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Printed from https://writing.com/main/product_reviews/pr_id/113831-The-Black-Tides-of-Heaven-The-Tensorate-Series-1
ASIN: 076539541X
ID #113831
Product Type: Book
Reviewer: Jayngle Bells Author Icon
Review Rated: E
Amazon's Price: Price N/A
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I'm starting to think I live in the bizarro opposite-world of books that I like/don't like. This should have far higher ratings than it does on the internet. I digress.

I give it 4.5 bright, shiny stars.

Twins. Children. Magic. A prophet. A warrior. A matriarchal Protectorate. WHAT MORE DO YOU WANT FOR HEAVEN'S SAKE?!?!?!

Aside from a great story and a kick-butt cover, this is a speedy read with a sensible magic system, high-level politics, spiritual notes, cool tech, strong female characters, AND an extremely topical, on-point representation of gender, sexuality, fluidity, acceptance and love. PLUS, it's a high fantasy that is not tied to patriarchy, nor is it Eurocentric. This is a beautiful challenge to the current political and social climate, as well as the genre.

As each person decides the gender they will identify as (at the time they see fit, or in some cases, never), each individual is identified as "they" until a gender is chosen (or not, in which case, they remain they, and it is a valid choice not to choose). I'm not sure why readers are struggling with the 'they' aspect. If readers can wrap their heads around the royal "We", then "They" is hardly a stretch. It had no bearing on the connection I felt to the characters, nor did it impact the way I envisioned them - in fact, it was interesting to watch their choices unfold and heartbreaking to watch the space grow between them. In short: They is at times a singular pronoun, not some sort of insurmountable problem. Language evolves as society changes.

Don't let this book's length fool you. It covers a LOT of ground (over 35 years), and is a definite work of art in the word economy department. As such, the typical world-building that fantasy genre fans have come to expect will likely disappoint. While the world-building isn't completely absent, it is noticeably (and deliberately) reined-in. What is offered is glorious, and it does allow the reader to fill-in-the-blanks with rich detail. Everything about this book is beautiful - the world, the story, the writing, the heartache - all of it.

This was released simultaneously with The Red Threads of Fortune, and it is claimed that they can be read in either order. Having read both, I recommend starting with Black Tides. Yes, they could stand alone, but if you're reading them back-to-back, it is the chronological flow to go from Black Tides to Red Threads. If reading it backwards doesn't bother you, carry on. They are both wonderful reads (though I enjoyed Black Tides perhaps a half-star more), and you'll still get the entirety of the story.

Created Dec 06, 2018 at 8:56pm • Submit your own review...
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Printed from https://writing.com/main/product_reviews/pr_id/113831-The-Black-Tides-of-Heaven-The-Tensorate-Series-1