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4.63 AVERAGE
4.63 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Now that I've finished the series, I can safely say that this is one of my all-time favorites. Each book never failed to delight in a new and exciting way. There were many times that I had slow down how quickly I was reading to better savor the experience, but the tension was difficult to resist. I didn't grow weary no matter how long I read. As I wrote about the first book in the series, and about a few other series, I'm unable to tell how much my enjoyment is because it's exactly what I personally enjoy and is probably the same for many others who have now read the entire series. Everything about this is far greater than the sum of its parts, which makes it difficult for me to point to any particular part that makes it truly great.
The advancement of technology through scientific endeavor has been marvelous. Every time a new technology was developed I was astounded by its ingenuity. It presented a wholly different way that technological progress may have been ordered than what it was for us. I didn't feel that the extended scenes that explain in detail were overly long or unneeded, but I can see how they could limit appeal.
The character drama was splendid. I greatly enjoyed every single perspective. There were times when it was ridiculous, but in the best way possible that had me ecstatic due to its audacity. At other times it was realistic in that it paid no heed to expectations of a fantasy series. There are no heroes, only narratives of heroism. Success is not guaranteed and death may come at any time to anyone.
There were many meaningful discussions that examined the relationship between the people, the organization of their societies, their material culture, and their systems of belief. All is approached with empathy and understanding. There's no praise or condemnation, as such valuations are for the reader to decide upon. Much of this series relies upon the reader to actively engage with the narrative and create their own meaning.
The ending was almost everything I could have wanted it to be. There were a few unresolved questions I still had, but almost anything can be better for personal preferences, but sometimes we may be wrong about what's for the best. The biggest surprise I had from this series was that there was a lot that I wanted and expected it to be, but that's not what I got. Instead, I was shown a better way and given what I didn't know that I wanted.
The two single sentences that explain the essence of the series are these:
"History has no plot, and kings do not follow character arcs."
"I want to tell a story that the people don't expect, a story of empathy that encompasses the world."
The advancement of technology through scientific endeavor has been marvelous. Every time a new technology was developed I was astounded by its ingenuity. It presented a wholly different way that technological progress may have been ordered than what it was for us. I didn't feel that the extended scenes that explain in detail were overly long or unneeded, but I can see how they could limit appeal.
The character drama was splendid. I greatly enjoyed every single perspective. There were times when it was ridiculous, but in the best way possible that had me ecstatic due to its audacity. At other times it was realistic in that it paid no heed to expectations of a fantasy series. There are no heroes, only narratives of heroism. Success is not guaranteed and death may come at any time to anyone.
There were many meaningful discussions that examined the relationship between the people, the organization of their societies, their material culture, and their systems of belief. All is approached with empathy and understanding. There's no praise or condemnation, as such valuations are for the reader to decide upon. Much of this series relies upon the reader to actively engage with the narrative and create their own meaning.
The ending was almost everything I could have wanted it to be. There were a few unresolved questions I still had, but almost anything can be better for personal preferences, but sometimes we may be wrong about what's for the best. The biggest surprise I had from this series was that there was a lot that I wanted and expected it to be, but that's not what I got. Instead, I was shown a better way and given what I didn't know that I wanted.
The two single sentences that explain the essence of the series are these:
"History has no plot, and kings do not follow character arcs."
"I want to tell a story that the people don't expect, a story of empathy that encompasses the world."
I took my time with this brilliant, brutal conclusion to a glorious series, and it was worth every single moment.
2000000000 estrellas AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAasaassfrghg
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
Among the best books and series I have ever read.
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
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:
Complicated
This being the final volume of the Dandelion Dynasty. It’s been a very long read; sometimes very frustrating and given to side shows- enormous in scale and an eye watering number of characters. The conclusion of this book was excellent- spoiler alert- I thought Liu dealt with his consideration of how two warring people could possibly be reconciled- think Cyprus/ Israel/ and so on, in a really thoughtful way- great to see literature as a vehicle for these huge ideas. And in this I felt was his enormous achievement and the denouement of the entire quartet.
Interestingly I followed this book by reading SS Montefiore’s ‘ The World’ and realised that Liu incorporated many real/ apocryphal existing stories / mythology from ancient Chinese sources into these books. Overall a big read, but it kept me going back to the end
Interestingly I followed this book by reading SS Montefiore’s ‘ The World’ and realised that Liu incorporated many real/ apocryphal existing stories / mythology from ancient Chinese sources into these books. Overall a big read, but it kept me going back to the end
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
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:
Complicated
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes