The Cartographers: A Novel

Unsure of what I was getting into, I started this book with some trepidation. But boy, was I swept into this story. Mystery, thriller, fantasy, all of these genres and more, such an amazing book.

>> Positives:I really enjoyed this books concept. The DA archetype with the cartography niche was f-a-n-t-a-s-t-i-c, and the usage of tangible maps that you could observe was absolutely lovely. Gosh, the majority of this book for me was a banger, and I really enjoyed the ride.>> Downsides:- It lost me a little bit on the fiction side due to the looseness of the magic system (only more towards the end though.)- The ending felt a little lackluster and shortcoming.- Some of the characters were sweet, others were way too stubborn or hopeless to be believable. It got to the point where I would skim-read a lot of Felix at times, but I inevitably went back, fearing I'd miss some context; but even after returning there wasn't much to miss.- I'm a Cyber Security Analyst, and that is definitely not how micro-RFID works, but you were close and the idea was a good one so I didn't let it break the immersion.- (Notice how most of these negatives are with the end-- Please keep that in mind)>> Consensus:All in all, I don't regret this read. It wasn't the solid 5 star banger I was hoping it to be, but it ended up being nice. The ending felt rushed, and the last 20% of the book gave wayyyy too much freedom to the interpretation of the magic system (to the point of plot holes), and the ending makes me hesitant to recommend it. But, a good read nonetheless. If you can read the first 80% and then put it down, I think it would be a 5 star read for what it achieves. I still enjoyed it enough to give it 4.4 stars after everything, though. Please don't let the shortcomings sway you, it has its redeeming moments despite how critical I've been.

I loved the premise of the book. It’s not often that I come across the topic of maps and map makers in my reading. Again, I loved the idea of the book and most of the characters. Nice imaginative dallying and settings. The pacing however I found somewhat drawn out and lengthy in places where you wanted the writing to just get to the point. Stilted dialogue also kept it from flowing for me.

🗺 B O O K • R E V I E W 🗺•Title: The CartographersAuthor: Peng ShepherdRating: 5/5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️•Swipe for synopsis.•“Maps were love letters written to times and places their makers had explored. They did not control the territory - they told its story.”•I cannot begin to describe how much I loved this book. It was the perfect mix of fantasy with realism and I am all for it. I got absolutely sucked into this book and I have been left with such a book hangover.•This one is a complete mashup of the past meeting the present through multiple people’s history, academia in cartographers, paper towns and a ton of secrets that need revealing. Intrigued? Everything about this story was so well written that you won’t be able to help but fall in love with this one.•Shepherd does such an amazing job with how she introduces characters, and not only characters, but their story; not only their story, but how their story connects to the bigger picture. In the end, everything makes senes; I did manage to figure out a part of the end, but I don’t care because how the entire story was executed, in my mind, was absolutely perfect.•I had no idea how obsessed I would become with a story involving maps, but I am telling you, this one is a pure gem and it is most definitely worth the read.•#divingintofantasy #wheredomaostakeus #mapswereloveletters #literaryescape #readingismyescape #fivestarread #bookhangover #thecartographers #pengshepherd

An interesting premise. Well rounded characters though sometime explanations seemed to run on a bit. Over all I enjoyed the adventures of the Original Cartographers with Nell, Felix and Swann added to the mix.

I devoured this book in a way I hadn't expected to - it starts with a murder but is about so much more. The story is beautifully layered and crafted, much like the maps it echoes. I think this is probably one of my absolute favorite books of the last few years

I just don't get all the positive reviews. The author gets points for an interesting premise, a intriguing niche area of expertise, and a brisk and engaging writing style. But that's really where the positives end. There are no likeable characters in this -- everyone is either stubborn to the point of stupidity and self-ruin, angry and spiteful, and/or childish, with few if any redeeming qualities to admire. I didn't care about any of them, I didn't understand why they would behave the way they did most of the time, and I couldn't relate to any of them, which does not make for an engaging read, but rather a slog to try and get to the end. After the opening set up, the plot is not surprising, but rather seems contrived, with progressively absurd reveals that are intended to heighten the suspense but instead do the opposite. I've pushed myself to get more than 70% of the way through and I don't think I can stand to make it past this point. I just don't care what happens, and there's more enjoyable reads out there for one's time (and money). You can find better, dear reader.

Brilliant, brilliant, brilliant. A slow, unassuming start that builds up to a deeply unexpected narrative somersault. In a lesser writer's hands, it could take you out of the story, but this just pulls you deeper in, and makes you believe.Such an incredible story, with richly detailed histories, fully realized characters, and a clearly apparent, bone-deep love for the everyday magic of maps and the visionaries and dreamers who make them, as well as the guardians who preserve them for the world.

A good story for people who love maps and history. The characters are compelling and interesting, and the plot moves well even though I figured the plot twist quite early. A good read nonetheless!

This is a great read with twists and turns, the characters are very real against this back drop of secret groups and hidden magic, couldn’t put it down, so well paced in magical world of maps.

Interesting but unfortunately not very well executed premise, cardboard characters, clumsily inserted flashbacks. Predictable plot developments.Mentioning authors like Borges and Bradbury, Pynchon like the Wall Street Journal review does is misleading potential readers on purpose!

I loved the setting and premise of this book, but unfortunately it was just riddled with plot holes and completely incongruous reactions by the characters. A shame, as the idea is so good!