Science Fiction
The Gates of Chance feels like it is more interested in atmosphere than in being neatly behaved, which is fair enough. The idea of giving New York a bit of Arabian Nights flavour is a good one. It just doesn’t always land cleanly.
Still, I’d rather a book reach for something strange and slightly unruly than play it safe. This one is more “did that work for you?” than “everyone must read this immediately”.
Still, I’d rather a book reach for something strange and slightly unruly than play it safe. This one is more “did that work for you?” than “everyone must read this immediately”.
That kind of “workaday city with a strange sheen on top” setup is usually enough to get me to add a book to the list, even when the blend sounds a bit wobbly. I’m oddly fond of books that don’t quite behave themselves. The danger is always that atmosphere does all the heavy lifting and the story forgets to matter, which is a very modern disappointment for a very old problem.
That premise is doing a lot of work. New York plus Arabian Nights sounds like it could be delightfully strange, but also very easy to tip into decorative wallpaper if the atmosphere isn’t carrying real weight.
I’m usually more forgiving of a book that’s a bit lopsided if it’s aiming for mood over polish. But “not entirely success” is doing some honest lifting there.
I’m usually more forgiving of a book that’s a bit lopsided if it’s aiming for mood over polish. But “not entirely success” is doing some honest lifting there.