Fantasy Buddy Reads discussion

This is a Buddy Read for Foundryside by Robert Jackson Bennett starting May 1, 2023.
Foundryside

On one hand, a re-read of this trilogy sounds nice, leading into the finale I haven't read yet (I love the magic system of this world, it was my introduction to RJB, before I went back and read the City of Stairs trilogy)...

On the other hand, I've already signed up for way too much stuff in 2023...

The City of Stairs trilogy was one of the first I read here in FBR, back when we used to do a Monthly Book Club. Looking forward to finally coming back to Robert Jackson Bennett, and it feels appropriate that it's again here with the group.

I definitely want to read this :)

Hmmm, I might give this a try...

Mel wrote: "The City of Stairs trilogy was one of the first I read here in FBR, back when we used to do a Monthly Book Club. Looking forward to finally coming back to Robert Jackson Bennett, and it feels appro..."

How did I never realize these two series were by the same author???

I think I'll need a reread of the first 2 before I finish the last book of the trilogy. Will try haha

I’m in.

This has been on my TBR for a while, I'm going to try and join :D

Have had this on my TBR forever...
Maybe I'll finally read it!

Same! Would love to join this

I've definitely been telling myself I've joined this BR for months now, just never wrote it down anywhere...

I'll be joining this around 8th May-ish, I'm off on holiday in the middle of this week, so will pick this up when I'm back. :)

Almost certainly going to run late as well--too many 1st of the Month stuff...

I'm through the Part 2 of my reread! Really like this trilogy so far, but I LOVED Bennett's other series more...

(view spoiler)[ I really love the concept of athropomorphization of inaminate objects! The way Clef interacts with them to change their logic for a bit... Idk the scribed things are just Very Cute in my head and everything just looks very cartoony with a lil smiley face in my head when Clef talks to them. They're doing their damnedest to be the Very Straigtest Toughest Wall or whatever :D

I didn't remember a lot of what happened at first, but more and more is coming back to me as I read so the following is possibly spoilers through the second book(view spoiler)[ BOY is Gregor's mom looking REAL sus on this reread... Talking about how he will "always survive" or something... HMMMM and that he doesn't remember his father/brother and he "barely" survived the carriage crash...and somehow "survived" the plague... (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

Started the first few chapters. I didn’t read anything about the story going in, basing my interest entirely off the City of Stairs trilogy.

I wasn't sure whether to start this one yet, or maybe reach for another novella first, so I did the first page test. ... I read the first line, closed the book with a smile and confirmed, "Yep, this one," taking it with me into the coffee shop.

Chapter 3
Okay I wasn't expecting that at all, but I am delighted. I love this trope. (view spoiler)[A supposedly inanimate object, or an animal companion or other creature speaking up, and the human character exclaiming, "You can TALK!?" Or conversely, being completely calm about the whole thing, with the enchanted object/creature being mildly affronted that they aren't more impressed. Telepathic conversations are so entertaining too, especially when peppered with a liberal amount of snark. This should be fun. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 5
Oh dear. (view spoiler)[There's no way they are not going to noticed that giant broken gate. And it won't take long to piece together how an unopenable gate got opened. Which means, "Yikes Sancia! What are you doing? You need to go to ground, and fast! (hide spoiler)]

Would I be okay starting with this if I haven't read the related series?

Oh, the series are completely unrelated. You are good to read this one!

Mel wrote: "Oh, the series are completely unrelated. You are good to read this one!"

Nice I will read this later this week, thanks!

Was about to say the same thing...

I read the City of Stairs trilogy after reading Foundryside and maybe Shorefall...

The series feel similar... the author definitely has certain tools he likes to play with in his sandbox... which leads to feeling like I have an idea how the story will play out in the finale that I haven't read yet...

The main difference, I think, is that City of Stairs is one of those Long Price Quartet type stories, where the book jumps a decade between books, and explores a story in a much larger timescale than usual... (also has different MCs between books, altho all connected in some way)...

I think I know what you mean Iain. I read the blurb, and already knew there would be an interesting cast with different alignments and motivations and backstories. And although I still have barely started, I can guess at the scope of his stories, both at the personal character level, and wider.

And oh, I just love his characters!

Chapter 7
I just got to Gregor's first chapter, and was delighted. (view spoiler)[The way he sings out "Thank you~!" and bounces up the steps. And then carefully folds his sash to lay it aside as he wreaks havoc. And how cool is Whip? You at first want to cock your head and wonder... "Wait, why would a truncheon be named 'Whip'?" And then the reveal. Oh ho ho ho! *mentally readjusts character alignment* This'll be fun. (hide spoiler)]

Mel wrote: "I think I know what you mean Iain. I read the blurb, and already knew there would be an interesting cast with different alignments and motivations and backstories. And although I still have barely ..."

Spoilery comparison to City of Stairs: (view spoiler)[The Founders seem to be similar godlike beings to those seen in the City of Stairs series... your typical Forerunners, for a Halo / sci-fi alien comparison... nebulous entities with advanced technology... (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 8 thoughts
(view spoiler)[What with Clef being able to remember the taste of wine, it seems as if he was once human and perhaps imprisoned? A whole lot of ancient backstory is forthcoming. Gotta wait for him to regain his memory further, or uncover some other clues.

I liked all the little cuts about town as the scrivings stopped working. Lights go out. Mutters of, "What the devil?" as things malfunction. Cinematic and ominous.

...I just remembered. It's like the power going out a few seconds before a large earthquake. And then the collapse of the building. When a natural disaster strikes, and you know it's worse in the distance.

Mysterious stooped campo man with the scriving-stopper... who are you? (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 9
Ooh, it's another Gregor chapter, and I can't wait for (view spoiler)[him and Sancia to meet!

"Stay here, he pleaded with his mind. Stay with me..."
Also, I need more of this tragic backstory like, NOW. A fallen comrade in arms? A lover?
*grabby hands* Give me that angsty goodness. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 10
I have to admit I am of a mind with the mother. (view spoiler)[After such a major disaster, you're bringing a mundane fire to my desk? Because Gregor doesn't realize any of it is interconnected at this point yet, right? Then again, the scriving shutdown is also being chalked up to a malfunction rather than terrorism. (hide spoiler)]

Wait, Orso said (view spoiler)[she's his fab? Bernice isn't... fabricated, is she? Here I was thinking that Clef is entirely too complex a consciousness to be fabricated. That kind of complexity seems way beyond known capabilities. But what does Orso mean by fab, then? (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 11
(view spoiler)[ The bruised, scratched face of Captain Gregor Dandolo leaned overhead, a huge espringal on his back, He smiled politely. "Good evening again." (hide spoiler)]
*grins* I love Gregor.

Slowly getting some backstory, too.

Chapter 12
Fun bit of action.

However, this bit of scriving didn't logic for me...
(view spoiler)[When the man's leg's get cut off by the increasingly dense cord. Like, that part made sense, but the fact that the other floating gravity rig made it do so?
However, the man's gravity rig-whatever it was- allowed him to circumnavigate gravity itself: the one force that allowed objects to come to a resting state. I mean, not really? If anything, gravity is attraction and movement, and things getting in the way, such as the ground, cause the resting state. (hide spoiler)]
Me being nitpicky, but I didn't feel like it was explained to my satisfaction.

Going to be pretty late here--maybe this weekend if I'm lucky...

Yep, looks like others will join later as well, so you'll be in good company. I'm just chugging away bit by bit in the meantime. :)

Finished Part 1

Chapter 13
(view spoiler)[When flipping through my copy, I had spotted the large jagged engraved letters, RUN on the page, and got a little thrill to reach that part of the story.

Also, Sancia. Even if you just saved the guy's life, maybe don't lead off with the fact that you stole his shit. When you're on a high rooftop. Vomiting and vulnerable, about to collapse. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 14
(view spoiler)[Me, in the same boat as Sancia, trying to keep her story straight. It was helpful to have Gregor tell his version of events. And the identity of Mr. Gold Watch Guy is a reason to keep her around and alive at least.

Oh yeah, that vision of the person in the desert, turning out the stars. Almost forgot about it amid all the hullabaloo. Gives you a sense of scale of the godlike powers of the ancient hierophants. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 15
(view spoiler)[Glad Clef's back. And getting back his memories.
I'm surprised though that his consciousness is a sign of him being "broken" though. Wouldn't that be the whole point of turning a human into an artifact? To augment it with a soul? Heinous and forbidden sounding, but interesting that he's a flaw, not a feature.

Also love this line on Gregor:
<Don't hate Captain Dandolo,> said Clef as she set him down. <I think he's broken, just like you and me. He's just trying to fix the world because it's the only way he knows to fix himself.> (hide spoiler)]

I'm starting this today. I've had it on my Kindle for so long and it's been calling out to me!

Part 2

Chapter 16
Haha, hell is being stuck listening to long-winded dull meetings. I feel ya, Orso.
(view spoiler)[Okay, but what is up with Ofelia and these moths? (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 17
Oh no, oh no poor Sancia. My heart.
(view spoiler)["So... so what are you saying? Are you saying I'm stuck like this... forever?"
Being trapped in a body is the worst, most futile prison. You can't escape your own physicality. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 18
Haha, well by now it's pretty clear that Berenice is (view spoiler)[human and not fabricated, but was amused as this exchange.

"I'm his fab."
Sancia had no idea what that was. "So... does that mean you and he are, uh... I mean, you know..."
Berenice looked at her, disgusted. "What? No! God, why does everyone always think a fab is a sex thing when I say it? Plenty of men are fabs and no one ever gets that impression about them!" She sighed. "Fab is short for fabricator."

FabricatOR. Not FabricatED. Gotcha. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 19
Ah, so creepy! There is something viscerally terrifying about wanting to hide from a threat, and anticipating them finding you. "I can't LET HIM SEE ME!"
Even when something is technically not threatening at all, I'll still get this.
*ducks into a room to avoid a coworker*
Must Not Be Perceived!

Chapter 21
(view spoiler)[*bats eyes* What's this, Gregor? Guilt? About throwing Sancia into deathly peril? Why I never would have--
Actually no, this totally tracks for your character. Carry on. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 22
Ohhh, Orso.

(view spoiler)[Don't you see? I'd never have left. I'd have stayed and fought for what I felt I was due."
And who's to say that she's still not? If she was such a genius scriver, and had ambitions to not throw them away for Orso, she seems capable of overthrowing Tomas. But then why the dull, tired eyes and playing trophy wife?
"Please take care of yourself, Estelle."
"Don't worry, Orso. I always do."
Yeah, not sure what to think of Estelle... (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 24
Good boy.
(view spoiler)[Good for you Gregor, standing up to your mother! Not that I thought for a second that he'd accept an assassination job, but nice work cutting through the bullshit. It's so satisfying when that happens. (hide spoiler)]

And also: Ah! Ah! AHHH!!!
(view spoiler)[The moths! The moths again! I swear, twice is perhaps a coincidence, but three times? What is going on with this moth lady? Moths are attracted to light... and she's dealing with some kind of shadow scriving, but that's all I got. I don't understand at all but I am highly suspicious.

(hide spoiler)]

This book is right up Mel's alley, with all the euphemism :D

I started my re-read today... like Emily, I didn't remember much, early on, but bits & pieces came back to me... I'm nearing the end now, the most memorable part for me, when EDIT: [REDACTED]

Oof... I think that was book 2 stuff... like Emily, I'm mixing my plots...

Chapter 25
Damnnn Greggy.
(view spoiler)[Starved, buried alive, and digging your hands raw out of the dirt and bodies and blood to emerge from the gore, screaming...
Like daisies!


I was also reflecting on how Gregor definitely seems less... chirrupy than the beginning of the book. I mean, it makes sense. The stakes are higher, more stress. Befitting the tone of the current predicament. But also different from other books/characters where they maintain a certain sauciness throughout. Like Royce and Hadrian in the Riyria books. (Not one better than the other, just a little mental comparison.) (hide spoiler)]

Part 3

Chapter 26
It always throws me a bit when a "reveal" is something you've just been assuming for a while now. "Wait... the characters didn't realize that?"
(view spoiler)[But yeah, going back to the horror of your soul being trapped in a body you can't escape, it is indeed heinous and heartrending. Sancia, Clef...

I'm thinking of other sci-fi examples of soul-ships and such. Sometimes it's played as no big deal, or as the human choosing it willingly to gain control. But all kinds of stories where they go insane, because a human mind isn't *meant* to function with inorganic parts. And then when that form is inflicted against one's will... (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 27
I liked this bit:
(view spoiler)[God... I knew it was bad for you, kid, but not this bad.
Pain is so intensely personal. Demanding, and immediate, and always seems to be underestimated by others. It's only in fantasy that we get that validation, through telepathy etc. Yes, it is painful. Yes! It is in fact, that bad. (hide spoiler)]

Ah! AHHH!!
(view spoiler)[Goddamn mutherfucking MOTHS! (hide spoiler)]

AHHHH!!!
(view spoiler)[Estelle! You little- I knew we couldn't trust you!" (hide spoiler)]

Timelord Iain wrote: "This book is right up Mel's alley, with all the euphemism :D"

Hehe, oh there's a fair bit of euphemism, but... *dons sunglasses* I've had more.

I admit that a waxxed candle is an interesting take on dipping your wick though. Same metaphor, different language.

Now let's see, where were we? Ah yes.



Chapter 28
(view spoiler)[Oh dear. Chekov's Lock.
Someone didn't want anyone getting into that thing- whatever it is. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 29
(view spoiler)[<Do you feel free?> asked Valeria. <Or do you feel, perhaps, like you have stolen yourself?>

I like this concept. How Sancia's sense of self as a slave was part of what allowed the scrivings to work on her, and to develop her "object sympathy."

Yeah, Valeria is major sus, but I think we all know Sancia's going to have to make the bargain in order to free herself.

And what is that infernal CLICKing noise?
(hide spoiler)]

Chapter 30
(view spoiler)[What do you mean... "stiff and still"? No. No you don't do that to my boy Gregor. You don't don't do him dirty like that. Common, Gregor! You didn't make it through that carriage crash and a war, clawing through unspeakable filth to end it here. You survive!

(hide spoiler)]

Chapter 32
(view spoiler)[Euyugch!
Okay, yeah Estelle be crazy. Beware a patient, ambitious woman.

I'm also not entirely sure how Sancia survived that dive from the 35th floor into the canal. I mean, I know she has all these powers, but it didn't mention any gravity rig or the like. But man, that primal scream into the night. I felt that. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 33
(view spoiler)["We're survivors of all this, Berenice. The wisest thing to do is just keep surviving."
Orso, I see that you too, are a fan of Destiny's Child.
Aaaand I just got a crack-vision of Orso in his goggles and industrial apron with ear buds in, lip syncing and hip-hopping to early 2000s pop. (hide spoiler)]

I have to read a book for in person book club Sunday then I will start this one. The pit of despair, huh? Sounds like fun!

This book is like a perfectly executed series of disasters... there's so many seemingly unrelated things all going on, that fall together in the perfect way to yield the end result... if anything had gone differently, (view spoiler)[Sancia would have been dead or tried for her crimes, Orso's ex would have become a Hierophant, or her husband would have taken control of the city, or half the cast would have fled town... instead, we now have a "slums merchant house" shaking things up... (hide spoiler)]

Tonari no Emily wrote: "I'm through the Part 2 of my reread! Really like this trilogy so far, but I LOVED Bennett's other series more...

I really love the concept of athropomorphization of inaminate objects! The way Cle..."

I think there's something about the characters in City of Stairs, where you felt like the characters were all clearly defined, and there was the political backstory... in this one, alot more characters are in a bit of flux, that gets mostly sorted as this first book progresses/finishes...

(view spoiler)[I also love anthropomorphized / sentient objects, and just recently nominated that as the monthly theme in another group, and discussed a bunch of series with that nature... October Daye, Innkeeper Chronicles, Beginner's Guide to Necromancy, Fred the Vampire Accountant, etc...

The magic system reminds me of programming languages, which gives me slight Laundry Files vibes... the lexicons are like programming libraries you can include to provide access to functions... in that context, other elements of the story really start to parallel Terminator, with competing Skynets and one man army robot killing machines... that actually reminds me of Ghosts of Tomorrow...

And re:re-reads/book 2: (view spoiler)[yea, super sus... but also, his explanation about digging out of the grave made sense, too, when revealed... my bigger problem on re-read was conflating the ending of this book with the next one, where the Hierophant that Gregor's mom worships is released (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

Mel wrote: "I think I know what you mean Iain. I read the blurb, and already knew there would be an interesting cast with different alignments and motivations and backstories. And although I still have barely ..."

(view spoiler)[I swear the book says the when the switch is turned off, gravity returns to normal, but that doesn't seem right... when the switch is off, it retracts... if it returned to normal, it would fall to the ground... otherwise i love Whip, yea... (hide spoiler)]

Mel wrote: "Chapter 8 thoughts
What with Clef..."

I more thought of (view spoiler)[the Lamp Lighter at the start of Harry Potter and the Philosopher/Sorcerer's Stone, that turned off the lights near the Dursley House... (hide spoiler)]

Mel wrote: "Chapter 10
I have to admit I am of a mind with the mother. [spoilers removed]

Wait, Orso said [spoilers removed]

Chapter 11..."

(view spoiler)[I think that;s what it was saying... the floating nature means there was no true resting state, so motion/kinetic energy kept multiplying until it severed the limbs completely... (hide spoiler)]

Mel wrote: "Chapter 25
Damnnn Greggy..."

Do I need a bag of popcorn? :D :D :D

Tonari no Emily wrote: "I'm through the Part 2 of my reread!"

Yes, I totally agree about the being Very Cute! (Chapter 5)(view spoiler)[ I love all the scrivings being neurotic and derp. I AM STRONG GATE! MUST PROTEC! Like they should all have googly eyes on them. Or I could imagine them having little soul sprite/avatars, like Ghibli kodama or kappa. (hide spoiler)]

(And took my chances - spoiler is safe for book 1.)

Finished.

Got too caught up to track play by plays, but oof. While that wraps up this arc, it opens up a whole new set of issues for the next book. I don't know if I can wait to get to it.

I'd say the one issue I had while reading was the logic of some of the worldbuilding mechanics. Not that this needed to be The Martian with all the hard sci-fi physics being explained, but I feel like it could have used another pass by an expert to make it a bit tighter. I liked the ideas and concept as a whole, mind you.

The other thing was at the end, (view spoiler)[Sancia and Berenice's attraction felt a bit tacked on. Like, during the climax of Sancia asserting she was a Real Person and not an It, even though it wasn't the full cliché of harnessing the Power of Love or anything, it felt a bit abrupt. If something's going to happen there, I'd rather it had have developed in book 2. Then the ability to touch another person, finally, could have had more weight, rather than being sandwiched between the action. Although now that I think about it, I can also see how a few blushes could be interpreted as queerbaiting if not given some sort of follow-through by the end of the book. My personal preference would still have been to hold off. (hide spoiler)]

Okay, that's me nitpicking, but I really enjoyed myself! Bennett knows how to up the tension, getting characters into situations, having me think, "Oh no, this not going to end well," or, "Noo, major sus, I don't like this!" But then have lots of fun watching them get out of their predicament. :)

I'm looking forward to y'all starting and hearing your thoughts!

I think you can start Shorefall on Monday and count it for BR points… means a longer wait to count Locklands, tho…

And (view spoiler)[the kiss (hide spoiler)] is kinda the classic thing to do, if you think there’s a high chance of death in your next actions…

We'll see how well I can distract myself until then. :)

And fair enough. Having already (view spoiler)[broached the topic by Berenice asking her out for a date when this is all over, it's the "classic" thing to do... just wish it hadn't gone with the default move. Didn't think it was necessary, and could have held off on that whole thread until later. I didn't hate it, just didn't love it. (hide spoiler)]

Just like cops should never mention retirement and sudden professions of love indicate imminent death… :D

Mel wrote: "Chapter 8 thoughts
What with Clef being able to remember the taste of wine, it seems as if he was once human and perhaps imprisoned? A whole lot of ancient backstory is forthcoming. Gotta wait for ..."

Mel, I always love reading your comments! Its almost like reading the book again but with colorful commentary :D

Mel wrote: "Finished Part 1

Chapter 13
When flipping through my copy, I had spotted the large jagged engraved letters, RUN on the page, and got a little thrill to reach that part of the story.

Also, Sancia...."

Re Chapter 15 (view spoiler)[ That's an interesting point... It seems like the makers of the key or perhaps other objects want the power of the soul without the personality/personhood... (hide spoiler)]

Mel wrote: "Must Not Be Perceived!"
I feel this to my core! lol

Mel wrote: "Timelord Iain wrote: "This book is right up Mel's alley, with all the euphemism :D"

Hehe, oh there's a fair bit of euphemism, but... *dons sunglasses* I've had more.

I admit that a waxxed candle..."
OMG All the candle talk in this book. I hate that euphemism so much.

Timelord Iain wrote: "Mel wrote: "Chapter 8 thoughts
What with Clef..."

I more thought of [spoilers removed]"

Yep that's exactly what I thought of as well. But I suppose in this case there are bigger consequences (view spoiler)[ to turning off scrived stuff. Some of that is needed for structural integrity of buildings or functioning gadgets... (hide spoiler)]