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3.96 AVERAGE
3.96 AVERAGE
3.49 stars. I always enjoy these books. It’s not the best in the Sun Eater universe, and Marlowe’s arrogance rankles, but it’s still a good quick read.
dark
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Fun, quick book. I would have liked if the main story was a bit longer, and perhaps the history at the back condensed a bit. Even as someone who enjoys reading fictional histories it was a bit much.
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
3.75/5.00
Those who set their pen against the sword and the gallows and the firing squad did so from an excess of mercy, and mercy is virtuous, if a weaker, higher thing in itself. But justice is a virtue also, and if a man is to rule, it must be with the rod in one hand and the white glove on the other.
Queen Amid Ashes is a tale of the horrors in this world of Sun Eater. Ruocchio's visual, outstanding prose combined with a deeply thematic story of a character making difficult decisions.
Our shadows danced tall and shapeless on the red snow before us as we hurried forward, cast by the great lamps on the landing craft at our backs.
Often I have found that god puts truth in the mouths of our enemies, for their words are the only ones we ever truly heed.
Sun Eater is rewriting the standards for sci-fantasy storytelling. While Queen Amid Ashes was everything a Sun Eater novella needed to be with delivering a solid theme and character journey, one drawback is the worldbuilding. This novella focuses mostly on the ethical dilemma and does spend some time giving us horrifying visuals, the worldbuilding seemed to be out of focus. There could have been more depth to the culture of the people of Thagara. The plot also seemed to be very easy to predict and I saw the ethical dilemma coming a mile away.
I am also slightly disappointed by the Malyan character. While there is some depth to her, I think more time could have been spent with that character.
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-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
Quite a philosophical book and a good insight into Hadrian's mindset
adventurous
dark
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
dark
reflective
fast-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