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3.76 AVERAGE
3.76 AVERAGE
There are a lot of sci-fi terms in the beginning, but this novel is well-written overall. The two storylines converge in an interesting way and there are a lot of interesting references (i.e. Russian mathematics).
Also, here’s a useful, spoiler-free glossary. https://www.karangill.com/glossary-quantum-thief-fractal-prince-jean-le-flambeur/
Also, here’s a useful, spoiler-free glossary. https://www.karangill.com/glossary-quantum-thief-fractal-prince-jean-le-flambeur/
Another stunning debut, almost impossible to describe part space opera, part mystery and with large thanks to cyberpunk and Iain M Banks! looking forward to his next book alread.
4.25 ⭐️
TLDR; not sure what happened, but it fucking rocked.
This book isn't for everyone, but it sure as fuck was for me. The plot was complex, unraveling until the very end and leaving you with many questions. The world building was excellent and evolved throughout the book. I would compare it to Steven Erikson's Malazan series in this respect. You are always left with the bare minimum so you have wonder and awe for what the rest of this world holds, but you know enough to have the foggiest idea of what's going on.
This book does immersion very well, in the sense that you'd have to be a citizen to know exactly what's going on from page 1. It got frustrating to say the least and the back end of the book had references (and some call backs) that were not landing as they probably should have. If you often get frustrated in sci-fi and fantasy books where they make references to the world's history and context, you'll definitely want to skip this one. However, I found it tolerable because everything else about it was so engaging.
Having completed the first book, I'm dying to read the second and re-read the first. I think I'll get a lot out of a second reading.
TLDR; not sure what happened, but it fucking rocked.
This book isn't for everyone, but it sure as fuck was for me. The plot was complex, unraveling until the very end and leaving you with many questions. The world building was excellent and evolved throughout the book. I would compare it to Steven Erikson's Malazan series in this respect. You are always left with the bare minimum so you have wonder and awe for what the rest of this world holds, but you know enough to have the foggiest idea of what's going on.
This book does immersion very well, in the sense that you'd have to be a citizen to know exactly what's going on from page 1. It got frustrating to say the least and the back end of the book had references (and some call backs) that were not landing as they probably should have. If you often get frustrated in sci-fi and fantasy books where they make references to the world's history and context, you'll definitely want to skip this one. However, I found it tolerable because everything else about it was so engaging.
Having completed the first book, I'm dying to read the second and re-read the first. I think I'll get a lot out of a second reading.
adventurous
mysterious
fast-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
This book is glorious! I thought at the halfway point that it was a retelling of the first Father Brown book, in a futuristic setting. however, it's more subtle - and more surprising than that. I found it utterly gripping, and I was completely swallowed up by the world to watch the mystery within with interest. Rajaniemi has the dry wit of Chesterton as well as borrowing many themes, and I find both the originality and the homage delightful.
I've started this a few times and not gotten into it, but this time I got past the first chapters and read the whole thing in two days. SF often has the problem of how to create worlds that are different enough to be truly alien but still comprehensible -- this book tries to have it both ways by having an almost recognizable world in a totally alien universe. Not sure it always fit together, but the stories of both the thief and the detective are compelling enough to keep me reading.
10 million stars.
I feel stupid right now.
I feel stupid because I am so happy about being confused.
I have so many question and I am happy that I do. This book was thought provoking while being absolutely perceptive of the human mind, memory, and nature. Even after we cease to be humans, really, we are still humans. The world is built so superbly that I felt the immersion take over my mind. Felt the actual transition.
Just... fuck... this was perfect. Arghhh... This is literary science fiction. This is literature. Maaaaan...
Hell yes, I am going to read the next book in this trilogy. Hell yes, I am going to obsess about the details of the story and the world in a series of sleepless nights. For weeks.
Fuck yeah!
I am so embarrassed about how impressed I am right now. But, damn.
I feel stupid right now.
I feel stupid because I am so happy about being confused.
I have so many question and I am happy that I do. This book was thought provoking while being absolutely perceptive of the human mind, memory, and nature. Even after we cease to be humans, really, we are still humans. The world is built so superbly that I felt the immersion take over my mind. Felt the actual transition.
Just... fuck... this was perfect. Arghhh... This is literary science fiction. This is literature. Maaaaan...
Hell yes, I am going to read the next book in this trilogy. Hell yes, I am going to obsess about the details of the story and the world in a series of sleepless nights. For weeks.
Fuck yeah!
I am so embarrassed about how impressed I am right now. But, damn.
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
reflective
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:
Yes
Upon re-read as an actual book I think I enjoyed it way more. The first time it was just extremely confusing and didn't get much. I tried it now as a Kindle book, not audio, and made use of a glossary. I feel like it was way more fun and engaging. I loved the images it created of this futuristic world. And I am excited to continue the series!
The first 100-150 pages are pretty confusing and it's not really clear what's going on, but the second half of the book is excellent.