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4.63 AVERAGE
4.63 AVERAGE
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
slow-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
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
adventurous
challenging
dark
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
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
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
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
Characters: 5*
Plot: 5*
Universe: 5*
What can I say, I love this series. The characters are complex, the universe the story is set in is rich, and the plot if full of twists and turns. If you haven't read anything by Ken Liu, I am excited for you to have the opportunity to read his prose for the first time. Perhaps the best way to describe this series might be if you mixed the plot twists and emotional daggers to the heart, but without the page upon page dedicated to the graphic violence. Or perhaps, the wordsmithing of Brandon Sanderson with a bit more of an adult edge to the story.
I have been looking forward to this concluding chapter of the four volume series for a long time and it did not disappoint.
Plot: 5*
Universe: 5*
What can I say, I love this series. The characters are complex, the universe the story is set in is rich, and the plot if full of twists and turns. If you haven't read anything by Ken Liu, I am excited for you to have the opportunity to read his prose for the first time. Perhaps the best way to describe this series might be if you mixed the plot twists and emotional daggers to the heart, but without the page upon page dedicated to the graphic violence. Or perhaps, the wordsmithing of Brandon Sanderson with a bit more of an adult edge to the story.
I have been looking forward to this concluding chapter of the four volume series for a long time and it did not disappoint.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-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
I am giving Speaking Bones an honorary 5-stars here for Ken Liu's achievement in reinventing interesting fantasy. The Dandelion Dynasty series and Speaking Bones in particular are exemplary books at creating a cohesive and interesting world to absorb. The islands of Dara and the vast sweeping plains of Ukyu and Gonde are brought to life through a deep attention to detail of how societies work and function in different ways. The grand schemes and plots of kings, queens, and bureaucrats that make for the primary through line of the series are expertly supplemented with insights on how they effect a changing society as a whole. Ken Liu alternates painting with broad strokes to give a sense of vast scope and smaller brushes to fill in the detail work. It all comes together to create a truly breathtaking story when stepping back and viewing what he created in its entirety.
This is not to say that Speaking Bones or the series in general does not have issues. The accumulation of detail and character growth can often feel a bit long-winded to the detriment of pace. There are side stories and asides that pop up that frustrated me in the moment. Even a small digression that is seemingly a throw away detail does eventually tie back in.
I may not recommend this to the typical fan of fantasy because honestly it plays more as historical fiction than fantasy. The fantastical elements are exceedingly light and are often exchanged for details of science, engineering, religion, or philosophy. Liu resists the temptation of letting the fantasy elements dominate his book and treats them with a very light touch, like a puzzle to work around rather than the puzzle itself.
The Dandelion Dynasty as a whole will take its rightful place among my pantheon of favorite series and I hope others will be able to find its light.
This is not to say that Speaking Bones or the series in general does not have issues. The accumulation of detail and character growth can often feel a bit long-winded to the detriment of pace. There are side stories and asides that pop up that frustrated me in the moment. Even a small digression that is seemingly a throw away detail does eventually tie back in.
I may not recommend this to the typical fan of fantasy because honestly it plays more as historical fiction than fantasy. The fantastical elements are exceedingly light and are often exchanged for details of science, engineering, religion, or philosophy. Liu resists the temptation of letting the fantasy elements dominate his book and treats them with a very light touch, like a puzzle to work around rather than the puzzle itself.
The Dandelion Dynasty as a whole will take its rightful place among my pantheon of favorite series and I hope others will be able to find its light.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is a masterpiece, Ken Liu is a genius and I will accept no other opinion on this series!
Although this is an epic fantasy, the "magical" elements are fairly soft, and most things are explained by science. As Liu describes it himself, the heroes of the story are not wizards, but engineers.
The scope of the political intrigue is staggering. Plot-twists, back-stabbing, morally grey characters who you think couldn't possibly redeem themselves until Ken changes your mind completely!
The world is vast and complex. The characters are nuanced and complicated.
Most of this book was depressing as hell, but you gotta hold out cause the ending is perfect. Of course it's me, so it only gets 5 stars if I cry. I bawled my eyes out.
This series in criminaly underhyped, and I will sing it's praises to anyone who will listen!
Although this is an epic fantasy, the "magical" elements are fairly soft, and most things are explained by science. As Liu describes it himself, the heroes of the story are not wizards, but engineers.
The scope of the political intrigue is staggering. Plot-twists, back-stabbing, morally grey characters who you think couldn't possibly redeem themselves until Ken changes your mind completely!
The world is vast and complex. The characters are nuanced and complicated.
Most of this book was depressing as hell, but you gotta hold out cause the ending is perfect. Of course it's me, so it only gets 5 stars if I cry. I bawled my eyes out.
This series in criminaly underhyped, and I will sing it's praises to anyone who will listen!
challenging
dark
inspiring
reflective
tense
slow-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
This series is a JOURNEY. I've never read anything like it - so wide in its' scope and so compelling in its' characters. I wish so much that there was more exploration of this world - adaptations, fan content - but ultimately I couldn't ask for a better ending and a more definitive climax to the story's powerful moral explorations.
Bravo to Ken Liu. This is a masterpiece.
Bravo to Ken Liu. This is a masterpiece.