Shadows of the Apt series

[Crusader]

I recently got the seventh book in this series (Heirs of the Blade), but I haven't read any of the other books. Do you need to read them all in sequence or are they more or less standalone?

[Jon]

I've only read the first one in the series, but I believe they tell one continuous story, so it might be best to read them in order.

[Crusader]

Thanks Jon. Guess I'll have to catch up on the rest first. It might be quite some time before I get to the newest one then.

[Anne]

Yes it's best to read them in order. I've read all but the most recent book and found them a refreshing changs from other fantasy novels

[David]

Read the first book recently and very much enjoyed it. It's all one long series, but the first four books complete a large story arc.

[David]

If you were suffering concentration problems at the time, you should definitely give it another try. All the different bug-type humans in the book probably overwhelmed you. And the first chapter... If I hadn't been reading it for book club, I would have put it down. I hate first chapters that throw the reader into a complex situation with multiple characters and you have to work hard to sort it out. After that first chapter, though, it was an excellent book. (And some people seem to like that sort of beginning.)

The world-building was highly unique, but not in a way that was too alien. The cultures didn't mimic Earth cultures, but they felt familiar nevertheless. I really liked the cast of characters, the inclusion of really alien characteristics, steampunk, and so forth.

And several friends tell me the series gets even better with the second book.

[David]

I understand. I went through a phase like that about ten years ago, for different reasons, where I just didn't connect with a lot of things for some reason. Then later those things turned out to be really good when I went back.

[Pepper]

David wrote: "I hate first chapters that throw the reader into a complex situation with multiple characters and you have to work hard to sort it out."

I actually like those kinds of beginnings. C.J. Cherryh is the absolute best/worst (depending on your perspective) about that and it really draws you into the story. That may be one reason that I liked the first book right away. But the different bug races, while cool, do take a bit of getting used to.

[Peggy]

Roger Zelazny is another author who parachutes you into the story without a lot of build-up. I was well into Nine Princes in Amber before I had the slightest idea what was going on. And it's still one of my favorite books.

[Jacen]

I read the first of this series awhile ago the concept was great, I wasn't in any rush to continue the series though. The characters i found mostly annoying the mantis was the only one that interested me. It also struck me as being far longer than it needed to be. Might check out the second of the series at some point though.

[Pepper]

Peggy wrote: "Roger Zelazny is another author who parachutes you into the story without a lot of build-up. I was well into Nine Princes in Amber before I had the slightest idea what was going on. A..."

I haven't read any Zelazny. I have friends who love him but I never seen to get around to his books.