Andrew Adam
A superb finale, a masterpiece in sticking the landing of a trilogy. Answers to unresolved questions, more amazing world-building on top of the previous two books, new locations and cultures, and sticking with the three established POV characters to bring even more depth to each of them.
Also (minor spoiler), a textbook example of Chekhov's gun is resolved after being set up earlier in the series.
This is very clearly a trilogy that was fully conceived from the beginning - definitely not standalone!
Just as gripping as its predecessor, and (whilst trying to avoid spoilers) the way in which the school's character unfolds and develops over this installment was particularly enjoyable.
If I have a criticism (of both books so far), it's that they've not quite conveyed a sense of scale to me - throughout the first book my vision of the cafeteria and the corridors was quite small and cramped, not on the scale of the thousands of students. Felt like mezzanine levels for both of these were added in the second book to balance that out - but overall, a pretty minor bugbear.
Oh, and there are so many named mals that just aren't described (understandably for pacing reasons), I feel like I need to look at some fan art online to bolster my imagination!
Entertaining, and opening up some new facets of the world created in Mortal Engines, but without the same impact. I've seen criticism of the emotion-driven behaviour of the young protagonists, and it's far from complex, but I can also remember the idealism and absolutism of love as a teenager, and I found it quite believable. Also enjoyed the addition of parasite cities to the world's lore. A lot of setting the stage for the rest of the Quartet, too.
If you've been reading a lot of Terry Pratchett novels, it's easy to become accustomed to (even complacent about) the consistently high standard of his writing. It's such a talent to be able to combine the (entertainingly) surreal and farcical with the brutal realism and cynicism of wartime.
The perils of blind patriotism and nationalism are laid bare, along with the absurdities of sexism. And the ending is perfect, underlining that happy (or not bad) endings are rarely permanent.
As always, wholeheartedly recommend referring to LSpace annotations, to understand the sheer depth of knowledge and humour invested in the writing.
Definitely of its time - really interesting insights into the priorities & issues of the period, but being quite short-term in its future building means that it's easier to see the misses than the hits. Heavy on the jargon, and pretty simplistic characters, but I'm glad I gave it a go. Very slow start, very quick finish!
Tending to round my reviews up rather than down (prob 6.5-7/10) - a characteristically odd and funny book, that definitely benefits from reader familiarity with Ayoade's style of comedy (I was hearing Moss from the IT Crowd throughout). I'm a fan of comedic footnotes, and they're used extensively here.
I enjoyed this, and would read another in the series. It felt a little derivative at times, and I initially struggled to root for the characters, but there was some good building of their backstories throughout, and I liked the use of aerium as a simple but believable explanation of lighter than air travel.
The moral ambiguity and layered intrigue build from the previous in the series, and the messages of generational animosity, revenge-based politics, and the slippery slope to genocide are topically (and depressingly) insightful. Plus answers to some of the mysteries from the first book, and more posed. Will be acquiring the third in the series as soon as I can.
This series is just wonderful, and I was delighted to get deeper insights into alien societies and cultures touched on by previous books in the series. Alongside A Closed and Common Orbit, more character study than plot-driven (though one of the joys of this series is the focus on the wonders of the mundane, with action featuring, but by no means dominating). And a wonderful ending, showing the power of kindness. Thank you, Becky Chambers.
Re-read a year later, and enjoyed picking up on the foreshadowing of various reveals. Still brilliant.
Enhanced by my discovery of lspace.org, which has tremendous annotations for some of the more obscure/clever references made by the author. As ever, funny, cutting, and insightful - might read Monstrous Regiment next, to provide a soldier's eye view of war, complementing the ‘politics' (knowing nod) of Jingo. The Dis-Organiser's split timeline provides a wonderful (and brutal) example of fate turning on a pinhead.
It took me a couple of chapters to get properly into it, but very impressed by this world-building. The shades of grey in morality throughout kept me on my toes, constantly reassessing my understanding of which characters were in the right and when. Plus the all too real insights into the centuries-long shadows of racial grudges and genocide as a political tool. Very much looking forward to the next one, especially after the epilogue.
Gorgeous. I'm not much of a poetry person, and on first flicking through this book a few years back was put off by the acrostic structure (yes, I had to look that word up), reminding me of stumbling primary school attempts at poetry. But having fallen in love with the Spell Songs based on this and The Lost Words, I decided to revisit it, and I'm very glad I did, it's given me a greater enjoyment of both artforms. Clearly, poetry in music form is the way to grasp my attention
In many ways two parallel stories within the same book, though I confess (as I have at times found with other Pratchetts) I get the distinct impression that the book is so clever that I've not quite fully understood all its hidden depths. Part of me wishes for an annotated version to draw attention to all the wonderful jokes that may have slipped my attention during this or previous readings (Olé! With milk?). Plus realising the Simnel connection to Raising Steam was very pleasing.
I love this book. The framing of the long journey is a great way to explore each character, and get slices of life from a wide range of cultures and species. This makes it feel like a really well-rounded universe, populated with likeable characters and interesting thought experiments. I've heard it described as cosy, and haven't been able to shake that description since. Not my first re-read, and not my last.
Not strong on the characterisation (lots of people meeting each other and immediately having peppy Buffy-style dialogue before any chance to build a rapport), but a clever concept, and enjoyably written, with all the scientific problem-solving hijinks familiar from The Martian. Not convinced I understand how the Eridians managed to identify all local star systems & their infestation levels without any understanding of radiation, but that's the only big plot hole I picked up on. Very readable!
Rereading for the first time in probably 20 years. It definitely reads as YA, think I was too young first time I read it. Amazing world, and Tom is authentically annoying in his misplaced loyalty to London, with his sudden epiphany more impactful and believable as a result. Looking forward to reading the whole series this time around!
A very clever take on vampirism with a sci fi twist. Some deliberately challenging and uncomfortable moments about consent and power in sex. The structure felt a little odd, with the third act switch of pace - personally I would have liked an epilogue from a few years down the line, but that's because I love things being tied up in a pretty bow. I can imagine Butler could have explored this world further had she wanted, it would have made an (even more) interesting counterpoint to it's contemporary, the Twilight saga.
Reading this as a recently separated dad, this has brilliant lessons in the challenges of that situation for parents and child, and I think my daughter will love it once she's old enough to read it.
A bundle of Murderbot is a dangerous/excellent thing to bring on holiday, I've read the first 4.5 (including a re-read of All Systems Red) in the past three days. No idea what plot points are from what book, but finding it easier to keep track by reading them in one go! Lots of legit laughs at sardonic humour, they're great easy-read sci-fi (with a bleak corporate view of the far future, which I appreciate)
Abandoned about halfway through. Maybe a bit of a harsh rating, but felt very derivative of The Expanse and Wayfarers, whilst relying on a big deus ex machina (maybe this paid off later in the book?) and lacking character depth. Plus just unbelievably daft actions by characters, a la Rick and Morty's “I'm going to touch this wet egg”, that ran contrary to other cautious protocols set up on the first page.
This was a re-read, and it won't be the last. Just superb. Thoroughly recommend the (online) Annotated Discworld for an understanding of the cleverest jokes and references, which all too often pass me by