Unraveller - Frances Hardinge

 

68%

09.12.22

Hardinge is back on track after the rather disappointing Deeplight. Here's her typical robust world building, unflinching examination of power, politics, love and friendship, arresting turns of phrase and vivid characters. Maybe a little too episodic and drawn out but that's only a minor issue with this quality of writing.

Deeplight - Frances Hardinge

 

57%

07.02.21

Hardinge's worldbuilding skills are not in doubt, and nor is her lyrical prose. She can cover awkward subjects, in this case a psychologically abusive relationship, among other things. But this was just a bit... boring. I struggled to care about anyone, and the plot limped along like the old seacraft she describes so vividly.

Cuckoo Song - Frances Hardinge

72%
25.04.20

Finally, something worth reading. In other hands, the simile-heavy style would be overwritten, and the Gothic/fantasy/social commentary plot disjointed. But somehow Hardinge makes it work, and work like a, well, song. Even better than 'A Skinful of Shadows' (but unfortunately with the same occasional jarring phrasing that a decent copy edit should have sorted out).

Fly By Night - Frances Hardinge

67%
30.11.19

Fabulous in all senses, this early Frances Hardinge is almost as good as her later work, if you indulgently assume that the confusing, chaotic context intentionally depicts the experience of ordinary people caught up in circumstances they can't understand. It's a clever political fable, applicable to many times and cultures.

A Skinful of Shadows - Frances Hardinge

71%

12.04.19

Now, this is more like it - a (mostly) well written, (mostly) well edited, exciting, convincing, involving fantasy novel set during the surprisingly underused English Civil War. And, of course from this author, a lot of meaty subtext on everything from gender to power to politics. Mostly fabulous.

A Face like Glass - Frances Hardinge

64%
15.04.18

A solid Young Adult fantasy adventure with some imaginative and compelling ideas. It loses its way a little in the middle, and could have done with a more robust copy edit, but generally this seems to be an author to seek out for post-Potter tweens.