Series: Founders #1
Published by Crown on August 21, 2018
Genres: Fantasy
Pages: 505
Format: Hardcover
“The exciting beginning of a promising new epic fantasy series. Prepare for ancient mysteries, innovative magic, and heart-pounding heists.”
Brandon Sanderson
Foundryside delivers all that Sanderson’s blurb promises and more. I highly recommend this book to readers who enjoy a blend of mystery/crime and epic fantasy with a pragmatic heroine who uses her head (and delivers some of the best one liners), a well-defined magic system (that works like coding), and a mismatched group that must break into an impenetrable fortress to save the world (if only they can learn to look past their own interests).
Since I’m in the middle of mid-term season, I have yet to write a review. In the meantime, my book club’s discussion questions (below) will give you an idea of what to expect from the book.
Discussion Questions
- Compare and contrast Sancia and Gregor. How do they serve as foils for each other? What do each of their viewpoints contribute to the story?
- How is Tevanne reminiscent of Renaissance Italy? What effect does invoking this impression have on the story?
- The author parallels current events with the history of the Hierophants, an ancient civilization that failed long ago. What do you believe is his purpose for doing so? What effect does it have on the story? What implications does it have for us and our reality?
- The city of Tevanne is run by several merchant houses. What effect does the rule of capitalism have on the city? What are the benefits? The costs?
- What is your impression of Ofelia Dandalo? Is she a doting mother, a pragmatic businesswoman, or something else? Does your impression of her change over the course of the novel?
- The magic system has many similarities to coding. The author could have had objects speak like robots, but instead the objects “speak” like humans. What is the effect of personifying scrived objects? How does it relate to the larger themes at work in the novel?
- Merchant houses have experimented with scriving humans. What are the implications of using technology to program real-life humans?
- Sancia describes people as animals only caring about survival. In response, Clef tells Sancia, “So long as you only think only of survival . . . you will bear their chains. You’ll always remain a slave.” What are your thoughts on this conversation? How does this conversation pertain to American history? How does this conversation relate to life today?
- The issue of gender comes up several times, in particular through the characters Berenice and Estelle. What can we learn through these women’s experiences as female scriveners in a man’s world? How might their world change if the restrictions upon them were lifted?
- Bennett explores several current issues, such as class, gender, capitalism, and technology. How do you see these issues playing out in your life? Compare your experiences with the characters’ experiences.
Book Synopsis
Sancia Grado is a thief, and a damn good one. And her latest target, a heavily guarded warehouse on Tevanne’s docks, is nothing her unique abilities can’t handle.
But unbeknownst to her, Sancia’s been sent to steal an artifact of unimaginable power, an object that could revolutionize the magical technology known as scriving. The Merchant Houses who control this magic–the art of using coded commands to imbue everyday objects with sentience–have already used it to transform Tevanne into a vast, remorseless capitalist machine. But if they can unlock the artifact’s secrets, they will rewrite the world itself to suit their aims.
Now someone in those Houses wants Sancia dead, and the artifact for themselves. And in the city of Tevanne, there’s nobody with the power to stop them.
To have a chance at surviving—and at stopping the deadly transformation that’s under way—Sancia will have to marshal unlikely allies, learn to harness the artifact’s power for herself, and undergo her own transformation, one that will turn her into something she could never have imagined.
Let’s Discuss
Have you read Foundryside? What books have you read that explore similar themes or topics? What books would you recommend to readers who enjoyed Foundryside?
Our book club pick for March is The Rage of Dragons (The Burning #1) by Evan Winter.
Nicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addiction says
Fun idea to share the book club questions since you haven’t had time to do a review yet!
Crystal (Kester) says
Thanks, Nicole!