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avsdhpn's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
I read this once over a decade ago and re-read it so I could have a fresh start for the second half of the tetralogy. I could not recall anything about the plot from my first reading, only snippets of scenes here and there. I must have either read this too fast or my mind purposefully blotted out plot.
I tentatively give it a 3.25. Overall not a bad book, just not accessible. As others have mentioned in their reviews, readability is poor. The plot meanders way too much for it to truly flow. The narration tends to chew on its own cleverness, all the while the cleverness passes over the reader's head. With this all considered, it makes it very easy to lose interest in what is going on. Had the main character not been such a pompous rube, and maybe had more intriguing characterization, the narrative would have been more engaging.
The big draw is the world building. A blend of science fiction and fantasy set in humanity's far far future. It is very reminiscent of Hideyuki Kikuchi's Vampire Hunter D series (which, itself, also suffers from similar flaws of engagement). However, it is a slow frustrating ride between each scene in the book in order to get these brilliant snippets of world building.
Also, the way the main character treats women should be mentioned. The character is the epitome of a horny white knight, who is just as likely to hit a woman as he is to rape her after saving her. The women of this world are both devious and innocent vixens who long and lust for the main character upon first meeting. As one reviewer put it, THE definition of dick-lit. It goes without saying, it is a relic of its time and has not aged well at all.
I tentatively give it a 3.25. Overall not a bad book, just not accessible. As others have mentioned in their reviews, readability is poor. The plot meanders way too much for it to truly flow. The narration tends to chew on its own cleverness, all the while the cleverness passes over the reader's head. With this all considered, it makes it very easy to lose interest in what is going on. Had the main character not been such a pompous rube, and maybe had more intriguing characterization, the narrative would have been more engaging.
The big draw is the world building. A blend of science fiction and fantasy set in humanity's far far future. It is very reminiscent of Hideyuki Kikuchi's Vampire Hunter D series (which, itself, also suffers from similar flaws of engagement). However, it is a slow frustrating ride between each scene in the book in order to get these brilliant snippets of world building.
Also, the way the main character treats women should be mentioned. The character is the epitome of a horny white knight, who is just as likely to hit a woman as he is to rape her after saving her. The women of this world are both devious and innocent vixens who long and lust for the main character upon first meeting. As one reviewer put it, THE definition of dick-lit. It goes without saying, it is a relic of its time and has not aged well at all.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Rape, and Forced institutionalization
renicula's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Physical abuse, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexism, Death, Violence, Confinement, Blood, Cannibalism, and Torture
alexalily's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Torture, Violence, Medical trauma, and Misogyny
Moderate: Ableism, Animal cruelty, Sexual assault, Transphobia, Physical abuse, Racism, Incest, Pedophilia, Sexual content, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Fatphobia, Homophobia, Cannibalism, Drug use, Medical content, Rape, and Toxic friendship
Minor: War
jakobvongunten's review
Content Warnings
Moderate: Misogyny, Sexual assault, Torture, and Suicide
Minor: Homophobia
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