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#14: Jacqueline Carey, Santa Olivia
Jun. 9th, 2014 12:36 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
kareilaI've known about Jacqueline Carey for years because I have friends who are huge fans of her Kushiel books, but those never appealed to me. When I saw this book and its sequel on the shelf at the library, though, I decided to give them a try.
I enjoyed this first book very much. Although the excuse for isolating the outpost seemed improbable, I was willing to overlook that for the rich character drama it provided. Parts of this story are a bit reminiscent of the Hunger Games and other parts reminded me of Rocky - there is a recurring element of boxing matches providing pivotal plot points in the story, with the sympathetic characters always being the underprivileged underdogs. Most of the story is told from the point of view of Loup, an outcast among outcasts who harbors a dangerous secret. We get to see her grow up and learn to protect herself, and eventually to fight back against her oppressors. The sequel promises to give us a glimpse into the wider world outside the outpost, and I'm excited to see what else the author has imagined for these characters.
I enjoyed this first book very much. Although the excuse for isolating the outpost seemed improbable, I was willing to overlook that for the rich character drama it provided. Parts of this story are a bit reminiscent of the Hunger Games and other parts reminded me of Rocky - there is a recurring element of boxing matches providing pivotal plot points in the story, with the sympathetic characters always being the underprivileged underdogs. Most of the story is told from the point of view of Loup, an outcast among outcasts who harbors a dangerous secret. We get to see her grow up and learn to protect herself, and eventually to fight back against her oppressors. The sequel promises to give us a glimpse into the wider world outside the outpost, and I'm excited to see what else the author has imagined for these characters.
