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No Place Left To Hide by Megan Lally
3.25
Read Completed 1/20/25 | 3.25 stars | Book #4 of 2025
Megan Lally's debut, THAT'S NOT MY NAME, was my favorite book of 2024, so needless to say, I had really high hopes for this one. I did get to see seem reviews that put my expectations in place before I read it, so that definitely helped my enjoyment, though.
This was an easy read, much more young adult in terms of.... reading level? It was much simpler and less complex than THAT'S NOT MY NAME. I didn't enjoy it as much, but it was easy to breeze through and I really did like the ending! It had a little bit more of a slasher vibe than psychological thriller, which can still be fun but usually doesn't blow me away.
The beginning took a little too long for my tastes, since it's a shorter book. By 20%, I'm hoping to really be into the heart-pounding thriller aspects and we were still setting up high school parties -- in the present and in the past. I wished there was a little more sinister of a feeling to the flashbacks. It took a while to really get dark!
I liked a lot about the ending and I could have given it 3.5, but part of the believability took me back down. It was still a fun read, but much less gripping than TNMN, in my opinion!
Megan Lally's debut, THAT'S NOT MY NAME, was my favorite book of 2024, so needless to say, I had really high hopes for this one. I did get to see seem reviews that put my expectations in place before I read it, so that definitely helped my enjoyment, though.
This was an easy read, much more young adult in terms of.... reading level? It was much simpler and less complex than THAT'S NOT MY NAME. I didn't enjoy it as much, but it was easy to breeze through and I really did like the ending! It had a little bit more of a slasher vibe than psychological thriller, which can still be fun but usually doesn't blow me away.
The beginning took a little too long for my tastes, since it's a shorter book. By 20%, I'm hoping to really be into the heart-pounding thriller aspects and we were still setting up high school parties -- in the present and in the past. I wished there was a little more sinister of a feeling to the flashbacks. It took a while to really get dark!
I liked a lot about the ending and I could have given it 3.5, but part of the believability took me back down. It was still a fun read, but much less gripping than TNMN, in my opinion!
Wind and Truth by Brandon Sanderson
3.75
Read Completed 1/19/25 | 3.75 - 4 stars
I did it! I made it! I did an entire Stormlight reread before this and whew, it was a long journey. Let's see if I can gather some thoughts about WIND AND TRUTH.
Firstly, I always enjoy every Cosmere book. I don't think I've rated any Cosmere book under 4 stars (some non-related books of his, yes) so while I have some *thoughts* on WIND AND TRUTH. Also ** there will be spoilers** so you've been warned.
Yes, I did enjoy it but I also felt like it was really choppy. I don't know if it's a fact, but it felt like the amount of time we spend with each character before jumping to another one felt very fast and short. I just wanted to spend large amounts of time with some of them, even if it wasn't chronologically correct according to what was going on. Especially spending time in places like Shadesmar, or spending time learning about Rosharan history -- things I really wanted to give my time and attention to.
The book also spent a LOT of time with side that I didn't like as much and it felt like there wasn't a good enough reason to spend so much time with them. I never really connected with Venli as much as I wanted to and I think most of it was because she shows up later and we don't know enough about the Singers for me to immediately connect. I WANTED to know more but I always found it difficult. I don't think her POV added ENOUGH to this story line to be a secondary character POV over just an interlude. There was also a ton of time learning Szeth's history, which was important, but maybe it was a little TOO much time. He was important to the ending, but flipping back and forth to his history really kept bringing the momentum down.
I also felt like this was the book with the least amount of character growth. Some characters make HUGE shifts in their futures, but I think the really hit the peak of their growth in RHYTHM OF WAR and made the final choices here. I would have loved to see a little bit more character in personality, which is why I loved Adolin's perspective in this book. He brought a lightness and a genuine attitude when everyone else was saving the end of the world.
This is the end of the *arc*, not the end of the series, so there's still a lot more to come. I don't know exactly if everyone will be returning, but I also felt like considering the consequences, Sanderson could have put a lot more people in mortal peril. I would have liked to see some more high stakes consequences, because everyone kind of coming out okay didn't really hit me in the emotions like I was expecting. YES, there is some really serious shit that goes down, but I also expected/hoped for more.
I also felt like some of the ending did a disservice to the series. The rushed history of the Heralds, the fracturing of shards, etc -- why couldn't we have gotten more of this throughout the series instead of just the last quarter of this book? I could legit use a whole "novella" (I say "novella" because Sanderson's short books are still 300+ pages) about Adonalsium, Shards, Splinters, the humans coming to Roshar, etc. I would have liked to read this -- like Edgedancer and Dawnshard -- before this installment. ALSO speaking of Dawnshards, more happened there and I still don't understand it? I guess that's going to be a part of Arc #2, but why not go into it more here? There were still a lot of unanswered questions. I guess to get us to come back to Arc 2 after however many years it's going to take, but I'm a little disappointed some things didn't get wrapped up.
During my reread, I realized how much I kind of got lost in the Shadesmar parts and I equally got lost in the Spiritual Realm here. I think we spent too much time there. The Spiritual realm really kind of has no rules. People get sucked in to memories and visions all the time and nothing is real, but it is. I wanted more order, and I get if that's not the place for it, but I think it dragged on and on when we didn't need to have 125 different visions. Maybe cut it down.
Kaladin being a damn therapist -- and literally using that term -- was cringe-worthy. I don't mind him working through that and taking up that calling to help others, but it felt too forced and too 21st century Earth. I actually really appreciate the mental health reps in these books, but I feel like we were just hit over the head here multiple times. We can understand what's happening without being told about THERAPY. You could have just as easily said counselor and that would have 100% been okay.
I'm disappointed in the lack of closure with the Ghostbloods. Again, it seems like that's going to be a HUGE part of Arc 2 (and probably Mistborn Era 3), but also again, it would be nice to have a semi-closure there. I liked that Shallan got left in Shadesmar, though. I like the messing with time. I liked Dalinar's sacrifice, but wanted to spend more time with Wit working through what all of it MEANT. The really interesting stuff -- to me -- came all with the Sanderlanche in the last 10%, but why couldn't we have had MORE MORE MORE of it throughout the whole book!?! There were still some really good things but too much got saved for the end.
TL;DR: I think this just had too much ... I wouldn't fall it fluff or filler... but while things were constantly moving, it was like moving laterally for a long time. A LONG time. We could have had some other BIG world-building reveals throughout the book that really would have had me amazed, but it was all saved until the end, and by then, I felt a little deflated. I rated this 4 stars, but my gut tells me to knock some points off. We'll see how I feel after sitting with it and talking about it with others.
I did it! I made it! I did an entire Stormlight reread before this and whew, it was a long journey. Let's see if I can gather some thoughts about WIND AND TRUTH.
Firstly, I always enjoy every Cosmere book. I don't think I've rated any Cosmere book under 4 stars (some non-related books of his, yes) so while I have some *thoughts* on WIND AND TRUTH. Also ** there will be spoilers** so you've been warned.
Yes, I did enjoy it but I also felt like it was really choppy. I don't know if it's a fact, but it felt like the amount of time we spend with each character before jumping to another one felt very fast and short. I just wanted to spend large amounts of time with some of them, even if it wasn't chronologically correct according to what was going on. Especially spending time in places like Shadesmar, or spending time learning about Rosharan history -- things I really wanted to give my time and attention to.
The book also spent a LOT of time with side that I didn't like as much and it felt like there wasn't a good enough reason to spend so much time with them. I never really connected with Venli as much as I wanted to and I think most of it was because she shows up later and we don't know enough about the Singers for me to immediately connect. I WANTED to know more but I always found it difficult. I don't think her POV added ENOUGH to this story line to be a secondary character POV over just an interlude. There was also a ton of time learning Szeth's history, which was important, but maybe it was a little TOO much time. He was important to the ending, but flipping back and forth to his history really kept bringing the momentum down.
I also felt like this was the book with the least amount of character growth. Some characters make HUGE shifts in their futures, but I think the really hit the peak of their growth in RHYTHM OF WAR and made the final choices here. I would have loved to see a little bit more character in personality, which is why I loved Adolin's perspective in this book. He brought a lightness and a genuine attitude when everyone else was saving the end of the world.
This is the end of the *arc*, not the end of the series, so there's still a lot more to come. I don't know exactly if everyone will be returning, but I also felt like considering the consequences, Sanderson could have put a lot more people in mortal peril. I would have liked to see some more high stakes consequences, because everyone kind of coming out okay didn't really hit me in the emotions like I was expecting. YES, there is some really serious shit that goes down, but I also expected/hoped for more.
I also felt like some of the ending did a disservice to the series. The rushed history of the Heralds, the fracturing of shards, etc -- why couldn't we have gotten more of this throughout the series instead of just the last quarter of this book? I could legit use a whole "novella" (I say "novella" because Sanderson's short books are still 300+ pages) about Adonalsium, Shards, Splinters, the humans coming to Roshar, etc. I would have liked to read this -- like Edgedancer and Dawnshard -- before this installment. ALSO speaking of Dawnshards, more happened there and I still don't understand it? I guess that's going to be a part of Arc #2, but why not go into it more here? There were still a lot of unanswered questions. I guess to get us to come back to Arc 2 after however many years it's going to take, but I'm a little disappointed some things didn't get wrapped up.
During my reread, I realized how much I kind of got lost in the Shadesmar parts and I equally got lost in the Spiritual Realm here. I think we spent too much time there. The Spiritual realm really kind of has no rules. People get sucked in to memories and visions all the time and nothing is real, but it is. I wanted more order, and I get if that's not the place for it, but I think it dragged on and on when we didn't need to have 125 different visions. Maybe cut it down.
Kaladin being a damn therapist -- and literally using that term -- was cringe-worthy. I don't mind him working through that and taking up that calling to help others, but it felt too forced and too 21st century Earth. I actually really appreciate the mental health reps in these books, but I feel like we were just hit over the head here multiple times. We can understand what's happening without being told about THERAPY. You could have just as easily said counselor and that would have 100% been okay.
I'm disappointed in the lack of closure with the Ghostbloods. Again, it seems like that's going to be a HUGE part of Arc 2 (and probably Mistborn Era 3), but also again, it would be nice to have a semi-closure there. I liked that Shallan got left in Shadesmar, though. I like the messing with time. I liked Dalinar's sacrifice, but wanted to spend more time with Wit working through what all of it MEANT. The really interesting stuff -- to me -- came all with the Sanderlanche in the last 10%, but why couldn't we have had MORE MORE MORE of it throughout the whole book!?! There were still some really good things but too much got saved for the end.
TL;DR: I think this just had too much ... I wouldn't fall it fluff or filler... but while things were constantly moving, it was like moving laterally for a long time. A LONG time. We could have had some other BIG world-building reveals throughout the book that really would have had me amazed, but it was all saved until the end, and by then, I felt a little deflated. I rated this 4 stars, but my gut tells me to knock some points off. We'll see how I feel after sitting with it and talking about it with others.
A Killing Cold by Kate Alice Marshall
3.5
Read Completed 1/2/25 | 3.5 stars
I listened to an advanced review copy of this audiobook. Thank you to Macmillan Audio via Netgalley for this opportunity.
Ah, the curse of the first book of the year. I can never love it, can I?
WHAT LIES IN THE WOODS, Kate Alice Marshall's adult debut, remains one of my favorite thrillers, but her subsequent adult thrillers just haven't done it for me lately. For some reason, I just really never got into this book and I had such a hard time connecting to any of the characters. Theo was just very mid-level, and hard to get to know with a mysterious past and missing memories. There was a lot of focus on her past, but we didn't get to KNOW her NOW. She didn't have much personality, nor did anyone else in the book. Everyone was just a character and no one felt like a real person.
There were also a few too many characters here for me. Usually it's not an issue but since the characters weren't super memorable, half of the men just kind of blended together which really didn't help things once accusations started flying around. I just didn't care about them enough and they didn't stand out enough for me to really set each one of them in their place.
I was also disappointed in Connor's involvement. He was a pretty boring character, and I supposed he didn't have be to someone so outstanding, but I wanted more personality from him too. He existed just to pull Theo into the story and really served no other purpose.
The plot was just fine for me. The story was engaging enough and there were a couple times that I was allllmost really into it. It's still well put-together, even if I didn't love the structure of it. I really didn't like the moments in the past going back to third person, switching from the book's first person POV. I get that it's to distance yourself from what's going on, but it felt awkward every time it popped in. I think I would have liked a bigger reveal closer to the end that having it peppered in the whole book.
I don't know! This one just didn't do it for me. I felt disconnected the whole time. Maybe I read it at the wrong time, taking a break during my fantasy reads to get a couple of "regular sized" books in before I dive back into to 1000+ page books, but I just didn't connect with this really at all. Maybe I hyped myself up too much, or maybe it just wasn't the story for me. I don't connect with every single book from a thriller author and it's rare that I do. I saw so much potential in this but this just didn't pull me in.
AUDIOBOOK THOUGHTS: I'm also really tiring of Karissa Vacker's narration. I really hated it here for some reason. She was my favorite narrator for a really long time and I still think she does a nice job, but I just didn't like her voice for this story. I wanted someone new, gritty, tough. She's too soft.
I listened to an advanced review copy of this audiobook. Thank you to Macmillan Audio via Netgalley for this opportunity.
Ah, the curse of the first book of the year. I can never love it, can I?
WHAT LIES IN THE WOODS, Kate Alice Marshall's adult debut, remains one of my favorite thrillers, but her subsequent adult thrillers just haven't done it for me lately. For some reason, I just really never got into this book and I had such a hard time connecting to any of the characters. Theo was just very mid-level, and hard to get to know with a mysterious past and missing memories. There was a lot of focus on her past, but we didn't get to KNOW her NOW. She didn't have much personality, nor did anyone else in the book. Everyone was just a character and no one felt like a real person.
There were also a few too many characters here for me. Usually it's not an issue but since the characters weren't super memorable, half of the men just kind of blended together which really didn't help things once accusations started flying around. I just didn't care about them enough and they didn't stand out enough for me to really set each one of them in their place.
I was also disappointed in Connor's involvement. He was a pretty boring character, and I supposed he didn't have be to someone so outstanding, but I wanted more personality from him too. He existed just to pull Theo into the story and really served no other purpose.
The plot was just fine for me. The story was engaging enough and there were a couple times that I was allllmost really into it. It's still well put-together, even if I didn't love the structure of it. I really didn't like the moments in the past going back to third person, switching from the book's first person POV. I get that it's to distance yourself from what's going on, but it felt awkward every time it popped in. I think I would have liked a bigger reveal closer to the end that having it peppered in the whole book.
I don't know! This one just didn't do it for me. I felt disconnected the whole time. Maybe I read it at the wrong time, taking a break during my fantasy reads to get a couple of "regular sized" books in before I dive back into to 1000+ page books, but I just didn't connect with this really at all. Maybe I hyped myself up too much, or maybe it just wasn't the story for me. I don't connect with every single book from a thriller author and it's rare that I do. I saw so much potential in this but this just didn't pull me in.
AUDIOBOOK THOUGHTS: I'm also really tiring of Karissa Vacker's narration. I really hated it here for some reason. She was my favorite narrator for a really long time and I still think she does a nice job, but I just didn't like her voice for this story. I wanted someone new, gritty, tough. She's too soft.
A Secret Worth Keeping by Drew Strickland
2.0
Read Completed 12/31/24 | 2 stars
This was just okay, but the ending was a little silly for me, and a little too far-fetched.
This was just okay, but the ending was a little silly for me, and a little too far-fetched.
A Friend Indeed by Elka Ray
3.0
Read Completed 12/30/24 | 3 stars
This was just okay! There really wasn't anything wrong with it but it was very "typical thriller" that didn't really bring anything new to the plate and included plots that I've seen many times before. I do think that the author wrote a good story, though! While it wasn't something that will be memorable for me, it was an enjoyable read and I really got to know both characters. I wish we had gotten a little more depth to the main characters and the middle had a few lulls where it got a little repetitive, but I was satisfied with the read and it was an easy thriller that flew by!
This was just okay! There really wasn't anything wrong with it but it was very "typical thriller" that didn't really bring anything new to the plate and included plots that I've seen many times before. I do think that the author wrote a good story, though! While it wasn't something that will be memorable for me, it was an enjoyable read and I really got to know both characters. I wish we had gotten a little more depth to the main characters and the middle had a few lulls where it got a little repetitive, but I was satisfied with the read and it was an easy thriller that flew by!
The Business Trip by Jessie Garcia
4.0
This was really, really fun and exactly what I needed! It shocked me a few times and I really loved what was happening. Sadly it turned a little too popcorn thriller in the ending, going a little overboard. The audiobook was also great with new narrators for each new POV. Loved the full cast.
Adrift in Currents Clean and Clear by Seanan McGuire
2.0
Read Completed 11/29/24 | 2 stars
1 | Every Heart a Doorway ★★★★☆
2 | Down Among the Sticks and Bones ★★★★☆
3 | Beneath the Sugar Sky ★★★★☆
4 | In an Absent Dream ★★★★☆
5 | Come Tumbling Down ★★★☆☆
6 | Across the Green Grass Fields ★★★★☆
7 | Where the Drowned Girls Go ★★☆☆☆
8 | Lost in the Moment and Found ★★★☆☆
9 | Mislaid in Parts Half-Known ★★★☆☆
10 | Adrift in Currents Clean and Clear ★★☆☆☆
I'm just not sure why I'm not connecting with these anymore. I found this installment entirely boring and couldn't get any interested in this world. I think I really don't like the worlds that are more folklore & fairy tale with animals as a MAIN part of the world. I have a really hard time with it not feeling like just a nursery rhyme -- which could also entirely be the point.
I really, really didn't like the concept of Nadya's prothesis. In the beginning, when it's her adoptive parents making the decision for her, it's a terrible thing that she's never consulted or asked if it's what she wants to do... but then when she magically gets a prosthesis in the underwater world, it's totally okay. So is it what she wanted all along and that's why magic grants it to her? I thought it would be more lovely if she didn't have that because she kept saying how she was perfect the way she was born. I thought it would make more sense for her to perfectly adept for this world that welcomed her without adding something like that -- that would be better suited for continuing the concept that she was perfect the way she was.
I keep getting disappointed in this series, but I loved the early installments so I keep trying. I think the origin stories are more difficult because they're so separate from the *plot*. I know that's not the point of a lot of these origin stories, but something just feels a little empty at times.
This was just a miss for me because of what the world was and it wasn't something I enjoyed, but there were also elements that I just didn't enjoy and some writing choices I didn't love. I'll keep trying a few more, but if they keep going like this, I may have to abandon this series.
1 | Every Heart a Doorway ★★★★☆
2 | Down Among the Sticks and Bones ★★★★☆
3 | Beneath the Sugar Sky ★★★★☆
4 | In an Absent Dream ★★★★☆
5 | Come Tumbling Down ★★★☆☆
6 | Across the Green Grass Fields ★★★★☆
7 | Where the Drowned Girls Go ★★☆☆☆
8 | Lost in the Moment and Found ★★★☆☆
9 | Mislaid in Parts Half-Known ★★★☆☆
10 | Adrift in Currents Clean and Clear ★★☆☆☆
I'm just not sure why I'm not connecting with these anymore. I found this installment entirely boring and couldn't get any interested in this world. I think I really don't like the worlds that are more folklore & fairy tale with animals as a MAIN part of the world. I have a really hard time with it not feeling like just a nursery rhyme -- which could also entirely be the point.
I really, really didn't like the concept of Nadya's prothesis. In the beginning, when it's her adoptive parents making the decision for her, it's a terrible thing that she's never consulted or asked if it's what she wants to do... but then when she magically gets a prosthesis in the underwater world, it's totally okay. So is it what she wanted all along and that's why magic grants it to her? I thought it would be more lovely if she didn't have that because she kept saying how she was perfect the way she was born. I thought it would make more sense for her to perfectly adept for this world that welcomed her without adding something like that -- that would be better suited for continuing the concept that she was perfect the way she was.
I keep getting disappointed in this series, but I loved the early installments so I keep trying. I think the origin stories are more difficult because they're so separate from the *plot*. I know that's not the point of a lot of these origin stories, but something just feels a little empty at times.
This was just a miss for me because of what the world was and it wasn't something I enjoyed, but there were also elements that I just didn't enjoy and some writing choices I didn't love. I'll keep trying a few more, but if they keep going like this, I may have to abandon this series.
The Lake of Lost Girls by Katherine Greene
4.0
Read Completed 11/26/24 | 4 stars
This was a hard one to rate! I enjoyed the book all the way through, and the ending was positively thrilling for me, but I didn't love the reasoning behind everything. I wasn't even going to pick up this book, but I saw several social media posts about how it was a good audiobook and I'm a sucker for anything podcast-related for thrillers (even though I don't even listen to podcasts). Because of everyone raving, I was hoping for a *little* more audiobook production, but there are different narrators and podcast snippets for the reader to enjoy!
The two main POVs worked well here. We get the main POV of Lindsey who is now 30 years old, 24 years after the disappearance of her older sister Jessica. Jessica was much older than Lindsey and was in college when she disappeared at Lindsey's 6th birthday party. After news pops up about bodies in a nearby lake, Lindsey begins to look into her sister's disappearance on her own, and a podcast looking into it as well spurs her to dive deeper.
We also get Jessica's POV in the past, back when she was in college and before she disappeared. We see her life slowly falling apart, things that Lindsey never knew about because she was too young, and how all of these things created too many threads to follow upon her disappearance.
I really enjoyed the writing style and just really clicked with the book! This was definitely a fun read, full of mystery, thrills, and kept me on the edge of my seat. The finale in this book was so exciting! I could not stop reading, my jaw dropped, and I was seriously hooked. It was something I haven't felt in a thriller in a long time!
My only complaint was that I really, really didn't like the reasoning for everything that happened. I can't go into detail because it's an enormous spoiler, but if that ONE thing was changed, this would have been a five star book. I thought the reasons for the murders didn't quite make sense and I either needed some more detail, or less of something else. Something about it didn't really feel balanced and logical. I wanted this to be a five star book SO BADLY, but it was a fun read and I'm so happy the ending surprised me! It will definitely be a make-or-break moment for many readers though, I think.
READ THIS IF YOU LIKED...
- THE CHEERLEADERS by Kara Thomas
This was a hard one to rate! I enjoyed the book all the way through, and the ending was positively thrilling for me, but I didn't love the reasoning behind everything. I wasn't even going to pick up this book, but I saw several social media posts about how it was a good audiobook and I'm a sucker for anything podcast-related for thrillers (even though I don't even listen to podcasts). Because of everyone raving, I was hoping for a *little* more audiobook production, but there are different narrators and podcast snippets for the reader to enjoy!
The two main POVs worked well here. We get the main POV of Lindsey who is now 30 years old, 24 years after the disappearance of her older sister Jessica. Jessica was much older than Lindsey and was in college when she disappeared at Lindsey's 6th birthday party. After news pops up about bodies in a nearby lake, Lindsey begins to look into her sister's disappearance on her own, and a podcast looking into it as well spurs her to dive deeper.
We also get Jessica's POV in the past, back when she was in college and before she disappeared. We see her life slowly falling apart, things that Lindsey never knew about because she was too young, and how all of these things created too many threads to follow upon her disappearance.
I really enjoyed the writing style and just really clicked with the book! This was definitely a fun read, full of mystery, thrills, and kept me on the edge of my seat. The finale in this book was so exciting! I could not stop reading, my jaw dropped, and I was seriously hooked. It was something I haven't felt in a thriller in a long time!
My only complaint was that I really, really didn't like the reasoning for everything that happened. I can't go into detail because it's an enormous spoiler, but if that ONE thing was changed, this would have been a five star book. I thought the reasons for the murders didn't quite make sense and I either needed some more detail, or less of something else. Something about it didn't really feel balanced and logical. I wanted this to be a five star book SO BADLY, but it was a fun read and I'm so happy the ending surprised me! It will definitely be a make-or-break moment for many readers though, I think.
READ THIS IF YOU LIKED...
- THE CHEERLEADERS by Kara Thomas
Now or Never by Janet Evanovich
3.5
Read Completed 11/23/24 | 3.5 stars
These are just fun, light filler reads at this point. Thankfully this book was less goofy than a lot of the middle numbers of the series, and we FINALLY have some decision-making regarding the 31 book long love triangle. I love the characters but whew, that was a long time coming.
I liked the mystery and the chase! It was easy to follow, as usual, and while it involved some goofy characters, it was still not too over-the-top.
These are just fun, light filler reads at this point. Thankfully this book was less goofy than a lot of the middle numbers of the series, and we FINALLY have some decision-making regarding the 31 book long love triangle. I love the characters but whew, that was a long time coming.
I liked the mystery and the chase! It was easy to follow, as usual, and while it involved some goofy characters, it was still not too over-the-top.
Empire of Silence by Christopher Ruocchio
4.0
Read Completed 11/21/24 | 3.75 - 4 stars, rounded up
I had no idea what I was in for picking up this series. I just knew that it was very well-loved and I couldn't tell if it was sci-fi or fantasy or both. What I got was very accurate according to many reviews in that it felt like THE NAME OF THE WIND by Patrick Rothfuss, but sci-fi instead of fantasy (oh, and this series will actually be completed).
EMPIRE OF SILENCE -- and the rest of the series -- is a story told by Hadrian Marlowe. If you've ready TNOTW, you'll feel the similarity in that this story has already concluded and we're receiving it from Hadrian himself at a time when everything is long past. I actually didn't really love some of those asides when Hadrian interjects because I actually would have rather had some questions about if he ever sees some of these characters again, because at least twice he tells the reader "that was the last time I saw him/her", if not more. I guess there's no point in me wondering, but it does allow me to have a curiosity and let my mind wander. There were also a couple characters that I DID want him to see again, so I was a little disappointed sometimes.
This book is not RED RISING. It's not action-packed or fast-paced. While it is science fiction and not fantasy, it has the long and meandering pace of many longer fantasy novels, like I mentioned THE NAME OF THE WIND and even at times The Stormlight Archive. (Oh, and DUNE, of course, for the epic sci-fi genre.) I really didn't mind that, thankfully, and I picked it up at a time where I felt like I was getting no character development from some other fantasy books I was trying, so I was all in with Hadrian to hear his story and spend all of this time getting to know him. My only character complaint was that Hadrian does go from place to place quite a bit in the book, so I wanted to spend more time with some of the OTHER characters so we could get a little crew going for him too. It does look like that will be more of book 2, so I'm looking forward to that. It got a little tiresome dropping everything that we just built -- characters, setting -- and just carrying on with character and taking the world-building deeper.
The other issue I had is that while it's not plot or action heavy, there is a ton of world-building. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE world-building, but listening as an audiobook was a little difficult at times. I REALLY could have benefitted from a Wiki, but it doesn't really look like one exists for this series. I just wished I could have had a reference to go back and look at some of the names of planets / towns / families / characters while reading to refresh my memory as I went along so I could really dig in to what I was reading. I'll have to trust that Christopher Ruocchio will take me where I need to be as we continue!
I definitely want to continue the series but may take a break for a while. I need a little break and I have some 1000+ fantasy books to read coming up here so I'm ready for some popcorn thrillers in the meantime! I look forward to checking out more of this series later!
I had no idea what I was in for picking up this series. I just knew that it was very well-loved and I couldn't tell if it was sci-fi or fantasy or both. What I got was very accurate according to many reviews in that it felt like THE NAME OF THE WIND by Patrick Rothfuss, but sci-fi instead of fantasy (oh, and this series will actually be completed).
EMPIRE OF SILENCE -- and the rest of the series -- is a story told by Hadrian Marlowe. If you've ready TNOTW, you'll feel the similarity in that this story has already concluded and we're receiving it from Hadrian himself at a time when everything is long past. I actually didn't really love some of those asides when Hadrian interjects because I actually would have rather had some questions about if he ever sees some of these characters again, because at least twice he tells the reader "that was the last time I saw him/her", if not more. I guess there's no point in me wondering, but it does allow me to have a curiosity and let my mind wander. There were also a couple characters that I DID want him to see again, so I was a little disappointed sometimes.
This book is not RED RISING. It's not action-packed or fast-paced. While it is science fiction and not fantasy, it has the long and meandering pace of many longer fantasy novels, like I mentioned THE NAME OF THE WIND and even at times The Stormlight Archive. (Oh, and DUNE, of course, for the epic sci-fi genre.) I really didn't mind that, thankfully, and I picked it up at a time where I felt like I was getting no character development from some other fantasy books I was trying, so I was all in with Hadrian to hear his story and spend all of this time getting to know him. My only character complaint was that Hadrian does go from place to place quite a bit in the book, so I wanted to spend more time with some of the OTHER characters so we could get a little crew going for him too. It does look like that will be more of book 2, so I'm looking forward to that. It got a little tiresome dropping everything that we just built -- characters, setting -- and just carrying on with character and taking the world-building deeper.
The other issue I had is that while it's not plot or action heavy, there is a ton of world-building. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE world-building, but listening as an audiobook was a little difficult at times. I REALLY could have benefitted from a Wiki, but it doesn't really look like one exists for this series. I just wished I could have had a reference to go back and look at some of the names of planets / towns / families / characters while reading to refresh my memory as I went along so I could really dig in to what I was reading. I'll have to trust that Christopher Ruocchio will take me where I need to be as we continue!
I definitely want to continue the series but may take a break for a while. I need a little break and I have some 1000+ fantasy books to read coming up here so I'm ready for some popcorn thrillers in the meantime! I look forward to checking out more of this series later!