Cower not, fierce reader! This day, I finally take a look at Brian Niemeier's latest novel, the last of the Soul Cycle. Yes, I'm running way behind my normal schedule and pace. I've been buried between work, injury recovery, and learning a new town(and some of these are going to be ongoing). But enough about my productivity issues. Let's look at this tome.
First, it is way too complex for tradpub to have considered it. Yes, even with three prior books, we still have new things to encounter, and I'm grateful that we have more discovery to make. For proper comparison, tradpub sff ALL passed on Dune, which had been serialized in magazine form as a few pieces. CHILTON published Dune as a whole work.
I can hear someone complaining they want action right now. BE QUIET, YOU! There's plenty action in this book, and at times it feels like we go from complex idea directly into a fight. And why not? It doesn't have to be a man with a gun, it can be any real threat. The action flows well, though sometimes the abilities of characters do make it hard to track exactly what's going on, which I would count as one of its few flaws.
And we aren't limited to action, either. We have intrigue, secretive groups, and worlds across multiple planes. Threats to the souls of all in the world, and a revelation of the truth connects it all to help bring a close to the story.
All in all, an excellent finish. If you haven't gotten into this because you wait until series are done, GET CRACKING. Take your time, there's a lot to digest.
The Ophian Rising: 8 of 10 fell deeds.
The Soul Cycle: 9 of 10 fell deeds.
When you play Social Justice, the world lose.
