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3.86 AVERAGE
3.86 AVERAGE
This was my first Adrian Tchaikovsky book and I really wanted to love it but I didn’t. I know a couple of people who have raved about his work and another who loved this one so it was likely just not my cup of tea.
The writing itself was brilliant, the plot so intricate and some great characters so I know people will love it. It gave me Northern Lights and Island of Doctor Moreau vibes, and it was at those points I was most interested. Part crime, thriller, mystery and sci-fi, it has a lot going for it; creature hunting, super computers, rips in the universe, political and social issues, the secret service, evolutionary science...
...it just wasn’t for me so I don’t want to say anymore and put people off what is actually a great book.
Thank you for NetGalley for my copy in Exchange for an honest review.
The writing itself was brilliant, the plot so intricate and some great characters so I know people will love it. It gave me Northern Lights and Island of Doctor Moreau vibes, and it was at those points I was most interested. Part crime, thriller, mystery and sci-fi, it has a lot going for it; creature hunting, super computers, rips in the universe, political and social issues, the secret service, evolutionary science...
...it just wasn’t for me so I don’t want to say anymore and put people off what is actually a great book.
Thank you for NetGalley for my copy in Exchange for an honest review.
DNF @ 12%
I received an audiobook review copy of this book from Tor Books, and while I was super, super anticipating this book, I really struggled with the audiobook. I didn't understand what was going on at any point, despite relistening to some chapters several times. To be fair, this book was great and interesting and had a really good hook at the start, I simply couldn't grasp the fairly complicated stuff that was being explained through the audiobook. That being said, I will probably try and get hold of a physical copy of this at some point, as I think I might fare better if I can read it on the page.
I received an audiobook review copy of this book from Tor Books, and while I was super, super anticipating this book, I really struggled with the audiobook. I didn't understand what was going on at any point, despite relistening to some chapters several times. To be fair, this book was great and interesting and had a really good hook at the start, I simply couldn't grasp the fairly complicated stuff that was being explained through the audiobook. That being said, I will probably try and get hold of a physical copy of this at some point, as I think I might fare better if I can read it on the page.
Tedious
Long, slow, and uninvolving..As ever, Adrian’s concepts are amazing, but this time let down by too may characters I had no interest in. This took forever to read and I’m glad it’s over.
Long, slow, and uninvolving..As ever, Adrian’s concepts are amazing, but this time let down by too may characters I had no interest in. This took forever to read and I’m glad it’s over.
I really enjoyed the beginning of this book when it felt like a sci-fi thriller. The last third just went over my head.
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
slow-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
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
DNF - at Chapter 8 (out of 17).
I was very confused by almost everything in this book. The science/parallel worlds stuff flew straight over my head. The only storyline I was able to follow was about Lee and her girlfriend, Mel - but only until Mel returned from wherever she had been and then even that storyline lost me. At this point I was just completely lost - up a creek with no paddles in sight!
I persevered for a bit longer but soon decided to DNF. No point to continuing if I don’t have a clue what is happening!
Admittedly some fault may lie with me for attempting to listen to this on audiobook. Although I have read other AT books this way and followed along ok. I really enjoyed CHILDREN OF TIME by this author but this one was just not for me.
1 Star - DNF and Donate
I was very confused by almost everything in this book. The science/parallel worlds stuff flew straight over my head. The only storyline I was able to follow was about Lee and her girlfriend, Mel - but only until Mel returned from wherever she had been and then even that storyline lost me. At this point I was just completely lost - up a creek with no paddles in sight!
I persevered for a bit longer but soon decided to DNF. No point to continuing if I don’t have a clue what is happening!
Admittedly some fault may lie with me for attempting to listen to this on audiobook. Although I have read other AT books this way and followed along ok. I really enjoyed CHILDREN OF TIME by this author but this one was just not for me.
1 Star - DNF and Donate
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
tense
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:
Complicated
Really enjoyed this auditiobbok. Took longer to listen to thna expended as I had to keep going back to get the story. A massive world woke of the best I've listen to since Tolkien
Originally posted to I Should Read That
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This review is spoiler-free.
A new book from Adrian Tchaikovsky, one of my favourite authors, is always an exciting event. The Doors of Eden was a book that immediately caught my attention with its stunning cover and intriguing concept. I had sky-high expectations for this book, and I am so pleased to say thatthey were absolutely met! The Doors of Eden is an incredibly accessible, fun, and thought-provoking science fiction story with Tchaikovsky's signature twist.
If you haven't read any of his books before, or are newer to reading sci-fi, I think this would be a great place to start with Tchaikovsky's science fiction work due in part to the fact that it is mostly set in the real world. Not only does the familiarity of London streets and modern life help set the scene for readers, the characters are totally relatable and face real issues. This real-world setting is something new for him, I believe, and it works incredibly well! Don't worry though, there are plenty of trilobites, rat people, and other strange terrestrial and alien beings to fill the pages as well as humans!
While the plot and world are excellent, the characters are what really drive this story. We have multiple points of view across the book, and they intertwine together so effectively. This is one of the rare books where I enjoyed every POV, rather than preferring one over others because each voice was used so intentionally and added their own flavour to the story -- I can't think of a single one that should be cut. I absolutely loved Lee and Mal, our lesbian cryptid hunters and introduction to the book, as well as Alison, the MI5 analyst who sees a little more than the rest of us. However, my absolute favourite was Dr Kay Amal Khan, the fabulously smart-mouthed, cigarette smoking genius who will save us all. The chemistry between these human characters and the relationships they form (or are forced into) with the non-humans they encounter are just fantastic. The audiobook narrator does a great job of bringing these characters to life -- although I did have to speed it up to nearly 2x as she speaks quite slowly -- and she masters the sharp dialogue. If you're going to pick this one up, I'd highly recommend the audiobook!
The Doors of Eden is an incredibly pacey, otherworldly, and fun science fiction adventure -- who would have thought the end of the world would be so delightful? A must-read for fans of Tchaikovsky's work and newcomers alike -- you'll absolutely tear through it!
Note (plus marked spoiler): It would be disingenuous for me to not mention the treatment of Kay by other characters in the story, as I worry it may make some readers, especially trans readers, uncomfortable. She's a trans woman and while I thought Tchaikovsky did a great job of making her a complex and fabulous character, some of the side characters misgender and deadname her throughout the book in passing. This is meant to show the ignorance of these characters, but I wanted to give a heads up about these moments.
*Minor spoilers below*
There is also a Very Bad Villain who refuses to accept her identity and forces her to masculinise in a small part of the book.
4.5 out of 5 stars
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This review is spoiler-free.
A new book from Adrian Tchaikovsky, one of my favourite authors, is always an exciting event. The Doors of Eden was a book that immediately caught my attention with its stunning cover and intriguing concept. I had sky-high expectations for this book, and I am so pleased to say thatthey were absolutely met! The Doors of Eden is an incredibly accessible, fun, and thought-provoking science fiction story with Tchaikovsky's signature twist.
If you haven't read any of his books before, or are newer to reading sci-fi, I think this would be a great place to start with Tchaikovsky's science fiction work due in part to the fact that it is mostly set in the real world. Not only does the familiarity of London streets and modern life help set the scene for readers, the characters are totally relatable and face real issues. This real-world setting is something new for him, I believe, and it works incredibly well! Don't worry though, there are plenty of trilobites, rat people, and other strange terrestrial and alien beings to fill the pages as well as humans!
While the plot and world are excellent, the characters are what really drive this story. We have multiple points of view across the book, and they intertwine together so effectively. This is one of the rare books where I enjoyed every POV, rather than preferring one over others because each voice was used so intentionally and added their own flavour to the story -- I can't think of a single one that should be cut. I absolutely loved Lee and Mal, our lesbian cryptid hunters and introduction to the book, as well as Alison, the MI5 analyst who sees a little more than the rest of us. However, my absolute favourite was Dr Kay Amal Khan, the fabulously smart-mouthed, cigarette smoking genius who will save us all. The chemistry between these human characters and the relationships they form (or are forced into) with the non-humans they encounter are just fantastic. The audiobook narrator does a great job of bringing these characters to life -- although I did have to speed it up to nearly 2x as she speaks quite slowly -- and she masters the sharp dialogue. If you're going to pick this one up, I'd highly recommend the audiobook!
The Doors of Eden is an incredibly pacey, otherworldly, and fun science fiction adventure -- who would have thought the end of the world would be so delightful? A must-read for fans of Tchaikovsky's work and newcomers alike -- you'll absolutely tear through it!
Note (plus marked spoiler): It would be disingenuous for me to not mention the treatment of Kay by other characters in the story, as I worry it may make some readers, especially trans readers, uncomfortable. She's a trans woman and while I thought Tchaikovsky did a great job of making her a complex and fabulous character, some of the side characters misgender and deadname her throughout the book in passing. This is meant to show the ignorance of these characters, but I wanted to give a heads up about these moments.
*Minor spoilers below*
There is also a Very Bad Villain who refuses to accept her identity and forces her to masculinise in a small part of the book.
4.5 out of 5 stars