Just One More Chapter

***I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review***

Oh my word, Robert Jackson Bennett has done it again! With this new endeavour, Foundryside, he graciously allowed us a glimpse of the genius behind the curtain inside his highly unconventional brain. This novel has unbelievably intricate World development, an imaginatively complex magic system and beautifully written characters. It is a high octane, extremely well developed Adult Fantasy that gives us bizarre creations such as people who can Code objects to believe/behave in any manner they so choose.... there are materials that are "scrived" to believe they are bigger, stronger, lighter, faster or just "other" than their true nature. Then there are characters that can alter said devices to make them act however they so choose by questioning and redefining their core directives. There are also weird and wonderful, synapse stretching contraptions aplenty.

The first quarter of the book was captivating. I really felt like I couldn't look away. The middle of the book unfortunately felt a bit sluggish. It mostly seemed bogged down with bland/flat character interactions.

What it had in spades were moral and social injustices abound. Morality and the very nature of Reality were questioned repeatedly and the results were unique and captivating. Other common motifs included: What does it take to do what's right even if it is in direct opposition with our "true" nature? What about in the face of incredible injustice? What does it mean to have Power and what does it do to the person who wields it? Are we doomed to repeat the mistakes of our predecessors? What happens when the Powerless are suddenly given some power? Will it corrupt? Will it finally be used to benefit the downtrodden? What does it mean to be free? Can you feel free even if you are hardwired for mindless servitude?... and more...

The ending left me with nearly as many questions as it answered. Over all this was an interesting, gripping and extremely unique read. It is definitely worth the time!!