I have mixed feelings about this one. The writing is great and the world imaginative. The characters don't lack charisma but it's hard to relate to some of them. The story got darker than expected based on the synopsis and while it's not necessarily a bad thing per se, it's not something I hoped to find in this book in such vivid detail :)
Perhaps I would appreciate it more on the read but I'm not sure if I'm game for one. An interesting book for sure, probably worth trying, but also probably slightly too long.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Netgalley and Rebellion Publishing for the e-arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The original premise of this novel drew me to it. A sprawling city where poets and writers hold all the esteeme and power, and there are libraries on every other street.. whats not to like?

Firstly I would like to commend the writing style which fits expertly with the historical and geographical setting. However, this can be a little grating if you don't read a lot of histoical fiction, or prefer plot over prose.
Simmilarly, the worldbuilding is well executed, and the city of Cadenza is beautifully realised.

However, for me, this book is overly complicated, very dense, and not entierely how it was marketed. I was expecting something with a bit of a lighter touch, and perhaps a little fantastical. This is more like kind of historical fiction / alternative history, with deeply embroiled political intrigue.
The chapters almost read like seperate but interconnected stories, rather that a singular plot driven novel, which can be frustrating and can effect the pace at times, though admittedly it is generally resolved by the end of the book.
Also the portrayal of female characters, and the male attitudes towards them felt a bit old school. While it may be acceptable to most due to the setting and time period, it just feels a bit over the top and unnecessary in my personal opinion.

Ultimately, this book has some good points, and if you like complicated historical fiction with good prose, go for it. Sadly this one just wasnt for me.

‘The Carnival of Ashes’ is a novel split into twelve sections or ‘cantos’, each told from a different characters perspective. While each tells separate stories they create different threads in the fictitious city of Cadenza. The city is one of words with publishers, printing, poets and poetry and authors galore. It is not all pretty and lyrical however as multiple things threaten the city and it’s inhabitants.

I’m really mixed on this novel. To start with I loved the writing and the authors use of words. It is very lyrical and I was drawn in quite quickly. However I did find with the different cantos it did involve starting over to get back into the book several times. The marketing of the book feels slightly inaccurate and it was definitely not the book I was expecting to read. It was less magical and fantasy based and also a lot darker and more violent than I had anticipated.

I think this book will be quite marmitey for most people. While I did love the writing style something felt a little off and as other readers have stated the portrayal of women was quite troublesome. I’ll be interested to know what others make of it.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book is really well written, brimming with charcaters that are well written and developed well with a great level of worldbuilding. Full of vivid descriptions and rich imagery. Really enjoyable.

Cadenza is a city whose fabric and industry is the written word.

A great premise, let down in the execution. The writing is competent, but for all the detail about the city and its inhabitants, the story fails to come alive. Adjective-heavy.

Disappointing.

The Carnival of Ash is a book about the city of Cadenza. A place where many poets and characters discover the corruption that consumes them.

The story is full of varying points of view that are supposed to be connected but the way this was written left the pacing uneven and misunderstood. The world-building was rich but perhaps too intense and this was the strongest part of the book. We are treated to some incredible detail in the world and characters but the treatment of others left a lot to be desired. The society is portrayed as fragile and desirable for the women here but this did not play a part to the story and felt like it was added for traumatisation.

There were a few parts of uncomfortable objectifications that were unforgiving and advantageous and I nearly DNF’d this due to that. However, the more that I read; the more the story and atmosphere got uplifting and interesting. The darkness and chaotic spiral enveloped the well-rounded landscape but I felt that whilst this book had a lot of potential, it did not live up to expectation. I felt it was marketed as a science-fiction story about libraries and poets but it read more like a historical alternative time piece that shamed it’s story.

Overall, I found this book difficult to read. Exceedingly dense, with very little lead-up, it included very interesting world-building elements. However, I felt like I was dragging myself through it.

I was so excited to be granted an ARC of this book. It sounded right up my street. The story really grabbed me at the beginning but just as I was truly engaging with the first character, their story ended and another one began. Again I was drawn in and as I wanted to know more, racing to read the next character’s chapter their story finished. It felt like I kept starting the book from the beginning, which just didn’t work for me. From what I’d read so far, I assume the story gets handed over to the next character from the previous characters’s story but it became too frustrating for me to continue. It’s a real shame because the writing was beautiful, I could quite happily have read an entire book about Vittoria. I may try to come back to it, but as it stands I DNF this at about 25%. For me there was just no through story and I didn’t want to read a collection of short stories that didn’t seem to lead anywhere. That said, I’ll be looking out for the author again in the further.

This book was not what I expected based on the blurb, but I found myself enjoying it despite that. The writing was beautiful and helped to make the setting really come alive. There were some characters whose stories drew me in and made me feel for them. However, the blurb sets up a magical city of poetry and words on the brink of ruin and a young man who becomes embroiled in the politics of it all. While this seemed to be the case during the first section of the story, it turns out that the book is split into fourteen sections that each follow a different character. Some of the characters overlap, but others do not. Because of this, I was much more invested in some sections. I was on the edge of my seat flipping the pages for some and others had me uninterested.

I kept waiting for the fantasy elements to show up, but besides 𝘮𝘢𝘺𝘣𝘦 a tiny part toward the end, they never did. I was expecting some sort of magic system fueled by writing or poetry, but I guess the people of the city just really liked poetry, and some people were respected Poets, although it’s never really explained what the significance of that title is.

I think if you go in with the right expectations, this could be a great book! The sections I liked, I really liked. If you enjoy alternate history with an atmospheric setting and stylistic writing, this book is for you!

The Carnival of Ash is a lyrical fantasy.

Keyword being lyrical.

And I want to start with this because I think people might expect differently. That they might be led astray by the synopsis. I think, personally, that people might expect less of the lyrical and more of the fantasy. To (grossly) generalize: the sprawling world makes it fantasy, but the existentialist themes and the experimentalist narrative style makes it literary/lyrical.

When something is lyrical, I find that it often approaches theme like a literary novel might. And, in my opinion, Beckerlegge’s novel borrows stylistic choices from the literary genre. If that’s not your thing, then you’re likely to be disappointed. But if it is your thing, then this book is for you.

There are a lot of trigger warnings for this book, given that it deals with a lot of existentialist themes. These triggering themes run the risk of feeling underdeveloped at times, simply because there isn’t given equal room for every character. This is a product of the narrative style, I personally think, and not necessarily a reflection of the author (if at all). All of the characters have generous backstories and their different dynamics overlap in interesting ways that creates a subtle, but consistent throughline across the multiple stories.

But please note this: they’re not all sympathetic characters.

This is ultimately a book that explores one theme through many stories: the decline of man by his own hand.

It’s about shooting yourself in the foot. It’s a story about the tragedy of a community as told through its various people and their interconnected lives. Each chapter explores a societal angle of a world run on books, by books, for books. We follow a monk, economist, prostitute, poet, gravedigger, scholar, criminal, politician, murderer, immigrant, etc. You take that one element (books), and then you saturate a world with it, giving that world to the reader via stories-within-stories. And these stories are tied together like dominoes. It’s this narrative boldness that gives the novel a literary flair for me. Alongside the lyrical prose itself, of course.

Because the world within the novel venerates words, you’d think the story will venerate words—but no. To me, the story reads as more of a warning. It’s a story about how words can both create and corrode. In a way, it’s a very self-aware book. Almost a bit of a parody, although taken to the extreme. I hesitate to call it tragicomedy, but it runs a bit in that vein for me, making it almost Shakespearian in its thematic focus and approach. Or Sartrean. Or Kirkegaardian.

Lastly, without giving too many spoilers away: imagine The Great City of Cadenza as a parallel to the Great Library of Alexandria and let that guide your expectations insofar as plot goes.

On the whole I actually enjoyed this book, though it was not what I expected. I echo other reviewers in saying that this shouldnt really be marketed as a fantasy, though I'm not sure what it should be marketed as if I am honest.
Things I liked about this book: the main thing is the structure. The book is separated into twelve chapters which are sort of self contained stories in their own right though they are all set in the same location/larger story. I found this a quite unique way of telling a story and really liked having both the different perspectives on the larger story and also reading about each characters individual experiences within the city of words. I liked the writing style. It was easy to follow the story and I felt I could really imagine the characters and the city of Cadenza. It was quite an immersive experience. Whilst not a fantasy as expected i did enjoy the overall story as well. It is very political and I enjoyed the alternative history aspect and of course the centralising aspect of the story being about words and books and libraries and those who create the words and those who consume them I found a really interesting way of grounding the other themes of politics and family and love.
Things I did not like: there is quite a bit of horror going on. People being brutally tortured and sadism and all kinds. Now on the whole it doesnt turn me off from the story but sometimes I felt myself thinking "god more misery and despair and brutality". It could have, not have been toned down, but maybe less occurrences of it. Sometimes it wasnt always easy to follow the story - if there was elements of time shifting or sometimes passages seemed irrelevant. I was reading an ARC though so how much of this is due to the actual story or due to it being unfinished I do not know but something to keep in mind. It is a big book and there is a lot going on so it isnt one for rushing through or absentmindedly reading it. Overall, I think it was good and I'll keep an eye out for a finished copy!

This was not what I expected at all. Although it is described as a sci-fi novel set in a land of poets at war, this actually read more like a history textbook. I can't remember the last time I gave up on a book but this is also a veeery long book so I got to 13% and knew I could not dedicate any more of my time to this slightly dull and convoluted story.

'The Carnival of Ash' is a novel composed of twelve sections, each from the perspective of a different and very different character, until the very last which ties up all the loose ends. The subject of the novel is not a person or people, rather of a fictional Italianate city-state. Cadenza, the 'city of words', is full of libraries and printers, home to duelling poets and ruled by authors. The separate stories which make up the whole are arranged chronologically, starting with the fall of the brutal dictator who has ruled the city for many years. His replacement is a bureaucrat, more interested in effectively administrating the city than writing verse - unfortunately most of the populace consider those priorities to be the wrong way round. As the city is threatened by its rival Venice, and the horrors of the plague, soon its very existence is under threat.

I'm always someone who prefers novels to focus on a single character/group of characters throughout - I like the continuity and the ability to emotionally identify with the characters. This type of novel which reads more like interlinked short stories is never a personal preference, however this is an example of it being done very well indeed. Beckerlegge is able to quickly draw a reader into a scenario and develop rapid empathy with the characters - essential in this type of book. He presents a diverse array of interesting characters and through the multiple viewpoints on offer he presents a far more comprehensive picture of the city and its fall from grace than he could have done through a conventional narrative.

Several of the stories and character sets would be strong enough to merit a novel of their own, expanded somewhat. Some of the characters and events overlap across the different sections, enabling the reader to keep up with at least some of them, and the final chapter serves well to bring some sense of proper conclusion to everything. One of the frustrations I find with short stories is the sense that things are left unfinished. There is still a degree of that here - not every end is tied up - but it was more satisfying than some novels of this type. By telling the story of the city and its downfall, there is an ongoing narrative thread and drive which unites the book into a whole, even though some of stories are less obviously linked in than others.

With its themes of artists vying with merchants and military men, censorship and book burning, I wonder if it's intended as a big allegory. Maybe some readers will want to take it as such and enjoy speculating about it. Personally the exact allusion passed me by, and I simply read and enjoyed it as a good fictional tale set in the interesting world of city-state Italy. I'd believed it to be a fantasy when I'd first picked it up, but although at the very end there are a couple of more odd stories with unexplained, possibly supernatural events, it is free of official 'magic'. Other than being set in a city that didn't exist in the real world, it isn't really what I'd consider a fantasy. It's more concerned with politics and intrigue than anything whimsical.

Ultimately it is an ambitious and quite original tale that I enjoyed reading even though the structure is not one I personally favour. Beckerlegge is clearly a talented writer and has had both a good idea and the ability to execute it well. I can see this being enjoyed by a wide range of readers and quite possibly being considered for some of the literary prizes. I'd certainly be happy to another book by him and it will be interesting to see what he decides to write about next.

i have very mixed opinions of this book. i feel like i was reading it for absolutely ages and wasn’t getting anywhere! i absolutely loved the writing style, plot, characters - everything was 10/10 except the fact it could’ve been a series. i feel like the separate parts are so random and unconnected it muddled my mind a bit. i loved the premise and the way it was written i just think it would’ve been better written as a series rather than a stand alone.

This is a really tricky book to review. I was hooked on the initial idea of an Italian city where poets rule and the written word is king but it didn’t quite live up to its promise.
The book is told from multiple points of view. Each canto tells the story of a different character in the city, many of whose lives intercept at different points. As always with this method of story telling, there are some stories that you feel more invested in than others. The author’s writing style is gorgeous and the city and its inhabitants really come alive. However, sometimes, this can be almost a problem as there are one or two very dark chapters and I could have done with slightly less detail in these.
I loved parts of this book and disliked others in almost equal measure. However, I was drawn through the story as we see the gradual collapse of the city of Cadenza.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book.

I liked this book ok. At the beginning I was really into it and the story - I liked the world building and the idea for the book… however at some point the main character became annoying to me and I lost interest as the book went on.

I read about 80% of the book and did not finish it.

I decided to read 'The Carnival of Ash' by Tom Beckerlegge based on the synopsis. Starting the book I was expecting a magical fantasy story filled with poets, giant libraries, and intrigue. Instead, I ended up with a dense book filled with pretentious poets, politics, and very heavy topics.

The Carnival of Ash is a book about Cadenza, the city of words. Through the different perspectives of many different characters, we discover the corruption that runs deep in every part of the city. The book is divided into twelve cantos, at the beginning, this is quite disorientating however when you eventually make it to the second half of the book the stories begin to connect creating an intricate web.

The writing style is rich, though a bit too intense at times. I enjoyed the way that Cadenza was slowly unveiled, pieces of the jigsaw falling into place the more we got to know each character.

Unfortunately, for every aspect of this book I enjoyed there were too many I didn't like. The way that the women were described as breakable, delicate frail creatures to be objectified and described only in terms of body parts made me uncomfortable. They are presented more like objects, targets of both desire and violence, and not as actual people. This is especially true in Hypatia section.

The latter parts of the book presents us with characters who are more well-rounded and relatable with motivations you can actually understand. However, most of the characters are very underdeveloped and mediocre.

All in all, the book has a lot of potential even if the story isn't what the synopsis presents. Unfortunately, it didn't meet my expectations and many parts made me feel uncomfortable. I understand that the author was trying to be historically accurate however, I think that there was a lot of scope to go about this in a way that didn't demean or objectify women quite. The sections in which women were the main characters could have addressed this struggle. Instead of being presented as an object that only exists to be subject to violence.
For this reason, I cannot recommend this book.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

DNF at 30%. I was originally drawn in by the cover, so it's too bad it's not on goodreads yet. Also, the premise seemed cool. I just was not picking up what the author was putting down. I consider myself well-versed in classical and Renaissance Italy, but I think I was only getting about half of the references. The writing is very dense, and the tone is a little highfalutin for me. I really wanted to get into this, so I read some other reviews to try and convince myself to continue, but it seems like everyone else had the same issue as me.

ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

With the many points of view, some with seemingly little relevance to what came before it or after, it might become a struggle for some. But stick around for the finale and you can see it all come together. It might not be the ending that people want, but you see where everything was leading. ⭐️⭐️⭐️

The premise of this book initially seemed right up my alley; a city of poets, libraries, and where its citizens almost worship the written word. Yet what I got was very disappointing.

The Carnival of Ash has been marketed as a sci-fi fantasy novel based in a fictional Italian city called Cadenza - but in reality, this novel is an alternative history story with no fantasy at all to be found.

The synopsis also makes it seem like we have one main protagonist, Carlo, but it turns out we have multiple differing POVs, which is fine…if done well. The characters themselves are not all that compelling and I felt left with more questions than answers before it came to yet another shift in POV to yet another character.

I’m unable to say much about the overarching plot because there doesn’t appear to be one. Everyone is doing their own thing and other than encountering each other in the city, there’s no connecting theme or common cause. I can’t honestly tell you what this book is about other than it’s about a city and is full of puffed-up poets with big egos and a flare for the melodramatic.

This is a shame because the author’s prose is very well done and fits the poetic setting. But prose alone can’t salvage it.

I gave it a good try, but ultimately gave up and DNF’d at just over 30% and rate it 2 stars from what I’d read so far.