The Monster Baru Cormorant by Seth Dickinson

**We received an early copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. We’d like to thank Tor and Seth for the opportunity**

What I drank prior: Trivia night with the friends. Got there early, only drank vodka sodas, had to stay after because I needed more information about something that happened a few months ago. Damn I am DRUNK. When did that heppen?

Spoiler-free Overview: Ok so if you haven’t read the first book The Traitor Baru Cormorant then you can see my review on that one here. This review WILL have spoilers for book 1.

This book picks up literally the minute that book 1 ends, with my precious Baru sentencing the love of her life, Tain Hu, to death by drowning. They ALLLLL thought she was ognna call it off, beg them to stop, be too weak to carry out the tasks of th emporer, BUT THEY WERE WRONG. She fuggin does it. So the creeper Ferrier and his rival don’t have anything to hold over her. They tell her about this super secret mission that will take out the foreign land, paving the way for the empire to seize it. She and the Apparitor, and the crazy lady from book 1 go on a mission to find it.

Spoiler-free Thoughts: Ok, just like book 1, this book is tough to get through. Honestly, if I hadn’t only JUST read book 1, I would have forgotten everything because it’s so damn complicated. Also, I didn’t like this one as much as book 1 but it was still pretty great. Dealing with grief and loss but clearly in the most unhealthy way possible. We also get a new-ish story about a Prince from the land that the empire wants. It was interesting to see into the past, see what made Farrier Farrier, and the world that’s desperately trying to hold on to their culture.

Characters: There are so many haha. Our main cast, though, is still excellent. They are all super complicated, have their own agendas, and are basically all just trying to win for various purposes. Baru is actually kind of annoying in this one. She’s not dealing with her loss very well, and it’s irritating to see. I also do NOT like that there are no real friendships in this and the ones that they do have are fragile and easily broken. meh.

Plot: Ok so Seth introduced a new concept of the Cancitroth (sp?) which is what they’re all trying to find. I’m still not really sure what it is, but it has to do with literal Cancer, like metastatic tumors. I’m not sure i’m supposed to understand yet, but it was a little confusing. I’m not sure how that’d solve the empire’s problem but hey. Did I have a good time tryna figure it out? Hellz yes.

Writing Style: It’s soooooo dense. Like soo filled with detail that it’s maddening. But, while it is dense, I still really like it? I like being challenged. And even though it’s tough to read sometimes, it’s beautiful.

World Building: The fuck does cancer have to do with anything?

What to pair it with: Long Island Iced Tea. It’s so complicated, and it will fuck you up.

Rating: 3.75/5 Shots

COMMENT DOWN BELOW: Anyone have thoughts on this series? I’d love to know what you think about either book.

Until next time, we remain forever drunkenly yours,
Sam