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3.98 AVERAGE
3.98 AVERAGE
This book was phenomenal. It felt reminiscent of Name of the Wind and Dune. Clearly inspired by the former. The prose was absolutely beautiful. The pacing was slow but purposeful. A very character driven plot dotted with decently written action scenes. The characters are deep and well fleshed-out, flawed, with their own ambitions and paths. I’m not typically one for space operas but this worked so well for me. I would absolutely recommend it to any reader that enjoys character driven epic fantasy and can’t wait to continue following Hadrian’s story.
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
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
Wow, this was good. Some of the best prose I can remember reading. It's verbose and flowery, but also militaristic and imperial, all without becoming impenetrable or offputting.
Hadrian is an incredible character, deeply human in both beautiful and ugly ways. The framing of the story as an autobiography, with bits and pieces of the ending strewn throughout, give an interesting cant to the growth of his character observed through this book, and I can't wait to continue it in the next book and beyond.
Hadrian is an incredible character, deeply human in both beautiful and ugly ways. The framing of the story as an autobiography, with bits and pieces of the ending strewn throughout, give an interesting cant to the growth of his character observed through this book, and I can't wait to continue it in the next book and beyond.
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Slow start. Last 30% was a page turner. Seems like other books in the series are more similar to the end of the book. Looking forward to book 2.
adventurous
dark
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:
No
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:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Confinement, Death, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Religious bigotry, Murder, Classism
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:
Yes
A beautifully written introduction to the epic sci-fantasy tale of the Sun Eater. Chritopher Ruocchio’s Empire of Silence made me re-think my reading schedule. I must continue with this story. I need more Ruocchio wordsmithing in my life. I am compelled to see what happens with Hadrian Marlowe, the Sollan Empire, and humanity’s supposed nemesis, the Cielcin.
I simply cannot believe that Christopher Ruocchio wrote this book in his early 20’s. I do not know how that is possible. I look back on my early 20’s as the flailing efforts of a lost and confused child, recently thrust into adulthood, to find his way. Ruocchio is a prodigy. Somehow at this young age he was able to craft an absolutely beautiful 750+ page debut novel. His writing in Empire of Silence struck me as rich, poetic, and wonderfully philosophical. The writing is artistic, intricately descriptive, and thought-provoking. Seriously, this man could write a description of a random stranger staring at a wall, and the product would be this gorgeous and imaginative composition of words I could have never dreamed of. Some of the best prose I have ever read, hands down.
Empire of Silence is heavily inspired by a wide range of literature that came before it. Some even stoop so low to call it “derivative” of the likes of The Name of the Wind, Dune, and Red Rising. I vehemently disagree. An objective reader will quickly realize this is something new and different. This is not a poor imitation of anything. It takes inspiration and concepts from works before, combines them in a fresh and unique way, and offers us a wonderful story we can quickly connect and relate with. Isn’t that what all good literature has always done?
I loved my time with Empire of Silence. This book felt like a prologue, an introduction to a much grander story. The story progresses to develop the character and build the world, rather than tell a complete, succinct, contained story. As a stand-alone novel, this would be disappointing, and one reason I won’t be ranking this book on my favorites list. But who knows. That may change as I delve deeper into this series. Knowing I’m about to embark on a journey through a massive series that will likely turn into an obsession makes Empire of Silence an exciting beginning point. Throughout the book our narrator breaks the fourth wall to tell us to take note of important characters or events. These breadcrumbs, carefully placed by Ruocchio, have drawn me in, and I must follow the trail, thrilled for the start of a new adventure.
I simply cannot believe that Christopher Ruocchio wrote this book in his early 20’s. I do not know how that is possible. I look back on my early 20’s as the flailing efforts of a lost and confused child, recently thrust into adulthood, to find his way. Ruocchio is a prodigy. Somehow at this young age he was able to craft an absolutely beautiful 750+ page debut novel. His writing in Empire of Silence struck me as rich, poetic, and wonderfully philosophical. The writing is artistic, intricately descriptive, and thought-provoking. Seriously, this man could write a description of a random stranger staring at a wall, and the product would be this gorgeous and imaginative composition of words I could have never dreamed of. Some of the best prose I have ever read, hands down.
Empire of Silence is heavily inspired by a wide range of literature that came before it. Some even stoop so low to call it “derivative” of the likes of The Name of the Wind, Dune, and Red Rising. I vehemently disagree. An objective reader will quickly realize this is something new and different. This is not a poor imitation of anything. It takes inspiration and concepts from works before, combines them in a fresh and unique way, and offers us a wonderful story we can quickly connect and relate with. Isn’t that what all good literature has always done?
I loved my time with Empire of Silence. This book felt like a prologue, an introduction to a much grander story. The story progresses to develop the character and build the world, rather than tell a complete, succinct, contained story. As a stand-alone novel, this would be disappointing, and one reason I won’t be ranking this book on my favorites list. But who knows. That may change as I delve deeper into this series. Knowing I’m about to embark on a journey through a massive series that will likely turn into an obsession makes Empire of Silence an exciting beginning point. Throughout the book our narrator breaks the fourth wall to tell us to take note of important characters or events. These breadcrumbs, carefully placed by Ruocchio, have drawn me in, and I must follow the trail, thrilled for the start of a new adventure.
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
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
Probably the longest i've taken to finish a book but glad I came back to it and didnt leave it on the reading shelf forever. The book takes about 150ish pages to escape the dune accusations but after is an awesome, well worth it space opera.
I'm also learning that I love and will read anything with cosmic horror/unexplainable space stuff.
I'm also learning that I love and will read anything with cosmic horror/unexplainable space stuff.
adventurous
reflective
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