Unsouled : Cradle

Wow. I picked this book up on a Friday night and had finished it in less than twenty-four hours—and it wasn’t even a Friday night/Saturday when I had nothing to do. Unsouled by Will Wight is a book that hooks you at the beginning and keeps things paced in such a way that it’s very, very difficult to put down. This is another book that I’ve seen recommended for awhile and I’m sorry it took me so long to get to it.

Unsouled is kind of Brandon Sanderson meets Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon wrapped in Naruto. If you’re looking for a non-western setting, this novel delivers in spades. The setting is deep and interesting and has plenty of secrets that this first book doesn’t even begin to entirely reveal. In a very real way there are plots within plots and worlds within worlds here. I very much enjoyed the unique cultural setting. The idea of honor as central to morality and life as opposed to legality was very interesting and to see how that played out in character decisions and relations between clans was fascinating. Wight manages to wrap this deep world building in a perfectly paced plot. Things moved briskly, and while there were one or two very brief info dumps, I never felt like there was a good place to set the book down for a breather. It’s difficult to find something so masterfully paced. Those who regularly read my reviews know that I’m a sucker for intricate magic systems that are integral to the plot of a book and Unsouled satisfies here.

The two main quibbles I have with the book are, first, that many of the side characters lack depth. This isn’t true across the board and because the pacing moves so quickly you tend not to feel the lack. But I did find myself wishing that side characters were more fleshed out. In a novel that comes in under three hundred pages that really is a tall order though, and in the end I think the excellent pacing just didn’t allow for it. Second, this book definitely feels a little bit like the prologue to a larger, wider story. That’s fine, but I could have done with just a bit more resolution for this book in itself.

Will Wight has given us the start of what is sure to be a wonderful, gripping, and downright fun series. I can’t wait to pick up the next book in the series. If you enjoy intricate, interesting magic systems don’t hesitate to grab this. Coupled with the fascinating and authentic non-western setting this novel is one that shines. 4.4/5 stars.

5 – I loved this, couldn’t put it down, move it to the top of your TBR pile
4 – I really enjoyed this, add it to the TBR pile
3 – It was ok, depending on your preferences it may be worth your time
2 – I didn’t like this book, it has significant flaws and I can’t recommend it
1 – I loathe this book with a most loathsome loathing