Made Things by Adrian Tchaikovsky

Made Things

by Adrian Tchaikovsky

Coppelia is a street thief, a trickster, a low-level con artist. But she has something other thieves don't... tiny puppet-like companions: some made of wood, some of metal. They don't entirely trust her, and she doesn't entirely understand them, but their partnership mostly works.

After a surprising discovery shakes their world to the core, Coppelia and her friends must re-examine everything they thought they knew about their world, while attempting to save their city from a seemingly impossible new threat.

Reviewed by Quirky Cat on

4 of 5 stars

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Made Things is the latest novel from the mind of Adrian Tchaikovsky. It’s a dark yet whimsical world, full of magic, half-mages, and animated puppets. Yes, you read that last part correctly. And it makes for a delightful read.
Coppelia, aka Moppet, is a girl with many talents. She’s an okay thief, a decent liar, a solid con-artist, and an even better puppet maker. Orphaned at a young age, this half-mage has learned what she needed to in order to keep herself free and safe. Well, mostly safe.
Then there was one day where she found herself facing a new crew of allies, and potential friends. They’re not what she was expecting, nor was she what they were expecting. But together they’re about to change the city.

“They were very beautiful, to her eyes. They were horrible, too, but only in a way that uncanny things often are, and in Loretz, the magicians’ city, one got used to uncanny things.”

Made Things was a seriously fun and fascinating read. I was so sad to see it end, but all good things must come to an end, right? I loved everything about this story, from Coppelia’s character, to the way her magic worked, and everything in between.
The magical system in this world felt so complex and alive. There was so much going on, and while some of it was gritty, the rest of it was intriguing. For example, the anima are fascinating people (creatures? Whichever feels more appropriate here). I would have happily read another few hundred pages about them and their society.
I think what I loved the most about this novel is that actions carried weight. Everything a character did had a reason or a consequence. It made the world feel more real, even though it was one of pure fantasy and fiction.
This was so much fun to read. And I’ll be honest with you here; I’ve never actually read any of Adrian Tchaikovsky’s other works. But clearly that is something I’m going to have to remedy, if Made Things is a solid example of the rest of his works.
I honestly would love to see an entire series based around this corner of the world, and the intricate politics that have already begun to form. And really, can you blame me?

For more reviews check out Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks

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Reading updates

  • Started reading
  • 13 November, 2019: Finished reading
  • 13 November, 2019: Reviewed