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90th out of 455 books
—
348 voters
My rating:
add to my books
Dragonfly Falling (Shadows of the Apt #2)
In a colorful drama involving mass warfare and personal combat, a small group of heroes must stand up against what seems like an unstoppable force. "Dragonfly Falling" continues the story that brilliantly unfolded in "Empire in Black and Gold."
Paperback, 465 pages
Published
April 27th 2010
by Pyr
(first published 2009)
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"Have you any idea how many bolts we've loosed in the last few seconds? Let Malkan spend his men instead, because they are more easily replaced."
I expected more of the same from the first book of this series, and when I read Dragonfly Falling, I was very surprised, because where the first book is at most a story of duels and skirmishes and guerrilla battles in the streets, this one drops you into a war. And I don't mean that there is a whole book worth of setup and then the w...more
I expected more of the same from the first book of this series, and when I read Dragonfly Falling, I was very surprised, because where the first book is at most a story of duels and skirmishes and guerrilla battles in the streets, this one drops you into a war. And I don't mean that there is a whole book worth of setup and then the w...more
An enjoyable second volume in the "Shadows of the Apt" trilogy. The novel is fast-paced and the quality of the writing seems improved from the first novel. The world-building is still one of the most notable aspects of the book, it is very original and imaginative and despite being alien in many ways Tchaikovsky does make the world sound fairly plausible and well thought-out. The plot was compelling, and I like the way the focus is gradually moving away from the Wasp Empire invasion th...more
You know what’s cool?
Bugs.
Also?
Fantasy.
So, clearly, a fantasy story with bugs would be awesome. This is the second book in the “Shadows of the Apt” series. I enjoyed the first more than well enough to partake of the second. Fortunately, the same neighbor who had the first loaned me the second.
Much of what I said about the first novel applies again, though I felt like this one was even better. The plot was more fluid, the characters better defined...more
Bugs.
Also?
Fantasy.
So, clearly, a fantasy story with bugs would be awesome. This is the second book in the “Shadows of the Apt” series. I enjoyed the first more than well enough to partake of the second. Fortunately, the same neighbor who had the first loaned me the second.
Much of what I said about the first novel applies again, though I felt like this one was even better. The plot was more fluid, the characters better defined...more
whoo! This was good! The wasp empire rolls over an ant city, allows another ant city to invade Collegium [which beats them off with help of allies right the end], Totho [the halfbreed in love with Cheerwell Maker] turns traitor and joins the empire, lots of fighting, lots of cool exploring the world of humans with insect characteristics without being stodgy, dry or repetitive.
Tchaikovsky can write. Very well. The story just sucked me in and I in no way felt like I was reading 500+ p...more
Tchaikovsky can write. Very well. The story just sucked me in and I in no way felt like I was reading 500+ p...more
In the second book the plot thickens and breaks up in many strands, perhaps too many to follow with a clear overview. The writing is still awkwardly clumsy at times, but as the pace quickens in the sequel, these glitches are more easily overlooked.
What I really resent is the way the author blatantly and for no apparent reason continually forces women into traditionally male roles (e.g. tactician, warrior, artificer, elder), but then strips them of feminine characteristics. If he has do...more
What I really resent is the way the author blatantly and for no apparent reason continually forces women into traditionally male roles (e.g. tactician, warrior, artificer, elder), but then strips them of feminine characteristics. If he has do...more
No one can accuse this book of not being action packed. There's 2 sieges and half a dozen major battles besides several duals and skirmishes. The Wasp invasion moves into full swing with them attacking the lowlands from all sides. The world of people with characteristics/abilities of insects is still put to great use but this almost takes second place to the great use of the emerging technology and I really enjoyed how inventors/engineers are arguably more powerful than warriors. My only complai...more
Dragonfly Falling is the amazing follow-up to Adrian Tchaikovsky’s Empire in Black and Gold. The story directly follows the events of book 1. The wasps have increased their hold on the lowlands, and the position of our heroes is much more precarious. The empire has begun its assault and the blood is flowing. Tchaikovsky’s battle descriptions are nothing short of epic, bloody, and gritty, with nail-biting sequences that seem to run for pages. Empire in Black and Gold introduced you to the players...more
Втората книга от мащабната поредица на Чайковски за насекомосродените раси е директно продължение на първата и не става за самостоятелно четиво, макар да притежава вътрешен завършек.
Равнините на умелите раси са подложени на атака от Империята на осите от няколко различни страни. За любителите на мащабни битки това е книгата с главно „К”. Чайковски има логично мислене и способността да описва бойни действия в големи и малки мащаби. Имаме няколко значими обсади, битки на открито поле и...more
Равнините на умелите раси са подложени на атака от Империята на осите от няколко различни страни. За любителите на мащабни битки това е книгата с главно „К”. Чайковски има логично мислене и способността да описва бойни действия в големи и малки мащаби. Имаме няколко значими обсади, битки на открито поле и...more
Dragonfly Falling (2.75/5)
I liked the first book well enough as the <insect>-kinden idea was something novel and the story line was interesting. The first book was good (although not stellar). Unfortunately, I think the writing went downhill a little bit in the second book.
The book started to get more interesting towards the end of it. I may or may not read the next one...
Most of my problems with the book stem from not particularly being interested in...more
I liked the first book well enough as the <insect>-kinden idea was something novel and the story line was interesting. The first book was good (although not stellar). Unfortunately, I think the writing went downhill a little bit in the second book.
The book started to get more interesting towards the end of it. I may or may not read the next one...
Most of my problems with the book stem from not particularly being interested in...more
I really liked the first volume in this series - but what I liked the most, was the newness of the insect-kinden that made this book so very interesting. But the question of course was, if these kinden would hold up so that volume 2 would be up to the standards of the first volume. And the good news are - volume 2 is even better than volume 1.
So with how volume 1 ended, I expected that this one would focus on the Wasps military advances. And it did, to some extent, but more, the focus was ...more
So with how volume 1 ended, I expected that this one would focus on the Wasps military advances. And it did, to some extent, but more, the focus was ...more
Superb continuation to Empire in Black in Gold. Smoother than the original and packed with action and sense of wonder.
The invasion of the Lowlands starts with the siege of Tark. The Collegium is not be suborned by Thalric and his agents, and finally listens to Stenwold so Thalric carries plan 2, sealing an alliance of the Empire with the rogue ant city of Vek which is happy to try and take revenge on the Collegium knowing that the only force that can stop them, the rival ant...more
This is really such a great novel, that it is hard to believe that is the second book of a series. This is an extremely fast paced, relentless, and unforgiving story that puts all our heroes in death's way. This novel is filled with plot twists and character development all the while it is a novel about war. I really have grown to love the insect kinden take on race and think that it makes for great fantasy. I will definately pick up the 3rd book now and recommend all fantasy readers to jump ...more
Book 2 of Shadows of the Apt series - picks up the story very well, adding some engaging new characters right from the start. The action is great, and towards the end gets stupendously violent. The real strengths here, though, are in the plot and character developments, both done with confidence and leading to one of the most exciting denouments I've read. Gagging to get my hands on book 3!
I really like this book. It wasn't the most original or ground breaking novel I've ever read. But I still liked it. It builds well upon the first novel of the series, taking the action and turning it way up. There was two complete sieges, as well as several large-scale battles. Adrian also improves upon the character development,one thing that was kind of missing in the first novel. Especially in the character Totho.I'm really starting to become a fan of this series and look forward to diving in...more
An admirable second book in the 'Shadows of the Apt' series. The novel is fast paced with great characters. The cast expands and begins to include a wider and more vivid picture of the world at large.
I particularly enjoy the added point of view from new characters - and the addition of 'villains' such as the Emperor and Draephos.
I particularly enjoy the added point of view from new characters - and the addition of 'villains' such as the Emperor and Draephos.
I've really gone off epic fantasy, and never have been a fan of the big military battle scene, so there's only so much of this style of book I can take; but even so, this has so far been a fine exemplar of the epic fantasy style with a few unusual motifs to keep it interesting.
Remakably strong second entry in the Shadows of the Apt trilogy. While the first novel focussed very much on the major characters, this one has a much more epic feel to it and one that bodes well for the next book.
Excellent sequel to Empire. Tchaikovsky's writing has improved and this story is a solid effort. I will definitely read the next book.... Here with my official review....
http://www.fantasybookreview.co.uk/Adria...
http://www.fantasybookreview.co.uk/Adria...
Leo
rated it
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review of another edition
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review of another edition
Recommends it for:
someone who likes fantasy and is a good reader.
This book is great. Its as good as the first one. The characters are well described and the hero is awesome. I love the idea of human-insect like people. Just great!
Like the first book, this book had an interesting setting and characters. Still lacking something, though.
New intrigue...... new characters ....... things get complicated.
Very enjoyable book. Definitely continuing the series.
75/100 Добро
По- добра е от първата определено. Нещата набират скорост и настава голямата патаклама. Е, тук таме има деус екс махина, ама карай.
Very nice follow up :)
This is another great installment in the Shadows of the Apt series. I thoroughly enjoy the world that Tchaikovsky has created. Old characters return and new ones are introduced. Quite a few times I exclaimed out loud about the actions certain characters were taking ("No, no, don't do it!). I love it when a book draws me in like this. I'm holding off on reading the 3rd in the series, since the 4th doesn't come out until September. I can't wait!
brilliant x 2
No let-up from the tight plotting, breakneck action sequences and realistic combat scenes that were in place for Empire Of Black & Gold. No sign of the series going off the boil and quite the opposite. Tchaikovsky somehow makes this nearly 700 page beast seem too short. I'm straight onto the next in the series.4.5 starts - only misses out on 5 because it's part of a...decaology?
A great series. Strong characters and a good set of story threads under the main arc make for an enjoyable read.
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ADRIAN TCHAIKOVSKY was born in Lincolnshire and studied zoology and psychology at Reading, before practising law in Leeds. He is a keen live role-player and occasional amateur actor and is trained in stage-fighting. His literary influences include Gene Wolfe, Mervyn Peake, China Miéville, Mary Gently, Steven Erikson, Naomi Novak, Scott Lynch and Alan Campbell.
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“I was young at Myna, that first time. When had the change come? He had retreated to here, to Collegium, to spin his awkward webs of intrigue and to lecture at the College. Then, years on, the call had come for action. He had gone to that chest in which he stored his youth and found that, like some armour long unworn, it had rusted away.
He tried to tell himself that this was not like the grumbling of any other man who finds the prime of his life behind him. I need my youth and strength now, as never before. A shame that one could no husband time until one needed it. All his thoughts rang hollow. He was past his best and that was the thorn that would not be plucked from his side. He was no different from any tradesman or scholar who, during a life of indolence, pauses partway up the stairs to think, This was not so hard, yesterday.”
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1 person liked it
He tried to tell himself that this was not like the grumbling of any other man who finds the prime of his life behind him. I need my youth and strength now, as never before. A shame that one could no husband time until one needed it. All his thoughts rang hollow. He was past his best and that was the thorn that would not be plucked from his side. He was no different from any tradesman or scholar who, during a life of indolence, pauses partway up the stairs to think, This was not so hard, yesterday.”
“Ah, but it is an interesting thing, that these things can so seldom be proved. If I were to perform some piece of, hrmf, magic for you, here in this room, you would claim a thousand ways it could have been done. Indeed, those ways might be exceedingly unlikely, but you would cling to them rather than accept the, mmn, the chance that magic, the eternal inexplicable, might be the true agent, and if you were strong enough in yourself, unafraid, unthreatened, here in your own chambers, well perhaps there would be no magic worked at all. It is a subjective force, you see, whereas the physical laws of the artificers are objective. A gear-train will turn without faith, but magic may not. And so, when your people demand, mmn, proof, there is none, but when you have forgotten and dismissed it, then magic creeps back into the gaps where you do not look for it.”
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1 person liked it
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