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4.01 AVERAGE
4.01 AVERAGE
One of those "good enough I finished it when I woke up" books. Characters a little flat and trope-y but the world (and the backdrop) were fascinating and compelling. Really enjoyed it.
I recognize that this setting and plot is pretty cool (and it’s so much more than its cover would suggest), but unfortunately this never really grabbed me. The first 10% I even considered DNF’ing it, but I ended up liking it a bit more as I pushed through. Caine is alright, but everyone else I couldn’t really care less about. I mostly just wanted to be done with it.
Granted, I’m not one for fast-paced action books (which this was), but it also didn’t give me much else.
The actual equivalent of 2,5 stars! I literally just finished it now and based on how I'm currently feeling I fear I might have to round down.
Granted, I’m not one for fast-paced action books (which this was), but it also didn’t give me much else.
The actual equivalent of 2,5 stars! I literally just finished it now and based on how I'm currently feeling I fear I might have to round down.
I'm not sure how I managed to keep reading this book - I really wanted to dnf it every page until about 19%. It goes from boring, not well explained or plotted to violent, gruesome and same-y (he's allegedly such a great fighter but he gets seriously injured in every very similar fight and then limps around, heals and gets reinjured). Then the Assassin's Creed style frame, which so annoyed me in the beginning, saved the entire book. Although you have to wade through a lot of violence, rape talk (bad guy fantacizes but none on the page) and machismo to get there ultimately, the character evolution and the way both plots tied together made this a decent read.
Very annoing MC with non-stop whining about his ex.
Well, this was a humdinger of a story! It was interesting all the way through, but it really got rolling about halfway through and then it was hard to put down. Lots of twists and turns, lots of action, and despite its heft, was actually a fairly quick and engrossing read. I actually stayed up late last night to finish it which I haven't done in a long time. And the frame story of the actors and the Studio acts as a comment on our enjoyment of violent entertainment, even well we are enjoying that violent entertainment (cribbed that last part from the author, but it is indeed true). A good, satisfying read.
While Heroes Die sports one of the ugliest book covers of all time, one that suggests the longing of an oddly-clad middle-aged man, Heroes Die has little to do with romance. The protagonist, Caine, does have a complicated relationship with his (ex?)-wife that does kickstart the story, but that's about it.
Though the first half of Heroes Die is slow, dense, and sometimes boring, the latter half is some of the best thriller SFF I've ever read. There's so much going on in this novel. It's violent, thought-provoking, and awesome all at once.
Though the first half of Heroes Die is slow, dense, and sometimes boring, the latter half is some of the best thriller SFF I've ever read. There's so much going on in this novel. It's violent, thought-provoking, and awesome all at once.
"Heroes die" is a clever blend of science fiction and fantasy. The premise is that of a very hierarchical society that derives entertainment from gladiator games. Actors are sent to an alternate dimension to participate in adventures and their experiences lived second-hand by others as virtual reality and television.
The main protagonist is Hari Michealson, who plays the killer Caine. The story is about his struggles with bosses (who want to make his adventures ever more sensational), societal norms (which he is finding more stifling each day), his partner (who thinks him psychotic) and his impossible mission (killing a God-like emperor in the alternate universe).
Ironically, Caine has no qualms about the murders he commits or the lives he destroys in the process. The studio sponsoring his adventures and the people viewing them don't think about these aspects either.
Review: the storytelling is fast paced, the action gritty and gory. The romance is stereotypical (misunderstood reticent/gruff hero pursues woman who doesn't see him for what he is). The quality of writing is good: no unnecessary descriptions of puddles on the street. And surprisingly imaginative: a lady who can see auras describes him as " had a quality of relaxation, but there was nothing loose about it; instead it was stillness. A meditative readiness that seemed to flow out from him and fill the room with capacity for action, as though all around him ghosts of imaginary Caines performed every movement that was possible within the space: every attack, every defense, every leap or flip or roll.". The plot builds up to a "how is he going to get out of this mess" climax and did a good job of keeping me guessing, which was good.
Enjoyed reading the book. Recommended.
Genre: SF/action/fantasy
Similar books: Hunger Games/1984
The main protagonist is Hari Michealson, who plays the killer Caine. The story is about his struggles with bosses (who want to make his adventures ever more sensational), societal norms (which he is finding more stifling each day), his partner (who thinks him psychotic) and his impossible mission (killing a God-like emperor in the alternate universe).
Ironically, Caine has no qualms about the murders he commits or the lives he destroys in the process. The studio sponsoring his adventures and the people viewing them don't think about these aspects either.
Review: the storytelling is fast paced, the action gritty and gory. The romance is stereotypical (misunderstood reticent/gruff hero pursues woman who doesn't see him for what he is). The quality of writing is good: no unnecessary descriptions of puddles on the street. And surprisingly imaginative: a lady who can see auras describes him as " had a quality of relaxation, but there was nothing loose about it; instead it was stillness. A meditative readiness that seemed to flow out from him and fill the room with capacity for action, as though all around him ghosts of imaginary Caines performed every movement that was possible within the space: every attack, every defense, every leap or flip or roll.". The plot builds up to a "how is he going to get out of this mess" climax and did a good job of keeping me guessing, which was good.
Enjoyed reading the book. Recommended.
Genre: SF/action/fantasy
Similar books: Hunger Games/1984
Gritty, brutal action fantasy interwoven with social commentary on class conflict and bloodsport/reality TV. Drags on juust a little bit at some points, but is more often exciting or tense, with some deliciously hateable antagonists.
This is absolutely bloody fantastic.
Amazing book.
Why almost nobody has read this, let alone talk about it, is beyond me.
There's a gigachad almighty god sculpted like a greek statue going against a ripped as fuck martial arts veteran version of Conan. Combined with an analysis of the dangers of capitalism and entertainment.
Fucking read this book.
Amazing book.
Why almost nobody has read this, let alone talk about it, is beyond me.
There's a gigachad almighty god sculpted like a greek statue going against a ripped as fuck martial arts veteran version of Conan. Combined with an analysis of the dangers of capitalism and entertainment.
Fucking read this book.