gcolston1832's review against another edition
2.0
Theatre of the Gods by M Suddain is a story about a journey through space and different dimensions. We follow a rag tag group as they travel to another dimension, encountering dangerous planets, whilst carrying precious cargo that gets them followed by some of the most dangerous people in the universe.
I’m really sorry to say that this book only received 2.5 stars from me. I really wanted to love this book but unfortunately that was not the case. I went into this book really excited as the premise was interesting and there were some really cool concepts introduced at the start, but they weren’t fully explored. I also found it to be quite confusing, spending most of the time not quite following what was going on.
That being said, the book was by no means all bad. As I said there was some really cool concepts such as all humans being part machine, and they did get me really excited at the start.
The actual layout of the book is interesting. Between some of the chapters there were illustrations of posters etc that related to the universe this book is set in and I did think it was a really nice touch.
It was actually quite funny at times and I did tab a few quotes I found particularly amusing. For example, seeing as the book is set in the future, they used more current music as traditional shanties, including Nirvana, and it made me laugh.
Some of the characters had some sort of special abilities and I liked the exploration of these, particularly those of the Well-Dressed Gentleman. The way it was described was quite clever and I did like that element of the story.
The characters overall were decent. They were nothing special, but they were fun to read about.
I did think the climax of the book was quite exciting. It really picked up at this point and got me interested in the story again.
However, I did have a hire a few problem with the book, the biggest being that it was just quite confusing. Things were happening and I didn’t understand how, the plot felt quite messy and jumpy and it just found it difficult to follow.
After the actual space travel ends, the characters arrive at a city and then for a long time nothing happens. I found myself starting to get bored at this point and I didn’t really want to pick up the book and read it, which may be why it took me so long.
There were cases of characters surviving things they should not have survived. I won’t give spoilers but someone would be gone, certainly not to return, but then miraculously reappear at a later point. I just found it unrealistic that anyone could escape these situations.
I also had a really big issue with the fact that the book was so plot-driven. It really affected the characters and whilst they were okay, they had very little dimension and I didn’t feel like I knew them or was attached to them in anyway. This wouldn’t have been so bad if the plot made up for this but it really didn’t, so everything just seemed pretty mediocre.
The other issues with the characters was that they didn’t really fork any meaningful relationships, with a few exceptions, but the strongest relationships were developed before the story begins, so we didn’t get to see the development. Any relationships that were formed during the course of the book were unconvincing.
Finally, the book left me with loads of unanswered questions, which I don’t want to be left with when I’ve finished a book. It wasn’t even done in the sense that it was open ended, though it partly was, it was mostly just things that hadn’t been explained or wrapped up properly.
Overall, this book really had so much promise, but the execution wasn’t great. I did find the confusion hindered my enjoyment alongside the lack of attachment to characters. I have plenty of questions still, but there doesn’t seem to be a sequel to answer them, at least that I can find. If there is a sequel, I would be reluctant to pick it up anyway because I don’t know if I would enjoy it.
I’m really sorry to say that this book only received 2.5 stars from me. I really wanted to love this book but unfortunately that was not the case. I went into this book really excited as the premise was interesting and there were some really cool concepts introduced at the start, but they weren’t fully explored. I also found it to be quite confusing, spending most of the time not quite following what was going on.
That being said, the book was by no means all bad. As I said there was some really cool concepts such as all humans being part machine, and they did get me really excited at the start.
The actual layout of the book is interesting. Between some of the chapters there were illustrations of posters etc that related to the universe this book is set in and I did think it was a really nice touch.
It was actually quite funny at times and I did tab a few quotes I found particularly amusing. For example, seeing as the book is set in the future, they used more current music as traditional shanties, including Nirvana, and it made me laugh.
Some of the characters had some sort of special abilities and I liked the exploration of these, particularly those of the Well-Dressed Gentleman. The way it was described was quite clever and I did like that element of the story.
The characters overall were decent. They were nothing special, but they were fun to read about.
I did think the climax of the book was quite exciting. It really picked up at this point and got me interested in the story again.
However, I did have a hire a few problem with the book, the biggest being that it was just quite confusing. Things were happening and I didn’t understand how, the plot felt quite messy and jumpy and it just found it difficult to follow.
After the actual space travel ends, the characters arrive at a city and then for a long time nothing happens. I found myself starting to get bored at this point and I didn’t really want to pick up the book and read it, which may be why it took me so long.
There were cases of characters surviving things they should not have survived. I won’t give spoilers but someone would be gone, certainly not to return, but then miraculously reappear at a later point. I just found it unrealistic that anyone could escape these situations.
I also had a really big issue with the fact that the book was so plot-driven. It really affected the characters and whilst they were okay, they had very little dimension and I didn’t feel like I knew them or was attached to them in anyway. This wouldn’t have been so bad if the plot made up for this but it really didn’t, so everything just seemed pretty mediocre.
The other issues with the characters was that they didn’t really fork any meaningful relationships, with a few exceptions, but the strongest relationships were developed before the story begins, so we didn’t get to see the development. Any relationships that were formed during the course of the book were unconvincing.
Finally, the book left me with loads of unanswered questions, which I don’t want to be left with when I’ve finished a book. It wasn’t even done in the sense that it was open ended, though it partly was, it was mostly just things that hadn’t been explained or wrapped up properly.
Overall, this book really had so much promise, but the execution wasn’t great. I did find the confusion hindered my enjoyment alongside the lack of attachment to characters. I have plenty of questions still, but there doesn’t seem to be a sequel to answer them, at least that I can find. If there is a sequel, I would be reluctant to pick it up anyway because I don’t know if I would enjoy it.
plennard's review
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
theatlantean's review against another edition
4.0
What a weird and wonderful book! It does veer of-target somewhere in the middle, and really there are several sections which don't add anything, but as a Swiftian adventure, with a cast of strange characters, and a wonderful and amusing style, it is great.
I should probably add a homunculus to that, but I'm as rebel, so i won't.
And yes, that's exactly how much of a mad bastard this book is. You won't regret it.
Until you do.
I should probably add a homunculus to that, but I'm as rebel, so i won't.
And yes, that's exactly how much of a mad bastard this book is. You won't regret it.
Until you do.
rgreatreader's review against another edition
dnf
Too complex for me at the time, and then it had to go back to the library
Too complex for me at the time, and then it had to go back to the library
bell_the_bookworm's review
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
2.5
It was alright, was confusing and sooooooo slow but the end was really good.
aussiesff's review against another edition
5.0
This was fantastic! The plot jumped all over the place for the first 300 pages with hilarious results and considering the main objective of the Character Fabrigas is to jump to another universe, this works beautifully.
One of the things I loved the most of the pop culture references. I wish the "traditional sea shanties" had continued into the second half of the book because the image of a dirty, disreputable rabble of grisaled sailors singing mixed up versions of pop songs is one of the funniest things I have read...ever!
The second half of the book is where the plot settles down and goes in a more linear fashion. This is where the action really heats up and once the homunculus shows up we're really cooking with gas.
Awesome book really worth the read.
I want more from these universes.
One of the things I loved the most of the pop culture references. I wish the "traditional sea shanties" had continued into the second half of the book because the image of a dirty, disreputable rabble of grisaled sailors singing mixed up versions of pop songs is one of the funniest things I have read...ever!
The second half of the book is where the plot settles down and goes in a more linear fashion. This is where the action really heats up and once the homunculus shows up we're really cooking with gas.
Awesome book really worth the read.
I want more from these universes.
directorpurry's review against another edition
4.0
What a weird and wild ride.
There is very little that I can say to do the plot justice, honestly. It's about universe-hopping, space traveling, futurepunk/steampunk/neonpunk pirates. I mean, come on, what more do you need?
I will say, there were definitely moments that could have been trimmed. It was a bit on the long side for its contents but some of my favorite moments were actually the tangent, non-plot related chapters. And there were some completely gorgeous sentences peppered throughout.
Also - homunculus ✌️ ✌️ ✌️
There is very little that I can say to do the plot justice, honestly. It's about universe-hopping, space traveling, futurepunk/steampunk/neonpunk pirates. I mean, come on, what more do you need?
I will say, there were definitely moments that could have been trimmed. It was a bit on the long side for its contents but some of my favorite moments were actually the tangent, non-plot related chapters. And there were some completely gorgeous sentences peppered throughout.
Also - homunculus ✌️ ✌️ ✌️
theartolater's review against another edition
2.0
As someone who enjoys big, bombastic science fiction space operas, I've been waiting for a long time for Matt Suddain's Theatre of the Gods, which I first heard of ages ago and was able to read an advance copy of recently even though I'm unaware of any United States release date for it. Theatre of the Gods is indeed ambitious and expansive, with a very unique narration and narrative structure, but ultimately falls underneath its own weight and becomes a little messy and haphazard.
The story, in three parts, involves an explorer on a ship with an incredibly differing group of people as a crew. There's a space Pope they're fighting. Some creature called "The Sweety." It's almost pointless to try and derive an overarching plot from this, because part of the ambitiousness of this book is the small mini-tangents that the book and the crew go off on before what ends up being a semi-epic confrontation right at the end.
The downside to the book is, unfortunately, the scope and ambitiousness. With so many moving parts and so much going on, it's very difficult to keep tied together from time to time, and the narration (which I could not stop hearing in the voice of Cecil from Welcome to Night Vale) is interesting enough to almost pull you out of the proceedings a bit. With such an epic scope, it ends up being a little frustrating for things to not go the way one might expect in terms of a more linear narrative. A lot about this book is just difficult, and not in a good way.
My issues with Theatre of the Gods is ultimately one of too much in one place. Suddain is clearly a very talented writer, and I will almost definitely try out another one of his books, but I wish I had proceeded with more caution on this one on a whole, as it ultimately left me cold and frustrated.
The story, in three parts, involves an explorer on a ship with an incredibly differing group of people as a crew. There's a space Pope they're fighting. Some creature called "The Sweety." It's almost pointless to try and derive an overarching plot from this, because part of the ambitiousness of this book is the small mini-tangents that the book and the crew go off on before what ends up being a semi-epic confrontation right at the end.
The downside to the book is, unfortunately, the scope and ambitiousness. With so many moving parts and so much going on, it's very difficult to keep tied together from time to time, and the narration (which I could not stop hearing in the voice of Cecil from Welcome to Night Vale) is interesting enough to almost pull you out of the proceedings a bit. With such an epic scope, it ends up being a little frustrating for things to not go the way one might expect in terms of a more linear narrative. A lot about this book is just difficult, and not in a good way.
My issues with Theatre of the Gods is ultimately one of too much in one place. Suddain is clearly a very talented writer, and I will almost definitely try out another one of his books, but I wish I had proceeded with more caution on this one on a whole, as it ultimately left me cold and frustrated.
janinalinnea's review
adventurous
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
Fun and exciting read with great characters who develop and grow on you throughout their big adventure. The plot is rather twisty and doesn’t always unfold in the clearest way possible, which adds some mystery. I enjoyed the take on an unreliable narrator who makes space for himself in his telling of the story, though I think this could have been developed and explored even further. The pace is fast and there are many weird and whacky settings, which contributes to the fun and excitement, but I also think it leads to the more philosophical questions about what it means to be human and trying to find meaning in a world that is too big to fathom not quite getting the breathing room they deserve.
watersapphire's review against another edition
5.0
Oh, I know, I know, I know, this is all hellishly confusing. A man arrives in a space-saucer and claims to have travelled from another universe - a universe identical to this one - except that he has already left to travel to the next universe. He is thrown into prison for cosmic heresy, later freed on a trumped-up exoneration based largely on a dream about a starfish and a giant clam. Ah! It is infinitely confounding.
Ļoti episks, asprātīgs un filozofisks piedzīvojums kosmosā, pilns ar visādiem absurdiem notikumiem un neticamiem pavērsiniem.
Stāsts tiešām spēj apmulsināt lasītāju ar savu neierasto stilu, bet tas pilnīgi noteikti ir lasīšanas vērts.
Nabaga vecajam zinātniekam M. F. Fabrigas ir jādodas ceļojumā uz citu visumu, lai gan patiesībā viņš vēlas tikai un vienīgi atdusēties mierā (vai vismaz dzīvot mierā, jo nāve nenāk pat saukta), bet Imperatores pavēle ir Imperatores pavēle. Tad nu vecajam, nogurušajam vīram ir jāgādā sev komanda un kuģis, lai dotos ceļā kā likts (vai arī vismaz jāliek tam tā izskatīties).
Protams, ne visi ir sajūsmā par šo misiju. Tā apdraud visādas politiskas intrigas, nemaz nerunājot par tiem dieviem, kas neatbalsta vairāk kā viena visuma eksistenci, tāpēc šo piedzīvojumu ir jāaptur pēc iespējas ātrāk, pat tad ja Pāvestam pašam jādodas uz citu visumu krusta karā, lai novērstu šīs ķecerīgās iedomas par citu visumu eksistenci! Nemaz nerunāsim par pakaļ sūtītajām pasūtījumu slepkavām, jo tā nu ir sagadījies, ka šī Imperatores misija ir tikusi pie dažiem ļoti vērtīgiem bezbiļetniekiem.
Tā nu vecais ļoti neparastā kompānijā šķērso visumu, cīnās ar milzīgiem gaļēdāj augiem, veic (zinātniski izskaidrotu) eksorcismu milzīga briesmoņa vēderā, mēģina parūpēties par diviem ļoti neparastiem bērniem un dara vēl daudz visādu mazāk vai vairāk absurdu lietu, kas kopā veido ļoti aizraujošu un vēl neredzētu piedzīvojumu. Un tas viss tikai viena Imperatores sapņa dēļ! [Homunculus.]
Ļoti episks, asprātīgs un filozofisks piedzīvojums kosmosā, pilns ar visādiem absurdiem notikumiem un neticamiem pavērsiniem.
Stāsts tiešām spēj apmulsināt lasītāju ar savu neierasto stilu, bet tas pilnīgi noteikti ir lasīšanas vērts.
Nabaga vecajam zinātniekam M. F. Fabrigas ir jādodas ceļojumā uz citu visumu, lai gan patiesībā viņš vēlas tikai un vienīgi atdusēties mierā (vai vismaz dzīvot mierā, jo nāve nenāk pat saukta), bet Imperatores pavēle ir Imperatores pavēle. Tad nu vecajam, nogurušajam vīram ir jāgādā sev komanda un kuģis, lai dotos ceļā kā likts (vai arī vismaz jāliek tam tā izskatīties).
Protams, ne visi ir sajūsmā par šo misiju. Tā apdraud visādas politiskas intrigas, nemaz nerunājot par tiem dieviem, kas neatbalsta vairāk kā viena visuma eksistenci, tāpēc šo piedzīvojumu ir jāaptur pēc iespējas ātrāk, pat tad ja Pāvestam pašam jādodas uz citu visumu krusta karā, lai novērstu šīs ķecerīgās iedomas par citu visumu eksistenci! Nemaz nerunāsim par pakaļ sūtītajām pasūtījumu slepkavām, jo tā nu ir sagadījies, ka šī Imperatores misija ir tikusi pie dažiem ļoti vērtīgiem bezbiļetniekiem.
Tā nu vecais ļoti neparastā kompānijā šķērso visumu, cīnās ar milzīgiem gaļēdāj augiem, veic (zinātniski izskaidrotu) eksorcismu milzīga briesmoņa vēderā, mēģina parūpēties par diviem ļoti neparastiem bērniem un dara vēl daudz visādu mazāk vai vairāk absurdu lietu, kas kopā veido ļoti aizraujošu un vēl neredzētu piedzīvojumu. Un tas viss tikai viena Imperatores sapņa dēļ! [Homunculus.]