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thescienceofcurls's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
punkhazard's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
briarrose1021's review against another edition
4.0
I started listening to this book and, I'll be honest, I almost stopped about an hour in. It felt like I had been dropped into the middle of a story, and I was having trouble following what was happening. Indeed I was struggling so much that I was wondering how this book could have the rating it did. But it did have a high rating, and there were many ratings raving about how great the story was, so I decided to continue, to struggle through for at least a bit longer, and see if it got better.
I'm glad I did.
It took a bit for me to really catch on to what was happening and what it meant, but once I got about 1/3 of the way in, I didn't want to stop listening.
While this book takes place in space, it's still more fantasy than science fiction. His "spaceship" is a giant turtle that swims the streams to navigate space and is bonded to Kerin, the protagonist, so they can communicate telepathically. On one trip, they pick up a passenger, Sep, who was a former slave girl serving as a pain conduit for a temple. Not only has she been fully indoctrinated into the beliefs of the temple - to the point where she couldn't see just how bad her treatment was - but she also has an artifact attached to her arm - an artifact that is growing and slowly taking over more of her body.
Joining Kerin and Sep is Nala, a battlemage who belongs to a race of cat people. When the three of them travel to Dust in search of someone who could safely remove the artifact from Sep, they attract quite a bit of attention from several different groups - many of whom are the kinds of groups it's better to avoid. And there's lots of magic. So much magic. Which is why I call it fantasy instead of science fiction.
There is so much going on in this novel that it could have been a series unto itself. But it works really well as a single novel, and I hope Hutson writes more novels in this universe. There were so many interwoven storylines within this novel - which is part of what made it difficult to get into - which made this such an epic story. And once I truly got into the story, one of the things I liked most is that while there was a lot of action, it wasn't overdone to the point of dragging. At the same time, there was enough downtime in between the various action sequences to allow for the processing of those sequences.
There were no places where the story seemed to drag, with the exception of the slow beginning. But that, I kind of liken to my experience reading Ninefox Gambit, where the reader is dropped into the middle of all the new terminology without any explanation. The story works without the explanations, but you have to let go of the need for the explanations and just go with the terminology. While Hutson didn't go quite that far in forgoing explanations, there was a lot in the beginning that I had to catch up with to be able to follow the story. And, like Ninefox Gambit, it is absolutely worth it.
As I mentioned earlier, I was listening to the audiobook, which was narrated by Guy Williams. This was the first time I had listened to a book narrated by Williams, and he did a great job with this narration. My only point of contention was the voice he used for one of the early characters. The voice had a kind of gargle to it that just set my teeth on edge. But that's entirely a me problem, and since that character was a minor one, and I didn't have to listen to him for long, I was able to continue listening. I would also choose to listen to Williams narrate another audiobook if given the option.
I'm glad I did.
It took a bit for me to really catch on to what was happening and what it meant, but once I got about 1/3 of the way in, I didn't want to stop listening.
While this book takes place in space, it's still more fantasy than science fiction. His "spaceship" is a giant turtle that swims the streams to navigate space and is bonded to Kerin, the protagonist, so they can communicate telepathically. On one trip, they pick up a passenger, Sep, who was a former slave girl serving as a pain conduit for a temple. Not only has she been fully indoctrinated into the beliefs of the temple - to the point where she couldn't see just how bad her treatment was - but she also has an artifact attached to her arm - an artifact that is growing and slowly taking over more of her body.
Joining Kerin and Sep is Nala, a battlemage who belongs to a race of cat people. When the three of them travel to Dust in search of someone who could safely remove the artifact from Sep, they attract quite a bit of attention from several different groups - many of whom are the kinds of groups it's better to avoid. And there's lots of magic. So much magic. Which is why I call it fantasy instead of science fiction.
There is so much going on in this novel that it could have been a series unto itself. But it works really well as a single novel, and I hope Hutson writes more novels in this universe. There were so many interwoven storylines within this novel - which is part of what made it difficult to get into - which made this such an epic story. And once I truly got into the story, one of the things I liked most is that while there was a lot of action, it wasn't overdone to the point of dragging. At the same time, there was enough downtime in between the various action sequences to allow for the processing of those sequences.
There were no places where the story seemed to drag, with the exception of the slow beginning. But that, I kind of liken to my experience reading Ninefox Gambit, where the reader is dropped into the middle of all the new terminology without any explanation. The story works without the explanations, but you have to let go of the need for the explanations and just go with the terminology. While Hutson didn't go quite that far in forgoing explanations, there was a lot in the beginning that I had to catch up with to be able to follow the story. And, like Ninefox Gambit, it is absolutely worth it.
As I mentioned earlier, I was listening to the audiobook, which was narrated by Guy Williams. This was the first time I had listened to a book narrated by Williams, and he did a great job with this narration. My only point of contention was the voice he used for one of the early characters. The voice had a kind of gargle to it that just set my teeth on edge. But that's entirely a me problem, and since that character was a minor one, and I didn't have to listen to him for long, I was able to continue listening. I would also choose to listen to Williams narrate another audiobook if given the option.
chaosrayne's review against another edition
5.0
If you like Spelljammer
Reminded me a lot of the Spelljammer universe. This book had good worldbuilding that left me wanting to know more about the universe.
Reminded me a lot of the Spelljammer universe. This book had good worldbuilding that left me wanting to know more about the universe.
nghia's review against another edition
2.0
The Shadows of Dust is an archaeological space fantasy involving space liches, space dragons, space turtles, space kraken, and ancient space civilizations and their ancient space civil wars. ....and it takes place almost entirely on the planet called Dust. Which just feels like a major missed opportunity? Like if Star Wars spent their entire time on Tattooine.
One great thing about The Shadows of Dust is that it heavily leans into the fantasy side of the space fantasy formula. A lot of space fantasy follows the Star Wars mold where it is fairly "realistic" science fiction but with some super high tech stuff that comes across as "magic". [b:Empress of Forever|40380954|Empress of Forever|Max Gladstone|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1539114269l/40380954._SY75_.jpg|62679049] is another one that takes this approach. The Shadows of Dust feels more inspired by Spelljammer than Star Wars.
People get between planets by riding on the backs of giant space animals. Turtles, squid, and so on. How do they breathe in space, you ask? Silly you, assuming there is a vacuum in outer space! Of course you can breathe in space. And there's gravity in space, too. And a giant turtle can fly between planets in a few hours. That sets the tone for the kind of world we're dealing with pretty early on.
Frankly, I was on-board for all of that. This not a galaxy far, far away -- but still in our universe. This is a different universe entirely.
And everything starts out with a fantastic bang! A space lich riding a giant space dragon and an armada of necromantic space beasties hires them to pillage the mausoleum-planet of a race that has ascended and become indistinguishable from gods. But handing over artifacts of incomparable power to a lich seems like a bad idea so they go on the run.
...and then everything becomes deadly boring for the rest of the book. The "plot" of the book summarised is: they hide out in apartment for a few weeks waiting for a meeting with a space archaeologist who (hopefully) knows about the artifacts they have. Then the meeting happens. Then there's a big fight and they get away. The end.
Why does it take a few weeks to meet the archaeologist? Why not meet him the day they land? Was he busy? On holiday? Was this not a priority for him? Nope to all of the above. No real reason. Just to make padding for the rest of the book to happen.
Sure, because that's a thing you would forget about for days or weeks. You're literally just sitting at home bored with nothing better to do and it slipped your mind....
This book 100% hinges on coincidences and frankly kind of lazy plotting. If that bothers you the way it bothered me....you're in for a bad time.
The planet they happen to end up on after fleeing the space lich?
They decide they need to lay low so the very first thing Kerin, the captain, does after landing is go to a bar where everyone will recognize him. Oh, and he also meets his childhood friend-slash-crush at the bar. She just happens to be on this planet. Why not. Did I mention she's super hot and, for some reason, dressed like a prostitute? (He wonders if she is a prostitute due to her "provocative clothing".)
Did I forget to mention she's also a super-assassin warrior extraordinaire now working for a rabid theocracy? And that she disappeared from his life all those years ago without giving him a hint about why?
Kerin has a "best friend" Nala who he mostly lies to the entire book. Some friendship, eh?
(Note: there's never any consequence for him constantly lying to his best friend. She just accepts it and never really gets mad.)
I also found the writing full of little...idiosyncrasies...that constantly made me stop. Kerin is not only an expert swordsman (his grandfather trained him but he surpassed his grandfather) but also an expert at t'skelcha, a boardgame his grandfather taught him (but he surpassed his grandfather to become an expert at this too). Not only, ugh, he's just the best at everything? But there's zero foreshadowing of him being good at this game. Some random person on a random planet pulls out the board and suddenly he's an expert at that, too?
People constantly play "guess the pronoun" games in conversation, forcing other people to say "who?"
Or
Or
At one point Kerin walks into some place and says
Who says "I'm looking for a girl" like that? Just to have a misunderstanding? Normal people would say, "Hey did my friend just come in here a few minutes ago? Short girl?"
The author sets thing up for possible future adventures of the crew and there's so much potential here that I want to love this. I may end up giving a sequel another shot, in the hope that the bad parts of this get smoothed over.
One great thing about The Shadows of Dust is that it heavily leans into the fantasy side of the space fantasy formula. A lot of space fantasy follows the Star Wars mold where it is fairly "realistic" science fiction but with some super high tech stuff that comes across as "magic". [b:Empress of Forever|40380954|Empress of Forever|Max Gladstone|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1539114269l/40380954._SY75_.jpg|62679049] is another one that takes this approach. The Shadows of Dust feels more inspired by Spelljammer than Star Wars.
People get between planets by riding on the backs of giant space animals. Turtles, squid, and so on. How do they breathe in space, you ask? Silly you, assuming there is a vacuum in outer space! Of course you can breathe in space. And there's gravity in space, too. And a giant turtle can fly between planets in a few hours. That sets the tone for the kind of world we're dealing with pretty early on.
Frankly, I was on-board for all of that. This not a galaxy far, far away -- but still in our universe. This is a different universe entirely.
And everything starts out with a fantastic bang! A space lich riding a giant space dragon and an armada of necromantic space beasties hires them to pillage the mausoleum-planet of a race that has ascended and become indistinguishable from gods. But handing over artifacts of incomparable power to a lich seems like a bad idea so they go on the run.
...and then everything becomes deadly boring for the rest of the book. The "plot" of the book summarised is: they hide out in apartment for a few weeks waiting for a meeting with a space archaeologist who (hopefully) knows about the artifacts they have. Then the meeting happens. Then there's a big fight and they get away. The end.
Why does it take a few weeks to meet the archaeologist? Why not meet him the day they land? Was he busy? On holiday? Was this not a priority for him? Nope to all of the above. No real reason. Just to make padding for the rest of the book to happen.
Bas Jelaska’s mention of the undead horde squatting in the cluster had reminded him that he should try to discover why the lich wanted this alvaren artifact so badly.
Sure, because that's a thing you would forget about for days or weeks. You're literally just sitting at home bored with nothing better to do and it slipped your mind....
This book 100% hinges on coincidences and frankly kind of lazy plotting. If that bothers you the way it bothered me....you're in for a bad time.
The planet they happen to end up on after fleeing the space lich?
Spoiler
Yep, it happens to be the hidden home world of the disappeared race they stole the artifacts from in the first place.They decide they need to lay low so the very first thing Kerin, the captain, does after landing is go to a bar where everyone will recognize him. Oh, and he also meets his childhood friend-slash-crush at the bar. She just happens to be on this planet. Why not. Did I mention she's super hot and, for some reason, dressed like a prostitute? (He wonders if she is a prostitute due to her "provocative clothing".)
Kerin hadn’t seen such a beautiful woman in a long, long time. She was even more striking than the Mandati noblewoman from the plaza: she was slender, her limbs long and graceful, and it seemed like she had been poured into her red-leather outfit. Her tight clothing nearly matched the color of her hair, and her skin was only a shade removed from the alabaster white of the Mandati
Did I forget to mention she's also a super-assassin warrior extraordinaire now working for a rabid theocracy? And that she disappeared from his life all those years ago without giving him a hint about why?
Spoiler
We find out that both of the two most important people in Kerin's life, who he lived cheek and jowl with for years in a cramped spaceship, were keeping deep dark secrets from him that he didn't have the slightest clue about. It's enough to give the poor guy trust issues! Or maybe he's just amazingly oblivious?Kerin has a "best friend" Nala who he mostly lies to the entire book. Some friendship, eh?
“What did Drifter tell you?” asked the kyrathi.
Kerin swallowed, trying his best to compose himself. No reason to frighten them until he was certain the krakens were in pursuit. “Nothing. He’s just worried about Sep.” He forced a smile.
(Note: there's never any consequence for him constantly lying to his best friend. She just accepts it and never really gets mad.)
I also found the writing full of little...idiosyncrasies...that constantly made me stop. Kerin is not only an expert swordsman (his grandfather trained him but he surpassed his grandfather) but also an expert at t'skelcha, a boardgame his grandfather taught him (but he surpassed his grandfather to become an expert at this too). Not only, ugh, he's just the best at everything? But there's zero foreshadowing of him being good at this game. Some random person on a random planet pulls out the board and suddenly he's an expert at that, too?
People constantly play "guess the pronoun" games in conversation, forcing other people to say "who?"
“He is coming.”
“Who?”
The exarch’s response was distant, as if distracted. “The Golden Emperor.”
Or
Sep shook her head. “No. I’ve felt him out there, searching. He wants me.”
Kerin blinked in confusion. “Who?”
“The Golden Emperor,” Sep murmured.
Or
“Is she all right?”
Kerin’s attention snapped back to Sep. The girl’s voice was barely a whisper. Her head was still lowered, but he caught her gray eyes watching him from behind snarled bangs.
“Who?” he replied, crouching slightly to bring his face to the same level as hers.
She licked her lips. “The girl.”
The girl? Kerin’s mind raced. What was she talking about?
“The one who walked in the Light.”
Oh.
At one point Kerin walks into some place and says
“I’m looking for a girl,” Kerin said as the woman descended the steps. What had Sep called her? A Sister of the Thorns?
“We have girls here,” the Sister said, cocking her head to one side as she regarded him. “Although we usually do not let supplicants choose their conduits. We prefer not to let the relationship grow too . . . personal.”
“I’m not here to make someone suffer,” he said through gritted teeth.
Who says "I'm looking for a girl" like that? Just to have a misunderstanding? Normal people would say, "Hey did my friend just come in here a few minutes ago? Short girl?"
The author sets thing up for possible future adventures of the crew and there's so much potential here that I want to love this. I may end up giving a sequel another shot, in the hope that the bad parts of this get smoothed over.
linroturbo's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
tinyelfarcanist's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
fast-paced
4.0
This book pushes you right into the action with mention of races, factions, and other technical terms that for a while made me question if I was missing something. I had already confirmed that this is a standalone, so I kept going (albeit a little confused), but it took me a good quarter to finally get invested in the story.
For a book that grew my Kindle Vocabulary Builder exponentially, I believe it could have made without some 'swells' (with a total of 41 iterations)... It's not even THAT kind of book.
As the overuse of a word is my worst complaint about the book, you can tell the rest is good. Fun read with lots of action and interesting ideas.
I'm not a furry, but I couldn't help to ship Kerin and Nala.
For a book that grew my Kindle Vocabulary Builder exponentially, I believe it could have made without some 'swells' (with a total of 41 iterations)... It's not even THAT kind of book.
As the overuse of a word is my worst complaint about the book, you can tell the rest is good. Fun read with lots of action and interesting ideas.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Violence, Chronic illness, and Child abuse
Minor: Torture, Addiction, Kidnapping, Gore, and Colonisation
darthvixreads's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
5.0
The Shadows of Dust is my biggest suprise of the year so far. I freaking loved it.
I stumbled upon this book while going down the rabbit hole of indie SFF books on Amazon and was immediately drawn to the cover and once I read the synopsis, I knew I had to read it.
THIS BOOK. This book was so much fun to read. So different and refreshing. I love a good genre blend - Sci Fantasy and this was done SO WELL here.
This story follows Kerin and his crew of streamsurfers who surf the streams of space going on quests, ferrying people and objects all aboard a giant spacebeast turtle, Drifter. The crew ends up tangled in a mess that sends them hurtling across space running for their very lives and in the company of an ancient weapon. But, I feel like that description just doesn't do the story justice. We get magic, space, danger, space mages, giant hulking spacebeasts of which one is an eldritch horror, ancient civilizations, and so much more.
The ending...perfect but also, I need more. I really hope we get more time with these characters and more about the lore. I would read the heck out of more books with this crew. This was fantastic. Now, off to go buy more of Alec Hutson's books. I already have The Crimson Queen waiting to be read this month and in general, I will be reading more indie SFF.
I am calling it. This is one of my top 5 favorite books of the year.
I stumbled upon this book while going down the rabbit hole of indie SFF books on Amazon and was immediately drawn to the cover and once I read the synopsis, I knew I had to read it.
THIS BOOK. This book was so much fun to read. So different and refreshing. I love a good genre blend - Sci Fantasy and this was done SO WELL here.
This story follows Kerin and his crew of streamsurfers who surf the streams of space going on quests, ferrying people and objects all aboard a giant spacebeast turtle, Drifter. The crew ends up tangled in a mess that sends them hurtling across space running for their very lives and in the company of an ancient weapon. But, I feel like that description just doesn't do the story justice. We get magic, space, danger, space mages, giant hulking spacebeasts of which one is an eldritch horror, ancient civilizations, and so much more.
The ending...perfect but also, I need more. I really hope we get more time with these characters and more about the lore. I would read the heck out of more books with this crew. This was fantastic. Now, off to go buy more of Alec Hutson's books. I already have The Crimson Queen waiting to be read this month and in general, I will be reading more indie SFF.
I am calling it. This is one of my top 5 favorite books of the year.
colburn0004's review against another edition
4.0
This was good light adventuring fun set in a big space operatic world with a ton of fantasy fused in. This story ended up reminding me a lot of the anime Outlaw Star, space faring fantasy, feline like companion, girl/machine fused person with everyone in search of ancient power or technology. Really enjoyed it throughout. If I had one complaint it’d be the differences in how world building was doled out. Certain aspects were never elaborated on but featured prominently in such a way that it made me more feel like I missed a previous book more so than I was being fed a mystery. I’d be interested in more adventures with this crew for sure.
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