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A review by snaillydia
The Oracle Year by Charles Soule
2.0
If I have to read through another "clever" monologue, I might just shoot myself.
Halfway through I couldn't believe such an interesting premise can turn into such a dull novel. Nothing is really happening, other than antagonists planning and monologuing, and trying very hard to be cool. Things pick up pace as we get closer to the climax, but the payoff is not worth the effort of reading through the rest of it.
Generally, this book thinks it's way smarter than it really is. Halfway through there's this "reveal", where a character practically explains the butterfly effect. Like, really? Did you really think the audience wouldn't have come up with that already? It's not like that concept has been popular in pop culture or anything, or that it's a common theme in most media that has to do with predicting the future. This "reveal" is just the author trying to sound smart when the only thing he's saying is that actions have consequences. Wow. So smart and cool.
Our protagonist is Will Dando, a struggling bassist who lives in NYC. That's all there is to him. He's a blank slate with no thoughts or emotions, other than the occasional twang of guilt. This novel could have done with a lot more insight into his inner workings. In his current state, it feels like he's only there to do what the plot wants him to do. We're supposed to like him because he's "heroic" but he's just... so bland. I don't know how I'm supposed to root for this guy.
Whatever. I'm excited to read better things now.
Halfway through I couldn't believe such an interesting premise can turn into such a dull novel. Nothing is really happening, other than antagonists planning and monologuing, and trying very hard to be cool. Things pick up pace as we get closer to the climax, but the payoff is not worth the effort of reading through the rest of it.
Generally, this book thinks it's way smarter than it really is. Halfway through there's this "reveal", where a character practically explains the butterfly effect. Like, really? Did you really think the audience wouldn't have come up with that already? It's not like that concept has been popular in pop culture or anything, or that it's a common theme in most media that has to do with predicting the future. This "reveal" is just the author trying to sound smart when the only thing he's saying is that actions have consequences. Wow. So smart and cool.
Our protagonist is Will Dando, a struggling bassist who lives in NYC. That's all there is to him. He's a blank slate with no thoughts or emotions, other than the occasional twang of guilt. This novel could have done with a lot more insight into his inner workings. In his current state, it feels like he's only there to do what the plot wants him to do. We're supposed to like him because he's "heroic" but he's just... so bland. I don't know how I'm supposed to root for this guy.
Whatever. I'm excited to read better things now.