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samu_solano's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
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? No
3.5
sechurae's review against another edition
4.0
Enjoyable next installment of the Final Architecture series. The characters are more established now, along with interpersonal dynamics, so it was fun to follow them on their endeavours.
I appreciated Kris a lot more, even though I think she doesn't get as much on page time (citation needed), and I love her role as Idris' emotional support companion, ironically, because she wasn't able to fulfill that role as much. I also loved the further exploration of the tension between her professionalism and her absolute thirst for blood.
Havaer Mundy was also a new favourite, along with his Hiver companion, Colvari. He really is the most put upon man in the universe, like Idris, but with less despair.
We also get more of Olli, being her subtle-as-a-wrecking-ball self, with her sparkling personality and very blunt wit, which was very fun. Her having to deal more with the Partheni was also a highlight, as she sometimes embodies catharsis. Very much wondering if there is more to the Aklu's fondness of her.
The plot progression itself didn't draw me in a much as the previous book, even though I liked the closer focus of them going on specific contracts rather than the large-scale space actions.I enjoyed the intrigue plotline for Mundy with the stolen documents/double-spy shenanigans, but I expected more to come out of the Hegemony planet, and their work with the Originator city ruins. Instead it becomes sort of a galaxy-wide chase for Idris, while Idris learns some more horrible, terrible, no-good truths about the universe.
The ending felt like it fizzled out a little, but similar to the first where the implications mean nothing good for Idris. Poor dude.
All in all an enjoyable continuation, where Tchaikovsky really flexes his world-building muscles and give the reader a sense of a extreme wide-spanning world.
I appreciated Kris a lot more, even though I think she doesn't get as much on page time (citation needed), and I love her role as Idris' emotional support companion, ironically, because she wasn't able to fulfill that role as much. I also loved the further exploration of the tension between her professionalism and her absolute thirst for blood.
Havaer Mundy was also a new favourite, along with his Hiver companion, Colvari. He really is the most put upon man in the universe, like Idris, but with less despair.
We also get more of Olli, being her subtle-as-a-wrecking-ball self, with her sparkling personality and very blunt wit, which was very fun. Her having to deal more with the Partheni was also a highlight, as she sometimes embodies catharsis. Very much wondering if there is more to the Aklu's fondness of her.
The plot progression itself didn't draw me in a much as the previous book, even though I liked the closer focus of them going on specific contracts rather than the large-scale space actions.
The ending felt like it fizzled out a little, but similar to the first where the implications mean nothing good for Idris. Poor dude.
All in all an enjoyable continuation, where Tchaikovsky really flexes his world-building muscles and give the reader a sense of a extreme wide-spanning world.
jenthebest's review against another edition
4.0
A great continuation of the story. I found the first half a little slower paced than I expected, but the second half more than made up for it. Eagerly awaiting the final installment.
ismisebrendan's review against another edition
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
4.5
worldsunlikeourown's review against another edition
4.0
Find this review and more on my blog at Worlds Unlike Our Own.
Thank you to the publisher, Orbit Books, and NetGalley for providing me with an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
4.5 stars
Following the second battle of Berlenhof, the Architects are indubitably back and causing chaos as they begin to destroy world after world. Where in the previous war, the presence of Originator artifacts on a world provided a certain amount of protection, the Architects seem to have found a way to circumvent its protection. Every planet a target and the various groups of humans, aliens and other species are thrown into chaos as they argue about how to combat the threat. Idris, who has spent his life running away from the memories of the first war, is very much in demand to get back on the front lines as his Intermediary abilities, combined with the discovery he made about the Architects at Berlenhof, may be the only ray of hope. As various factions make a play for power in the chaotic political situation that has resulted, Idris and his allies search for a weapon that can repel the Architects, but the answer may not be what they expected.
I picked up the first book of this series, Shards of Earth, pretty much because I was in the mood for a sci-fi novel at the time and it sounded interesting, but I certainly didn’t expect to get so invested in this story! I’ve been counting down the days to this sequel and was so excited to be approved for an eARC. In some ways, I liked this book much better than the first, because so much of the world building was in place and things were making sense right from the beginning. This story is set in a really complex world that continued to expand in this installment – something I was very impressed by given how much else was going on at the same time between fighting the Architects, finding a weapon, various factions going to war with each other, some truly intriguing political scheming on all sides and much more. I was especially glad for both the very useful recap of book one that was included, and also the glossary of sorts that was a great refresher on the many species, blocs and characters involved.
At over 600 pages, Eyes of the Void was no light read. The pacing too, was significantly slower, but there was just so much going on and I was so engrossed that I didn’t struggle with it at all. Not to mention that if it had been any faster, I would have probably lost the thread of the plot and ended up horribly confused. This book certainly managed to avoid the typical second book problem areas and has provided a solid storyline going into book three while developing both the world and characters. The many character perspectives provided a well rounded look at the brewing war from all angles and everyone who has a stake in ongoing matters. Their loyalties and agendas were constantly shifting which made for not only a fascinating read but also rendered something of a mystery element to the whole thing in my opinion that kept me at the edge of my seat wondering what the next twist would be and what repercussions that might have. The crew of the Vulture God remained my favorite of the lot, a group of such diverse personalities and motives, yet united in a single goal and they were as marvellous and entertaining as ever. They often injected some sarcasm or moments of humour into the otherwise serious narrative that effectively broke up tense moments and made the dialogue a lot of fun to follow too.
There was just one little thing I didn’t like about this sequel. This series is supposed to be a trilogy, and I’m rather annoyed with the reveal at the close of this book. It just wasn’t big enough given all the buildup throughout the story, and we’re going into book 3 without the crucial question answered – who is controlling the Architects and giving them orders to carve up planets? I really expected this book to close with that revelation and give a better idea of what the final confrontation, so to speak, will look like.
Overall, this series continues to be an amazing space opera and I can’t wait to see how this story ends! Book 3 is going to be one of my most anticipated titles for next year – or atleast I hope it’s next year. I don’t think I can manage to wait any longer than that! Though it’s not one of the genres I pick up too frequently, this series is more or less setting the standard for what I’m beginning to expect in sci-fi novels and I’m hoping to try the other books by this author soon. Highly recommended!
Thank you to the publisher, Orbit Books, and NetGalley for providing me with an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
4.5 stars
Following the second battle of Berlenhof, the Architects are indubitably back and causing chaos as they begin to destroy world after world. Where in the previous war, the presence of Originator artifacts on a world provided a certain amount of protection, the Architects seem to have found a way to circumvent its protection. Every planet a target and the various groups of humans, aliens and other species are thrown into chaos as they argue about how to combat the threat. Idris, who has spent his life running away from the memories of the first war, is very much in demand to get back on the front lines as his Intermediary abilities, combined with the discovery he made about the Architects at Berlenhof, may be the only ray of hope. As various factions make a play for power in the chaotic political situation that has resulted, Idris and his allies search for a weapon that can repel the Architects, but the answer may not be what they expected.
I picked up the first book of this series, Shards of Earth, pretty much because I was in the mood for a sci-fi novel at the time and it sounded interesting, but I certainly didn’t expect to get so invested in this story! I’ve been counting down the days to this sequel and was so excited to be approved for an eARC. In some ways, I liked this book much better than the first, because so much of the world building was in place and things were making sense right from the beginning. This story is set in a really complex world that continued to expand in this installment – something I was very impressed by given how much else was going on at the same time between fighting the Architects, finding a weapon, various factions going to war with each other, some truly intriguing political scheming on all sides and much more. I was especially glad for both the very useful recap of book one that was included, and also the glossary of sorts that was a great refresher on the many species, blocs and characters involved.
At over 600 pages, Eyes of the Void was no light read. The pacing too, was significantly slower, but there was just so much going on and I was so engrossed that I didn’t struggle with it at all. Not to mention that if it had been any faster, I would have probably lost the thread of the plot and ended up horribly confused. This book certainly managed to avoid the typical second book problem areas and has provided a solid storyline going into book three while developing both the world and characters. The many character perspectives provided a well rounded look at the brewing war from all angles and everyone who has a stake in ongoing matters. Their loyalties and agendas were constantly shifting which made for not only a fascinating read but also rendered something of a mystery element to the whole thing in my opinion that kept me at the edge of my seat wondering what the next twist would be and what repercussions that might have. The crew of the Vulture God remained my favorite of the lot, a group of such diverse personalities and motives, yet united in a single goal and they were as marvellous and entertaining as ever. They often injected some sarcasm or moments of humour into the otherwise serious narrative that effectively broke up tense moments and made the dialogue a lot of fun to follow too.
There was just one little thing I didn’t like about this sequel. This series is supposed to be a trilogy, and I’m rather annoyed with the reveal at the close of this book. It just wasn’t big enough given all the buildup throughout the story, and we’re going into book 3 without the crucial question answered – who is controlling the Architects and giving them orders to carve up planets? I really expected this book to close with that revelation and give a better idea of what the final confrontation, so to speak, will look like.
Overall, this series continues to be an amazing space opera and I can’t wait to see how this story ends! Book 3 is going to be one of my most anticipated titles for next year – or atleast I hope it’s next year. I don’t think I can manage to wait any longer than that! Though it’s not one of the genres I pick up too frequently, this series is more or less setting the standard for what I’m beginning to expect in sci-fi novels and I’m hoping to try the other books by this author soon. Highly recommended!
squidbillyinvictus's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
davieid's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-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
4.0
rbhampton's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75