Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.84 AVERAGE
3.84 AVERAGE
Didn't know this was the second book so perhaps that's the reason for my confusion. I found it hard to keep track of who was human and who was AI, and all the name changes added to that confusion. It was a beautifully written book, and perhaps one day I will read the first book.
I really love the characters in these books. I do feel like I'm going to have to reread them to be able to fully follow along with what's happening, but it's definitely a series I won't mind rereading.
One of the many wonderful things in this and the previous book, The Scorpion Rules, is the snarky humour of the AI. In this we get a double dose from Michael and Two.
A must-read author.
A must-read author.
The [b:The Scorpion Rules|11516221|The Scorpion Rules (Prisoners of Peace, #1)|Erin Bow|https://d2arxad8u2l0g7.cloudfront.net/books/1428689952s/11516221.jpg|16452676] was one of the best books that I've read all year. It's a huge relief to say that this one sticks the landing.
Greta, Talis and a group of Swan Riders have left the Precepture overland on horseback to get Greta to safety. She's a new and fragile AI, the first one in a hundred years, and exposure to her old life is dangerous. Talis's actions in the previous book have also left the Pan-Polar Alliance in a state of political turmoil and there's no guarantee that people they come across will shelter Swan Riders. Soon, what looks like an arduous, but routine journey becomes anything but and Greta and Talis have to make desperate plans.
The snarky brilliance of Talis and the graceful way that Greta punctures his self-importance was a really important part of the first book and continues to be here. The much closer focus on a small group traveling through a freezing wasteland allows for a great deal of character development of both the AI characters. Greta starts with bits of her being excised from her simulation to stop her from "skinning" (a form of AI cascade failure) which leaves her to go through part of the book as a psychopath and this is brilliantly written. Where she goes from there is quite literally character growth and makes the whole idea of AIs in this world fascinating. Talis also goes through some significant changes, highlighted later in the book when another copy of himself ("Two") gets introduced for contrast.
Absolutely masterful.
Greta, Talis and a group of Swan Riders have left the Precepture overland on horseback to get Greta to safety. She's a new and fragile AI, the first one in a hundred years, and exposure to her old life is dangerous. Talis's actions in the previous book have also left the Pan-Polar Alliance in a state of political turmoil and there's no guarantee that people they come across will shelter Swan Riders. Soon, what looks like an arduous, but routine journey becomes anything but and Greta and Talis have to make desperate plans.
The snarky brilliance of Talis and the graceful way that Greta punctures his self-importance was a really important part of the first book and continues to be here. The much closer focus on a small group traveling through a freezing wasteland allows for a great deal of character development of both the AI characters. Greta starts with bits of her being excised from her simulation to stop her from "skinning" (a form of AI cascade failure) which leaves her to go through part of the book as a psychopath and this is brilliantly written. Where she goes from there is quite literally character growth and makes the whole idea of AIs in this world fascinating. Talis also goes through some significant changes, highlighted later in the book when another copy of himself ("Two") gets introduced for contrast.
Absolutely masterful.
funny
inspiring
reflective
sad
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:
N/A
'Rachel’s sweet face shattered. What must it be like, to be pushed out of one’s own death?'
this feels like such a simple story, but it's anything but. and I think that's how it succeeds.
it feels light, effortless and at the same time, it touches on so many subjects: consent, what it means to be human, bravery, the creation of a new mythology from a previously existing one, love, sacrifice. and the prose! the prose is so damn beautiful and dreamy and motherfucking brutal.
the ending...well, I cried so there's that.
I'm going to keep coming back to this small, tender, subversive duology.
this feels like such a simple story, but it's anything but. and I think that's how it succeeds.
it feels light, effortless and at the same time, it touches on so many subjects: consent, what it means to be human, bravery, the creation of a new mythology from a previously existing one, love, sacrifice. and the prose! the prose is so damn beautiful and dreamy and motherfucking brutal.
the ending...well, I cried so there's that.
I'm going to keep coming back to this small, tender, subversive duology.
This series is a must read -- it's heartbreaking, amazing, deep and full of really fun characters, and creates a lot of thought on what peace is, what peace should be, and what it means to be human.
The first half of this book was reeeally slow, but the second half.. The second half was great.
I'm really impressed by these books: 'villains', 'heroes', complexities and a discussion about morality in a way I haven't seen before in a book.
I'm really impressed by these books: 'villains', 'heroes', complexities and a discussion about morality in a way I haven't seen before in a book.
http://nationalreadingcampaign.ca/critique/childrens-book-reviews-the-swan-riders/