Eric Appelbaum
The Poet Empress is so full of soul. My heart aches for these characters.
At its heart, it's a will she won't she story that drags you through emotional highs and lows. It's expertly crafted. Shen Tao has shown such an understanding for what makes us hate and what makes us love, and the truth that lies in both.
She tackles sensitive topics with such grace. She does not shy away, but it lacks the gratuity that some might have come to see in the Grimdark stories of late. I implore anyone to take in her warning at the beginning of the book, but to be brave. She will not let you down for your bravery.
I don't have much more to say without spoiling this wonderful experience, just my full heartfelt recommendation.
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.
Will of the Many builds. Much like the pyramid motif of the Hierarchy, it builds. That isn't to say this is a setup book, no. But it took some time for me to really get into this book. However, by the last third I finished it without putting it down.
James Islington has built a world that felt really alive. I felt the anger and sadness of the characters, the tension, the catharsis, not just from our main character, Vis, but much of the cast as well. There are many plot threads to follow, conflicting motivations, a ruthless game to climb to the top by whatever means necessary. You're constantly trying to figure out these characters, and it got me so invested.
For all its length, Will of the Many feels lean. It's unafraid to get the the important part, not wasting your time. For some looking for the slice of life that academia novels can be known for, you won't really find it here. This book is building, and it only needs the strongest foundation stones to get there.
The themes are poignant. When I was still very early on in the book, my girlfriend and I were having a discussion, unrelated, about the importance of speaking out and what it means to accept status quo. The next day, the book was asking me the same questions, and to the earlier point about characters with conflicting motivations, you get to see multiple views on these themes through the characters.
Incredibly well done book, absolutely gripping end.
This was a tough book to rate. There were some things I really enjoyed about this, the structure and plot where interesting. But I found that the overall themes did not resonate with me. I spent a large amount of time, more than I spent reading, thinking of what this book was trying to say. About life, about the meaning that can exist in pure random chance, about the true weight of eternity.
I think it's saving grace is it's length. I could appreciate what it said in brief, and find that it was worth the read. Even though not everything resonated with me.
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.
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.
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.
The best entry to DCC yet, This Inevitable Ruin highlights my favorite parts of Matt Dinniman's writing. This book spends very little time with the foot off the gas, with so many twists and turns. I laughed, I cried, and I was anxious for all of our beloved characters.
Matt Dinniman finally started to include some other perspectives with interlude chapters in this book, and they are oh, so satisfying. I've been wanting some non-Carl perspectives and the execution of that in this book was fantastic. I loved how more side characters were able to get time in the spotlight.
The quality of this book is a bump above the previous entries and has me very excited for the future (and eventual ending) of DCC, and as always the ending of this book has me waiting eagerly for the next one.
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.
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.
A solid second outing of our Holmes-and-Watson, Ana and Din. We find our duo on a new frontier town of Yarrow, not quite part of the empire, following a high profile disappearance. But I found A Drop of Corruption to be a step behind the first entry in several aspects.
The mystery oftentimes felt less accessible in the sense that certain details were indecipherable until we learn enough about Yarrow; however we aren't allowed to sit on our revelation and speculate as the details are immediately explained how they relate to the mystery. These points felt told to you far too soon, and left not much room for you to get that satisfaction from being correct. I felt Ana inconsistent in this book, torn between frustration at being in the dark - due in part to the aforementioned delay of information regarding Yarrow and it's goings on - while still being shown to have predicted much of the truth far before we learn of it. I shared in her frustrations, as it felt some of the ways Robert Jackson Bennett chose to obfuscate the mystery were cliche and unsatisfying.
The characters were not so immediately engaging as those of the first book, and I felt like I didn't get to know some characters well despite the amount of time spent with them.
I did still enjoy A Drop of Corruption, and I absolutely look forward to the third entry. This book had a lot of great ideas and themes - expounded upon in his author's note - that I saw shining through his writing and story. With a more buttoned up execution I think this next entry has the potential to knock it out of the park.
An excellent execution of a fantastical murder mystery. We follow our Sherlock Holmes-ian duo Ana and Din through the outskirts of the Empire, with an oppressive gloom of looming threat. The Tainted Cup is a master class in how to unveil, bit by bit, the roots of this plot. Robert Jackson Bennett leaves you enough to solve parts yourself, without giving too much away. But the true strong point is the cast of characters, who I only needed a few pages with before I could vividly imagine them and their lives. I look forward to the continuation of the investigations of Ana and Din.
Soulhome starts us off on an interesting note. We see the end of Theo's first journey in the Nine and we pick up at the start of his second, a fairly basic start to a returnee story.
But I don't mean that to discount Soulhome, Sarah Lin has accomplished what I would describe as a Cultivation story for a reader unfamiliar with the genre. Sarah Lin does away with the esoteric terms of the genre, for when she speaks of foundations she means so literally. We find a system where our characters are building the homes within their soul out of powerful wood and stone, with the conceptual purpose of a room in this home being translated to corresponding powers i.e. a storage room to hold more cantae. She does, however, still leave room for the abstract, as one's interpretation of the rules of the world, or worlds in this case, and their cultural beliefs affect how these Soulhomes manifest.
In the end I would say this is a solid first book. It is a potential gateway to a whole genre for some, and is a fresh spin for veterans of the genre. For those who appreciate Cultivation for the philosophical aspects, you may not find what you are looking for in Soulhome. But for those who want to see some fresh ideas done in a framework you are comfortable with, settle down by the hearth and give it a try.
Another great entry into the DCC world. Matt Dinniman does such an amazing job in The Butcher's Masquerade of rounding out so many plot hooks he's introduced. Structurally this book feels like the end of a major arc of DCC, as we get an intense climax, but also start to get all new setups. When I say climax, I mean some of the most jaw dropping excitement we've yet seen in the series, but Matt Dinniman doesn't fail to make me laugh out loud. He doesn't lose his tone whatsoever and maintains that perfect mix of comedy and drama I've come to love about the series.
Another hit in the DCC universe, The Gate of the Feral Gods is more of what I've come to love about the series. Everything is taken up a notch, and Matt Dinniman still is able to surprise me with his plot developments. Every twist introduced makes me excited to see in what new ways Carl and Princess Donut need to solve problems this time. I have some minor gripes with Matt Dinniman's style for selectively withholding information Carl has from the reader, as I feel it creates distance, but the payoff of the reveals might just be worth it.
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.
The stakes get higher and the action ramps up in Carl's Doomsday Scenario. As Carl and Donut get deeper in the gameshow, we get introduced to so much more of the system. Carl's Doomsday Scenario is a little less fleshed out in the plot developments than I would like; however, Matt Dinniman is breaking the dungeon wide open just as fast as he's building it up. Yet it's reigned in to still feel like we're just beginning to get the ball rolling. Excited to dive into the next entry.
