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Writer's picturemikeofthepalace

"The Seventh Perfection" by Daniel Polansky

If I were to describe this book in on word, it would be intriguing. I’ve never read anything else by Daniel Polansky, but I’m certainly interested to do so now.


(Assuming I can ever get Mount Readmore under control)


(Yeah, that’ll totally happen any day now)


Anyway, this book takes place over the course of three days (which is a setup I find I really love - ironic given my long standing love of epics like Lord of the Rings and Wheel of Time). The main character has returned from training on a remote island to serve as a high ranking servant of the God-King. She was training to obtain the Seven Perfections - 7 physical and mental disciplines honed to perfection, and something very few are able to obtain.


Some time after arriving in the city, during a time of festival celebrating the anniversary of the God-King's ascension, she receives a gift from an unknown benefactor - a locket with the image of a woman. Hey attempts to figure out the truth behind the locket lead her into dangers and intrigues touching on the God-King himself.


It's a good premise for a book, and Polansky does a great job with the pace of the reveals. He teases things well and does a wonderful job raising the stakes and the tension.


What led to me comparing this book to a concept album? Each chapter is one encounter with someone the protagonist had over the course of the three days. Most people we see only once, though a handful pop up a few times.


All we ever get as readers - EVER - is the dialogue of these other people who aren't our protagonist. No description, no actions, and none of the protagonist's dialogue. Just half of each conversation. I'm dating myself here, but it kind of felt like the cutscenes from the Half-Life games.


It's weird. I can't think of any other book like it. But damn if it doesn't work and work very, very well.



Thanks to Tor and NetGalley for the ARC.


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