REVIEW: The Drowning City (Kindle Edition) by Amanda Downum

The Drowning City by Amanda Downum
Publishing information: Kindle; 384 pages
Publisher: Orbit; 1 September 2009
ISBN 10: 0316069043
ISBN 13: 978-0316069045
ASIN: B002LHRME2
Series: Book 1 of the Necromancer Chronicles
Copy: Out of Pocket
Reviewer: Tyson

Back of the Book: "Symir -- the Drowning City. home to exiles and expatriates, pirates and smugglers. And violent revolutionaries who will stop at nothing to overthrow the corrupt Imperial government.

For Isyllt Iskaldur, necromancer and spy, the brewing revolution is a chance to prove herself to her crown. All she has to do is find and finance the revolutionaries, and help topple the palaces of Symir. But she is torn between her new friends and her duties, and the longer she stays in this monsoon-drenched city, the more intrigue she uncovers -- even the dead are plotting."

I originally bought this book because I found the cover to my liking. Add to the fact that you have an assassin, a female assassin, and you should have a really good book.

While reading The Drowning City there is a lot to enjoy. The city and atmosphere that Downum has created is very impressive. From the Asian feel of the city to the lore that surrounds the various groups and factions. There a lot to look forward to as you read the novel. The city is alive and very vibrant. I find I really like novels that do an amazing job of creating a complete picture of your surroundings.

However, it is really hard to stay with the novel as the plot and prose of the novel have some serious flaws. For the plot, it was similar to a lot of other books I have read in the past and I personally just could not get past that fact. It seemed as if they just switched out a male assassin for a fairly interesting female protagonist and then forgot what to do with her once the author had built up her mythology.

The prose had its highs and lows. But by the time I reached the end of the novel I have to say there were more lows than highs. There are times where things have no narrative flow and I found myself going back a page or two to see if I had skipped something. Many of the characters take action without any emotional response as to why they are doing it, which I find few people act that way. The Drowning City felt as if the emotional portions of the book were left out on purpose.

While the book was not awful, it certainly was not spectacular. Downum has a few redeeming qualities. Her world building is outstanding and is her saving grace. Isyllt Iskaldur is a powerful creation and while this is her story it just never really got off of the ground for me and it was a major disappointment. As a debut novel, flaws are expected and I do think that Downum will be able to overcome the issues I found with the novel in later novels. With that said I have no plans pick up the remaining books in the series. The Drowning City left me with a sour taste in my mouth.

Plot 7
Characters 5
Style 6

Overall 6/10