The Stones of Venice has a somewhat meandering plot with a frankly obvious plot twist - and yet I couldn't help but love it. It's deeply theatrical, dripping in atmosphere and worldbuilding, playing out almost like a historical despite its future setting and sprinkling of sci-fi elements. There's an air of gothic fairy tale about the whole adventure, and Charley really gets a chance to come into her own as a character worthy of being a protagonist. Good stuff!

I really wanted to like this, but honestly, it's a bit of a snoozefest. It spends way too much time doing absolutely nothing, with lackluster worldbuilding, lackluster characters and setup for negative payoff.