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Books matching: grimy setting

9 result(s)

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Showing 1 - 9 of 9 
  1. #1
    Leviathan Wakes
    Book 1 in the series:The Expanse

    Leviathan Wakes - The Expanse by James S.A. Corey
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    "Leviathan Wakes" is a space opera set in a future where humanity has colonized the Moon, Mars, and the Asteroid Belt. The story follows the crew of the Rocinante as they become entangled in a conspiracy involving Earth, Mars, and the Belters. The narrative is fast-paced, featuring elements of political intrigue, alien encounters, zombie horror, and epic space battles. The writing style is described as compelling, with realistic physics and vivid world-building that explores the complex relationships between humans living in different regions of the solar system.

    A hundred and fifty years before, when the parochial disagreements between Earth and Mars had been on the verge of war, the Belt had been a far horizon of tremendous mineral wealth beyond viable econo...

  2. #2
    Smiler's Fair
    Book 1 in the series:The Hollow Gods

    Smiler's Fair - The Hollow Gods by Rebecca Levene
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    'Smiler's Fair' by Rebecca Levene is a dark and gritty fantasy novel that introduces readers to a world where gods walk among humans, monsters lurk in the shadows, and nothing is as it seems. The story follows a diverse cast of characters - including a princess negotiating an arranged marriage, a goat herder at the center of a prophecy, a male prostitute chasing his dreams, and a warrior seeking revenge - whose lives intertwine at the enigmatic Smiler's Fair. The book is a blend of epic and dark fantasy, featuring graphic scenes, intricate world-building, and morally complex characters set against a backdrop of unique mythology and a vibrant magical system.

    The narrative is told from multiple points of view, allowing readers to experience the world through different characters' eyes and witness their personal growth and struggles. The writing style is described as skillful, engaging, and immersive, drawing readers into a world where gender roles and sexuality are balanced, and where nothing is black and white. Overall, 'Smiler's Fair' offers a refreshing take on traditional fantasy tropes, presenting a brutal and knife-sharp story that challenges readers' expectations and keeps them engaged till the end.


  3. #3
    Out of the Shadows
    by: 
    Book 1 in the series:Alien

    Out of the Shadows - Alien by Tim Lebbon
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    'Out of the Shadows' by Tim Lebbon is a gripping science fiction novel set in the 'Alien' universe. The story kicks off with miners encountering monsters while digging for trimonite, and things escalate when Ellen Ripley joins the narrative, adding a layer of fear and excitement. The book delves into the horrors of alien creatures, featuring tension, jarring shocks, and a relentless pace, all set in atmospheric and claustrophobic mining environments.

    The narrative unfolds with cinematic set pieces, suspenseful build-ups, and a focus on character development, particularly with the introduction of co-protagonist Chris Hooper. The book successfully bridges the gap between the first and second 'Alien' films, offering a fresh perspective on Ripley's character and the overarching themes of memory and delusion, all while maintaining the grim and industrial aesthetic of the original movie.


  4. #4
    Dark Factory
    by: 
    Book 1 in the series:Dark Factory

    Dark Factory - Dark Factory by Kathe Koja
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    Dark Factory by Kathe Koja is a unique and mind-bending novel set in a grimy city where inhabitants are short on hope and happiness. The story revolves around a nightclub called Dark Factory, created by Ari, that immerses guests in a world unlike any before by mixing virtual reality technology with carefully curated sensory experiences. The plot explores themes of creating immersive experiences, limitations of creations, mystical elements, a love story, and the struggle between nature and technology. The writing style is described as stream of consciousness, with sentences running on for pages, detailed observations of surroundings, and a challenging but rewarding reading experience.


  5. #5

    Bleak House by Charles Dickens
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    Bleak House by Charles Dickens is a dense and intricate Victorian novel that weaves together the lives of various characters from different social classes, all connected by a long-running legal case known as Jarndyce v. Jarndyce. The narrative explores themes of justice, social commentary, love, mystery, and the impact of bureaucracy on society. The story is told through multiple perspectives, with a mix of humor, satire, romance, and tragedy, creating a rich tapestry of characters and events set in the backdrop of Victorian England.

    LONDON. MICHAELMAS TERM lately over, and the Lord Chancellor sitting in Lincoln's Inn Hall. Implacable November weather. As much mud in the streets as if the waters had but newly retired from the fac...

  6. #6
    Infernal Devices
    by: 
    Book 1 in the series:Infernal Devices

    Infernal Devices - Infernal Devices by K.W. Jeter
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    'Infernal Devices' by K.W. Jeter is a steampunk adventure novel set in a Victorian-inspired world filled with clockwork creations and mysterious inventions. The story follows a protagonist who finds himself entangled in a world of anti-science groups, strange creatures, and complex machinery left behind by his inventor father. With elements of Lovecraftian horror and raucous adventure, the narrative unfolds through a fast-paced plot with unexpected twists and turns, all narrated in a Victorian style reminiscent of Arthur Conan Doyle and H.P. Lovecraft. Despite the fantastical elements, the book delves into themes of technology, mystery, and Victorian culture, creating a unique blend of genres and settings.

    On just such a morning as this, when the threat of rain hangs over London in the manner of a sentence neither stayed nor pardoned, but rather perpetually executed, Creff, my factotum, interrupted the ...

  7. #7
    The Scar
    Book 2 in the series:New Crobuzon

    The Scar - New Crobuzon by China Mieville
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    'The Scar' by China Mieville is a novel set in the same universe as 'Perdido Street Station' but with a different cast of characters and settings. The book is praised for its tightly plotted narrative, well-drawn characters, and the absence of gratuitous elements like slime and gore. The story follows the main character Bellis Coldwine as she navigates through a world filled with bizarre urban density, alternative realities, and a floating pirate city known as Armada.

    The narrative of 'The Scar' is described as captivating, dark, and richly imagined, with complex characters who grapple with hidden goodness and darkness within the human condition. The book delves into themes of duplicity, energy policy, and exile, all while maintaining a focus on character development and a multi-perspective plot that weaves together various storylines in a compelling manner.

    The boats that make the eastward journey out of New Crobuzon enter a lower landscape. To the south there are huts and rotten little jetties, from where rural laborers fish to supplement monotonous die...

    (Also, see 100 recommendations for the series New Crobuzon )

  8. #8
    The Final Empire
    Book 1 in the series:Mistborn

    The Final Empire - Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson
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    'The Final Empire' in the 'Mistborn' series by Brandon Sanderson follows the story of Vin, a young thief with extraordinary abilities, as she becomes involved in a plot to overthrow the immortal emperor. Set in a world plagued by slavery, crime, and political corruption, the story unfolds with intricate magical systems and complex characters facing moral dilemmas and making compromises. The rebellion to dethrone the seemingly unkillable Lord Ruler and free the oppressed Skaa forms the central conflict, providing a mix of action, intrigue, and character development.

    Vin watched the downy flakes drift through the air. Leisurely. Careless. Free. The puffs of soot fell like black snowflakes, descending upon the dark city of Luthadel. They drifted in corners, blowing...

  9. #9

    Phoenix Rising - Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences by Pip Ballantine
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    'Phoenix Rising' in the 'Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences' series by Pip Ballantine is a steampunk adventure set in an alternate timeline Victorian England. The story follows the dynamic duo of Eliza D. Braun, a daring and explosive-loving agent, and Wellington Thornhill Books, a proper English archivist, as they are forced to work together in solving peculiar occurrences for the Ministry. The plot is filled with intrigue, well-drawn characters, and unexpected twists, reminiscent of a mix between Sherlock Holmes and the old TV show Avengers, all against a steampunk backdrop.

    The writing style of Pip Ballantine in 'Phoenix Rising' is engaging and entertaining, with a mix of humor, action, and mystery. The book introduces readers to a world filled with gadgets, investigations, and a hint of romance between the two leads, Eliza and Wellington. The narrative is fast-paced, keeping readers entertained throughout as the duo navigates their partnership and uncovers dark secrets within the Ministry.

    Splinters, both of the wooden and metal variety, pelted his face, but he was far too distracted to notice anything painful. Perhaps they were from the cell door; perhaps they were from the contraption...

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