Josh

This was a fun one. If you're a fan of Scalzi's style you'll probably like it.

It is, simultaneously, entirely predictable and entirely unpredictable. Definitely a "mystery box" storytelling approach. Normally I would be more critical of that, but I was told going into it to just sit back and enjoy it, and so I did.

And you should too. This book won't change your world, but it'll make you smile, and sometimes that's exactly the right book.

I read nearly all of it with my cat sitting on my lap, which was doubly pleasant, and I highly recommend doing if you can.

I came to this book with nothing more than a "you should read it" recommendation, so I didn't really know what I was getting in to, and boy did that make it a whirlwind!

I put it at only 4 stars because I found myself feeling like it was a lot closer to fantasy writing style than sci-fi, and that rubbed me a little wrong. Things happening because the author needed them to happen and it was convenient for the story usually bothers me, but I didn't mind too much here because the setting is interesting and I was very invested in the character development.

It's an excellent first-in-a-series book in that it stands alone well and if I only read this one I'd still be glad I had, but that I also can't wait to start reading the next one! Which I will do starting..... now.

This one is interesting because if you've read the other Bobiverse books it starts of feeling very different, and perhaps in a worrying way. But boy oh boy, it gets there in the end and I can't wait for the next one. Don't be turned off by the premise at the beginning like I almost was!

The saga of Bob continues to delight. Not much more of a review is required. If you've read the first three, then you should read this one. If you haven't go read those right now.

It's possible I just wasn't really the target audience for this. I'm a Star Wars fan. Possibly a bit too much of one. I also follow early 2020's US politics and social issues fairly closely.

With those priors, this book didn't really offer much in the way of any new thoughts or ideas.

However, if you're not a dyed-in-the-slightly-dirty-wool-robe jedi, or you haven't really tracked recent politics and cultural divide issues, this book could contain revelations that might interest you, I'm not sure.

I did find it to be pretty well written. Perhaps a bit rambling at a few points, but once again that may be what's required if you weren't already familiar with a lot of the ideas.

So all in all, I give this one a solid "maybe". Probably pretty good for the right target audience!

The author's introduction itself will caution you: If you haven't read the main books in the series, maybe don't read this one.

However, if you have read the In the Name of the Wind and Wise Man's Fear (which you have, haven't you? You should have.) then this is an absolutely great side story that gives you a glimpse into one of those characters you just can't wait to learn more about.

Even if you've read the short story (Lightning Tree) that this was based on, this is worth a read. Partly for the expansion, and partly for the art.

It won't take you long, and you'll enjoy the entire thing. Get going!