jill_fantastyczna's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
sumeetv's review
5.0
This isn't a book for everyone. If I were trying to give this an "objective" rating of how good it was, I would probably give this 4 starts. That being said, this book scratched an itch I didn't know I had. Fantastical elements and bizarre technology clash in what read like an homage to the Warhammer 40k universe while retaining a strong sense of originality. The seamless blending of unique ideas ranging from the importance of rituals and calendars to extreme military tactics form a universe I couldn't help but get lost in. If you like world-building with some bizarrely compelling ideas and character driven plot, you owe it to yourself to read this book.
towerbooks's review against another edition
The concept was interesting at first but it ended up being too bland to proceed.
kmfeeney's review
2.0
DNF. I wanted to like this so bad. It just wasn't for me. I spent most of the book hoping I would understand what the hell was going on or maybe grow to like the characters but it never happened. I may come back to this sometime in the future.
sqlclause's review against another edition
5.0
Absolutely loved it. Does what a sci-fi book ought to - make you start thinking about both the present time as well as what lies in the future. And pulls you in.
Will definatlely read it again.
Will definatlely read it again.
tinkeringcheck's review against another edition
So I adore creative, immersive worldbuilding, but I just can't stand it when you're dropped straight into a complex world without ever explaining what the heck is going on. Like I don't want to be coddled as a reader, but I don't think it's crazy to expect explanations or context clues to be woven into the story (with hopefully some subtly) to help you put the pieces together.
Instead the author just... aborted explanations entirely? Which is unfortunately not really novel to me as a reader, especially coupled with prose this dense.
Instead the author just... aborted explanations entirely? Which is unfortunately not really novel to me as a reader, especially coupled with prose this dense.
dannosaurusrex's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
especbooks's review against another edition
4.0
I received a free copy of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
To sum this up succinctly, if you can get past the first battle, this is a brilliant book and well worth reading.
This is not to say that the beginning isn't as well written as the rest of the book, but rather that it is quite alien to our own reality, which makes this book a very, very hard read. The concepts are original but complex, so different from the norm that one must focus intensely to grasp what is happening and retain what will later become relevant. To give you an idea of what I mean, I generally finish books in a matter of days, if not hours. This book took me a solid month to finish.
I love the interplay between the characters and the contrast between the ruling regime and the heretics. I though the conception and execution of the story was amazing and doubt I could do as much. It is difficult to develop a reality so different from our own to the most minute detail and sell a reader on it to the point that they could follow, while not always understanding.
Would I read this book again? Likely not as I tend to go for recreational reading that gives my brain a break and this is definitely a book that makes you think. However, though I would not revisit it, Ninefox Gambit will stay with me for a very long time and I am certain I will look for more by this author.
To sum this up succinctly, if you can get past the first battle, this is a brilliant book and well worth reading.
This is not to say that the beginning isn't as well written as the rest of the book, but rather that it is quite alien to our own reality, which makes this book a very, very hard read. The concepts are original but complex, so different from the norm that one must focus intensely to grasp what is happening and retain what will later become relevant. To give you an idea of what I mean, I generally finish books in a matter of days, if not hours. This book took me a solid month to finish.
I love the interplay between the characters and the contrast between the ruling regime and the heretics. I though the conception and execution of the story was amazing and doubt I could do as much. It is difficult to develop a reality so different from our own to the most minute detail and sell a reader on it to the point that they could follow, while not always understanding.
Would I read this book again? Likely not as I tend to go for recreational reading that gives my brain a break and this is definitely a book that makes you think. However, though I would not revisit it, Ninefox Gambit will stay with me for a very long time and I am certain I will look for more by this author.