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A review by maxed
Dead Lies Dreaming by Charles Stross
1.0
The most disappointing book in Laundry universe. I can't believe it's not ghost-written. It's about as bad as later Asprin's Myth books. Instead of actual interesting heroes, we get an LGBT bingo, which to my eye seems like it could be offensive to actual LGBT readers, stereotypes and all. Some authors really should stick to "write what you know" - and Stross's forte is white male nerds. Yes, I understand Stross got tired of Bob Howard, but he was witty, he was relatable and he was interesting. Main characters in this book... They're not BAD. But there is nothing to them, I wouldn't miss them much if we never hear about them again.
The same couldn't be said of opposition. They ARE badly written. They all are Saturday-cartoon level baddies, maybe even Atlas Shrugged villains. Cringy as hell.
What's worse, it doesn't feels like this books advances the global story even one bit. The ending is weak in general, it doesn't feel very satisfying, and it doesn't feel like it changes anything in the book's world - unlike older Laundry stories, which were a steady progression toward CASE NIGHTMARE GREEN.
I really hope for another GOOD Laundry book, but I guess we're not getting one, with this being a new series? I guess it's time to say good bye to this particular universe, then. No book that uses the word "mansplaining" un-ironically is going to make it any better.
The same couldn't be said of opposition. They ARE badly written. They all are Saturday-cartoon level baddies, maybe even Atlas Shrugged villains. Cringy as hell.
What's worse, it doesn't feels like this books advances the global story even one bit. The ending is weak in general, it doesn't feel very satisfying, and it doesn't feel like it changes anything in the book's world - unlike older Laundry stories, which were a steady progression toward CASE NIGHTMARE GREEN.
I really hope for another GOOD Laundry book, but I guess we're not getting one, with this being a new series? I guess it's time to say good bye to this particular universe, then. No book that uses the word "mansplaining" un-ironically is going to make it any better.