Scan barcode
fabulousfunk's reviews
144 reviews
Tales of the Sun Eater, Vol. 3 by Christopher Ruocchio
4.25
A drastic improvement over the first two volumes. Fantastic worldbuilding and the expansion of concepts introduced in the main series. "After the Feast" is gutting and completely changes the character of Otavia Corvo, "[RE]Incarnation" is experimental, if a bit forgettable, "A Parable in Iron" is provocative, even if simple, "Mother of Monsters" is stunning weird fiction, "The Archenaut" provides a compelling angle on the history of Sun Eater, and "The Daughter of Swords" is phenomenal character work. "Gutter Ballet" is the weakest entry by far, mostly in its forgettable premise and tired perspective.
This collection leaves me excited for the prospect of more Sun Eater short fiction.
This collection leaves me excited for the prospect of more Sun Eater short fiction.
Redwall by Brian Jacques
4.5
*Audiobook
An endearing and often harrowing tale, "Redwall," is a novel I'm regretful I never read as a kid. The audio adaptation is a glorified BBC special with its full range and cast that, while some voices grate, injects even more character into the novels cast. How Matthias works to unite the various animal folk against the rat invaders is quite charming, the Sparrows and Shrews are just funny little societies. Though, some territories that Jacques forays into come across as in poor taste like with the use of words like savages and gypsies-- words and, contextually, slurs that, while likely without ill intent, are juvenile and unwelcome in a children's book.
An endearing and often harrowing tale, "Redwall," is a novel I'm regretful I never read as a kid. The audio adaptation is a glorified BBC special with its full range and cast that, while some voices grate, injects even more character into the novels cast. How Matthias works to unite the various animal folk against the rat invaders is quite charming, the Sparrows and Shrews are just funny little societies. Though, some territories that Jacques forays into come across as in poor taste like with the use of words like savages and gypsies-- words and, contextually, slurs that, while likely without ill intent, are juvenile and unwelcome in a children's book.
Tales of the Sun Eater, Volume 2 by Christopher Ruocchio
3.0
Tales of the Sun Eater Vol. 2 fails, in stories like "The Dragonslayers" and "Fire in the Sky," where Vol. 1 did-- the most egregious failure comes in how shallow the worldbuilding develops throughout these stories. Colonies of people from across the galaxy tell the same folk stories of Extrasolarians, described the same way. The Cielcin described with the same verbiage in every perspective. It becomes stale and trodden and poorly written. They all simply come across as tired, especially when the characters are simply vehicles to move an idea.
However, "Kill the King," "Knowledge," and, specifically, "The Four Devils" are significantly better than even the best from "Vol. 1" and provide insight on interesting pieces of the Sun Eater world, or the perspective of a certain characters family back home on Delos. These are exciting stories that use the short format to their advantage.
However, "Kill the King," "Knowledge," and, specifically, "The Four Devils" are significantly better than even the best from "Vol. 1" and provide insight on interesting pieces of the Sun Eater world, or the perspective of a certain characters family back home on Delos. These are exciting stories that use the short format to their advantage.
Tales of the Sun Eater, Vol. 1 by Christopher Ruocchio
2.25
A truly mixed bag that does not touch the heights of the main Sun Eater series. "Tales of the Sun Eater, Vol. 1" unfortunately does not bring much to diversify the Sun Eater canon. Stories like "Victim of Changes" and "The Parliament of Owls" at least attempt to shed light on other aspects of the greater world, but other stories struggle with pulpy tropes, cliched writing, and present ideas done better in the main series.
The most grievous flaw in these, is the depictions of Hadrian, our main identity of Sun Eater. "The Demons of Arae" offers little new to Hadrian's perspective and, while it world builds, these concepts emerge later in the Sun Eater main series. "The Night Captain" offers a heroic look at Hadrian that feels entirely bland and juvenile, while "The Pits of Emesh" fails to make Hadrian look any worse than he already portrays himself, thus failing in its mission statement of questioning our main characters virtue.
The most grievous flaw in these, is the depictions of Hadrian, our main identity of Sun Eater. "The Demons of Arae" offers little new to Hadrian's perspective and, while it world builds, these concepts emerge later in the Sun Eater main series. "The Night Captain" offers a heroic look at Hadrian that feels entirely bland and juvenile, while "The Pits of Emesh" fails to make Hadrian look any worse than he already portrays himself, thus failing in its mission statement of questioning our main characters virtue.
Haven by Emma Donoghue
4.0
*Audiobook
"Haven" is a violently slow burning book that explores the psychological bounds and malign strictness of faith on a barren island from the minds of three very different monks. The relationship between Artt, Cormac, and Trian is wrenching and moving, and offers the core of the novel-- it takes a profound skill to write a villain like Artt and the sympathetic brotherhood between Train and Cormac. Yet, one might reasonable yearn for a better paced first-half and a better managing of perspective.
"Haven" is a violently slow burning book that explores the psychological bounds and malign strictness of faith on a barren island from the minds of three very different monks. The relationship between Artt, Cormac, and Trian is wrenching and moving, and offers the core of the novel-- it takes a profound skill to write a villain like Artt and the sympathetic brotherhood between Train and Cormac. Yet, one might reasonable yearn for a better paced first-half and a better managing of perspective.
Evenings and Weekends by OisÃn McKenna
4.5
*Audiobook
A monumental novel of wit, heartbreak, queerness, and ultimstely communication-- both the dissolution and potential restoration. Only stumbling due to a few too many perspectives too late into the picture and an audio narrator whose vocies sometimes irked, "Evenings and Weekends" surmises the intensity of relationships in motion, and the perpetuity of the lies we tell ourselves and others. McKenna will be an author on my radar from now on.
A monumental novel of wit, heartbreak, queerness, and ultimstely communication-- both the dissolution and potential restoration. Only stumbling due to a few too many perspectives too late into the picture and an audio narrator whose vocies sometimes irked, "Evenings and Weekends" surmises the intensity of relationships in motion, and the perpetuity of the lies we tell ourselves and others. McKenna will be an author on my radar from now on.
Titus Groan by Mervyn Peake
Did not finish book. Stopped at 52%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 52%.
I see the importance of this novel, but it was dense to the point of boring me.
Dune Messiah by Frank Herbert
3.75
"Dune Messiah" takes what worked with it's predecessor: concepts and beyond creativity, and infuses it with a melancholic dread that forbids all of the novel. Almost as if an epilogue, "Messiah" chronicles a more personal journey with Paul and surrounding characters and serves a more well-rounded, emotional experience as compared to "Dune."
Despite this, Herbert often waxes philosophical in a manner that bores and frequently these grandiose concepts are overshadowed by political and religious movements that don't strike me as seminal, but not particularly engaging. And still, Herbert's characters often fall flat and lack the depth I wish they had.
Despite this, Herbert often waxes philosophical in a manner that bores and frequently these grandiose concepts are overshadowed by political and religious movements that don't strike me as seminal, but not particularly engaging. And still, Herbert's characters often fall flat and lack the depth I wish they had.