Foundryside (The Founders Trilogy, #1) in What's the Name of That Book???

Feb 07, 2019 thefourthvine rated it really liked it

Shelves: sff, magic, queer-interest, disability

There are problems with this book. The worldbuilding is — it isn’t bad, but there are places where more editing and explanation was definitely needed, because while it’s easy to make up solutions to the problems and contradictions in the worldbuilding, that’s kind of the author’s job, not the reader’s. And also the first few chapters kind of flail around a bit. It’s not the strongest start out there. Also, there’s slavery, offscreen domestic violence, and rape threats, none of which are my favor There are problems with this book. The worldbuilding is — it isn’t bad, but there are places where more editing and explanation was definitely needed, because while it’s easy to make up solutions to the problems and contradictions in the worldbuilding, that’s kind of the author’s job, not the reader’s. And also the first few chapters kind of flail around a bit. It’s not the strongest start out there. Also, there’s slavery, offscreen domestic violence, and rape threats, none of which are my favorite things.

But even so, this is for sure a four star book. It has an excellent magic system, one that allows the author to explore the boundaries between magic, technology, and divinity. It’s magic that drives technology, but also magic that raises fascinating existential questions that for sure are going to drive however many books there eventually are in this series. And there are no “Yer a wizard, Harry” scenes here; magic is all about education and opportunity, with all the consequences that implies.

And the book has characters that are not just good, but seem specifically designed to appeal to me. Sancia is disabled, has serious problems with touch, has PTSD, doesn’t entirely understand how feelings work, and has to learn to trust others even though the world has really given her zero reason to do that. Gregor starts out like a D&D character played by someone who really wanted to be a paladin but had no idea how to handle a lawful good alignment, but by the end he’s — well, there are layers there, is all I’m saying. Developments. And the other characters are equally interesting, even if they’re not all very likable.

Also, the plot is great, albeit with that classic first book of a trilogy (or whatever) structure, where it’s just one continuous rising line. But I found this fast-paced and remarkably compelling, a quick read despite the length of the book.

And, as an extra-special once-in-a-lifetime bonus: this is a book written by a person who is, as far as I can tell, a white cishet man, and yet a) the main character is a POC woman b) she’s believable c) she’s not sexy or attractive and d) she doesn’t have the slightest romantic interest in the other main character, who is a dude. Also, just to make this an extra weird thing for a cishet dude to write, there are multiple queer characters, and to the extent that there is any romance, it’s f/f. I tell you what: there is a scene in this book where the main character looks into a mirror, and she *doesn’t check out her own boobs*. She doesn’t even describe them! What kind of sorcery is that?

All in all, I look forward to seeing this series play out. I’m ready for the other ones right now. ...more

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Apr 10, 2023 Wealhtheow rated it really liked it

Shelves: fantasy

Sancia is a desperate thief one wrong move from death on any given day. Then she steals a key of unimaginable power and she is immediately in far more danger than she could ever survive. Except...she does. Because Sancia clings to life like a tick, and by the end of the book is not only still alive, but has allies.

The world building here is top notch. It's got a very cool magic system set in such a dark but believable city. I loved the characters. I was frequently shocked by plot events. I love ...more

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Nov 04, 2018 Misha rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: lgbtqia, fantasy, friendship, multiple-perspectives, doorway-people, doorway-plot, doorway-place, female-protagonist, atmospheric, read-2018

This reminded me a lot of Mistborn from the main character Sancia to the magic system presented in this world to the complexity of the world-building. The heist element and band of found friends and conspirators was similar in character development, tone and pacing to Leigh Bardugo's Six of Crows. This also ends in a satisfying way while leaving a large door open to future conflicts. ...more

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May 01, 2020 emily rated it really liked it

Shelves: con-artists-pirates-and-thieves, owned-physical, eat-the-rich, audiobook, non-white-protagonist, magic-witches-occult, fantasy, queers-and-queer-relationships, 2020, best-worldbuilding

This was such an amazing world to spend time in, and Sancia is one of my favorite heroines of recent genre fiction. Can't wait to lay hands on the sequel! ...more

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Nov 05, 2024 Nadine in NY Jones rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy-and-sci-fi, audio, heist

This is a solid SFF heist/adventure/quest novel, with lots of world-building, fun and quirky characters, and plenty of detail. This was entertaining, but it felt a bit too long. (And that was just exacerbated by the clearly open-ended ending - this is part one of three, not a story that stands on its own.)

I don't really care about world-building, and I don't like long books. I lost track of what the main point of this book was after a while. Sancia had a job to steal an item, then she peeked at ...more

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