kejadlen's review
3.0
Not as good as the previous books. Too light, without enough SF. Also, Peter Watts explored the end concept in way more depth in Blindsight.
books17's review
4.0
Still good, although the last quarter of the book gets very VERY exposition wall of text. Interesting, but a struggle to get through. Still, I can't wait to read the last one.
firecat's review
4.0
Schroeder is a hard science fiction writer who builts fascinating worlds AND populates them with interesting characters. Joyce Irvine, who also narrates the other books in this series, has a unique voice that I absolutely love. David Thorn is also a very competent narrator.
I did find it annoying that Irvine and Thorn often switch off narration in the middle of a scene. Whenever they switched at a point that wasn't a chapter break, it distracted me for a couple of minutes.
I did find it annoying that Irvine and Thorn often switch off narration in the middle of a scene. Whenever they switched at a point that wasn't a chapter break, it distracted me for a couple of minutes.
ewolf's review
4.0
Though it is mainly focused on a Historian, it is a really good addition to the series. There is the issue with the government and she deals with it while also contributing to the bigger story. Many references to past characters. As well as a return of Hayden Griffen.
pussreboots's review
5.0
Like so much of my reading I read the forth of Karl Schroeder's Virga series, The Sunless Countries first. My newly opened library has designed their new books section to look like a book store. It makes the new books so appealing that I've been grabbing books later in the series.
The first three books follow Hayden Griffin a man bent on revenge for the deaths of his parents. They had been sun builders, a very valuable skill in the dark balloon skin of Virga. In The Sunless Countries Schroeder introduces a new main character and explores life in the darkest areas of Virga.
Leal Hieronyma Maspeth is a lecturer hoping for tenure at her local university. Unfortunately her town is in the grips of a conservative take over and the new government has its sights on the university and any other point of view that is contrary to their religious views.
Of course though (and probably for fans of the first three books), Leal ends up being an outcast from her town and ends up in alliance with Hayden Griffin. Together they explore the darkest and scariest parts of Virga and learn more about the world's history (exactly what the relgious leaders don't want).
Schroeder does a fantastic job of creating Virga and the worlds contained within. He makes Leal's day to day life believable and compelling.
I tore through the book in about a day and a half. I loved it. I couldn't put it down. I know that's a cliche but for this book it's true. It was in my hands whenever I had a free moment of time.
I am now working my way through the previous three books.
The Virga Series:
* Sun of Suns (Virga, #1)
* Queen of Candesce (Virga, #2)
* Pirate Sun (Virga, #3)
* The Sunless Countries (Virga, #4)
The first three books follow Hayden Griffin a man bent on revenge for the deaths of his parents. They had been sun builders, a very valuable skill in the dark balloon skin of Virga. In The Sunless Countries Schroeder introduces a new main character and explores life in the darkest areas of Virga.
Leal Hieronyma Maspeth is a lecturer hoping for tenure at her local university. Unfortunately her town is in the grips of a conservative take over and the new government has its sights on the university and any other point of view that is contrary to their religious views.
Of course though (and probably for fans of the first three books), Leal ends up being an outcast from her town and ends up in alliance with Hayden Griffin. Together they explore the darkest and scariest parts of Virga and learn more about the world's history (exactly what the relgious leaders don't want).
Schroeder does a fantastic job of creating Virga and the worlds contained within. He makes Leal's day to day life believable and compelling.
I tore through the book in about a day and a half. I loved it. I couldn't put it down. I know that's a cliche but for this book it's true. It was in my hands whenever I had a free moment of time.
I am now working my way through the previous three books.
The Virga Series:
* Sun of Suns (Virga, #1)
* Queen of Candesce (Virga, #2)
* Pirate Sun (Virga, #3)
* The Sunless Countries (Virga, #4)
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