I enjoyed the first of these ([b:The Drowning City|6296885|The Drowning City (The Necromancer Chronicles, #1)|Amanda Downum|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1327901734s/6296885.jpg|6481427]) but didn't find it amazing. The Bone Palace, however, built on the introduction of the main character and just took off. The pace was excellent, and the writing just sang in a way the first one never quite managed for me. Ms Downum's phrasing is rich, varied and replete with sensorial detail, even if she occasionally overuses a word or two. For instance, "conflagrant" is such a stand-out word that it can probably only be supported once a book, especially if you're burning through the pages as fast as this tight-plotted and splendidly turned-out book almost demanded.

I particularly loved the "third gender" (as trans-gender people of all kinds are referred to in the world of the books) characters in this story. Savedra is an amazing, complex, sympathetic, understandable character, who is introduced and developed with deftness and sensitivity. She is also privileged, and well aware of her privilege - which makes her a nice contrast with the general perception/treatment of androgynes, a specific example of which is also introduced with deftness and sensitivity later in the book.

All of which turns the book incidentally into an excellent consideration of the element of gender in the struggle for identity (nicely supported by cisgender characters with non-real-world-traditional senses of their gender) AND a consideration of privilege. I say incidentally, because it never gets anywhere near preaching on this, but does all of it in the background of a rollicking fantasy urban adventure.

And for that, fuck it, I'm giving the book fives stars, because while it's not perfect, it's an amazing achievement, and a damn good read. ( )

Fast paced, action packed and never a dull moment. WOW. A wonderfully dark and twisted fantasy with a twinge of romance sprinkled all through the tale. It read like a fantasy/romance/paranormal mystery. An epic tale of magic, greed, revenge, lust, hate, power, love and death. It's all here in this book, vampires, sorcerers, necromancers, demons, witches, prostitutes, murderers, kings, princes, princesses, castles, transsexuals,...and I am sure I missed something. All tastefully, characterized. It is written so well, the story grabs your soul and does not not you sleep at night. It's a long book so I lost some z's.
I have to add this author as one of my "not to miss authors" ( )

After reading the first in the series, I was eager to return to this world. In this story, we get to go with Isyllt to her home city of Erisin, a different from Symir as possible. I adored the new characters introduced - in particular the Queen and the Mistress. We also learn more about Isyllt's magic and the other magic, how one learns magic and what magic gone awry can do. The story moved briskly, with intrigue. The twist at the end, I only half expected, which was nice. Again, I adored this book and highly recommend - only make sure to begin with book one. ( )

Rbrs #12

I would've loved this book back when I was still in my epic fantasy craze, when an eye-catching cover picture and a minimum 1.5" paperback thickness was all that was needed to earn my devotion. This series is like Melanie Rawn without the near-pornographic descriptions of clothing and appearance, or Jacqueline Carey (who provides a cover quote) without the S&M...huh, fantasy does seem to throw in lots of secks. Anyway, I might have drooled over this as much as I did for Rawn (Carey appeared about the time I was starting to want more from my reading without realizing it), all the magic-iness and intrigue. It's too late for me.

But in these comparisons to other epics, this is watered down. The characters weren't given much depth, even the main character and especially the bad guy (really? madness? and that's it?). The big conflict was small. The reveal, after all the shadowing, wasn't all that shocking. And what's with all the smells?

I did like that many of the strong characters are women, good and evil, like in the first book. A transexual (maybe? physically born a male but identifies as female?) has a major role. Odd, that the book describes her as being unusual and shunned but then showing a society that accepts her completely as she is. The book seemed to make an effort to cover all variations on relationships besides the male-female one. All of them, across genders and, um, spiritual states. Again, the main character's necromantic talent seems ho-hum.

I guess my biggest disappointment is...myself. I remember loving books like this. I recall long summer days of reading and barely eating or drinking or even moving, caught up in something that my not be written perfectly but still able to transport my little imagination. I know I would've enjoyed this and the reason I still dive into books like this with expectations is that I have these memories. When did I change? Why can't I recalibrate?


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All right, Rbrs-ers, we've lost our way. Although there are romantic elements, this isn't romance at all. I pinpoint Joel's membership as the source of our troubles, throwing all these fantasy books into the mix (I could go back and see who actually suggested it before throwing out an accusation, but that would require fairness and, and, justice or something...plus I think I could beat up Joel :o). I'm not campaigning for smut! Stand down, Elizabeth and Ceridwen, do NOT send me smut, thank you. Not that I want to risk another Skye O'Malley level of yucky, but I'm just saying my bodice is intact. ( )

I think Amanda Downum is my favorite.

I loved the atmosphere, the gritty adventuring, the gorgeous and respectful handling of trans characters, the blood and magic (and blood magic), the wealth of capable women.

Really, about the only thing that didn't entirely work for me was Isyllt's most serious romantic connection -- but I think that's just a matter of me not going for the mentor/student trope in general.

And Savendra's relationship plot made me so happy I could barely stand it, so it balances out. ( )