Earth Logic

A generation ago, the Sainnites (refugees from their own land) invaded Shaftal. Now they’re trying to raise a new generation of soldiers, but they have to be taken (or gotten voluntarily) from Shaftali families. Meanwhile, the super-powerful potential leader of Shaftal is trying very hard not to do anything, because doing things might end with a bunch of dead people. Marks is trying to do something interesting about how peace can be harder and more rewarding than war, and how welcoming people in can be more powerful than fighting them. I don’t think it’s for me, in part because I don’t much like ideas like “fire blood people have certain emotional as well as magical traits, and earth blood people are different,” even when show more they're not super race-associated--I'm much more about fundamental attribution error--but it is definitely a different kind of fantasy. show less

Although I'm not sure that the magic of this book stood up to the first book in the series, I still absolutely adored it. Marks' prose and the world she's created here are intoxicating, and although there were moments in this one where I found it tough to keep track of all of the intricacies of plot and character, I still loved just about every minute of the reading experience. The blend of in-depth characterization, world-building and story-telling here is hard to beat, and I can't wait to read the next book in the series.

The one caveat: The reading experience here absolutely depends on the first book--this is a book that's meant to be read soon after the first one, and I imagine the next book will be the same, so I'd recommend show more interested readers plan on devouring the series all at once, book to book, rather than taking breaks from the world in between the books in the series. show less

I actually liked this, the second book in the Elemental Logic trilogy, better than the first, which is a nice surprise. In Fire Logic, Marks introduced a country formerly known for its hospitality and philosophy that was invaded by warriors from across the ocean. Colonialism, culture appropriation, genocide and mixed-race children are all hugely important to the plot; the entire thing, in fact, is about culture clash. It is very much a fantasy series—most characters have magic of some kind—but an exceedingly thoughtful one.
The first book followed the rebels against Saiinite rule; this book follows a Saiinite leader, Lt.Gen. Clement. I really enjoyed seeing the characters through their foes' eyes, but even more I loved the Saiinite show more herself. show less

I really enjoyed the world building in Earth Logic. I had not read the first in the series, but i was not lost in starting at the second book. I really liked the author's interest in exploring a world with a society and history free from some of our world's prejudices. But it wasn't written as a utopia. Instead it allowed the world to explore other social issues more deeply and clearly.

I really felt the character's were well-written and even though sometimes it felt frustrating, the Shaftal characters sometimes feeling stuck or helpful felt realistically written to me.

It was nice to see more LGBTQ characters in good fiction.

My thoughts on this installment are much the same as on the last: beautiful prose, rich depth of character, subtle but interesting magic, incredible pace and not one wasted word. When I used to try to teach my students how to write with intent, I wish I had access to this book to show them exactly how to do it.

Precision makes for dense reading (which I love) so I'll be reading a lighter series before I return to the last two books of this one. But I highly recommend you add it to your WANT TO READ list!

It was good. Almost as good a fire logic. Except it was confusing and strange a lot of the time. I mean, it made sense but it was still just to odd for it to settle properly in my mind. The new characters were very interesting though and I got invested in them quickly. The non-conventional family structure was great to read. The ending was unfortunately off-putting. Just the idea that they're basically destroy some people's identity because Zanja is holding a grudge. I really don't feel comfortable with that. It really ruined the whole book for me, I think.

The Elemental Logic series is shaping up to be one of those book series where I’m a fan of the characters and the world but not at all of the plot.

Earth Logic is the second in the Elemental Logic series, a fantasy series set in a world without sexism or heteronormativity. If you’re unfamiliar with the series, you should probably start with the first book, Fire Logic.

This is usually the point in the review where I give a basic plot synopsis. However, I’m not really sure what the plot of Earth Logic is? Karis is the G’deon, and it’s her responsibility to rule and care for the nation of Shaftal, which is currently invaded by foreigners, the Sainnites. The occupation needs to be ended, but the entire plan for this revolves around show more vague prophecies which make no sense to me. Have I mentioned how much I hate fantasy books where the entire plot is based off prophecy?

Anyway, the prophecy says that if Shaftal is to be saved, Zanja must be dead. That’s literally all the information given, and the characters decide to act on this? I have no idea how the entire Zanja plot line is at all relevant to the book!

In reflection, it felt like not a lot happened in Earth Logic, especially when it comes to the chapters concerning the characters from Fire Logic. There’s some angsting over what to do about the Zanja prophecy. There’s lots of sitting around and talking. There’s lots of Karis doing nothing. Is it any surprise that my favorite character in this book was one of the new POV characters, Clement, who seemed like the only person in the book actually doing things?

Clement is a high placed officer of the Sainnites who was brought to the country of Shaftal by her adoptive soldier mother when she was a child. She also is one of the few people who know just how bad thing are looking for the Sainnites. Basically, demographics are not in their favor. Since all of the Sainnites are soldiers, they have very few children. And what children they do manage to raise up inevitably become new soldiers and tend to get killed in rather short order.

I still like the characters of this series. I still like that it’s set in a world where queer relationships are normal and no one raises an eye at women doing things or holding positions of authority. But while I really liked Fire Logic, I found Earth Logic disappointing. I don’t know if I’ll be continuing with this series.

Originally posted on The Illustrated Page. show less