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A review by mad_about_books
The Fractured Empire by Robin D. Mahle
4.0
I am new to the world of dieselpunk, which, in this case, is a modern time with cars and elevators and electricity but set in a world quite different from our own. Since I have read my fair share of steampunk (both Victorian and otherworldly) and cyberpunk (William Gibson is a favorite), adding diesel to my punk repertoire seemed like a logical next step.
THE FRACTURED EMPIRE is conceptually interesting and relies pretty heavily on the assumption that readers will have read the short story prequel "The Silent Explosion." The idea of soundless devastation is pretty mind boggling. No sound at all until the screaming starts. Along with the various sub-genres of science fiction and fantasy, I am a big fan of the horror novel. The thing about reading graphic depictions is that the horror is as bad as your own mind chooses to make it. Unlike movies, where the gore is in your face, books inform your imagination. This book, and the preceding story, are written to engage a younger audience whose sensibilities are still forming. I did find it quite well written and engaging. The only downside is that it ends on a cliffhanger. As such, the need to read the next book is definitely fostered. I like to read series as if they were one continuous novel. In that way, the cliffhanger is not so devastating.
I can't find anywhere but Goodreads to post my review, so I am wondering just how this series is going to be sold to the general reading public. I normally post to Goodreads, Amazon, and, when appropriate, to BookBub.
THE FRACTURED EMPIRE is conceptually interesting and relies pretty heavily on the assumption that readers will have read the short story prequel "The Silent Explosion." The idea of soundless devastation is pretty mind boggling. No sound at all until the screaming starts. Along with the various sub-genres of science fiction and fantasy, I am a big fan of the horror novel. The thing about reading graphic depictions is that the horror is as bad as your own mind chooses to make it. Unlike movies, where the gore is in your face, books inform your imagination. This book, and the preceding story, are written to engage a younger audience whose sensibilities are still forming. I did find it quite well written and engaging. The only downside is that it ends on a cliffhanger. As such, the need to read the next book is definitely fostered. I like to read series as if they were one continuous novel. In that way, the cliffhanger is not so devastating.
I can't find anywhere but Goodreads to post my review, so I am wondering just how this series is going to be sold to the general reading public. I normally post to Goodreads, Amazon, and, when appropriate, to BookBub.