C. S. E. Cooney

It has been a long, long time since I've read a fantasy book with footnotes!(1)

This book took a moment to hook me, but when it did... hoo boy. Miscellaneous Stones is the youngest daughter of the notorious Stones family. One with such an affinity for death and necromancy that she breaks out in sympathetic wounds when violence is done, or even thought about, in her proximity.

If you're a bookish nerd who gathered most of their knowledge of the world via book learning then you'll immediately show more recognize this protagonist. She's genuine and so very easy to sympathize with. She might leave the reader in the dust when waxing effusive about the technical details of her necromancy, but then that's what footnotes are for! Besides, we've all got that friend who're overly into their hobby or vocation and dapple their conversation with terms of art they assume everyone is as familiar with as they.

The story itself is told in vibrant and rather literary prose. Have a dictionary handy, because Cooney's protagonist has committed to memopry every dictionary, in multiple languages, at her disposal more than once. The characters are deep, each with a rich backstory and layers that emerge and evolve as the story progresses.

There's a time skip that I didn't expect, but any detraction from the narrative was likely due to my own preferences than any lack of preparation on the part of the author.
In fact the only real negative I can think of would be that a couple of characters go "off screen" for a significant portion of the tale. The reason for this is solid, and supported by the plot. However their presence is so bright that the narrative feels dimmer for their absence. Which may be the point, I'm sure.

While there's space in this narrative and world for more novels, I wouldn't feel deprived if this was a singular offering. It's satisfying in its conclusion.

Definitely recommend for fans of fantastical fiction.

(1)Wonderful world building by way of those footnotes. Having a little "oh by the way" offered nearly every time a tidbit or throwaway reference was made expanded the world enormously, but not comprehensively. We see the world with the same, Stones family skewed, random education that the protagonist received. show less

Oh no, it’s a series? Now I find this out? Sigh. Anyway, great book. Reminded me a lot of Gideon the Ninth in social mores, but I appreciate that it’s a more linear narrative with characters that also have a moral compass. It is an epic level fantasy — long, involved, intricate. There’s also a lot of abuse and horror interspersed with philosophy and deep joy. I thought a lot about nature vs nurture while reading. I love the magical systems, I love that they differ wildly between show more nations, and I really really love the necromancer allergy to violence and the several bird magics. And I love the various relationships— the Rook with her court — married to 24ish? The friendships that are lifelong familial bonds among the falcon people. Fascinating. Lots of big emotions in this book, too. So much to think about. I’m not disappointed that the adventures will continue, but it’s going to be a commitment to remember so much.

Other people think this is like Pratchett— huh. That did not occur to me, but I can see it. show less

Absolutely an impulse advance order under the influence of book twitter. I'm still not sure what pushed me over the edge in my buying decision, as goblins and mysterious kingdoms aren't really my usual reading fare. It may just have been how charmed I am with Cooney's online persona -- which hasn't always been a great guide to finding books I enjoyed in the past.

But still, I ordered it, and eagerly scampered to the bookstore to pick it up when it came in. I confess, I had some concerns in show more the first chapter with all its opulent extravagant 1% splendor. But it isn't long before Desdemona's eyes are opened to the dark costs of all her riches. From there it is a bit of a rocket ride.

There is a LOT of world building and myth spinning to cram into this slim little book, and sometimes it felt a tad clunky or rushed -- but like I said, I don't read much fae/goblin fantasy and I may just be unfamiliar with the conventions and tropes. That said, Cooney weaves bright lines between the familiar and the novel -- the sharp glitter danger of the gentry, the earthy tricks of the goblins, and the river that reveals your true form.

But what I really loved was the language. It's been described everywhere as poetic, and that is true, but what struck me was its sensuality -- which I mean only a tiny bit as sexiness, but mostly the way the sights, the scents, the feels, the tastes, come across with intensity. Desdemona is dubbed tattercoats because she throws on every fur in the house before crossing the first world boundary (I have some feelings about this, but we'll skip it for now) and at times the furs are hot, sweaty, oppressive, but later they are a part of her -- swishy, expressive, and delightful. I may not have worn any furs in my lifetime, but it was like I could feel them brushing against my legs both ways.

But really, it was the resolution that sent me head over heels for this book. The way everything was wrapped up -- its love poem to freedom, collective and individual action, to rescuing who you can, when you can, to finding your true self. Every reservation, every little thing "I would have done differently" was won over and I put this book down with a perfectly enraptured sense of satisfaction.

LOVE. show less

Cooney is a new author for me - but I'll be keeping an eye out for her work! This beautiful story has the flow of a fairy tale, but with the feel of a vividly-realized fantasy world. When a bachelor fisherman is unexpectedly summoned for marriage by a wealthy woman who's far out of his league, he half-expects that there must be some catch. And indeed, she tells him that this marriage is merely part of her plan to avenge her sister's murder. The way events transpire is emotionally complex - show more but ultimately satisfying. show less