Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.7 AVERAGE
3.7 AVERAGE
So when I first heard about this book, it was the story that lured me in. I had read some of the Eragon series but the author wasn't the reason I wanted to read it. I then heard some negative feedback which made me hesitate momentarily about reading but boy am I glad I took the plunge. This was a fantastic, large scale science fiction story which I have not had the pleasure of reading for some time. The characters are well written, developed and relatable.
Kira, the main character was so great getting to know. She really ended up being a real bad ass super hero!
I felt like the Matrix soundtrack could be playing while she fought aliens! LOL
I really loved the crew of the Wallfish. When Kira met up with them and got them involved with her journey I really got a "Firefly" vibe off of the ragtag crew. The characters were funny and engaging. Their relationships were believable.
Without saying anything about how it ended, well it was mind blowing. I really felt that it left an opening for there to be more to the story but it could easily work as a stand alone story. I highly recommend this book.
Kira, the main character was so great getting to know. She really ended up being a real bad ass super hero!
I felt like the Matrix soundtrack could be playing while she fought aliens! LOL
I really loved the crew of the Wallfish. When Kira met up with them and got them involved with her journey I really got a "Firefly" vibe off of the ragtag crew. The characters were funny and engaging. Their relationships were believable.
Without saying anything about how it ended, well it was mind blowing. I really felt that it left an opening for there to be more to the story but it could easily work as a stand alone story. I highly recommend this book.
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
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:
Yes
-0 .5 Star: Pacing
-0.5 Star: Names =unrealized character
I haven't enjoyed a space opera this much since the original Halo trilogy. Switching genres is no easy task. Building a new narrative after visible success is even harder. (Yes, Rowling, I mean you.) Though his previous works weren't entirely original, he continues to be a compelling storyteller. He seems to have come into his own, with a novel that is ultimately grand and fairly original. The page count may deter some, but Paolini sustained my curiosity at the length. Few books this long can avoid a few pacing hiccups, but the world building is interesting. Brownie points for his references between acts that add interesting adjustments to the tone.
-0.5 Star: Names =unrealized character
I haven't enjoyed a space opera this much since the original Halo trilogy. Switching genres is no easy task. Building a new narrative after visible success is even harder. (Yes, Rowling, I mean you.) Though his previous works weren't entirely original, he continues to be a compelling storyteller. He seems to have come into his own, with a novel that is ultimately grand and fairly original. The page count may deter some, but Paolini sustained my curiosity at the length. Few books this long can avoid a few pacing hiccups, but the world building is interesting. Brownie points for his references between acts that add interesting adjustments to the tone.
Eragon was my First Big Fantasy book as a kid, and it was really the beginning of my love for the genre. That being said, I recognise the writing for what it is, fairly amateurish and derivative from a young author. I still love the Inheritance Cycle, but I'd like to think I came into TSIASOS with high hopes but not high expectations.
TSIASOS disappointed on nearly every count. I echo many other readers in saying that the book does far too little with far too many words. Halfway into the book I realised I didn't give a damn about any of the characters, wasn't at all interested in where the plot was going, and simply did not want to read this book anymore. I finished only out of a guilty sense of obligation from losing his autograph after a book signing 10 years ago.
Light spoilers.
I've seen a number of recommendations or reviews of this as a good sci-fi book for newcomers to the genre. This only holds true because newcomers might not recognise the poor execution of tired tropes. There are better and shorter books out there for first time sci-fi readers. That said, the physical book is gorgeous. It looks good on a shelf. Leave it there.
1.5/5.0 stars
TSIASOS disappointed on nearly every count. I echo many other readers in saying that the book does far too little with far too many words. Halfway into the book I realised I didn't give a damn about any of the characters, wasn't at all interested in where the plot was going, and simply did not want to read this book anymore. I finished only out of a guilty sense of obligation from losing his autograph after a book signing 10 years ago.
Light spoilers.
Spoiler
In rapid fire: The characters are bland. The pace is inconsistent and discouraging. Some of the aliens are intriguing and truly alien in appearance. Scent-based communication is an exciting idea and a chance to make the Jellyfish feel as alien as the look, but Kira's ability to communicate with them perfectly and their thin veneer of other-worldliness results in alien villains that are barely less human than the main characters. Paolini's portrayal of a woman and a romantic relationship are... lacking. Gregorovich is a refreshing delight, but not given enough to make me actually want to keep reading. The Angela cameo is painful and I'm usually a fan of kitschy cameos.I've seen a number of recommendations or reviews of this as a good sci-fi book for newcomers to the genre. This only holds true because newcomers might not recognise the poor execution of tired tropes. There are better and shorter books out there for first time sci-fi readers. That said, the physical book is gorgeous. It looks good on a shelf. Leave it there.
1.5/5.0 stars
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Reading on a Kindle, I knew this one was long but wow. 880 pages? No wonder I thought it would never end. It really just repeats the same plot line over and over like a skipping record. I kept thinking, didn't we just do this already? And some parts were kinda predictable. I admit I got a little tap-crazy tap tap tapping on my reader to fast forward, especially the weird dreamy parts where she was remembering things from the past via the alien. Because those parts were really not that revealing or interesting. I'm surprised I stayed with it... I guess I did want to see how it turned out. But hello! Editor did not do their job.
adventurous
tense
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
adventurous
dark
hopeful
medium-paced