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timinbc's review against another edition
3.0
Lots of interesting stuff here, but it just didn't work for me. Didn't like the Eidolons, didn't like Raybould's family story, figured out early on that we'll probably be in volume 2 or later before we see what Gretel is up to. And as someone else noted, the Nazis are mostly graphic-novel caricatures - while at the same time we do see a bit of character examination on the British side.
The book does a pretty good job of framing "What's OK in war?' inside an action story.
His "The Mechanical" is a much more solidly written book, good story, better characters.
The book does a pretty good job of framing "What's OK in war?' inside an action story.
His "The Mechanical" is a much more solidly written book, good story, better characters.
tregina's review against another edition
3.0
The thing that made it so hard to rate this one is how uneven I found it: there were moments I thought it was absolutely brilliant (if sometimes in a horrific way), and moments when I couldn't figure out what the story was even supposed to be. I think I was nearly halfway through before I really got a sense of how it all tied together. It averages out to the middle, but only because it's all over the place.
cjvphd's review against another edition
3.0
A good debut with an ending that leaves you curious for what's next.
wulvaine's review against another edition
4.0
Ian Tregillis has created a fascinating and dark vision of an alternate World War II. Taut pacing, great characters, and a fascinating plot keeps you turning pages, and he holds the distinction of being one of very few authors who can write passages that ring truly frightening a la Lovecraft.
I have no real complaints about the book; the only thing holding it back from five stars is the fact that there's not a great deal of resolution. This is the first book in a trilogy, and it's clearly laying groundwork for The Coldest War and Necessary Evil. That's not bad, of course; it just makes this first volume feel a little incomplete on its own.
However, I'll definitely be trying to get my hands on The Coldest War as soon as possible.
I have no real complaints about the book; the only thing holding it back from five stars is the fact that there's not a great deal of resolution. This is the first book in a trilogy, and it's clearly laying groundwork for The Coldest War and Necessary Evil. That's not bad, of course; it just makes this first volume feel a little incomplete on its own.
However, I'll definitely be trying to get my hands on The Coldest War as soon as possible.
cintain's review against another edition
5.0
Can't put it down... Awesome style, fun and intriguing plot.
reezy_nu's review against another edition
5.0
Pirmā šâda žanra grámata. Visas lasīśanas laikā, man bija aizdoma, ka labo grámatu sabojás nekur nederīgas beigas, bet es kļūdījos. Līdz pēdëjai lappusei izbaudīju. Beigas nepalika karājoties gaisā, bet deva pietiekami lielu áķi, lai bùtu vélme uzzinát, kas notiks tàlák.
Nav cakainu teikumu un aizmirstiet par tēlainiem epitetiem, taču jebkurá gadījumā, ar nepacietību gaidu, kad tikšu pie nákamás daļas.
Iespējams, ja man būtu pieredze ar alternatìvás véstures grámatám, mana sajùsma bùtu mazàka, jo bùtu ar ko salìdzinát, taću pirmais méğinájums ir bijis veiksmìgs.
P.S. atgādinājums sev: atrast vél kādu literatūru par sociopātiem aprēķinātājiem un kraukļiem.
Nav cakainu teikumu un aizmirstiet par tēlainiem epitetiem, taču jebkurá gadījumā, ar nepacietību gaidu, kad tikšu pie nákamás daļas.
Iespējams, ja man būtu pieredze ar alternatìvás véstures grámatám, mana sajùsma bùtu mazàka, jo bùtu ar ko salìdzinát, taću pirmais méğinájums ir bijis veiksmìgs.
P.S. atgādinājums sev: atrast vél kādu literatūru par sociopātiem aprēķinātājiem un kraukļiem.
suzemo's review against another edition
4.0
So this is an alternate history tale, and I find it fascinating that so much alternate history is predicated on WWII/Nazis. I can't decide if that's because WWII is such a pivotal (recent) time in our (western civ) culture/collective memories, or because Nazis really were so bat-shit crazy/evil that it's easy to write a story involving them where the suspension of disbelief is so easy to go with. And, well, they do make for the ultimate bad guy you'll never root for. I mean, Nazis... what did those guys NOT do? what were they actually not (morally) capable of? Pretty much nothing. And the WWs were major events that dominated the last century... so sure?
Anyhoodle, on to the story. There's a mad-German-scientist who, using steampunky/industrial revolution get ups and creative experimenting on orphans, creates an army of supermen (very Xmen-ish) that have supernatural like powers. There's a pre-cog girl, a disappearing boy, a human torch, and others. The girl, Greta, is not just a pre-cog, but a stone cold sociopath, which makes for a darling combo. I kinda <3 her.
On the Allied side, we've got actual warlocks, who speak some kind of primeval language to otherworldly beings who are able to alter objects or environments in our world. Sounds fun, except that these beings have a literal blood price for everything they do. There's Will, a peer and warlock, and Marsh, an elevated orphan - spy guy who also happens to be Will's friend.
So we've got Xmen vs Warlocks, which sounds super cheesy, except that the author does a great job in making the atmosphere in this book work. It's gritty and dark and depressing and hard and painful. Everyone is committing atrocities, the good guys and the bad, although there are a couple of "seriously?" moments (infanticide and necrophilia among them) that seem like a bit much.
So the book is actiony and rough, but the characters don't have a lot of control over what is going on, making them pieces rather than players, and the character development isn't good enough to make me really invest in any characters, though the book was quite solid.
And while I like our sociopath, I don't /like/ the sociopath. There are plenty of "look away" moments, but no crying for pity for characters. It sucks. For everyone.
I do look forward to finishing the trilogy (I think), it is interesting, and I love how alt-world stuff works and how it can highlight perceptions of times and events and attitudes.
Anyhoodle, on to the story. There's a mad-German-scientist who, using steampunky/industrial revolution get ups and creative experimenting on orphans, creates an army of supermen (very Xmen-ish) that have supernatural like powers. There's a pre-cog girl, a disappearing boy, a human torch, and others. The girl, Greta, is not just a pre-cog, but a stone cold sociopath, which makes for a darling combo. I kinda <3 her.
On the Allied side, we've got actual warlocks, who speak some kind of primeval language to otherworldly beings who are able to alter objects or environments in our world. Sounds fun, except that these beings have a literal blood price for everything they do. There's Will, a peer and warlock, and Marsh, an elevated orphan - spy guy who also happens to be Will's friend.
So we've got Xmen vs Warlocks, which sounds super cheesy, except that the author does a great job in making the atmosphere in this book work. It's gritty and dark and depressing and hard and painful. Everyone is committing atrocities, the good guys and the bad, although there are a couple of "seriously?" moments (infanticide and necrophilia among them) that seem like a bit much.
So the book is actiony and rough, but the characters don't have a lot of control over what is going on, making them pieces rather than players, and the character development isn't good enough to make me really invest in any characters, though the book was quite solid.
And while I like our sociopath, I don't /like/ the sociopath. There are plenty of "look away" moments, but no crying for pity for characters. It sucks. For everyone.
I do look forward to finishing the trilogy (I think), it is interesting, and I love how alt-world stuff works and how it can highlight perceptions of times and events and attitudes.
ammbooks's review against another edition
2.0
Disturbing and intriguing. Worth reading just. Not at the top of my list
jessicatempleton's review against another edition
4.0
This was an excellent YA Novel with a really interesting mix of sci-fi and magic. I was really engaged with the plot early on and stayed engaged until the end. The characters were all interesting and and deeply flawed, I do enjoy some flawed characters. I really enjoyed the setting, it was really very different from many of the other YA books I have read, WWII mixed with sci-fi mixed with Magic and all stirred up into one cohesive narrative. Bitter Seeds does work as a stand alone novel, which is refreshing after reading so many series where at the end of a novel you are left with a giant gaping cliff hanger. That being said I really wanted there to be more to the conclusion of this book so I think I now need to find copies of the rest of the books in the Milkweed Tryptych and see if I can find some answers to all the questions that Ian Tregillis left me with at the end of bitter seeds.
scheu's review against another edition
4.0
Very enjoyable. At first I got the BPRD vs X-Men vibe, but as the story got darker and darker and nastier I got more of a Torchwood vibe, although without Captain Jack's humor leavening the dark dark dark.
Strangely enough, I have a copy of Enochian Magic for Beginners on my bookshelf. Maybe I should revisit it, and talk to the Eidolons as well. Or not.
Strangely enough, I have a copy of Enochian Magic for Beginners on my bookshelf. Maybe I should revisit it, and talk to the Eidolons as well. Or not.