The Element of Fire, Wells' first novel impressively creates a very vivid Victorian style world with an infusion of magic/fantasy. The plot moves alonThe Element of Fire, Wells' first novel impressively creates a very vivid Victorian style world with an infusion of magic/fantasy. The plot moves along at a good pace, though some of the detailed politics and secondary characters of this world get a little fuzzy. I read this novel after reading the Ile-Rien trilogy, and I felt that Kade and Thomas were more entertaining leads than Tremaine and Ilias from the trilogy.
The Death of the Necromancer was an enjoyable Victorian type world that embraced mystery, sorcery, magic, and necromancy. The main characters of Nicholas and Madeline are given lots of depth with a detailed backstory. The secondary characters are also well written, and memorable. I definitely agree that this was deserving of a Nebula nomination. In hindsight, having Nicholas in the Fall of Ile-Rien series was a bit underwhelming....more
As a satellite engineer and big fan of Time Team, I was very eager to read this book. I thoroughly enjoyed this high level introduction to how satelliAs a satellite engineer and big fan of Time Team, I was very eager to read this book. I thoroughly enjoyed this high level introduction to how satellite imagery is being used to identify potential archeology sites. I was also extremely impressed with the bibliography, which demonstrated that citing sources is not a lost art.
One minor issue I had was that at the end of the book, it was that the GlobalXplorer website is no longer active.
It would be interesting if Sarah follows up this book, or adds some additional detail in about 5-10 years, to see how much farther the technology has progressed.
After finishing this series, I felt that it never got to the point where I had to read just one more chapter. Overall, the series was entertaining, buAfter finishing this series, I felt that it never got to the point where I had to read just one more chapter. Overall, the series was entertaining, but not a page turner. The descriptions throughout the novels were extremely detailed, and painted a vivid picture of the surroundings. Unfortunately I felt that the the secondary characters were not given as much backstory or detail, and that there were too many of these characters to keep track of. The pacing of this novel was steady, though the last few chapters it seemed like it became rushed....more
A stand alone novel that created a very intriguing world, but left a few questions lingering. The story of Grey Grimm, his mom & dad, and how they tryA stand alone novel that created a very intriguing world, but left a few questions lingering. The story of Grey Grimm, his mom & dad, and how they try to understand the mysterious Maze, and the allure of the Maze. I enjoyed it, but was confused at points when the characters are trying to understand what is happening. There are other books in the Foreverland Universe, maybe I'll read another one in the series. I read this as part of the Dominion Rising anthology.
Merged review:
A stand alone novel that created a very intriguing world, but left a few questions lingering. The story of Grey Grimm, his mom & dad, and how they try to understand the mysterious Maze, and the allure of the Maze. I enjoyed it, but was confused at points when the characters are trying to understand what is happening. There are other books in the Foreverland Universe, maybe I'll read another one in the series. I read this as part of the Dominion Rising anthology....more
I felt like the 2nd novel was OK, but it felt like the plot got bogged down. My biggest issue was the introduction of secondary characters who seemed I felt like the 2nd novel was OK, but it felt like the plot got bogged down. My biggest issue was the introduction of secondary characters who seemed one dimensional, and blurred together. I think the detail of the main characters was good, with depth and back story providing growth to their characters based on the events of the first book. Tremaine's character still felt bipolar and I haven't warmed to her even though she is the main protagonist. I'm just starting the 3rd novel, and am hoping that it becomes a page turner....more
This earlier novel from Martha Wells is a complete genre change from her later Murderbot books. The story moves at a leisurely pace, and my biggest isThis earlier novel from Martha Wells is a complete genre change from her later Murderbot books. The story moves at a leisurely pace, and my biggest issue is that the main character Tremaine didn't really pull me in. The plot itself slowly unfolds, and maybe that's why I wasn't drawn in as much as other novels. The world building is intriguing, but is hampered by the need to unfold the mysteries in a slow manner. I'm interested enough to read the entire trilogy, I just wish I was drawn in more....more
Another enjoyable Murderbot novella, though this one seemed a bit short. I think my biggest issue with this novella is that it felt like we were jumpiAnother enjoyable Murderbot novella, though this one seemed a bit short. I think my biggest issue with this novella is that it felt like we were jumping into the story already in action - and I really don't remember many details from the last novella. I wish the story was longer so that we can get more backstory and world building....more
This was a satisfying conclusion to the series. Overall, this has been one of the better sci-fi series that I've read, because each book showed the coThis was a satisfying conclusion to the series. Overall, this has been one of the better sci-fi series that I've read, because each book showed the consequences of actions taken in previous books, while letting the character arcs grow and evolve. My only minor gripes with this novel was having too much focus on Tanaka and Elvi. Going through a rewatch of the Amazon show, and am so impressed with their version of the source material. I would love for Corey to come back to this world, and continue the story....more
Each book in this series has been getting better and better! This is probably one of the few sci-fi series that I've read where each novel has been beEach book in this series has been getting better and better! This is probably one of the few sci-fi series that I've read where each novel has been been raising the bar successfully while moving the story forward in time. The character development has been amazing to see the crew as they have aged. The plot line shows the consequences of actions taken in the earlier books, and how the universe has evolved.
I would suggest that you read book 6.5 Strange Dogs novella before reading this book. I only wish Amazon had continued the series to follow these later novels....more
Another really good novel in the series. I am impressed that each book is showing the after effects of the previous novels, how the impacts of those eAnother really good novel in the series. I am impressed that each book is showing the after effects of the previous novels, how the impacts of those early actions have influenced their current reality, and watching our characters as they age. It's too bad that Amazon didn't continue the TV series for these later novels....more
I wish that the POV stayed on the crew of the Rocinante instead of jumping to new and secondary characters. I felt that the plot was a little weaker tI wish that the POV stayed on the crew of the Rocinante instead of jumping to new and secondary characters. I felt that the plot was a little weaker than the previous novels, and moved at a slower pace. I do enjoy how each new novel shows the consequences of the previous novel(s).
One word of caution, don't read the short stories (Memory Legion) before reading all the novels first, or at least don't read Strange Dogs (2017), Auberon (2019), The Sins of Our Fathers (2022). Those short stories take place after this novel....more
Finally a book that has POVs for Amos, Naomi, and Alex! It only took 5 books to focus specifically on the crew, and not secondary characters. Now I'm Finally a book that has POVs for Amos, Naomi, and Alex! It only took 5 books to focus specifically on the crew, and not secondary characters. Now I'm hoping that Bobbie and Chrisjen Avasarala get their POV chapters.
This story had much more intensity, due to each character having their own arc, yet the plot intertwined them very successfully. I like the overall arc of the series really evolving based on the aftereffects of each previous novel. This series just seems to get better and better, with the stakes getting higher and higher....more
The short stories were generally good, and to a certain extent some were used in the TV show, but the underlying issue is that some of the stories focThe short stories were generally good, and to a certain extent some were used in the TV show, but the underlying issue is that some of the stories focus on people not seen in the series, but take place in the timeframe of major plotlines from the series. Without calling out spoilers, I think the strongest story is Strange Dogs.
One word of caution, read the entire series first and then this collection - or at least read each relevant short story after reading one of the corresponding novels. I've read 4 books so far, so some of the later short stories have provided spoilers to upcoming books. ...more
Another good novel in the series. It's interesting to see how events are progressing based on the outcomes of each novel. My minor gripes are that he Another good novel in the series. It's interesting to see how events are progressing based on the outcomes of each novel. My minor gripes are that he still hasn't had a single chapter from Alex, Amos or Naomi's perspective. I wish that he would focus a bit more on them, as well as the characters from the previous novels: Fred Johnson, Bobbie, and the UN leader since they were all such strong supporting characters....more
I enjoyed the 3rd book, though it differed quite a bit from season 3 of the TV series. At first it was jarring, but ultimately the overall plot was saI enjoyed the 3rd book, though it differed quite a bit from season 3 of the TV series. At first it was jarring, but ultimately the overall plot was satisfying. I do wish that Corey would begin to have chapters from Amos, Alex, and Naomi's perspective. Many new characters were introduced in season 3, so it's unfortunate that Bobbie and Avasarala are noticeably missing....more
This was a good conclusion to the trilogy. Having watched the Netflix show before reading the series, it influences my perspective on this novel. I thThis was a good conclusion to the trilogy. Having watched the Netflix show before reading the series, it influences my perspective on this novel. I think the quest for the Firebird was a bit rushed, and didn't feel like a quest in traditional fantasy novels. The overall storyline felt a little distant, so that I didn't gain much insight into some of the secondary characters in the Second Army and the separation between Alina and the Darkling reduced the feeling of conflict and dread. Additionally, Nikolai's subplot and resolution seemed rushed. Even with these flaws, the overall story made for an interesting trilogy....more
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