This is a fantasy novel set in a decidedly egalitarian society: there's a warrior princess, one POV character is a transsexual (the prince's transsexual mistress, no less), and nobody seems to be completely straight. It's a worthy idea, and I appreciated parts of the author's progressive intentions, but sadly the novel wasn't really up to scratch.There's a lot of guff about different nationalities coming together in one city, but I couldn't really tell any of them apart - although admittedly different real-world cultures are used as naming inspirations (for some reason half the characters have anglocised versions of Irish names - Ashlin, Cahal, etc). The plot features vampires doing dastardly deeds, and to be honest I lost interest in it quite quickly. I think the author writes relationships and conversations well, but her action is lacking. She could probably write a fantastic novel about court intrigues, but her evil vampires stalking the land left me cold. Oh god, oh god, oh god!I said in my review of the first book in this series that I sort of felt like it could be better? And now we're back in Erisin, Isyllt's hometown (well, more or less), and I think courtly intrigue is what Amanda Downum writes best because I'm just floored by this book. It's now one of my favouritest books of all. I'm so glad I picked this series up, because of this book.Things I really liked:1, Setting. All right, I want to be fair to TDC for laying out the foundations of my understanding of the whole Assari/Selafain layout so I wasn't so confused about what's happening where. But despite a feeling of familiarity with TDC's setting (which owes a bit to New Orleans, the author said, but also South Asian countries), I kind of felt like it wasn't grounded enough for a 300+ page novel? Probably has to do with the feeling of familiarity Isyllt has with Erisin as opposed to being a foreigner in TDC.2, The vampires. Once again, I broke my promise not to read any more vampire novels. But while these ones are not of the usual oversexed variety (they can't have sex here full stop), they're actually interesting and beautiful enough. Also very dangerous. Kind of reminiscent of Anne Rice's vampires, except they actually fight and don't put you to sleep with talks about religion.I kind of really liked Spider?3, Isyllt. Okay, Issylt's kind of cold and sometimes gets overshadowed by the other characters. But I kind of liked how she holds her own, even though nothing good happens to her much? Oh boy, I don't even usually like the main character?4, SAVEDRA FUCKING SEVEROS. When she first gets introduced I was pretty much, 'Ho-hum, mistress who can't marry the prince. Probably some family feud. Okay.' But she turns out to be something else entirely and I think most of the stars in that rating is really due to Savedra.Because she's cool, she gets things done, she gets scared, she feels vulnerable, and she knows she can't bear the prince any kids because she's biologically male.The 'love triangle' between her, Prince Nikos, and his wife is pretty funny, to be honest.And I just remembered: Amanda Downum talks about her characters having menstrual cramps. And I think that's glorious.
What do You think about The Bone Palace (2010)?
Struggled a bit to get through this but liked it enough to try the next book in the series.
—tingka
Part of the Necromancer Chronicles. Well developed, dark world and characters. Great story.
—Uriel
