Reviews

Two Serpents Rise by Max Gladstone

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shdnx's review against another edition

4.0

Two Serpents Rise was a tough nut to crack. It's a book with a very inconsistent intensity, with pacing changes several times throughout the story. The first about 40% is an okay story - incomplete, by itself, but entertaining, moderately paced. Then comes a very slow ~20%, during which almost nothing happens, except for a botched love story. I did not like this phase, was really bored and very strongly considered giving up. Still, this too is needed, it's also a critical part of the whole, and it builds up to the final 40%, which is just awesome.

This is no direct continuation of [b:Three Parts Dead|13539191|Three Parts Dead (Craft Sequence #1)|Max Gladstone|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1333049511s/13539191.jpg|19101555], but is rather a different book set in the same world. Most of the plot is focused around the conflict between gods and craftsmen - men, who have learned to bend the universe to their will much like gods do, and after having (mostly) defeated the gods, try to make the world work.

While the concept is sound, I did not like the implementation. Most of it manifested in Caleb's stubborn refusal to kill people - even people who wanted to die, or deserved to die. While this imperfection does work from a character-building perspective, it reduces the whole conflict to a ridiculous teenager-stubbornness kind of conflict.

The writing is very graphic, almost artistic, when describing Craft ("magic"), and it rather enjoyable to read. The world-building was also very solid, re-using much from Three Parts Dead, but also adding new components, new depth. A true living-breath world.

Overall, I was not disappointed. Can't wait for the next book in sequence, [b:Full Fathom Five|16148208|Full Fathom Five (Craft Sequence, #3)|Max Gladstone|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1385068358s/16148208.jpg|21982690].

mridzyreads's review against another edition

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4.0

Book 2 but a whole new story. I went in without expectations and came out grinning. The bad thing about the Craft Sequence series is that it is dependent on the previous book and that probably makes it a good thing.

The universe is still the same. We are probably thinking of somewhere post apocalyptic where humans have transcended to God-Kings who have taken down the Gods. But it's not all black and white.

I like the protagonist. Caleb is someone I wouldn't mind seeing more of in some of the next installments.

branch_c's review against another edition

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4.0

I enjoyed this one almost as much as Three Parts Dead; Gladstone continues to impress with his ability to construct an ingeniously creative setting as well his polished and stylish writing.

The juxtaposition between sorcery and bureaucracy is both clever enough and absurd enough to pull the reader along for the ride. I was reminded of China Mièville at his best, and somewhat of Gaiman.

However, the characters are a bit overly dramatic at times, making profound pronouncements at every opportunity - for me, this seems like the book taking itself a bit too seriously. I find the best parts to be those where the author takes a lighter touch.

A fun series, and I certainly plan continue with it.