This was a satisfying end to a trilogy of books for a change. The last couple trilogies I've ready ended in a very unsatisfying way, with the third books always disappointing. This was the exception to the rule as it was the best of the three books for me. I didn't give it the highest rating because I wanted just a bit more of the story at the end. It wrapped up too quickly and too neatly. I wanted more details about how the protagonists ended up instead if just the vague impressions the author left me with. I think I read this book too quickly because I don't recall it as vividly the other books in the series. I recall the others as though they are films but this is vague. Perhaps the female lead is not as believable. And the terrible loss of Carmichael is sad beyond the droll telling. I remember the line where the girl says that the fascists are the most fun and have the best parties. The intrigue with her would-be lover felt rushed or contrived and I think the book would have benefitted from a rewrite to slow down the pace and build a stronger plot. So I guess I read it too quickly and Walton wrote it too quickly and I wish there was another Carmichael story to read.
A really neat ending to the Small Change series, maybe a little too neat but I loved it nonetheless.
—jon
I can't express how much I love this series...sheer genius! I'm reading more by Jo Walton!
—t33n4g3_m4rt14n
A bit deus ex machina at the end, but a fun alternate history
—alanis
Not as strong as the first two in the trilogy, but good.
—savannah
