This is a tough book to rate. I loved the story, especially the very satisfying conclusion. But I never could really get in to the writing style (the This is a tough book to rate. I loved the story, especially the very satisfying conclusion. But I never could really get in to the writing style (the unseen narrator telling a story to the Good Eolo about what the Good Eolo did, even though the Good E0lo did not appear to be actually hearing the story). I understand why Ann Leckie chose that style, and indeed it makes sense as a stylistic choice. And maybe the book wouldn't have been as effective otherwise. But it just didn't hit my ear right....more
A somewhat interesting ending is not enough to rescue a lackluster entry in the series (view spoiler)[(I'm not really a fan of the Falconer waking up A somewhat interesting ending is not enough to rescue a lackluster entry in the series (view spoiler)[(I'm not really a fan of the Falconer waking up from three years in a coma and finding himself with super powers--his hatred of his mother can be the fuel that leads to his super powers, but at least make him work for it) (hide spoiler)]. The bulk of the book is utterly without any stakes of importance--a silly political contest amounting to little more than pranks in the present and putting on a play in the past. At least there's some intrigue at the end of the play story line, even if it is entirely of their own making. (view spoiler)[And I'm really not a fan of the whole, sure we drugged him, but it's not our fault because the Sanzas get drunk all the time, approach the Gentlemen Bastards took to the killing of their patron. Although I guess it is in character with their general lack of remorse and consideration for the collateral damages of schemes, no matter how much they pretend to have consciences. (hide spoiler)]...more
**spoiler alert** About the only thing worse than time-travel books are multiverse books. It's just too hard to establish coherent rules for time trav**spoiler alert** About the only thing worse than time-travel books are multiverse books. It's just too hard to establish coherent rules for time traveling, and to stick to those rules once established. Emily St. John Mandel does not do a particularly good job with creating, and enforcing, coherent time-travel rules. It the Time Institute can be affected by changes to the timeline, how do they know? There wouldn't be an alternative timeline to compare it to.
And it bothers me more than it should, but how did Edwin St. Andrew get off of a train in Victoria? Especially because after meeting the fake priest he makes such a big deal about how the only way to get on, or off, the island is by boat? If you are going to ask me to accept your rules for time travel, you can't blow basic details like that....more
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