BiblioTheory
HANDS DOWN one of the best prologues I've ever read!
The Sealed Empire not only has a visually striking cover but also a very compelling story that really had me guessing to the very end.
I loved the completely unexpected combination of fantasy and sci-fi elements.
Pros
1. Action packed
2. Gripping prologue
3. Interwoven elements of fantasy and sci-fi
4. Mystery, the end was mind bending
5. Cyber leviathan monsters!
Also, I am pretty sure Zsivicz loves the letter “E” because so many character names began with “E” that it got slightly confusing. However, after finishing the book I am pretty sure it was on purpose.. I think.
Overall, a very fun read and I am excited to read more stories within the Sealed Empire universe.
I came into this book right after finishing the Apple TV adaptation as the show was compelling, mysterious, intense and had a unique story.
I found many of these same qualities in Wool but ultimately enjoyed the show more even though only half the book was covered.
The book came across as less intense and mysterious at least in the first half of what the show covered.
Overall though, I really enjoyed my read and want to continue with the series.
Positives
1. Prose - really great descriptions of events and ideas that read very well
2. Mystery - why the heck was this Silo built??
3. Multiple POVs - loved being in the mind of multiple characters, especially Bernard
Also, the people in this Silo gotta be fit with all the stairs right?
2023 re-read 5⭐s!
One of the best fantasy books ever written.
Words of Radiance continues to build on the already great first entry of the Stormlight Archives.
Action, politics, humor, drama. This book has all these elements and more.
Even with this book being 1000+ pages, it reads so quickly as you do not want to stop.
Ready to dive into the next book for another re-read.
“Words are where most change begins.”
4 ⭐s! Elder Race was short but overall a fun read packed with elements of fantasy, sci-fi, and existentialism.
I really enjoyed the differing POVs on how language and said words are interpreted based on the varying levels of understanding.
I went into this book thinking it would be more sci-fi focused but was happily surprised by the quick blend of both fantasy and science.
To anyone who doesn't fully understand technology, it can be easily perceived as magic.
With this being my first Tchaikovsky read, I will definitely be diving into more of his work.
“This is nothing but a tower, and I am nothing but a scientist of sufficiently advanced technology, which is to say a magician.”
4.5⭐s. The Will of the Many was a fantastic start to the Hierarchy series.
I really enjoyed the world building, academy setting, and magic system. Fun action scenes with humor and mystery intermixed within plots upon plots upon plots.
From my previous read of the Licanious Trilogy, I know Islington is preparing us for some mind bending twists down the line. I'm here for it and ready for the next installment.
Stronger Together
Fractal Noise was 3.5 ⭐s for me. Loved diving back into the world of the Fractalverse.
This story gave me a sense of dread and anxiety about the story's past and unknown of the future for our characters.
The inner dialogue of the main character was hard to read in a good way as it dealt with real world issues of deep loss and existential pain.
THUD
The Rise of Endymion was a great conclusion to the Hyperion Cantos. Action packed adventure with multiple POVs that provide unique context and perspective on the events occurring in the galaxy.
Loved how the original pilgrims in the first Hyperion Cantos entry still had a presence in the continuation of this story.
RoE had moments of expansive space battles, national treasure type crypt discoveries, robot AI hand to hand fights, and mysteries upon mysteries spread throughout the whole Cantos where you actually get answers to questions from all the books.
Great series that I recommend to anyone who even slightly enjoys the sci-fi genre.
“Choose again”
A Song of Ice and Fire continues to be an epic story of politics, action, and mystery.
In this book, I really enjoyed getting closer into the minds of Jaime and Cersei.
Only thing that holds this book down slightly is the absence of big POVs that I know will be covered in the next book.
I also loved getting deeper into the world of the Iron Isles with the Kingsmoot.
“How much can a crown be worth, when a crow can dine upon a king?”
I really enjoyed the Great Gatsby movie so I wanted to check out the book and read Fitzgerald for the first time.
I can now see that the movie did a great job adapting this less than 200 page book. The story was very atmospheric and descriptive. Fitzgerald continually makes you question the idea of the American Dream and if it's truly attainable.
We're all reaching out for our green light at the end of the dock.
