A interestingly short, sweet, and cynical portrait of an emperor who was just trying to do the right thing. It's a short novella, but gets into someA interestingly short, sweet, and cynical portrait of an emperor who was just trying to do the right thing. It's a short novella, but gets into some deep waters around faith, destiny, morality, family, the power of institutions, and what influence and political power really looks like. This is the first K.J. Parker I've read, and this novella does make me want to read more.
*i was given a ARC of this book from netgalley in exchange for an honest review *...more
Kim Stanley Robinson never comes to mind as one of my favorite authors, which is strange, since I've loved everything of his that I've read. The ThreeKim Stanley Robinson never comes to mind as one of my favorite authors, which is strange, since I've loved everything of his that I've read. The Three Californias, set in my home town, opened my eyes in college to the idea that California (and by extension the world and by extension me) could be something other that it was. the Mars trilogy is a masterpiece and the Years of Rice and Salt is the most ambitious and thought provoking alternate history that I've read. This book goes a step further in showing the through-lines in all of KSR's books, particularly the struggle for a sustainable utopia and how humanity might be able to "scuttle sideways" towards something better.
This is a very readable literary analysis, combining close readings, thematic analyses, and cross-textual connections to create a greater appreciation of the impact and importance of KSR's body of work. While I wouldn't go so far as the author and call KSR "probably the preeminent writer of our era," I would say that KSR (and more importantly his books and ideas) deserves more prominence in our society.
Note: I was given a free advance copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review....more
**spoiler alert** Not a book you should read if you haven’t read the Pern series. Probably not a book you should read if you have read the Pern**spoiler alert** Not a book you should read if you haven’t read the Pern series. Probably not a book you should read if you have read the Pern series.
I’ll say up front that I usually hate late series retcons when a character less central at the beginning is later shown to have secretly been present and pulling strings all along. Ender’s shadow is the archetype of this, and the Masterharper of Pern is another sad example.
It hurts because I love Robinton, but the changes (he always could speak to dragons? Women were only discouraged from the Harper hall for one generation? Jora was the only weyerwoman whose queen didn’t fly? Robinton was at Ruatha!?!?!?!?!?!) did more to diminish the series than enhance it....more
Very much of its time and very much a classic. Not sure I would give it five stars if I was reading it for the first time today, but it’sVery much of its time and very much a classic. Not sure I would give it five stars if I was reading it for the first time today, but it’s groundbreaking for the dragons and thread....more
**spoiler alert** Loved the concept of pairing Cold War spies with a secret history magical war - it added double the paranoia, double crossing, and**spoiler alert** Loved the concept of pairing Cold War spies with a secret history magical war - it added double the paranoia, double crossing, and doubt (at some point though when the sorcerers started piling up I wondered how the secret history stayed secret if every spy was also seemingly a witch!). A few of the twists weren’t that twisty, but the characters showed good development.
The multiple authors worked very well (although there were a few points where secondary characters seemed to know different things in different stories). I would have liked more details on how the magic actually worked, but I imagine that’s taken up in the sequel. And I loved the use of the golem!
All in all, a fun, paranoid read. 3.5 stars....more
I'm not usually a fan of gritty, post-apocalyptic urban fantasy, but this book really hit the spot. The Navajo magic and mythology were really wellI'm not usually a fan of gritty, post-apocalyptic urban fantasy, but this book really hit the spot. The Navajo magic and mythology were really well integrated and the characters were easy to root for. A very good first novel, and I'm looking forward to the sequel. ...more
On the whole, a very interesting world and extremely engaging protagonist. Did fall prey to that issue with novellas where some of the characters'On the whole, a very interesting world and extremely engaging protagonist. Did fall prey to that issue with novellas where some of the characters' epiphanies or moments of growth seemed too abrupt. But I'm excited to read the rest of the books in this series!...more
Clark is rapidly becoming one of my favorite fantasy writers. He gets world building and does a great job of presenting difference without it beingClark is rapidly becoming one of my favorite fantasy writers. He gets world building and does a great job of presenting difference without it being cloying or didactic. And Carol’s review said it better and first: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show......more
I can see how people don't like this volume as much, but I thought it was EXCELLENT. I agree that it's a shame to spend no time with some of myI can see how people don't like this volume as much, but I thought it was EXCELLENT. I agree that it's a shame to spend no time with some of my favorite characters (no Jon or Tyrion or Dany), but I completely disagree that the book is boring because "nothing happens." The whole point of this book is to show how horrible the traditional conflicts in history and epic fantasy are for the majority of the population, how the cycle of violence and vengeance has no winners, and how the game of thrones distracts from the real looming existential issues facing the kingdom and the world. An extremely subversive and effective theme and written with Martin's usual verve. ...more
What a satisfying third book in the series. The last quarter was a roller coaster ride of plot threads coming together and being utterly exploded. AndWhat a satisfying third book in the series. The last quarter was a roller coaster ride of plot threads coming together and being utterly exploded. And I like how Martin played with deeper themes of loyalty, doing what's right, and finding oneself to go along with his taut plotting and nuanced characters. He even for me to like Jamie Lannister....more
Loading...
