Scan barcode
franklywrites's review
4.0
This is the first book I've read from A. K. DuBoff and I enjoyed the depth of the universe she's developed. This book in particular had a similar vibe to the first Star Wars book about the Yuuzhan Vong invasion. You have a generational (slightly less dysfunctional) family in positions of galactic power, an alien threat from 'outside' the galaxy and other human factions choosing the worst moments to do their own thing.
It did seem a bit slow for me, which is odd because it seems a normal length in terms of pages. That's perhaps partly because I don't read books with this level of detail and generational scope in their foundation very often. But it also felt like there were quite a few long monologues, internal or via dialogue, that slowed the pace a bit. And I sometimes struggled to keep track of who was speaking because the characters felt quite similar, at least in terms of speech – perhaps if I'd met them earlier in the universe, I'd have been better at picking up the differences.
In any case, it was a good read, and it was interesting coming into a pre-existing universe partway through, getting to see little hints about what's happened before. I'm curious about, and I'm intrigued about what happens next. The central threat of the aliens was pretty cool but I'll admit I expected a few more of the sub/side-plots to be resolved by the end.
It did seem a bit slow for me, which is odd because it seems a normal length in terms of pages. That's perhaps partly because I don't read books with this level of detail and generational scope in their foundation very often. But it also felt like there were quite a few long monologues, internal or via dialogue, that slowed the pace a bit. And I sometimes struggled to keep track of who was speaking because the characters felt quite similar, at least in terms of speech – perhaps if I'd met them earlier in the universe, I'd have been better at picking up the differences.
In any case, it was a good read, and it was interesting coming into a pre-existing universe partway through, getting to see little hints about what's happened before. I'm curious about
Spoiler
what exactly the priesthood intended to do with all the people stored in amber, if anything at all! Maybe they were just hoarders
More...