Ratings25
Average rating3.6
Abandoned after about 60+ pages, after first part.
Frustrated by slow and then radical turn of story, with author seemingly abandoning protagonist, first for a another character, and then for an entirely different setting and set of characters.
Liked prose, and characters well enough (even if they weren't brilliantly written), but so turned off I will likely not plan to try the author's Mars Trilogy anytime soon, if ever.
I'm frankly shocked that editors let an apparently good author put this out in this state.
Detail [SPOILERS]:
Author abandoned protagonist, apparently killing them off, with no conclusion, closure, resolution, or clarity with what happened. Frustrating to invest in characters, and then have this happen. Also, protagonist (Bold) slowly robbed of agency, as driving force of story became another character, who was a bit unsavory, and basically took over the story. Death/reincarnation sequence particularly difficult and frustrating. Not really enlightening, but instead confusing. Unclear of it was just random images, real religious imagery, or symbolism going on, and frankly at that very point after suddenly losing the protagonist I was frustrated and not really caring about the plight of the secondary character in the afterlife.
Put the book down at first page of second part when author basically started the story over with new setting and characters. No thanks. I won't subject myself to frustration and disappointment for another part after investing my time.
Also: I endured entirely awful and graphic depictions of castration with the hope that it would still be a good book. I'm sorry I did.
[Edit: spelling]