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saraishelafs's review
3.0
the premise is intriguing and the characters are likable, I just couldn't stay focused
tiggytiggy's review
adventurous
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
jamedi's review
4.0
Full review: https://vueltaspodcast.wordpress.com/2022/09/14/the-wrack-by-john-bierce/
Interview with John Bierce: https://vueltaspodcast.wordpress.com/2022/09/14/some-thoughts-with-john-bierce/
Score: 4 out of 5 stars
The Wrack is a really interesting novel by John Bierce, author of the Mage Errant series. The premise of a plague invading a city and the consequences after it, and how the people react was something that really attracted me, and John Bierce delivered all he promised and more.
And well, after a two-year pandemic still ongoing, you would say that The Wrack is inspired by that. And here comes one of the most shocking facts about the novel, it was written in 2019; and it feels kinda terrific how accurate to the development of the pandemic. Part of its shining comes from it, as it is a rather unique novel, as the author defines "epidemiological fantasy".
So let's talk about the aspects of this book that made me love it. As a book that shares the universe with the Mage Errant, Teringia is amazingly built, and in general, is full of small details that make it feel alive. And this is something that I consider especially important when you are going to unleash a plague over there. The Wrack is unleashed at the start of the book, and we will become spectators of how it spreads around the world.
But we are also contemplating humans, and something we can learn about our current situation is that the world won't stop because a plague is still spreading. Despite the plague being the main factor during the novel, I feel it is only a way to see how human nature reacts to an extreme situation, and how despite this shocking event, we can observe how the events don't stop after that. Magistrally, Bierce shows how ambitions and fear overcome common sense, writing a novel that could be defined as a sociological study.
It is true that it might not be the most hooking novel, and that the pace sometimes feels awkward, and it's probably why I can't give it a better score, but despite these small inconveniences, I think it's a really solid work.
In summary, I think The Wrack is a really accurate novel, that reflects how the group reacts to extreme situations. I didn't know that I needed this kind of "epidemiological fantasy" in my life, but I certainly enjoyed it so much (and some of the details in the book, such as the appendixes are great).
Interview with John Bierce: https://vueltaspodcast.wordpress.com/2022/09/14/some-thoughts-with-john-bierce/
Score: 4 out of 5 stars
The Wrack is a really interesting novel by John Bierce, author of the Mage Errant series. The premise of a plague invading a city and the consequences after it, and how the people react was something that really attracted me, and John Bierce delivered all he promised and more.
And well, after a two-year pandemic still ongoing, you would say that The Wrack is inspired by that. And here comes one of the most shocking facts about the novel, it was written in 2019; and it feels kinda terrific how accurate to the development of the pandemic. Part of its shining comes from it, as it is a rather unique novel, as the author defines "epidemiological fantasy".
So let's talk about the aspects of this book that made me love it. As a book that shares the universe with the Mage Errant, Teringia is amazingly built, and in general, is full of small details that make it feel alive. And this is something that I consider especially important when you are going to unleash a plague over there. The Wrack is unleashed at the start of the book, and we will become spectators of how it spreads around the world.
But we are also contemplating humans, and something we can learn about our current situation is that the world won't stop because a plague is still spreading. Despite the plague being the main factor during the novel, I feel it is only a way to see how human nature reacts to an extreme situation, and how despite this shocking event, we can observe how the events don't stop after that. Magistrally, Bierce shows how ambitions and fear overcome common sense, writing a novel that could be defined as a sociological study.
It is true that it might not be the most hooking novel, and that the pace sometimes feels awkward, and it's probably why I can't give it a better score, but despite these small inconveniences, I think it's a really solid work.
In summary, I think The Wrack is a really accurate novel, that reflects how the group reacts to extreme situations. I didn't know that I needed this kind of "epidemiological fantasy" in my life, but I certainly enjoyed it so much (and some of the details in the book, such as the appendixes are great).
ceskykure's review
dark
informative
mysterious
medium-paced
3.5
CAWPILE SCORE
C-7
A-7
W-7
P-7
I-6
L-6
E-7
TOTAL-6.71/10
CAWPILE
Characters
Different characters every chapter, with a few repeats. Like that style
Atmosphere
Having lived through a plague, yes that’s sometimes how it feels
Writing
Good writing, good style choices.
Plot
It’s a plague with a plot to stop it. Works well
Investment
Logic
Having lived through a plague, yes that’s how people act.
Enjoyment
I enjoyed it. Its nice now that we are where we are. Reading this during the pandemic of 2020 would’ve been a little weird.
Misc
The list of diseases at the end of book was great
C-7
A-7
W-7
P-7
I-6
L-6
E-7
TOTAL-6.71/10
CAWPILE
Characters
Different characters every chapter, with a few repeats. Like that style
Atmosphere
Having lived through a plague, yes that’s sometimes how it feels
Writing
Good writing, good style choices.
Plot
It’s a plague with a plot to stop it. Works well
Investment
Logic
Having lived through a plague, yes that’s how people act.
Enjoyment
I enjoyed it. Its nice now that we are where we are. Reading this during the pandemic of 2020 would’ve been a little weird.
Misc
The list of diseases at the end of book was great
athravan's review against another edition
3.0
This is an interesting fantasy take on a pandemic. I loved the concept of the world, especially the magic system, with the focusing crystals, the hierarchy and the communication system, and there seemed to be loads of potential for political intrigue.
Unfortunately the story itself seemed a bit haphazard, jumping from place to place and not quite connecting. The plot seemed to take second place to world building exposition, whilst characters settled way in third. I really loved getting to know several of the characters - but as there's not really a main character and we move quickly onto new people, I never really got to follow the people who seemed interesting. At first I was excited to meet and connect with characters and to follow their story, then disappointed when we never returned to them. Their stories felt unfinished, their promise never met.
I would definitely like to read more set in this world, especially with this magic system. There is an absolute ton of potential here and I hope we return to this world in the future, following just a few characters this time!
Unfortunately the story itself seemed a bit haphazard, jumping from place to place and not quite connecting. The plot seemed to take second place to world building exposition, whilst characters settled way in third. I really loved getting to know several of the characters - but as there's not really a main character and we move quickly onto new people, I never really got to follow the people who seemed interesting. At first I was excited to meet and connect with characters and to follow their story, then disappointed when we never returned to them. Their stories felt unfinished, their promise never met.
I would definitely like to read more set in this world, especially with this magic system. There is an absolute ton of potential here and I hope we return to this world in the future, following just a few characters this time!
anthem's review
5.0
A fantasy Pandemic done brilliantly. The Wrack festered it's way deep into my mind and had me infected by the very first chapter. Following the spread of an mysterious and deadly disease as it bourgeons through an at first unsuspecting then fearful world we see determination, cowardice, paranoia and resilience that can only be described as unconditionally human.
Author John Bierce crafts a world full of political intrigue, religious dedication, magical scholars, brave warriors, and relatable every-mans(and womans) with every combination thereof. H gives us not just one of the most impressive medical orders seen in fantasy, but one of the most downright competent as well. Then he throws in a world spanning pandemic and watches the world crumble. Masterful.
I flew through the audio version of this book in less than 24 hours. I cannot write a proper review without mentioning that this book had perhaps my favorite chapter that I've read or listened to this year. I won't mention even which chapter it is for fear of spoiling it, but I know that I will be thinking of it for years to come.
I also wish a small note for the fact that this book came out at the beginning of the worst pandemic the modern world has seen in the last hundred years and I have no doubt that fact impacted my reaction to the book. It is a great book for the current climate, even if it wasn't intended to be. The author has a small note about that at the end.
Author John Bierce crafts a world full of political intrigue, religious dedication, magical scholars, brave warriors, and relatable every-mans(and womans) with every combination thereof. H gives us not just one of the most impressive medical orders seen in fantasy, but one of the most downright competent as well. Then he throws in a world spanning pandemic and watches the world crumble. Masterful.
I flew through the audio version of this book in less than 24 hours. I cannot write a proper review without mentioning that this book had perhaps my favorite chapter that I've read or listened to this year. I won't mention even which chapter it is for fear of spoiling it, but I know that I will be thinking of it for years to come.
I also wish a small note for the fact that this book came out at the beginning of the worst pandemic the modern world has seen in the last hundred years and I have no doubt that fact impacted my reaction to the book. It is a great book for the current climate, even if it wasn't intended to be. The author has a small note about that at the end.
deadline's review
5.0
What can I say except: Wow.
The care and attention to detail that went into writing this is incredible. The peoples, their traditions, how individuals conform to and buck their traditions. Places having deep histories, and that being conveyed expertly. It all comes together, giving the sense of this being real.
What I want to praise most is the beautiful handling of loss. The Wrack is a disease that brings about tragedy on a mass scale. But the author made sure not to lose sight of how it affects people on a personal level. I never felt like it was taken lightly.
Also for posterity, I'm currently living through a pandemic, and boy were some aspects very real. The author wrote this before COVID-19, but seems to have captured the varied reactions to the pandemic. There are moments of fear, hope, denial, camaraderie, cowardice, inventiveness - all captured in vignettes that are told with unique voices.
I loved it.
The care and attention to detail that went into writing this is incredible. The peoples, their traditions, how individuals conform to and buck their traditions. Places having deep histories, and that being conveyed expertly. It all comes together, giving the sense of this being real.
What I want to praise most is the beautiful handling of loss. The Wrack is a disease that brings about tragedy on a mass scale. But the author made sure not to lose sight of how it affects people on a personal level. I never felt like it was taken lightly.
Also for posterity, I'm currently living through a pandemic, and boy were some aspects very real. The author wrote this before COVID-19, but seems to have captured the varied reactions to the pandemic. There are moments of fear, hope, denial, camaraderie, cowardice, inventiveness - all captured in vignettes that are told with unique voices.
I loved it.
cosmicrenaissance's review
5.0
I really enjoyed this book.
The many vignettes of characters throughout this story were a very refreshing way to learn this world the author builds. I'm especially into slice-of-life stories and really enjoyed reading them within this fantasy world. There were a handful of main characters we get to follow through this story and each time the story left off I couldn't wait to get back to their story but was immediately immersed in the next story! I was pulled through and intrigued the whole time. The concepts were unique and exciting. This story would lend well to the screen. I keep thinking about the fictional words from this book that seem so real now that they've a foothold in my mind. This book will be fun to revisit.
The many vignettes of characters throughout this story were a very refreshing way to learn this world the author builds. I'm especially into slice-of-life stories and really enjoyed reading them within this fantasy world. There were a handful of main characters we get to follow through this story and each time the story left off I couldn't wait to get back to their story but was immediately immersed in the next story! I was pulled through and intrigued the whole time. The concepts were unique and exciting. This story would lend well to the screen. I keep thinking about the fictional words from this book that seem so real now that they've a foothold in my mind. This book will be fun to revisit.
armedwithabook's review against another edition
3.0
The Wrack offers an in-depth look at the different key players in such dangerous times, adding in the aspect of religion whose narrative is not as prevalent in our media. The book starts off on an ominous tone and this continues throughout the story. Through multiple characters, whether it is the priests, the healers, the king and queen, the courtiers, children of the common people or captain of a ship – everyone is affected by the Wrack in some form and this book is the story of their confusion and survival. A journey into facing the mayhem head on and finding a way to defeat it. At times I found the religious groups, their differences, the animosity towards them hard to grasp, but overall, through the characters and the settings, the story did a good job of bringing it all together.
Reading Experience:
It takes a lot of imagination to look at a widespread pandemic situation from so many different angles. The Wrack is a commendable story and there is no doubt about the hard work that went into it! My only regrets – with the plethora of characters spread over a vast area, it was hard for me to connect with them. I wish I could have been on a longer journey with some characters. I also found the pace a bit slow and the conclusion a little bit hurried.
How close does this come to COVID, you may be wondering. It isn’t the same level and we aren’t living in that world. So, it really won’t be that terrifying a read! If you are looking for a light quick Fantasy, The Wrack is not the book for you. If you want to dive deep into the human psyche and what happens when a pandemic no one understand unleashes out of nowhere, then do pick up this book!
Many thanks to the author for providing a complimentary review copy of the book as part of blog tour organized by Storytellers on Tour.
Reading Experience:
It takes a lot of imagination to look at a widespread pandemic situation from so many different angles. The Wrack is a commendable story and there is no doubt about the hard work that went into it! My only regrets – with the plethora of characters spread over a vast area, it was hard for me to connect with them. I wish I could have been on a longer journey with some characters. I also found the pace a bit slow and the conclusion a little bit hurried.
How close does this come to COVID, you may be wondering. It isn’t the same level and we aren’t living in that world. So, it really won’t be that terrifying a read! If you are looking for a light quick Fantasy, The Wrack is not the book for you. If you want to dive deep into the human psyche and what happens when a pandemic no one understand unleashes out of nowhere, then do pick up this book!
Many thanks to the author for providing a complimentary review copy of the book as part of blog tour organized by Storytellers on Tour.