A Masterpiece of Intrigue and Character

Wilbert Stanton's The Artful is a truly captivating and intricately woven novel that draws you into a world of cunning, deception, and unexpected depths. As a reader who appreciates complex characters, clever plotting, and a narrative that keeps you guessing, I was immediately drawn to its premise, and it largely delivered a compelling and highly satisfying experience.

The book's greatest strengths lie in its brilliant character development and its meticulously crafted plot. Stanton creates a cast of characters who are not only intelligent and resourceful but also deeply flawed and morally ambiguous, making their motivations and decisions endlessly fascinating to unravel. The protagonist, in particular, is a master of disguise and manipulation, and following their journey through a series of elaborate schemes is a pure delight. The pacing is expertly handled, with a steady build of tension that culminates in genuinely surprising twists and turns. The prose is sharp, witty, and evocative, perfectly capturing the atmosphere of intrigue and high stakes. The world-building, while perhaps not overtly fantastical, is rich in detail, making the setting feel vibrant and authentic.

While the plot is incredibly intricate and engaging, there were a few instances where the sheer complexity required a moment of re-reading to fully grasp every nuance. Some readers might find the morally grey nature of the characters to be challenging, but for me, it was a significant strength. However, these are minor quibbles in an otherwise brilliant and immersive story. The emotional depth, particularly in the exploration of identity, loyalty, and the consequences of one's actions, is surprisingly profound beneath the surface of the elaborate schemes.

Overall, The Artful is a highly intelligent and thoroughly entertaining novel that will keep you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end. It's a fantastic choice for readers who appreciate sophisticated plotting, unforgettable characters, and a narrative that rewards close attention. Highly recommended for its originality, its cleverness, and its ability to leave you thinking long after you've turned the final page.

The Artful
By Wilbert Stanton
May 26, 2014

In this dystopian year is 2025 and a virus has decimated the city's population. For Twist and Dodger, it's not just the virus that is out to get them, but also the sun and even the Empire. They steal from the rich to help those in need, but that does not make them a Robin Hood hero.

I’m such a sucker for dystopian/post-apocalyptic books and this one was just another.


Thank you to CPW Productions and NetGalley for the E-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The kindle this book was on was lost long ago.

Review posted on book to remove from the pending list.

Bowed out at 11%. I wasn't feeling it even before then. Everything about the writing style has this slightly juvenile, outlandish feel to it. The rich people aren't just decadent, they're passed out in the halls high. Dodger doesn't just flirt with girls, he does it poorly and then makes out in the middle of a group. The dialogue between Dodger and Twist is full of jokes I'd expect to see in a middle school, not a dystopia. I kept reading anyway, because I at least liked the basic outline of what was going on.

And then Gia showed up. Her introduction was of the "rescued from being raped" variety, which, just, bleh. And then it was immediately followed by all three making sex jokes as if nothing had happened and, nope, that's it, I'm done with the book.

Such an interesting concept. Totally something I'd recommend to my students.