A Stranger in the Citadel

Source: Tachyon Publishing – Thank you!!!
TL;DR: A surprising take on the post-apocalyptic book banned world. I definitely recommend this one.

Plot: What starts out as a fairly standard plot device really gets it’s feet under it 30-40% in and that last 20% was surprising and intense
Characters: I actually loved our characters for all their flaws and terrible attitudes towards one another. It felt warranted and true to their personalities. Wonderfully drawn.
Setting: Oh I’m not going to spoil that – but I was surprised and delighted
Magic/Science Fiction: Again, this was surprising. I really want more information on this world, it’s so very interesting!

Thoughts:

I’m not going to lie to you, the pitch on this sounds familiar. A fantasy or SF world where books are banned or in this case, a sin to have. Those who carry them are killed as Librarians and the world is hard and dark. And boiled down that is the premise of this story – but there is a lot more to this that really surprised and delighted me.

We follow Lilith, who was raised in the city of Ninetha her entire life. She trains to become a Musketress, who defends her family and the city from those outside and inside the walls. In her world stories reign supreme and paper is banned. It is a sin to be near a book, let alone even be able to read it. Then one day a Librarian is captured, Ishmael. She begins to ask him questions but as she does so she accidently causes her home to become her enemy and she’s sent on a journey of discovery.

There is a lot of tension in this book. That’s not normally my jam, but in this it made sense and also it was believable. Our characters struggled with their feelings for one another but never strayed from their core objectives or traits. I loved that. I also loved how we slowly begin to see the world for what it really is, and it’s not what you expect. I promise you that. I would pick up more in this world in a heartbeat if Tobias S. Buckell ever did anymore. Either more of Lilith’s journey or the making of this world.

For a surprising twist on the post-apocalyptic book about books, I have got to recommend this one. It will surprise you.

4 Out of 5 Terrifying and Dented Angels