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asagecalledq's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
zwinning's review
- 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
2.0
Couldn't really stay engaged. Lost track of who was who with all of the different names. Definitely not Murder Bot.
elrohir's review against another edition
I think I need to read this book rather than listen to the audiobook
dosxhime's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
An immersive epic fantasy by Martha Wells. That's literally all you have to say for me to pick this book up. After reading the Murderbot Diaries, I had so many hopes for this book and I have to say it delievered on some points and failed on others.
The best parts were Kai, the sprawling world-building, and just how raw and gritty Wells can write emotions for non-human protagonists. I found myself quite surprised how the syntax reminded me a little bit of Murderbot, but it managed to be completely different. Kai's voice and perspective was very different and I was utterly charmed over his journey and his part in the fight against the Hierarches.
I also found myself confused (but wanting more) of the world-building. It feels that there are pieces missing yet intrigued over the parts that I did understand. I love the Saredi/Demon pact, the Benais-arik conspiracy, and even the mystery on the Hierarches' origins. It feels that there is much more to explore in the Rising World and I would be so excited to see if Wells returns to this work.
One of the things that fell flat to me would be the flatness of the characters. I would have loved to learn more about Sanja, Tenes, and Tahren, but I understand that the spotlight was on Kai. And I would have be so invested to understand more of Demon culture in the underearth as well as more about the Fourth House.
4 / 5 B
The best parts were Kai, the sprawling world-building, and just how raw and gritty Wells can write emotions for non-human protagonists. I found myself quite surprised how the syntax reminded me a little bit of Murderbot, but it managed to be completely different. Kai's voice and perspective was very different and I was utterly charmed over his journey and his part in the fight against the Hierarches.
I also found myself confused (but wanting more) of the world-building. It feels that there are pieces missing yet intrigued over the parts that I did understand. I love the Saredi/Demon pact, the Benais-arik conspiracy, and even the mystery on the Hierarches' origins. It feels that there is much more to explore in the Rising World and I would be so excited to see if Wells returns to this work.
One of the things that fell flat to me would be the flatness of the characters. I would have loved to learn more about Sanja, Tenes, and Tahren, but I understand that the spotlight was on Kai. And I would have be so invested to understand more of Demon culture in the underearth as well as more about the Fourth House.
4 / 5 B
Content Warnings
Moderate: Slavery, Torture, Murder, Violence, War, and Colonisation
james_dean's review
adventurous
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
roytoo's review
adventurous
tense
fast-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? It's complicated
5.0
spiderelsa's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
Large ensemble cast, starting with a dramatis personae. That's probably more helpful in a paper version, sorry to say.
I liked this pretty well. I may be interested to pick up the next one. But: it's no MurderBot. I'm hooked on those and about to start a second pass through the whole series.
I liked this pretty well. I may be interested to pick up the next one. But: it's no MurderBot. I'm hooked on those and about to start a second pass through the whole series.
allivenger's review
4.0
This is the first time I can actually say that I need to read the physical book after listening to the audiobook. The book is so dense and it cycled back and forth from the past to the present. With the present only being a few days span. I need to take notes to figure out exactly what is going on and you absolutely need to remember the names in the beginning because there’s so many important characters and the narrator doesn’t change his voice to reflect them (I do love this narrator though and have listened to a few of his narrated books).
The story itself is great and the magic system and demon system is really fascinating. There are almost too many characters and with going back and forth from the past and the present I would forget where I was in the story timeline. But it was a good story overall. I just need to go back and read a physical copy to fully understand the extent of what is going on.
If you like a complex magic system and a really funny and unique set of characters (the dry humor in this was absolutely my favorite part) then you’ll love this. It’s worth me doing a re-read to better understand it because I’m pretty confident there will be another book.
The story itself is great and the magic system and demon system is really fascinating. There are almost too many characters and with going back and forth from the past and the present I would forget where I was in the story timeline. But it was a good story overall. I just need to go back and read a physical copy to fully understand the extent of what is going on.
If you like a complex magic system and a really funny and unique set of characters (the dry humor in this was absolutely my favorite part) then you’ll love this. It’s worth me doing a re-read to better understand it because I’m pretty confident there will be another book.
rebeeps's review against another edition
challenging
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
dubtek5000's review
4.0
This is a lovely book that sets up a wonderful world I hope to read more stories from in the future. There is some confusing magic that I hope to learn more about in stories to come, but otherwise, this was a very fun read with great characters.