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3.98 AVERAGE
3.98 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I saw some folks on BookTok talking about the third book in this series, raving about it, so I figured I'd give the series a try.
And, I don't think it's for me. I think there was some really solid worldbuilding in this story, even if it did feel stuffed to the gills with weird words and terms to the point where it was hard to follow at times. However, I couldn't shake the feeling through the first half of the book that it was just reheated Dune leftovers. Similar concepts and world-building just grated me the wrong way, but what really pushed me away from the book was the pacing. It felt like ever hundred pages the book would radically shift tones and premises, throwing the character into completely different scenarios, which at first helped the feeling that the character was adrift, but eventually made me not really connect to anything, assuming that at any moment these premise and cast of characters would suddenly be dropped and no longer matter.
It had potential, I just think I bounced off it too hard to keep trying for this beloved third book.
And, I don't think it's for me. I think there was some really solid worldbuilding in this story, even if it did feel stuffed to the gills with weird words and terms to the point where it was hard to follow at times. However, I couldn't shake the feeling through the first half of the book that it was just reheated Dune leftovers. Similar concepts and world-building just grated me the wrong way, but what really pushed me away from the book was the pacing. It felt like ever hundred pages the book would radically shift tones and premises, throwing the character into completely different scenarios, which at first helped the feeling that the character was adrift, but eventually made me not really connect to anything, assuming that at any moment these premise and cast of characters would suddenly be dropped and no longer matter.
It had potential, I just think I bounced off it too hard to keep trying for this beloved third book.
mysterious
reflective
slow-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
I really enjoyed this. It's like Dune smashed together with Robin Hobb, and a, if not fully unreliable narrator, a deeply cynical one. The world is intriguing and dark, but not entirely grimdark. Marlowe is an interesting character. The plot does drag at times, but I think that's intentional. Definitely won't be for everyone.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Torture
adventurous
mysterious
tense
slow-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:
Complicated
This was a lot to digest, however, I'm intrigued and will definitely be continuing the series.
There was a lot of world building in this - understanding so. I often did get lost and distracted. But I'm invested in Hadrian journey and the world that's been created here. Keen to see what happens next
There was a lot of world building in this - understanding so. I often did get lost and distracted. But I'm invested in Hadrian journey and the world that's been created here. Keen to see what happens next
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
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
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
2.5⭐️. I really struggled with the pacing in this book and it wasn’t the epic space opera promised. Apparently that is still to come in the rest of the series. It’s clear there is foreshadowing but I had a real disconnect from the plot and characters for a short time in the middle of the book, it felt like a slog. However, it was worth pushing through and the pace picked up again and I became engaged.
The most memorable part of the book for me revolves around Cat’s arc, that really hit the feels.
I’ve been told that this book is the weakest in the series but the ending hooked me so I’ll be heading back to see what Hadrian and the gang get up to in at least the next book.
The most memorable part of the book for me revolves around Cat’s arc, that really hit the feels.
I’ve been told that this book is the weakest in the series but the ending hooked me so I’ll be heading back to see what Hadrian and the gang get up to in at least the next book.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
sad
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:
Yes
adventurous
dark
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:
Complicated
adventurous
challenging
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
adventurous
slow-paced
This is 78 chapters of an uncharismatic guy feeling sorry for himself and the problems he gets into because he feels entitled to things and can't shut up.
Somehow the narrative keeps telling me people love and admire him. It was a true power fantasy.
To me it's impossible to cheer and accompany a main character that behaves like a spoiled boy and, at the same time, thinks he's morally superior than the entire civilization he's part of. His actions make me disbelieve that he actually had any sort of education, Hadrian is completely ignorant on how to be exactly what he was (supposedly) trained and educated to be: a noble; for no reason he rebels against it like privilege is such a curse and despite telling us how smart and cultured he is, all Hadrian's actions show otherwise.
Every chapter uses purple prose to be philosophical about life and humanity - it's only surface level, there's no maturity in text to grasp anything meaningful.
Empire of Silence is a bloated immature amalgamation of skin deep philosophy and random quotes to feel smart about itself. Cut 50% of the chapters and it won't change anything.
I didn't like Kvothe being the the most special boy ever, and I don't care about a brat like Hadrian either.
Somehow the narrative keeps telling me people love and admire him. It was a true power fantasy.
To me it's impossible to cheer and accompany a main character that behaves like a spoiled boy and, at the same time, thinks he's morally superior than the entire civilization he's part of. His actions make me disbelieve that he actually had any sort of education, Hadrian is completely ignorant on how to be exactly what he was (supposedly) trained and educated to be: a noble; for no reason he rebels against it like privilege is such a curse and despite telling us how smart and cultured he is, all Hadrian's actions show otherwise.
Every chapter uses purple prose to be philosophical about life and humanity - it's only surface level, there's no maturity in text to grasp anything meaningful.
Empire of Silence is a bloated immature amalgamation of skin deep philosophy and random quotes to feel smart about itself. Cut 50% of the chapters and it won't change anything.
I didn't like Kvothe being the the most special boy ever, and I don't care about a brat like Hadrian either.
adventurous
dark
hopeful
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