This book, is kind of like a different take on Lord of Light, but with way more travelling and food. Quite an enjoyable read really, though the descriptions can get tiresome
An excellent first book to a series, this book deftly sets up a fascinating world. I love the way character relationships and conflicts were set up and I absolutely look forward to following their adventures across subsequent books.
An interesting sci-fi world, with good character work. Its a very well-paced story, though it did leave me with unanswered questions about the plot and the world, and hopefully they get answered in the sequels.
Decentish finale brought down by iffy pacing and unnecessary sermonizing. It could have done without the chapter long defense of the Problem of Evil and the literally deus ex machina ending.
4.5 stars.
This book starts off slightly weak, but steadily ascends in quality. The final part of the book is nothing short of excellent.
This book starts off slightly weak, but steadily ascends in quality. The final part of the book is nothing short of excellent.
Definitely 4.5, to be honest, 4.75. If not for a bit of pacing drag in the middle, this would be 5 stars.
This is a series that has constantly kept me guessing and has surprised me with every reveal. The character work is excellent and the stories are engrossing.
I hope the last book comes out soon!
This is a series that has constantly kept me guessing and has surprised me with every reveal. The character work is excellent and the stories are engrossing.
I hope the last book comes out soon!
This book has serious pacing and structure issues. Long parts of it drag and this is exacerbated by there being too many PoVs and those PoVs switching too frequently. A lot of the impact of the ending was drained by this disjointed PoV swapping which is a pity as those events are momentous.
I really want to rate this 5 stars. As it is my rating should be 4.5.
What made this book special for me was that I had no idea where the story was going. I read a lot and I often find that after reading 20-25% of a book I have a basic idea about the general outline of the story. This often makes reading a bit boring. But with this book I had no idea, mainly because there were so many options. There were some brilliant twists and a tiny remark at the end which cleared up what was a rather big question for me.
So why isn't this a 5 star rating? I think the ending was a bit too pat, and a couple of what should have been major issues were not addressed. But overall this is a rather minor problem. Definitely one of the best sf books I have read.
What made this book special for me was that I had no idea where the story was going. I read a lot and I often find that after reading 20-25% of a book I have a basic idea about the general outline of the story. This often makes reading a bit boring. But with this book I had no idea, mainly because there were so many options. There were some brilliant twists and a tiny remark at the end which cleared up what was a rather big question for me.
So why isn't this a 5 star rating? I think the ending was a bit too pat, and a couple of what should have been major issues were not addressed. But overall this is a rather minor problem. Definitely one of the best sf books I have read.
Five stars for making me laugh with some of the strangest stuff ever!
There is a decent-ish AI plot hiding in there somewhere, but it is almost completely hidden by a thousand extremely annoying asides and digressions.
This book is a big improvement on book 2 in the way it increases the speed of the narrative and the way certain very large and important events are presented.
There is a good story in there, but finding it is like looking for ancient ruins in the rainforest equipped with only a pocketknife.
2.5 stars to be honest.
So, this book has some great basic ideas, and a very interesting first half. Its the second part that totally loses the plot.
Lawrence is a child prodigy, a scientist of unbelievable talent - think Dexter from Dexter's Laboratory, he invents a time machine watch for crying out loud! Patricia is a witch who is trying to figure out her powers.
The first part of the book follows them as children as they try to deal with bullies. My only objection to this part is that it sometimes feels like the author is trying too hard. The parents are too neglectful/idiotic, the bullies are too hostile and there is a random assassin. But overall the segment is quite enjoyable though it ends on a very random note.
The second part is strange. They are both adults, living in San Fransisco, both trying to deal with a gradually collapsing world. Here is where the author messes up. First, neither of the characters really read like adults, but more like older teenagers. Secondly, the worldbuilding slips a bit and the explanation for the wider magical society is not really adequate. Thirdly the author inexplicably totally messes up a very promising science thread from the first part causing it to underperform hilariously. Fourthly, there are random flashbacks which felt very awkwardly inserted into the text.
And the ending felt even more random, with stuff just happening.
This book had a lot of potential it did not live upto.
So, this book has some great basic ideas, and a very interesting first half. Its the second part that totally loses the plot.
Lawrence is a child prodigy, a scientist of unbelievable talent - think Dexter from Dexter's Laboratory, he invents a time machine watch for crying out loud! Patricia is a witch who is trying to figure out her powers.
The first part of the book follows them as children as they try to deal with bullies. My only objection to this part is that it sometimes feels like the author is trying too hard. The parents are too neglectful/idiotic, the bullies are too hostile and there is a random assassin. But overall the segment is quite enjoyable though it ends on a very random note.
The second part is strange. They are both adults, living in San Fransisco, both trying to deal with a gradually collapsing world. Here is where the author messes up. First, neither of the characters really read like adults, but more like older teenagers. Secondly, the worldbuilding slips a bit and the explanation for the wider magical society is not really adequate. Thirdly the author inexplicably totally messes up a very promising science thread from the first part causing it to underperform hilariously. Fourthly, there are random flashbacks which felt very awkwardly inserted into the text.
And the ending felt even more random, with stuff just happening.
This book had a lot of potential it did not live upto.
Another 4.5 starworthy book. This book while not being nearly as excellent as Deepness is still great. If it were not for the rather hard to understand ending I would have definitely rated 5 stars
Dnf - multiple attempts but did not grab me at all. No rating as I never went beyond 10%
Let the rating read 4.5
This book came as a surprise. The scope and complexity of the plot were an order of magnitude greater than what I had imagined either from the blurb (which is totally inaccurate) as well as the initial chapters.
Kate Elliott has gotten quite a few things right in this book. She has constructed a very interesting and varied cast of characters, she has built a complex, layered and interesting world, she tells her fascinating story through an intricate and detailed plot - but what surpasses all of these is the way she has presented all of these things to the reader.
There are no clumsy infodumps. On the contrary there is along drawn out, gradual, delicate seeping of information about the characters, history and world - through flashbacks, memories, passing statements, hints - the charm of this process is that the more you read the larger and more complex everything seems and earlier assumptions about the book are called into question. As a diehard fan of Malazan which exemplifies the non-infodump approach, I cannot but admire the delicate intricacy through which Elliott has constructed her narrative.
There are things in there which I should have or came close to disliking. The story is about how a more or less egalitarian society in terms of gender and religion is regressing into an authoritarian and unequal one. Its very sad to read, and sometimes I did wonder if all the political machinations were really necessary where some bladework and blood might show more have simplified things. Also I am a bit allergic to "woman uses intelligence and non-conventional resources to steer her way in an unequal setting" trope as I believe gender equality gives the characters and their actions greater scope, but the compelling unfolding narrative kept me hooked throughout.
This book is highly recommended. show less
This book came as a surprise. The scope and complexity of the plot were an order of magnitude greater than what I had imagined either from the blurb (which is totally inaccurate) as well as the initial chapters.
Kate Elliott has gotten quite a few things right in this book. She has constructed a very interesting and varied cast of characters, she has built a complex, layered and interesting world, she tells her fascinating story through an intricate and detailed plot - but what surpasses all of these is the way she has presented all of these things to the reader.
There are no clumsy infodumps. On the contrary there is along drawn out, gradual, delicate seeping of information about the characters, history and world - through flashbacks, memories, passing statements, hints - the charm of this process is that the more you read the larger and more complex everything seems and earlier assumptions about the book are called into question. As a diehard fan of Malazan which exemplifies the non-infodump approach, I cannot but admire the delicate intricacy through which Elliott has constructed her narrative.
There are things in there which I should have or came close to disliking. The story is about how a more or less egalitarian society in terms of gender and religion is regressing into an authoritarian and unequal one. Its very sad to read, and sometimes I did wonder if all the political machinations were really necessary where some bladework and blood might show more have simplified things. Also I am a bit allergic to "woman uses intelligence and non-conventional resources to steer her way in an unequal setting" trope as I believe gender equality gives the characters and their actions greater scope, but the compelling unfolding narrative kept me hooked throughout.
This book is highly recommended. show less
Utterly bizarre book. The first Dune was excellent, one of the best books I have read, the second was not as good, more verbose, but still ok. This book makes very little sense. The characters are strange. The plot is needlessly convoluted and littered with deus ex machina...the narrative is uninteresting, one particular plot point was rather sad and pathetic...it should be 2.5 stars.
This gives me a very bad feeling about the remaining three books
This gives me a very bad feeling about the remaining three books
Finished reading To Ride Hell's Chasm by Janny Wurts.
Its an excellent book. Since it is a true standalone the intensity of the events and the heady pace can sometimes feel like an adrenaline rush. In fact after the first bit of setup the book takes off and never looks back.
The emotional quotient in this book is very high as several pretty major events happen in a relatively short time.
The author puts detail in the strangest things. This is the first time I was genuinely worried about a horse.
The way the worldbuilding takes place is very interesting. The story takes place in a relatively small area which is easy enough to construct, but the way the wider world is portrayed through memory and the way the sorcerous threat is built up is very interesting. The juxtaposition of scarred veterans and brutal sorcery against the rather bucolic insular society of Sessalie made for a very interesting contrast.
I have read in multiple places about Wurts' style of writing - her tendency to use the occasional archaic word or phrase. To me this did not detract from the story at all. After I took a couple of chapters to get settled in, the narrative moved fast and smoothly.
On the other hand I could not help but feel that the characters of the Anja and Mykaael were somewhat exaggerated. Of course this may have been a side-effect of the book focussing so much on them. Also I would have liked to know more about how things worked out in Sessalie and the Empire at the end really merited more show more explanation.
Overall, a very enjoyable book which I would recommend. show less
Its an excellent book. Since it is a true standalone the intensity of the events and the heady pace can sometimes feel like an adrenaline rush. In fact after the first bit of setup the book takes off and never looks back.
The emotional quotient in this book is very high as several pretty major events happen in a relatively short time.
The author puts detail in the strangest things. This is the first time I was genuinely worried about a horse.
The way the worldbuilding takes place is very interesting. The story takes place in a relatively small area which is easy enough to construct, but the way the wider world is portrayed through memory and the way the sorcerous threat is built up is very interesting. The juxtaposition of scarred veterans and brutal sorcery against the rather bucolic insular society of Sessalie made for a very interesting contrast.
I have read in multiple places about Wurts' style of writing - her tendency to use the occasional archaic word or phrase. To me this did not detract from the story at all. After I took a couple of chapters to get settled in, the narrative moved fast and smoothly.
On the other hand I could not help but feel that the characters of the Anja and Mykaael were somewhat exaggerated. Of course this may have been a side-effect of the book focussing so much on them. Also I would have liked to know more about how things worked out in Sessalie and the Empire at the end really merited more show more explanation.
Overall, a very enjoyable book which I would recommend. show less
This book makes me angry. It has a fascinating and excellent premise. And it turns it into a YA adventure.
This review will contain some spoilers.
Firstly the idea of uncovering the past history of a grandparent based off some sepia photographs and disjointed stories could have been done so much better. I am thinking of books like The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova which contained fascinating archival research.
Secondly, making the protagonist 15 takes a lot of the punch out of the narrative. The whole theme of powered people living parallelly in time closed enclaves is great, but the story rejects a lot of the depth such a theme could have entailed.
My basic complaint regarding this book is that while it is mildly entertaining it could have been so much better. Wasted potential makes me angry
This review will contain some spoilers.
Firstly the idea of uncovering the past history of a grandparent based off some sepia photographs and disjointed stories could have been done so much better. I am thinking of books like The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova which contained fascinating archival research.
Secondly, making the protagonist 15 takes a lot of the punch out of the narrative. The whole theme of powered people living parallelly in time closed enclaves is great, but the story rejects a lot of the depth such a theme could have entailed.
My basic complaint regarding this book is that while it is mildly entertaining it could have been so much better. Wasted potential makes me angry
I am not entirely sure what to say about this book, except that I absolutely loved it. I think the author is fantastically talented, and I would not be surprised if this came to be regarded as a WW2 classic.
Rated as 4.5 stars.
I was very impressed with this debut. Good worldbuilding, a fresh take on a known protagonist trope, an exciting and at times surprising story - this book was a treat to read.
This book starts off in a way that makes you think you know where the story is going, but slowly starts shifting away. And then at one sudden point, you know you were wrong at the beginning and the authors are on a rather different track.
I enjoy being surprised. All too often certain parts of books pan out too predictably, so any surprise is refreshing, and a shift that alters the basic assumed plot trajectory is a delight.
The worldbuilding is very interesting. The larger picture, history and technology are either hinted at or explained in context, without bulky infodumps, which is always a good thing.
There is only one principal protagonist, but the character work is done well. I will not speak about character arcs yet, as I feel they will be fleshed out throughout the series. If I had one criticism, it would be about the plot device of making the protagonist woozy or unconscious in tense or difficult situations.
The writing is quite good, except in the beginning when it felt a bit clunky. But for a debut, its very well written and the later action sequences are extremely gripping.
Overall I really enjoyed reading this book. I would highly recommend it.
I was very impressed with this debut. Good worldbuilding, a fresh take on a known protagonist trope, an exciting and at times surprising story - this book was a treat to read.
This book starts off in a way that makes you think you know where the story is going, but slowly starts shifting away. And then at one sudden point, you know you were wrong at the beginning and the authors are on a rather different track.
I enjoy being surprised. All too often certain parts of books pan out too predictably, so any surprise is refreshing, and a shift that alters the basic assumed plot trajectory is a delight.
The worldbuilding is very interesting. The larger picture, history and technology are either hinted at or explained in context, without bulky infodumps, which is always a good thing.
There is only one principal protagonist, but the character work is done well. I will not speak about character arcs yet, as I feel they will be fleshed out throughout the series. If I had one criticism, it would be about the plot device of making the protagonist woozy or unconscious in tense or difficult situations.
The writing is quite good, except in the beginning when it felt a bit clunky. But for a debut, its very well written and the later action sequences are extremely gripping.
Overall I really enjoyed reading this book. I would highly recommend it.
A solid 4.5 star read.
The things I loved about this book:
The language. Bakker's use of language is impressive. He manages to convey a sense of the epic, the utter seriousness and gravity of the situation, as well as the profound emotional threads running through the story. There is, to me at least, an innate balance to his language that makes this book a pleasure to read.
The character(s) - I loved Achamian. He felt like a character I could understand and empathise with. Cnaiur and Kellhus are both impressive in their own right, but Achamian is my favourite PoV. I look forward to his futher developments.
What I liked about this book
The worldbuilding - Superficially its a medieval crusage analogue and its easy enough to point out the main pillars of the world. But there are some interesting twists and I think that this world has a lot of potential, if only it can break out of the crusading storyline in the end.
What I disliked
The female characters - I have no problem with broken characters. Seeing Esmenet's struggle was interesting. But, too often the female characters come off as too weak, too emotional, or too dependent on the male characters. Also some of their actions make no sense. Why would Esmenet give away the gold coin when it could have made her journey comfortable?
I am concerned about whether this is a first book issue or a persistent one.
Anyway, I am now invested in this series, and I am eager to see where the story goes.
The things I loved about this book:
The language. Bakker's use of language is impressive. He manages to convey a sense of the epic, the utter seriousness and gravity of the situation, as well as the profound emotional threads running through the story. There is, to me at least, an innate balance to his language that makes this book a pleasure to read.
The character(s) - I loved Achamian. He felt like a character I could understand and empathise with. Cnaiur and Kellhus are both impressive in their own right, but Achamian is my favourite PoV. I look forward to his futher developments.
What I liked about this book
The worldbuilding - Superficially its a medieval crusage analogue and its easy enough to point out the main pillars of the world. But there are some interesting twists and I think that this world has a lot of potential, if only it can break out of the crusading storyline in the end.
What I disliked
The female characters - I have no problem with broken characters. Seeing Esmenet's struggle was interesting. But, too often the female characters come off as too weak, too emotional, or too dependent on the male characters. Also some of their actions make no sense. Why would Esmenet give away the gold coin when it could have made her journey comfortable?
I am concerned about whether this is a first book issue or a persistent one.
Anyway, I am now invested in this series, and I am eager to see where the story goes.
