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Amberlough
(The Amberlough Dossier #1)
by
Librarian note: an older cover for this edition can be found here.
A double-agent sacrifices all his ideals in order to save his smuggler lover before a government coup takes over their decadent city in Lara Elena Donnelly’s glam spy thriller debut, now a Nebula finalist for Best Novel!
Introducing…
The Smuggler: By day, Aristide Makricosta is the emcee for Amberlough City’s ...more
A double-agent sacrifices all his ideals in order to save his smuggler lover before a government coup takes over their decadent city in Lara Elena Donnelly’s glam spy thriller debut, now a Nebula finalist for Best Novel!
Introducing…
The Smuggler: By day, Aristide Makricosta is the emcee for Amberlough City’s ...more
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Kindle Edition, 398 pages
Published
April 2018
by Tor Books
(first published February 7th 2017)
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Community Reviews
Showing 1-30

Start your review of Amberlough (The Amberlough Dossier, #1)

This was like watching a slow-motion train wreck, and I loved it.
Amberlough follows a city set in a world paralleling 1920s counterculture as it slowly falls under the power of a fascist sect. But rather than focusing on the power plays of that fascist movement, this novel goes a lot more in-depth; it focuses on just three of the characters affected by the new regime, and how they react to the disappearances, the burgeoning fear.
And I think this is the narrative choice that makes the whole book ...more
Amberlough follows a city set in a world paralleling 1920s counterculture as it slowly falls under the power of a fascist sect. But rather than focusing on the power plays of that fascist movement, this novel goes a lot more in-depth; it focuses on just three of the characters affected by the new regime, and how they react to the disappearances, the burgeoning fear.
And I think this is the narrative choice that makes the whole book ...more

Jun 05, 2018
Philip
rated it
did not like it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
author-woman,
2017-releases
1.5ish stars.
I understand why authors choose to set their stories in alternate worlds with invented names and places. It makes their stories seem universal, like they could take place anywhere, at any time. However, this so obviously parallels the Weimar Republic that I couldn't think of it as being anything else. All of the confusing info dumps of cities and events could have been avoided by just using the word Nazi. I have a hard time with the branding of a book as fantasy when it takes place ...more
I understand why authors choose to set their stories in alternate worlds with invented names and places. It makes their stories seem universal, like they could take place anywhere, at any time. However, this so obviously parallels the Weimar Republic that I couldn't think of it as being anything else. All of the confusing info dumps of cities and events could have been avoided by just using the word Nazi. I have a hard time with the branding of a book as fantasy when it takes place ...more

Wow, what a read. I will have a whole video up on Monday (fingers crossed) but look for this release on Tuesday, the 7th! It is tense, sexy, complex, and definitely a super intriguing read.

Read for book club.
An extremely impressive debut novel! Imagine if Ellen Kushner's 'Riverside' novels were set in an analogue of 1920's Germany?
I do think that all fans of Kushner's 'Swordspoint' &c. will love this book. It also does a great job of introducing its world and characters without unnecessarily driving home the parallels between the fantasy setting and that of the Weimar Republic and the impending rise of fascism. It's not a 1:1 correspondence; there are also elements of the Balkans ...more
An extremely impressive debut novel! Imagine if Ellen Kushner's 'Riverside' novels were set in an analogue of 1920's Germany?
I do think that all fans of Kushner's 'Swordspoint' &c. will love this book. It also does a great job of introducing its world and characters without unnecessarily driving home the parallels between the fantasy setting and that of the Weimar Republic and the impending rise of fascism. It's not a 1:1 correspondence; there are also elements of the Balkans ...more

Stunning

True story. I chose this book because the blurb sounded like MMF with espionage and what's better than that? It is not MMF, just so you know. I think Amberlough should be categorized as gay lit which typically connotes to me a lack of romance. It's true, Amberlough doesn't focus on a romantic plotline per se, but the relationship between Cyril and Aristide is one of the most heartbreakingly romantic and timeless ones I've ever read. They're rarely together but tethered regardless of time ...more

True story. I chose this book because the blurb sounded like MMF with espionage and what's better than that? It is not MMF, just so you know. I think Amberlough should be categorized as gay lit which typically connotes to me a lack of romance. It's true, Amberlough doesn't focus on a romantic plotline per se, but the relationship between Cyril and Aristide is one of the most heartbreakingly romantic and timeless ones I've ever read. They're rarely together but tethered regardless of time ...more

An interesting study in ambiguous characters of the nightclub scene in an alternate world similar to 1930s Europe as the Nazis come to power.
Cyril DePaul is an intelligence operative working for the Amberlough government. One of his roles is to investigate smuggling, which is a bit unfortunate because his lover, Aristide Makricosta, has a side job as a local kingpin in the smuggling racket. Aristide's other job is as a stripper and performer at the Busy Bee nightclub where he's a local celebrity ...more
Cyril DePaul is an intelligence operative working for the Amberlough government. One of his roles is to investigate smuggling, which is a bit unfortunate because his lover, Aristide Makricosta, has a side job as a local kingpin in the smuggling racket. Aristide's other job is as a stripper and performer at the Busy Bee nightclub where he's a local celebrity ...more

Fascism's come to glittering cosmopolitan Amberlough, and as the One State Party looms over the city of long good nights, all the dancers and smugglers and politicians face a choice: bargain to survive, or fight and die?
Amberlough is a tryst between John le Carre's grey-coated spies and Cabaret's end-of-an-era seedy delights: the whole city's going to have one drink too many, because it doesn't want to go to sleep and face the jackboots tomorrow. Read this book if you love smugglers, strippers, ...more
Amberlough is a tryst between John le Carre's grey-coated spies and Cabaret's end-of-an-era seedy delights: the whole city's going to have one drink too many, because it doesn't want to go to sleep and face the jackboots tomorrow. Read this book if you love smugglers, strippers, ...more

If I'm being honest, this is more of a 3.5 for me, not having all that much to do as a Fantasy except with changed names and places hiding the fact this may as well be Casablanca. What? Nazis, spy work, sharp, sometimes witty, dialogue? Yep.
I also enjoyed (and sometimes didn't) the deep immersion in the acting scene. For me, it was best when it was scathing quips and a bit boring when it seemed to drag the slow burn of this plot to rather nowhere places.
The fact is, this novel sinks or swims on ...more
I also enjoyed (and sometimes didn't) the deep immersion in the acting scene. For me, it was best when it was scathing quips and a bit boring when it seemed to drag the slow burn of this plot to rather nowhere places.
The fact is, this novel sinks or swims on ...more

This had a slow beginning that took its time exploring the characters and building the plot. Then the second half hits and the world is on fire and it's beautiful and hurts. No happy ending. Can't wait for the sequel!
...more

Fantastic! I have no idea where I heard about this book, but it was amazing. Think, "art-deco-era meets spy-thriller meets big-brother/1984." It's a fantasy book but no magic - set in a world that is could be ours, but isn't (corrupt elections, dirty government officials trying to make everyone conform to their moral standards, racism , etc.)
The book started out a bit confusing - a lot of names, geography and terms that are unfamiliar, but stick with it, it all comes together pretty quickly. By ...more
The book started out a bit confusing - a lot of names, geography and terms that are unfamiliar, but stick with it, it all comes together pretty quickly. By ...more

On the face of it, I should love this novel: spies, cabaret, a setting that is an alternative take on the Weimar Republic... What's not to love, right?
However, the book just isn't working for me. I've tried to read this several times, but just get lost in the endless names and descriptions that seem to lead nowhere.
This morning, I spent a good hour and a half trying one last time if there was a way to get into the story, but all I am left with is a hankering for some original1920s/30s literature ...more
However, the book just isn't working for me. I've tried to read this several times, but just get lost in the endless names and descriptions that seem to lead nowhere.
This morning, I spent a good hour and a half trying one last time if there was a way to get into the story, but all I am left with is a hankering for some original1920s/30s literature ...more

Oct 13, 2016
Book Riot Community
added it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
swords-and-spaceships-recs
Even though this book isn’t coming out until next Winter, it needs to be on your “To Buy,” list ASAP! John Le Carre and Cabaret set in a secondary fantasy world, Donnelly’s debut novel is set in the decadent, whirlwind city of Amberlough, whose lifestyle of luxury and indulgence have fueled the fire of the One State Party (Ospies), a new radically conservative fascist faction on the rise, looking to pluck Amberlough’s sweetness away and reclaim the city for their nationalist vision. Cyril DePaul
...more

I was blessed with the oppurtunity to do a Q & A with Lara Elena Donnelly. She talks the timeliness of the story and inspirations among other things. Check it out!
Booknest
Both timely and timeless. Wonderful yet heartbreaking. Completely fucking awesome. Oh, and debut of the year.
A nationalist fervor has empowered the One State Party though they still lack the votes to control Amberlough City. Cyril DePaul once enjoyed the spy game but is now a man who doesn't quite want to admit he may be broke ...more
Booknest
Both timely and timeless. Wonderful yet heartbreaking. Completely fucking awesome. Oh, and debut of the year.
A nationalist fervor has empowered the One State Party though they still lack the votes to control Amberlough City. Cyril DePaul once enjoyed the spy game but is now a man who doesn't quite want to admit he may be broke ...more

4.5 stars
The more I think about this book, the more I struggle to believe it’s a debut novel.
Donnelly is an exceptionally talented author and does her best to make sure every single detail of her book is polished and carefully executed, to the point that I have a hard time understanding why this series isn’t more popular in the book community.
The world building is stunning. Amberlough is set in an alternate 1930s Germany that is, you guessed it, about to be taken over by an ultra-nationalist ...more
The more I think about this book, the more I struggle to believe it’s a debut novel.
Donnelly is an exceptionally talented author and does her best to make sure every single detail of her book is polished and carefully executed, to the point that I have a hard time understanding why this series isn’t more popular in the book community.
The world building is stunning. Amberlough is set in an alternate 1930s Germany that is, you guessed it, about to be taken over by an ultra-nationalist ...more

From the very beginning this book was a struggle for me. Places, names, parties, countries are dropped in every other sentence without any explanation whatsoever. Even whole paragraphs like this are not a rare thing:
...more
“Be serious, DePaul. The Ospies want Amberlough knocked down—they think we’re impeding trade, sacrificing Gedda for the sake of state interest. Pinegrove and Moritz have already endorsed Acherby, and intelligence out of both capitals says they won’t stop there. They want to impeach J

4.5 stars.
It has been such a terribly long time since I last fell so head over heels in love with a set of characters. Amberlough has taken me completely by surprise. It promised spy's, revolution, and a decadent era. On top of that I got espionage, steamy sex, sizzling romantic chemistry, dynamic characters, stage shows, thrilling action and political intrigue by the bucket load.
Amberlough is a fascinating book. At one time I would have devoured a book like this. But I savoured it and took my ...more
It has been such a terribly long time since I last fell so head over heels in love with a set of characters. Amberlough has taken me completely by surprise. It promised spy's, revolution, and a decadent era. On top of that I got espionage, steamy sex, sizzling romantic chemistry, dynamic characters, stage shows, thrilling action and political intrigue by the bucket load.
Amberlough is a fascinating book. At one time I would have devoured a book like this. But I savoured it and took my ...more

THIS. IS. SO FUN.
It feels strange to say that about a book that chronicles the rise of a fascist regime, but it's true.
In this we follow three characters--a spy, a smuggler, and a cabaret dancer--and all of them are deeply, deeply flawed. I can see how that could be off-putting to some readings, but personally I think Donnelly hits it out of the park.
Aristides, the smuggler
Ari is a performer at heart, despite his underground empire in which he runs drugs, guns, and secrets. He's vain, arroga ...more
It feels strange to say that about a book that chronicles the rise of a fascist regime, but it's true.
In this we follow three characters--a spy, a smuggler, and a cabaret dancer--and all of them are deeply, deeply flawed. I can see how that could be off-putting to some readings, but personally I think Donnelly hits it out of the park.
Aristides, the smuggler
Ari is a performer at heart, despite his underground empire in which he runs drugs, guns, and secrets. He's vain, arroga ...more

...I have a lot of feelings.
This was painful. And fun, but mostly painful.
Amberlough is the first book in The Amberlough Dossier, and it has three main PoVs: Aristide, who is a smuggler and emcee at the Bee Cabaret, Cyril, his lover, who is a double agent and spying on him, and Cordelia, a stripper at the Bee.
The beginning isn't exactly easy to get into - there's a lot information about politics, because this novel is about the rise of a fascist government - but after I understood what was happe ...more
This was painful. And fun, but mostly painful.
Amberlough is the first book in The Amberlough Dossier, and it has three main PoVs: Aristide, who is a smuggler and emcee at the Bee Cabaret, Cyril, his lover, who is a double agent and spying on him, and Cordelia, a stripper at the Bee.
The beginning isn't exactly easy to get into - there's a lot information about politics, because this novel is about the rise of a fascist government - but after I understood what was happe ...more

2.5 stars
Amberlough is an alternate vintage world with gender equality in which a gay spy has to protect his smuggler/cabaret performing lover while trying to stop a fascist group from taking over his country.
Read that sentence again.
I mean... THAT IS EXACTLY MY AESTHETIC OKAY.
Which is why I'm so disappointed. The writing is absolutely fantastic but in the first ten chapters the infodump is real. Names, places, conflicts, groups and more where constantly mentioned at an alarming rate.
If I hadn't ...more
Amberlough is an alternate vintage world with gender equality in which a gay spy has to protect his smuggler/cabaret performing lover while trying to stop a fascist group from taking over his country.
Read that sentence again.
I mean... THAT IS EXACTLY MY AESTHETIC OKAY.
Which is why I'm so disappointed. The writing is absolutely fantastic but in the first ten chapters the infodump is real. Names, places, conflicts, groups and more where constantly mentioned at an alarming rate.
If I hadn't ...more

1930s Europe, nazis, spys, deceit, ambiguity, sexuality. I guess this is what Donnelly had in mind when writing this book. Well written, slow plodding pace, a slow burn if you will but I felt it never got out of 3rd gear. Obviously not a historical account as this novel is a spy thriller/science fiction story, but very limited scifi. Its really just placed in a ficitional world because it wss easier to give the readers the authors viewpoint of what may have happened at that time. Not plot or cha
...more

3.5 stars.

I absolutely ADORED this book. Very close to a 5-star read!
While I'm usually not big on more political stories, this one totally got away with it because the characters are just the best (more of the "unlikable" and very flawed kind which made me love them all the more and OMG shipping it so hard, MY FEELS) and it's very character driven.
It's set in a fictional, historical world that was a bit confusing at first but that was SO easy to ignore because I was already in love with these characters f ...more
While I'm usually not big on more political stories, this one totally got away with it because the characters are just the best (more of the "unlikable" and very flawed kind which made me love them all the more and OMG shipping it so hard, MY FEELS) and it's very character driven.
It's set in a fictional, historical world that was a bit confusing at first but that was SO easy to ignore because I was already in love with these characters f ...more

In a country in which Ospies - Nazis - are taking over, three characters are finding out just what they are made of. Aristide, a self-made drag queen and smuggler, Cordelia, a dancer, and Cyril, a spy who'd much rather not do too much spying, see their paths cross in ways they couldn't have predicted.
I have extremely mixed feelings about this book. Coming in, I'd expected to enjoy the spying and star-crossed romance between the spy and his mark, and to be annoyed by the demimonde. Instead, I fo ...more
I have extremely mixed feelings about this book. Coming in, I'd expected to enjoy the spying and star-crossed romance between the spy and his mark, and to be annoyed by the demimonde. Instead, I fo ...more

I'll try to review it when heartache stops, okay?
...more

DNF @ 62%. I may come back to this eventually. The story should be exciting, but I'm not feeling very invested. Also, I'm really struggling (view spoiler) I'm not saying it shouldn't be written about, but it's not the story for me right now.
...more

Jan 10, 2021
Elena (and the books)
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
read-in-2021,
but-make-it-gay
3.75/5
385 pages that will make you question your morality but also your knowledge of the English language
385 pages that will make you question your morality but also your knowledge of the English language

I heard and read such wonderful things about this spec fic book, I really had high hopes. I am not sure what went wrong for me. I started out delighted to be immersed in the world Donnelly created, part 1920's/30's German cabaret society, part Hungary before Franz Ferdinand's assassination, part Oswald Mosley fascist Britain realized.
But it bogged down for me in the middle, and I am not sure why. Perhaps too much going on, too many extraneous characters? I lost the plot.
I found it again at the ...more
But it bogged down for me in the middle, and I am not sure why. Perhaps too much going on, too many extraneous characters? I lost the plot.
I found it again at the ...more

9/10
A story of love, politics, betrayal and spies. Gosh this was a thrilling ride. I can't say it was fun, at least not all of it, but I was hooked and loved every minute of it. From the vibrate setting of Amberlough, to the intrigue of the Foxhole, there wasn't much that I can say I disliked.
I can't wait to get started on Armistice. ...more
A story of love, politics, betrayal and spies. Gosh this was a thrilling ride. I can't say it was fun, at least not all of it, but I was hooked and loved every minute of it. From the vibrate setting of Amberlough, to the intrigue of the Foxhole, there wasn't much that I can say I disliked.
I can't wait to get started on Armistice. ...more

Amberlough is a brilliantly inventive and gorgeously accomplished first novel for Lara Elena Donnelly, who manages to both test the limits of the fantasy genre and craft a whip smart and timely political thriller at the same time. Comparisons to Cabaret and Le Carré are accurate enough (and certainly intriguing enough for marketing reasons), though I always think we do a disservice to fresh, original work by using such comparisons to shape reader expectations. Amberlough is a fine novel on its o
...more
topics | posts | views | last activity | |
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SciFi and Fantasy...: "Amberlough" by Lara Elena Donnelly (BR) | 20 | 46 | Jan 17, 2019 06:26AM |
The all-singing, all-dancing Lara Elena Donnelly is the author of AMBERLOUGH, a vintage-glam spy thriller, and a graduate of the Alpha and Clarion writers’ workshops. Her work has appeared in venues including Strange Horizons, Escape Pod, Nightmare, and Uncanny (forthcoming). A veteran of small town Ohio and the Derby City, Lara now lives in Manhattan. You can also find her online at @larazontally
...more
Other books in the series
The Amberlough Dossier
(4 books)
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