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4.14 AVERAGE
4.14 AVERAGE
This was not the post-nuclear-apocalyptic novel I was looking for. It was highly rated by some smart scientific guy, I forget who, so I expected a plot that at least semi-adhered to the laws of physics while hoping for the promised deep character development. But this book was more fantasy and fairy tale than science fiction. There were plot holes you could drive a supertanker through, making it impossible to suspend disbelief. It was clichéd and shallow. The big reveal was ludicrous. But it served the purpose as my annual total crap summer read, so there!
The first half of the book is great. It really feels like a nuclear post-apocalyptic world with vulnerable but intriguing characters put into brutal situations. There's mortal danger, unlikely odds, violence among survivors, feelings of isolation & hopelessness and even a supernatural object. Perfect.
The second half is not so great. The survival aspect is almost taken out and it feels as though the characters are going through the motions without any significant arc. The reading is still engaging, mainly because we want to see how the bad guys will eventually meet the good guys and how certain elements will fit into the story, but it does seem like the plot is advancing for the sake of it. The characters also end up not very nuanced and the villains become at a certain point comically evil.
I didn't care for the sacred mountain before the resolution, it felt weird and out of place.
The second half is not so great. The survival aspect is almost taken out and it feels as though the characters are going through the motions without any significant arc. The reading is still engaging, mainly because we want to see how the bad guys will eventually meet the good guys and how certain elements will fit into the story, but it does seem like the plot is advancing for the sake of it. The characters also end up not very nuanced and the villains become at a certain point comically evil.
I didn't care for the sacred mountain before the resolution, it felt weird and out of place.
While I really enjoyed this book I had two complaints. It was too long. Yes, it had a lot to pack in this story but at least 100 pages could’ve been cut to make it not so intimidating for readers to even begin. And I didn’t love the ending. It almost seemed as tho he ran out of off the wall ideas for this crazy story and then just flubbered up some thing. I will say that I was lost in this apocalyptic world and even was thinking about it all thru the day. Worth enduring the page count
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
I came into this story with very little knowledge of what to expect, except that it would be a great book, and I was not disappointed. There's multiple characters that I grew fond of, as well as ones I wished would have gone away sooner rather than later. Lots of imagination in how elements are brought to life as well. Overall this was a great post-apocalyptic tale, I'm looking forward to reading more from Robert.
dark
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
challenging
dark
hopeful
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use, Sexual assault, Sexual violence
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I love a good apocalyptic novel and Swan Song did not disappoint. Set in the US in the aftermath of a nuclear war, Swan Song follows a group of individuals in their struggle to survive. Ultimately, good meets evil and, well, no spoilers here.
There are a very few books I don't want to end. This was one of them. I was so immersed in the world and the characters that, although I wanted to finish the book, I didn't want to leave the world and the people I'd come to know.
Beautifully written.
There are a very few books I don't want to end. This was one of them. I was so immersed in the world and the characters that, although I wanted to finish the book, I didn't want to leave the world and the people I'd come to know.
Beautifully written.