Kazuo Ishiguro's writing is exquisite and haunting. While the premise of the novel is fascinating, the plot development is slow and focuses on the mundane. After finishing the novel, the subtle, almost emotionless plot seems to mirror both the immutable situation and the resigned personalities of the three main characters: Kath, Ruth, and Tommy.

Although the novel is beautifully crafted, I read it with a sense of disbelief the entire time. I found it difficult to understand how the ... (show more)

Kazuo Ishiguro's writing is exquisite and haunting. While the premise of the novel is fascinating, the plot development is slow and focuses on the mundane. After finishing the novel, the subtle, almost emotionless plot seems to mirror both the immutable situation and the resigned personalities of the three main characters: Kath, Ruth, and Tommy.

Although the novel is beautifully crafted, I read it with a sense of disbelief the entire time. I found it difficult to understand how the main characters didn't comprehend their situation, when I had grasped it almost completely within the first couple chapters. Even more so: why did the characters accept their fate? Why didn't they disappear into the larger society of "normals," thus earning a permanent deferment? Is it possible that the scientists who engineered them bred out their survival instinct? That they were built in such a way to submit to their fate? Humans have an enormously strong survival instinct, and I had a hard time believing "sensitive, intelligent" adults would willingly submit to the horrible role that fate assigned them. (show less)

Absolutely adored this book! Brandan Sanderson's writing pulls you in from the moment you open the book, and doesn't let you go. I'm ready to devour books 2 and 3 in the series.

Most notably, the system of magic explored in the book is unlikely anything I've read before. It's intricate and powerful, but has actual limits that make it more believable (no elves or dragons with limitless powers in this novel!). Balancing the magical aspect is the strong character development and plot. ... (show more)

Absolutely adored this book! Brandan Sanderson's writing pulls you in from the moment you open the book, and doesn't let you go. I'm ready to devour books 2 and 3 in the series.

Most notably, the system of magic explored in the book is unlikely anything I've read before. It's intricate and powerful, but has actual limits that make it more believable (no elves or dragons with limitless powers in this novel!). Balancing the magical aspect is the strong character development and plot. It's a fantasy 'caper' novel, in which the protagonists aren't traditional heroes, but are thieves set to overthrow an evil empire through a scam.

Finally, the plucky, unlikely heroine emerges as a real gem. (show less)