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3.85 AVERAGE
3.85 AVERAGE
A sick and disturbing future history. Brilliant cast with mysterious origins. Hope the follow up books live up to this one. Tip: Read right after Gnomon By Nick Harkaway.
Un livre dense (trop ?) que je suis plutôt fier d’avoir terminé !
Je salue l’érudition et l’imagination de l’autrice qui retrace par le biais d’un récit de SF le courant de pensée des Philosophes des lumières.
Cependant, ce tome étant le premier d’une saga de 4 tomes (5 dans le découpage français), j’ai été assez frustré en le terminant d’avoir cette impression d’avoir lu un énorme prologue de 650 (longues) pages où le scénario brillait parfois par son absence et où certains twist étaient dignes d’un vieil épisode de Dynastie.
Cependant, j’ai été happé par cet univers, ses personnages, ses enjeux, et la fin m’a donné envie de me lancer immédiatement dans le second tome.
Alors si vous avez du temps devant vous, de la concentration disponible, que vous aimez la philosophie et vous laisser mener en bateau dans un récit dans lequel vous risquez de vous perdre, je ne peux que vous conseiller de vous lancer.
Je comptais au départ mettre un 3/5, mais les 150 dernières pages m’ont bien trop plu, alors ce sera 4/5.
Je salue l’érudition et l’imagination de l’autrice qui retrace par le biais d’un récit de SF le courant de pensée des Philosophes des lumières.
Cependant, ce tome étant le premier d’une saga de 4 tomes (5 dans le découpage français), j’ai été assez frustré en le terminant d’avoir cette impression d’avoir lu un énorme prologue de 650 (longues) pages où le scénario brillait parfois par son absence et où certains twist étaient dignes d’un vieil épisode de Dynastie.
Cependant, j’ai été happé par cet univers, ses personnages, ses enjeux, et la fin m’a donné envie de me lancer immédiatement dans le second tome.
Alors si vous avez du temps devant vous, de la concentration disponible, que vous aimez la philosophie et vous laisser mener en bateau dans un récit dans lequel vous risquez de vous perdre, je ne peux que vous conseiller de vous lancer.
Je comptais au départ mettre un 3/5, mais les 150 dernières pages m’ont bien trop plu, alors ce sera 4/5.
Well 3 1/2 stars really. This book to quote Paul McGann's Doctor is too clever by exactly seven eighths. The world building is brilliant and the plot seems to be well thought out with good characters, but something does get lost in the over ornate prose style - The fourth wall breaking is fine if overly cute at times - but it all mixes up in that French enlightenment style thing the author has going which keeps dropping names like Voltaire at the drop of a chapeau and tends to hide whatever's going on a bit.
And as for the ending, I know you want to se up more in this series, but gahhhhh.
And as for the ending, I know you want to se up more in this series, but gahhhhh.
This was a challenging read for me. I never studied the Enlightenment, so a lot of the references went over my head. I found it difficult to picture the world in the book, and got really frustrated that the plot veered away from the boy Bridger to political conspiracy and philosophizing. If I had not been reading this for a book club, I probably would’ve given up early on, but discussion from other members kept me going. It was worthwhile to finish, but I don’t think I’ll continue with the series.
This one came highly recommended. And I really wasn't as into it as I expected, but despite the fact that I hated so many things about the world and characters, I couldn't stop reading it.
The world has societies you could join that reminded me of [b:Snow Crash|28224174|Snow Crash|Neal Stephenson|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1450256625l/28224174._SY75_.jpg|493634], but with an aristocracy that reminded me of the Gilded Age (or now). I am really intrigued to see where it goes from here.
The world has societies you could join that reminded me of [b:Snow Crash|28224174|Snow Crash|Neal Stephenson|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1450256625l/28224174._SY75_.jpg|493634], but with an aristocracy that reminded me of the Gilded Age (or now). I am really intrigued to see where it goes from here.
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
medium-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
adventurous
challenging
dark
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
reflective
medium-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
Finished minutes ago and still putting the pieces together of what this book meant. Enjoyable read, if a bit difficult at times. Understanding their world took longer than usual for most stories to me, and I expect to learn much more in the next book.
challenging
dark
funny
mysterious
reflective
sad
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
I really tried, but I just couldn't do it. A very sweet gift from a sweet friend, so I wanted to do it justice but I finally had to admit it wasn't going to happen. DNF.