Eric Appelbaum
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.
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.
Christopher Ruocchio has laid the groundwork for such an interesting series. Hadrian Marlowe, the man who killed a sun and an entire species with it, reflects on his life writing this memoir that we get to enjoy. Throughout the book, we see a young Hadrian go through the twists and turns of his life, knowing as the reader where he ultimately ends up but curious to how the boy on the page became the man whose voice we are regaled with.
The framing device of Empire of Silence and what I presume will be the rest of the Sun Eater series, hooked me right away, but its Hardrian's reflections on himself that make this story stick out to me. We've all had those "what if" thoughts, reflecting on the events, the people, the choices, and the mistakes that made us who we are today. Hardrian is far from perfect, especially as a boy, and its his flaws that make me so excited to see his growth and how he obtains all his titles, terrible as many of them sound.
The world building is definitely another strong suit of this book. Ruocchio is not afraid to throw you in the deep end, but in doing so I was able to feel immersed. At times it can be a little exhausting, all the names, passages in different languages or historical quotes, and snippets of yet to be explained lore and history; however, I would expect no less from Hardrian Marlowe, melodramatic as he is. By the end of the book, the world was taking shape in my mind's eye.
There were some "arcs" within Empire of Silence that were not my favorite, that looking back did not do enough from a development standpoint to warrant the time that was spent on them, particularly around the middle. This can make the novel feel quite slow at times, but the surrounding world and the mysteries and political intrigue we were discovering were enough to keep me engaged. Given that this is the first book, I'm willing to forgive some lackluster pacing, assuming the set up reaches the equivalent payoff.
Without getting into spoilers, there are some topics and scenes that I usually have a tough time reading, and those scenes in Empire of Silence were no exception. Going through those scenes with Hadrian made me see their point, though, and why it is important to sometimes step out of your comfort zone to appreciate the artistic intent behind the discomfort. I hope that Ruocchio continues to treat such topics in a way that can be appreciated, and that they don't devolve into base shock value and gratuity.
Overall very excited to continue reading.
Christopher Ruocchio has laid the groundwork for such an interesting series. Hadrian Marlowe, the man who killed a sun and an entire species with it, reflects on his life writing this memoir that we get to enjoy. Throughout the book, we see a young Hadrian go through the twists and turns of his life, knowing as the reader where he ultimately ends up but curious to how the boy on the page became the man whose voice we are regaled with.
The framing device of Empire of Silence and what I presume will be the rest of the Sun Eater series, hooked me right away, but its Hardrian's reflections on himself that make this story stick out to me. We've all had those "what if" thoughts, reflecting on the events, the people, the choices, and the mistakes that made us who we are today. Hardrian is far from perfect, especially as a boy, and its his flaws that make me so excited to see his growth and how he obtains all his titles, terrible as many of them sound.
The world building is definitely another strong suit of this book. Ruocchio is not afraid to throw you in the deep end, but in doing so I was able to feel immersed. At times it can be a little exhausting, all the names, passages in different languages or historical quotes, and snippets of yet to be explained lore and history; however, I would expect no less from Hardrian Marlowe, melodramatic as he is. By the end of the book, the world was taking shape in my mind's eye.
There were some "arcs" within Empire of Silence that were not my favorite, that looking back did not do enough from a development standpoint to warrant the time that was spent on them, particularly around the middle. This can make the novel feel quite slow at times, but the surrounding world and the mysteries and political intrigue we were discovering were enough to keep me engaged. Given that this is the first book, I'm willing to forgive some lackluster pacing, assuming the set up reaches the equivalent payoff.
Without getting into spoilers, there are some topics and scenes that I usually have a tough time reading, and those scenes in Empire of Silence were no exception. Going through those scenes with Hadrian made me see their point, though, and why it is important to sometimes step out of your comfort zone to appreciate the artistic intent behind the discomfort. I hope that Ruocchio continues to treat such topics in a way that can be appreciated, and that they don't devolve into base shock value and gratuity.
Overall very excited to continue reading.
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.
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.
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.
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.
There's a beauty in the classics. The Hound of the Baskervilles is such an iconic Holmes and Watson tale that you can't help but see the formula that it has inspired throughout the years. It's a succinct murder mystery, but what it might lack in depth compared to the longer novels of today, it makes up for with wonderful prose and atmosphere.
There's a beauty in the classics. The Hound of the Baskervilles is such an iconic Holmes and Watson tale that you can't help but see the formula that it has inspired throughout the years. It's a succinct murder mystery, but what it might lack in depth compared to the longer novels of today, it makes up for with wonderful prose and atmosphere.
Matt Dinniman finds his stride with The Dungeon Anarchist's Cookbook. The story has room to breathe and really flesh out it's ideas, and it's got just as many figurative twists and turns as there are literal. The meta narrative around the dungeon continues to intrigue while the dungeon itself delivers great action, mystery, and world building.
Matt Dinniman finds his stride with The Dungeon Anarchist's Cookbook. The story has room to breathe and really flesh out it's ideas, and it's got just as many figurative twists and turns as there are literal. The meta narrative around the dungeon continues to intrigue while the dungeon itself delivers great action, mystery, and world building.