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4.24 AVERAGE
4.24 AVERAGE
I definitely enjoyed it overall, some stories more than others though. There was a surprising amount of sex in the book, and I feel like it lacked a bit of closure. But overall really good, impressive world building and pacing.
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
adventurous
mysterious
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:
No
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
challenging
dark
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
slow-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:
N/A
Absolutely stunning. An epic that I think I will remember for the rest of my life. Each tale will appeal to a different person and you’ll find your favourite. I cried at Sol’s tale with his baby girl Rachel, Kassad’s space odyssey was thrilling and exciting. Father Hoyt’s story was mysterious, the poet Martin’s story was dramatic and romantic, Brawne’s story was inspiring, and the Consul’s story once it all unfolded was beautiful and shocking. I think Sol’s tale was my favourite, followed by Kassad but the Consul’s story was definitely a contender too! I will remember Siri, though I wish SImmons had more time to elaborate and paint more beauty and description as he had done in Kassad’s tale. I’m so excited for the next book, this one felt complete but it seems their adventure is only just beginning. We’re off to see the Angel of Death, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. [P.s. Can Dan Simmons not go off on one about Keats for 5 minutes????]
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Sexual content
Moderate: Sexism
adventurous
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Such a good beginning to a series. This is sci-fi meets horror. However each character’s backstory reads almost like novellas taking you on a bunch of mini adventures. They are have their own tone and feel. This is such a weird book - it takes you all over the place, asks you many questions and doesn’t really answer anything. We spend the whole book on a pilgrimage to get to the Shrike. We end the book arm in arm singing “we’re off to see the wizard, the wonderful wizard of oz” funny enough, this is the second fantasy/sci fi this week to reference the Wizard of Oz- Silo does as well. In any case I really enjoyed this journey. When I read the Gunslinger I thought wow that is a weird combo of genres. This story felt like it was doing the same thing. I like it- it is not a formula I have read much of. I have no idea where we are going and am excited to find out. This book was recommended by a bookseller after she saw I enjoyed Blake Crouch’s Recursion. I have to say, great recommendation.