Scan barcode
abbymorris13's review
4.0
After two books of build up, the main players havw joined the game and man is it worth it
konain's review against another edition
3.0
Pros - Fast paced action and........umm. That's it!
Cons: Too many peripheral characters given prime time. Main characters with developed arcs get much less stage time. Profound story changing events treated in a cavalier fashion. Felice's arc becomes almost unbelievable.
Cons: Too many peripheral characters given prime time. Main characters with developed arcs get much less stage time. Profound story changing events treated in a cavalier fashion. Felice's arc becomes almost unbelievable.
branch_c's review against another edition
4.0
Although I'd read this twice before, the last time was ten years ago, so I have to admit I'd forgotten some of the details. This made the re-reading familiar overall but with some twists that were unexpected until the last moment. The series continues to be as fantastic as I'd recalled, with more complicated machinations among humans, Tanu and Firvulag in the aftermath of the flood. It's also in this volume that we start to learn more about Marc Remillard, his family, and his band of rebels, laying the groundwork for his prominence in the final Pliocene book (about which I'm also a bit hazy now) as well as the Milieu saga. Nearly every character is multifaceted, with even the most villainous having some sympathetic qualities. May's writing is sharp, humorous, and brilliant as always. Highly recommended!
wazbar's review against another edition
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
3.0
It's increasingly hard to talk about this series even in vague terms because, three books in, it's almost impossible to give context for all the high concept sf jazz that's happening here. Anyway, we're 3/4 through an immense, high magic, low fantasy, densely plotted political sf story with dozens of characters and it's amazing how well it continues to work.
That said, this book felt weaker than the two before it. I got the sense that much of the fun and whimsy of the earlier books was lost in a hustle to get the (still pretty good) plot where May wanted it to be for book four. We spent a lot of time with a lot or characters who kind of sucked and not as much with others who are more fun. There are some quite interesting things that happen entirely off-page, which is a bit of a bummer. I did not love how this book treated Felice.
I will likely be finishing out the quartet.
That said, this book felt weaker than the two before it. I got the sense that much of the fun and whimsy of the earlier books was lost in a hustle to get the (still pretty good) plot where May wanted it to be for book four. We spent a lot of time with a lot or characters who kind of sucked and not as much with others who are more fun. There are some quite interesting things that happen entirely off-page, which is a bit of a bummer. I did not love how this book treated Felice.
I will likely be finishing out the quartet.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape
Minor: Pregnancy and Incest
sepptb's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racial slurs, Racism, and Transphobia
docpacey's review against another edition
5.0
There is really no letup in this series, the world is well established, the pieces are in place and this third book brings not one, but two big showdowns. Satisfying every time.
thinde's review against another edition
5.0
This series takes a turn towards heavy politics from the start of this book. If you're not into Machiavellian maneuverings, then caution is advised.
katmarhan's review against another edition
4.0
8/10
While I sometimes have trouble keeping the characters, the races (human, hybrid, Tanu, Firvulag, Howler) and the factions within in race straight (yes, I would have liked a cast of characters list), the story itself moves right along and plot developments resolve some issues and complicate others. I like the blending of time travel, modern/futuristic technology, tools, and weapons, and metapsychic powers. One more book in the Saga of Pliocene Exile to bring it to a satisfying conclusion, I hope!
While I sometimes have trouble keeping the characters, the races (human, hybrid, Tanu, Firvulag, Howler) and the factions within in race straight (yes, I would have liked a cast of characters list), the story itself moves right along and plot developments resolve some issues and complicate others. I like the blending of time travel, modern/futuristic technology, tools, and weapons, and metapsychic powers. One more book in the Saga of Pliocene Exile to bring it to a satisfying conclusion, I hope!
mgeake's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75