Josh
The author's introduction itself will caution you: If you haven't read the main books in the series, maybe don't read this one.
However, if you have read the In the Name of the Wind and Wise Man's Fear (which you have, haven't you? You should have.) then this is an absolutely great side story that gives you a glimpse into one of those characters you just can't wait to learn more about.
Even if you've read the short story (Lightning Tree) that this was based on, this is worth a read. Partly for the expansion, and partly for the art.
It won't take you long, and you'll enjoy the entire thing. Get going!
The author's introduction itself will caution you: If you haven't read the main books in the series, maybe don't read this one.
However, if you have read the In the Name of the Wind and Wise Man's Fear (which you have, haven't you? You should have.) then this is an absolutely great side story that gives you a glimpse into one of those characters you just can't wait to learn more about.
Even if you've read the short story (Lightning Tree) that this was based on, this is worth a read. Partly for the expansion, and partly for the art.
It won't take you long, and you'll enjoy the entire thing. Get going!
It's possible I just wasn't really the target audience for this. I'm a Star Wars fan. Possibly a bit too much of one. I also follow early 2020's US politics and social issues fairly closely.
With those priors, this book didn't really offer much in the way of any new thoughts or ideas.
However, if you're not a dyed-in-the-slightly-dirty-wool-robe jedi, or you haven't really tracked recent politics and cultural divide issues, this book could contain revelations that might interest you, I'm not sure.
I did find it to be pretty well written. Perhaps a bit rambling at a few points, but once again that may be what's required if you weren't already familiar with a lot of the ideas.
So all in all, I give this one a solid "maybe". Probably pretty good for the right target audience!
It's possible I just wasn't really the target audience for this. I'm a Star Wars fan. Possibly a bit too much of one. I also follow early 2020's US politics and social issues fairly closely.
With those priors, this book didn't really offer much in the way of any new thoughts or ideas.
However, if you're not a dyed-in-the-slightly-dirty-wool-robe jedi, or you haven't really tracked recent politics and cultural divide issues, this book could contain revelations that might interest you, I'm not sure.
I did find it to be pretty well written. Perhaps a bit rambling at a few points, but once again that may be what's required if you weren't already familiar with a lot of the ideas.
So all in all, I give this one a solid "maybe". Probably pretty good for the right target audience!
This was a fun one. If you're a fan of Scalzi's style you'll probably like it.
It is, simultaneously, entirely predictable and entirely unpredictable. Definitely a "mystery box" storytelling approach. Normally I would be more critical of that, but I was told going into it to just sit back and enjoy it, and so I did.
And you should too. This book won't change your world, but it'll make you smile, and sometimes that's exactly the right book.
I read nearly all of it with my cat sitting on my lap, which was doubly pleasant, and I highly recommend doing if you can.
This was a fun one. If you're a fan of Scalzi's style you'll probably like it.
It is, simultaneously, entirely predictable and entirely unpredictable. Definitely a "mystery box" storytelling approach. Normally I would be more critical of that, but I was told going into it to just sit back and enjoy it, and so I did.
And you should too. This book won't change your world, but it'll make you smile, and sometimes that's exactly the right book.
I read nearly all of it with my cat sitting on my lap, which was doubly pleasant, and I highly recommend doing if you can.
