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A review by zachreadsfantasy
Ashes of Man by Christopher Ruocchio
5.0
Amazing. I could not put this book down. The second half is intense and action-packed with a breathtaking ending. Lots of people think Ashes of Man is one of the weaker Sun Eater books, and I vehemently disagree.
First of all, when EVERY book is outstanding saying this is a weak entry (which it isn’t) is not saying much, because it’s frickin’ incredible. Second, this book’s themes of trauma, grief and loss following the events of Kingdoms of Death are profound and meaningful. Real life is full of heartache. I love reading an author and their characters wrestling with these themes. Third, the ending. Oh man. The ending. No spoilers. I’ll leave that there.
I can’t write a Sun Eater review without once again shouting from the rooftops that Christopher Ruocchio is a prodigy. I love his prose and writing style. I love his philosophical musings. I love his descriptions. I love his character work. I love when Hadrian, writing his tale in the future, writes to us the Reader. Ruocchio writes great action too and is superb at building tension and suspense. Just wonderful all around and a perfect fit for me. I just cannot stop praising Ruocchio; he’s such a gifted author.
This series just continues to get better for me, which is incredible, and frankly not what I expected. I sometimes burn out on sci-fi series. This one is definitely leaning more on the fantasy side of the spectrum, and it just keeps coming with amazing book after amazing book.
I am immediately diving into the next novella, short story collection and finally catching up with the penultimate book, Disquiet Gods. I can already tell the final Sun Eater book will be one of the most anticipated book releases I’ve ever waited for, right up there with Wheel of Time and now Stormlight Archive. Pretty good company, I’d say.
Sun Eater
First of all, when EVERY book is outstanding saying this is a weak entry (which it isn’t) is not saying much, because it’s frickin’ incredible. Second, this book’s themes of trauma, grief and loss following the events of Kingdoms of Death are profound and meaningful. Real life is full of heartache. I love reading an author and their characters wrestling with these themes. Third, the ending. Oh man. The ending. No spoilers. I’ll leave that there.
I can’t write a Sun Eater review without once again shouting from the rooftops that Christopher Ruocchio is a prodigy. I love his prose and writing style. I love his philosophical musings. I love his descriptions. I love his character work. I love when Hadrian, writing his tale in the future, writes to us the Reader. Ruocchio writes great action too and is superb at building tension and suspense. Just wonderful all around and a perfect fit for me. I just cannot stop praising Ruocchio; he’s such a gifted author.
This series just continues to get better for me, which is incredible, and frankly not what I expected. I sometimes burn out on sci-fi series. This one is definitely leaning more on the fantasy side of the spectrum, and it just keeps coming with amazing book after amazing book.
I am immediately diving into the next novella, short story collection and finally catching up with the penultimate book, Disquiet Gods. I can already tell the final Sun Eater book will be one of the most anticipated book releases I’ve ever waited for, right up there with Wheel of Time and now Stormlight Archive. Pretty good company, I’d say.
Sun Eater
Book 1: Empire of Silence – 5/5
Novella: The Lesser Devil – 4.5/5
Book 2: Howling Dark – 5/5
Novella: Queen Amid Ashes – 4.5/5
Short Story Collection: Tales of the Sun Eater, Volume 1 – 3/5
Book 3: Demon in White – 5/5
Short Story Collection: Tales of the Sun Eater, Volume 2 – 4/5
Book 4: Kingdoms of Death – 5/5
Book 5: Ashes of Man – 5/5