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dragontomes2000's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This is how you do a Sci-fi novel! The first book in the Sun Eater series lays down a deep, expansive, world full of a diverse cast of characters and rich plot. Christopher Ruocchio hooked me in within the first few chapters. That was primarily due to the smart choice of Hadrian as the main protagonist and the articulate world building.
Let me start with Hadrian. I found Hadrian to be thought provoking, strong, tactful, but also flawed. He is the kind of character who I enjoy reading about because he seems human. His relationship with his family is very rocky. It is interesting to see how family kind of shaped Hadrian because it really shapes his character throughout a majority of the book. I love seeing that aspect of family in books. How family can shape your whole being.
I do not want to spoil this book in anyway possible. This story spans, if my calculations are correct 40ish years. With this being a expansive sci-fi novel that takes place in our world in the very very distant future, you will understand while reading why this takes place over such a long time line. With that being said, Empire of Silence was brilliantly paced. EoS is full of action, exploration, politics, and espionage. It takes all of those aspects and balances them in such a way that is perfect. Christopher Ruocchio has a writing style that to me is very seamless. It was never jarring. Every chapter had a purpose to move the plot forward. EoS can be a bit info dumpy at times but never in a way, to me at least, that took me out of the story. I was completely absorbed and I just want to more.
Another small note and that is this book is at times incredibly visual and violent. Although it is not action heavy, the scenes that are can be graphic at times. There are also some scenes that are not shown but just told to the reader that can be very descriptive and gruesome. Just take note of that before heading in.
Empire of Silence is only the beginning of what I know is going to be an extraordinary Sci-Fi EPIC! Howling Dark is next and my soul is ready!
Let me start with Hadrian. I found Hadrian to be thought provoking, strong, tactful, but also flawed. He is the kind of character who I enjoy reading about because he seems human. His relationship with his family is very rocky. It is interesting to see how family kind of shaped Hadrian because it really shapes his character throughout a majority of the book. I love seeing that aspect of family in books. How family can shape your whole being.
I do not want to spoil this book in anyway possible. This story spans, if my calculations are correct 40ish years. With this being a expansive sci-fi novel that takes place in our world in the very very distant future, you will understand while reading why this takes place over such a long time line. With that being said, Empire of Silence was brilliantly paced. EoS is full of action, exploration, politics, and espionage. It takes all of those aspects and balances them in such a way that is perfect. Christopher Ruocchio has a writing style that to me is very seamless. It was never jarring. Every chapter had a purpose to move the plot forward. EoS can be a bit info dumpy at times but never in a way, to me at least, that took me out of the story. I was completely absorbed and I just want to more.
Another small note and that is this book is at times incredibly visual and violent. Although it is not action heavy, the scenes that are can be graphic at times. There are also some scenes that are not shown but just told to the reader that can be very descriptive and gruesome. Just take note of that before heading in.
Empire of Silence is only the beginning of what I know is going to be an extraordinary Sci-Fi EPIC! Howling Dark is next and my soul is ready!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gore, Grief, Physical abuse, Torture, and Violence
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