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deaconist's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
jasonhenry42's review
4.0
This book is a delightful conclusion to the story that began in The Elephants' Graveyard. It both expands and focuses the scope of the first novel, adding stakes personal and galactic. Pizlo and Jorl (I listened to the audiobook, so not sure about spelling...
sapeiffer's review
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
jvan's review
3.0
A decent follow up to a strange first book (this one is also strange) that does a good job of expanding the setting without actively contradicting itself. I have some issues with how static elements of the universe would have to have been for centuries now but that's personal choice; it *could* happen, I just don't feel it *would*. The fact that it ends in the midst of things bugged me but I can live with it.
I guess this sounds unenthusiastic and it is. there's clearly another book meant to come and I'd rather not have half the story but would've preferred waiting for the full narrative.
I guess this sounds unenthusiastic and it is. there's clearly another book meant to come and I'd rather not have half the story but would've preferred waiting for the full narrative.
colossal's review
5.0
A return to the universe of [b:Barsk: The Elephants' Graveyard|28220629|Barsk The Elephants' Graveyard (Barsk, #1)|Lawrence M. Schoen|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1454285223s/28220629.jpg|43458061], where humanity is long extinct and the galaxy is populated by various races of uplifted animal species with only two, based on two different species of elephant, kept separate by treaty and prejudice.
It's nine years after the events of the first book, Pizlo is a teenager now and Jorl ben Tral is well established as an Alliance Senator and a bearer of an aleph on Barsk. Jorl also now has a wife and a young daughter and firmly has the attention of a secret and powerful group of Fant called the Caudex who are working to ensure that the Alliance doesn't end up eliminating all Fant.
Like the first, this is a beautifully written book with fascinating world-building. Schoen has taken the premises from the first book and greatly expanded upon them, both with the Caudex and how they interact with the rest of the Fant, and with the possibilities that the nefshon abilities have with out Magda's rules in the way. The messaging is strong as well, talking to the role of prejudice, diversity and rationality in society.
It's also clear from the end of this one that there'll be at least one more in the series.
It's nine years after the events of the first book, Pizlo is a teenager now and Jorl ben Tral is well established as an Alliance Senator and a bearer of an aleph on Barsk. Jorl also now has a wife and a young daughter and firmly has the attention of a secret and powerful group of Fant called the Caudex who are working to ensure that the Alliance doesn't end up eliminating all Fant.
Like the first, this is a beautifully written book with fascinating world-building. Schoen has taken the premises from the first book and greatly expanded upon them, both with the Caudex and how they interact with the rest of the Fant, and with the possibilities that the nefshon abilities have with out Magda's rules in the way. The messaging is strong as well, talking to the role of prejudice, diversity and rationality in society.
It's also clear from the end of this one that there'll be at least one more in the series.
lizshayne's review
4.0
Me: I vaguely remember reading the first book. It had elephants and weird plot twists.
10 minutes later: How did I forget that the elephants were Jewish? Also, my brain SEVERELY underremembered the weirdness.
Still incredibly strange. Still fun.
10 minutes later: How did I forget that the elephants were Jewish? Also, my brain SEVERELY underremembered the weirdness.
Still incredibly strange. Still fun.
thekingbee's review
3.0
I liked this one way less than the first.
Still a very good book, but giving depth to mystical powers like speaking never works out well, it begs to many questions.
Still a very good book, but giving depth to mystical powers like speaking never works out well, it begs to many questions.
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