Reviews

Cage of Souls by Adrian Tchaikovsky

effaly's review against another edition

1.0

DNF - Humans are so ✨enlightened✨ in this book, and so much cleverer than people in "ancient times" (aka. these days, for us), but good ol' sexism is still a thing, and a woman that's not a girly-girl is thrown into the men's prison because she's "not really a woman". Ok.

oiproks's review

adventurous inspiring reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

ranas_books's review against another edition

adventurous dark tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

This book (audiobook) served as a background noise for me while I'm working. It was fun, and the narration was well done. I was not invested in any of the characters or the plot. And I have no idea what the story was aiming at, and I don't have any afterthoughts. But it was fun, sort of like a blockbuster movie, really.

justgj's review against another edition

adventurous medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

robert_reads's review against another edition

adventurous

5.0

oneday2036's review against another edition

dark mysterious 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

5.0

willjacks's review against another edition

4.0

Tchaikovsky has seriously made a name for himself with this one. Plenty of authors are fortunate enough to be nominated for the Arthur C. Clarke award, but another nomination? This guy isn't a one off. The book started out a bit slow, with the world building taking its time compared with Dogs of War or Children of Time, but the middle third is very strong. The characters are a joy to follow and towards the end you can't stop reading.

theravenkingx's review against another edition

hopeful mysterious reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot

4.5

This book is incredibly imaginative. Every page is filled with extraordinary ideas and exquisite prose, through which the author pushes the boundaries of Sci-Fi. The concepts introduced here are unique and mind-bending. If you like Annihilation by Jeff VanderMeer, then you will love this book.

The story is told in the style of a memoir. It tells the story of a man of the academy named Stefan Advani, who was exiled from the only surviving city, Shadrapar, and sent to a prison located on an island surrounded by a mysterious and deadly jungle. Shadrapar, a city built upon the ruins of past civilizations, harbors fewer than a hundred thousand humans—the last of humanity living under a dying sun.

Most of the world has turned into a desert, with new species evolving everywhere. The sea, now toxic, preserves the human and marine life it has taken in its embrace, serving as a stark reminder to humanity.

The sea is death's unchanging kingdom on earth, and it has no part in this story. My story is, despite all that has happened, one of hope and there is no hope for the oceans.

The author has potrayed earth as a santient being with an intend and purpose. 

As the world becomes unlivable, so life throws up things that can survive in it, faster and faster. One ancient theory was that the planet was aware, a great living world-mind. If so, then that mind has woken up. Life is teeming in the world as never before, changing and changing in the hope of finding a form that can last.

The closest Earth has come to finding a replacement is in the form of a convergent species known as the Children of the Web. But are humans ready to relinquish their position as the beloved and spoiled children of Earth?

The world of Cage of Souls is revealed through the eyes of Stefan Advani. His journey takes him from the academic heights of Shadrapar to a fugitive’s life in the underworld, then to the daunting Island prison, and finally into the depths of a perilous jungle. As he peels back the layers of his own life we discover the enigmatic truth of this civilization and the mysteries of the planet concealed within its evolving ecology.

It's a not a traditional plot-driven story. Cage of soul grabs your attention with its amazing setting, the mystery of the main character, and the deep thoughts it brings up. It’s a book that makes you think and is sure to stay with you long after you’ve finished reading it. This isn't a book that presents everything neatly on a silver platter, followed by a dessert-like, gratifying ending. The conclusion is indeed perfect and whole, yet it doesn't offer the typical cheerful resolution where all issues are resolved. The book also deals with some grim topics and it's not for the faint of hearts.

Highly recommend this book, if you are looking for a mind-blowing read.

itsthegunner's review against another edition

adventurous dark 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

4.0

afraser45's review against another edition

adventurous dark hopeful reflective sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0