Eric Appelbaum

The 6th entry into the DCC universe, The Eye of the Bedlam Bride is a showcase of the full breadth of Matt Dinniman's style he's been come to be known for in DCC. While this book included some aspects I dislike, such as the way he chooses to hide information, it also showcased some of the best. "Bedlam" is an apt word, as Matt Dinniman is able to write scenes of absolute chaos, capturing them in a way where I can feel Carl's panic. Scenes and details of action on the periphery fly by as Carl does not have the capacity to focus on everything around him. But the picture is always painted so well that I seldom feel more lost in the action than Carl himself.

At times I felt myself dissatisfied with the direction some events were unfolding and how certain parts of the floor were being utilized; however, by the end everything felt right. Everything has its purpose. Looking back, I see how the way this floor was designed lent itself to the narrative that was told. One of the things that I think is done outstandingly is how the Dungeon exists as a tool of storytelling: by the AI, by the Borant Corporation, and by Matt himself.

I'm excited for the emotional rollercoaster yet to come. We are set up for one hell of a ride in the next book.

I went into Annihilation hoping to find a palette cleanser between longer reads. I started off reading before bed, embraced in the darkness, immersing myself in the oppressive and haunting atmosphere. What I found in that darkness was something that demanded my attention. That next day I was drawn to it, with a need to reach the end of this tale.

Jeff VanderMeer's prose is not one to be glossed over. There is a subtlety and thoughtfulness that slowed down my reading, for I feared otherwise I was missing out on what this book had to offer.

As I sit here writing this, I'm still pondering over Annihilation. How do I feel? What fears and introspection did I find in myself from this horror? Do I like what I found therein?

Ending with more questions than answers is what punctuates Annihilation. I'm not sure if the curiosity that drove me to finish this book can continue to drive me into the rest of the Southern Reach in the hope I'll reach those answers.

Wow, what a book. Howling Dark has me completely rethinking how I felt about the first book in Christopher Ruocchio's The Sun Eater series. What I had expected to be this hard sci-fi space opera has taken a turn for the more mystical, the more mysterious, and frankly the series is so much better for it. It brings an identity and character to the world that had been lacking previously. This is definitely a series where a 1 book litmus test isn't enough to understand whether or not it's for you.

Hadrian Marlow starts to shed his optimistic idealism from Empire of Silence, and you see the beginnings of the Hadrian Marlow who killed a sun and the Cielcin with it. The events Hadrian experiences over the course of Howling Dark and how he changes from them are as gripping as they are heartbreaking at times. Its a credit to Ruocchio that I felt many of these emotions right along with him.

The surrounding cast also come into their own. Hadrian's sense of purpose allowed me to get more attached to the surrounding cast. In Empire of Silence, Hadrian felt like a passenger for much of the book, and the people around him just passing scenery. It required future Hadrian to indicate who was important, who was worth being invested in. Howling Dark is different, these are the people Hadrian chose to be around, and it is that choice that brings gravity the events of the novel therein.

To talk of themes; due to the nature of The Sun Eater series as a future of Earth sci-fi, it draws heavily on the classics. It helps to be well read, though Ruocchio does provide some helpful explanations given that Hadrian Marlowe is writing for an audience who might not be as familiar or educated with Classical English as he. True to his melodramatic self, Hadrian waxes poetic, drawing the parallels between his own situation and the classics, which gives a very interesting take to some of the sci-fi themes the genre is known for.

The plot progression of Howling Dark has a clearer through line, even if some of the changes and events are much more drastic. Where this novel takes you is an absolute treat, and I can say that I must see where Ruocchio brings this story to it's conclusion, because even though we might know where it ends, the journey is well worth it.

My first Discworld novel, Mort, has shown me exactly why Terry Pratchett is so beloved. His writing simply oozes witticisms with every line. I found myself chuckling page after page and excited to read more. The concept is so unique. Mort and Death were fantastic to see together. It has indicators that this is an early work, some of the characters' progression left me a little unsatisfied, especially the women. However, knowing there are 40 other works I have left to enjoy, I can't wait to see what else Terry Pratchett has cooked up in Discworld.

The Strength of the Few is a solid book, that unfortunately suffers from elevated expectations. With The Will of the Many, we are left stunned by the crescendo of the ending and the hook from the 2 epilogue chapters. It's a hard act to follow, and the 3 plotline structure of the book doesn't do itself any favors.

Where The Will of the Many felt lean, The Strength of the Few felt starved. The 3 plotlines are competing for space that in the end results in the major plot points lacking the necessary impact. I don't get enough time with any individual story to be truly invested. This is already a long book, but I think it would actually benefit from some extra length.

To the themes, I was left confused. In some ways it felt like this book undermined a lot of the interesting discussion from The Will of the Many. The other topics it brought forth felt like a step backwards and, like the plot, did not have room to be as nuanced. How can I appreciate how different environments shape us, if the shape isn't fully formed?

Speaking of not fully formed, the side characters barely feel like characters. Again, this is a symptom of the 3 plotlines, but the side characters arguably suffer the most. I felt zero attachment to anyone, and at best they feel like tools for Vis' development.

Overall I still enjoyed the book, and look forward to the next entry tying things up. I have faith that I will be wowed; because, while the twists don't have that same emotional impact, it doesn't make them any less bombastic. If Book 3 is structured like the Part 3s from the other books, it will be an exciting end.