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bartonstanley's review against another edition
3.0
I found the characters and plot thoroughly compelling, but I was disappointed to find out toward the end that I would have to read a second book to get a resolution. I was looking forward to being done moving on to something else. I now feel that to enjoy and truly understand the second book that I will need to re-read this one and takes notes so that I have a better grasp of what is going on. It is really not worth my time to plow through the second book without a better understanding the characters, their relationships, and their Hives.
At the same time I respect the breadth and depth of what the author is trying to achieve and I don't want to downplay that or discourage anyone from reading it. She has created a fictional world order that is more complex and cohesive than other attempts at such that I have read. Add to that a healthy dose of 18th century philosophy along with a chaser of social commentary and you have a richly-textured narrative at many levels.
Ultimately however, I feel that the author's ambition outstrips her capability to realize it at this stage in her development as a writer. This doesn't mean this novel is not worth reading, it just means you may find yourself mourning the an opportunity she missed more than once along your way.
At the same time I respect the breadth and depth of what the author is trying to achieve and I don't want to downplay that or discourage anyone from reading it. She has created a fictional world order that is more complex and cohesive than other attempts at such that I have read. Add to that a healthy dose of 18th century philosophy along with a chaser of social commentary and you have a richly-textured narrative at many levels.
Ultimately however, I feel that the author's ambition outstrips her capability to realize it at this stage in her development as a writer. This doesn't mean this novel is not worth reading, it just means you may find yourself mourning the an opportunity she missed more than once along your way.
cshawver's review against another edition
challenging
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
A philosophy book disguised as science fiction.
jrlagace's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
lelainav's review against another edition
5.0
I wanted to give this six stars.
A transporting, thoughtful book that had me riveted every step of the way. Every secret, connection, detail that was uncovered was so riveting and entrancing... I cannot wait to read the next one.
A transporting, thoughtful book that had me riveted every step of the way. Every secret, connection, detail that was uncovered was so riveting and entrancing... I cannot wait to read the next one.
mbmunim's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
tomstbr's review against another edition
3.0
I can't quite place this. On the one hand the mystery at the heart of the plot is quite interesting. On the other, it's covered in so much excess it's hard to care. Overall it just left me frustrated.
The author knows MANY things but it comes across as almost pretentious as we bear witness to the depth of her knowledge of the ancients and Enlightenment figures. It might also play a part in how convoluted and contradictory the book ends up being. Apparently there are no nations, but the author draws special attention to the racial features of characters. And who cares if you got rid of nations if there are just new factions in competition. The idea also that they don't use gendered pronouns was hilarious given the reasoning is due to sexual urges. The narration continuously changes style which is quite off-putting. And finally de Sade's disproof of God doesn't make any sense whatsoever.
This book is far too clever for its own good, methinks.
The author knows MANY things but it comes across as almost pretentious as we bear witness to the depth of her knowledge of the ancients and Enlightenment figures. It might also play a part in how convoluted and contradictory the book ends up being. Apparently there are no nations, but the author draws special attention to the racial features of characters. And who cares if you got rid of nations if there are just new factions in competition. The idea also that they don't use gendered pronouns was hilarious given the reasoning is due to sexual urges. The narration continuously changes style which is quite off-putting. And finally de Sade's disproof of God doesn't make any sense whatsoever.
This book is far too clever for its own good, methinks.
cynicalplankton's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Gore, and Torture
Moderate: Cannibalism, Blood, Slavery, Suicide, Child abuse, Rape, and Sexual content
Minor: Death of parent
dubsington's review against another edition
3.0
too hard to tell whether i liked it or not.
dunno if i can or can't read the next book.
dunno if i can or can't read the next book.
abandonedmegastructure's review against another edition
challenging
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Too Like the Lightning is a historical book. I don't mean that in the sense that it's a landmark of literature (though to me it is <3), or in the sense that it deals with history-the-subject: I mean that in the sense that it's obviously, overwhelmingly, written by a historian thinking as a historian would. Adopting that mindset is essential to get through the book: learn to make peace with utterly foreign worldviews, frustratingly incomplete exposition, and the contradictory awkwardness of trying to learn objective truth through a subjective source.
The entire book is an in-universe document, occasionally censored or modified by the same ruling powers that show up in the story. The narrator is incredibly unreliable, will deliberately keep key facts silent, and may or may not be lying about a child with supernatural powers. From time to time, the book lapses into script-like raw dialogue, or another character will take over to write a chapter of the book, or the narrator starts arguing with the 'reader', and then has the reader argue back, and then apologizes profusely to this guy he just made up to get deferential at. It's an unique experience, something I've never seen before or again.
Too Like the Lightning isn't a 500-page novel: it's the 500-page setup of a 2000-page novel. That means it serves to introduce the sprawling world so unlike ours, march character after character into the spotlight, and set up plotlines that won't be resolved for another three books. The result is more than a little confusing to read: all I can say in its defense is that everything really does serve a purpose, and if something seems not merely confusing but outright impossible then there's probably something deeper going on and you're correct for picking up on it. Also, it's so good on rereads, everything just falls into place and you'll be stunned how blatantly future plotlines are foreshadowed early on.
What is it actually about, you ask? Philosophy, mostly. Does the end justify the means? Why is there evil in the world? What is the nature of gender? What is the nature of god? Should speech be free or restricted? Questions like these provide the bridge between the individual characters' struggles and the world-spanning events they observe. If you force me to stick to a single adjective, I'd go and label this series thought-provoking more than anything.
Look, if you think you're down to read (and reread) more than half a million words, written with an unique narrative style, describing a fascinating world that raises interesting questions, containing some genuinely hilarious moments, then go for it: the ending is far off, but worth the journey. If that sounds like a lot of effort (and it is, don't get me wrong), I won't fault you for leaving this one be.
The entire book is an in-universe document, occasionally censored or modified by the same ruling powers that show up in the story. The narrator is incredibly unreliable, will deliberately keep key facts silent, and may or may not be lying about a child with supernatural powers. From time to time, the book lapses into script-like raw dialogue, or another character will take over to write a chapter of the book, or the narrator starts arguing with the 'reader', and then has the reader argue back, and then apologizes profusely to this guy he just made up to get deferential at. It's an unique experience, something I've never seen before or again.
Too Like the Lightning isn't a 500-page novel: it's the 500-page setup of a 2000-page novel. That means it serves to introduce the sprawling world so unlike ours, march character after character into the spotlight, and set up plotlines that won't be resolved for another three books. The result is more than a little confusing to read: all I can say in its defense is that everything really does serve a purpose, and if something seems not merely confusing but outright impossible then there's probably something deeper going on and you're correct for picking up on it. Also, it's so good on rereads, everything just falls into place and you'll be stunned how blatantly future plotlines are foreshadowed early on.
What is it actually about, you ask? Philosophy, mostly. Does the end justify the means? Why is there evil in the world? What is the nature of gender? What is the nature of god? Should speech be free or restricted? Questions like these provide the bridge between the individual characters' struggles and the world-spanning events they observe. If you force me to stick to a single adjective, I'd go and label this series thought-provoking more than anything.
Look, if you think you're down to read (and reread) more than half a million words, written with an unique narrative style, describing a fascinating world that raises interesting questions, containing some genuinely hilarious moments, then go for it: the ending is far off, but worth the journey. If that sounds like a lot of effort (and it is, don't get me wrong), I won't fault you for leaving this one be.