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lunnaku's review
4.0
Pretty interesting shift of focus in this one, really enjoyed exploring some of the life they live, too.
blessedwannab's review
4.0
Solid follow up to the first one.
Again with the surprising ending. Just not quite what the first one was.
Um, if you're looking for more than what I'm saying, check out my review for Wool, because that one is much more coherent.
Again with the surprising ending. Just not quite what the first one was.
Um, if you're looking for more than what I'm saying, check out my review for Wool, because that one is much more coherent.
yaakovakiva's review
4.0
It's so seamless to move into the next phase of the story. I'm not sure where it's all headed and it's hard to see where there might be even a sliver of hope, but I keep reading. Continuing to enjoy the narration and loved the relationship (however sad) in this installment.
bookph1le's review
4.0
Howey excels at writing about the dynamics of human relationships. Though there is an intricate plot brewing here, the real power of the novel comes from the voice of Jahns, whose character is illuminated in slow steps. More complete review to follow.
Full review:
Hugh Howey, you are a talented devil, you truly are. I didn't really know what to expect with Wool, except that I had a vague idea that it was some sort of sci-fi, that it had gone crazy viral on the Internet, and that Ridley Scott thinks it might be nice to make a movie version out of it. I downloaded this book during a free run a while back, but I hadn't read it until I started seeing more of the Hugh hype and decided to find out what it was all about. Spoilers to follow, though I'd never give away the ending because that would just be unforgivable. Fair warning, though, if you haven't read the first Wool, you should probably stop here as Proper Gauge picks up from where it left off and, therefore, it's pretty impossible to avoid Wool spoilers when talking about Wool 2.
This time around, we get to see things from Mayor Jahns's perspective as she and Deputy Marnes set off on a quest to find a new sheriff. Right away, it's obvious there is some sort of dynamic between these two characters. As their back story unfolds, Howey once again proves how deft he is at writing about the human condition. I found this part of the story to be so heartfelt and excruciatingly bittersweet. Honestly, Howey does love and romance better than most romance authors out there precisely because the romances in his book are just so real. It is obvious that the characters have an actual relationship, and that makes the interaction between them feel extremely authentic. This is truly fantastic stuff.
I also loved the introduction of Juliette as a character, and I can't wait to learn more of the story from her perspective. She comes across as very strong and determined, and also very canny. I loved that her only loyalty was to ensuring that the silo functioned as it should. She felt very distinct from the other characters, who are also well-drawn, but there's just something about Juliette that I found really appealing. She seems like the type who won't take any nonsense, and I'm definitely hoping hers will be the next voice to continue the story.
It really amazes me how Howey takes what would seem to be a very closed, homogenous society and shows the ways in which clear class distinctions are still maintained. Even from the little taste the reader gets of learning about Juliette's character, the world of Wool expands exponentially. It was fascinating to witness this society Howey has constructed and how, at the end of the day, human nature doesn't really seem to change much. Even in the silo, people are still engaged in the same power struggles, still using prejudices as weapons against one another. Though I loved Wool, the plot definitely thickens here, and Howey drops a huge bomb that ups the intrigue factor exponentially.
Though I really liked this book, I didn't like it quite as much as the first Wool. I think this has to do with hearing the story for Jahns's perspective. Though I like the mayor and her back story, it just didn't have the same resonance for me as did Holston's story. And, while the ending of Wool 2 also drops a bomb, I didn't find it quite as earth-shattering as the bomb dropped by the first though, really, the two are tied together somehow. What I look forward to the most is seeing how those threads are entangled.
Full review:
Hugh Howey, you are a talented devil, you truly are. I didn't really know what to expect with Wool, except that I had a vague idea that it was some sort of sci-fi, that it had gone crazy viral on the Internet, and that Ridley Scott thinks it might be nice to make a movie version out of it. I downloaded this book during a free run a while back, but I hadn't read it until I started seeing more of the Hugh hype and decided to find out what it was all about. Spoilers to follow, though I'd never give away the ending because that would just be unforgivable. Fair warning, though, if you haven't read the first Wool, you should probably stop here as Proper Gauge picks up from where it left off and, therefore, it's pretty impossible to avoid Wool spoilers when talking about Wool 2.
This time around, we get to see things from Mayor Jahns's perspective as she and Deputy Marnes set off on a quest to find a new sheriff. Right away, it's obvious there is some sort of dynamic between these two characters. As their back story unfolds, Howey once again proves how deft he is at writing about the human condition. I found this part of the story to be so heartfelt and excruciatingly bittersweet. Honestly, Howey does love and romance better than most romance authors out there precisely because the romances in his book are just so real. It is obvious that the characters have an actual relationship, and that makes the interaction between them feel extremely authentic. This is truly fantastic stuff.
I also loved the introduction of Juliette as a character, and I can't wait to learn more of the story from her perspective. She comes across as very strong and determined, and also very canny. I loved that her only loyalty was to ensuring that the silo functioned as it should. She felt very distinct from the other characters, who are also well-drawn, but there's just something about Juliette that I found really appealing. She seems like the type who won't take any nonsense, and I'm definitely hoping hers will be the next voice to continue the story.
It really amazes me how Howey takes what would seem to be a very closed, homogenous society and shows the ways in which clear class distinctions are still maintained. Even from the little taste the reader gets of learning about Juliette's character, the world of Wool expands exponentially. It was fascinating to witness this society Howey has constructed and how, at the end of the day, human nature doesn't really seem to change much. Even in the silo, people are still engaged in the same power struggles, still using prejudices as weapons against one another. Though I loved Wool, the plot definitely thickens here, and Howey drops a huge bomb that ups the intrigue factor exponentially.
Though I really liked this book, I didn't like it quite as much as the first Wool. I think this has to do with hearing the story for Jahns's perspective. Though I like the mayor and her back story, it just didn't have the same resonance for me as did Holston's story. And, while the ending of Wool 2 also drops a bomb, I didn't find it quite as earth-shattering as the bomb dropped by the first though, really, the two are tied together somehow. What I look forward to the most is seeing how those threads are entangled.
guppyur's review
3.0
Not bad. The second entry in Hugh Howey's self-published Wool series. I've heard it described as the weakest of the original five novellas, and I agree that it isn't as good as the first, but I thought it was solid.
Proper Gauge moves the story along, as the Silo's mayor travels deep down into the Silo to meet with someone, and explores the strata of the Silo as she goes. The story is fine; it's a lot of space, though -- a hair under 80 pages -- for what it is.
I'm told this volume sets up the remainder, and I can see how that might be. Certainly worth continuing, but not as arresting as volume 1.
Proper Gauge moves the story along, as the Silo's mayor travels deep down into the Silo to meet with someone, and explores the strata of the Silo as she goes. The story is fine; it's a lot of space, though -- a hair under 80 pages -- for what it is.
I'm told this volume sets up the remainder, and I can see how that might be. Certainly worth continuing, but not as arresting as volume 1.
mbenzz's review
4.0
I really liked this book. The only reason I'm giving it 4 stars instead of 5 is because I was able to put it down. I picked up Wool and didn't stop reading until I had finished it. I couldn't have put that book down if the house was on fire. I immediately started this book, but since I had already stayed up WAY past my bedtime reading the first one, I tore myself away from it to get some sleep.
While the story was still very good, and I really liked learning more about the inner workings of the Silo, the urgency wasn't there as it was with the first book. I was able to take breaks and walk away from this when I needed to. The journey down to the bottom of the Silo was interesting, and I was certainly looking forward to meeting the infamous 'Jules', but this book seemed more of a filler. A necessary filler, but a filler nonetheless.
Just as before, as soon as I finished this book I downloaded Wool 3 - Casting Off. The more I learn about the Silo and the people that inhabit it, the more addicted I become. I can't wait to see how the rest of the series plays out.
While the story was still very good, and I really liked learning more about the inner workings of the Silo, the urgency wasn't there as it was with the first book. I was able to take breaks and walk away from this when I needed to. The journey down to the bottom of the Silo was interesting, and I was certainly looking forward to meeting the infamous 'Jules', but this book seemed more of a filler. A necessary filler, but a filler nonetheless.
Just as before, as soon as I finished this book I downloaded Wool 3 - Casting Off. The more I learn about the Silo and the people that inhabit it, the more addicted I become. I can't wait to see how the rest of the series plays out.
kayteaface's review
4.0
This was a really enjoyable short read. I liked finding out more about what goes on, day to day, in the lower levels of the Silo, and the politics and disputes between the different sections. I bet things are going to get exciting after that twist in the second to last chapter, and I hope we get to see more of Jules, too, because she seems like a very interesting character!
callunavulgari's review
4.0
Literally the majority of this book was two old people walking down a bunch of stairs. And somehow it was still amazing! Really excited to fully meet Juliet during the next book, but let me tell you, if I keep falling for these characters and they continue to die on me I'm going to be very cross.