I am perhaps being quite generous here, but I thought this was by far the best book in the series so far. The three previous volumes try to do too mucI am perhaps being quite generous here, but I thought this was by far the best book in the series so far. The three previous volumes try to do too much, and do not do it as well as other science fiction and space opera series. Cibola Burn's approach, to centre the narrative around small-scale developments on a single newly discovered planet, while still tying events to the overarching plot line and the series' ongoing mystery, was a masterstroke....more
Absolutely fantastic summary of all that's inspired Tolkien, and all that Tolkien has inspired. As a long-time Tolkien enthusiast most of it was not eAbsolutely fantastic summary of all that's inspired Tolkien, and all that Tolkien has inspired. As a long-time Tolkien enthusiast most of it was not exactly new to me, but the book has a thoroughly enjoyable read, particularly in small chunks on evenings at the mountain cabin....more
Trudging on. I'm left with a strange feeling of being invested and disappointed at the same time. The Expanse is an occasionally rather mediocre serieTrudging on. I'm left with a strange feeling of being invested and disappointed at the same time. The Expanse is an occasionally rather mediocre series, but there is no doubt that it also has the ability to captivate with its suspense.
Ultimately I had this one hovering between three and four stars, same as the previous book, but I'm feeling generous due to some improvements in plot development. However, I'm left with two complaints: one relatively minor one, that a POV character did not need to be a POV character and made the book worse by being included as such, and one major one, namely that the series is starting to drag and feel like it keeps pushing serious narrative and worldbuilding down the line to write more.
It's obviously a masterpiece, but I understand why some readers are disappointed. It's the medievalist in me loving this book, not the Tolkien fan.
WhiIt's obviously a masterpiece, but I understand why some readers are disappointed. It's the medievalist in me loving this book, not the Tolkien fan.
While I have appreciated every single one of the Christopher Tolkien-edited volumed published since his father's death, it's usually for different reasons. Some of them provide new insights into Middle-Earth. Others are explorations and adaptations of medieval literature. This belongs very solidly in the latter group....more
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