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3.85 AVERAGE
3.85 AVERAGE
I wanted to love this book. It is filled with interesting ideas of what humanity could look like centuries from now, but written in such a way that it’s both pretentious and inaccessible. The constant shifting of gender and names for each character makes it even harder to keep track of who is who than just the terminology would have. I can understand why some people love it, but this is not the series for me. I almost DNF’d it 50 pages in. Only pure stubbornness got me through.
I wanted to like this, but it fell short for me. I picked it up because of its Hugo nomination.
First of all, I don't think much got tied off at the end. I know it's the first in a series (duology? I can't remember), so I was expecting that there would be some measure of resolution in a later book. But reaching the end of this book felt like stepping off a cliff. I really dislike that.
I also had issues with some of the fourth-wall-breaking. In general I don't mind when a character breaks the fourth wall, but in this instance the narrator actually has arguments with his "reader" about whether he is allowed to call another character a witch. Multiple times. It gets old, and I just didn't see the point.
There were brief descriptions of rape, torture, and even cannibalism, which took me by surprise. I didn't read that in any of the reviews I came across, until after I had reached this point in the book (around 60% of the way through). It nearly caused me to set the book down permanently.
And then there's the idea that a stolen list of people that a news editor thinks are influential on the world stage could spark another world war... well, it strains credulity. This is only one of perhaps 7 or 8 versions of the same list published by competing news agencies. It seemed to me to be analogous those Time magazine special editions, which I generally only glance at in the checkout aisle - so I couldn't understand why it was set up to be such a plot driver. In fact, all of the related descriptions of the politics of this world were pretty boring to me. The people on the list actually did become quite interesting, but it took the entire book for them to become so.
That said, this is an interesting book. I've seen other reviewers refer to it as a conversation, and in that respect it really succeeds. I was especially captivated by the idea that discussing faith and metaphysics without a priest/"sensayer" present was illegal. 3 or more people and you have a "church," in a world where churches have been outlawed because they caused a world war. The idea that your nation could be a "Hive" that you opt into, instead of being geographically bound (because there are flying cars that allow you to live and work on separate continents) was also fascinating.
I will probably read the sequel if my book club does, and/or if the sequel is likewise nominated for awards. But I'm not going to prioritize it. And I won't be voting for this book as the Hugo winner.
First of all, I don't think much got tied off at the end. I know it's the first in a series (duology? I can't remember), so I was expecting that there would be some measure of resolution in a later book. But reaching the end of this book felt like stepping off a cliff. I really dislike that.
I also had issues with some of the fourth-wall-breaking. In general I don't mind when a character breaks the fourth wall, but in this instance the narrator actually has arguments with his "reader" about whether he is allowed to call another character a witch. Multiple times. It gets old, and I just didn't see the point.
There were brief descriptions of rape, torture, and even cannibalism, which took me by surprise. I didn't read that in any of the reviews I came across, until after I had reached this point in the book (around 60% of the way through). It nearly caused me to set the book down permanently.
And then there's the idea that a stolen list of people that a news editor thinks are influential on the world stage could spark another world war... well, it strains credulity. This is only one of perhaps 7 or 8 versions of the same list published by competing news agencies. It seemed to me to be analogous those Time magazine special editions, which I generally only glance at in the checkout aisle - so I couldn't understand why it was set up to be such a plot driver. In fact, all of the related descriptions of the politics of this world were pretty boring to me. The people on the list actually did become quite interesting, but it took the entire book for them to become so.
That said, this is an interesting book. I've seen other reviewers refer to it as a conversation, and in that respect it really succeeds. I was especially captivated by the idea that discussing faith and metaphysics without a priest/"sensayer" present was illegal. 3 or more people and you have a "church," in a world where churches have been outlawed because they caused a world war. The idea that your nation could be a "Hive" that you opt into, instead of being geographically bound (because there are flying cars that allow you to live and work on separate continents) was also fascinating.
I will probably read the sequel if my book club does, and/or if the sequel is likewise nominated for awards. But I'm not going to prioritize it. And I won't be voting for this book as the Hugo winner.
challenging
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
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
mysterious
tense
medium-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
I would've loved to have known, before I started, that it's part 1 of 2. Otherwise, excellent writing. I appreciated the use of unreliable narrator to delay certain reveals.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
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
CRT applied history intense sci-fi. Cannot wait to continue this series, filled with unexpected circumstances and flaunted philosophy. Comical at times and then ferociously grotesque, this journey really had me hooked.
Whew. At times I felt like I needed one of those goo-gel packs and a cup of water to keep plodding along, but I managed to struggle across the finish line. I started out loving it, then I was like, wha?, then I loved some more, then I got distracted trying to picture our current (American) administration holding court in a similar manner, then I had to take a break, then I read some more, liked, hated, was by turns confused and enlightened, but ultimately I finished.
This is a book that requires effort, and I was not amused that if I want to know the whole story I'll have to continue the journey for three more books. Neverending book series is one of the reasons I don't read a lot of fantasy. I like my novels self-contained. It's an ambitious book, with some intriguing and well-developed characters. There's also some high-minded philosophizing, not all of it pertinent to the plot. If you're into 18th century philosophy and fiction you will probably get more out of this book than the average reader, but if not, you can still mostly follow along. I say mostly because there are things I'm not all that sure about. I could probably be sure about them if I reread the thing, but I'm weary. Fellow readers, this book will make you weary.
The highest praise one could give for a book like this, and I think is one of its primary points: It made me think.
FWIW, I'd totally be a Utopian. Or, rather, I totally want to believe I'd be a Utopian.
This is a book that requires effort, and I was not amused that if I want to know the whole story I'll have to continue the journey for three more books. Neverending book series is one of the reasons I don't read a lot of fantasy. I like my novels self-contained. It's an ambitious book, with some intriguing and well-developed characters. There's also some high-minded philosophizing, not all of it pertinent to the plot. If you're into 18th century philosophy and fiction you will probably get more out of this book than the average reader, but if not, you can still mostly follow along. I say mostly because there are things I'm not all that sure about. I could probably be sure about them if I reread the thing, but I'm weary. Fellow readers, this book will make you weary.
The highest praise one could give for a book like this, and I think is one of its primary points: It made me think.
FWIW, I'd totally be a Utopian. Or, rather, I totally want to believe I'd be a Utopian.
Too many other books came off hold this week to justify slogging through this
Dear reader, I have finished it. My mind, she is blown.
This book is incredible but (imo) only for a select few readers, a narrow audience perhaps. Also Must be taken in conjunction with it's partner, Seven Surrenders, or it becomes a part finished thing. Can't believe I almost didn't read this one because of my initial frustrations with how it was written. Haven't read a book which made me think as these two do in quite some time. I think a book which makes it hard to proceed with your life is not for everyone, but if you would like to be shaken, persist with these two novels.