patremagne's review against another edition
5.0
http://abitterdraft.blogspot.com/2013/05/double-review-empire-in-black-and-gold.html
In Dragonfly Falling, second novel of Shadows of the Apt, the plot that began in Empire in Black and Gold continues at a breakneck pace. We meet new characters, find new motives in old characters, and are shown a multitude of twists that come completely unexpected.
Dragonfly Falling is about war. The entirety of the novel takes us from siege to siege, battle to battle, and duel to duel. We live through the sieges, from frontline infantry to generals in command on either side. We see many vehicles from Empire in Black and Gold such as the heliopter, but now we have tank-like armourclads leading the charge. Outside of the air and land battles, we are introduced to the naval aspect of warfare in the nameless world Tchaikovsky has created. Submarines, floating armourclads, flagships, you name it. No matter the scene, no matter the vehicle, no matter the person, from the sergeant in the Tarkesh army to the Emperor of the Wasps, we're given a gripping tale of warfare; of kinden fighting for their very existence. The steampunk style of technology continues to dazzle and is deftly described in its application to this war.
The issue from Empire in Black and Gold where Tchaikovsky fumbled with associating so many characters is more or less resolved, and with even more characters added to most of those from the previous novel. The scale of the series is huge, and Adrian tackles it brilliantly. Throughout the first two novels, I've grown attached to Thalric, an Imperial agent who does what he does for his country, regardless of its goals. He reminds me somewhat of Erwin Rommel, who was a Nazi only in name and did not necessarily agree with what he was told to do - he just followed orders.
Anyway, Dragonfly Falling was a fantastic addition to the Shadows of the Apt arc. Just as in the first novel, we're left off with an end that is essentially the calm before the storm. Tchaikovsky has proven himself to be adept at writing endings that aren't the kind of cliffhangers where someone's being held at swordpoint before the text cuts off, but are still compelling enough to make me want more. He only improved from the first novel to the second, and I hope he continues to do so in the third, Blood of the Mantis.
In Dragonfly Falling, second novel of Shadows of the Apt, the plot that began in Empire in Black and Gold continues at a breakneck pace. We meet new characters, find new motives in old characters, and are shown a multitude of twists that come completely unexpected.
Dragonfly Falling is about war. The entirety of the novel takes us from siege to siege, battle to battle, and duel to duel. We live through the sieges, from frontline infantry to generals in command on either side. We see many vehicles from Empire in Black and Gold such as the heliopter, but now we have tank-like armourclads leading the charge. Outside of the air and land battles, we are introduced to the naval aspect of warfare in the nameless world Tchaikovsky has created. Submarines, floating armourclads, flagships, you name it. No matter the scene, no matter the vehicle, no matter the person, from the sergeant in the Tarkesh army to the Emperor of the Wasps, we're given a gripping tale of warfare; of kinden fighting for their very existence. The steampunk style of technology continues to dazzle and is deftly described in its application to this war.
The issue from Empire in Black and Gold where Tchaikovsky fumbled with associating so many characters is more or less resolved, and with even more characters added to most of those from the previous novel. The scale of the series is huge, and Adrian tackles it brilliantly. Throughout the first two novels, I've grown attached to Thalric, an Imperial agent who does what he does for his country, regardless of its goals. He reminds me somewhat of Erwin Rommel, who was a Nazi only in name and did not necessarily agree with what he was told to do - he just followed orders.
Anyway, Dragonfly Falling was a fantastic addition to the Shadows of the Apt arc. Just as in the first novel, we're left off with an end that is essentially the calm before the storm. Tchaikovsky has proven himself to be adept at writing endings that aren't the kind of cliffhangers where someone's being held at swordpoint before the text cuts off, but are still compelling enough to make me want more. He only improved from the first novel to the second, and I hope he continues to do so in the third, Blood of the Mantis.
books_with_benghis_kahn's review against another edition
5.0
Sometimes a read comes along that just sweeps you away and takes you for a rollercoaster ride that you just never want to come to the end of. This was a perfect book for me. I was never once bored or taken out of the narrative. It features two of the best sieges I've ever read, and one that blew me away both from a strategic/action standpoint and from an emotional one.
At the same time I was growing more connected to all the main characters, and the one I hadn't been too fond of (Totho) in book 1 became an extremely deep and complex character study in this one.
The POVs we start to get from inside the top of the Wasp Empire were magnificently done, as were the ant POVs with such an interesting insight into that extremely different and well developed culture.
I just couldn't put this book down and am thrilled to say with this one that Shadows of the Apt is no doubt among my favorite series.
At the same time I was growing more connected to all the main characters, and the one I hadn't been too fond of (Totho) in book 1 became an extremely deep and complex character study in this one.
The POVs we start to get from inside the top of the Wasp Empire were magnificently done, as were the ant POVs with such an interesting insight into that extremely different and well developed culture.
I just couldn't put this book down and am thrilled to say with this one that Shadows of the Apt is no doubt among my favorite series.
tornadical's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
jobby's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
zivan's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
The war is on, and in Dragonfly Falling thbn e emphasis moves from diplomacy and espionage to battle.
I felt this novel could have been shorter. But it's epic fantasy, so I guess it comes with the territory.
wertraut's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
krissysreading's review against another edition
5.0
Of course I love it. Adrian's Scifi books are just always right up my alley. I also love war fantasy and this is everything that is great about books these days
leelah's review against another edition
3.0
3,5 stars
I have this feeling I just gobbled through ungodly amount of text and bunch of action scenes, but I can sum it up in one sentence:
And that's it- if first book was setting the world and introducing the characters, this one was all about progressing the plot.
Empire changed their strategy of fake diplomacy and trying to take Lowlands on surprise all at once and reverted to their well known and trained way of conquering city by city. First stop, Ant-Kinden city Tark.
With this book it became clear to me what's one of Thaikovsky's strongest point: he writes detailed, strategically imagined and logically played out battle scenes. It's one of reasons I am itching to try his stand alone book, [b:Guns of the Dawn|23524779|Guns of the Dawn|Adrian Tchaikovsky|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1421364877s/23524779.jpg|43127821]. It's amazing, especially because his insect-world idea plays right into his hand: we have walking Kinden as infantry and flying Kinden are acting as aerial force. For example, my favorite part are Ants because they have hive mind thing going on and it really makes an interesting fight. :)
It's also where difference between Apt and Inapt Kinden becomes crucible...maybe even so much, it becomes the difference between losing and winning the war.
Following events from book #1, empire upped their game directly attacking Tark, but the fight start looking little more complex since politics and ancient grudges some cities have against their neighbors are used to form alliances. Lowlands were always divided and it's something Stenwold mentioned as their downfall even at the end of first book.
Shaping the story towards full-on war had a bit of setback on characters: no significant character development, and I was hoped it will be some, since first book didn't make me really invested in any of them. It made me ask myself what was the point of introducing Stenwold as spymaster with his young spies when none of them is..well, spying? This especially goes for Totho whom author made go on some misplaced guilt-trip and I didn't really like what he did with him. Let's hope we'll see them using skills they learned in Collegium in future books.
All in all- I don't think author stepped up with book #2, but he didn't make it worse either.
I have this feeling I just gobbled through ungodly amount of text and bunch of action scenes, but I can sum it up in one sentence:
Lowlands are in war with Wasps.
And that's it- if first book was setting the world and introducing the characters, this one was all about progressing the plot.
Empire changed their strategy of fake diplomacy and trying to take Lowlands on surprise all at once and reverted to their well known and trained way of conquering city by city. First stop, Ant-Kinden city Tark.
With this book it became clear to me what's one of Thaikovsky's strongest point: he writes detailed, strategically imagined and logically played out battle scenes. It's one of reasons I am itching to try his stand alone book, [b:Guns of the Dawn|23524779|Guns of the Dawn|Adrian Tchaikovsky|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1421364877s/23524779.jpg|43127821]. It's amazing, especially because his insect-world idea plays right into his hand: we have walking Kinden as infantry and flying Kinden are acting as aerial force. For example, my favorite part are Ants because they have hive mind thing going on and it really makes an interesting fight. :)
It's also where difference between Apt and Inapt Kinden becomes crucible...maybe even so much, it becomes the difference between losing and winning the war.
Following events from book #1, empire upped their game directly attacking Tark, but the fight start looking little more complex since politics and ancient grudges some cities have against their neighbors are used to form alliances. Lowlands were always divided and it's something Stenwold mentioned as their downfall even at the end of first book.
Shaping the story towards full-on war had a bit of setback on characters: no significant character development, and I was hoped it will be some, since first book didn't make me really invested in any of them. It made me ask myself what was the point of introducing Stenwold as spymaster with his young spies when none of them is..well, spying? This especially goes for Totho whom author made go on some misplaced guilt-trip and I didn't really like what he did with him. Let's hope we'll see them using skills they learned in Collegium in future books.
All in all- I don't think author stepped up with book #2, but he didn't make it worse either.
vinjii's review against another edition
4.0
This is the second book in the Shadows of the Apt series by Adrian Tchaikovsky.
He’s one of my favourite authors. If you're reluctant to dive into a long series without first getting to know an author, I've got a few recommendations. Fantasy: [b:Guns of the Dawn|23524779|Guns of the Dawn|Adrian Tchaikovsky|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1421364877s/23524779.jpg|43127821] (Austen's Elizabeth Bennet goes to war); Sci-Fi: [b:Children of Time|25499718|Children of Time (Children of Time #1)|Adrian Tchaikovsky|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1431014197s/25499718.jpg|45276208] and [b:Dogs of War|35827220|Dogs of War|Adrian Tchaikovsky|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1501011224s/35827220.jpg|57331336].
The premise of the Shadows of the Apt series (which spans ten books) is simple: every species in this fantasy series is an insect-kinden, and has got the mannerisms, characteristics and qualities of said insect. We've got dragonflies, beetles, ants and flies etc.
Then one day, the Wasp Empire attacks.
This is a vast, detailed world and Tchaikovsky's love for everything that crawls is found on every page. The plot is of epic proportion with a sprawling war, and there's a huge cast of characters. Tchaikovsky excels at writing morally grey characters.
I highly recommend this series to all fans of epic fantasy. This is innovative, original and has not been done before.
He’s one of my favourite authors. If you're reluctant to dive into a long series without first getting to know an author, I've got a few recommendations. Fantasy: [b:Guns of the Dawn|23524779|Guns of the Dawn|Adrian Tchaikovsky|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1421364877s/23524779.jpg|43127821] (Austen's Elizabeth Bennet goes to war); Sci-Fi: [b:Children of Time|25499718|Children of Time (Children of Time #1)|Adrian Tchaikovsky|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1431014197s/25499718.jpg|45276208] and [b:Dogs of War|35827220|Dogs of War|Adrian Tchaikovsky|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1501011224s/35827220.jpg|57331336].
The premise of the Shadows of the Apt series (which spans ten books) is simple: every species in this fantasy series is an insect-kinden, and has got the mannerisms, characteristics and qualities of said insect. We've got dragonflies, beetles, ants and flies etc.
Then one day, the Wasp Empire attacks.
This is a vast, detailed world and Tchaikovsky's love for everything that crawls is found on every page. The plot is of epic proportion with a sprawling war, and there's a huge cast of characters. Tchaikovsky excels at writing morally grey characters.
I highly recommend this series to all fans of epic fantasy. This is innovative, original and has not been done before.
hopecpressf's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0