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The Traitor Baru Cormorant

Book 1 in the series:The Masquerade

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The Traitor Baru Cormorant follows the journey of Baru, a brilliant and complex protagonist, who is plucked from her native family to be educated by an empire that is taking over her homeland. As she rises through the ranks of the empire, she navigates a world of political intrigue, betrayal, and difficult choices. Baru's ultimate goal is to gain enough power to potentially liberate her home, but the central question remains: is she a traitor, and to what exactly? The book delves into themes of morality, sacrifice, and the cost of trying to change a system from within, all while exploring a society undergoing colonization, economic manipulation, and cultural suppression.

The writing style of The Traitor Baru Cormorant is described as intellectually devastating and emotionally rigorous, blending elements reminiscent of authors like Guy Gavriel Kay and KJ Parker. The story unfolds with intricate plot twists, deep character studies, and a focus on political and economic intrigue. Despite being a fantasy novel without traditional magic elements, the book captivates readers with its complex characters, well-built world, and a narrative that challenges readers to question the boundaries of power and loyalty.

Characters:

The characters are intricate and multifaceted, with the protagonist facing substantial moral dilemmas, enriching the narrative's complexity.

Writing/Prose:

The writing is sophisticated and immersive, though some moments feel overly instructive, which can disrupt the narrative flow.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot intricately weaves personal and political conflicts, highlighting betrayal against a backdrop of colonialism and imperialism.

Setting:

The setting is a complex world influenced by themes of colonialism and political power dynamics, mirroring real-world histories.

Pacing:

The pacing allows for in-depth exploration of themes and character arcs, though some may find sections slower due to political focus.
The Masquerade sent its favorite soldiers to conquer Taranoke: sailcloth, dyes, glazed ceramic, sealskin and oils, paper currency printed in their Falcrest tongue. Little Baru, playing castles in the ...

Notes:

The Traitor Baru Cormorant is a geopolitical fantasy novel.
The protagonist, Baru, is a mathematical genius and an accountant.
The story revolves around themes of colonialism and rebellion against a dominant empire.
The Empire of Masks represents colonial powers, promoting a culture of eugenics and homophobia.
Baru's goal is to destroy the empire from within by rising through its ranks.
The book explores the complexities of loyalty, betrayal, and identity.
Baru's sexuality is a central theme, as she navigates a homophobic society.
The narrative combines elements of political intrigue, economic manipulation, and personal sacrifice.
Many readers find the ending emotionally devastating and thought-provoking.
The novel has been praised for its nuanced characters and rich world-building.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

The book addresses themes of colonialism, systemic homophobia, and societal violence which may be triggering for some readers.

Has Romance?

The book features a slow-burn romance subplot that is intricately tied to the main political narrative, though it unfolds against a backdrop of oppression.

From The Publisher:

The Traitor Baru Cormorant is the critically-acclaimed debut novel from Seth Dickinson, one of the rising new stars in fantasy.

Tomorrow, on the beach, Baru Cormorant will look up and see red sails on the horizon.

The Empire of Masks is coming, armed with coin and ink, doctrine and compass, soap and lies. They will conquer Baru's island, rewrite her culture, criminalize her customs, and dispose of one of her fathers. But Baru is patient. She'll swallow her hate, join the Masquerade, and claw her way high enough up the rungs of power to set her people free.

To test her loyalty, the Masquerade will send Baru to bring order to distant Aurdwynn, a snakepit of rebels, informants, and seditious dukes. But Baru is a savant in games of power, as ruthless in her tactics as she is fixated on her goals. In the calculus of her schemes, all ledgers must be balanced, and the price of liberation paid in full.

Ratings (38)

Incredible (7)
Loved It (10)
Liked It (10)
It Was OK (7)
Did Not Like (2)
Hated It (2)

Reader Stats (161):

Read It (41)
Want To Read (97)
Did Not Finish (5)
Not Interested (18)

3 comment(s)

Incredible
1 month

I think this is the first instance where I started off liking a character and then, slowly, devolved into active dislike. The story is compelling. The world building is great. The book itself is immersive and well written. Honestly, the only reason this excellent book isn't getting five stars is because once I realized I disliked her, my ability to get through the book started to flag. And that's on me, not on the writer.

 
Liked It
2 months

Plot

 
Loved It
11 months

The story line and characters. Shocking every step of the way as you see what someone will become in order to achieve their goals

 

About the Author:

SETH DICKINSON's short fiction has appeared in Analog, Asimov's, Clarkesworld, Lightspeed, Strange Horizons, and Beneath Ceaseless Skies, among others. He is an instructor at the Alpha Workshop for Young Writers, winner of the 2011 Dell Magazines Award, and a lapsed student of social neuroscience. He lives in Brooklyn, New York. The Traitor Baru Cormorant is his first novel.

 
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