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aoc's review against another edition
4.0
Entries in the Dying Earth genre are sadly nowhere near as numerous as I'd like them to be, but that just makes Dark is the Sun all the more worthwhile. Less of a fantastic melting pot approach where anything goes author instead opted for how such a dying world would look through the eyes of a tribal human. Is it worth checking out, though?
Aforementioned protagonist is Deyv of the Turtle Tribe, and his accompanying troubles of seeking out a mate from another tribe to capture and marry. This would be easier said than done if the entire thing didn't hinge on his Soul Egg, a kind of gem his people always wear around their neck, needing to be perfectly attuned to that of the potential mate. He sets out from his tribe and their ancestral House. Except, disaster strikes - his Soul Egg gets stolen and marks Deyv as a non-human who would effectively be exiled even if he returned home. So begins a quest to track down the thief across deadly jungles and wastelands. Getting over his desperation Deyv is not only joined by his trusty cat and dog companions, but also comes across a likewise Egg-less woman called Vana and even stranger individuals who join them. All having something stolen by seemingly the same thief who wronged our hunter protagonist.
At this point it's well established that I'm a sucker for world building. Which is good news for Dark is the Sun since narrative present is largely split in half between the party's objectives and Sloosh's, half-protein and half-plant centaur-like being, lectures on the state of the world. After all, both Deyv and Vana are tribal people who, as we find out much later on, never even re-invented basic technology like the wheel. Keep in mind this doesn't mean they're stupid, but rather simply not versed in the history of this Earth billions of years into the future and quickly approaching its end. Sloosh and his race's innate plant memory/communication ability has the benefit of peering back in time as long as vegetation was present. This leads to many info dumps and humorous situations as emotional humans grow frustrated with cabbagehead's claims of intellectual superiority. Until he comes across his match and even more information is conveyed, this time with an alien POV.
Let's just say there's a LOT to take in, but Dark is the Sun eschews mystical elements in favor of ancient technology being misunderstood and misappropriated by ignorant people. Almost as a result of this, and despite events taking place after multiple advanced civilizations had collapsed with this latest simply coming too late to ever rise properly, there are numerous instances of reader playing the guessing game with what Deyv is describing as he associates meaning to it. More often than not with a dose of comedy. For example, when Vana hears the explanation of what "totems with three colored eyes blinking in red, yellow and green when you approach" actually are and feels profound embarrassment having prostrated herself before them. Novel does not air on the obtuse side with meanings buried within meanings. It's quite clear cut and readable with only some of its characters being confused by unknown elements. Oddly enough, it was their names for creatures with no real-life analogs that threw me for a loop.
Characters are largely what it says on the tin, but journey they undertake also changes them. Hoozzist and Sloosh serve as non-human fixtures of the group for the longest time which lets Deyv and Vana grow in their own ways past the original prison of the mind their people live in. Saying any more would probably be spoilers, but I like how they all have that edge befitting humans who survive in a deadly world. I had a raised eyebrows moment when Deyv considered it a bit strange that revered elders would be killed in times of famine which would never happen within his Turtle Tribe. On the other hand, killing infants under the same circumstances made perfect sense to him. Seeing him grow and broaden his horizons to eventually becoming a proper man made this a journey worth following.
Aforementioned protagonist is Deyv of the Turtle Tribe, and his accompanying troubles of seeking out a mate from another tribe to capture and marry. This would be easier said than done if the entire thing didn't hinge on his Soul Egg, a kind of gem his people always wear around their neck, needing to be perfectly attuned to that of the potential mate. He sets out from his tribe and their ancestral House. Except, disaster strikes - his Soul Egg gets stolen and marks Deyv as a non-human who would effectively be exiled even if he returned home. So begins a quest to track down the thief across deadly jungles and wastelands. Getting over his desperation Deyv is not only joined by his trusty cat and dog companions, but also comes across a likewise Egg-less woman called Vana and even stranger individuals who join them. All having something stolen by seemingly the same thief who wronged our hunter protagonist.
At this point it's well established that I'm a sucker for world building. Which is good news for Dark is the Sun since narrative present is largely split in half between the party's objectives and Sloosh's, half-protein and half-plant centaur-like being, lectures on the state of the world. After all, both Deyv and Vana are tribal people who, as we find out much later on, never even re-invented basic technology like the wheel. Keep in mind this doesn't mean they're stupid, but rather simply not versed in the history of this Earth billions of years into the future and quickly approaching its end. Sloosh and his race's innate plant memory/communication ability has the benefit of peering back in time as long as vegetation was present. This leads to many info dumps and humorous situations as emotional humans grow frustrated with cabbagehead's claims of intellectual superiority. Until he comes across his match and even more information is conveyed, this time with an alien POV.
Let's just say there's a LOT to take in, but Dark is the Sun eschews mystical elements in favor of ancient technology being misunderstood and misappropriated by ignorant people. Almost as a result of this, and despite events taking place after multiple advanced civilizations had collapsed with this latest simply coming too late to ever rise properly, there are numerous instances of reader playing the guessing game with what Deyv is describing as he associates meaning to it. More often than not with a dose of comedy. For example, when Vana hears the explanation of what "totems with three colored eyes blinking in red, yellow and green when you approach" actually are and feels profound embarrassment having prostrated herself before them. Novel does not air on the obtuse side with meanings buried within meanings. It's quite clear cut and readable with only some of its characters being confused by unknown elements. Oddly enough, it was their names for creatures with no real-life analogs that threw me for a loop.
Characters are largely what it says on the tin, but journey they undertake also changes them. Hoozzist and Sloosh serve as non-human fixtures of the group for the longest time which lets Deyv and Vana grow in their own ways past the original prison of the mind their people live in. Saying any more would probably be spoilers, but I like how they all have that edge befitting humans who survive in a deadly world. I had a raised eyebrows moment when Deyv considered it a bit strange that revered elders would be killed in times of famine which would never happen within his Turtle Tribe. On the other hand, killing infants under the same circumstances made perfect sense to him. Seeing him grow and broaden his horizons to eventually becoming a proper man made this a journey worth following.
ogreart's review
4.0
Audible has been offering a lot of classic science fiction in their "included" list. I am enjoying catching up on authors I haven't had a chance to read in years. I loved Farmer's Riverworld series and wanted to read more of him. Definitely a fun read. Lots of adventure. Interesting group dynamics. A really interesting future Earth he built here.
dantastic's review against another edition
3.0
Billions of years into the future, the universe is in the process of collapsing. Deyv, a member of a primitive tribe, ventures into the wilderness to find a wife. On the way, his soul egg, an object all people wear around their necks that is believed to house their souls, is stolen. He meets up with a girl who's egg was also stolen and a centaur-like plant man and they go on a quest to find the witch who ordered the thefts, only to be sent on a quest of their own upon finding her.
Dark is the Sun is a pretty good adventure story containing a lot of elements I like: crazy creatures, lost technology, and portals to other words. It also raises questions about religion and what it means to have a soul. Although I saw the ending coming, there were a lot of surprises along the way. The Shemibob or Freesh could have easily been one dimensional caricature villains but ended up being well rounded characters.
To sum up, this is a good science fantasy story and should appeal to fans of Philip Jose Farmer's other work, as well as those readers looking for a good adventure story.
Besides, where else are you going to find creatures that resemble boats and mate by shooting at each other with cannon-like organs?
Dark is the Sun is a pretty good adventure story containing a lot of elements I like: crazy creatures, lost technology, and portals to other words. It also raises questions about religion and what it means to have a soul. Although I saw the ending coming, there were a lot of surprises along the way. The Shemibob or Freesh could have easily been one dimensional caricature villains but ended up being well rounded characters.
To sum up, this is a good science fantasy story and should appeal to fans of Philip Jose Farmer's other work, as well as those readers looking for a good adventure story.
Besides, where else are you going to find creatures that resemble boats and mate by shooting at each other with cannon-like organs?
jupiterjens666's review against another edition
4.0
It is the year 15,000,000,000. Santa Claus is here.
metaphorosis's review against another edition
3.0
3 stars, Metaphorosis Reviews
Summary:
At the twilight of a world, a young man goes in search of mate, but soon loses his soul egg. Without it, he’s no one, and in his search for it, he finds adventure, science, magic, love, and escape from a rapidly collapsing world.
Review:
I’ve read a lot of Philip Jose Farmer in recent months. I’ve liked very little of it. In fact, I’d started to think that my enjoyment of the Riverworld series was an anomaly, and that, to put it bluntly, Farmer was simply not a very good writer.
Dark is the Sun doesn’t entirely confound that view; it’s not a work of any particular genius. But it is head and shoulders above the World of Tiers series, to pick one example. It’s so different that it reads as if it had been written by an entirely different author. Had I picked it up blind, I’d have assumed it to be a lost Piers Anthony novel from the 1970s, or a collaboration with him during that period. It has the same mounting introduction of novelty after novelty, and the same relentless, if somewhat facile, logical application of concepts. The sexism is limited and of its time rather than well past it. In short, it’s like reading a book by a whole different author.
That doesn’t mean this is a good book, but it’s not a bad one. It’s got an interesting world, decent (if into entirely credible) characters, and a challenging quest. There’s not a lot of surprise, but there’s plenty to keep you going. Of the half dozen Farmer books I’ve read recently, this is the only one that had me looking forward (slightly) to the next reading session, rather than looking for any excuse to put it off.
I can’t say this is the Riverworld Farmer I remember and liked, but it’s a lot like the Tarot and Cluster Anthony that I remember and liked. If you’re a fan of those series, you might like this as well.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Summary:
At the twilight of a world, a young man goes in search of mate, but soon loses his soul egg. Without it, he’s no one, and in his search for it, he finds adventure, science, magic, love, and escape from a rapidly collapsing world.
Review:
I’ve read a lot of Philip Jose Farmer in recent months. I’ve liked very little of it. In fact, I’d started to think that my enjoyment of the Riverworld series was an anomaly, and that, to put it bluntly, Farmer was simply not a very good writer.
Dark is the Sun doesn’t entirely confound that view; it’s not a work of any particular genius. But it is head and shoulders above the World of Tiers series, to pick one example. It’s so different that it reads as if it had been written by an entirely different author. Had I picked it up blind, I’d have assumed it to be a lost Piers Anthony novel from the 1970s, or a collaboration with him during that period. It has the same mounting introduction of novelty after novelty, and the same relentless, if somewhat facile, logical application of concepts. The sexism is limited and of its time rather than well past it. In short, it’s like reading a book by a whole different author.
That doesn’t mean this is a good book, but it’s not a bad one. It’s got an interesting world, decent (if into entirely credible) characters, and a challenging quest. There’s not a lot of surprise, but there’s plenty to keep you going. Of the half dozen Farmer books I’ve read recently, this is the only one that had me looking forward (slightly) to the next reading session, rather than looking for any excuse to put it off.
I can’t say this is the Riverworld Farmer I remember and liked, but it’s a lot like the Tarot and Cluster Anthony that I remember and liked. If you’re a fan of those series, you might like this as well.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
katmarhan's review against another edition
3.0
5/10
With its simple prose and episodic style, this book masks some deeper themes about what it is to be human, the difference between human and sentient, and how difficult it can be to change. The use of “foreign” (and untranslated) words was annoying and pointless and the characters, while interesting, never seem to really come alive.
This is the first book I’ve read by Philip José Farmer and I have heard that some of his other books/series are better, so I may give him another chance. Not any time soon, though.
With its simple prose and episodic style, this book masks some deeper themes about what it is to be human, the difference between human and sentient, and how difficult it can be to change. The use of “foreign” (and untranslated) words was annoying and pointless and the characters, while interesting, never seem to really come alive.
This is the first book I’ve read by Philip José Farmer and I have heard that some of his other books/series are better, so I may give him another chance. Not any time soon, though.
borisslocum's review
4.0
I don't recall how or when this book came into my hands, but I know I've read it more than once (so it must be good).
No, it definitely isn't Farmer at his best, but it is a compelling story of a small group of people who pull together in a time of absolute crisis. (You might say, it's a time when all the marbles are at risk.) I like Farmer's writing style and zany imagination. If you don't take this too seriously, it is a great way to kill a rainy Sunday.
No, it definitely isn't Farmer at his best, but it is a compelling story of a small group of people who pull together in a time of absolute crisis. (You might say, it's a time when all the marbles are at risk.) I like Farmer's writing style and zany imagination. If you don't take this too seriously, it is a great way to kill a rainy Sunday.
inemuri's review
adventurous
slow-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
2.0