Download PDF The Raven Tower Ann Leckie 9780316388696 Books
Download As PDF : The Raven Tower Ann Leckie 9780316388696 Books
Gods meddle in the fates of men, men play with the fates of gods, and a pretender must be cast down from the throne in this masterful first fantasy novel from Ann Leckie, New York Times bestselling author and winner of the Hugo, Nebula, and Arthur C. Clarke Awards.
Download PDF The Raven Tower Ann Leckie 9780316388696 Books
"I've been reading too much underground literature lately--mostly badly translated Russian and Chinese stuff. So I took a break when Ann Leckie's latest novel came out to read it.
Leckie made her name with her science fiction novel Ancillary Justice (which I strongly recommend). She won the Hugo, Nebula, and Arthur C. Clarke awards. She followed it up with two more in the trilogy, and each was very well written, enjoyable, fun, and fresh.
But this new novel was fantasy--different for her. And it is different for me as well. It's hard to describe. Words that come to mind are: subtle, subversive, experimental, and creative. I love the protagonist. I love the story. I love the way it unfolds. I love the world building. I love the way the book makes you think. And perhaps most of all, perhaps due to the crap I have been reading lately, I love the language and the flow and the poetry of the words and narration.
9/10! Get this book!"
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The Raven Tower Ann Leckie 9780316388696 Books Reviews :
The Raven Tower Ann Leckie 9780316388696 Books Reviews
- Ann Leckie's first novel, Ancillary Justice, was only released in 2013 but came out with the poise and polish of a seasoned author's work. None of the three other Ancillary universe books that followed has done anything to lesson that aura. All of her work required a shift of gears to read, she seems to delight in upsetting or at least ignoring convention in her world building but a good plot will only take you so far without giving the reader someone likable to hang the story on and in this Ms. Leckie also excels. Gentle lead characters that were quite capable of dealing violence capably if pushed captured my attention. The Raven Tower doesn't abandon any of these precepts but does so in a new genre for her, leaving scifi for fantasy with her sword and sorcery doing a refreshing take on what would be pablum in lessor hands. The book is narrated from the viewpoint of a watching nonhuman consciousness that alternates chapters between said consciousness's unveiling of its history and its present observation of a human newcomer of indeterminate sex (in her other work few of Leckie's lead characters are gender obvious) who arrives at the stone fortress the consciousness inhabits as the book opens. The initial chapters of the narrator's history started slowly but at some point about a third of the way in I realized I was hooked on the very strange tale that was unfolding. The passages dealing with the newcomer were more accessible at first but gradually both tales became equally appealing. Its hard to go into detail without spoilers so while I don't feel The Raven Tower has the easy appeal and breadth of characterization of her four Ancillary universe entries it still clears the bar as a rewarding read. I will be honest here and say that this book was so unusual and challenged enough of my concepts of god(s) and their relationship to humans that I will have to let it settle while it digests. I will have to let some time pass in order to come to grips with the feelings that arose but things like that don't become clear overnight.
Note/spoiler warning to followers of mainstream deities, may be challenging to personal belief systems I was wrong, I got a good night's sleep and things did become more clear-never underestimate the human animal. Painters make use of a plain background in order to focus attention on their desired subject. in comparison to previous work Leckie's lack of passion and depth of characterization for her characters and their situation may be to allow her main point to emerge, which seems to be humanity's relationship to god. In the past when church and state was combined in one powerful and all to frequently repressive authority she would have been toasted at the stake in many cultures for the unrepentant heresy she presents in The Raven Tower. Back in the 1950's and '60's when it was common to use the capitol G in spelling the almighty's name I have no doubt she would have faced varying amounts of social ostracism, but now the most common reaction (I hope) could well be, "Big deal, what's new."
When I speak of the views the book presents by gods I am referring to any consciousness connected to a physical body/object or not that can manifest control or power over aspects of the physical world beyond the abilities normal humans have. In other words small g gods. Neither I nor the book is referring to what might be considered a universal mind/group consciousness that pervades all of reality and non reality. That is another kettle of fish entirely. If you prefer this could be termed a capitol G God, but if I read this book correctly our religions have been infiltrated and are infused and controlled by small g gods masquerading as capitol G Gods. Could be the reason the whole god thing has fallen out of favor, among large elements of the population, huh? In mitigation Ms. Leckie does point out that the little gods can on occasion be caring and supportive in their relations with us humans or selfish, petty, controlling, and blood thirsty as well, but consistently all caring and benign, not so much. A religious treatise on this subject would attract only modest interest, but wrap it in an appealing fantasy novel and us masses might get to thinking. Set no false gods before me, huh? I have spent a large portion of my life either looking for, denying or running away from god/God. Maybe it's time to get over it and be myself.
P.S.Apologies for any mashed toes, I would be disappointed if everybody agreed with me, not trying to start a religion here or an argument. - I've been reading too much underground literature lately--mostly badly translated Russian and Chinese stuff. So I took a break when Ann Leckie's latest novel came out to read it.
Leckie made her name with her science fiction novel Ancillary Justice (which I strongly recommend). She won the Hugo, Nebula, and Arthur C. Clarke awards. She followed it up with two more in the trilogy, and each was very well written, enjoyable, fun, and fresh.
But this new novel was fantasy--different for her. And it is different for me as well. It's hard to describe. Words that come to mind are subtle, subversive, experimental, and creative. I love the protagonist. I love the story. I love the way it unfolds. I love the world building. I love the way the book makes you think. And perhaps most of all, perhaps due to the crap I have been reading lately, I love the language and the flow and the poetry of the words and narration.
9/10! Get this book! - An original fantasy story! There is not a naive unassuming youth who realizes his destiny as "the one", and battles the villains' monstrous hordes. Instead fallible human beings make poor decisions while imperfect gods attempt to control a changing world.
Eolo, the hero, is cautious and observant. Our hero shares these traits with the God of the Hill. The world is built in short stories told by the god, while the main story is told by the God musing on the human Eolo's behavior.
I pray for more stories from Ann Leckie. - Rating 3.5/5 Stars
Thanks to the lovely people over at Orbit for an advanced reading copy of The Raven Tower by Ann Leckie in exchange for an honest review. Receiving this ARC did not influence my thoughts or opinions on the novel.
Review
Well, first off, this title colored me intrigued because it was by Ann Leckie.
To hear that she was publishing her very first fantasy novel , and then upon seeing the gorgeous cover by Lauren Panepinto, I was all over it. Though I haven’t read her Imperial Radch series, I have heard amazing fantastical things about it. Not to mention she is also the winner of several awards including the Hugo, Nebula, and Arthur C. Clarke. So to say I had pretty high expectations going into it is an understatement.
The Raven Tower is a unique and dark tale, one that, for me, is missing just a few key ingredients to make it something magnificent.
Well, unfortunately, I was a little underwhelmed. I have been reading fantasy for a few years now (I know, humble brag) and feel like I have settled into a groove of what works and doesn’t work for me when it comes to good epic/grimdark/literary/etc fantasy novels. What absolutely doesn’t work for me is a lack of action, and boy does The Raven Tower lack action. The first half of the book is really just a build-up/re-telling of history up to this point in time and leads up to an ending that is decently satisfying. I mean, Leckie definitely does a fantastic job of leaving me wanting more by the end, but the trek to get there felt like climbing Everest, only to know you have to get back down.
The book is written with a little bit of 1st person POV, told by the ancient God called the Strength and Patience of the Hill (which is mostly backstory), but a majority of novel is 2nd person where said God sees through and talks to a secondary character by the name of Eolo, even though Eolo can’t always hear what the God is saying. Basically, the God is narrating Eolo’s present life, giving us a glimpse into his story. Still no clue why the God has chosen Eolo as it’s primary talking stick, but I digress.
The characters fell pretty flat on their faces for me. There isn’t one I can pick out of a lineup that I really felt for or continue to care about. It really just feels like a play where I am waiting for the 2nd act (and yes, the novel has a very Shakespearean feel with a spoonful of Hamlet helping the medicine go down). Even the Gods are pretty lackluster for playing with humanity like chess pieces, though to see man fight back with a little bit of gusto makes for an interesting last quarter.
Overall, I can only assume Leckie has tons left to reveal is this story, but man do I hope she gets to it quickly. If I’m going to get through Book 2 (assuming there is one), I need some hackin’ and slashin’, some bloodied swords and heads on spikes. Maybe a God or two to duke it out over their next puppet. SOMETHING.
