Who Would Like This Book:
This book is a brilliantly sharp blend of political intrigue, economic warfare, and personal tragedy. If you love clever scheming, immersive world-building, and moral complexity, you'll be hooked. Fans of stories about empires, colonialism, and the cost of rebellion - especially those who don't mind a slow-burn plot revolving around an unconventional heroine - will find plenty to dig into. Those looking for diverse representation in fantasy will appreciate its thoughtful treatment of gender, sexuality, and cultural conflict. Think Game of Thrones meets Machiavellian economics, minus the dragons!
Who May Not Like This Book:
If you prefer fantasy with lots of magic, nonstop action, or a lighter tone, this probably isn't your cup of tea. The book is heavy, cerebral, and often emotionally brutal - with oppressive systems and bleak themes. Some readers found the dense politics, slow pacing in the middle, or the distant, guarded main character a hurdle, and a few wished for more emotional connection or vibrant description. Also, if happy endings are a must or if you want clear-cut good guys and bad guys, be warned: this is not that kind of story!
About:
The Traitor Baru Cormorant follows the journey of Baru, a brilliant and complex protagonist, who is plucked from her native family to be educated by an empire that is taking over her homeland. As she rises through the ranks of the empire, she navigates a world of political intrigue, betrayal, and difficult choices. Baru's ultimate goal is to gain enough power to potentially liberate her home, but the central question remains: is she a traitor, and to what exactly? The book delves into themes of morality, sacrifice, and the cost of trying to change a system from within, all while exploring a society undergoing colonization, economic manipulation, and cultural suppression.
The writing style of The Traitor Baru Cormorant is described as intellectually devastating and emotionally rigorous, blending elements reminiscent of authors like Guy Gavriel Kay and KJ Parker. The story unfolds with intricate plot twists, deep character studies, and a focus on political and economic intrigue. Despite being a fantasy novel without traditional magic elements, the book captivates readers with its complex characters, well-built world, and a narrative that challenges readers to question the boundaries of power and loyalty.
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Notes:
Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
The book addresses themes of colonialism, systemic homophobia, and societal violence which may be triggering for some readers.
Has Romance?
The book features a slow-burn romance subplot that is intricately tied to the main political narrative, though it unfolds against a backdrop of oppression.
From The Publisher:
The Traitor Baru Cormorant is the critically-acclaimed debut novel from Seth Dickinson, one of the rising new stars in fantasy.
Tomorrow, on the beach, Baru Cormorant will look up and see red sails on the horizon.
The Empire of Masks is coming, armed with coin and ink, doctrine and compass, soap and lies. They will conquer Baru's island, rewrite her culture, criminalize her customs, and dispose of one of her fathers. But Baru is patient. She'll swallow her hate, join the Masquerade, and claw her way high enough up the rungs of power to set her people free.
To test her loyalty, the Masquerade will send Baru to bring order to distant Aurdwynn, a snakepit of rebels, informants, and seditious dukes. But Baru is a savant in games of power, as ruthless in her tactics as she is fixated on her goals. In the calculus of her schemes, all ledgers must be balanced, and the price of liberation paid in full.
Ratings (77)
Incredible (17) | |
Loved It (14) | |
Liked It (18) | |
It Was OK (20) | |
Did Not Like (6) | |
Hated It (2) |
Reader Stats (318):
Read It (80) | |
Want To Read (175) | |
Did Not Finish (9) | |
Not Interested (54) |
8 comment(s)
edit: the next two books in the series are two of my favorite books of all time so take this review w a grain of salt
i have no idea how to rate this book. most of it reads like a dry history textbook or chess commentary and there is very little interesting dialogue or character work. word-to-word it asks way too much of the reader; most of its sentences are run-ons comprised of names and terms whose pronunciation i struggle to conceptualize as a native english speaker. most of the characters at the forefront of the action feel more like game pieces than people i am invested in or want to read about or can even keep straight in my head. i think all of this this has a thematic purpose, but it's hard to fill your belly on theme alone. it's not meant to be a "fun" read, which is fine, but it doesn't compensate by being a page-turner either. you will probably suspect the ending from the beginning, but it will feel like a cold comfort either way. this is a "dark" book, to use the same word-of-the-day as everyone else, but it's more bleak than visceral. that's maybe worse.
all that said. i don't *not* recommend it? but i also don't. recommend it. i didn't dnf. i kept coming back to it. i can't stop thinking about it. i don't know. i don't know...
Complex and emotionally brutal!
(More of a 3.5)
The "savant MC" has been done many times over, but Baru is sympathetic and active enough to keep the story going. The plot goes from complex accounting maneuvers to complex accounting maneuvers, rather seamlessly, and the many webs of the story kept me turning pages until the end.
Dickinson can have remarkable prose when the story is told "in scene;" in particular, his similes, likening verbs to static objects, are unique and evoke very particular images. However, large sections are told "in summary," and it's difficult to feel attached to the characters here; when these sections attempt to get flowery, they feel forced. Furthermore, while Baru herself is well-developed, most of the side characters are not. These "in summary" scenes also lend to a rather lopsided pacing, sometimes far too quick and other times far too slow.
Sexuality is also a theme, and while nothing explicit is shown, the author's point is a bit heavy-handed.
Fascinating and relatable exploration of the tension between assimilation to and defiance of imperialism. I could read about Baru's inner struggles, guilt, wistfulness, etc forever. People with recent immigration in their families especially might find this book relatable.
"This is the truth. You will know because it hurts."
You will think you are warned, but you are not warned.
It hurts. Fuck this earth.
I think this is the first instance where I started off liking a character and then, slowly, devolved into active dislike. The story is compelling. The world building is great. The book itself is immersive and well written. Honestly, the only reason this excellent book isn't getting five stars is because once I realized I disliked her, my ability to get through the book started to flag. And that's on me, not on the writer.
Plot
The story line and characters. Shocking every step of the way as you see what someone will become in order to achieve their goals
What can you read after
The Traitor Baru Cormorant?
About the Author:
SETH DICKINSON's short fiction has appeared in Analog, Asimov's, Clarkesworld, Lightspeed, Strange Horizons, and Beneath Ceaseless Skies, among others. He is an instructor at the Alpha Workshop for Young Writers, winner of the 2011 Dell Magazines Award, and a lapsed student of social neuroscience. He lives in Brooklyn, New York. The Traitor Baru Cormorant is his first novel.
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