands of a powerful magician, a technological armsrace, racial discrimination against non-humans, workers' rights.... The Iron Ship manages to tackle all of these topics and more to greater or lesser extent and as a result manages to be authentic, despite all its weird ideas. When Katriona dares defy societal norms, her actions, and those of the people around her, seem plausible and relatable. When Aarin goes to meet his mentor for a final time, their relationship feels familiar and touching. When Guis struggles with his paranoia yet seeks to overcome it, the reader can feel the tension rising. It is a gripping web of narratives that might just have been spread out too far at times, but are still highly compelling in themselves and click together later on.
The Iron Ship is by no means perfect. It has a bunch of problems (including, at times, odd typos that shouldn't have slipped through the editing process), the early pacing and scattered narratives chief among them. I can see where it might lose people by meandering. But when all was said and done, I was taken aback and wanted more. The trade paperback is over 500 pages long, with a comparatively small font, and yet I yearned for more, for the book to continue. Thankfully, the aforementioned sequel is due this December (according to Amazon), and I preordered it months ago.
The last 100 or so pages were full of twists and turns that will have big repercussions for the series. I can't wait to find out what they will entail.
Hopefully McKinley gets to write a bunch more books to follow. If this is the degree of world building one can expect from him, oh boy, are we in for a treat!
August 15, 2016
McKinley crafts a complex multiple PoV steampunk world that I really enjoyed, not least because I found so many rich associations that brought the book alive for me.
I have written a fuller review and some other ramblings on the fantasy-faction website, so you can find them here.
http://fantasy-faction.com/2016/the-i...
I have written a fuller review and some other ramblings on the fantasy-faction website, so you can find them here.
http://fantasy-faction.com/2016/the-i...
August 23, 2015
The Iron Ship captured me pretty quickly because of its fascinating world-building. Instead of the generic medieval-ish setting so many fantasy novels go for. The setting reminds more of the industrialization. Just with added necromancy.
Talking of this: Magic takes an active role in the book. It's not just a vague presence like in some high fantasy novels. Wizards exist in this world and they aren't even that rare. Now I'm not saying that magic in fantasy always needs to manifest in the form of spell-casting. I'm just saying that that I enjoy it if it does happen to manifest in the form of wizards who can raise people from the dead and ask them questions.
There are also amazing characters: the novel mainly revolves around five siblings who have all chosen different careers. A soldier, a playwright, an engineer, a businesswoman and a guider (a wizard who can guide the spirits of the dead into the afterlife...and also do necromancy). The playwright has OCD and depression. This is clearly stated in the text and even influences the plot, something I never saw in a fantasy novel.
Their sibling-relationships are also really well portrayed: they agree, they disagree but they do care about each other.
However pretty soon there were a few buts that clouded my enjoyment. The world-building was great but it was again a world where women don't count much. I am getting tired of worlds that have two moons, talking dogs and magic that can reanimate the dead but women being considered as important as men is apparently outside the realm of the possible.
Similarly: the main characters? Two women and almost a dozen men. It's sad because those two women? They are amazing. (Towards the end a third one appears who will probably become important in the following books but that still doesn't balance it out).
Then there's the matter of the plot. For a long time not that much happens. People move from one place to another. A big ship is built. A fraud is uncovered. A woman invites a man to visit her observatory (both not a euphemism and very much a euphemism). Vague references to necromancy, magic in general and dead gods are made. I don't think fantasy always needs to have huge things happening but all this is...well. Very little. And there weren't even many hints about larger things to come. I kept reading and wondering what would happen eventually but couldn't do more than make vague guesses. Something must happen with the ship. After arriving at point B something must happen to the character who went there.
And it stays like this for over 3/4 of the book. And then suddenly a lot of things happened. Most of them bad and most of them ended with lots of people dead.
But even then I still didn't have a much clearer idea of where the plot will be going in the following books. Yes, some things are hinted at but overall it feels more like I read a prologue and the first few chapters of a book instead of all of it.
But despite this I still enjoyed the book and plan to read the next one (hoping that the pacing will be better). I am unhappy with the treatment of the female characters but most other things are refreshingly different from many generic fantasy-novels. The author's prose just flows and she manages to convey enough about the world without ever resorting to infodumps.
ARC received from NetGalley
Talking of this: Magic takes an active role in the book. It's not just a vague presence like in some high fantasy novels. Wizards exist in this world and they aren't even that rare. Now I'm not saying that magic in fantasy always needs to manifest in the form of spell-casting. I'm just saying that that I enjoy it if it does happen to manifest in the form of wizards who can raise people from the dead and ask them questions.
There are also amazing characters: the novel mainly revolves around five siblings who have all chosen different careers. A soldier, a playwright, an engineer, a businesswoman and a guider (a wizard who can guide the spirits of the dead into the afterlife...and also do necromancy). The playwright has OCD and depression. This is clearly stated in the text and even influences the plot, something I never saw in a fantasy novel.
Their sibling-relationships are also really well portrayed: they agree, they disagree but they do care about each other.
However pretty soon there were a few buts that clouded my enjoyment. The world-building was great but it was again a world where women don't count much. I am getting tired of worlds that have two moons, talking dogs and magic that can reanimate the dead but women being considered as important as men is apparently outside the realm of the possible.
Similarly: the main characters? Two women and almost a dozen men. It's sad because those two women? They are amazing. (Towards the end a third one appears who will probably become important in the following books but that still doesn't balance it out).
Then there's the matter of the plot. For a long time not that much happens. People move from one place to another. A big ship is built. A fraud is uncovered. A woman invites a man to visit her observatory (both not a euphemism and very much a euphemism). Vague references to necromancy, magic in general and dead gods are made. I don't think fantasy always needs to have huge things happening but all this is...well. Very little. And there weren't even many hints about larger things to come. I kept reading and wondering what would happen eventually but couldn't do more than make vague guesses. Something must happen with the ship. After arriving at point B something must happen to the character who went there.
And it stays like this for over 3/4 of the book. And then suddenly a lot of things happened. Most of them bad and most of them ended with lots of people dead.
But even then I still didn't have a much clearer idea of where the plot will be going in the following books. Yes, some things are hinted at but overall it feels more like I read a prologue and the first few chapters of a book instead of all of it.
But despite this I still enjoyed the book and plan to read the next one (hoping that the pacing will be better). I am unhappy with the treatment of the female characters but most other things are refreshingly different from many generic fantasy-novels. The author's prose just flows and she manages to convey enough about the world without ever resorting to infodumps.
ARC received from NetGalley
September 20, 2016
The Iron Ship is set on a planet that shares it orbit with a twin that cases massive tidal shifts as well as other ecological effects that combine to create a very different kind of geography and on top of this there is a magic system as well as technological one that can be combined one way or back not to mention an ecology of very different species that combines with a world with a deep history of human Empires and treaties that lead to a world that is full of things happening! :D
The book is set in a time that would approximate an Industrial Revolution where the mages of old are being replaced by what you would almost call magical engineers who fuse magic and technology together together in various forms one of which is the title of the book! :D This provides a society where everything is integrated together, magic and technological, and is used in day-to-day affairs as well as for grandiose building and engineering projects! :D This all combines to give the book a feel of some people going places with the pace of projects seeming to increase in pace as the book revealed more things happening on a global scale! :D The technology featured throughout has an almost different metallurgy than that you would normally ext as the interaction with magic, such as iron having to be used as webbing in the deserts, trains with high silver content or glimmer dust eroding rails etc subtly change the way the technology is used and this adds to the strange feel of some of the scenes adding a quality to them that you would not expect and really establishes that this is a different world! :D
The book, while nominally from the title, has some focus on the sea also takes off to far off lands on the borders of the Hundred Kingdoms which takes some of the characters into direct conflict with another species which would seem to be another power brewing in the world and this combined with other things such as the twin planet in the Solar System seeming to be drawing closer and emitting fire, as well as the expedition to a lost ancient city, and the recurring major events that seem to happen every few millennia all seem to be building to bigger events and this is provided almost as separate stories that seem to be coming together as the book goes on! :D Though of course this is only the beginning of the tale so the book doesn't really answer any of these questions but raises even more and this adds to much of the mystery of the book! :D
There are hints throughout of these unknown lands and it would be presumed that these are to explored in more detail in the next books as there is a vast well described world out there and the possibilities are endless! :D
Brilliant and highly recommended! :D
The book is set in a time that would approximate an Industrial Revolution where the mages of old are being replaced by what you would almost call magical engineers who fuse magic and technology together together in various forms one of which is the title of the book! :D This provides a society where everything is integrated together, magic and technological, and is used in day-to-day affairs as well as for grandiose building and engineering projects! :D This all combines to give the book a feel of some people going places with the pace of projects seeming to increase in pace as the book revealed more things happening on a global scale! :D The technology featured throughout has an almost different metallurgy than that you would normally ext as the interaction with magic, such as iron having to be used as webbing in the deserts, trains with high silver content or glimmer dust eroding rails etc subtly change the way the technology is used and this adds to the strange feel of some of the scenes adding a quality to them that you would not expect and really establishes that this is a different world! :D
The book, while nominally from the title, has some focus on the sea also takes off to far off lands on the borders of the Hundred Kingdoms which takes some of the characters into direct conflict with another species which would seem to be another power brewing in the world and this combined with other things such as the twin planet in the Solar System seeming to be drawing closer and emitting fire, as well as the expedition to a lost ancient city, and the recurring major events that seem to happen every few millennia all seem to be building to bigger events and this is provided almost as separate stories that seem to be coming together as the book goes on! :D Though of course this is only the beginning of the tale so the book doesn't really answer any of these questions but raises even more and this adds to much of the mystery of the book! :D
There are hints throughout of these unknown lands and it would be presumed that these are to explored in more detail in the next books as there is a vast well described world out there and the possibilities are endless! :D
Brilliant and highly recommended! :D
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 3, 2019
I generally don't read a whole lot of fantasy, but someone lent me this one, recommending it, so I thought I would give it a try.
I really enjoyed it! It is fast paced, and unique. Not another copycat of LotR, Hunger Games, etc.
The author really created his (or her? Not sure) own world.
Also there are some very strong female characters which I absolutely LOVE!
Don't get me wrong. I'll still take my smutty erotica any day, but this was a fun diversion.
I'll probably read at least the next one in the series.
One thing though! I feel like I have a pretty good vocabulary, but Holy Crap, I was looking up words on almost every page! 😲
I really enjoyed it! It is fast paced, and unique. Not another copycat of LotR, Hunger Games, etc.
The author really created his (or her? Not sure) own world.
Also there are some very strong female characters which I absolutely LOVE!
Don't get me wrong. I'll still take my smutty erotica any day, but this was a fun diversion.
I'll probably read at least the next one in the series.
One thing though! I feel like I have a pretty good vocabulary, but Holy Crap, I was looking up words on almost every page! 😲
June 2, 2015
*Copy from Netgalley in exchange for a review*
The Iron Ship is a startling debut. It’s full of nuanced characters and complex relationship dynamics, in a world which is made entirely believable through some very effective prose The story draws on this set of complex characters and believable world to create a very compelling narrative. I went in not knowing what to expect, and have to admit that I was absolutely blown away.
Starting from the top, then, the world. This is a previously Tolkien-esque world, filled with magic, disturbing supernatural creatures, fallen empires, gods, hereditary nobility, the living dead – all the trappings one might expect f an epic fantasy. But it’s also a world on the cusp of industrialisation. New money is shattering the old elites. Some of the more human-esque creatures operate in society as semi-indentured labour. Gods are cast down and, at least in some cases, forgotten. The living dead are occasionally used as manpower. It’s a world in the liminal space between the old world and the new.
This does lead to a bit of culture shock for the reader, as they are relentlessly moved between locations, each more fantastical than the last, and introduced to a sprawling cast of characters. The world is speckled with marvellously bizarre creations – a castle built on stone that floats, situated in the middle of the sea. A fort perched on the edge of a defile, made entirely of armoured glass. A ragged necropolis used for the rites of summoning the unquiet dead. The descriptions are baroque, filled with incidental detail, building an entirely believable milieu for the reader. Everything feels like a blend of high fantasy and the Victorian era, but that’s underselling it – McKinley has created a genuinely special setting here.
Alongside the setting are the characters. The narrative largely centres around five sibling members of the same family, as each fills their own social role. There’s a lot of introductory detail here. Each sibling gets their own viewpoint, and each feels like they have a unique voice – the tormented playwright, the sister driven to become an industrialist, the disgraced military officer, all feel distinct from each other, each with their own agenda, their own needs. McKinley does however also introduce a common strand to their characters – each stands beside the others as family. There’s an unflinching examination of family dynamics, of the small cruelties and blazing arguments that tear families apart or bring them together, and it’s done with a keen eye for how a large family works.
Alongside this main character set are a whole pool of supporting cast members. Again, the reader is rather barraged with names and descriptions, but as the story continues, and the characters begin to fill their roles, it becomes easier to keep a handle on who’s who. McKinley really has created a vast world here, populated by individuals who, even mentioned in passing, feel like people (if not humans, per se).
The plot is scattered across all the different locations brought up in the setting; the typical focus on each of the sibling characters means that the reader has some focus, some desire to see characters succeed or fail. They’re opposed, at various points, by petty villains, institutional bureaucracy, sabotage, angry gods, and downright creepy supernatural occurrences. Whilst the plot is interesting enough, it really feels like this book is building up toward a denoument in other books of the series.
As a whole, it feels like an interesting, and at times even compulsive narrative, but it is slowly paced, perhaps deliberately slow, and occasionally loses momentum. On the other hand, when firing on all cylinders, the struggle to, for example, build and launch the iron ship of the title makes for extremely compulsive reading. There’s a lot of politics and discussion heavy plot if you enjoy that sort of thing, and a fair few bloody and often deeply strange battle scenes if those are your preference. The plot feels like it’s going somewhere, but I don’t think we’re there yet. That said, the reader is effectively immersed in the world over the course of this book, and it makes for fascinating reading.
With that in mind, I’d say that The Iron Ship is one of the most interesting stories, in one of the more fascinating worlds that I’ve read so far this year. If you’re prepared to invest in a vast, in-depth world field with interesting characters, then this book will definitely reward your perseverance. Thoroughly enjoyable, and very much worth reading.
The Iron Ship is a startling debut. It’s full of nuanced characters and complex relationship dynamics, in a world which is made entirely believable through some very effective prose The story draws on this set of complex characters and believable world to create a very compelling narrative. I went in not knowing what to expect, and have to admit that I was absolutely blown away.
Starting from the top, then, the world. This is a previously Tolkien-esque world, filled with magic, disturbing supernatural creatures, fallen empires, gods, hereditary nobility, the living dead – all the trappings one might expect f an epic fantasy. But it’s also a world on the cusp of industrialisation. New money is shattering the old elites. Some of the more human-esque creatures operate in society as semi-indentured labour. Gods are cast down and, at least in some cases, forgotten. The living dead are occasionally used as manpower. It’s a world in the liminal space between the old world and the new.
This does lead to a bit of culture shock for the reader, as they are relentlessly moved between locations, each more fantastical than the last, and introduced to a sprawling cast of characters. The world is speckled with marvellously bizarre creations – a castle built on stone that floats, situated in the middle of the sea. A fort perched on the edge of a defile, made entirely of armoured glass. A ragged necropolis used for the rites of summoning the unquiet dead. The descriptions are baroque, filled with incidental detail, building an entirely believable milieu for the reader. Everything feels like a blend of high fantasy and the Victorian era, but that’s underselling it – McKinley has created a genuinely special setting here.
Alongside the setting are the characters. The narrative largely centres around five sibling members of the same family, as each fills their own social role. There’s a lot of introductory detail here. Each sibling gets their own viewpoint, and each feels like they have a unique voice – the tormented playwright, the sister driven to become an industrialist, the disgraced military officer, all feel distinct from each other, each with their own agenda, their own needs. McKinley does however also introduce a common strand to their characters – each stands beside the others as family. There’s an unflinching examination of family dynamics, of the small cruelties and blazing arguments that tear families apart or bring them together, and it’s done with a keen eye for how a large family works.
Alongside this main character set are a whole pool of supporting cast members. Again, the reader is rather barraged with names and descriptions, but as the story continues, and the characters begin to fill their roles, it becomes easier to keep a handle on who’s who. McKinley really has created a vast world here, populated by individuals who, even mentioned in passing, feel like people (if not humans, per se).
The plot is scattered across all the different locations brought up in the setting; the typical focus on each of the sibling characters means that the reader has some focus, some desire to see characters succeed or fail. They’re opposed, at various points, by petty villains, institutional bureaucracy, sabotage, angry gods, and downright creepy supernatural occurrences. Whilst the plot is interesting enough, it really feels like this book is building up toward a denoument in other books of the series.
As a whole, it feels like an interesting, and at times even compulsive narrative, but it is slowly paced, perhaps deliberately slow, and occasionally loses momentum. On the other hand, when firing on all cylinders, the struggle to, for example, build and launch the iron ship of the title makes for extremely compulsive reading. There’s a lot of politics and discussion heavy plot if you enjoy that sort of thing, and a fair few bloody and often deeply strange battle scenes if those are your preference. The plot feels like it’s going somewhere, but I don’t think we’re there yet. That said, the reader is effectively immersed in the world over the course of this book, and it makes for fascinating reading.
With that in mind, I’d say that The Iron Ship is one of the most interesting stories, in one of the more fascinating worlds that I’ve read so far this year. If you’re prepared to invest in a vast, in-depth world field with interesting characters, then this book will definitely reward your perseverance. Thoroughly enjoyable, and very much worth reading.
October 15, 2020
The devil's definitely in the detail here, in KM McKinley's debut for Solaris. A world of epic proportions, assaulted by immense tidal surges, the skies dominated by both moons and a dark twin planet, cities clinging to the sides of high cliffs, barely above the high tide mark - and abandoned gods drinking and telling tall stories in the bars in exchange for drinks. Glimmer-fueled trains, floatstone ships - and one iron-hulled ship built to penetrate the far polar reaches where an ancient city belonging to a lost civilisation is reputed to hide. And all of that is even before we look at the characters and their complexities.
It's too large a world, too epic a scale, to be seen through a single viewpoint. McKinley's focus is on the grown-up children of the Kressind family, who over the course of the book are scattered across the continent. A couple of other viewpoints intrude to more or less satisfactory results, weaving in and out of the narrative as you can imagine it is being told by the storytelling god in the bar (and that's a neat conceit to hang the rest of the story upon).
If there's any problem at all, it's that though we can see the beginnings and pattern of a crisis, some way off in the distance, much like the Hag of Mogawn's orrery we're having to let it run its course until everything aligns. And frustratingly, there's a sense of too many things left unresolved, waiting to happen in the next book. The only arcs that feel truly satisfactory are those of Guis and Katriona - both of them are entirely rounded, and I felt fully invested in their parts of the story.
Nevertheless, The Iron Ship is a wonderful piece of writing in a world that is refreshingly different and vertiginous. Count me in for the duration.
2020 edit: yep, still good!
It's too large a world, too epic a scale, to be seen through a single viewpoint. McKinley's focus is on the grown-up children of the Kressind family, who over the course of the book are scattered across the continent. A couple of other viewpoints intrude to more or less satisfactory results, weaving in and out of the narrative as you can imagine it is being told by the storytelling god in the bar (and that's a neat conceit to hang the rest of the story upon).
If there's any problem at all, it's that though we can see the beginnings and pattern of a crisis, some way off in the distance, much like the Hag of Mogawn's orrery we're having to let it run its course until everything aligns. And frustratingly, there's a sense of too many things left unresolved, waiting to happen in the next book. The only arcs that feel truly satisfactory are those of Guis and Katriona - both of them are entirely rounded, and I felt fully invested in their parts of the story.
Nevertheless, The Iron Ship is a wonderful piece of writing in a world that is refreshingly different and vertiginous. Count me in for the duration.
2020 edit: yep, still good!
May 21, 2015
Necromancy, cursed magic, and gods walking the earth in an early industrial land - all affect the Kressind family, each of whom has his (or her) own struggle within the family and in finding his or her own place.
Although the writing was good, the world-building detailed and the religion/mythology quite intriguing, I just gave up halfway through. It's slow to build, though somewhat intricate, and with a varied cast, most of whom were quite original. The female characters aren't relegated to background roles: Katriona has a mind well-suited for engineering, and the countess' feminist leanings very stark but interesting for that particular society, bringing to mind Hester Stanhope's eccentricities.
There is some crude language, if that bothers you, but it's not overdone. It's not a bad book, just not for me. I had to keep forcing myself to continue reading, and almost gave up earlier; it did pick up some momentum at 28% but I still found it far too easy to put down, and when I realized I'd passed the 50% mark and still didn't really care about any of the characters (except Katriona; I liked her) I called it a day. It took me over a week to get even that far, and normally I'd expect to finish a book this length within two days.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Although the writing was good, the world-building detailed and the religion/mythology quite intriguing, I just gave up halfway through. It's slow to build, though somewhat intricate, and with a varied cast, most of whom were quite original. The female characters aren't relegated to background roles: Katriona has a mind well-suited for engineering, and the countess' feminist leanings very stark but interesting for that particular society, bringing to mind Hester Stanhope's eccentricities.
There is some crude language, if that bothers you, but it's not overdone. It's not a bad book, just not for me. I had to keep forcing myself to continue reading, and almost gave up earlier; it did pick up some momentum at 28% but I still found it far too easy to put down, and when I realized I'd passed the 50% mark and still didn't really care about any of the characters (except Katriona; I liked her) I called it a day. It took me over a week to get even that far, and normally I'd expect to finish a book this length within two days.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
May 26, 2015
This ARC was provided courtesy of NetGalley and Rebellion Publishing Ltd
I will start by saying that this book was just not for me. It was not a bad book by any means, and I'm sure that many would enjoy it. It was rich with world building and character development. Similar to another review that I read, I was unable to finish the entire book.
This book got off to a rough start for me, because I felt that the prologue was too heavily relied on as a way to overload the reader with facts about the world. I found this to be uninteresting, and because of this I struggled to get past it for a few days.
While I didn’t have a problem with the characters or the characterization, I had a difficult time connecting with the characters. The only character that I particularly enjoyed reading about was Katriona.
I appreciated the author’s use of dialogue and I thought that this and most of the narration was extremely well done. I think if I had liked the characters better, I would have had no problem with this book.
I will start by saying that this book was just not for me. It was not a bad book by any means, and I'm sure that many would enjoy it. It was rich with world building and character development. Similar to another review that I read, I was unable to finish the entire book.
This book got off to a rough start for me, because I felt that the prologue was too heavily relied on as a way to overload the reader with facts about the world. I found this to be uninteresting, and because of this I struggled to get past it for a few days.
While I didn’t have a problem with the characters or the characterization, I had a difficult time connecting with the characters. The only character that I particularly enjoyed reading about was Katriona.
I appreciated the author’s use of dialogue and I thought that this and most of the narration was extremely well done. I think if I had liked the characters better, I would have had no problem with this book.
December 25, 2018
Overall, this was an entertaining and enjoyable read. This was my first experience with "industrial fantasy" and I found it to be quite fascinating and relevant. This book included interesting commentary on the effect of industrialization on the environment, gender roles and stereotypes, and workers' rights, all of which are very applicable to the world we live in.
As for the story itself, the characters were unique and believable, and the plot ran smoothly despite an unusual amount of typos/misprints (my personal favorite came on page 501: "He cupped one mouth to his hand, pointed up with the other.)
I gave this book a four star rating simply because I thought it was a solid book and a compelling first installment to a series that I anticipate finishing at some future point, but it did not sweep me off my feet like the five-star books on my list. Would recommend for fantasy enthusiasts looking for something new and different to dive into.
As for the story itself, the characters were unique and believable, and the plot ran smoothly despite an unusual amount of typos/misprints (my personal favorite came on page 501: "He cupped one mouth to his hand, pointed up with the other.)
I gave this book a four star rating simply because I thought it was a solid book and a compelling first installment to a series that I anticipate finishing at some future point, but it did not sweep me off my feet like the five-star books on my list. Would recommend for fantasy enthusiasts looking for something new and different to dive into.
January 16, 2018
Enjoyed it
I"d actually give this story three and a half stars. The world was very interesting and highly imaginary. The plot was meandering with lots of politicking and small backstory info spread throughout. There was very little for action in this book,an occasional right here and there. One of the big drawbacks( in my opinion). The cast of characters is huge. Many different types that were all very interesting and engaging. What was amazing was this book was so very well written. The pages just flew along, which goes to show how well an author we have here.Definitely will read the next installment
I"d actually give this story three and a half stars. The world was very interesting and highly imaginary. The plot was meandering with lots of politicking and small backstory info spread throughout. There was very little for action in this book,an occasional right here and there. One of the big drawbacks( in my opinion). The cast of characters is huge. Many different types that were all very interesting and engaging. What was amazing was this book was so very well written. The pages just flew along, which goes to show how well an author we have here.Definitely will read the next installment
February 27, 2018
A slow-burning epic with great world building and excellent writing. Some elements mirror "standard" high fantasy fare, while others are new and unique.
Long, but worth the investment. At least I hope it is -- there's a lot of set-up for Book 2. I also loved the memorable, diverse personalities in the cast, though I (here we go again!) would have preferred for women to be equals as a matter of course, rather than in spite of their living in a sexist society.
** I received a Review Copy of this book via NetGalley **
(May 2015 Rebellion edition)
Long, but worth the investment. At least I hope it is -- there's a lot of set-up for Book 2. I also loved the memorable, diverse personalities in the cast, though I (here we go again!) would have preferred for women to be equals as a matter of course, rather than in spite of their living in a sexist society.
** I received a Review Copy of this book via NetGalley **
(May 2015 Rebellion edition)
September 9, 2018
The series was recommended to me for its world-building. And I must say, that's unquestionably a major strength of the book. The action takes place on another Earth, primarily in the continent dominated by the Hundred Kingdoms of Ruthnia. The world is in the midst of an Industrial revolution, fuelled by a strange, magical "glimmer" oil. Magic is still around, but religion is seriously on the wane, since a few hundred years ago, a powerful mage "banished" most of the gods. Nevertheless, magic IS still present in various forms, though in many places it is being replaced by magitek science.
The plot largely follows the children of the powerful industrial Kressind family. Trassan, the youngest brother is the inventor of the titular Iron Ship- a giant ship powered by new technology that's supposed to revolutionize industry- and its first journey is to be to the frozen south pole to uncover the last city of a highly advanced precursor civilization; Gius, the oldest brother is a playwright and a capable mage, haunted by mental instability and an ongoing battle with his darker half; Rel Kressind is a soldier sent to the Gates of the World- the fields that are the source of the glimmer oil to guard against incursions from other worlds; Katriona, the second child and only daughter struggles to make use of her intellect and business acumen in a traditional male-dominated society; Aarin Kressind is a Guider of the dead, a priest of a necromantic cult whose duties in guiding restless ghosts to their final repose lead him to uncover a dark secret. These are pretty formulaic and tropey plots, and none of them are ever anything exceptional. However, the world is quite interesting and it's fun to put together bits and pieces of history that McKinley drops here and there like breadcrumbs.
The story is told in third-person, with alternating PoVs, and the chapters are generally pretty short, keeping the pacing crisp. I did run into a few occasions of "internal cliffhangers", where a particular character's arc is left hanging for a few chapters while the author revisits events in other parts of the world, but overall the book avoided anything egregious. At a few occasions the plot did feel a bit thin- as in, one chapters sets up a thing to happen; a few chapters later, you see the result of the thing happening, without any additional explanation as to how it happened, but YMMV on this. I found it a bit disappointing, but it didn't really detract from my enjoyment, and I'm looking forward to reading the sequel.
Highly recommended to anyone looking for complex fantasy worlds, especially in an early industrial setting.
The plot largely follows the children of the powerful industrial Kressind family. Trassan, the youngest brother is the inventor of the titular Iron Ship- a giant ship powered by new technology that's supposed to revolutionize industry- and its first journey is to be to the frozen south pole to uncover the last city of a highly advanced precursor civilization; Gius, the oldest brother is a playwright and a capable mage, haunted by mental instability and an ongoing battle with his darker half; Rel Kressind is a soldier sent to the Gates of the World- the fields that are the source of the glimmer oil to guard against incursions from other worlds; Katriona, the second child and only daughter struggles to make use of her intellect and business acumen in a traditional male-dominated society; Aarin Kressind is a Guider of the dead, a priest of a necromantic cult whose duties in guiding restless ghosts to their final repose lead him to uncover a dark secret. These are pretty formulaic and tropey plots, and none of them are ever anything exceptional. However, the world is quite interesting and it's fun to put together bits and pieces of history that McKinley drops here and there like breadcrumbs.
The story is told in third-person, with alternating PoVs, and the chapters are generally pretty short, keeping the pacing crisp. I did run into a few occasions of "internal cliffhangers", where a particular character's arc is left hanging for a few chapters while the author revisits events in other parts of the world, but overall the book avoided anything egregious. At a few occasions the plot did feel a bit thin- as in, one chapters sets up a thing to happen; a few chapters later, you see the result of the thing happening, without any additional explanation as to how it happened, but YMMV on this. I found it a bit disappointing, but it didn't really detract from my enjoyment, and I'm looking forward to reading the sequel.
Highly recommended to anyone looking for complex fantasy worlds, especially in an early industrial setting.
October 7, 2019
Really enjoyed this fantasy = not of my usual persuasion, with the mages and ghosts and guns and different species, but that was all a part of it's charm. It's a relatively long book, though as with most fantasy, that's not unusual, but each page is used to it's maximum potential. We get to know the characters and the mechanics of the author's imagination well, and the writing is great, so there's nothing that can be complained about at all here! I took my time reading this as I have a houseguest, not because of any failure on the book's part, believe me! I'm going to look for the sequel as soon as I can, as I really can't wait to see what happens next!
March 17, 2017
I am going to do something I've seldom done before: Give up on a book only halfway through. I think, that there is a good story underneath it all, but so far the book is seriously lacking in pacing and filled with typos. I can understand and forgive a typo or five, but not pr. chapter, let alone pr page ...
If a revised copy ever gets printed I might consider picking it up, but until that happens I will stay clear of this series and the author for whom the typos must rightly be blamed ...
If a revised copy ever gets printed I might consider picking it up, but until that happens I will stay clear of this series and the author for whom the typos must rightly be blamed ...
November 29, 2023
Im very on the fence with this book. A few chapters seemed to fly by while others were a slog. The world in which this story is set was really interesting. Unfortunately, there is little explanatory text leaving the reader to figure out how the world works largely on their own. This would be fine 2 or 3 books in to a series but not in book 1. There are quite a few different plots and characters, some of which are really interesting while others are less so. The biggest problem I had with this book is the whole thing is just setup for the next two books not really a book unto itself. Not much exciting happens until 35-40 chapters in. McKinley was still introducing new major characters 3/4 of the way through the book. I bought book 2 but haven't decided if I'm going to read it yet. I want to find out what happens on the one hand, but I'm just not sure if I really want to spend the time reading it to find out.
September 4, 2015
The Iron Ship was a fascinating read that read similar to a Jack London novel than typical "cookie-cutter" fantasy novel. And that's a beautiful thing!
With all the countless fantasy novels being released each year, how many are unique? How many divert from the "swash-buckling adventure" that we are so used to regurgitating, over and over again? The Iron Ship steadfastly diverts from that set-course that so many take and makes it's own way by bringing to life the world that McKinley has artfully brought us.
Yes, there are a LOT of characters (the novel does focus on the family of the Kressind), but once you get in the thick of the novel you have a good, "iron-grip" on who's who and what's what. The novel delves into each of the cast, bringing to life their own struggles while occasionally intervening into the other character's on-going trek. Throughout it all is the main focus on one of the brother's (Trassan) titanic task of completing the great Iron Ship. The main focus of the entire novel, the other characters are either directly or in-directly affected by it's building: Katriona who is newly-wed (after her late husband's death) to a business man who is perceived at first as being dull, Guis a brother who struggles with his own mental-illness that manifest itself as a demon, Aarin who trying to keep his order alive of "ghosting" the dead into the afterlife and hardship of dealing with the changes that are mounting against him, Rel who is sent to a remote location of cold temperatures after messing with the wrong wife of a military leader. There is also other, minor characters introduced, the one to really focus on is Tuvacs; a young man who is caught after trying to steal something from one of the brother's and is thus taken-away by a kind-merchant.
The novel Prologue is the most fascinating part of the novel and brings-to-life the quest for the unknown the whole venture the Iron Ship seeks to travel towards. I very much look forward to the next installment of McKinley's "The Gates of the World" series and would recommend this novel to anyone that likes a different take-on fantasy.
With all the countless fantasy novels being released each year, how many are unique? How many divert from the "swash-buckling adventure" that we are so used to regurgitating, over and over again? The Iron Ship steadfastly diverts from that set-course that so many take and makes it's own way by bringing to life the world that McKinley has artfully brought us.
Yes, there are a LOT of characters (the novel does focus on the family of the Kressind), but once you get in the thick of the novel you have a good, "iron-grip" on who's who and what's what. The novel delves into each of the cast, bringing to life their own struggles while occasionally intervening into the other character's on-going trek. Throughout it all is the main focus on one of the brother's (Trassan) titanic task of completing the great Iron Ship. The main focus of the entire novel, the other characters are either directly or in-directly affected by it's building: Katriona who is newly-wed (after her late husband's death) to a business man who is perceived at first as being dull, Guis a brother who struggles with his own mental-illness that manifest itself as a demon, Aarin who trying to keep his order alive of "ghosting" the dead into the afterlife and hardship of dealing with the changes that are mounting against him, Rel who is sent to a remote location of cold temperatures after messing with the wrong wife of a military leader. There is also other, minor characters introduced, the one to really focus on is Tuvacs; a young man who is caught after trying to steal something from one of the brother's and is thus taken-away by a kind-merchant.
The novel Prologue is the most fascinating part of the novel and brings-to-life the quest for the unknown the whole venture the Iron Ship seeks to travel towards. I very much look forward to the next installment of McKinley's "The Gates of the World" series and would recommend this novel to anyone that likes a different take-on fantasy.
February 15, 2017
Really enjoyed, just different enough to be oddly interesting. Follows siblings and showcases their various talents or foibles. Each chapter has a different point of view, so some parts were really awesome (Rel and Katrionia) and others were dull and I tended to skim them (Guis). I think Aarin is starting to grow on me. I will defiantly be reading City of Ice.
June 18, 2015
After I finished "The Iron Ship," I was ecstatic about the experience. It was incredible, it was magical, with wonderful (and wonder full) plotting, character development, writing style, and world-building — and this world-building in particular was equal to any I've seen in the first book of a fantasy (or science fiction) series. Special kudos are deserved for the way women are depicted in this novel — strong but feminine: not women mimicking men, but women typifying female identity with agency and gender equality. These are not women who iron; these are women who are iron. I adored "The Iron Ship." The story started off with a slow, bewitching, teasing pace that became exquisite foreplay to the novel's fulfilling and exciting climax. I hope Ms. McKinley can find a way to turn "The Gates of the World" into more than a trilogy (which is the series' current projected length), since the book's setting felt like a world I would like to spend a very long time in, and its epic scale — both that shown and that hinted at — seems like it can and should be given a lot of breathing room for more breathtaking storytelling. Superb work Ms. McKinley! Take a long bow...
January 14, 2016
K.M. McKinley’s The Iron Ship is a sprawling, slow build of a story that mostly follows the POV exploits of five siblings whose stories generally wend their own way, though each intersects with the others in varying ways and to varying degrees. With its large cast, leisurely characterization, separate plots, unhurried approach to worldbuilding, and focus on an accretion of detail (admittedly, sometimes to a somewhat befuddling amount), I can’t say McKinley’s debut is particularly energetic or compelling. But it does suck you in even as it acts as mostly prelude to what is to come.
The setting is “Earth” (not our Earth, McKinley is at pains to tell us in her afterword), a world with two moons and a sister planet known as the Twin that may possibly be edging ever nearer as part of a millennia-long cycle. More precisely, the novel sets itself in The H... Read More: http://www.fantasyliterature.com/revi...
The setting is “Earth” (not our Earth, McKinley is at pains to tell us in her afterword), a world with two moons and a sister planet known as the Twin that may possibly be edging ever nearer as part of a millennia-long cycle. More precisely, the novel sets itself in The H... Read More: http://www.fantasyliterature.com/revi...
August 6, 2017
Francamente non so nemmeno io cosa pensare di questo romanzo: se fin verso la metà ero convinta di lasciar perdere questa saga, diciamo che nell'ultima parte le cose si fanno un po' più interessanti e ci si inizia a fare un'idea su dove voglia andare a parare tutta la storia.
L'ambientazione non è nemmeno tanto male: in un mondo in cui gli dei sono stati cacciati da circa due secoli (anche se il prologo ci lascia intendere che qualcosa sta per cambiare, e non in meglio), la magia si è messa al servizio dei progressi dell'industria, finendo per diventare qualcosa di più limitato e razionale, tanto che i veri “mages” sono sempre più rari e indeboliti, a fronte del maggiore successo dei “magisters”. Eppure, per i pochi che sanno prestare attenzione, segnali inquietanti si stanno facendo strada, segnali che richiamano i cataclismi che hanno portato alla caduta di due antiche civiltà.
In questo mondo contraddittorio in cui convivono lo splendore dell'industria e lo squallore del degrado, si muovono i sei fratelli di casa Kressind, ciascuno con le sue capacità e i suoi difetti, tutti invischiati in un mare di guai. Trassan è l'ingegnere a capo del progetto a cui fa riferimento il titolo: una grande nave, la Prince Alfra, studiata per solcare le grandi distanze e i mari inesplorati del sud per raggiungere i resti perfettamente conservati di una città appartenente a un'antica civiltà ormai scomparsa. Poi c'è Garten, intento a far carriera nell'apparato burocratico-diplomatico; Rel, il soldato di famiglia che viene beccato con una donna sposata e viene spedito per punizione ai confini del regno di Ruthnia, i Gates of the World, dove il mondo civilizzato incontra le lande desolate delle Sabbie Nere ancora infestate da creature non troppo amichevoli (demoni, mutaforma e altro ancora) che stanno incominciando ad avvicinarsi pericolosamente agli insediamenti umani.
Katriona è l'unica figlia femmina e, proprio per questo, da lei ci si aspetta solo che faccia la moglie e la madre: ovviamente la ragazza la vede diversamente e mette a frutto la sua istruzione e il suo talento per ridare lustro alle aziende del suo secondo marito (nei suoi capitoli non mancano riflessioni circa le pietose condizioni di lavoro e di vita degli operai). Ultimi ma non meno importanti, ci sono i due fratelli nati con qualche talento magico: Aarin, è un Guider, sacerdote al sevizio del dio dei morti che si occupa di favorire il passaggio delle anime dei defunti nell'aldilà – compito questo che negli ultimi tempi si sta rivelando sempre più difficile, tanto da portarlo a cercare delle risposte; Guis, il maggiore dei figli maschi, con le potenzialità per diventare un vero mago, ma che preferisce la carriera da drammaturgo – scelta dettata anche dalla sua incapacità di conciliare questo talento con il malessere che affligge il suo animo e che lo costringe a combattere quotidianamente con la sua oscurità interiore, le sue paure, le sue ansie e i suoi impulsi più terribili. Oscurità che finirà per assumere delle sembianze fisiche concrete e che minaccerà la stessa esistenza di Guis.
Tra i personaggi secondari, una menzione speciale anche per la Contessa di Mogawn: donna ricca ma purtroppo non bella che si diverte a sfidare i benpensanti con i suoi comportamenti licenziosi e i suoi studi di astronomia. Saranno proprio le sue osservazioni e le sue ricerche a far trasparire la tragedia all'orizzonte (peccato che nessuno le dia retta).
Certo, in questo libro non mancano le cose strane: cani che parlano, psuedo-draghi usati al posto dei cavalli, uno strano re dei morti affogati in mare, un dio del vino che va tranquillamente in giro per taverne. E poi ci sono i Tyn, strane creaturine (solitamente più piccole degli esseri umani) dotate di particolari abilità “magiche”, ma spesso usati come schiavi in certe aziende.
Vedremo cosa ne sarà dei nostri poveri Kressind nel prossimo volume, sperando che sia più chiaro e un po' più scorrevole del primo.
L'ambientazione non è nemmeno tanto male: in un mondo in cui gli dei sono stati cacciati da circa due secoli (anche se il prologo ci lascia intendere che qualcosa sta per cambiare, e non in meglio), la magia si è messa al servizio dei progressi dell'industria, finendo per diventare qualcosa di più limitato e razionale, tanto che i veri “mages” sono sempre più rari e indeboliti, a fronte del maggiore successo dei “magisters”. Eppure, per i pochi che sanno prestare attenzione, segnali inquietanti si stanno facendo strada, segnali che richiamano i cataclismi che hanno portato alla caduta di due antiche civiltà.
In questo mondo contraddittorio in cui convivono lo splendore dell'industria e lo squallore del degrado, si muovono i sei fratelli di casa Kressind, ciascuno con le sue capacità e i suoi difetti, tutti invischiati in un mare di guai. Trassan è l'ingegnere a capo del progetto a cui fa riferimento il titolo: una grande nave, la Prince Alfra, studiata per solcare le grandi distanze e i mari inesplorati del sud per raggiungere i resti perfettamente conservati di una città appartenente a un'antica civiltà ormai scomparsa. Poi c'è Garten, intento a far carriera nell'apparato burocratico-diplomatico; Rel, il soldato di famiglia che viene beccato con una donna sposata e viene spedito per punizione ai confini del regno di Ruthnia, i Gates of the World, dove il mondo civilizzato incontra le lande desolate delle Sabbie Nere ancora infestate da creature non troppo amichevoli (demoni, mutaforma e altro ancora) che stanno incominciando ad avvicinarsi pericolosamente agli insediamenti umani.
Katriona è l'unica figlia femmina e, proprio per questo, da lei ci si aspetta solo che faccia la moglie e la madre: ovviamente la ragazza la vede diversamente e mette a frutto la sua istruzione e il suo talento per ridare lustro alle aziende del suo secondo marito (nei suoi capitoli non mancano riflessioni circa le pietose condizioni di lavoro e di vita degli operai). Ultimi ma non meno importanti, ci sono i due fratelli nati con qualche talento magico: Aarin, è un Guider, sacerdote al sevizio del dio dei morti che si occupa di favorire il passaggio delle anime dei defunti nell'aldilà – compito questo che negli ultimi tempi si sta rivelando sempre più difficile, tanto da portarlo a cercare delle risposte; Guis, il maggiore dei figli maschi, con le potenzialità per diventare un vero mago, ma che preferisce la carriera da drammaturgo – scelta dettata anche dalla sua incapacità di conciliare questo talento con il malessere che affligge il suo animo e che lo costringe a combattere quotidianamente con la sua oscurità interiore, le sue paure, le sue ansie e i suoi impulsi più terribili. Oscurità che finirà per assumere delle sembianze fisiche concrete e che minaccerà la stessa esistenza di Guis.
Tra i personaggi secondari, una menzione speciale anche per la Contessa di Mogawn: donna ricca ma purtroppo non bella che si diverte a sfidare i benpensanti con i suoi comportamenti licenziosi e i suoi studi di astronomia. Saranno proprio le sue osservazioni e le sue ricerche a far trasparire la tragedia all'orizzonte (peccato che nessuno le dia retta).
Certo, in questo libro non mancano le cose strane: cani che parlano, psuedo-draghi usati al posto dei cavalli, uno strano re dei morti affogati in mare, un dio del vino che va tranquillamente in giro per taverne. E poi ci sono i Tyn, strane creaturine (solitamente più piccole degli esseri umani) dotate di particolari abilità “magiche”, ma spesso usati come schiavi in certe aziende.
Vedremo cosa ne sarà dei nostri poveri Kressind nel prossimo volume, sperando che sia più chiaro e un po' più scorrevole del primo.
July 5, 2018
I wanted to like the book, I really did. However, the positives aren't nearly as enough as to outweigh the many negatives and shortcomings to the point where I gave up around 1/4 of the way in.
Let's start with the positives:
The strongest part of this book is by far the world building. It is clear McKinley has put in a lot of love and effort into carefully crafting every detail of a fantasy world going through an industrial revolution. Magic and industry blended together, the slow but steady rise of science and engineering, and gods (literally) walking among men make for one of the most unique settings I've experienced. It also enables the emergence of a myriad of interesting characters. There are engineers, necromancers, and women making their way in a man's world all interacting with each other as effortlessly and naturally as characters in a more traditional setting. There are tales of ambition, political intrigue and scientific pursuit. Tales of the people of the "old world" fighting to keep the rigid status quo in place and magicians trying to find their place in a world where magic is slowly being made obsolete by science.
HOWEVER:
All of this is being suffocated and held back by an absolutely dreadful, boring and pretentious writing style. Everything (and I mean EVERYTHING) is described in excessive detail, which completely off-balances the pacing of the book. In the beginning chapters there are page-long descriptions literally every few steps the characters take, most of which are completely unnecessary and don't contribute to the reading experience in the slightest. A character is introduced with a very engaging perspective of their final moments, thoughts, feelings, and self-reflections only to be immediately killed off two pages later and the reader is literally told none of that was important. Which leads me to explain why I call the writing pretentious.
What really struck me as odd was the language. It feels like McKinley has deliberately chosen the fanciest words possible for no other reason than to impress the reader. It makes it unnecessarily difficult for a non-native English speaker to read and it makes some characters feel fake and forced, especially when you have such complex vocabulary being used in conversations involving simple common folk. This is made even worse by having characters randomly and pointlessly engage in philosophical monologues which (again) amount to nothing. A brief (non-spoiler) example: A character in a pub is asked to tell a story and an ENTIRE chapter is spent on them reflecting on what stories are, gods and men, existence and so on and on and on until they finally start the story in the NEXT chapter only for the reader to find out that the entire reflection was a giant waste of time. This also contributes to the pacing issue and the feeling there isn't really any plot to follow.
Coherent is the last word I'd use to describe the plot of the book. Characters are constantly being introduced and set up without them going anywhere for entire chapters. This wouldn't be as much of an issue if there was on overarching story-line that tied them all together. For the first 20-25% the book feels more like a collection of incomplete short stores which (very loosely) tie together and overlap. 130+ pages in I still wouldn't know what the plot was, if I hadn't read the short description on the back cover of the book, which should never be the case.
IN CONCLUSION:
I would say The Iron Ship is just wasted potential. A truly unique setting and characters are being dragged down by writing style, which is just frustrating to slog through and more than half of it feels like unnecessary padding that wastes the reader's time.
Let's start with the positives:
The strongest part of this book is by far the world building. It is clear McKinley has put in a lot of love and effort into carefully crafting every detail of a fantasy world going through an industrial revolution. Magic and industry blended together, the slow but steady rise of science and engineering, and gods (literally) walking among men make for one of the most unique settings I've experienced. It also enables the emergence of a myriad of interesting characters. There are engineers, necromancers, and women making their way in a man's world all interacting with each other as effortlessly and naturally as characters in a more traditional setting. There are tales of ambition, political intrigue and scientific pursuit. Tales of the people of the "old world" fighting to keep the rigid status quo in place and magicians trying to find their place in a world where magic is slowly being made obsolete by science.
HOWEVER:
All of this is being suffocated and held back by an absolutely dreadful, boring and pretentious writing style. Everything (and I mean EVERYTHING) is described in excessive detail, which completely off-balances the pacing of the book. In the beginning chapters there are page-long descriptions literally every few steps the characters take, most of which are completely unnecessary and don't contribute to the reading experience in the slightest. A character is introduced with a very engaging perspective of their final moments, thoughts, feelings, and self-reflections only to be immediately killed off two pages later and the reader is literally told none of that was important. Which leads me to explain why I call the writing pretentious.
What really struck me as odd was the language. It feels like McKinley has deliberately chosen the fanciest words possible for no other reason than to impress the reader. It makes it unnecessarily difficult for a non-native English speaker to read and it makes some characters feel fake and forced, especially when you have such complex vocabulary being used in conversations involving simple common folk. This is made even worse by having characters randomly and pointlessly engage in philosophical monologues which (again) amount to nothing. A brief (non-spoiler) example: A character in a pub is asked to tell a story and an ENTIRE chapter is spent on them reflecting on what stories are, gods and men, existence and so on and on and on until they finally start the story in the NEXT chapter only for the reader to find out that the entire reflection was a giant waste of time. This also contributes to the pacing issue and the feeling there isn't really any plot to follow.
Coherent is the last word I'd use to describe the plot of the book. Characters are constantly being introduced and set up without them going anywhere for entire chapters. This wouldn't be as much of an issue if there was on overarching story-line that tied them all together. For the first 20-25% the book feels more like a collection of incomplete short stores which (very loosely) tie together and overlap. 130+ pages in I still wouldn't know what the plot was, if I hadn't read the short description on the back cover of the book, which should never be the case.
IN CONCLUSION:
I would say The Iron Ship is just wasted potential. A truly unique setting and characters are being dragged down by writing style, which is just frustrating to slog through and more than half of it feels like unnecessary padding that wastes the reader's time.
July 16, 2017
The Iron Ship by K.M. McKinley is Epic Fantasy extraordinaire! The characters are very well written with just enough to give a diversity of plotlines to follow, but not so much that it is difficult to know who is who. The descriptions are lush and highly inventive. The settings are so richly detailed and described that you can imagine the smog in the air in the cities of Karsa and hear the ring of the hammers in the shipyard with the ship of the title, the 'Prince Alfra,' is being built. After a time the reader starts to really care for, and be concerned for, the different main characters.
Katarina Kressind is the sister everyone wants to root for: beautiful, strong, loving, and wicked smart. She has quietly stoop on the sidelines and watched and learned how to build a business empire, even though society says that her place is in the home or adorning her powerful husband's arm. Trassan Kressind, her brother, is the obsessed and ambitious engineer and explorer who dreams of building the great ship and will do anything to achieve his goals. Beleaguered and failed mage, Guis Kressind, is the tortured and troubled playwright who is fiercely protected of his sister and brothers while he fights his own terrible inner demon. From the lofty and wealthy Kressind family, the readers is also introduced to poor Tuvacs, a multi-lingual street urchin who is bought into indentured servitude to escape a hangman's noose. His master is the fallen son of a wealthy merchant family that everyone just wants to forget.
However, every book could always show some room for improvement. That is what the purpose of reviews are for (even though these are solely the opinions of the reader, myself). One of the first things that did throw me off on this book was that the author went to such lengths and great details to build this amazing world, and they took the discordant short-cut of using modern-day English profanity. That's just a pet peeve of mine, however. I much prefer those world-builders who build a unique profanity with the culture of their world. Another is that it really does take awhile to get to the final nexus of this story: the launching of the ship. In an interview on a another site with the author, the author explained that the book had always been planned as a trilogy. Perhaps that is why it seemed to drag on a bit. While I was interested in the characters, it really took some will power at points to pick it up again. At 650 pages, this book is not a 'quick read' or for the faint of heart. You're going to have to make a commitment to finish this one, folks.
That being said, I have already picked up a copy of the second book. My nightstand of future reading material had piled up a bit (Again!), so I'm going to give my brain a little break from the immerse world of the Kressind family for a few weeks. I do, however, recommend this book for fans of good fantasy writing.
Katarina Kressind is the sister everyone wants to root for: beautiful, strong, loving, and wicked smart. She has quietly stoop on the sidelines and watched and learned how to build a business empire, even though society says that her place is in the home or adorning her powerful husband's arm. Trassan Kressind, her brother, is the obsessed and ambitious engineer and explorer who dreams of building the great ship and will do anything to achieve his goals. Beleaguered and failed mage, Guis Kressind, is the tortured and troubled playwright who is fiercely protected of his sister and brothers while he fights his own terrible inner demon. From the lofty and wealthy Kressind family, the readers is also introduced to poor Tuvacs, a multi-lingual street urchin who is bought into indentured servitude to escape a hangman's noose. His master is the fallen son of a wealthy merchant family that everyone just wants to forget.
However, every book could always show some room for improvement. That is what the purpose of reviews are for (even though these are solely the opinions of the reader, myself). One of the first things that did throw me off on this book was that the author went to such lengths and great details to build this amazing world, and they took the discordant short-cut of using modern-day English profanity. That's just a pet peeve of mine, however. I much prefer those world-builders who build a unique profanity with the culture of their world. Another is that it really does take awhile to get to the final nexus of this story: the launching of the ship. In an interview on a another site with the author, the author explained that the book had always been planned as a trilogy. Perhaps that is why it seemed to drag on a bit. While I was interested in the characters, it really took some will power at points to pick it up again. At 650 pages, this book is not a 'quick read' or for the faint of heart. You're going to have to make a commitment to finish this one, folks.
That being said, I have already picked up a copy of the second book. My nightstand of future reading material had piled up a bit (Again!), so I'm going to give my brain a little break from the immerse world of the Kressind family for a few weeks. I do, however, recommend this book for fans of good fantasy writing.
February 17, 2020
The book has one of the most exciting beginnings I’ve read in a long time. Unfortunately, it doesn’t follow through.
Unlike most fantasy books, it has no medieval setting, but in the industrial solution. The current populace partially lives in the ruins of a lost civilization that was advanced enough to built robots. This hint of sci-fi elements was quite intriguing.
The story follows six siblings:
Aarin, a necromancer priest
Trassan, an engineer and designer of the titular Iron Ship
Guis, a mage born playwright, whose mental disability makes him quite dangerous
Katriona, a young girl that wants to make more of herself then the patriarchic society allows by marrying a somewhat weak-willed man and trying to turn his steel mill profitable again
Garten, a government employee and
Rel, a soldier who is exiled.
Then there is a slew of side characters that play a role in the story of those main characters like, for example, the Hag, whose romantic interest in Guis will have some far-reaching consequences.
This book focuses mainly on Trassan, Rel, and Katriona. The other siblings are either supporting characters or build-up for future novels. And that is my main criticism. The book reads almost like an anthology film. Only at the end do the pieces start to come together, and some never do. For example, for a brief while, a god functions as a narrator and then completely disappears. Or the incredibly thrilling prologue has no relevance to the rest of the book.
There are two main storylines: the building of the ship (Katriona introducing concepts such as line production feeds into that one) and Rel being send to an ancient fortress in the middle of nowhere, where they find hints of a dangerous people about to attack. And yes, the last one is pretty familiar. When you write a series that spans multiple books, then the entire storyline has to follow a three-act structure, but each has to do so as well. But this book is just laying the groundwork; it’s setting the scene, it’s an introduction. It teases a lot of intriguing ideas and then focuses mainly on building the ship. Theoretically, it has a conclusion, as the ship launches in the end, but getting there was mostly rather dull.
In conclusion, I would probably read the second one to see whether these interesting ideas finally pay off now that the author got the introduction out of his system. However, if the pacing of the next book doesn’t pick up in the first couple of chapters, I’m probably not going to finish the series.
Unlike most fantasy books, it has no medieval setting, but in the industrial solution. The current populace partially lives in the ruins of a lost civilization that was advanced enough to built robots. This hint of sci-fi elements was quite intriguing.
The story follows six siblings:
Aarin, a necromancer priest
Trassan, an engineer and designer of the titular Iron Ship
Guis, a mage born playwright, whose mental disability makes him quite dangerous
Katriona, a young girl that wants to make more of herself then the patriarchic society allows by marrying a somewhat weak-willed man and trying to turn his steel mill profitable again
Garten, a government employee and
Rel, a soldier who is exiled.
Then there is a slew of side characters that play a role in the story of those main characters like, for example, the Hag, whose romantic interest in Guis will have some far-reaching consequences.
This book focuses mainly on Trassan, Rel, and Katriona. The other siblings are either supporting characters or build-up for future novels. And that is my main criticism. The book reads almost like an anthology film. Only at the end do the pieces start to come together, and some never do. For example, for a brief while, a god functions as a narrator and then completely disappears. Or the incredibly thrilling prologue has no relevance to the rest of the book.
There are two main storylines: the building of the ship (Katriona introducing concepts such as line production feeds into that one) and Rel being send to an ancient fortress in the middle of nowhere, where they find hints of a dangerous people about to attack. And yes, the last one is pretty familiar. When you write a series that spans multiple books, then the entire storyline has to follow a three-act structure, but each has to do so as well. But this book is just laying the groundwork; it’s setting the scene, it’s an introduction. It teases a lot of intriguing ideas and then focuses mainly on building the ship. Theoretically, it has a conclusion, as the ship launches in the end, but getting there was mostly rather dull.
In conclusion, I would probably read the second one to see whether these interesting ideas finally pay off now that the author got the introduction out of his system. However, if the pacing of the next book doesn’t pick up in the first couple of chapters, I’m probably not going to finish the series.
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