I do hope that you are all enjoying your own reading. Over the last week or so, I have been struggling to concentrate, but I have managed to finish one book…

The book was Adrian Tchaikovsky’s Dragonfly Falling (#02 Shadows of the Apt). I read part one a few weeks ago and enjoyed it, so bought the second and third books in the series straight away. This is a very long series, so I am not sure if I will retain my enthusiasm right up to the end, but we shall see!

This is the blurb:

“EVERY HERO MUST BE TESTED

The armies of the Wasp Empire are on the march, and first to feel their might will be the city of Tark, which is even now preparing for siege. Within its walls Salma and Totho must weather the storm, as the Ant-kinden take a stand – against numbers and weaponry such as the Lowlands have never seen.

And after his earlier victory, the Empire’s secret service has decided veteran artificer Stenwold Maker is too dangerous to live. So disgraced Major Thalric is despatched on a desperate mission, not only to eliminate Stenwold himself, but to bring about the destruction of his beloved city of Collegium, and thus end all hope of intelligent resistance to the remorseless imperial advance.

While the Empire’s troops are laying waste to all in their way, the young Emperor himself is treading a different path. His thoughts are on darker things than mere conquest, and if he attains his goal he will precipitate a reign of blood that will last a thousand years.”

And here is my response on Goodreads:

Dragonfly Falling by Adrian Tchaikovsky
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

So, this is part two of a ten book series and I am wondering if I will reach the end. I am pretty certain that I will do so, if the author can maintain the level of engagement that his best writing brings!

Some parts of the book were a little overlong, but others were very exciting and clever in the twists and turns. The characters continued to interest me, although I did find it a little difficult at times to remember who they all were and where they were situated in the world. I had to check the map quite a lot. Also, perhaps a silly grumble, too many of the names began with “S”, which confused me even more!

In the end, I gave this a generous four star rating and have gone straight on to the next book in the series! As ever, Tchaikovsky’s imagination is phenomenal and his writing absorbing and entertaining.

View all my reviews

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So, I hope to be able to review the third book, Blood of the Mantis, next week, then I will change tack to a different book or series afterwards. Well, that is the plan at the moment.

Happy Reading to you all!

Love and best wishes,

Anne

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