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A few people mentioned this on spinster a while back, and I just finished it, so figured I might as well make a thread for anyone who wants to say anything. I daresay there will be spoilers so this is your chance to click away if you haven't read. :)
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Misc. thoughts:
This was fun! The descriptions of visual layouts, though dramatic and clear, were somewhat wasted on me, as I have no talent for visualising that sort of thing. But I wasn't bored since they're always grounded in the narrator's attitudes to the details, and the underlying ideas are cool. It's a little like reading someone describing the scenery of a dream (I wondered if that inspired her, though I haven't looked yet), or even a videogame (I'd've loved to see Team Ico do a take on the setting!). In terms of other books, it put me in mind of Garth Nix's Old Kingdom, especially eg: the library of the Clayr, combined with The Secret History (Donna Tartt). I feel like this is The Secret History's cheerful cousin, if a book can be such a thing. I think you could have some fun constructing a crossover, anyway...
And the cover is very pretty.
Feel free to share any thoughts!
Are there any interesting, well-developed female characters? I had a hard time with Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell because it had a such a boys' club atmosphere.
Talking about any characters is a bit of a spoiler so I've tagged it.
I haven't read it but I've been wanting to for a while, I think because I saw someone recommend it on here. I have a hold on the ebook version from my local library but I have to wait 10 weeks 😩 (I've also had this hold for several weeks already...)