Sunday 3 May 2009

The Empyrean Age

A bit ago I decided to finally fold and buy the Empyrean Age novel. I was really waiting for it to come out in mass-market paperback (the smaller pocket-sized volumes rather than the trade paperbacks, which are essentially the size of your standard hardback) because my shelves don't have the room for another trade... Bah.

But I bought it, brought it home, and determined to read it through with the intention of posting a review.

So I owe everyone an apology.

I cannot finish this book. I've read up to page 109, and I cannot read any more. I've dropped better novels after only the first chapter, and it's testament to my initial determination that I gave it this much of a chance.

Everything that can be said has already been said, by people with stronger constitutions than mine.

10 comments:

Le Sac said...

Uh, it's a sci-fi novel. And it's a shameless money grab on CCP's part... where were you expecting the book to be good? :P

Anonymous said...

Bit of a dissapointment, this *was one on the wish list. Appreciate the heads up.

Ivanneth Maethor said...

@Le Sac - well, if the characters had actually been interesting and sympathetic, I might have been inclined to continue for the sake of human interest.

Tony "EVE's Weekend Warrior" said...

Surprising. Now I can sorta see why so much hype...

If it wasn't for this then the hype would have urged me to buy it, but reading similar reviews gives me that hesitation.

Mail me your copy please!

Ivanneth Maethor said...

@ Tony - Sure, drop me your posting addy :) It's going to the used-book shop if nobody wants it...

Anonymous said...

Not surprised you gave it away Shae. You write better than that.

The only real saving grace seemed to be the fascinating parts to do with the Empress Jamyl and the unswerving loyalty of the Amarrian troops.

Some of my friends also read it. General consensus: OK for a first attempt at a novel, but must try harder (much, much harder).

H

Anonymous said...

I actually made it through the whole book. I had to temper myself a bit. Read a chapter, then go read some of the EVE Chronicles.

Yes, I have read better SciFi books in my time, but I wanted to read this. It was kind of cool to see the back story that was behind each of the teaser trailers (The Nyx crash and the fleet standoff in Yulai).

The book was a marketing tool for the expansion, plain and simple. If you look at it from that perspective and you are looking for backstory for the game to provide a 'more immersive' experience, it fills that role well.

Personally, I prefer your stories and Roc's material. It's much more entertaining.

Myrhial Arkenath said...

I was really disappointed by the book. Otro is one of my favorite characters in the EVE fiction, and the short story on him is one of my favorites, and then you read the novel and wonder if it is truly the same writer. I think TonyG should stick to the format he is good with. Have a novel writer do novels instead.

Shot said...

I read it while not playing eve, and enjoyed it as a story about the lore I used to know so well. It encouraged me to resub my eve account, and I'm glad I read it. I don't think it's a book I'm likely to read again though. Currently reading Ender's Game again for the bazillionth time :)

Flashfresh said...

I enjoyed it - it's a story set in New Eden and I read it with my EVE hat on. Certainly, it didn't grab the same attention as say, an Iain M Banks or Alistair Reynolds or Joe Halderman would but a decent attempt nonetheless. To me, it's in the same vein as the Warhammer 40K novels (Gaunt's Ghosts, Eisenhorn, Horus Heresy) or the MechWarrior books: satisfying and helps flesh out the world. Not going to take your breath away. I did like the Mechs that the State Protectorate used and agree that Otro is one of the best characters in New Eden and his treatment is very poor in the story.

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