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3.99 AVERAGE
3.99 AVERAGE
all reviews in one place:
night mode reading ;
skaitom nakties rezimu
About the Book: First Foundation has reached its, sort of, limits. Problems ahead seem to be finite. And so, obvious question arises: are these then for the second foundation? The myth of it travels across the universe in a hopeful and frightful rumor. For if it’s true, then danger ahead is truly beyond the scope of the Empire.
My Opinion: Unseen adversary, wrapped in myths, with seemingly horrifying powers at hand, that can march through enemy territories and claim them with ease. As I said, it felt more like a high fantasy tale, some kind of Emyr leading Nilfgaard in Witcher’s Universe (just an explanation of how it felt, not implying anything). But the writing remains good, so despite all that, it wasn’t all that dull to read.
night mode reading ;
skaitom nakties rezimu
About the Book: First Foundation has reached its, sort of, limits. Problems ahead seem to be finite. And so, obvious question arises: are these then for the second foundation? The myth of it travels across the universe in a hopeful and frightful rumor. For if it’s true, then danger ahead is truly beyond the scope of the Empire.
My Opinion: Unseen adversary, wrapped in myths, with seemingly horrifying powers at hand, that can march through enemy territories and claim them with ease. As I said, it felt more like a high fantasy tale, some kind of Emyr leading Nilfgaard in Witcher’s Universe (just an explanation of how it felt, not implying anything). But the writing remains good, so despite all that, it wasn’t all that dull to read.
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This one had a woman in it! Yay.
Part one: The combination of a powerful emperor (Cleon II) and mighty general (Bel Riose) may pose a threat to the foundation. Ducem Barr, a Siwennian, remains confident of the foundation's victory due to his knowledge of Seldon's psychohistory. Honestly, this part was pretty boring.
Part two: Made reading this book worth it! "The Mule", a mysterious and powerful character hungry for power and new territory, poses a threat to the Foundation. Our main characters are the couple Toran and Bayta Darell, psychologist Ebling Mis, and their new companion the clown Magnifico, who is fleeing the Mule after serving as his court jester. I will not say more as there are many fun twists.
I enjoyed book #2 and my second Asimov reading experience so much more than Foundation (#1). The characters and overall narrative kept me much more engaged. It was easier to follow because the book was only split into two main parts. When I heard there was a clown character in this book, I was not looking forward to it, but Magnifico really grew on me and I actually started having warm feelings about him? If you were ready to give up on Asimov, do give this book (especially part two) a try.
Part one: The combination of a powerful emperor (Cleon II) and mighty general (Bel Riose) may pose a threat to the foundation. Ducem Barr, a Siwennian, remains confident of the foundation's victory due to his knowledge of Seldon's psychohistory. Honestly, this part was pretty boring.
Part two: Made reading this book worth it! "The Mule", a mysterious and powerful character hungry for power and new territory, poses a threat to the Foundation. Our main characters are the couple Toran and Bayta Darell, psychologist Ebling Mis, and their new companion the clown Magnifico, who is fleeing the Mule after serving as his court jester. I will not say more as there are many fun twists.
I enjoyed book #2 and my second Asimov reading experience so much more than Foundation (#1). The characters and overall narrative kept me much more engaged. It was easier to follow because the book was only split into two main parts. When I heard there was a clown character in this book, I was not looking forward to it, but Magnifico really grew on me and I actually started having warm feelings about him? If you were ready to give up on Asimov, do give this book (especially part two) a try.
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
challenging
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
5 Stars - I've read the original Foundation Trilogy at least 4 or 5 times, and chose this time to listen to them as audiobooks. Scott Brick does an outstanding job as narrator, and even after all these repeated readings, the trilogy is still both compelling and interesting. I consider Isaac Asimov and Robert Heinlein to be the top two authors of science fiction. Between them they almost created the genre (though obviously H.G. Wells and Jules Verne predate them). Certainly they dominated the genre for several decades during its golden age.
Foundation and Empire is the book where the story becomes complicated. A new figure enters the picture to disrupt the expected storyline. How that happens and how it progresses makes this middle book much more compelling and vital to the trilogy, unlike The Tow Towers in The Lord of the Rings, which I have always felt was the weakest of that trilogy.
If you enjoy science fiction, then the Foundation Trilogy is required reading, but not just required, it is also very enjoyable and this middle book is what keeps the story line moving.
Foundation and Empire is the book where the story becomes complicated. A new figure enters the picture to disrupt the expected storyline. How that happens and how it progresses makes this middle book much more compelling and vital to the trilogy, unlike The Tow Towers in The Lord of the Rings, which I have always felt was the weakest of that trilogy.
If you enjoy science fiction, then the Foundation Trilogy is required reading, but not just required, it is also very enjoyable and this middle book is what keeps the story line moving.
Feels like more of a set up book for the Second foundation. I'm sure I read this before a long time ago, but don't recall the details. Felt like I was beat over the head who the Mule was. I suppose this is going to go more into the ethics of mind manipulation and stuff.
After reading some reviews and finally going back to read a synopsis, the first story in the book is mostly forgettable.
After reading some reviews and finally going back to read a synopsis, the first story in the book is mostly forgettable.
After the rise of the foundation comes the decline into decadence like the empire before it only faster.
The foundation is the most powerful nation in existence, and yet its decline is already starting. As it abandon’s it’s ideals of democracy, and pursuit of galactic harmony and peace the foundation starts moving away from the plan that birthed it. When a new threat arises, one no one could have predicted, two foundation citizens race against it to find their sister group, the fabled second foundation. But all may not be as it seems, and their companion might not be the buffoon he appears to be.
A brilliant continuation of the foundation’s story, this one feels more personal because it’s not as lofty a perspective. The twist at the end was genuinely unexpected and well done.
The foundation is the most powerful nation in existence, and yet its decline is already starting. As it abandon’s it’s ideals of democracy, and pursuit of galactic harmony and peace the foundation starts moving away from the plan that birthed it. When a new threat arises, one no one could have predicted, two foundation citizens race against it to find their sister group, the fabled second foundation. But all may not be as it seems, and their companion might not be the buffoon he appears to be.
A brilliant continuation of the foundation’s story, this one feels more personal because it’s not as lofty a perspective. The twist at the end was genuinely unexpected and well done.
This has one of the greatest jaw-drop moments I've ever experienced in a piece of writing.