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3.81 AVERAGE
3.81 AVERAGE
Pretty darn good. The comparisons to Star Wars aren't perfect, but the idea of the space epic, more about characters than "tech", is there. The characters are well-written, and there are a few decent surprises/twists in the book. The equivalent of a well-done "space fantasy" film.
I also appreciate the female leads, who are written as people and not as "badass girls," something that can happen when guys write female protagonists. There is a bit of existentialism in the book, an attempt at deeper meaning, that falls a bit flat as far as philosophizing, but works for the story (think of modern popular sci-fi/space/end-of-world films as an example). This could easily be made into a Marvel movie, for example.
So pretty light, but with enough thought into the characters and plot to make it something more than brainless entertainment.
I also appreciate the female leads, who are written as people and not as "badass girls," something that can happen when guys write female protagonists. There is a bit of existentialism in the book, an attempt at deeper meaning, that falls a bit flat as far as philosophizing, but works for the story (think of modern popular sci-fi/space/end-of-world films as an example). This could easily be made into a Marvel movie, for example.
So pretty light, but with enough thought into the characters and plot to make it something more than brainless entertainment.
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
medium-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:
Yes
adventurous
fast-paced
This book too me a while to get into, but once I did, it was incredible. I am planning on reading it again to fully understand the world. It's a bit more complicated but an amazing space opera. The twists that come are well thought out and hinted. The female characters are incredible, and full. I really enjoyed it and it was very different from anything I have read this year.
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-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
After loving "This Is How You Lose the Time War", I decided to check out Max Gladstone's other work. I'm glad I did, because I had so much fun reading this. Let me start by saying epic space opera is extremely not my usual genre, so I wasn't sure I'd be into it. While space operas still aren't my favorite, I had a great time and this definitely made me more likely to try other similar books in the future.
The prose alternates between pretty standard, clear, and engaging to more flowery, descriptive language that I recognized from "This Is How You Lose the Time War", and those were some of my favorite parts. The plot is a zany, save-the-universe adventure spanning different worlds and featuring a found family where every character has depth and understandable motivations.
Read this if you like the idea of a sapphic Guardians of the Galaxy with plenty of plot twists and tenderly felt lyrical writing.
The prose alternates between pretty standard, clear, and engaging to more flowery, descriptive language that I recognized from "This Is How You Lose the Time War", and those were some of my favorite parts. The plot is a zany, save-the-universe adventure spanning different worlds and featuring a found family where every character has depth and understandable motivations.
Read this if you like the idea of a sapphic Guardians of the Galaxy with plenty of plot twists and tenderly felt lyrical writing.
adventurous
hopeful
fast-paced
adventurous
challenging
emotional
reflective
tense
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
2.5 stars. I wanted to love this more than I did, but it was just too darn long. I'll stick to the Craft Sequence series for now.
Just finished. Not sure I understand the ending still, but it was good. Solid. You understood Viv and Zanj and Xiara, and Hong and Gray. Understood. Got the plot though there was enough where I went hmmm… do I know what’s going on? Does anyone? Enough where the questions rose of is this sci-fi or is this fantasy and does it really matter or make a difference? I still can’t quite wrap my mind around the Pride. However it’s good. Perhaps a little trippy, but engaging.