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3.94 AVERAGE
3.94 AVERAGE
Ahhhh I'm sad it's over. Surely with that ending there's more?
I'd rank the books in this order: The Hod King > Senlin Ascends > The Fall of Babel > The Arm of the Sphinx
I'd rank the books in this order: The Hod King > Senlin Ascends > The Fall of Babel > The Arm of the Sphinx
Really disappointed in this finale. There are a lot of action and new things introduced to us in this book - new concepts and the same odd and inept characters in each ringdoms. While we only have crumbs and a generous bite of the overall lore of the tower, the hods, Sphinx, etc., in here we are flooded with it.
We spend about a third of our book on the Crown of the Tower, called Nebos, with Adam. As a finale for a book, it is bad. This part and maybe a story about Marat or one of his associates or maybe a citizen from a ringdom would be better to be collected as a "Stories of Babel" or a "Book of Babel #3.5". We are introduced to huge concepts that could change everything and it's a little bit overwhelming. And the quirkiness and to some extension the "plot armor" or the significance of our main characters is a bit too much.
Next we spend it with the crew and IT. IS. EXHAUSTING. While the previous books have a bit of action here and there, focusing more of their little adventures and growth as characters, this part is action after action. Once again, it felt that we could use another book for this. It feels that this series is cancelled so the plot in this book is moved about ten times the speed as the previous ones. This part with the "in-between chapters" (like the previous Black Trail parts) is more about the larger story, rather than the characters. I didn't care for the new characters or the new ringdoms or the new problems they faced. But there are still some character improvements here and there.
And the last third is just something. Again the focus is on the mystery of the tower (
TL;DR: It's TOO fast paced compared to the previous books, more focused on unraveling the mystery of the tower rather than the characters. Should have been a 5 or even 6 book series.
We spend about a third of our book on the Crown of the Tower, called Nebos, with Adam. As a finale for a book, it is bad. This part and maybe a story about Marat or one of his associates or maybe a citizen from a ringdom would be better to be collected as a "Stories of Babel" or a "Book of Babel #3.5". We are introduced to huge concepts that could change everything and it's a little bit overwhelming. And the quirkiness and to some extension the "plot armor" or the significance of our main characters is a bit too much.
Next we spend it with the crew and IT. IS. EXHAUSTING. While the previous books have a bit of action here and there, focusing more of their little adventures and growth as characters, this part is action after action. Once again, it felt that we could use another book for this. It feels that this series is cancelled so the plot in this book is moved about ten times the speed as the previous ones. This part with the "in-between chapters" (like the previous Black Trail parts) is more about the larger story, rather than the characters. I didn't care for the new characters or the new ringdoms or the new problems they faced. But there are still some character improvements here and there.
And the last third is just something. Again the focus is on the mystery of the tower (
Spoiler
some solved, some are not, some are a bit questionable but understandable like the Nebos being a ship heading to the stars? and there are apparently other Towers? And Voleta going back in time. then there's the key, the eye storing the memories of the Brick Layer that didn't die in the accidentTL;DR: It's TOO fast paced compared to the previous books, more focused on unraveling the mystery of the tower rather than the characters. Should have been a 5 or even 6 book series.
My least favorite of the series, which is extremely disappointing because The Hod King was excellent and this should've been the culmination of complex plot. But it lumbered along and I couldn't help feeling that so much that happened didn't ultimately matter. I didn't follow the intricate information about the inner workings of the tower either. The conclusion was wholly unsatisfying. I feel like I just read a very long fan speculation on the final book rather than the book itself.
The Fall of Babel concludes Josiah Bancroft’s Tower of Babel series with a thrilling finale that was both awe-inspiring in scope and deeply personal in consequences. I’ve been struggling with my thoughts on this one. It’s been a long time since a book or series has left me with a book ‘hangover’ and I needed some time to parse out my feelings
The book begins with something I hope becomes ubiquitous to all long-running series–a summary of events to date. I found it incredibly helpful even though I’d re-read the series recently. This summary was written as if by a tabloid journalist in the Babel universe and it was a joy to read; so much so, I went back to the start and re-read it just to hear the cadence and rich vocabulary out loud. Bancroft’s signature style and love for words comes through clearly throughout the novel. Despite this attention to detail or penchant for poetry, the style never got in the way of the story. Crisp and concise or erudite and flowing, it felt like every sentence was carefully constructed and thought out. The epigraphs remain a treasure trove for quotations. I guarantee you could flip to the start of any chapter and find one worth reading.
I did struggle a little with the overall shape of the narrative. This novel opens by telling the story of a character who was excluded from the previous entry. We remain in that character’s story for a good quarter of the book and they don’t make their return until the last quarter. Don’t get me wrong, it was excellent story, it was just the abrupt change back to the rest of the cast that gave me a bit of narrative whiplash. However, after finishing the book, I can see why the choice was made and in a re-read I would settle into the story more easily.
The setting remains a high point and Bancroft provides a more comprehensive overview of the Tower while dipping in and out of ringdoms. The exaggeration and absurdity of each location remained entertaining rather than overbearing. I felt like there were times where the author was probing the boundaries of credulity but Bancroft’s deft touch won out in the end and I felt that the tone and setting heightened events rather than detracting from them. I guess I’m saying we never go to clown town. Instead, the Tower remains a world unto itself, a mystery of epic proportions, a steampunk continent ripe for exploration. It is both inviting and impenetrable and a fixture around which every character revolves, whether they want to or not.
The characters remain the stars of this series. I’m glad I decided to do a re-read in anticipation of the finale because the characters are dear to me and to see their growth and the trajectory of their arcs has been a pleasure. We did get some new characters introduced, some of great import, and in typical Bancroft fashion, every one felt necessary and distinct. But the focus remained on the friends (and enemies?) that have been with us from the start and I’m so glad. For me, this story has always been about found family, about people trying to do their best, to find themselves or others (hah, Senlin), and to hope. I think the characters were handled with care. The author has this trick of making their evolution entirely natural while maintaining a recognizable core of who they once were. My heart was alternately breaking or filling with joy and I felt like each character had a meaningful resolution.
The ending gave me the greatest pause. I don’t have any outright problems with it and I had to laugh when thinking back because I truly missed the foreshadowing but it doesn’t change the fact that I wasn’t anticipating it. That, in combination with some bittersweet events, caused the hesitation and why I wanted to sit on this for a bit. I’m glad I gave myself some breathing room because the more I think about it the more right it feels. I am satisfied and content. Senlin is the pedantic and stubborn, kind and brave hero of my heart. The final scene will stick with me for a long time and I can’t ask for any more. *****
The book begins with something I hope becomes ubiquitous to all long-running series–a summary of events to date. I found it incredibly helpful even though I’d re-read the series recently. This summary was written as if by a tabloid journalist in the Babel universe and it was a joy to read; so much so, I went back to the start and re-read it just to hear the cadence and rich vocabulary out loud. Bancroft’s signature style and love for words comes through clearly throughout the novel. Despite this attention to detail or penchant for poetry, the style never got in the way of the story. Crisp and concise or erudite and flowing, it felt like every sentence was carefully constructed and thought out. The epigraphs remain a treasure trove for quotations. I guarantee you could flip to the start of any chapter and find one worth reading.
I did struggle a little with the overall shape of the narrative. This novel opens by telling the story of a character who was excluded from the previous entry. We remain in that character’s story for a good quarter of the book and they don’t make their return until the last quarter. Don’t get me wrong, it was excellent story, it was just the abrupt change back to the rest of the cast that gave me a bit of narrative whiplash. However, after finishing the book, I can see why the choice was made and in a re-read I would settle into the story more easily.
The setting remains a high point and Bancroft provides a more comprehensive overview of the Tower while dipping in and out of ringdoms. The exaggeration and absurdity of each location remained entertaining rather than overbearing. I felt like there were times where the author was probing the boundaries of credulity but Bancroft’s deft touch won out in the end and I felt that the tone and setting heightened events rather than detracting from them. I guess I’m saying we never go to clown town. Instead, the Tower remains a world unto itself, a mystery of epic proportions, a steampunk continent ripe for exploration. It is both inviting and impenetrable and a fixture around which every character revolves, whether they want to or not.
The characters remain the stars of this series. I’m glad I decided to do a re-read in anticipation of the finale because the characters are dear to me and to see their growth and the trajectory of their arcs has been a pleasure. We did get some new characters introduced, some of great import, and in typical Bancroft fashion, every one felt necessary and distinct. But the focus remained on the friends (and enemies?) that have been with us from the start and I’m so glad. For me, this story has always been about found family, about people trying to do their best, to find themselves or others (hah, Senlin), and to hope. I think the characters were handled with care. The author has this trick of making their evolution entirely natural while maintaining a recognizable core of who they once were. My heart was alternately breaking or filling with joy and I felt like each character had a meaningful resolution.
The ending gave me the greatest pause. I don’t have any outright problems with it and I had to laugh when thinking back because I truly missed the foreshadowing but it doesn’t change the fact that I wasn’t anticipating it. That, in combination with some bittersweet events, caused the hesitation and why I wanted to sit on this for a bit. I’m glad I gave myself some breathing room because the more I think about it the more right it feels. I am satisfied and content. Senlin is the pedantic and stubborn, kind and brave hero of my heart. The final scene will stick with me for a long time and I can’t ask for any more. *****
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Everything was fine and good in this book until the last three chapters when we took a sharp left turn into ABSOLUTE INSANITY! I am confused and gobsmacked in a bad way. We are supposed to just be chill and fine with spending an entire book talking about how one man’s maniacal idealism was a facade for egomania, but I’m supposed to believe that the Brick Layer’s maniacal idealism is a Good Thing?? And now a city of children is ADRIFT??
Senlin truly did nothing this entire book, while Edith is doing the plot work of six characters. She is too good for him and I’m glad the narrative recognizes it.
I am baffled and I am dismayed.
Senlin truly did nothing this entire book, while Edith is doing the plot work of six characters. She is too good for him and I’m glad the narrative recognizes it.
I am baffled and I am dismayed.
adventurous
mysterious
medium-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:
Yes
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Honestly, kind of disappointing compared to how good the rest of the series is. My two main complaints with this one are: (a) I didn't find Marat to be a particularly compelling villain. At first he was interesting, because he actually had a reasonably noble goal, and his complaints against the Sphinx had some legitimacy. But then he just turned into a power hungry despot (which I guess he was all along). He became too one-dimensional. (b) The dialog got a little too quippy for my liking. It's hard to take a dramatic fight scene seriously when the characters are cracking one-liners every other paragraph. I can't believe the characters are actually in danger when none of them are acting like it.
adventurous
emotional
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I loved the whole series, but for me the last volume was the “worst”. It wasn't bad at all, of course, I just didn't think it was as great as the other volumes. The ending was also quite unsatisfactory for me, unfortunately. The best thing about the book for me were the characters and their relationships, as well as the humor. I have to say that it was a little less than in the other books. Nevertheless, I enjoyed the book in general and the writing style is sooo beautiful!