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thirdcoast's review against another edition
3.0
Read the review here http://www.scrivler.com/reviews/book-reviews/eternal-sky-trilogy-by-elizabeth-bear/.
michaeljohnhalseartistry's review against another edition
3.0
My second novel of 2016. The book is called Shattered Pillars, and is the second of the Eternal Sky trilogy written by American author Elizabeth Bear. The story is set in a fantasy world that’s a reimagining of Asian and Middle Eastern cultures, which is something that’s rarely tackled in fantasy. It follows the young, self-exiled prince Temur, as he seeks to reclaim his father’s vast kingdom of grassy steppes and high hills; and the princess-turned-wizard Sarmarkar as she helped Temur in his pursuit.
I read the first book in this series, Range of Ghosts, in May 2015, I might have even posted about it, but I was a little unsure if I liked it. I know I liked Shattered Pillars more, but it could be that I’m now familiar with these characters so I as more invested in the story (Mostly, though, I’m invested in the sentient-tiger-fighter Hrahima and the wizard surgeon Hong-la, WHO ARE MY FAVOURITE CHARACTERS).
The reason I have mixed feelings about this book and it’s predecessor, has to do with the writing. I absolutely LOVE the world-building in this series. Bear’s created one of the most unique and interesting fantasy world, that dominated by these kingdoms with differing skies, each one reflecting the political structure and religion of the kingdom they sit under. The religion and cultures are so incredibly fleshed out that they feel real, and her descriptive writing is magical and easily whisked me away.
The problem I had was with the dialogue. To me, it almost doesn’t fit. It’s written oddly modern and westernized, and feels out of place among the asian-themed cultures and customs. And it read so different for me, almost to the point where it was like a rude interruption from her masterful descriptive paragraphs.
However I do recommend reading this series. It’s a very different take on fantasy than I’ve read, and I find Bear’s descriptive writing style and world-building to be incredibly inspiring, especially to a newbie fantasy author like myself. I do plan on finishing the series with the final book in the trilogy, Steles of the Sky, buuuuut, I still have to buy it, haha.
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FOR MORE BOOK REVIEWS, PHOTOS, AND MY OWN NOVEL SERIES, CHECK OUT MY BLOG:
www.michaeljohnhalse.wix.com/michaeljohnhalse
I read the first book in this series, Range of Ghosts, in May 2015, I might have even posted about it, but I was a little unsure if I liked it. I know I liked Shattered Pillars more, but it could be that I’m now familiar with these characters so I as more invested in the story (Mostly, though, I’m invested in the sentient-tiger-fighter Hrahima and the wizard surgeon Hong-la, WHO ARE MY FAVOURITE CHARACTERS).
The reason I have mixed feelings about this book and it’s predecessor, has to do with the writing. I absolutely LOVE the world-building in this series. Bear’s created one of the most unique and interesting fantasy world, that dominated by these kingdoms with differing skies, each one reflecting the political structure and religion of the kingdom they sit under. The religion and cultures are so incredibly fleshed out that they feel real, and her descriptive writing is magical and easily whisked me away.
The problem I had was with the dialogue. To me, it almost doesn’t fit. It’s written oddly modern and westernized, and feels out of place among the asian-themed cultures and customs. And it read so different for me, almost to the point where it was like a rude interruption from her masterful descriptive paragraphs.
However I do recommend reading this series. It’s a very different take on fantasy than I’ve read, and I find Bear’s descriptive writing style and world-building to be incredibly inspiring, especially to a newbie fantasy author like myself. I do plan on finishing the series with the final book in the trilogy, Steles of the Sky, buuuuut, I still have to buy it, haha.
---
FOR MORE BOOK REVIEWS, PHOTOS, AND MY OWN NOVEL SERIES, CHECK OUT MY BLOG:
www.michaeljohnhalse.wix.com/michaeljohnhalse
sarahbotreads's review against another edition
4.0
This is an excellent continuation of the story and the world that Elizabeth Bear set up in Range of Ghosts - it continues to put pieces of an epic story in place, but still stays grounded in the characters and the very personal stakes they feel in the situation. And we get to meet even more characters, all of whom are as individual and real-feeling as the main characters introduced in the first book.
The one downside I had with this installment of the series is that, as the cast of characters grew, I sometimes found it hard to keep names straight - there are a few who are similar. I'll also say that I'm glad I had the 3rd book (Steles of the Sky) already purchased and waiting, because I would have been very impatient if I'd had to wait for the conclusion after the climax of this book.
The one downside I had with this installment of the series is that, as the cast of characters grew, I sometimes found it hard to keep names straight - there are a few who are similar. I'll also say that I'm glad I had the 3rd book (Steles of the Sky) already purchased and waiting, because I would have been very impatient if I'd had to wait for the conclusion after the climax of this book.
curgoth's review against another edition
4.0
Book 2 of the Eternal Sky trilogy. As is typical with Bear's books, I am in love with the characters, and find the villain threatening, but understandable. It was a fair bit of cognitive dissonance to read this while, in parallel, listening to the Game of Thrones audiobook. It makes the problematic shortcuts Martin takes with the Dothraki really, really stand out.
The only story line that I'm feeling shaky about is Edene's, but I won't know how I feel about it until book 3 when I find out how it resolves.
The only story line that I'm feeling shaky about is Edene's, but I won't know how I feel about it until book 3 when I find out how it resolves.
xan_van_rooyen's review
4.0
Excellent read as expected. Incredibly lush world-building, poetic writing, and an engrossing plot. Can't wait to read the last book in this trilogy!
gbonesy's review against another edition
4.0
i think what i appreciate most about these books is how visceral and grimy and gross they are while not descending into the USUAL haunts of Low Fantasy- which is to say, rape, rape, rape, endless parade of rape. there's pus, effluvia, viscera, ineffective magic, ineffective leadership, half-measures and lost causes galore, but at the same time, everyone's pretty much funny and friendly and trying their best to keep their world together. i really liked the wizards trying to find a cure for the plague (GOD HOW GROSS GOD HOW REAL GOD HOW DEPRESSING AND DELIGHTFULLY SAD), and i love everything about the pseudo-mongolia querynsk culture.
also the horses. so many horses. so many people who love the shit out of their horses. oh and that amazing eagle hunt scene. and edene in the kingdom of erem. and hrahihma the failed tiger monk. and DELIGHTFUL SEGUEWAYS ABOUT PSEUDO-ISLAMIC ARCHITECTURE.
also the horses. so many horses. so many people who love the shit out of their horses. oh and that amazing eagle hunt scene. and edene in the kingdom of erem. and hrahihma the failed tiger monk. and DELIGHTFUL SEGUEWAYS ABOUT PSEUDO-ISLAMIC ARCHITECTURE.
aloyokon's review against another edition
3.0
While our hero Temur makes his bid to become Khagan and his attempt to rescue his beloved with the help of his companions, the sinister forces of the Nameless sect of the Rahazeen and their ruthless leader, al-Sepehr, are on the march as their plan to plunge the lands of Celadon Highway into chaos bears fruit in the form of plague and conquest.
A good entry in this tale of sorcery and intrigue. I withhold two stars because some of the characters are not fully fleshed out as much as say, Temur or Samarkar. That said, I enjoyed this book and can't wait for the conclusion.
A good entry in this tale of sorcery and intrigue. I withhold two stars because some of the characters are not fully fleshed out as much as say, Temur or Samarkar. That said, I enjoyed this book and can't wait for the conclusion.
jmeston's review against another edition
4.0
Great cover art. Archery on horseback and a pregnant steppe woman becoming the dread scorpion queen. I liked it.
besha's review against another edition
5.0
Elizabeth Bear's stories are themselves bone and jewel creatures, worked of lovely things and breathing with half-articulable emotion. I find bits of them sometimes too finely wrought, but the world on which she's building this saga continues to be solid and grand enough to deserve it. She grounds it with deeply real characters, and her humor shows in the most remarkable places.
I have to say, though, the semantic novelty of a character sharing my name makes parts of this book really disconcerting to read.
I have to say, though, the semantic novelty of a character sharing my name makes parts of this book really disconcerting to read.
coolcurrybooks's review against another edition
3.0
Shattered Pillars is the second book in Bear’s Eternal Sky series, which starts with Range of Ghosts, an epic fantasy series with a setting based off Central Asia. You will need to read the first book before picking up Shattered Pillars, but there are no spoilers for the first book in this review.
Temur is the grandson of the Great Khan, who’s empire is being torn asunder in a civil war. As a potential heir, Temur’s sought by assassins sent by his uncle. Samarkar was once a princess of the Rasan Empire, before she gave up her position to become a wizard of the Citadel. When a secret cult sets out to topple empires, it is Temur and Samarkar who are caught in the middle.
There’s things I love about Shattered Pillars, but also areas where I think it’s lacking. Crucially, I could copy and paste my review of the first book for this one. I actually did do that for the above plot summary.
I noted in my review of the first book that it felt like the majority of the novel was characters moving from place to place. This remains true. Temur, Samarkar, and their allies are moving from Point A to Point B, with attacks from random assassins in a failed effort to give some urgency. The beginning was slow, although I did get more involved with it later on. I still think this series has major problems with pacing and plotting.
However… this series does have its good points, which also happen to fall onto my list of favorite things. The imagery is spectacular. The setting is imaginative and wondrous, and Bear brings it to life beautifully with her excellent prose. It’s the sort of setting that makes me want to break out my watercolors and make some illustrations.
Shattered Pillars also has a wide variety of female characters who do things. One of my particular favorites is Hrahima, who’s a member of a tiger-like species and who’s secrets are being slowly revealed. I’m also growing increasingly interested in the sister assassin, Saadet.
I do wonder if this series is just a mediocre plot and story with a fantastic paint job. Is it the literary equivalent of James Cameron’s Avatar with its all immersive visuals but ho hum story? Regardless, I’ve already bought the final book in the trilogy.
If you’re looking for vivid and beautiful world building, you should definitely check the Eternal Sky trilogy out. If you’re looking for an epic fantasy with prominent and well written female characters, it’s also worth looking into.
Originally posted on The Illustrated Page.
Temur is the grandson of the Great Khan, who’s empire is being torn asunder in a civil war. As a potential heir, Temur’s sought by assassins sent by his uncle. Samarkar was once a princess of the Rasan Empire, before she gave up her position to become a wizard of the Citadel. When a secret cult sets out to topple empires, it is Temur and Samarkar who are caught in the middle.
There’s things I love about Shattered Pillars, but also areas where I think it’s lacking. Crucially, I could copy and paste my review of the first book for this one. I actually did do that for the above plot summary.
I noted in my review of the first book that it felt like the majority of the novel was characters moving from place to place. This remains true. Temur, Samarkar, and their allies are moving from Point A to Point B, with attacks from random assassins in a failed effort to give some urgency. The beginning was slow, although I did get more involved with it later on. I still think this series has major problems with pacing and plotting.
However… this series does have its good points, which also happen to fall onto my list of favorite things. The imagery is spectacular. The setting is imaginative and wondrous, and Bear brings it to life beautifully with her excellent prose. It’s the sort of setting that makes me want to break out my watercolors and make some illustrations.
Shattered Pillars also has a wide variety of female characters who do things. One of my particular favorites is Hrahima, who’s a member of a tiger-like species and who’s secrets are being slowly revealed. I’m also growing increasingly interested in the sister assassin, Saadet.
I do wonder if this series is just a mediocre plot and story with a fantastic paint job. Is it the literary equivalent of James Cameron’s Avatar with its all immersive visuals but ho hum story? Regardless, I’ve already bought the final book in the trilogy.
If you’re looking for vivid and beautiful world building, you should definitely check the Eternal Sky trilogy out. If you’re looking for an epic fantasy with prominent and well written female characters, it’s also worth looking into.
Originally posted on The Illustrated Page.