Book review: The Drowning City by Amanda Downing

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I'm trying read more fantasy, especially ones not set in the typical Europeanesque worlds. The Drowning City takes place in an Asian-inspired setting, lush and flush with rain and spirits. The main character is a necromancer from a foreign empire, sent to nudge the civil unrest into full rebellion.

It has its flaws, to be sure. There are multiple characters and multiple POVs, and the plot gets convoluted quickly. At one point, the characters fight off an assassin and when the identity is revealed, it's a huge shock. Or at least I imagine it was supposed to be shocking; I couldn't remember who the character was. The inclusions of so many minor characters gets ridiculous, the plot is drowning in them. This is Downing's first published novel; I'm sure she'll improve and iron out the wrinkles as she progresses.

So the prose is meh. The magic, however, is fascinating. The necromancer Isyllt has a specific method of magic that functions in a completely different manner than the magic that Zhirin uses. Downing does an excellent job at making the characters and their abilities distinct.

The interesting setting and the variety of strong, competent female characters made it a good read. This is book one of a trilogy and I'll definitely be getting the second part when it's released.