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2020 Read Harder Challenge, book 21
Prompt: Read a sci-fi/fantasy novella (under 120 pages)
Title: The Jewel and her Lapidary
Author: Fran Wilde

It‘s incredible how much worldbuilding Wilde packs into 91 pages. But OW this one broke my heart a little.

i hope this is a prequel because i have so many questions.

The base idea for this was intriguing, you have Jewels & Lapidaries, Lapidaries have the ability to speak to gems. I‘m not really sure what the point of the Jewels were besides making Lapidaries work for them. I didn‘t really feel it was ever explained. I got the main girls confused numerous times, the villain was bland & cliche, it centered around them being the last of their kind (but not really *shock*) all in all it was alright.

Bail. "Chose Wisely" by Fran Wilde.

Things I don't like in my fiction: Second-person narrative, and gamebook format.

https://firesidefiction.com/choose-wisely

#notthetaggedbook #shortwork

Forgot the book I was planning on reading in my car tonight, so I read this lady instead. It was a quite a charming slice of life story. Like Salinger meets Robin McKinley.

Fran Wilde and I at Borderlands Books :) Such a fun night!
@Fran_Wilde

Next up: some Tor.com novellas. #LitsyPartyOfOne

⭐️ I was really disappointed in this book, especially since it's Hugo nomination. The world-building concept could have been good, but the action of the beginning was too chaotic to get a good grasp of it. When Wilde fell into her rhythm, it was monotonous, trying to mimic a folktale. And being heavily based on the Indus River Valley Civilization, the ending (among other things) left a very bad taste in my mouth. Overall, uncompelling and tonedeaf

I thought it high time to read some of Wilde's work, since I've been following her in twitter for eons! 🙈

Still on my novella kick! The Jewel and Her Lapidary reminds so strongly of the Jewel Kingdom series, which I loved as a child. Despite the bite-sized introduction, the world is so vivid. Please read this so Fran Wilde will write a full-length novel! Jewel Princesses are the best.

This is a well written novella, with an original concept and two very good main characters. They and their relationship are very well done. The commander's son was also well developed.
For me I did not feel I was given enough of an understanding of the concept, to fully buy into the plot. I also felt the King's Lapidary and the Commander were not developed enough compared to the MC's.

Given book by author at Readercon. Signed copy. Loved the detailed world building. Despite a lot of brutality, this is about people overcoming, finding a measure of hope, and shining brightest when the world is at its darkest point. Love!