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naleagdeco's review against another edition
4.0
The second myst book continues to enhance the lore of the Myst games, although one has to slog through half the book before that payoff becomes apparent.
The internet suggested that I should read this book between Riven and Myst III. (I haven't started into Myst III, so I can't confirm whether that bears out, although contextualizing Riven's Gehn via these books does make sense.)
The book starts off confusingly and is a bit of a slog unless one is into geology. The first half of the book features someone named Aitrus who is not the Atreus that Myst game players would be familiar with. This character winds up being a duotagonist along with the book's namesake, Anna, who shows up later.
This first half exists to flesh out the D'ni society, something that's only ever referenced in the games since it has long since been destroyed by the time of the books. It also sets up something that is referenced in the previous novel; the villian Veovis, who fought with Tiana's husband, and who Tiana somehow (inadvertently?) enabled to destroy the D'ni civilization.
It took me a long time to get through this section, because I didn't understand the connection, and overall isolation of the main character doesn't really provide a chance to develop an emotional connection since he's a bit of a loner. One does get a sense of the political system, which will become very important.
The story picks up once T'iana who is introduced, and how she meets Atrius. It becomes much more of a human story, and the fall of D'ni is retold, which gives this game an emotional heft. This section of the book is written very well, and Atrius himself is given time to show himself as an emotionally compelling character via his relationships with Veovis and T'iana. Its connection to to the Myst game books makes sense, and even offers a tantalizing.
This book, in a small bit, also contextualizes Gehn. The previous book fleshed him out a lot more, and he's not really a wellformed character here, but it's good to understand that he grew up witnessing the fall of his civilization.
Anyway, if you enjoy the Myst games, I highly recommend it, and make your way over the first slog because it will connect and resonate in the end.
The internet suggested that I should read this book between Riven and Myst III. (I haven't started into Myst III, so I can't confirm whether that bears out, although contextualizing Riven's Gehn via these books does make sense.)
The book starts off confusingly and is a bit of a slog unless one is into geology. The first half of the book features someone named Aitrus who is not the Atreus that Myst game players would be familiar with. This character winds up being a duotagonist along with the book's namesake, Anna, who shows up later.
This first half exists to flesh out the D'ni society, something that's only ever referenced in the games since it has long since been destroyed by the time of the books. It also sets up something that is referenced in the previous novel; the villian Veovis, who fought with Tiana's husband, and who Tiana somehow (inadvertently?) enabled to destroy the D'ni civilization.
It took me a long time to get through this section, because I didn't understand the connection, and overall isolation of the main character doesn't really provide a chance to develop an emotional connection since he's a bit of a loner. One does get a sense of the political system, which will become very important.
The story picks up once T'iana who is introduced, and how she meets Atrius. It becomes much more of a human story, and the fall of D'ni is retold, which gives this game an emotional heft. This section of the book is written very well, and Atrius himself is given time to show himself as an emotionally compelling character via his relationships with Veovis and T'iana. Its connection to to the Myst game books makes sense, and even offers a tantalizing
Spoiler
suggestion that T'iana is from Earth as she mentions Europe?This book, in a small bit, also contextualizes Gehn. The previous book fleshed him out a lot more, and he's not really a wellformed character here, but it's good to understand that he grew up witnessing the fall of his civilization.
Anyway, if you enjoy the Myst games, I highly recommend it, and make your way over the first slog because it will connect and resonate in the end.
hummeline's review against another edition
5.0
Re-read in honor of the 20th Anniversary. I love this one even more than the Book of Atrus - I love Anna and Aitrus as characters, and I just want to dive into this book and live there.
captain_coffee_reads's review against another edition
4.0
The first couple hundred pages are a bit long and boring, but the moment Anna is introduced is a different story. I wish it were less of the first and more of the second.
disreputabledog's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
violetfloof's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
cat_of_ananke's review against another edition
informative
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
martysdalton's review against another edition
3.0
I remember playing the Myst games and feeling the thrill at how immersive the world was. It was so rich with history and detail. It isn't an exaggeration to say that the entire experience of the Myst world is lush. It was wonderfully fun. When I got the books, I had my hopes high it would be a similar enjoyment.
So after sitting them on the back of my to-read list for such a long time, I decided to make them a priority. I went in with the most positive outlook for all three books. I think they are going to mean more if you've been lucky enough to play the game, but the books are (and, man, I hate to say this) boring. Really boring.
All three books in the series are overbearingly detailed. In the first book, I was prepared for this. I had read some reviews that called it "meta" and explained that because the book is about world-making the extended details would be vivid and connect into a masterpiece of a true Reading Experience. Okay, I thought, I can get behind that. What a cool idea! But, as it turns out, I really believe the exhaustive descriptions and scene-setting to be simply Miller's writing style. I don't think he was trying to become some accidental teacher to writers/creators of fantasy worlds. He's got a lot of imagination and that's great, but I don't think it has the multilayered transcendent oomph that I've seen in some reviews.
Still, I would recommend it. The Book of Atrus, at least. It has some pleasant surprises (and reminders if you're familiar with the games) and it has characters that are compelling and good (if a bit archetypal). But don't expect this to change your fantasy top ten. I was really hoping that I'd found a gem.
Another plus is that the books look beautiful. The covers are embossed and inlaid, pages have a very attractive marbling to them, and they include some stellar maps and charcoal/pencil drawings. It'd be hard for any fantasy fiction reader not to gush over. I think I'll keep them for a while and see if I have my interest re-sparked. But for now, I'm linking out.
Atrus 4 of 5
Ti'ana 3 of 5
D'ni 3 of 5
So after sitting them on the back of my to-read list for such a long time, I decided to make them a priority. I went in with the most positive outlook for all three books. I think they are going to mean more if you've been lucky enough to play the game, but the books are (and, man, I hate to say this) boring. Really boring.
All three books in the series are overbearingly detailed. In the first book, I was prepared for this. I had read some reviews that called it "meta" and explained that because the book is about world-making the extended details would be vivid and connect into a masterpiece of a true Reading Experience. Okay, I thought, I can get behind that. What a cool idea! But, as it turns out, I really believe the exhaustive descriptions and scene-setting to be simply Miller's writing style. I don't think he was trying to become some accidental teacher to writers/creators of fantasy worlds. He's got a lot of imagination and that's great, but I don't think it has the multilayered transcendent oomph that I've seen in some reviews.
Still, I would recommend it. The Book of Atrus, at least. It has some pleasant surprises (and reminders if you're familiar with the games) and it has characters that are compelling and good (if a bit archetypal). But don't expect this to change your fantasy top ten. I was really hoping that I'd found a gem.
Another plus is that the books look beautiful. The covers are embossed and inlaid, pages have a very attractive marbling to them, and they include some stellar maps and charcoal/pencil drawings. It'd be hard for any fantasy fiction reader not to gush over. I think I'll keep them for a while and see if I have my interest re-sparked. But for now, I'm linking out.
Atrus 4 of 5
Ti'ana 3 of 5
D'ni 3 of 5
ohnoitscoco's review against another edition
5.0
Part of my favorite trilogy of all time. These books are as beautifully written as the games are made. The D'ni have rich culture and beautiful worlds to explore. Even though this was book two, I read it first unknowingly and I was glad I did. Chronologically, this is the first story.
katmarhan's review against another edition
4.0
[b:Myst The Book of Ti'ana|61152|Myst The Book of Ti'ana (Book 2)|Rand Miller|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1170823325s/61152.jpg|59477] by [a:Rand Miller|34408|Rand Miller|http://www.goodreads.com/images/nophoto/nophoto-U-50x66.jpg] is a definite improvement over [b:The Book of Atrus|159764|The Book of Atrus (Myst, Book 1)|Rand Miller|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1172280228s/159764.jpg|154201].
Internally, the events in this book happen before the events in [b:The Book of Atrus|159764|The Book of Atrus (Myst, Book 1)|Rand Miller|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1172280228s/159764.jpg|154201]. If that book provides of taste of Myst, this book is more of a meal.
This book reads like a novel. I know that may be an odd thing to say, but the first book didn't. The characters are more developed, with strengths, weaknesses, and inner conflicts.
The origins of the D'Ni are still a mystery, as is the source of their power and knowledge. But this book is less about how the D'Ni came to occupy the inside of Earth and more about their "first contact" with a surface dweller of Earth. It also fills in the backdrop of the first book.
Internally, the events in this book happen before the events in [b:The Book of Atrus|159764|The Book of Atrus (Myst, Book 1)|Rand Miller|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1172280228s/159764.jpg|154201]. If that book provides of taste of Myst, this book is more of a meal.
This book reads like a novel. I know that may be an odd thing to say, but the first book didn't. The characters are more developed, with strengths, weaknesses, and inner conflicts.
The origins of the D'Ni are still a mystery, as is the source of their power and knowledge. But this book is less about how the D'Ni came to occupy the inside of Earth and more about their "first contact" with a surface dweller of Earth. It also fills in the backdrop of the first book.