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125th out of 422 books
—
1,963 voters
Necessary Evil (Milkweed Triptych #3)
by
Ian Tregillis (Goodreads Author)
12 May 1940. Westminster, London, England: the early days of World War II.
Again.
Raybould Marsh, one of “our” Britain’s best spies, has travelled to another Earth in a desperate attempt to save at least one timeline from the Cthulhu-like monsters who have been observing our species from space and have already destroyed Marsh’s timeline. In order to accomplish this, he mus...more
Again.
Raybould Marsh, one of “our” Britain’s best spies, has travelled to another Earth in a desperate attempt to save at least one timeline from the Cthulhu-like monsters who have been observing our species from space and have already destroyed Marsh’s timeline. In order to accomplish this, he mus...more
Published
April 30th 2013
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This third and final volume in the Milkweed Triptych was enjoyable, but ultimately a disappointment. Tregillis continues to deliver on the fast-paced action, and handles the rewriting of the timeline of Bitter Seeds and The Coldest War well. With two Raybould Marshes running around, his decision to make Old Marsh's perspective first person and Young Marsh's third person kept the two narratives clearly separate. Some of the suspense is lost when it becomes clear that this "new" timeline is our ac...more
Sometimes you come across a book or series that makes you go WOW that was fantastic.
This is one of those series for me.
It is a mix of alternate history, fantasy and sci fi.
The closest comparison I can draw is to the Back to the Future film trilogy but set during WWII through to the Cold War and back to WWII with evil Nazi experiments, British Warlocks and time travel.
Its a great story with good strong characters, if you like the genres mentioned above check it out.
This is one of those series for me.
It is a mix of alternate history, fantasy and sci fi.
The closest comparison I can draw is to the Back to the Future film trilogy but set during WWII through to the Cold War and back to WWII with evil Nazi experiments, British Warlocks and time travel.
Its a great story with good strong characters, if you like the genres mentioned above check it out.
You know how sometimes you fall in love with a book--say Tregillis' first novel, Bitter Seeds? You love the WWII spycraft, you love the action, the Nazi superheroes and the British warlocks. You love the explosions and the way momentum is totally conserved. And then you're afraid that the rest of the series might not live up to the awesomeness that was the first book? Then you read book 2, The Coldest War, and it also totally rocks, but really, how likely is it that the third book in the series...more
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I was annoyed, initially, be all the time spent recapping. Get on with it I thought, and then he did and, well, I couldn't put it down. Which, by now, should hardly come as a surprise.
Time travel can be tricky, but worked in this instance. I felt really torn by the end because some characters who I'd liked in the other books ended up much worse off. It felt a bit like the end of Last Argument of Kings except with less of a feeling of cosmic intent. And about 15% more happiness.
When I was not rea...more
Time travel can be tricky, but worked in this instance. I felt really torn by the end because some characters who I'd liked in the other books ended up much worse off. It felt a bit like the end of Last Argument of Kings except with less of a feeling of cosmic intent. And about 15% more happiness.
When I was not rea...more
Very strong closing chapter to this triptych, with some interesting tweaks to the idea of time travel and differing timelines. The book opens strongly with a chapter in Gretel's voice, setting up very neatly her reasons for doing things and how she sees the world, in perhaps one of the strongest way I've seen in this kind of fiction. The very idea that while she doesn't control "the world" but rather can use her power of clairvoyance to nudge it in directions that would favor her comes across ve...more
Necessary Evil is the final instalment of the Milkweed Triptych trilogy, I must admit war novels are not my thing and usually I don't even consider picking one up. This series however has some riveting aspects that are sheer genius, the first we encounter is the German technological advancement in the form of scientifically engineered supersoldiers with incredible abilities. The second being the British answer to this supersoldier, the use of blood magic to communicate with the Eidolons, beings...more
The plot of Necessary Evil is just as fast paced and intricate as all the other books. In fact, with the time jump going on, I’d say it’s even more intricate than the other books. It’s detailed and riveting. Tregillis ends his series with one hell of a bang, but somehow that fits. It’s dark and atmospheric. His characters are raw and real, but it’s the details that really make Necessary Evil stand out. It’s those details that show Tregillis for the literary grandmaster that he truly is. Necessar...more
A satisfying end to the series, though it was my least favorite of the trilogy. I'm impressed by Tregillis' ability to wind such a complex plot over three books. It was very enjoyable seeing things that were a mystery and never resolved in the first two books finally come together. I missed some of the viewpoints that we had in Bitter Seeds and The Coldest War (notably, Klaus), though it was enjoyable seeing snippets of Gretel's mind.
I thought the treatment of time-travel and the problems that...more
I thought the treatment of time-travel and the problems that...more
Not perfect, but still an excellent end to an excellent series. Although there were still a few noticeable (particularly if one pauses to reflect) plot holes and unlikelihoods, all in all probably the most intelligently and competently done work I've read re precognition and time travel - both of which are, I think, particularly difficult to plot for and both of which I've repeatedly seen lazy and/or less intelligent writers deal with poorly.
P.S. Worst cover art on a decent book I've seen in yea...more
P.S. Worst cover art on a decent book I've seen in yea...more
All is explained in this final book of the Milkweed Triptych. When I finished the second book, I was completely confused about what had happened. When I finish this book I knew what happened. But now I have a new problem, the ending was so intense that I am having trouble catching my breath.
This book is a very intense and at time desperate tale for the individuals involved. I won't tell you more because I can't say anything without giving away important plot details in this tightly woven story.
S...more
This book is a very intense and at time desperate tale for the individuals involved. I won't tell you more because I can't say anything without giving away important plot details in this tightly woven story.
S...more
A solid finish to a pretty decent trilogy. In this book Will seemed to be a more well developed character instead of the cowardly scapegoat for Milkweed. The only things I did not like was the lack of world building throughout the series such as: Where did the warlocks come from? A more detailed history of the Doctor and the REGP etc.... That is more personal preference than a specific critique. I enjoyed a WWII alternate history not so focused on the role of the US.
A good conclusion to the Milkweed triptych. Fascinating early insight into one of the core characters, and the plot generally was well handled. The ending was a little pat, and like the earlier books there were a few phrases which rang ill in the ears of an actual Englishman, betraying the author's American English, but in general a very worthwhile ending to one of the best entries into the field in recent years.
May 12, 2013
Benjamin
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
fantasy,
science-fiction
In the third volume of this series, characterization and writing are just as strong as the first two books. Tregillis has really created a top-notch, well-crafted and plotted series that should appeal to a lot of readers.
That being said, I did have to take off a star, mainly because of the time travel premise. While this is perhaps one of the most well handled time travel plots I've seen, it still rubbed me the wrong way a little. It's my hang-up though, not the book's.
That being said, I did have to take off a star, mainly because of the time travel premise. While this is perhaps one of the most well handled time travel plots I've seen, it still rubbed me the wrong way a little. It's my hang-up though, not the book's.
While it didn't quite top The Coldest War, this was still a great conclusion to the series that has become my go-to book recommendation for friends who have read everything and are looking for something new. At first, I was a little worried about the changes in narrative structure, with Tregillis adding a new point-of-view character and switching to first-person narration. It quickly becomes clear, however, that these were both key decisions ("necessary evils"?) upon which the ambitious storylin...more
The last of a trilogy combining sf, horror, espionage action, and alternate history. Premise: What if the Nazi "supermen" had actual supermen? What if the only way to stop them was to resort to actual black magic? What if doing that risked destroying the world? What if you could take it all back? Yeah, time travel is in there, too. Confused? Read all three.
I've been waiting for this book for a while, and it delivers. Book 3 of the Milkwood Triptych, it picks up where The Coldest War left us. Raybould Marsh has been sent back in time from 1963 to 1940 to prevent the end of the world, and to once again fight the German X-Men. A healthy dose of historical fiction, sci-fi, and fantasy make this one of my favorite series. Tough to put down.
Book One was one if those things you pick up, read, and at the end you are amused, saddened and somewhat hooked. Book Two takes this and blows your mind, develops characters in completely unexpected ways. And then Book Three manages this in a new way, all over again. It gives one closure whilst leaving lots of things for fans to discuss and talk about. A fine triplet, and this is probably the Crown Jewels of the three.
I've been thinking about this books ending and I have to give it to Ian Tregillis for not going for the easy out. I was expecting a different ending entirely. But, by going for a messy ending I thought he made the story more compelling. I'm sorry to see these characters and story end.
Loved the trilogy as a whole, but I had some problems getting through this last volume: Ian Tregillis seems to know where he wants to go, but getting there is messy, and characters go through some random meanderings with dubious moral choices and arbitrary resolutions.
Bitter Seeds was great, and the gloomy Coldest War the perfect sequel. Necessary Evil has its moments, but sometimes it reads more like the necessary tying up of loose strands of wire.
Bitter Seeds was great, and the gloomy Coldest War the perfect sequel. Necessary Evil has its moments, but sometimes it reads more like the necessary tying up of loose strands of wire.
The final volume of Tregillis' series. While I thought the first two were better, Tregillis is still a phenomenal writer and I think this book, and the series, are very well done.
Excellent trilogy. Great mix of alternate history, super science and occult, can't say too much without giving things away, but well worth reading.
I won this book from First Reads Giveaway. Waiting to read it when I receive it. Thanks.
A great conclusion to this highly enjoyable series. Highly recommended for speculative fiction fans
Jolly good round up of the series.
I loved this series! The final book concludes the story of Marsh's quest to save his family after going back in time. I was worried I wouldn't remember events from the first book and this wasn't a problem--you get all the info you need as you read. Interesting how the two versions of Marsh are kept distinct: the future version has first person chapters while the one in WW2 has third person. A few interludes are from Gretel's POV, her ability to see the future is terrifying.
Amazingly fun and powerful book. And quite the wistful and sad ending. I enjoyed this entire series, from beginning to end. Science-fiction, fantasy, Nazi X-men, English Warlocks, alternate history, spycraft and more somehow combine to make the Milkweed Triptych a great story.
May 02, 2013
Miriam
marked it as to-read
I hope I get this cover
rather than this one Ideally, they will be reissued with covers that match.
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An unsatisfying, uninventive, and too-tidy ending to an otherwise interesting and innovative trilogy. This volume is particularly disappointing in light of the high quality of the first two installments in the series. Alas.
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