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The City of Locked Doors
Four hundred years ago a plague befell the world. It warped the bodies of all organic things and drove both man and beast rabid during the night. Law and order vanished in a matter of days, along with most of the human race.
Years passed and from this madness rose the Tyrants, a brutal god-like sect of individuals who could enforce their will on the surviving dregs of humanity. With their tyranny, they brought order back into the world and established settlements. A convoluted semblance of civilization began aided by the magic of Necromancy, to raise those butchered in the night, and Hemomancy, to heal their injuries.
In Umbras, domain of the Tyrant Lock-And-Key, all humans are imprisoned at night where they cannot harm others or the city. Beyond that however, Lock-And-Key does little to interfere with the lives of her subjects. They live and bide with a tentative happiness in the enforced peace her presence brings, until, in the dark of one night, a stranger comes to Umbras.
Years passed and from this madness rose the Tyrants, a brutal god-like sect of individuals who could enforce their will on the surviving dregs of humanity. With their tyranny, they brought order back into the world and established settlements. A convoluted semblance of civilization began aided by the magic of Necromancy, to raise those butchered in the night, and Hemomancy, to heal their injuries.
In Umbras, domain of the Tyrant Lock-And-Key, all humans are imprisoned at night where they cannot harm others or the city. Beyond that however, Lock-And-Key does little to interfere with the lives of her subjects. They live and bide with a tentative happiness in the enforced peace her presence brings, until, in the dark of one night, a stranger comes to Umbras.
- GenresFantasy
318 pages, Paperback
First published November 20, 2017
3 people are currently reading
21 people want to read
About the author
Tristen Kozinski
7 books27 followers Keegan and Tristen Kozinski, and their two sisters, were homeschooled. They were encouraged to try many things, but not television, online gaming, social media, and the other various technology devices. Their mother read aloud to all of us extensively and encouraged us to read, read, read, and then read some more. They played family boardgames at least one day a week, (playing board games with the family is still one of their favorite things to do) occasionally went to the movies, spent hours at book stores just reading, we hiked, we swam, tried camping but nobody really liked it.
Keegan spent hours building knex, but never got into legos. He has taken online drawing classes with Glenn Vilppu and CGMA academy.
Tristen is a very hands-off beekeeper. He began playing chess while living in Mexico, and for a number of years played weekly and attended local competitions, but has since switched to other interests.
As with all good education, writing is essential. We were given our fair share of opportunities to write.
We decided to become writers after a homeschool writing assignment. That assignment eventually became our first book: THE DARKNESS THAT SLEPT. We started it at the age of thirteen—it took years to finish. We have since published a few short stories, and two other novels: THE CITY OF LOCKED DOORS, and STORMFLOWER.
We live in northern Alabama and work a real job to pay the bills. When we’re not working or writing or drawing, we enjoy boardgames and online gaming, live theater, listening to soundtracks, walking to discuss ideas, and reading. We are not particularly fond of social media.
Tristen writes reviews for books he reads/listens to and posts them on Adventuresome Book Reviews. Keegan has done all the cover art for their books.
If you would like for us to review a book for contact us. If you are reader and want us to review a book for you, contact us.
Keegan spent hours building knex, but never got into legos. He has taken online drawing classes with Glenn Vilppu and CGMA academy.
Tristen is a very hands-off beekeeper. He began playing chess while living in Mexico, and for a number of years played weekly and attended local competitions, but has since switched to other interests.
As with all good education, writing is essential. We were given our fair share of opportunities to write.
We decided to become writers after a homeschool writing assignment. That assignment eventually became our first book: THE DARKNESS THAT SLEPT. We started it at the age of thirteen—it took years to finish. We have since published a few short stories, and two other novels: THE CITY OF LOCKED DOORS, and STORMFLOWER.
We live in northern Alabama and work a real job to pay the bills. When we’re not working or writing or drawing, we enjoy boardgames and online gaming, live theater, listening to soundtracks, walking to discuss ideas, and reading. We are not particularly fond of social media.
Tristen writes reviews for books he reads/listens to and posts them on Adventuresome Book Reviews. Keegan has done all the cover art for their books.
If you would like for us to review a book for contact us. If you are reader and want us to review a book for you, contact us.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
August 24, 2017
***I was provided an advanced copy of this book*** I loved the characters. They were all distinct in both their actions and dialogue. I loved Noir most of all. He definitely had personality. Analytical and careless. Anti-hero. Funny! I've never read a book where the main character was the villain, because Noir totally was. Everything he did was bad, and that was so cool. Plot and characters moved along nicely. Writing style was unique and engaging. Loved the ending. Did not expect that. Overall, very enjoyable.
September 29, 2019
The main character was a twist from most fantasy novels, seemingly similarly to dark fantasy novels, though. He is more of an anti-hero or antagonistic protagonist. He has split personalities that cause plenty of internal conflict and introspective conversations. The world is cruel and full of creatures. Everything has become dark and dystopian-like. Which I absolutely love. There is a strong sense of mystery, adventure, survival, and constant danger. All of which make this book a quicker read.
April 10, 2018
I've been exposed to a lot of, shall we say dark literature. My academic background revolves around Gothic/horror and science fiction, so I've had my fair share of gloomy and antipathic characters, the supernatural, decayed settings, and what not. However, despite that fact - or, who knows, perhaps precisely because of it - I usually don't read such fictions for pleasure. I decided to give The City of Locked Doors a try as a sort of challenge for myself.
I think it would be fair to mention it as a first thing: the novel doesn't attempt to display any ambiguity in terms of its metaphysics. In other words, the old Gothic dilemma of "supernatural accepted" versus "supernatural explained" doesn't enter the equation at all here. Already in the first few pages, the reader realizes that the world described by the book is clearly one far from natural. Personally I like at least a bit of ambiguity into the mix, but this is purely a personal preference, and not a fault of the book.
The pace of the narrative is a bit slow but it does move forward, so there aren't any great complaints here. The language is descriptive and does justice to the apocalyptic setting, but it does get a bit self-important at times. That is, the choice of words occasionally comes off as a bit artificial and forced. This is at variance with the genre of the book, and I believe the intended audience might feel that the text is a bit too cerebral. Still, not a deal-breaker. To an extent, the occasionally bombastic descriptions become justified by the nature of the main character, Noir. To put it modestly, he's quite an arrogant piece of work (I mean that as a compliment, in case it wasn't readily apparent).
The plot itself is nothing uniquely original (ultimately it's just a revenge story), but in no way is that a problem. I think unique storytelling produces more solid results compared to a convoluted storyline, and the novel delivers where it matters (to name one example, the protagonist's inner dialogue is thoroughly enjoyable, and brings added value).
One area that could be improved a bit was the beginning. The reader entering the novel is slapped hard with a whole bag of names, situations, locations, and what not, that feel overwhelming. It's initially very difficult to situate one's self within the universe of the novel, as the context is all but absent. I do confess that I almost gave up on it at the very beginning - however, I'm glad I persisted, as the subsequent sections improve drastically. Once readers grasp the who-is-who (and, mostly, who does what in terms of special abilities), it's basically easy to follow and like the novel. Indeed, occasionally I felt I was in a video-game story, down to death not being quite... final.
All in all, as usual, it comes down to what one seeks: readers interested in dystopias, apocalyptic settings, battles, factions, and supernatural powers will feel right at home and should definitely take a look.
I think it would be fair to mention it as a first thing: the novel doesn't attempt to display any ambiguity in terms of its metaphysics. In other words, the old Gothic dilemma of "supernatural accepted" versus "supernatural explained" doesn't enter the equation at all here. Already in the first few pages, the reader realizes that the world described by the book is clearly one far from natural. Personally I like at least a bit of ambiguity into the mix, but this is purely a personal preference, and not a fault of the book.
The pace of the narrative is a bit slow but it does move forward, so there aren't any great complaints here. The language is descriptive and does justice to the apocalyptic setting, but it does get a bit self-important at times. That is, the choice of words occasionally comes off as a bit artificial and forced. This is at variance with the genre of the book, and I believe the intended audience might feel that the text is a bit too cerebral. Still, not a deal-breaker. To an extent, the occasionally bombastic descriptions become justified by the nature of the main character, Noir. To put it modestly, he's quite an arrogant piece of work (I mean that as a compliment, in case it wasn't readily apparent).
The plot itself is nothing uniquely original (ultimately it's just a revenge story), but in no way is that a problem. I think unique storytelling produces more solid results compared to a convoluted storyline, and the novel delivers where it matters (to name one example, the protagonist's inner dialogue is thoroughly enjoyable, and brings added value).
One area that could be improved a bit was the beginning. The reader entering the novel is slapped hard with a whole bag of names, situations, locations, and what not, that feel overwhelming. It's initially very difficult to situate one's self within the universe of the novel, as the context is all but absent. I do confess that I almost gave up on it at the very beginning - however, I'm glad I persisted, as the subsequent sections improve drastically. Once readers grasp the who-is-who (and, mostly, who does what in terms of special abilities), it's basically easy to follow and like the novel. Indeed, occasionally I felt I was in a video-game story, down to death not being quite... final.
All in all, as usual, it comes down to what one seeks: readers interested in dystopias, apocalyptic settings, battles, factions, and supernatural powers will feel right at home and should definitely take a look.
January 26, 2020
THE CITY OF LOCKED DOORS, a dark fantasy authored by Tristen Kozinski with illustrations by Keegan Kozinski, centers on Noir, a powerful male shadowmancer with the ability to make and manipulate "shadowsteel" objects from ordinary shadows. To avenge the murder of his twin brother Alighieri, Noir travels to Umbras - the first of the Seven Cities. Umbras is a machine/prison-city, required to incarcerate its inhabitants at night since that is when The Plague turns their "Doctor Jekyll" natures into those of "Mister Hyde" and madness reigns.
Umbras contains several districts, each having their own personalities, echoing those of their ruling Proctors. Noir soon gains an important leadership role in the Doll District under Proctor Solomon Doll. In doing so, he takes a young female undertaker, Adrian (who pretends to be male for her own protection), under his wing. But Adrian is responsible for monitoring Solomon Doll's militia - a group Noir now leads - to learn of any human who would disrupt "the Pattern" of Umbras.
After Academy Director Alucard Solace is killed in the Grim District, chaos reigns in Umbras and no one is safe. And when things appear at their worst, a new species calling themselves "Architects" arrives in the city, prompting the populace to foretell the return of "Dark Father" - a supreme evil from an age long ago.
As he propels himself to his ultimate goal, Noir must deal with other shadowmancers, hemomancers (those who manipulate blood), necromancers (those who raise and control the dead), and pathomancers (those who manipulate diseases and emotions). Interestingly, Noir's mind contains a strong inner being with whom he's always conversing (and there is a clever writing format here to ensure clarity: the inner being's thoughts always begin with a bold typeface letter).
While perhaps not professionally edited, the writing is mostly clean and accurate, written mainly in Noir's third person limited point of view (and that of his strong inner being). From time to time a chapter in Adrian's POV is sprinkled in - a nice touch.
Any who liked the 1998 movie DARK CITY should also like THE CITY OF LOCKED DOORS.
Umbras contains several districts, each having their own personalities, echoing those of their ruling Proctors. Noir soon gains an important leadership role in the Doll District under Proctor Solomon Doll. In doing so, he takes a young female undertaker, Adrian (who pretends to be male for her own protection), under his wing. But Adrian is responsible for monitoring Solomon Doll's militia - a group Noir now leads - to learn of any human who would disrupt "the Pattern" of Umbras.
After Academy Director Alucard Solace is killed in the Grim District, chaos reigns in Umbras and no one is safe. And when things appear at their worst, a new species calling themselves "Architects" arrives in the city, prompting the populace to foretell the return of "Dark Father" - a supreme evil from an age long ago.
As he propels himself to his ultimate goal, Noir must deal with other shadowmancers, hemomancers (those who manipulate blood), necromancers (those who raise and control the dead), and pathomancers (those who manipulate diseases and emotions). Interestingly, Noir's mind contains a strong inner being with whom he's always conversing (and there is a clever writing format here to ensure clarity: the inner being's thoughts always begin with a bold typeface letter).
While perhaps not professionally edited, the writing is mostly clean and accurate, written mainly in Noir's third person limited point of view (and that of his strong inner being). From time to time a chapter in Adrian's POV is sprinkled in - a nice touch.
Any who liked the 1998 movie DARK CITY should also like THE CITY OF LOCKED DOORS.
October 22, 2018
City of Locked Doors has me of two minds, much like its main character, Noir.
Firstly, this world is one of the most original apocalyptic/dark fantasy/urban fantasy books I have ever read. The fact that humans become monstrous Hydes at night, can be resurrected when they die, and the power of hemomancers, necromancers, shadowmancers, etc. was a new take on monster and mage. There's even a bit of a steampunk feel to some of this, which I am never against. My only quibble here is that I wanted to know more about this world. The history of Umbras and civilization after the plague is detailed enough to warrant an encyclopedia, and there are a lot of casual references to other cities, other Tyrants, historical post-apocalyptic events, or events involving the main character, etc. that felt like they needed more detail. There were points where I felt like I was reading book 2 of a series for which no book 1 had ever been written.
Second item- Noir. The main character is an archetypal man on a revenge mission. In general, I liked his no-nonsense, bludgeon or impale anything that gets in his way attitude. The conversations between himself and his "conscience" are quite amusing as well. I have two quibbles here that are basically the same. One, I found the twist about his conscience to be a little obvious. Second, there is a moment at the end where Noir appears to reveal something about his true name. It's not clear if Noir is speaking honestly or hyperbolically, but I spent the vast majority of the book saying to myself to please not have him be SPOILER, and then he says essentially, "I am SPOILER." It really took me out of the ending of the book.
For all indies, I always feel obligated to mention the editing, and there were a few issues here and there, but not enough to dissuade me from enjoying the story.
Overall, I would say this is an interesting if very dark read.
Firstly, this world is one of the most original apocalyptic/dark fantasy/urban fantasy books I have ever read. The fact that humans become monstrous Hydes at night, can be resurrected when they die, and the power of hemomancers, necromancers, shadowmancers, etc. was a new take on monster and mage. There's even a bit of a steampunk feel to some of this, which I am never against. My only quibble here is that I wanted to know more about this world. The history of Umbras and civilization after the plague is detailed enough to warrant an encyclopedia, and there are a lot of casual references to other cities, other Tyrants, historical post-apocalyptic events, or events involving the main character, etc. that felt like they needed more detail. There were points where I felt like I was reading book 2 of a series for which no book 1 had ever been written.
Second item- Noir. The main character is an archetypal man on a revenge mission. In general, I liked his no-nonsense, bludgeon or impale anything that gets in his way attitude. The conversations between himself and his "conscience" are quite amusing as well. I have two quibbles here that are basically the same. One, I found the twist about his conscience to be a little obvious. Second, there is a moment at the end where Noir appears to reveal something about his true name. It's not clear if Noir is speaking honestly or hyperbolically, but I spent the vast majority of the book saying to myself to please not have him be SPOILER, and then he says essentially, "I am SPOILER." It really took me out of the ending of the book.
For all indies, I always feel obligated to mention the editing, and there were a few issues here and there, but not enough to dissuade me from enjoying the story.
Overall, I would say this is an interesting if very dark read.
August 6, 2019
Actual rating 4.5 stars.
From the start, we’re led into a dark, post-apocalyptic world of shadows and beasts by Noir, an immortal with a seemingly common goal in mind; vengeance. Things shift even darker as we enter Umbras, a city of monsters, men and desperation to learn of the impermanence of death in this new world. Each day is a game of death and reanimation, one that tramples the sanctity of life.
I absolutely love the setting, the city of Umbras is as alive as its inhabitants (and sometimes more so). Noir is an interesting character to get to know, his actions, motivations and madness so much deeper than they seem in the beginning. Following him throughout the city bleeds even more life into an already vivid part of this created world. Its heartbeat means as much to him as his own, maybe even as much as the mission he is on.
That said, there were a few typos that woke up my inner Grammar Nazi. With so much content, it’s not surprising that a few managed to slip through the cracks. My only other complaint is in the true battles of the story. Noir is an overpowered character (for good reason), and it makes the stakes seem less than they are. At one point, it’s even joked by another character that no one wants a hero who is stronger than all his adversaries. I don’t consider Noir a hero, but do come to respect him more through his interactions with Adrian, a young half-Undertaker girl he shows a fondness for.
Though there is no indication of a book 2, I would be elated to learn a series revolving around these characters was in the works, perhaps one where Adrian has come into her own to even the playing field, if only marginally.
If you enjoy steampunk and dark, brutal tales, this is for you. It’s unique and inspired with enough twists to leave you guessing up to the very end.
From the start, we’re led into a dark, post-apocalyptic world of shadows and beasts by Noir, an immortal with a seemingly common goal in mind; vengeance. Things shift even darker as we enter Umbras, a city of monsters, men and desperation to learn of the impermanence of death in this new world. Each day is a game of death and reanimation, one that tramples the sanctity of life.
I absolutely love the setting, the city of Umbras is as alive as its inhabitants (and sometimes more so). Noir is an interesting character to get to know, his actions, motivations and madness so much deeper than they seem in the beginning. Following him throughout the city bleeds even more life into an already vivid part of this created world. Its heartbeat means as much to him as his own, maybe even as much as the mission he is on.
That said, there were a few typos that woke up my inner Grammar Nazi. With so much content, it’s not surprising that a few managed to slip through the cracks. My only other complaint is in the true battles of the story. Noir is an overpowered character (for good reason), and it makes the stakes seem less than they are. At one point, it’s even joked by another character that no one wants a hero who is stronger than all his adversaries. I don’t consider Noir a hero, but do come to respect him more through his interactions with Adrian, a young half-Undertaker girl he shows a fondness for.
Though there is no indication of a book 2, I would be elated to learn a series revolving around these characters was in the works, perhaps one where Adrian has come into her own to even the playing field, if only marginally.
If you enjoy steampunk and dark, brutal tales, this is for you. It’s unique and inspired with enough twists to leave you guessing up to the very end.
July 26, 2020
Macabre Lovecraftian Steampunk Fantasy
The City of Locked Doors opens with a rather intimidating Compendium of Terms that caused me immediate concern that this story might not be for me. In retrospect, I think I would have been better off skipping that page and diving right in to Chapter 1. The world-building in this story is as complex and detailed as any fantasy novel, and it's probably best to let the pieces come together naturally within the narrative. The city of Umbras is a fascinating location, and the post-plague world is unlike anything I've ever read before. I enjoyed all the new details that were revealed as the story unfolded. I wish some aspects had been explained a bit more. I'm still not entirely clear what the Undertakers are, despite feeling like I got to know one very well in the character of Adrian. The main protagonist (I won't call him a hero) is a unique, almost god-like character named Noir, who is particularly talented in the magic art of Shadowmancy, constructing solid objects from shadows. His near invulnerability might work against creating tension at times, but Noir has more on his mind than just surviving or even exacting revenge for his brother's murder. And speaking of Noir's mind, one of the more amusing aspects of this story is the ongoing internal dialogue Noir has with an acerbic voice in his head, whose running commentary on Noir's actions is often quite funny. The nature of this voice, and Noir's true purpose in returning to Umbras, are eventually revealed in a satisfying conclusion. I suspect there is probably a very specific niche audience for this type of story, but it is a well-written, imaginative book, and if a world where everyone turns into some sort of "Hyde" creature at night sounds like your wheelhouse, this might be a home run for you.
The City of Locked Doors opens with a rather intimidating Compendium of Terms that caused me immediate concern that this story might not be for me. In retrospect, I think I would have been better off skipping that page and diving right in to Chapter 1. The world-building in this story is as complex and detailed as any fantasy novel, and it's probably best to let the pieces come together naturally within the narrative. The city of Umbras is a fascinating location, and the post-plague world is unlike anything I've ever read before. I enjoyed all the new details that were revealed as the story unfolded. I wish some aspects had been explained a bit more. I'm still not entirely clear what the Undertakers are, despite feeling like I got to know one very well in the character of Adrian. The main protagonist (I won't call him a hero) is a unique, almost god-like character named Noir, who is particularly talented in the magic art of Shadowmancy, constructing solid objects from shadows. His near invulnerability might work against creating tension at times, but Noir has more on his mind than just surviving or even exacting revenge for his brother's murder. And speaking of Noir's mind, one of the more amusing aspects of this story is the ongoing internal dialogue Noir has with an acerbic voice in his head, whose running commentary on Noir's actions is often quite funny. The nature of this voice, and Noir's true purpose in returning to Umbras, are eventually revealed in a satisfying conclusion. I suspect there is probably a very specific niche audience for this type of story, but it is a well-written, imaginative book, and if a world where everyone turns into some sort of "Hyde" creature at night sounds like your wheelhouse, this might be a home run for you.
June 6, 2018
The City of Locked Doors delves deep into the dark fantasy realm, tracing the movements of the protagonist Noir, as he leaves bloody wake in pursuit of revenge.
The writing is very detailed, albeit somewhat meandering at times. While perhaps a little heavy handed with the adjectives in the prose, the style lends itself quite well to the portrayal of Noir's conquest and combat throughout. Having a fairly vivid imagination myself, often times I find the description of battle in the fantasy genre can be somewhat confusing if not clearly articulated - it's evident Kozinski took the time to read and re-read those passages to ensure they flowed correctly. As a result, the action sequences tended to pace significantly faster than the majority of the narrative.
At ~260 pages, it's a brisk read. You may find yourself wishing they had explored character motivation a bit deeper, or revealed a bit more in the backstory or lead up, but much of that could be revealed in a future installment.
Overall, it's an enjoyable read. Worth checking out if you are into the dark fantasy 'revenge' motif with an arguably anti-hero protagonist.
The writing is very detailed, albeit somewhat meandering at times. While perhaps a little heavy handed with the adjectives in the prose, the style lends itself quite well to the portrayal of Noir's conquest and combat throughout. Having a fairly vivid imagination myself, often times I find the description of battle in the fantasy genre can be somewhat confusing if not clearly articulated - it's evident Kozinski took the time to read and re-read those passages to ensure they flowed correctly. As a result, the action sequences tended to pace significantly faster than the majority of the narrative.
At ~260 pages, it's a brisk read. You may find yourself wishing they had explored character motivation a bit deeper, or revealed a bit more in the backstory or lead up, but much of that could be revealed in a future installment.
Overall, it's an enjoyable read. Worth checking out if you are into the dark fantasy 'revenge' motif with an arguably anti-hero protagonist.
February 2, 2018
A mysterious individual with incredible powers seeks revenge.
I found the main character and world created very different, and quite difficult to get into. The split personality of the central protagonists and his internal discussions provided an alternate view of a very dark world / situation, full of death and destruction. There was plenty of action, fantastical creatures and mystery which kept my attention. The dramatic scenes were well handled / described.
My overall is 3.5 stars as some of the writing was too complex (at least for me).
If you enjoy action packed alternate worlds full of deadly creations then this book is worth a look.
I found the main character and world created very different, and quite difficult to get into. The split personality of the central protagonists and his internal discussions provided an alternate view of a very dark world / situation, full of death and destruction. There was plenty of action, fantastical creatures and mystery which kept my attention. The dramatic scenes were well handled / described.
My overall is 3.5 stars as some of the writing was too complex (at least for me).
If you enjoy action packed alternate worlds full of deadly creations then this book is worth a look.
June 16, 2018
An extremely intricate nether-world of necromancy, sorcery, and magic populated by beings who think and talk like humans but bear no resemblance whatsoever. Although an age-old story of revenge, Kozinski’s imagination has taken the familiar and made it new and strange. Waring voices in the protagonist’s mind give clues to his immortal background and present motivations. Every dystopian landscape and vengeful deed are surrounded by a dark mythic quality with apocalyptic overtones. Spend some time in this ethereal existence and get to know the characters this new author brings to life. Third-person omniscient point of view.
October 21, 2019
As it stands, I’m not sure if I’ve just read a book about a bad guy doing bad things, a good guy doing bad things for the right reasons, or something else. I never really connected to the main character, Noir, but I suppose that’s a good thing. This is a revenge story that is often incredibly descriptive-almost to a fault at times-though it helps that Kozinski obviously has a firm grasp on his own world. There were times that I didn’t fully comprehend the minutiae, but I always trusted that the author did-something I don’t always feel in books. This would be a good book for anyone into dark fantasy that doesn’t require a likeable protagonist and doesn’t need the plot wrapped in a bow.
April 18, 2020
3.5 stars
World building is not easy. Character development is tough. Dialogue tricky. Not falling asleep at the wheel (i.e. plotting), problematic. The City of Lock Doors, by the Kozinkis clicks most of the check boxes. However, something is missing.
Before chapter one can put its hooks into us, we are given a glossary of terms. Now, I have seen other novels do this to varying degrees of success. On one hand it is helpful to have that information right up front, but on the other it can be a bit of a warning sign: danger, info dumps ahead. Thankfully the Kozinski brothers navigate this effectively enough. However, since we are talking about warning signs, I would suggest updating that art. Nothing says, “written during math class,” than art that looks like it was drawn during said class. I perused the other titles produced by these two so I know they can do better.
Into the novel itself, we are immediately introduced to the strangeness of the post-apocalyptic world of Umbras, and Noir our anti-hero. There is a lot going on here. Plagues, a sort of lycanthrope condition, various magic users. The setting takes a while to get used to. Then there is the storyline which folds the background into a plot revolving around the revenge for the murder of Noir’s brother. Political subterfuge, and a coming-of-age story are also thrown in, the latter dealing with the second main character, Adrian – who is more akin to this novel’s Sam, than Noir’s Frodo. What makes this even more complicated are some of the stylistic choices, along with Noir’s constant inner thoughts, and a divergent personality thereupon.
This is not an easy read, and a lot of aspects seem to be both equally brilliant and lacking. I am going to break this down into a few sections.
Characters
The main and supporting cast are unique, fully realized individuals. Though Noir is in some ways a Gary Stu sort of anti-hero, he is never boring. We do not get any real character development from him, however. Such instead comes through the other main protagonist, Adrian. She is a more light-hearted, innocent choice, with weaknesses and vulnerabilities. These side characters serve as better vehicles for drama.
Dialogue
One of the main strengths is the excellent dialogue. None of it is stilted, or unrealistic. The little nuances the Kovinskis infuse into their work help establish the uniqueness of the characters and keep the novel entertaining.
Setting
The world and environs are vibrant, and well described. But not realistic. It is hard to picture the city as something that would or could exist. Naturally, this is fantasy, and by some standards it is meant to be unrealistic. However, the systems in this book stretch disbelief.
Story
Here is where we see more issues. The revenge plot is standard, but there is little real tension. Every fight scene either ends with Noir completely outclassing his opponent or lulling them into a false sense of security when he inevitably brings out some trick. Often, the reader is led to believe Noir is in serious straights, only to be revealed at the end that he was never in true danger. Rather like an old school professional wrestling match. Effectively, the entire resolution and all the twists are predictable, and you are left with the feeling of something missing. Rather, like the story is rushed.
Writing Style
The prose in his story is fantastic. Yet there are times when the word choice is probably a bit too sophisticated for the intended audience. Personally, I think that there are enough books catering to a simpler clientele. A lack of clarity, however, is an issue. The first few chapters take a while to get used to, especially as there is nothing explaining who – inside Noir’s own head – is talking at any time. Couple this with the previously mentioned complicated word choice and it is understandable that some readers will have problems
Final Verdict
Despite the problems I found this an entertaining read. I was not absolutely drawn to it, nor repelled. The prose is charming, the characters interesting, but the story line in the end was not meaty enough to push this book over the top. Still, it is a solid three stars, to three-and-a-half sort of book.
World building is not easy. Character development is tough. Dialogue tricky. Not falling asleep at the wheel (i.e. plotting), problematic. The City of Lock Doors, by the Kozinkis clicks most of the check boxes. However, something is missing.
Before chapter one can put its hooks into us, we are given a glossary of terms. Now, I have seen other novels do this to varying degrees of success. On one hand it is helpful to have that information right up front, but on the other it can be a bit of a warning sign: danger, info dumps ahead. Thankfully the Kozinski brothers navigate this effectively enough. However, since we are talking about warning signs, I would suggest updating that art. Nothing says, “written during math class,” than art that looks like it was drawn during said class. I perused the other titles produced by these two so I know they can do better.
Into the novel itself, we are immediately introduced to the strangeness of the post-apocalyptic world of Umbras, and Noir our anti-hero. There is a lot going on here. Plagues, a sort of lycanthrope condition, various magic users. The setting takes a while to get used to. Then there is the storyline which folds the background into a plot revolving around the revenge for the murder of Noir’s brother. Political subterfuge, and a coming-of-age story are also thrown in, the latter dealing with the second main character, Adrian – who is more akin to this novel’s Sam, than Noir’s Frodo. What makes this even more complicated are some of the stylistic choices, along with Noir’s constant inner thoughts, and a divergent personality thereupon.
This is not an easy read, and a lot of aspects seem to be both equally brilliant and lacking. I am going to break this down into a few sections.
Characters
The main and supporting cast are unique, fully realized individuals. Though Noir is in some ways a Gary Stu sort of anti-hero, he is never boring. We do not get any real character development from him, however. Such instead comes through the other main protagonist, Adrian. She is a more light-hearted, innocent choice, with weaknesses and vulnerabilities. These side characters serve as better vehicles for drama.
Dialogue
One of the main strengths is the excellent dialogue. None of it is stilted, or unrealistic. The little nuances the Kovinskis infuse into their work help establish the uniqueness of the characters and keep the novel entertaining.
Setting
The world and environs are vibrant, and well described. But not realistic. It is hard to picture the city as something that would or could exist. Naturally, this is fantasy, and by some standards it is meant to be unrealistic. However, the systems in this book stretch disbelief.
Story
Here is where we see more issues. The revenge plot is standard, but there is little real tension. Every fight scene either ends with Noir completely outclassing his opponent or lulling them into a false sense of security when he inevitably brings out some trick. Often, the reader is led to believe Noir is in serious straights, only to be revealed at the end that he was never in true danger. Rather like an old school professional wrestling match. Effectively, the entire resolution and all the twists are predictable, and you are left with the feeling of something missing. Rather, like the story is rushed.
Writing Style
The prose in his story is fantastic. Yet there are times when the word choice is probably a bit too sophisticated for the intended audience. Personally, I think that there are enough books catering to a simpler clientele. A lack of clarity, however, is an issue. The first few chapters take a while to get used to, especially as there is nothing explaining who – inside Noir’s own head – is talking at any time. Couple this with the previously mentioned complicated word choice and it is understandable that some readers will have problems
Final Verdict
Despite the problems I found this an entertaining read. I was not absolutely drawn to it, nor repelled. The prose is charming, the characters interesting, but the story line in the end was not meaty enough to push this book over the top. Still, it is a solid three stars, to three-and-a-half sort of book.
October 1, 2020
I'm not good with fantasy. It bothers me that sci fi and fantasy are always lumped together, because the two are (literally) worlds apart. For me, fantasy novels are a memory exercise: remember who belongs to which guild, who's the son of who, what a certain type of magic does, what a never-not-Latin-sounding power means and in what context, etc. It stresses me out. It's why I'd categorise Dune as a fantasy novel rather than sci fi; sure, it takes place on different planets and involves spaceflight, but really it's all about family lineages, religion, ecology and medieval power structures.
So, hand me a fantasy novel and I'll probably be a little apprehensive.
EVEN SO. The City of Locked Doors was a surprisingly easy read for me. Maybe because it's violent and bleak and grittier than a mouthful of sand and that's what I like. Sure, I winced when I saw the descriptions for the hydes, the evolved and the adepts at the beginning, and I did have to mark it and keep going back to it in the early going because I forgot what things like 'hemomantic' meant in conjunction with wood, or shadowmancer (someone who can manipulate shadows, duh). But the ideas are presented with such confidence, with no open-ended questions or contradictions of internal logic, that it became ingrained in my reading memory soon enough. Add to that some fantastically imagined concepts, like Umbras, the prison city, the ruling Proctors (reminded me of the religious sect in Meat), the plague (there's always some kind of plague, isn't there), and even little things like shadowsteel bullets and tech that would feel at home in a cyberpunk novel, and you have a well-rounded world that feels organic, seamless, lived-in.
I'm not sure if Noir, the 'protagonist', is supposed to be satirical or not, especially with the internal voice commenting on everything that is going on, but he's a refreshing change from the hero with a quest thrust upon them or the brooding anti-hero with a heart of gold. This guy is just a bastard. Overpowered/Mary Sue all to hell, but maybe that's part of the satirical element, too?
The writing is good. Consistent, evocative, with a defined voice that builds up a dreamlike, fairly nightmarish tone from the first chapter - in fact, the cover captures it pretty well. Nosferatu meets Hellraiser. The narrative style is quite unique in that combines old-world descriptions with language/dialogue that would look more familiar in a modern-day YA setting (and sometimes Shaw Brothers-era kung fu movies), but I think it works. It's not overreaching. It would maybe benefit from paring it back from time to time. Not every sentence has to be gilded purple; sometimes a blunt description will do.
All in all: a fantasy novel that didn't leave me colder than a necromancer.
So, hand me a fantasy novel and I'll probably be a little apprehensive.
EVEN SO. The City of Locked Doors was a surprisingly easy read for me. Maybe because it's violent and bleak and grittier than a mouthful of sand and that's what I like. Sure, I winced when I saw the descriptions for the hydes, the evolved and the adepts at the beginning, and I did have to mark it and keep going back to it in the early going because I forgot what things like 'hemomantic' meant in conjunction with wood, or shadowmancer (someone who can manipulate shadows, duh). But the ideas are presented with such confidence, with no open-ended questions or contradictions of internal logic, that it became ingrained in my reading memory soon enough. Add to that some fantastically imagined concepts, like Umbras, the prison city, the ruling Proctors (reminded me of the religious sect in Meat), the plague (there's always some kind of plague, isn't there), and even little things like shadowsteel bullets and tech that would feel at home in a cyberpunk novel, and you have a well-rounded world that feels organic, seamless, lived-in.
I'm not sure if Noir, the 'protagonist', is supposed to be satirical or not, especially with the internal voice commenting on everything that is going on, but he's a refreshing change from the hero with a quest thrust upon them or the brooding anti-hero with a heart of gold. This guy is just a bastard. Overpowered/Mary Sue all to hell, but maybe that's part of the satirical element, too?
The writing is good. Consistent, evocative, with a defined voice that builds up a dreamlike, fairly nightmarish tone from the first chapter - in fact, the cover captures it pretty well. Nosferatu meets Hellraiser. The narrative style is quite unique in that combines old-world descriptions with language/dialogue that would look more familiar in a modern-day YA setting (and sometimes Shaw Brothers-era kung fu movies), but I think it works. It's not overreaching. It would maybe benefit from paring it back from time to time. Not every sentence has to be gilded purple; sometimes a blunt description will do.
All in all: a fantasy novel that didn't leave me colder than a necromancer.
January 14, 2020
Review of City of Locked Doors by Tristen Kozinski
The City of Locked Doors is a dark fantasy more or less in the vein of The Lord of the Rings. Its intent is not so much to create an effect of horror as to tell an eerie story of a group of disparate semi-human characters on a quest for vengeance—to set things right in a kingdom ruled by magic and sword.
This novel should appeal to readers of dark fantasy because it is well written and imaginative. It is the first in a series, yet it seems complete by itself. The violence in the book is mainly supernatural. There is some foul language used, yet this book will probably appeal to a YA as well as an adult audience.
I found this book easy to read. The narrative flows effortlessly, and there is a lot of conflict. The main character is a powerful creature of action, not thought, but he is tempered by an inner voice continually urging him toward more intelligent and humane choices.
The back story of the novel is that a terrible disease has beset humanity, turning everyone into a changeling, a “Hyde” that transforms into a beast at night However, people differ in how beastly their transformation is, how aware they are of it, and how much control they have over it. The world has also become shrouded in magic, and some humans have mutated into semi-human creatures that no longer consider themselves human because they have magical powers and characteristics of animals such as feathers or talons.
The title of the novel refers to the fact that the remaining humans live in skyscrapers that are locked at night to protect them from the ravaging Hydes.
The main character is a powerful mutant with control of magic but is opposed by a conspiracy of powerful sorcerers bent on taking over and corrupting his city. He must battle them singly or in concert to regain control of his kingdom.
This story is gripping, and the spooky mood of a city enveloped in fog is appealing. The greatest flaw of this book lies in its lack of description. The reader is unable to fully visualize the characters or the setting. Too much is left to the imagination. The many battles in the novel, however, are well described.
Altogether, this book provides a satisfying reading experience. Throughout the book I was not sure what would come next. Would this be the exceptional heroic fantasy in which the main character fails? Can a failure be sufficiently heroic—or would that be an unforgiveable violation of the genre? If instead, the character succeeds as expected, would that be a flaw of predictability? Read the book and decide for yourself.
January 9, 2018
The author beautifully creates a mystical and mythical world of surrealistic creatures. Poetically written prose and use of artistic language boasts author’s commanding grasp on vocabulary. It was hard to find a single reoccurrence of any word. However, the story of Noir is quite dark and brutal. I have recently developed a taste for dark fantasy but this was a couple shades darker than what I generally prefer.
Though artistically written, the writing is often difficult to comprehend. Sentence structure is complex and the read often sounded verbose. Too much description in the scenes and the inner monologue of Noir, slowed down the pace of the book
The prose often tended to get purple with complex vocabulary usage. However, author’s writing style is impactful and kept me coming back to the book though I felt drifted a couple of times during the read.
I also missed the action or dialogues between the characters. For pages, nothing happens just the description of the surroundings and the Noir’s inner voice talking to him. The darkness of the tale somehow felt monotonous. Death and destruction. I couldn’t understand first if it’s a hero’s journey or a villain’s journey as the main protagonist felt like an iron beast with raging vengeance.
But as paged swiped, I started enjoying Noir’s journey and the associated darkness of the shadowy world of Umbras. Though I didn’t enjoy it much, I appreciate author’s talent and the writing style. Hence, I’m rating it high as this could be a treat for dark fantasy lovers who don’t mind brutality, killing, and destruction in their books.
Though artistically written, the writing is often difficult to comprehend. Sentence structure is complex and the read often sounded verbose. Too much description in the scenes and the inner monologue of Noir, slowed down the pace of the book
The prose often tended to get purple with complex vocabulary usage. However, author’s writing style is impactful and kept me coming back to the book though I felt drifted a couple of times during the read.
I also missed the action or dialogues between the characters. For pages, nothing happens just the description of the surroundings and the Noir’s inner voice talking to him. The darkness of the tale somehow felt monotonous. Death and destruction. I couldn’t understand first if it’s a hero’s journey or a villain’s journey as the main protagonist felt like an iron beast with raging vengeance.
But as paged swiped, I started enjoying Noir’s journey and the associated darkness of the shadowy world of Umbras. Though I didn’t enjoy it much, I appreciate author’s talent and the writing style. Hence, I’m rating it high as this could be a treat for dark fantasy lovers who don’t mind brutality, killing, and destruction in their books.
May 12, 2018
City of Locked Doors is a vividly realized and complex tale set in unique and often surreal alternative reality.
The first chapter reads like a trip with the devil into a nightmarish dystopia. I prepared myself for a very,very dark book; however, by the second chapter some sympathetic characters were introduced along with some humor and some glimpses of decency, even kindness, in the darkness. The authors throw the reader into the alternative culture; you will have to figure out as you read how the magic works, how the society works, and what the relationships are. The story all fits together in the end, but the intricacies along the way are confusing. I didn’t mind this. In fact, I liked the process of discovery as I read.
This is a very visual book, would make a terrific graphic novel or movie (with lots and lots of special effects.) Even the minor incidents in the narrative were appealing to my imagination. For example, there is one scene where the main character, Noir, is simply walking from one place to another, but, while he moves along, he creates a swirl of black insects and flowers which fill the air around him. I can picture that: the strange not-quite-human figure dressed in black, moving through the dysptopian cityscape, with a fog of blac roses and butterflies swirling around his head. The whole book is like that: visual, stimulating.
I did find my reading interrupted by punctuation errors and the occasional sentence that needed to be rewritten. I wish authors would go through their text one more time. The narrative is worth the effort; this is an amazing work of imagination.
The first chapter reads like a trip with the devil into a nightmarish dystopia. I prepared myself for a very,very dark book; however, by the second chapter some sympathetic characters were introduced along with some humor and some glimpses of decency, even kindness, in the darkness. The authors throw the reader into the alternative culture; you will have to figure out as you read how the magic works, how the society works, and what the relationships are. The story all fits together in the end, but the intricacies along the way are confusing. I didn’t mind this. In fact, I liked the process of discovery as I read.
This is a very visual book, would make a terrific graphic novel or movie (with lots and lots of special effects.) Even the minor incidents in the narrative were appealing to my imagination. For example, there is one scene where the main character, Noir, is simply walking from one place to another, but, while he moves along, he creates a swirl of black insects and flowers which fill the air around him. I can picture that: the strange not-quite-human figure dressed in black, moving through the dysptopian cityscape, with a fog of blac roses and butterflies swirling around his head. The whole book is like that: visual, stimulating.
I did find my reading interrupted by punctuation errors and the occasional sentence that needed to be rewritten. I wish authors would go through their text one more time. The narrative is worth the effort; this is an amazing work of imagination.
December 21, 2017
A dark steampunk roller-coaster ride
City of Locked Doors is an exceptionally well-written work. From incredibly detailed and complex world building to an amazingly unique cast of characters, the author has done a splendid job in sharing her dark vision of an alternate reality with the reader. From the onset, we are submerged in a compelling tale of revenge by a mysterious entity called Noir. He appears to be part human and part something else entirely. In the course of his travails he encounters a wide cast of creatures, both human and otherwise, some willing to help and others most eager to do him in. Add to that, political intrigue and dark magic, and you have a compelling read.
The wonderful writing was at times a bit weighed down by circular action, that is, battle after battle threatened to wear me out, however, these encounters may have been unavoidable in the telling of the tale. In addition, no character arcs were evident, which may trouble readers who enjoy a character-driven story. Without revealing a good reason for this, the nature of the protagonist may have made that impossible.
I thoroughly enjoyed being immersed Noir's world and would highly recommend this book to readers of dark fantasy.
City of Locked Doors is an exceptionally well-written work. From incredibly detailed and complex world building to an amazingly unique cast of characters, the author has done a splendid job in sharing her dark vision of an alternate reality with the reader. From the onset, we are submerged in a compelling tale of revenge by a mysterious entity called Noir. He appears to be part human and part something else entirely. In the course of his travails he encounters a wide cast of creatures, both human and otherwise, some willing to help and others most eager to do him in. Add to that, political intrigue and dark magic, and you have a compelling read.
The wonderful writing was at times a bit weighed down by circular action, that is, battle after battle threatened to wear me out, however, these encounters may have been unavoidable in the telling of the tale. In addition, no character arcs were evident, which may trouble readers who enjoy a character-driven story. Without revealing a good reason for this, the nature of the protagonist may have made that impossible.
I thoroughly enjoyed being immersed Noir's world and would highly recommend this book to readers of dark fantasy.
April 19, 2018
I've always been a fan of books that take me into a creepy, cryptic world where nothing is as it seems, and "The City of Locked Doors" did just that. The language is extremely vivid, and I much enjoyed the wordage. "The Almas trickled in through the walls and cieling after him, phasing through the solid Shadow-Steel much as he did. They dispersed across the room, fluttering between tables and casting a ballet of discordant shadows in the light." Lines such as this bring the world to life, and as a reader I almost feel as though I'm in danger myself.
It is definitely a unique and cyptic account of a post-apocalyptic genre. With the dystopian genre so crowded, it was a breath of fresh air to breath something different.
My only complaint is that the pace can feel slow at times, and I often feel bogged down in the many descriptive words, but over all it is a good read. I'd recommend it to my friends.
It is definitely a unique and cyptic account of a post-apocalyptic genre. With the dystopian genre so crowded, it was a breath of fresh air to breath something different.
My only complaint is that the pace can feel slow at times, and I often feel bogged down in the many descriptive words, but over all it is a good read. I'd recommend it to my friends.
September 18, 2021
This one sits firmly in the realm of dark fantasy. The main character, Noir, is a well-drawn anti-hero and there’s a good sense of being shown enough to understand his character without too much telling. You may not like him though…
A strength of the book is the quality of the dialogue. Not easy to do well in fantasy in particular, without falling on the side of the overly cliched or the overly portentous. Add in a complex world – much more so than the standard medieval kind of fantasy world – and this becomes even harder.
World-building is well-done without too much info dumping, and the world itself is an intriguing change from the normal, cliched settings.
Overall I liked the book, there was enough in it to keep me entertained most of the way, and intrigued some of the way. Lost some points for what sometimes felt like the use of longer words just for the sake of it. Solid four stars otherwise.
A strength of the book is the quality of the dialogue. Not easy to do well in fantasy in particular, without falling on the side of the overly cliched or the overly portentous. Add in a complex world – much more so than the standard medieval kind of fantasy world – and this becomes even harder.
World-building is well-done without too much info dumping, and the world itself is an intriguing change from the normal, cliched settings.
Overall I liked the book, there was enough in it to keep me entertained most of the way, and intrigued some of the way. Lost some points for what sometimes felt like the use of longer words just for the sake of it. Solid four stars otherwise.
August 9, 2018
Not recommended for skim readers. This book will take you to a new and imaginative dark world with lots of death and destruction in this dystopian deep read. Where the author has created a unique and hellish world. The first chapter was painstaking for this reader due to the overwhelming amount of characters (and their names), creatures, locations, background, etc. I felt I was forced to quickly digest.
However, as the story progressed I found myself intrigued by the storyline and the author’s style of writing. Noir the main anti-hero of the story was well developed, although I found myself feeling no connection to him. I neither loved nor hated him. The dialogue between Noir and his inner persona kept me entertained throughout. The story is full of violence, death and mayhem. If you love steampunk, fantasy and dark dystopias then you will love this book.
However, as the story progressed I found myself intrigued by the storyline and the author’s style of writing. Noir the main anti-hero of the story was well developed, although I found myself feeling no connection to him. I neither loved nor hated him. The dialogue between Noir and his inner persona kept me entertained throughout. The story is full of violence, death and mayhem. If you love steampunk, fantasy and dark dystopias then you will love this book.
October 31, 2019
The violence comes fast and furious in this dark tale, so much so that at times I thought I was trapped in a video game. While these violent interludes are skillfully rendered, I found myself more interested in the protagonist Noir, a powerful being who seeks revenge for his brother’s murder.
Over the course of his quest, Noir keeps up a running conversation with a seeming alter ego, which hooked me from the get-go. I also enjoyed his relationship with the young Undertaker girl Adrian. Ultimately, the key to a successful fantasy lies in the writer’s ability to create a universe that is both fantastic and believable. The author has a real gift for description. The world of Umbras and its complex mythology is fully and vividly realized.
For fans of dark fiction, The City of Locked Doors is a compelling read.
Over the course of his quest, Noir keeps up a running conversation with a seeming alter ego, which hooked me from the get-go. I also enjoyed his relationship with the young Undertaker girl Adrian. Ultimately, the key to a successful fantasy lies in the writer’s ability to create a universe that is both fantastic and believable. The author has a real gift for description. The world of Umbras and its complex mythology is fully and vividly realized.
For fans of dark fiction, The City of Locked Doors is a compelling read.
August 16, 2020
The City of Locked Doors is a fascinating fantasy novel that pulls in compelling elements of adventure and conflict to keep the reader riveted with the artful tale. The authors, Tristen and Keegan Kozinski, are incredibly imaginative masters of world-building. The main character, Noir, is focused on revenge for those who killed his brother, but besides concentrating on this theme, the reader is attracted to the artful scenes and breathtaking descriptions of magic. I was particularly impressed with the notion of Shadowmancy and the concept of manipulating shadows into something vibrant and real. The Kozinski's are also skilled at dialogue. Noir has a voice in his head, and the authors form an engaging persona who plays wit and sarcasm to a high level. I’m dazzled by the novel and hope there is a follow-up to this impressive beginning.
March 17, 2018
I came to this story well equipped, because like reading about powerful characters who have themselves figured out. Not every main character needs to be a teenage tortured magical princess, Noir is neither of that and it´s one of the books greatest features. The story is brutal, the word is dark, there is a lot of action and the world is beautifully described. This is my one issue with the book, there are so many descriptions that they sometimes murder the pace, but luckily, it does not happen too often to be disrupting. On a special note, I love the straightforward brutality with which Noir solves problems, one crushed wrist at a time and his shadow companion, who balances out Noir being the sole center of most of the novel.
December 11, 2017
Back when my free time was my own, I was very much into gaming. I look back on that period of my life with a fondness. This book conjured a good bit of nostalgia because it reminds me of an RPG loaded with epic boss fights.
The story’s premise is unique. At its center is Noir - a mysterious, shadowy individual with god-like powers, a secretive past, and an inferno of rage brewing within him. The plot is driven by Noir’s desire to exact revenge on those who have wronged him. The injustice he’s endured takes a good portion of the book to finally be revealed, though more intuitive readers may catch on early.
I had a difficult time feeling any connection with Noir until the last 15% of the book. As he’s the protagonist, this posed a problem for me. I read doggedly, determined to understand what made Noir tick. Now that I’ve read the ending, I understand his motives and can sympathize with his plight. But the 85% of our disconnected relationship sometimes made me feel as though I were slogging through mud.
I did, however, greatly enjoy the discourse he had with the voice in his head. It provided a refreshing spark of wit in an otherwise dark narrative. I’m not complaining about the darkness, as it’s something I greatly enjoy in books. Adrian provided a nice contrast to Noir. I was more invested in her storyline, but I believe this was due to her inherent vulnerability. In the end, she seemed more of a device than a meaningful character. With the time vested in her, I thought she deserved better. My favorite character was Alighieri. Hands down.
The prose is often beautiful. Yet sometimes its rhythm is disturbed by complex sentence structure, an abundance of words, or highly academic vocabulary. These enhancements were no doubt put in place to elevate the writing style. In some ways, it works. The narrative is void of overused or lazy words. But there were places where simplicity would be a better tool, giving the text greater impact without the weight of embellishments.
The authors show a lot of promise in terms of sophistication, creativity, and thoroughness. With a bit of refinement, City of Locked Doors could have been a showstopper. Though the action to character development ratio was a bit too skewed for my tastes, I’m still giving this book high marks. Though I personally didn’t enjoy it, I appreciated the authors’ efforts and skill.
You may like this book if you enjoy:
-Lots of action, particularly the deadly type
-Fantastical creatures with unfettered powers
-Aloof, brooding protagonists surrounded in darkness and mystery
-Sibling dynamics
-Sophisticated, intense writing with no lazy words
The story’s premise is unique. At its center is Noir - a mysterious, shadowy individual with god-like powers, a secretive past, and an inferno of rage brewing within him. The plot is driven by Noir’s desire to exact revenge on those who have wronged him. The injustice he’s endured takes a good portion of the book to finally be revealed, though more intuitive readers may catch on early.
I had a difficult time feeling any connection with Noir until the last 15% of the book. As he’s the protagonist, this posed a problem for me. I read doggedly, determined to understand what made Noir tick. Now that I’ve read the ending, I understand his motives and can sympathize with his plight. But the 85% of our disconnected relationship sometimes made me feel as though I were slogging through mud.
I did, however, greatly enjoy the discourse he had with the voice in his head. It provided a refreshing spark of wit in an otherwise dark narrative. I’m not complaining about the darkness, as it’s something I greatly enjoy in books. Adrian provided a nice contrast to Noir. I was more invested in her storyline, but I believe this was due to her inherent vulnerability. In the end, she seemed more of a device than a meaningful character. With the time vested in her, I thought she deserved better. My favorite character was Alighieri. Hands down.
The prose is often beautiful. Yet sometimes its rhythm is disturbed by complex sentence structure, an abundance of words, or highly academic vocabulary. These enhancements were no doubt put in place to elevate the writing style. In some ways, it works. The narrative is void of overused or lazy words. But there were places where simplicity would be a better tool, giving the text greater impact without the weight of embellishments.
The authors show a lot of promise in terms of sophistication, creativity, and thoroughness. With a bit of refinement, City of Locked Doors could have been a showstopper. Though the action to character development ratio was a bit too skewed for my tastes, I’m still giving this book high marks. Though I personally didn’t enjoy it, I appreciated the authors’ efforts and skill.
You may like this book if you enjoy:
-Lots of action, particularly the deadly type
-Fantastical creatures with unfettered powers
-Aloof, brooding protagonists surrounded in darkness and mystery
-Sibling dynamics
-Sophisticated, intense writing with no lazy words
September 8, 2019
If you like your fantasy dark, your humor morbid, and your fights gory, you’ll like this book. To be honest, dark, morbid, and gory aren't generally for me, but I can still admire Tristen Kozinski’s well-written novel.
The City of Locked Doors tells the story of the shadowmancer Noir who seeks revenge after his brother is murdered. The world-building is intricate and highly creative, and the characters are well fleshed out and believable within the constraints of their universe. I also liked the ending, which offered insight into Noir's connection to the city of Umbras.
My favorite character was Adrian, the half-human, half-undertaker. I thought her family was interesting, and I also thought her ethical nature was a good counter-balance to Noir’s grim mission. I did think some of the fights went on a bit long and the magic-system (while interesting) was sometimes so complex it was hard to understand exactly how the characters won or lost battles.
In general, though, I can think of several friends who have stronger stomachs than me who would surely enjoy this story.
The City of Locked Doors tells the story of the shadowmancer Noir who seeks revenge after his brother is murdered. The world-building is intricate and highly creative, and the characters are well fleshed out and believable within the constraints of their universe. I also liked the ending, which offered insight into Noir's connection to the city of Umbras.
My favorite character was Adrian, the half-human, half-undertaker. I thought her family was interesting, and I also thought her ethical nature was a good counter-balance to Noir’s grim mission. I did think some of the fights went on a bit long and the magic-system (while interesting) was sometimes so complex it was hard to understand exactly how the characters won or lost battles.
In general, though, I can think of several friends who have stronger stomachs than me who would surely enjoy this story.
February 17, 2021
This was a very unique read, which I'd argue is its strongest feature. The world is dark and populated with mysterious figures and horrifying monsters. In some ways it reminded me of sci-fi classics like Dark City. The plot moves quickly and there's plenty of action along the way as it develops. I rather enjoyed the exploration of the main character (loved the dual narrative in his head) and the gritty action was just the flavor I enjoyed. Stories need to have stakes and the stakes here felt well managed and exciting.
My criticism was how hard the read was at the start. The breakdown of terms was helpful but also somewhat overwhelming. This could be a personal preference since I like to discover characters and lore as the story moves along with maybe a index at the end if need be. I spent the first the few chapters revisiting the early information sections to make sure I had my visualizations right. Once I got assimilated to the lore, it flowed again and I was able to get into the story.
I would very much look forward to more explorations of this world and more from this author.
My criticism was how hard the read was at the start. The breakdown of terms was helpful but also somewhat overwhelming. This could be a personal preference since I like to discover characters and lore as the story moves along with maybe a index at the end if need be. I spent the first the few chapters revisiting the early information sections to make sure I had my visualizations right. Once I got assimilated to the lore, it flowed again and I was able to get into the story.
I would very much look forward to more explorations of this world and more from this author.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 2, 2020
The City of Locked Doors is a fantastic read that is impossible to put down. This fantasy tale is set in a dark world where a plague has swept through the world changing humanity. With blood corrupted from the plague, night unleashes the “Hyde” within people- transforming them into monsters.
I found this book a refreshing read in the world of fantasy. As much as I love a good vampire, werewolf story it was great to immerse myself in the unique world of shadowmancers, hemomancers, necromancers and more.
The City of Locked Doors is driven by both plot and character making it a strongly compelling read on both fronts.
I found this book a refreshing read in the world of fantasy. As much as I love a good vampire, werewolf story it was great to immerse myself in the unique world of shadowmancers, hemomancers, necromancers and more.
The City of Locked Doors is driven by both plot and character making it a strongly compelling read on both fronts.
February 16, 2020
Noir is the protagonist of this dark fantasy novel. He is a shadowmancer. He wants to avenge the murder of his twin brother. Noir commands dark forces such as shadows and darkness. I enjoyed Noir’s inner insightful and humorous dialogue. It reminded me of all the babbling we do with ourselves on a daily basis and how often our subconscious mind gives us good advice.
The world is carefully built but at times there is too much going on. I had to go back to the compendium of terms that are provided at the beginning of the book.
There are many dark, bloody and detailed described battles.
If you like fantastic creatures, mystery, and deadly action you will enjoy this book.
The world is carefully built but at times there is too much going on. I had to go back to the compendium of terms that are provided at the beginning of the book.
There are many dark, bloody and detailed described battles.
If you like fantastic creatures, mystery, and deadly action you will enjoy this book.
November 7, 2017
. The world building, steam-punk atmosphere of this story continued consistently right up to the very end. ! The conflicts, battles, locations are all clear and very visual. You have created a complete, complicated and believable world. The views of the locations are epic. The characters are varied colorful and strong. Noir dominates all, as it is his creation. Interesting, don't you see...Noir created all of it, but Tristen wrote it down. Ha! I know you will have great success with this book. It has been my pleasure to spend some time with it.
This book is steam-punk heaven!
This book is steam-punk heaven!
September 4, 2018
Complex story and very original. It is set in a very dark world full of dark magic and sorcery. I found this book, strangely appealing as I wanted to know how it ends. The main character –Noir is unlike most protagonists, he, in fact, has a very dark personality as his name suggests and is driven by revenge. His internal struggle is quite interesting and gives deeper insight into his motivation.
This dystopian novel has a lot going for it, the characters, the poetic prose and definitely, the setting was unique.
This dystopian novel has a lot going for it, the characters, the poetic prose and definitely, the setting was unique.
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