Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.7 AVERAGE
3.7 AVERAGE
These are some of my favorite characters and the journey we took with them was splendid. I wasn't sure where the plot was going halfway through but the latter half was my favorite. Just WOW. Everything about this was amazing. And that few chapters had me crying...
adventurous
hopeful
tense
medium-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
adventurous
dark
mysterious
slow-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:
Complicated
DNF at 49%. For some reason scenes that could be summed up in a couple sentences or brushed over completely ended up taking minutes on minutes and leave you wondering what the point was. This zooming in slows even what could have been action scenes filled with horror and chaos. Instead I was bored despite the talented audiobook narrator. Character interactions were just as over-choreographed as the battles. This one was really not for me.
adventurous
emotional
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
I first read this book upon release and absolutely loved it. Upon a re-read (via audiobook this time) I noticed some more of the flaws, but it is still nowhere near deserving of the criticism it sometimes gets. The plot is interesting in broad strokes and in the smaller details. I liked the characters and was interested in what was going on with all of them. I was invested in how the main conflict was going to end. Even on a re-read I was anticipatory of the climax. The world(s) created felt fairly lived in without expository lore dumps. The dialogue was nothing spectacular, but I don't remember anything super bad. Occasionally the descriptors seem a bit amateur, though. The final boss fight was alright, but I was enjoying the journey thoroughly, so it didn't really have to be incredible, and everything that happens on the back end was fulfilling. I appreciate that it's open ended, but also has a cohesive, finished presentation and is enjoyable on its own. He could build a whole universe of stories here or never return again (though he already has with Fractal Noise.) In the end I think Paolini cares more about the story being told than anything and it shows, in good and bad ways. 3 and a half feels like a solid rating for a book like this. I'll probably re-read it again one day, and this re-read will probably get me to finally read Fractal Noise. I have read some reviews here and elsewhere and I will say this: I agree with the people that rated it higher than me a lot more than I do with those that rated it lower. Nothing is ultra-original anymore, and expecting otherwise is folly. The pace was kind of all over I'll concede, but in real-life super stressful situations are often flurries followed by lulls. Some of my favorite parts of the book were in FTL with Kira learning about the Seed and practicing things and learning.
adventurous
dark
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:
Complicated
Paolini's writing hasn't improved much from his Eragon days unfortunately. This story tries to do too much, loses focus every second page, and most egregiously is missing a soul. There are some fun and unique aspects
adventurous
emotional
informative
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This book found me the day of my first concussion. I finished it at an extreme pace (for me) owning to interest and connection in the book and an extremely rare ability to spend time as I please. I do not think this qualifies as mental rest but I am left feeling satisfied. I do not think it is normal to finish 800+ pages and contemplate immediately reading it again.
Parts of the story elements of plot and characters very unoriginal. "Oh, that was the plot to every horror movie I purposely avoid. I am vexed you tried to make me care about characters for 60 pages just to wipe them all out at once." "Ah, now we've hopped onto Serenity. I'm glad this version of Mal is more emotionally aware." "None of us forgot the Flood. Thank you for making the magic armor quieter than Cortona and not making a Spartan the protagonist." I question if the elements admired are actually original or if I simply missed the reference. I found the pacing very game-like with VERY long days with impossible amounts of action and quick skill gain followed stretches of time elapsing on the outside world but not for the main plot.
I enjoy the character interactions. You can see the characters change with their interactions with each other including their behavior and speech idioms. And in their thoughts I get glimpses of beautiful poetry.
I found his humanistic world view very ironic and sometimes hypocritical with the other book themes. He elevates the human mind above all things, yet tries to preach equality between species. He blatantly points out failure of systems of governance and the pride of absolute power. His answer seems to be: give the power to a baby it will be totally fine. He not subtlety echos the Bible’s Genesis implying any human could be god with enough knowledge/power. He fails to convince that we could be good/sane/happy with said power/knowledge.
Then, there are some themes I feel are unclear: Do humans need purpose and companionship or purpose and resources? Is romance and building a life with someone truly a lesser than sucking a purpose greater than yourself? Is our desire to be romanced only sexual impulses??
I appreciate the value that all life is sacred. Overall really enjoyed.
Parts of the story elements of plot and characters very unoriginal.
I enjoy the character interactions. You can see the characters change with their interactions with each other including their behavior and speech idioms. And in their thoughts I get glimpses of beautiful poetry.
I found his humanistic world view very ironic and sometimes hypocritical with the other book themes. He elevates the human mind above all things, yet tries to preach equality between species. He blatantly points out failure of systems of governance and the pride of absolute power. His answer seems to be: give the power to a baby it will be totally fine. He not subtlety echos the Bible’s Genesis implying any human could be god with enough knowledge/power. He fails to convince that we could be good/sane/happy with said power/knowledge.
Then, there are some themes I feel are unclear: Do humans need purpose and companionship or purpose and resources? Is romance and building a life with someone truly a lesser than sucking a purpose greater than yourself? Is our desire to be romanced only sexual impulses??
I appreciate the value that all life is sacred. Overall really enjoyed.
The story and characters did not capture me. I guess sci fi is not my prefered genre ...
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-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:
No