The Hod King

Our exploration of Bancroft's Steampunk Tower of Babel continues with this penultimate entry to the series. The invention of this series is second to none - weird and wonderful worldbuilding unlike anything else I have encountered. Here we are largely focused on the Ringdom (kingdom) of Pelphia.

Tom has been separated from the rest of his crew and sent to infiltrate first (under strict instructions not to try and contact his wife) whilst the rest of crew make their way there in the Sphinx's own airship. We finally begin to get more info on Tom's wife and more info on what the Hod's are up to.

The story continues to race along in its wave of whimsy. Bancroft has a wonderful gentle wit that permeates everything he writes. The characters are flawed but interesting and the world is fascinating. The Books of Babel are unlike anything else I have encountered - a highly recommended read!

4.5 out of 5 stars

In this third installment of The Books of Babel series, author Josiah Bancroft shakes up the narrative structure yet again and we're presented with three distinct, non-concurrent storylines that all take place over the same period of time. This doesn't push the overall story forward very far, but it provides us with sustained and worthwhile time with several wonderful characters.

Bancroft could write a kitchen appliance manual and I'd happily read it. The fact that he's built such a wondrous world and a story that makes such perfect use of his unique voice and style makes it all the better. The witticisms, turns of phrase, vivid images, fully drawn characters, and the magnificent setting all coalesce into something truly remarkable.

In my review of Arm of the Sphinx, I concluded that this series “has the makings of a modern fantasy classic.” Well, makings have been made. This series is a modern fantasy classic.

Come the Hod King.

See this review and others at The Speculative Shelf.

crazy this book is crazy. I loved it. wasn't the biggest fan of the way the book is layed out with by following a character and then going back and following them and going back, but once i had finished the book it made more sense why it was done that way.

Bancroft really knows how to keep up the suspense/anticipation. everytime we leave a character it is at exactly the wrong moment because something has just happened and now what. a different POV and i have to catch up to that time again. Well Done, Well Done

i'm glad that this book answered most of my questions from the last book mainly questions about Marya's baby but i'm glad to report its Senlin's and that Marya still loves himLoved the purpose of Pelphia as a giant circuit breaker. made a roller coaster for replacing fuses.
Senlins story this part was great and i'm anxiously awaiting what happens in book 4

I stopped reading at 35%, because I don't find it that interesting. I really liked the previous books in the series, but the thing here is that one third is from Senlin's perspective (I like him, I like this, obviously), then we skip to one third for Voleta, who to me is the epitome of annoying quirky hyper girlie (hello Kizzy, my old friend) and then supposedly Edith is the last, whom... I don't really have that much of a problem with, but I also don't love. I would have probably kept reading longeri f Edith came before Voleta, but as things are I'm kind of bored.
I will most likely try reading this later again, so I'm not going to rate this now, but I need something I enjoy more.

Two in a row! Right after reading Elantris, a new all time favorite, I read another all time favorite, The Hod King. Books of Babel might just be my new favorite series. Not only are the characters fleshed out, but the plot AND the setting are ingenious.

Each book in this series has made an impression, but the Hod King is so far the most significant chapter. It's in this book that we see so much payoff, but we also see a sociopolitical theme that hits the mark on our nation's current perception of the world. I'm not usually the one who search's books for these type of standards, but I'm the one who looks for relatability.

The Fall of Babel, the finale, comes out in a few months and I'm too ready for it.

So stressful (in a good way😉). I had to stop listening for a while, and take a break. Has ALL the feels. The tower is a weird and not so wonderful place. I also thought this was the last book in the series, nope. sigh. I want (need) to know how this hot mess all ends 😛
PS. Listening to this is like watching a movie in your head, the writing is excellent, very descriptive without slowing down the story.