Patrick Moore
A fitting conclusion for Wax and Wayne, that will be better on a reread. There are some cosmere characters and references that I did not quite get at first, and while I get a good easter egg, having it detract from the story to figure out, or having it essential for the story is a bit annoying. (I thought I had read everything I needed to before this, but missed a couple of short stories/novellas).
That being said, I love Wax and Wayne as characters, and their develop of their relationship over four books as friends, detectives, and ultimately defenders of the realm have been quite a ride.
Mistborn Era 2's strength is it characters.
Mistborn Era 3 has a high bar set for it, as it does the rest of the cosmere. This universe is amazingly special with unique places, themes, and characters.
4.25 STARS
I devoured this book....consumed it in a day.
A fantastic mystery in a fantasy world. Writing style reminded greatly of The Justice of Kings by Richard Swan, which was a very similar book and one that I also devoured and absolutely love.
Ana, our eccentric detective, is two parts Nero Wolfe and one part Sherlock Holmes, and is fantastic. Kol, her assistant, is smart and competent, and I expected his character to grow in future books.
Their relationship is fantastic. World Building is A+. And the mystery slaps, as the kids say now days.
This is absolutely among my top reads of the year so far and I look forward to reading the next installment. This was the first book by Robert Jackson Bennett that I have read, and clearly I need to read more of his work.
5 STARS
One of the earlier Cosmere works--published after Elantris and Mistborn. Takes its time with the setup and character development, and while I enjoy those things and don't mind the slow burn, this one was starting to push on my limits--but the plot got moving just in time, and once it did, it was a roller coaster ride to the typical Brando Sando fantastic ending. Sequels to this appear to be on the back burner, but I do hope we see these characters, and this part of the Cosmere again someday.
4.35 STARS
I really like Wax and Wayne.
A lot of folks don't like Era 2 as much, and I think it is because expectations are for it to be similar to Era 1 (I love Era 1). I went in expecting these novels to be different in scope, characters, and tone. I did expect the foundations of Sanderson's storytelling to remain the same, and in that aspect, this novel delivered.
Part multi layered quest, part Indiana Jones, this was a rollicking adventure that starts hot and never lets up. Looking forward to finishing Era 2.
5 STARS
Well written and a suitable prequel to the classic.
The change of perspective for Part III was a bit jarring, I felt it would have worked better if it had been told in the journal/flashback style of the rest of the book.
Overall a very fine horror novel, and if you are into the Dracula legend at all, it is a very worthy read.
4 STARS
I am a self admitted Brando Sando fan...to me his works are like pizza--even when they are not the best, they are still really good!
I love the idea of a fantasy setting advancing over time, and not staying stuck in its initial era. Here we have fantasy, but in 300 years we have added technology, societal advancement, etc....and it makes the world seem much more real.
Era 2 I can tell already is gonna to be less epic than Era 1...which is good. It is not resting on the laurels of its predecessors, but finding its own path. It's mixture of the Wild West and Steampunk makes for a very entertaining story, with plenty of action. The mystery helps drive the plot, and the worldbuilding and characters are second to none, as usual.
Wayne kinda annoyed me at first, and it took a bit for the chemistry between him and Wax to click, but by the end of the book I could not see a story without them both, they seem two halves to a whole.
All in all, I really liked this. It is different than Era 1, and it gives me a different sense of satisifaction and enjoyment, and that is a good thing.
4.5 Stars
I am not sure what to think of this one. I liked it, but I felt the story wandered from the main characters, and a lot of the book seemed to be side quests, and it took a long way to basically setup the final book.
New characters were okay, but felt too much time was spent with them and not with the main characters of the first book, which are the main characters of the series.
Plot was a bit convoluted and confusing, but overall I am hoping this book will look better in hindsight once the conclusion to the series is releases.
3.75 STARS
Sci-Fi Noir with a gumshoe that kicks a** and a great cast of characters. Few twists and turns, and world that is gray, futuristic, but reads like it is a 40's Noir film.
Loved it. Did the audiobook and the narrator gave a fantastic performance. Would love to see this continue as a series, not sure if it will or not (GR is is listing it as Titanium Noir #1, so I guess we will see).
4.5 STARS
Best of Era 2 so far....Part mystery, part magic, part Wayne trading for stuff.
This one feels much more a part of the Mistborn universe than the Alloy of Law. Alloy of Law had parts that reminded you, but this book felt more Mistborn--felt more connected to Era 1. I am not going to say anymore to avoid spoilers...and that ending was fantastic. I flew through this one.
4.75 STARS
A worthy end to the trilogy. I found myself tied to these characters, and the plot was a epic rollercoaster--the coming of the apocolypse and the saving of mankind....the magic of the world transforming into a horror. This book leans more into some horror elements than the other two, and more so than most fantasy I have read in a long time. But it works, and it works on a level that made this trilogy unique and epic.
I look forward to more works from Richard Swan, and he has secured a place on my must read author list.
4.5 STARS
The penultimate chapter of the Sun Eater--- and it delivers.
An undisputed masterpiece of science fiction. Everything is moving towards the ultimate climax of the story, and while the story is fast paced, it also slows enough to breath, to let us in Hadrian's deep inner thoughts, to get to know new characters, and some that are not so new.
Cannot say much without spoilers, but this might be the best book yet--which is saying a lot given how fantastic Howling Dark, and Demon in White were.
Ruocchio is exploring vast themes with the series--from the nature of mankind, its relationship with the universe, and the nature of the cosmos itself.
5 STARS....5 GIGANTIC SUN EATER SUNS!
Full disclosure, I did read an earc of this book, but I purchased it for $14.99 from the publishers website. It was worthy every penny.
A longer novella, this gives us an inside glance as to the consequences of the end of Ashes of Man.
Not going to dive in too deep due to spoilers, but this was a satisfying novella (300 page on my kindle, so a good length!)
Five stars....Sun Eater rocks and everyone should read as much of it as you can.
Wow.
Stuck the landing.
Such a fantastic finale of what can only be called an epic story. Such a fantastic world, an large amazing cast of characters, a plot that ebbs and flows with action, politics, drama, and the human experience.
This is easily one of the finest series I have ever read, and it deserves a place among the all time greats.
5 STARS
This one is interesting.....HP is not even mentioned until page 100....and he does not even interview so much as a witness. He solves the case very much in the Nero Wolfe style--I wonder if Agatha Christie was writing it in that style just to prove she could?
Very enjoyable story, and as always, Hercule Poirot is brillant!
5 Stars.
Another amazing chapter in the epic sci fi masterpiece.
The prose, the characters, the plot, the battles....and the emotions. Carried over from Kingdoms of Death, the story continues at break neck pace. Different, but dark in its own way, we see the toils of war and the toil it takes on a man.
Started this and could not put it down. Cannot wait for Disquiet Gods...Book 6 of the Sun Eater.
5 STARS
This book will haunt you. Simply amazing, yet dark, and violent.
A brillant masterpiece of science fiction Fantastic prose, dialogue....an amazing plot with some dark twists. Characters that you know and love, and a surprise or three thrown in.
While I would rate Demon in White my favorite of the series so far, this part of the story is a close second, The quality of this series is amazing and it is vastly, vastly underated.
5 STARS
Amazing...simply amazing.
The characters, the plot, the prose.....the cooking (if ya know, ya know).
Ken Liu has created a masterpiece--3 epic volumes, with one last volume to go.
I have no idea how this is going to end, only that it is going to be epic.
Do yourself a favor and read this series--you will not regret it.
A Sci-fi/Space Opera masterpiece! This series gets better and better with each book. Christopher Ruocchio is most under rated author in the Scifi/Fantasy space today.
Grand, sweeping storyline, mixing in an epic quest, galactic politics, and a dynamic protaginist that will enthrall you.
Not going to say too much to avoid spoilers...but the plot is excellent, the prose is fantastic, and this universe is so easy to imagine in your mind because of it.
I look forward to reading the next 2 entries in the series in early 24 as await the release of book 6!
5 STARS!
4.25 Stars
Very good novella that continues to fill in pieces of this universe. Useful Appendixes (reminds me of the appendices in LOTR and Dune) if you like that sort of thing :)
Continueing to love Hadrian's POV and the storytelling is fantastic. Looking forward to continueing the series with Demon In White.