Scan barcode
clyssandre's review
3.0
All the Windwracked Stars left me with mix feelings. I did enjoy its world, story and characters, but on the other hand I really struggled through it. It felt long and slow, all the way up to the end.
What caught me in the first pages was Kasimir, the beautiful valraven you can see on the book cover. I found him an original creature, partly horse, partly deer, partly bird, with two head, one male and one female. He is the wisdom in this book, a model of faithfulness and supportiveness, and he's telepathic (which is cool). I really wanted to know more about him. Unfortunately, the novel doesn't focus too much on him and his people and this was a bit disappointing to me.
On the contrary, the story revolves mainly around the character of Muire, the last Waelcyrge, burned with guild and shame after she run away from the battlefield and thus became the only survivor of her Kind. Muire's personal conflicts were interesting (and understandable), but I couldn't really connect with her. She seemed cold and distant, and her feelings somewhat muffled. Therefore I found it hard to sympathize with her. I didn't exactly understand her attitude toward the Wolf and Cahey. Sometimes it felt like she hated/loved them both, even though it didn't feel like it was supposed to be the case. I just got confused.
Every single page I turned, I hoped to learn more about the world, about this dying Valdyrgard and the city of Eiledon, and the people in it, and how precisely it went all so bad. Even though the book does provide some explanation, it's really scarce and not enough to quench my thirst on that aspect.
On the one hand, there is certainly something mesmerizing about how Elizabeth Bear describes Valdyrgard world. It's very visual, poetic, and really brings you to a magical world. There are some very original elements to it. On the other hand, I got bored in it.
The story lacked of intensity for me. I didn't feel a climax anywhere in the book. It was slow and slightly melancholic the whole way. I got interested in the book, but I didn't get excited. I got interested in Muire and all the other creatures, especially the Valraven and the Moreaux, but I didn't particularly connect with them. I was not surprised at the end. I didn't feel there was any element of suspense, surprise or unexpected twists. The end was rather predictable.
I guess that was the issue for me. Everything was nice: Eilendor, the mix of magic and technology, the peculiar topography of Eilendon and its strange mixed population, but everything was always too slow and quiet for me.
What caught me in the first pages was Kasimir, the beautiful valraven you can see on the book cover. I found him an original creature, partly horse, partly deer, partly bird, with two head, one male and one female. He is the wisdom in this book, a model of faithfulness and supportiveness, and he's telepathic (which is cool). I really wanted to know more about him. Unfortunately, the novel doesn't focus too much on him and his people and this was a bit disappointing to me.
On the contrary, the story revolves mainly around the character of Muire, the last Waelcyrge, burned with guild and shame after she run away from the battlefield and thus became the only survivor of her Kind. Muire's personal conflicts were interesting (and understandable), but I couldn't really connect with her. She seemed cold and distant, and her feelings somewhat muffled. Therefore I found it hard to sympathize with her. I didn't exactly understand her attitude toward the Wolf and Cahey. Sometimes it felt like she hated/loved them both, even though it didn't feel like it was supposed to be the case. I just got confused.
Every single page I turned, I hoped to learn more about the world, about this dying Valdyrgard and the city of Eiledon, and the people in it, and how precisely it went all so bad. Even though the book does provide some explanation, it's really scarce and not enough to quench my thirst on that aspect.
On the one hand, there is certainly something mesmerizing about how Elizabeth Bear describes Valdyrgard world. It's very visual, poetic, and really brings you to a magical world. There are some very original elements to it. On the other hand, I got bored in it.
The story lacked of intensity for me. I didn't feel a climax anywhere in the book. It was slow and slightly melancholic the whole way. I got interested in the book, but I didn't get excited. I got interested in Muire and all the other creatures, especially the Valraven and the Moreaux, but I didn't particularly connect with them. I was not surprised at the end. I didn't feel there was any element of suspense, surprise or unexpected twists. The end was rather predictable.
I guess that was the issue for me. Everything was nice: Eilendor, the mix of magic and technology, the peculiar topography of Eilendon and its strange mixed population, but everything was always too slow and quiet for me.
missmegreads's review against another edition
1.0
Was in my Top 5 Worst Books of 2009. You can find my review here http://megwrites.dreamwidth.org/118075.html.
Not going to lie, you probably literally could not pay me to pick up another Elizabeth Bear book (or indeed, even projects that she's involved with) in my life. The author has personally and publicly been so utterly obnoxious and hurtful to other human beings that I can't even read the books of hers I previously liked without being so disgusted that I put it down.
Not going to lie, you probably literally could not pay me to pick up another Elizabeth Bear book (or indeed, even projects that she's involved with) in my life. The author has personally and publicly been so utterly obnoxious and hurtful to other human beings that I can't even read the books of hers I previously liked without being so disgusted that I put it down.
sarahbotreads's review against another edition
4.0
Here's how it usually goes: I read an Elizabeth Bear book, I love it. Lather, rinse, repeat. All the Windwracked Stars is no exception. Norse mythology and futuristic technomancy is a killer combination.
curgoth's review against another edition
5.0
Original Review:
This book starts with the end of the world, and goes from there. The thing I love most about Bear's writing is, I think, that all her characters seem like people I know - or people I would know, if my friends and I were post-human vikings. I am eagerly awaiting the next book in this series.
Audio re-read:
Nine years later, still like it. Bear does character so very well. She also writes from "how are these characters broken" as the key to understanding characters. This time through, I found that method to be a little more jagged and raw than the first time through - the amount of damage at the heart of all the characters was a little more than I felt was strictly necessary. Still good, but Bear has written better stuff.
This book starts with the end of the world, and goes from there. The thing I love most about Bear's writing is, I think, that all her characters seem like people I know - or people I would know, if my friends and I were post-human vikings. I am eagerly awaiting the next book in this series.
Audio re-read:
Nine years later, still like it. Bear does character so very well. She also writes from "how are these characters broken" as the key to understanding characters. This time through, I found that method to be a little more jagged and raw than the first time through - the amount of damage at the heart of all the characters was a little more than I felt was strictly necessary. Still good, but Bear has written better stuff.
humanpuke's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Bear definitely throws you in the deep end. There will be times you don't understand chronologically where you're at in the story, or what certain events mean, but if you're patient, Bear will lay out a very intriguing world with characters that struggle and overcome.
hornyforbooks's review against another edition
4.0
Sometimes I forget how I love almost everything Elizabeth Bear writes. A good read.
soless's review against another edition
4.0
Valkyries, cat girls, technomagic, and Ragnarok II: the Sequel. I can't wait to read the next one. :D
helljay's review
3.0
I'm a great fan of Elizabeth Bear's writing style and imagination, so I dived eagerly into this. Apparently it's one of her earlier works, heavily revised for publication, and the first book in The 'Edda of Burdens' series. It's a curious blend of post-apocalyptic science fiction and Norse mythology with bits of high fantasy, steampunk and animal anthropomorphism thrown in, and it all works together suprisingly well. It's also great to read about a well-imagined world that borrows heavily from Norse rather than over-used Celtic mythology.
It begins with Ragnarök. The world survives the Last Day, as do the waelcyrge Muire, the valraven Kasimir, and the betrayer, Mingan the Grey Wolf. Fast forward a few thousand years and the world is once again facing another (this time self-inflicted) apocalypse. Guilt over her cowardice at Ragnarök makes Muire try to redeem herself and prevent the second apocalypse, and in doing so she encounters her old enemy the Grey Wolf, who wants to finish the dying world so a new can be born, and some other key figures from the past. That's a very simplistic description of the storyline and doesn't really do it justice. It's a complex and audacious novel with a lot of ideas and elements in it. It says much for her craftmanship that Bear succeeds in keeping her flood of ideas under control and pulling them all together for a satisying conclusion.
The characters are flawed but for the most part fascinating. I didn't care much for Cathoair the prize-fighting prostitute and never really engaged with Mingan, but Muire herself, with her burdens of guilt and sorrow is a very believable and sympathetic character. I found myself actually caring a great deal about her. I also really liked the cat-woman Selene, who is a admirably fresh and unique take on the typical animal/human hybrid theme.
It's not a happy book. It's difficult and very bleak in places. But I found if I gave it time and my full attention it's an extremely rewarding read. Bear is a highly imaginative and creative writer and her language is beautiful and lyric. She's not afraid to experiment or make her readers think and work things out for themselves. I'm already looking out for the other two books in the series.
It begins with Ragnarök. The world survives the Last Day, as do the waelcyrge Muire, the valraven Kasimir, and the betrayer, Mingan the Grey Wolf. Fast forward a few thousand years and the world is once again facing another (this time self-inflicted) apocalypse. Guilt over her cowardice at Ragnarök makes Muire try to redeem herself and prevent the second apocalypse, and in doing so she encounters her old enemy the Grey Wolf, who wants to finish the dying world so a new can be born, and some other key figures from the past. That's a very simplistic description of the storyline and doesn't really do it justice. It's a complex and audacious novel with a lot of ideas and elements in it. It says much for her craftmanship that Bear succeeds in keeping her flood of ideas under control and pulling them all together for a satisying conclusion.
The characters are flawed but for the most part fascinating. I didn't care much for Cathoair the prize-fighting prostitute and never really engaged with Mingan, but Muire herself, with her burdens of guilt and sorrow is a very believable and sympathetic character. I found myself actually caring a great deal about her. I also really liked the cat-woman Selene, who is a admirably fresh and unique take on the typical animal/human hybrid theme.
It's not a happy book. It's difficult and very bleak in places. But I found if I gave it time and my full attention it's an extremely rewarding read. Bear is a highly imaginative and creative writer and her language is beautiful and lyric. She's not afraid to experiment or make her readers think and work things out for themselves. I'm already looking out for the other two books in the series.
pantsyreads's review
3.0
(review originally posted on my livejournal account: http://intoyourlungs.livejournal.com/15198.html)
I read Bear's work back in January for the Women of Science Fiction book club (Dust) and to be completely honest, it left me reeling. I ended up liking it, but it was HARD book to read. I learned very quickly that Bear's work is very "sink or swim", in that she plops right into the middle of a story and you have to really pay attention to what's going on or are you are going to be LOST. However, this doesn't make Bear's work bad, or impossible to read; she's a great author who I have a lot of admiration for, but I can't bring myself to seek her out. This is mostly because I have to work so hard to read her books, and I guess that makes me a lazy reader, but as much as I like her stuff, I can't get *excited* about it.
Anyway, all this is to say that yes, I was kind of excited to read this book because I knew I was going to be in for something completely different, but I was also a little apprehensive as well because I know Bear's stuff is harder to read than most.
Well, I felt pretty much the same about this book as I did with Dust: it was really good, and very well-crafted, but it was hard to understand at times and I found myself backpedaling a lot so that I could wrap my mind around the plot.
I think part of what confused me with this book is my complete ignorance of Norse mythology -- I didn't even know that valkyries were angels for crying out loud! -- which is at the core of this story. However, once I got into the swing of the plot, the bits of Norse mythology come into play very smoothly, and my ignorance to it became less and less of a problem. With that being said, I want to point out right off the bat that if you like/love Norse mythology, check this book out! If you're not into it? I had a bit of trouble at first, but it's not something that can't be overcome, so don't let that shy you away either, because you'll be missing out on a really neat story.
The Norse mythology and the magic is what really grounds this novel as a fantasy, but it's got all kinds of sci-fi elements in it as well as the story largely takes place in the very distant future. In Dust, the plot was science fiction, but she blended all kinds of fantasy elements and tropes into the mix to create something completely new and different. Bear's genre blending is awesome stuff, and she does it really well. It threw me off a bit at first (even though I was kind of expecting it, given the cover) but once I got over that, I absolutely loved it.
The characters are what really make this book though. I really liked Muire, and I just wanted to see her be happy and to find the redemption that she sought and thought she would never find. Mingan was ambiguous, and I could never decide if I wanted to peg him as a villain, or an ally. I really wish I could've learned more about him, but the sequel to this novel, which is actually a prequel, is all about Mingan, Muire and Strifbjorn, so I guess that's where I'll get that fix. Cathoair was also a broken character I really wanted to fix, poor guy. Pretty much everyone in this novel is sympathetic, even when they're not exactly relatable.
The magic present in this world was really neat too, the best example of this being the Technomancer. My favorite bit of the novel was finding out the true nature of the unmans and what happened to all of Muire's brethren. I am curious as to why only Strifbjorn was reborn as a human though. Why weren't any of the others reborn as humans before the Technomancer could remake them into her unmans? These questions didn't detract from my overall enjoyment of the story though.
I also really liked the magic that Muire and Mingan had, of being able to assimilate a person into themselves, and how they did that to each other. Really neat stuff.
Like I mentioned before, the plot itself is pretty confusing at times, but I've come to learn that that's just a staple of reading Bear's work (re: sink or swim feeling when reading). I knew this going into this novel though, so I made sure to pay extra attention to everything, and even went so far as to take notes (though mostly for names and stuff, which are mostly Icelandic so they were harder to remember.) I even went back and re-read the first chapter at one point, so that I could better understand what was going on. Bear also throws around a lot of terms and doesn't explain what they mean. It took me forever to realize that unmans were anthropomorphic animals, for example. Once I got myself oriented into the plot though, and became familiar with the terminology of the world, it was smooth sailing. The story is pretty engrossing (the end of the world, again!!), and I absolutely needed to know how it was going to end and how the characters were going to fare.
I can't forget to mention the writing, even if it's just briefly: Bear's writing is amazing, and incredibly atmospheric. The first chapter in this book is just... I don't really have words for it. I wasn't able to really appreciate it the first time I read through the chapter because I was too busy trying to make sure I absorbed everything, but my second read-through of it really blew me away.
Final Verdict: While this novel can be confusing, it's still very good. Bear is a really talented writer, and while I don't think I ever see myself seeking out her work, I won't hesitate to take an opportunity to read it. This novel is an awesome mix of fantasy and sci-fi (while still being exclusively fantasy) with a really engrossing plot that'll have you turning the pages (once you understand what the hell is going on.) The characters are sympathetic and multi-faceted, and some of them ambiguous. Overall, it was a solid read, but I recommend it with reservations. If you want an easy breezy read, you will NOT find it here, but if you want something completely different and don't mind working for it a bit, than one should be able to find a lot of enjoyment in this.
I read Bear's work back in January for the Women of Science Fiction book club (Dust) and to be completely honest, it left me reeling. I ended up liking it, but it was HARD book to read. I learned very quickly that Bear's work is very "sink or swim", in that she plops right into the middle of a story and you have to really pay attention to what's going on or are you are going to be LOST. However, this doesn't make Bear's work bad, or impossible to read; she's a great author who I have a lot of admiration for, but I can't bring myself to seek her out. This is mostly because I have to work so hard to read her books, and I guess that makes me a lazy reader, but as much as I like her stuff, I can't get *excited* about it.
Anyway, all this is to say that yes, I was kind of excited to read this book because I knew I was going to be in for something completely different, but I was also a little apprehensive as well because I know Bear's stuff is harder to read than most.
Well, I felt pretty much the same about this book as I did with Dust: it was really good, and very well-crafted, but it was hard to understand at times and I found myself backpedaling a lot so that I could wrap my mind around the plot.
I think part of what confused me with this book is my complete ignorance of Norse mythology -- I didn't even know that valkyries were angels for crying out loud! -- which is at the core of this story. However, once I got into the swing of the plot, the bits of Norse mythology come into play very smoothly, and my ignorance to it became less and less of a problem. With that being said, I want to point out right off the bat that if you like/love Norse mythology, check this book out! If you're not into it? I had a bit of trouble at first, but it's not something that can't be overcome, so don't let that shy you away either, because you'll be missing out on a really neat story.
The Norse mythology and the magic is what really grounds this novel as a fantasy, but it's got all kinds of sci-fi elements in it as well as the story largely takes place in the very distant future. In Dust, the plot was science fiction, but she blended all kinds of fantasy elements and tropes into the mix to create something completely new and different. Bear's genre blending is awesome stuff, and she does it really well. It threw me off a bit at first (even though I was kind of expecting it, given the cover) but once I got over that, I absolutely loved it.
The characters are what really make this book though. I really liked Muire, and I just wanted to see her be happy and to find the redemption that she sought and thought she would never find. Mingan was ambiguous, and I could never decide if I wanted to peg him as a villain, or an ally. I really wish I could've learned more about him, but the sequel to this novel, which is actually a prequel, is all about Mingan, Muire and Strifbjorn, so I guess that's where I'll get that fix. Cathoair was also a broken character I really wanted to fix, poor guy. Pretty much everyone in this novel is sympathetic, even when they're not exactly relatable.
The magic present in this world was really neat too, the best example of this being the Technomancer. My favorite bit of the novel was finding out the true nature of the unmans and what happened to all of Muire's brethren. I am curious as to why only Strifbjorn was reborn as a human though. Why weren't any of the others reborn as humans before the Technomancer could remake them into her unmans? These questions didn't detract from my overall enjoyment of the story though.
I also really liked the magic that Muire and Mingan had, of being able to assimilate a person into themselves, and how they did that to each other. Really neat stuff.
Like I mentioned before, the plot itself is pretty confusing at times, but I've come to learn that that's just a staple of reading Bear's work (re: sink or swim feeling when reading). I knew this going into this novel though, so I made sure to pay extra attention to everything, and even went so far as to take notes (though mostly for names and stuff, which are mostly Icelandic so they were harder to remember.) I even went back and re-read the first chapter at one point, so that I could better understand what was going on. Bear also throws around a lot of terms and doesn't explain what they mean. It took me forever to realize that unmans were anthropomorphic animals, for example. Once I got myself oriented into the plot though, and became familiar with the terminology of the world, it was smooth sailing. The story is pretty engrossing (the end of the world, again!!), and I absolutely needed to know how it was going to end and how the characters were going to fare.
I can't forget to mention the writing, even if it's just briefly: Bear's writing is amazing, and incredibly atmospheric. The first chapter in this book is just... I don't really have words for it. I wasn't able to really appreciate it the first time I read through the chapter because I was too busy trying to make sure I absorbed everything, but my second read-through of it really blew me away.
Final Verdict: While this novel can be confusing, it's still very good. Bear is a really talented writer, and while I don't think I ever see myself seeking out her work, I won't hesitate to take an opportunity to read it. This novel is an awesome mix of fantasy and sci-fi (while still being exclusively fantasy) with a really engrossing plot that'll have you turning the pages (once you understand what the hell is going on.) The characters are sympathetic and multi-faceted, and some of them ambiguous. Overall, it was a solid read, but I recommend it with reservations. If you want an easy breezy read, you will NOT find it here, but if you want something completely different and don't mind working for it a bit, than one should be able to find a lot of enjoyment in this.
rowena_m_andrews's review against another edition
5.0
This is one that I stumbled across while searching for books that would bridge the gap between Norsevember and Sci-Fi month, and it was the title that first caught my attention, followed by the cover and the summary. Science-fantasy was my first introduction to reading fantasy/sci-fi through the Dragonriders of Pern series, and this one certainly appealed to that old love.
Firstly, I have to say that absolutely adored Bear’s writing – this was my first time reading her, but it won’t be my last – because her prose completely swept me away from the get go. All The Windwracked Stars is a fantastic blending of Norse Legend and all the myth and magic that you might expect from that, expertly blended with starkly-science fiction technology and settings, without either aspect losing out to the other, and instead creating a complicated, compelling narrative that tugs on more than a few heartstrings along the way.
I will say that this is a book you have to work for, as you are very much thrown in at the deep end and it can take a little while to find you feet, and keep track of the flow of time, but it is well worth the effort. This has to be my favourite discovery from the month, as it was one that wasn’t on any TBR or even on my radar, and I would have missed out greatly if I hadn’t stumbled across it, and I will now be checking out the rest of the series as well as the other books by Elizabeth Bear.
Firstly, I have to say that absolutely adored Bear’s writing – this was my first time reading her, but it won’t be my last – because her prose completely swept me away from the get go. All The Windwracked Stars is a fantastic blending of Norse Legend and all the myth and magic that you might expect from that, expertly blended with starkly-science fiction technology and settings, without either aspect losing out to the other, and instead creating a complicated, compelling narrative that tugs on more than a few heartstrings along the way.
I will say that this is a book you have to work for, as you are very much thrown in at the deep end and it can take a little while to find you feet, and keep track of the flow of time, but it is well worth the effort. This has to be my favourite discovery from the month, as it was one that wasn’t on any TBR or even on my radar, and I would have missed out greatly if I hadn’t stumbled across it, and I will now be checking out the rest of the series as well as the other books by Elizabeth Bear.