Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.85 AVERAGE
3.85 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
funny
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Not the easiest read, but very rewarding once you get the hang of things.
I've seen it described as a blend of Sci-Fi and Fantasy, but it's more of a Fantasy setting with subtle hints of technology, with the author teasing us with "chariot of the gods in the form of a Tau cross that shoots beams of light and fire comes out of it's tail" kinda stuff.
Style wise, it's pretty poetic, with lots of thou's, thee's and so on. Often, it's quite funny, with insults like "Go peel bananas with your feet!" - very entertaining to see characters jousting (with words and weapons alike).
The structure is a bit weird too, and combined with time jumps and LOTS of characters make it a bit hard to follow at times.
Overall, it's quite a peculiar book that I enjoyed a lot and I'm sure I'll get even more out of it when I read it again. Sometime.
I've seen it described as a blend of Sci-Fi and Fantasy, but it's more of a Fantasy setting with subtle hints of technology, with the author teasing us with "chariot of the gods in the form of a Tau cross that shoots beams of light and fire comes out of it's tail" kinda stuff.
Style wise, it's pretty poetic, with lots of thou's, thee's and so on. Often, it's quite funny, with insults like "Go peel bananas with your feet!" - very entertaining to see characters jousting (with words and weapons alike).
The structure is a bit weird too, and combined with time jumps and LOTS of characters make it a bit hard to follow at times.
Overall, it's quite a peculiar book that I enjoyed a lot and I'm sure I'll get even more out of it when I read it again. Sometime.
The idea behind this book is quite interesting but the "poetic crap", to quote the protagonist of the story, can be rather tedious at times. 4,5 stars for the idea, but only 2 stars for enjoyable reading experience.
I really like his take on Christianity."Nirriti the Black was originally Renfrew, the chaplain of the colonists' ship. A staunch Christian, he is disgusted by the ascendancy of Hinduism on the planet and eventually sets himself up with an army of zombie soldiers to conquer and convert the planet. (Nirriti is portrayed as a solo megalomaniac, opposed to the pantheon of the Gods.) This character is deeply ironic, a Christian who comes to be known as "The Dark Lord", leader of an army of "Soulless Ones" who have no will of their own but kneel to accompany him in his prayers when so ordered". (wikipedia)
I really like his take on Christianity.
Oh this was a whole entire journey.
Can't believe I hadn't found this book before. The main storyline is engaging, but it is especially interesting how the author manages to (somewhat successfully) weave in Buddhist and Hindu teachings in the story, while the story remains decidedly non-realigious (far from it. FAR.)
Enjoyed this quite a bit, would recommend for all sci-fi and mythology fans.
Can't believe I hadn't found this book before. The main storyline is engaging, but it is especially interesting how the author manages to (somewhat successfully) weave in Buddhist and Hindu teachings in the story, while the story remains decidedly non-realigious (far from it. FAR.)
Enjoyed this quite a bit, would recommend for all sci-fi and mythology fans.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
An extraordinarily original fusion of mythology and speculative fiction.
adventurous
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
be warned: the first chapter is transplanted from 4/5ths of the way through the book, without nearly enough indication of where you are in the chronology of events.
then around 1/3rd through the book, you realize that continuity is amiss, because allies are now foes, and vice-versa. toward the end, you see that allegiances between the characters are often quite fluid, but imo, those transitions are essential, and annoying when they are lacking. the end result is that you will probably need to reread the first 1-2 chapters after you finish.
i almost gave up on it, until the crux of the conflict was exposed around page 60. it's a great concept, some parts retelling hesse's siddhartha (a personal fave), but with super-high-tech political machinations around immortality behind the scenes. i wouldn't be surprised if it was the inspiration for Zardoz (another personal fave). i'd love to see someone of peter jackson's calibre, with appreciation of eastern/asian mythology, make an amazing trilogy from this one single book.
then around 1/3rd through the book, you realize that continuity is amiss, because allies are now foes, and vice-versa. toward the end, you see that allegiances between the characters are often quite fluid, but imo, those transitions are essential, and annoying when they are lacking. the end result is that you will probably need to reread the first 1-2 chapters after you finish.
i almost gave up on it, until the crux of the conflict was exposed around page 60. it's a great concept, some parts retelling hesse's siddhartha (a personal fave), but with super-high-tech political machinations around immortality behind the scenes. i wouldn't be surprised if it was the inspiration for Zardoz (another personal fave). i'd love to see someone of peter jackson's calibre, with appreciation of eastern/asian mythology, make an amazing trilogy from this one single book.
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A good action-adventure romp that initially seems to promise a bit more. Most of the novel is a flashback with the first chapter being nearly the last to occur chronologically, but unfortunately Zelazny loses steam on the home stretch and very little of note happens once the narration does catch up with events for the final chapter. With one or two memorable exceptions (which still aren't going to shock anyone with their brilliance, but are at least well-executed) there really isn't much character development happening in this book. The characters aren't exactly flat, but they are not very believable as people. Several of the most important characters are morally grey, hypercompetent know-it-all cynics, which does get tiresome; the antagonists with a discernible personality are mostly gleeful amoral hedonists or bloodthirsty maniacs.
The Hindu mythology-inspired setting was unusual for the time. For good plot-related reasons this aspect is a bit superficial, however, and to some it may read like shameless Orientalism. Personally I felt it was pulled off well enough.
To give credit where it's due: Zelazny writes the hell out of a fight scene. It actually made me check if he was a martial artist himself (he was). The prose can be awkward and overwrought, but occasionally hits its stride and turns out some gorgeous passages.
I must add the caveat that even for older sci-fi this book treats its non-male characters pretty questionably. See content warnings.
The Hindu mythology-inspired setting was unusual for the time. For good plot-related reasons this aspect is a bit superficial, however, and to some it may read like shameless Orientalism. Personally I felt it was pulled off well enough.
To give credit where it's due: Zelazny writes the hell out of a fight scene. It actually made me check if he was a martial artist himself (he was). The prose can be awkward and overwrought, but occasionally hits its stride and turns out some gorgeous passages.
I must add the caveat that even for older sci-fi this book treats its non-male characters pretty questionably. See content warnings.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape
Minor: Deadnaming
Well I guess I have to read everything Roger Zelazny has ever written now
Not a science fiction fan, but this is one of the best books I've ever read. Hard to start, but worth the effort to keep going.