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A Conspiracy of Truths (The Tales of the Chants, #1)

Alexandra Rowland

Start date: March 1, 2020

Finish date: March 31, 2020

Discussion: Group Reads

Discussion leader: Lindsay

Why we're reading this: Group Read Fantasy - March 2020
[close] Group Read Fantasy - March 2020

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Group Reads

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What Members Thought

Mar 20, 2020 Justine rated it liked it

Shelves: 2020-read

3.5 stars

This is a well written and mostly well executed book. The story moves along nicely and there are a host of engaging characters. That said, it wasn't completely to my personal taste.

I'm not generally of books written with a humourous undertone; I don't mind occasional humour, but I'm not a fan of the low level continuous humour in the form of flippancy or sarcasm by the characters. I also found the generous use of f bombs just a little jarring. I'm not bothered by profanity generally, bu ...more

17 likes · Like · see review

Mar 14, 2020 Lindsay rated it really liked it

Shelves: lgbtqia, fantasy

In a huge and interesting secondary world fantasy, a wandering storyteller and his apprentice find themselves in trouble in a far northern country with corrupt courts and even more corrupt politicians. Worse, the people of Nuryevet seem to be singularly lacking in imagination and appreciation of stories, putting Chant (a title, not a name, but the only name he gives) in a difficult situation as the book starts with him in prison, on trial for witchcraft.

The closest parallel I can draw here is th ...more

10 likes · Like · see review

Apr 04, 2020 Lata rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: auth-f, sf-f-h, x2020-read

Chant wanders from country to country, collecting stories. He lacks weapons, save his voice and the huge number of tales in his head. While travelling through Nuryevan with his apprentice Ylfling, Chant (not his name, but his title/job description) is apprehended and charged with witchcraft. This is a serious charge, and though cleared, Chant is subsequently charged with a greater offence, treason, and awaits execution. Meanwhile, the political situation and already existing corruption worsens a ...more

7 likes · Like · see review

Jan 30, 2021 Emily rated it liked it

Shelves: sff, protag-of-color, queer-protag

I liked it. This isn't a bad book, but there's nothing particularly great about it either. I thought the story and the world might've been far more fleshed out than they were. The fantasy elements felt like second thoughts to a story that could've easily been set in our world. It's full of wit, though. Rowland can write. I got the feeling this novel just wasn't for me? ...more

Like · see review