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A review by yevolem
Echo of Worlds: Book Two of the Pandominion by
3.0
Now that all the characters have been established and gathered together it's time for them to put their plan into action. However, the plan requires most of the book to be prepared. The focus is no longer on learning about the characters but rather on gathering information and materials. A third, much more powerful force, is sought out to resolve the conflict that began in the first book and comes to a head in this one. The story continues to be narrated, though the narrator is made explicitly clear. This framing device doesn't seem to have served much purpose but it doesn't really detract either. This isn't much of a military or adventure story, so much as just doing stuff. There's nothing really wrong with that, though it wasn't what I wanted. Many others will enjoy it well enough.
On a personal level I'm considerably disappointed. I hoped it'd more with the premise of unlimited Earths. Unfortunately they're mostly a backdrop to what really matters, the conflict between the Pandominion and the Ansurrection, which didn't interest me. The synopsis does say that's what it's about, but I preferred not to believe. It also spells out the plot from beginning to end which says to me that the plot isn't what's important. The characters and themes are what matters. The characters all moderately enjoyable, nothing to praise or complain about. The themes weren't what I wanted to read.
The metaphors are even more heavy-handed this time around, especially with the ending, which I disliked for its convenience, immediacy, and how little what came before mattered. I disagree with its ideals, but more importantly they strain any suspension of disbelief. I have no problem at all with stories that others may find embarrassing that rely on the power of courage, friendship, and determination. By comparison, it's recently become evident to me through multiple examples that I do have a problem with empathy being the solution by itself. I can't accept that it's that simple or believe that it resolves matters so easily. No matter how much we learn or understand each other there may still remain irreconcilable differences in goals and values that results in conflict. The problem is that thematically that's what this series is about, to the exclusion of almost all else.
This series should've been a single book that condensed the plot. That way it would also be more suitable for what it may well become, a movie or TV series, as was the case with a previous work by the author, The Girl with all the Gifts. I'd watch it if it were done tolerably well. As for reading more books from this author, it's a toss-up because I believe they'd continue to be initially promising but end up disappointing, as has been the case before. I believe the average reader will enjoy this more than I did and I don't see any problem with problem with recommending it to others as the issues I have with it are personal.
On a personal level I'm considerably disappointed. I hoped it'd more with the premise of unlimited Earths. Unfortunately they're mostly a backdrop to what really matters, the conflict between the Pandominion and the Ansurrection, which didn't interest me. The synopsis does say that's what it's about, but I preferred not to believe. It also spells out the plot from beginning to end which says to me that the plot isn't what's important. The characters and themes are what matters. The characters all moderately enjoyable, nothing to praise or complain about. The themes weren't what I wanted to read.
The metaphors are even more heavy-handed this time around, especially with the ending, which I disliked for its convenience, immediacy, and how little what came before mattered. I disagree with its ideals, but more importantly they strain any suspension of disbelief. I have no problem at all with stories that others may find embarrassing that rely on the power of courage, friendship, and determination. By comparison, it's recently become evident to me through multiple examples that I do have a problem with empathy being the solution by itself. I can't accept that it's that simple or believe that it resolves matters so easily. No matter how much we learn or understand each other there may still remain irreconcilable differences in goals and values that results in conflict. The problem is that thematically that's what this series is about, to the exclusion of almost all else.
This series should've been a single book that condensed the plot. That way it would also be more suitable for what it may well become, a movie or TV series, as was the case with a previous work by the author, The Girl with all the Gifts. I'd watch it if it were done tolerably well. As for reading more books from this author, it's a toss-up because I believe they'd continue to be initially promising but end up disappointing, as has been the case before. I believe the average reader will enjoy this more than I did and I don't see any problem with problem with recommending it to others as the issues I have with it are personal.