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A review by thefussyreader
Sixteen Ways to Defend a Walled City by K.J. Parker
4.0
The Fussy Reader
TLDR
Characters - 4/5
Plot - 3.5/5
Setting - 2.5/5
Writing - 4/5
Final Impression - 4/5
-
A city under siege with no one left to defend it. No one except Orhan.
Orhan is a wonderful narrator to his own story. His comments, quips, and humour are the very wheels that keep this novel moving. Even when he's in dire straits, even when he's scared shitless, he just exudes Meh energy, and I love him. I'd recommend to anyone who likes their fantasy with a dash of dark humour.
Full Review
Characters
Orhan is a wonderful narrator to his own story. His voice is so distinct and his personality really shines through the narrative. He has a very blasé outlook on life which was so delightful and fun. It gave a real edge of humour to the story. Even when he's in dire straits, even when he's scared shitless, he just exudes Meh energy, and I love him.
He's a very cool character. The definition of someone who rolls with the punches. He's colonel of the engineers and everything in his life that's led him to that position is complete happenstance. He's been a passive participant in his own life but during the events of this book, and the defending of said walled city, Orhan is going to find his agency, and for once, he's the one calling the shots, and he hasn't a bloody clue what he's doing. It's glorious.
And every so often, he comes out with some absolute gems.
"He kept telling me how many unsolved murders and stabbings and muggings there'd been down there in the last six months, which surprised me. I didn't think anyone bothered counting."
Plot
A city under siege with no one left to defend it. No one except Orhan. He somehow finds himself the highest military authority in the city as the possibility of war draws closer, an army in sight beyond the city walls.
There are fifteen ways to defend a walled city, according to Orhan, but all require supplies. They don't have supplies, so they have no choice but the implement a sixteenth form of defence.
Basically, Orhan's just making it up as he goes along and I love it. He's completely winging it.
The ending had me a little conflicted. On one hand, the abruptness feels oddly fitting, but at the same time, it's so unresolved. I suppose that's the point. Let's just say it's bittersweet and leave it at that.
Setting
The world-building is probably where the story lacks the most, but honestly, this isn't that kind of story. Once I started this, I realised I wasn't here for complex worlds, and histories, and lore, I was here for Orhan and his snappy narration and "why me?" attitude.
The city itself feels the most realised of any other. What with a specific social system and the Theme bosses, and the Blues and Greens. I enjoyed this side of the world a lot.
The empire as a whole I felt I knew little about, other than that it felt a little Roman Empire-esque, due to the mention of things like chariot races and gladiator-style fighting. Little snippets are offered about the history and culture and customs of this empire, enough that it didn't feel too sparse, but perhaps not enough to make this feel like a living, breathing, thriving empire.
But again, I'm not too bothered by this cause it really isn't that kind of story.
Writing Style
Told in first person past tense, I think this narrative style perfectly suits this type of story. Orhan is telling us this story, taking the duty upon himself to documents these events because, why not? Someone has to, and he thinks it'd be pretty cool to see his name on a book.
Although I prefer third-person perspectives books, every so often, I find a gem like this that is so absolutely meant to be first person. Orhan's comments, quips, and humour are the very wheels that keep this novel moving. It wouldn't be the same without such a strong character voice shining through. It's written in a very dry manner that feels fantastically sarcastic and blunt.
The humour is dark and wonderful and I laughed out loud on more than one occasion. Even though this isn't a comedy, the delivery is everything.
Final Impression
I really enjoyed this. Had such a good time reading it and it's a really quick read. So worth a read. I'd recommend to anyone who likes their fantasy with a dash of dark humour.
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TLDR
Characters - 4/5
Plot - 3.5/5
Setting - 2.5/5
Writing - 4/5
Final Impression - 4/5
-
A city under siege with no one left to defend it. No one except Orhan.
Orhan is a wonderful narrator to his own story. His comments, quips, and humour are the very wheels that keep this novel moving. Even when he's in dire straits, even when he's scared shitless, he just exudes Meh energy, and I love him. I'd recommend to anyone who likes their fantasy with a dash of dark humour.
Full Review
Characters
Orhan is a wonderful narrator to his own story. His voice is so distinct and his personality really shines through the narrative. He has a very blasé outlook on life which was so delightful and fun. It gave a real edge of humour to the story. Even when he's in dire straits, even when he's scared shitless, he just exudes Meh energy, and I love him.
He's a very cool character. The definition of someone who rolls with the punches. He's colonel of the engineers and everything in his life that's led him to that position is complete happenstance. He's been a passive participant in his own life but during the events of this book, and the defending of said walled city, Orhan is going to find his agency, and for once, he's the one calling the shots, and he hasn't a bloody clue what he's doing. It's glorious.
And every so often, he comes out with some absolute gems.
"He kept telling me how many unsolved murders and stabbings and muggings there'd been down there in the last six months, which surprised me. I didn't think anyone bothered counting."
Plot
A city under siege with no one left to defend it. No one except Orhan. He somehow finds himself the highest military authority in the city as the possibility of war draws closer, an army in sight beyond the city walls.
There are fifteen ways to defend a walled city, according to Orhan, but all require supplies. They don't have supplies, so they have no choice but the implement a sixteenth form of defence.
Basically, Orhan's just making it up as he goes along and I love it. He's completely winging it.
The ending had me a little conflicted. On one hand, the abruptness feels oddly fitting, but at the same time, it's so unresolved. I suppose that's the point. Let's just say it's bittersweet and leave it at that.
Setting
The world-building is probably where the story lacks the most, but honestly, this isn't that kind of story. Once I started this, I realised I wasn't here for complex worlds, and histories, and lore, I was here for Orhan and his snappy narration and "why me?" attitude.
The city itself feels the most realised of any other. What with a specific social system and the Theme bosses, and the Blues and Greens. I enjoyed this side of the world a lot.
The empire as a whole I felt I knew little about, other than that it felt a little Roman Empire-esque, due to the mention of things like chariot races and gladiator-style fighting. Little snippets are offered about the history and culture and customs of this empire, enough that it didn't feel too sparse, but perhaps not enough to make this feel like a living, breathing, thriving empire.
But again, I'm not too bothered by this cause it really isn't that kind of story.
Writing Style
Told in first person past tense, I think this narrative style perfectly suits this type of story. Orhan is telling us this story, taking the duty upon himself to documents these events because, why not? Someone has to, and he thinks it'd be pretty cool to see his name on a book.
Although I prefer third-person perspectives books, every so often, I find a gem like this that is so absolutely meant to be first person. Orhan's comments, quips, and humour are the very wheels that keep this novel moving. It wouldn't be the same without such a strong character voice shining through. It's written in a very dry manner that feels fantastically sarcastic and blunt.
The humour is dark and wonderful and I laughed out loud on more than one occasion. Even though this isn't a comedy, the delivery is everything.
Final Impression
I really enjoyed this. Had such a good time reading it and it's a really quick read. So worth a read. I'd recommend to anyone who likes their fantasy with a dash of dark humour.