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steveatwaywords's review
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
There's a lot that's just "thriller-level" fun along with Soule's too-long story of a man given the power of prophecy. Turns out, everyone wants a political piece of that action (no surprise) and, no surprise, the prophecies wreak their own kind of action on the endless chase scenes which follow.
Soule spends no real time on crafting anything but a page-turning story (true to his superhero action-comic background), and his lauded satire here is fairly predictable--no prophecy needed: what? a televangelist is more corrupt than pious? What? a US President is more self-serving to his own re-election than to the good of the country? Do go on! So, outside of a few clever scenes and strategizing about preserving celebrity anonymity in a digital world, the book seems designed (please please please, says its author) to be optioned for a television mini-series.
Now, it's clear I'm not a big fan of the read, but this is largely because it sprawls across hundreds of pages of similar action sequences and slower unwrapping of new revelations. The story is fun, absolutely. And it would have been real fun and even provocative at about 120 pages rather than 400. Yup, fairly culturally and gender-stereotyped, heroically under-dogged, and reservedly satirical, fun.
Soule spends no real time on crafting anything but a page-turning story (true to his superhero action-comic background), and his lauded satire here is fairly predictable--no prophecy needed: what? a televangelist is more corrupt than pious? What? a US President is more self-serving to his own re-election than to the good of the country? Do go on! So, outside of a few clever scenes and strategizing about preserving celebrity anonymity in a digital world, the book seems designed (please please please, says its author) to be optioned for a television mini-series.
Now, it's clear I'm not a big fan of the read, but this is largely because it sprawls across hundreds of pages of similar action sequences and slower unwrapping of new revelations. The story is fun, absolutely. And it would have been real fun and even provocative at about 120 pages rather than 400. Yup, fairly culturally and gender-stereotyped, heroically under-dogged, and reservedly satirical, fun.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexism, Religious bigotry, Violence, Racism, Gun violence, Death, and War
navayiota's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-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
5.0
You know those books that you read and they make you think "wow, I should have read this ages ago."? This was that kind of book for me. And yet I'm so grateful to have experienced the joy of such a pick-me-up right now. Charles Soule bazooka'd this novel to my top 10 favourite books of all time with the ease of a master. The narrator (Charlie Thurston) delivered so much of the main character's sass to last me a year. An Oracle Year! And what a protagonist. This is the second time I've ever fallen in love with a character from a book- as in, stared at the wall, fantasising about romancing the fuck out of them. While still finding myself aspiring to be like him! The holy combo of a good protagonist.
I'd describe this novel as a collage consisting of the best parts of: Neil Gaiman's American Gods, Robin Sloan's Mr Penumbra's 24-hour Bookstore, and a mix of the Welcome to Nightvale podcast and Alice Isn't Dead podcast/book. I was flabbergasted. I love all of these! If you do too then you'll probably enjoy the book as much as I did. I will 100% be returning to Charles Soule's books, although I must say that my standards are inhumanly high, and I feel bad for the pressure I'm putting on them (good thing then that they don't know me and probably won't see this review!) I hope to one day write a novel as captivating to someone as this book was to me. I don't often want to reread books but I'll definitely be returning to this one. If someone were trying to find a gift to buy me for my birthday, this one would be a winner! The only better thing would be a ticket for the movie adaptation! One can only wish. The thought would not stop occurring to me while I listened that it would make a phenomenal movie. (If it kept loyal to the book) If only I had the money to make it happen. Highly recommend this book !
I'd describe this novel as a collage consisting of the best parts of: Neil Gaiman's American Gods, Robin Sloan's Mr Penumbra's 24-hour Bookstore, and a mix of the Welcome to Nightvale podcast and Alice Isn't Dead podcast/book. I was flabbergasted. I love all of these! If you do too then you'll probably enjoy the book as much as I did. I will 100% be returning to Charles Soule's books, although I must say that my standards are inhumanly high, and I feel bad for the pressure I'm putting on them (good thing then that they don't know me and probably won't see this review!) I hope to one day write a novel as captivating to someone as this book was to me. I don't often want to reread books but I'll definitely be returning to this one. If someone were trying to find a gift to buy me for my birthday, this one would be a winner! The only better thing would be a ticket for the movie adaptation! One can only wish. The thought would not stop occurring to me while I listened that it would make a phenomenal movie. (If it kept loyal to the book) If only I had the money to make it happen. Highly recommend this book !
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping, Stalking, War, Death, Injury/Injury detail, and Violence
Moderate: Racism
Minor: Fatphobia, Religious bigotry, and Torture
mformato's review
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Very enjoyable read. A nice build up with a page-turning third act. Some good humor sprinkled in. Nothing too profound to say about it.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism
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