Beneath the Citadelby Sheena McNeilReviews may contain information that could be considered 'spoilers'. Readers should proceed at their own risk. Publisher
Credits Grade: 9 Cassa and her friends are the children of those who played roles in the rebellion. They want to continue the fight against the ruling council and the ancient divinations that hold the city of Eldra in their power. The secret they uncover, however, threatens everything, and they will have no choice but to fight for their lives as much as they fight for the city. It will take all of their combined powers to even have a hope of out-maneuvering the final infallible prophecy.This is a fantastic read. The plot itself is difficult to pin down, as it's sort of one long chase / evade / escape scene that circles back on itself several times. However, there are two things that really carry the story. First, are the characters, which I will delve into below. Second, are the powers certain people possess: seers (who prophesize), diviners (who can read futures in bones and coins and such), rooks (can take and return memories), and sentients (can read a person's thoughts and past on their face). Characters can make or break a story, and here they make it; I would read these characters in another setting. However, it is the combination of characters, and their interactions with these different powers and the people that possess, them that is the bulk of this read and what makes it so fascinating. These powers are used and abused by those in power, so it's no big surprise that the main threat is someone who possesses all of these to some extent. These powers allow for mystery upon mystery, and then a wonderfully satisfying unravelling to reveal the truth at the end. Plus, there's the bloodbond certain people can acquire with things that have a liquid form (metals, mostly). This is a huge plot point, as well as used for character development and challenges to characters. Cassa is the fire that is lit beneath everyone else. She's the one they all look to, so it's a great twist to have her be the one that is truly one-note. She's the one that creates the reason for all of this to happen, and, given her background and family history (her parents were the lead rebels), it's quite fitting. She's a character you just need to experience from beginning to end within the story to appreciate. And, the ending is rather perfect, especially thanks to Vesper's help; Cassa is the type of character that needed her story to end in that way. Evander and Alys are brother and sister, which allows for a different relationship than between any other characters. Their parents, while not officially rebels, were branded as such for helping a man, which was a series of events that threw these siblings into Cassa's circle. Evander has a bloodbond with silver, which is used to build his character's history and current outlook, as well as being a skill that's needed several times over during their escapades. He's also bisexual, which is nicely worked into his relations with both Cassa and Newt. Alys is the practical one, with her parents' skill for alchemy. She struggles with her divination powers (and a guilt she has regarding one of her first readings), as well as her anxiety, which is aptly depicted as a maelstrom inside her head. She easily has one of the biggest growth arcs of any of the characters; seeing her in the final pages filled me with pride for her. Newt was raised to be a survivor, to bend but not break. He has learned to be still and silent, observant, and able to dislocate most joints in his extremities. While the dislocation aspect is useful, I appreciate that we're shown the downsides to it as well. He's the outsider to the group, as his father betrayed Cassa's parents and the rest of the rebels. He's shy, quiet, and strange, but his presence rounds out the group in unexpected ways that kept me enjoying him as a character. Vesper is the one you'd think would be the outsider, given that her uncle is the High Chancellor, and her own place in the Citadel. Her friendship with Cassa is genuine despite its unusual beginning. She, like her uncle, is playing the long game, strategizing, and using her secret rook gifts to play a treacherous game of slight-of-hand. Despite not having formal training, her skills are powerful and fueled by a deep and broad understanding of the bigger picture. I love that we don't get a real feel for her till halfway through, and it's in the final chapters that she really shines. The combination of Vesper and Cassa is the real reason most of what happens here is able to come to pass, and it is amazing to see exactly how some of that works in the final chapters. I greatly enjoyed this read. It kept me intrigued from beginning to end, especially with how and when certain things were revealed ... or further twisted. I learned to care about each of the main characters (including Vesper's uncle). The main enemy is almost too powerful, which makes the dangers and uncertainties heart-pounding at several stages, and yet, he's limited in a way that allows for hope. The injuries sustained are realistic, and hard-won escapes are believable. Some aspects push the boundaries of believability, but within context (including the powers held by some), it works. The circular nature of the plot and action does allow us to gain deeper understandings of the levels in this world (literally, the setting, as well as power levels). Looking back on it, it strikes me as an odd format, but one that works well here. This is a read for those that like character-driven stories with lots of mystery, rebels versus political corruption, a dose of fantasy, and intensity. Written: December 19, 2018
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