Too Like the Lightning

Flauschbuch reviewed Too Like the Lightning by Ada Palmer (Terra Ignota, #1)

Only half the story

2 stars

This book only covers the first part of a two-part story. At the end of it, none of the big mysteries have been solved and several of the characters are in trouble. I wish I had known that before starting it. I probably would not have finished the book. But I kept on reading despite my misgivings (more on that in a second) because I wanted to know who was behind the criminal case at the heart of the story.

The two things that put me off this book (and its sequels) are the gory descriptions of several murders and the way this book in the form of the narrator deals with gender. Very stereotypical views and a ton of misgendering. Not sure what the point of that was.

I'll end with a positive aspect: the worldbuilding is done very well.

kaput_reflex reviewed Too Like the Lightning by Ada Palmer (Terra Ignota -- Book 1)

Review of 'Too Like the Lightning' on 'Goodreads'

5 stars

Unique and thoughtful, I enjoyed it a lot.

Reading this book was an amazing an unexpected experience. The reading itself was a pleasure, the writing style unique but reminiscent of so many influences. As a fan of science fiction, I was excited not only for the technological future described, but for the future of ideas that is proposed, all with a multitude of characters which you actually get to know and love or hate or fear. Even if this is only the first half of the story, there is a sense of completeness. Looking forward to complete the cycle.

Dysmorphia reviewed Too Like the Lightning by Ada Palmer (Terra Ignota -- Book 1)

Review of 'Too Like the Lightning' on 'Goodreads'

5 stars

I finished Too Like the Lighting on July 5th, and then the next day started reading it again from the beginning. It's now July 12th. The second read was slower and I'm glad I did it. It also made me raise the star rating from 4 to 5 stars. I've never done that before - finished a book and then read it again immediately.

Many reviewers have commented that the book is slow going or difficult to follow. I can't agree. Then again, maybe you shouldn't trust me. I'm one of these awful literary types and I've read continental philosophy. I've read Gravity's Rainbow and The Book of the New Sun is my favorite science fiction book series of all time. Although, once the sequel to Too Like the Lightning Comes out, maybe Terra Ignota will take its place. It's that good.

On the first read of this book, I …

I finished Too Like the Lighting on July 5th, and then the next day started reading it again from the beginning. It's now July 12th. The second read was slower and I'm glad I did it. It also made me raise the star rating from 4 to 5 stars. I've never done that before - finished a book and then read it again immediately.

Many reviewers have commented that the book is slow going or difficult to follow. I can't agree. Then again, maybe you shouldn't trust me. I'm one of these awful literary types and I've read continental philosophy. I've read Gravity's Rainbow and The Book of the New Sun is my favorite science fiction book series of all time. Although, once the sequel to Too Like the Lightning Comes out, maybe Terra Ignota will take its place. It's that good.

On the first read of this book, I focused on the world building. What a world! I was so busy that enjoying it that I missed a lot of subtle hints about the plot. On the re-read, a lot of off-hand comments took on deeper, and frankly deeply sinister meanings. I can't tell you more without spoiling this book. Other reviewers have done a good job talking about both the world-building and philosophy. All I can add is to tell you that there are a lot more layers here than you might think at first, even beyond the richness you can see right away.

puercomal

rated it

May 29, 2016

Mignon

rated it

Sept. 6, 2016

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