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4.12 AVERAGE
4.12 AVERAGE
It took a full year but I've finally caught up with the end of the show!! So excited to delve into the unknown territory of the last 3 books
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
tense
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:
Complicated
adventurous
tense
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
emotional
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
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
My least fave of the series so far, but still good. I missed protomolecule plot, plus I really felt the absence of (I presume) Naomi's conflicting feelings about her son.
adventurous
emotional
tense
fast-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
"It is true that we do not feel the movement of the earth, but by admitting its immobility we arrive at absurdity, while by admitting its motion (which we do not feel) we arrive at laws," so also in history the new view says: "It is true that we are not conscious of our dependence, but by admitting our free will we arrive at absurdity, while by admitting our dependence on the external world, on time, and on cause, we arrive at laws."- Tolstoy
I must admit, this was definitely the weakest book of their series. The first half was rather slow and cumbersome to get through, it wasn't until the second half when things starting coming to a head that it gained momentum and strength. One of the exemplary aspects of this series is how much they are able to build and maintain suspense, making you hold your breath and quite literally put you on the edge of your seat. I've never read anything before that was able to hold you in its grip so strongly and with that much intensity, so it was jarring to have this one actually *bore* me at parts. I think it was primarily because they had too many characters they were juggling between. It really slowed down the action, painfully so, when you had to stop and explain what each new character was doing and where they were at. They even switched to random side characters, who absolutely had no purpose in the narrative other than to tell us what was going on in the plot. Why would I care to see the story from their POV? I want more Holden and his crew! I also didn't get too attached to the main character Michio Pa, whose chapters I found to be a little too saccharine, and I didn't find her character all that interesting, but at least she was necessary.
I'm also getting a little impatient with the alien plot line, or more accurately, the lack thereof. They have been teasing us mercilessly with provocative imagery and concepts, chilling and unexplained circumstances, but never revealing anything more! I just wanted to shout out the book "JUST LET THE ALIENS COME ALREADY!" I just wanted them to pop in, destroy Marcos Inaros, and cause havoc. Alas! Maybe the next book?
With that being said, I do find there was a lot of fantastic character development from our main leads, and powerfully sad moments. This book did two very unfair things to certain characters, and it was heartbreaking! I don't think I'll recover. Also, Holden is just the most precious summer child in all the universe, who is so honest and pure! I love how they've developed him over the course of the books. He has grown up, but also remained the same old Holden. My heart also melts over his and Naomi's relationship. They are such strong characters, equals in every way, but who help one another become their best selves. They are a wonderful example of a married couple, which we don't often get to see in a lot of fiction. They actually remind me a lot of Zoe and Wash from Firefly, a very similar dynamic. They are too wonderful!
Another aspect they do excellently is build on their themes. These books are a study of humanity, both historically and psychologically, and they do this uncommonly well. I think their series could be summed up by Boromir's quote from Fellowship of the Ring: "Yes, there is weakness. There is frailty. But there is courage also, and honor to be found in Men." Marcos Inaros represents the ultimate hubris and self-destructive nature of Mankind, and what he does in the cause of his own glory is truly terrible. Yet, we have our heroes of the Rocinante and their allies, the response of self sacrifice and courage to help their fellow man in need. They explore those darker aspects of humanity, of racism, bigotry, hate, cowardice, but also the potential, of redemption, hope, and brotherhood. Holden's crew represents the latter; even as Holden has had to learn to forgive Clarissa and accept her as part of his family - so the rest of humanity is having to learn how to forgive and come together in order to not only survive, but to thrive. It is very inspiring, and I think this book ends absolutely perfect in that regard. It was poetic, beautiful, and meaningful, and could not have been more excellently crafted. So, while this book started off very weak, it ended on a powerful note - pushing us into the next chapter where, once again, all the pieces of the board have changed - the game *itself* has changed - and innumerable possibilities await all of our characters. I'm so excited!
Thankfully, I only have to wait a couple of months for the next book, but so help my God, they better bring those aliens in!
Side Note: YOU TOTALLY BLEW IT WITH BOBBY, ALEX. Ugh. Men.
I must admit, this was definitely the weakest book of their series. The first half was rather slow and cumbersome to get through, it wasn't until the second half when things starting coming to a head that it gained momentum and strength. One of the exemplary aspects of this series is how much they are able to build and maintain suspense, making you hold your breath and quite literally put you on the edge of your seat. I've never read anything before that was able to hold you in its grip so strongly and with that much intensity, so it was jarring to have this one actually *bore* me at parts. I think it was primarily because they had too many characters they were juggling between. It really slowed down the action, painfully so, when you had to stop and explain what each new character was doing and where they were at. They even switched to random side characters, who absolutely had no purpose in the narrative other than to tell us what was going on in the plot. Why would I care to see the story from their POV? I want more Holden and his crew! I also didn't get too attached to the main character Michio Pa, whose chapters I found to be a little too saccharine, and I didn't find her character all that interesting, but at least she was necessary.
I'm also getting a little impatient with the alien plot line, or more accurately, the lack thereof. They have been teasing us mercilessly with provocative imagery and concepts, chilling and unexplained circumstances, but never revealing anything more! I just wanted to shout out the book "JUST LET THE ALIENS COME ALREADY!" I just wanted them to pop in, destroy Marcos Inaros, and cause havoc. Alas! Maybe the next book?
With that being said, I do find there was a lot of fantastic character development from our main leads, and powerfully sad moments. This book did two very unfair things to certain characters, and it was heartbreaking! I don't think I'll recover. Also, Holden is just the most precious summer child in all the universe, who is so honest and pure! I love how they've developed him over the course of the books. He has grown up, but also remained the same old Holden. My heart also melts over his and Naomi's relationship. They are such strong characters, equals in every way, but who help one another become their best selves. They are a wonderful example of a married couple, which we don't often get to see in a lot of fiction. They actually remind me a lot of Zoe and Wash from Firefly, a very similar dynamic. They are too wonderful!
Another aspect they do excellently is build on their themes. These books are a study of humanity, both historically and psychologically, and they do this uncommonly well. I think their series could be summed up by Boromir's quote from Fellowship of the Ring: "Yes, there is weakness. There is frailty. But there is courage also, and honor to be found in Men." Marcos Inaros represents the ultimate hubris and self-destructive nature of Mankind, and what he does in the cause of his own glory is truly terrible. Yet, we have our heroes of the Rocinante and their allies, the response of self sacrifice and courage to help their fellow man in need. They explore those darker aspects of humanity, of racism, bigotry, hate, cowardice, but also the potential, of redemption, hope, and brotherhood. Holden's crew represents the latter; even as Holden has had to learn to forgive Clarissa and accept her as part of his family - so the rest of humanity is having to learn how to forgive and come together in order to not only survive, but to thrive. It is very inspiring, and I think this book ends absolutely perfect in that regard. It was poetic, beautiful, and meaningful, and could not have been more excellently crafted. So, while this book started off very weak, it ended on a powerful note - pushing us into the next chapter where, once again, all the pieces of the board have changed - the game *itself* has changed - and innumerable possibilities await all of our characters. I'm so excited!
Thankfully, I only have to wait a couple of months for the next book, but so help my God, they better bring those aliens in!
Side Note: YOU TOTALLY BLEW IT WITH BOBBY, ALEX. Ugh. Men.
adventurous
mysterious
tense
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
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
tense
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