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brittney_tyler's review against another edition
5.0
Star Rating: 5 stars
After loving every other Tchaikovsky book that I have picked up, when I found out that he had a new book coming out, I immediately requested it from my local library. Shards of Earth chronicles the story of Idris Telemmier, a genetically enhanced individual, who after fighting in a cataclysmic war, just wants to live out the rest of his days with his found family abroad the Vulture God. However, desperate to make enough money to survive, they take a contract from the planet Huei-Cavor to rescue a ship that has been lost to deep space. When they get there to retrieve it, they discover that the ship has been attacked by what appears to the alien species that they fought the aforesaid war against. This discovery leads to them going on a journey into destiny that will either save humanity from extinction or lead to its annihilation.
My favorite thing about this book is how Tchaikovsky uses the medium of science fiction to discuss actual issues like the impact of war and that different issues that could arise from it. For instance, in order to win the world, humanity had to make the decision to genetically alter humans, and as already mentioned, Idris is a part of this. However, since the world, he hasn’t been able to sleep or age since his “treatment” was concluded and there are multiple times in this book where Idris has to deal with the PTSD associated with the war and the “treatment”. Also, there is another character called Solace who is dealing with PTSD for similar reasons to Idris, although the “treatment” that she received was different. Hers is related to the fact that her faction in the government is created and sustained through eugenics and this cause friction with another member of the crew, Olli, as Olli is physically disabled and aware of the fact that her disability would lead to her being eliminated or at least discriminated on if the faction that Solace supports comes to power. Because of this friction, Tchaikovsky is able to have conversions about how far humanity is willing to go to survive and the consequences that may happen as a result of that.
If you are looking for a book with a plot that will keeps you turning pages but also hit with some thought-provoking topics, then you should try this book and to be honest, the rest of Tchaikovsky’s works as well. Tchaikovsky has definitely developed a style when it comes to his sci-fi works and it is a style that I love so I will be continuing to read especially this series as it kind of ends on a cliff-hanger and I really want to know what happens next. 5 stars and a new favorite!!!!!!
After loving every other Tchaikovsky book that I have picked up, when I found out that he had a new book coming out, I immediately requested it from my local library. Shards of Earth chronicles the story of Idris Telemmier, a genetically enhanced individual, who after fighting in a cataclysmic war, just wants to live out the rest of his days with his found family abroad the Vulture God. However, desperate to make enough money to survive, they take a contract from the planet Huei-Cavor to rescue a ship that has been lost to deep space. When they get there to retrieve it, they discover that the ship has been attacked by what appears to the alien species that they fought the aforesaid war against. This discovery leads to them going on a journey into destiny that will either save humanity from extinction or lead to its annihilation.
My favorite thing about this book is how Tchaikovsky uses the medium of science fiction to discuss actual issues like the impact of war and that different issues that could arise from it. For instance, in order to win the world, humanity had to make the decision to genetically alter humans, and as already mentioned, Idris is a part of this. However, since the world, he hasn’t been able to sleep or age since his “treatment” was concluded and there are multiple times in this book where Idris has to deal with the PTSD associated with the war and the “treatment”. Also, there is another character called Solace who is dealing with PTSD for similar reasons to Idris, although the “treatment” that she received was different. Hers is related to the fact that her faction in the government is created and sustained through eugenics and this cause friction with another member of the crew, Olli, as Olli is physically disabled and aware of the fact that her disability would lead to her being eliminated or at least discriminated on if the faction that Solace supports comes to power. Because of this friction, Tchaikovsky is able to have conversions about how far humanity is willing to go to survive and the consequences that may happen as a result of that.
If you are looking for a book with a plot that will keeps you turning pages but also hit with some thought-provoking topics, then you should try this book and to be honest, the rest of Tchaikovsky’s works as well. Tchaikovsky has definitely developed a style when it comes to his sci-fi works and it is a style that I love so I will be continuing to read especially this series as it kind of ends on a cliff-hanger and I really want to know what happens next. 5 stars and a new favorite!!!!!!
midnightassassin's review against another edition
3.0
Yeah pretty good! It was at times both generic while also exploring the classic tropes in cool ways.
patremagne's review against another edition
4.0
Idris became incredibly annoying toward the end, possibly more noticeably because the voice the audiobook’s narrator gave him.
Outside of Idris, the characters were great, especially Trine and Solace.
I’m still a bit unconvinced at the idea of the game plan against the Architects being “send our intermediaries to repeatedly say “we’re here, we exist.”
Outside of Idris, the characters were great, especially Trine and Solace.
I’m still a bit unconvinced at the idea of the game plan against the Architects being “send our intermediaries to repeatedly say “we’re here, we exist.”
marno_van_niekerk's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
kennethtcox's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
shinyscout's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
tunacatmeow's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
cranial's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.0
caitibeth's review against another edition
5.0
The mysterious Architects turn human planets into destroyed sculptures, and have never been touched or thwarted. Until Idris communicates with one, and the Architects leave as mysteriously as they arrived.
Now it's decades later, and humans have fractured. Can Idris, his shipmates, and an ally from his past survive against all the various factions that are gunning for them and for Idris's skills? And what would happen if the Architects DID reappear?
This is a BOOK. It's huge and epic, and could easily have been at least two if not three books in other hands. The worldbuilding comes fast & hard, and I had to concentrate a lot in the beginning to keep it all straight. But it's a very rich universe and I really enhoyed both the characters and the story!
Now it's decades later, and humans have fractured. Can Idris, his shipmates, and an ally from his past survive against all the various factions that are gunning for them and for Idris's skills? And what would happen if the Architects DID reappear?
This is a BOOK. It's huge and epic, and could easily have been at least two if not three books in other hands. The worldbuilding comes fast & hard, and I had to concentrate a lot in the beginning to keep it all straight. But it's a very rich universe and I really enhoyed both the characters and the story!