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The Empty Throne #1
Those Above
They enslaved humanity three thousand years ago. Tall, strong, perfect, superhuman and near immortal they rule from their glittering palaces in the eternal city in the centre of the world. They are called Those Above by their subjects. They enforce their will with fire and sword.
Twenty five years ago mankind mustered an army and rose up against them, only to be slaughtered in a terrible battle. Hope died that day, but hatred survived. Whispers of another revolt are beginning to stir in the hearts of the oppressed: a woman, widowed in the war, who has dedicated her life to revenge; the general, the only man to ever defeat one of Those Above in single combat, summoned forth to raise a new legion; and a boy killer who rises from the gutter to lead an uprising in the capital.
Twenty five years ago mankind mustered an army and rose up against them, only to be slaughtered in a terrible battle. Hope died that day, but hatred survived. Whispers of another revolt are beginning to stir in the hearts of the oppressed: a woman, widowed in the war, who has dedicated her life to revenge; the general, the only man to ever defeat one of Those Above in single combat, summoned forth to raise a new legion; and a boy killer who rises from the gutter to lead an uprising in the capital.
401 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 26, 2015
125 people are currently reading
6996 people want to read
About the author
Daniel Polansky
35 books1,249 followersDaniel Polansky is the author of the Low Town trilogy, Empty Throne duology, the Hugo-nominated novella The Builders, and A City Dreaming. He can be found in Los Angeles, mostly.
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February 25, 2025
Before I get into this I need to headline that Daniel Polansky is a brilliant writer who annoys me by writing stuff I know I would do a less good job on.
Those Above is a very good book that you should go out and buy.
A wonderfully written book. Those focused on plot may enjoy it less than I did.
I didn't enjoy the book as much as I enjoyed the Low Town trilogy - but it's rather like my The Name of the Wind vs The Wise Man's Fear issues - just because one didn't do the same job for me as the other, it doesn't mean that both aren't great.
In Those Above we're given four widely spaced points of view in strict rotation:
We have the most successful battle-field general in the armies of the most successful human nation. He's well painted and interesting. I had a niggle about one part where he becomes isolated in a battle ... but that's just a niggle.
We have the super-clever older woman who is the true 'power behind the throne' of the most successful human nation. A master manipulator who has been playing the long game for decades. She is well painted and interesting too.
We have the top human assistant to one of the most powerful/influential of Those Above. She's a very intelligent mature woman who offers us all sorts of insights into these superior-in-every-way masters of the world.
We have the young born-into-poverty brawler who fights for position in the underclass of Those Above's human servants.
This isn't a particularly long book and there is a metric ton of world-building to be done. Moreover this world-building is different for each PoV character and so in the first few chapters for each (& constituting perhaps the first third of the book) we are fed a lot of world-building along with getting to know the four characters. I find this sort of thing hard to swallow. Polansky's excellent writing makes it a lot easier to swallow. I did find it a little bit like hard work for a while though - we even get a character delivering us a visual impression of themselves via a mirror...
This said, it's an interesting world. Perhaps I didn't want quite so much detail about the sumptuous splendour in which Those Above live, but there's a lot of great imagination on show, and of course the detail is very well done.
Gradually the 4 threads wind about each other and start to build momentum and some tension. Toward the end the tempo builds and there's some excitement, but really the overwhelming impression is that pay-off is coming in book 2 and 3. A great foundation has been laid but the real fireworks, having been wheeled onto the stage, have not yet gone off.
My biggest complaint is one of personal preference and (as stated in the very first line) does not stop this been a great read that you should try. As a reader I'm more interested in character than world building, and (perhaps unsophisticatedly) my taste is for highly charismatic characters with whom I can be strongly emotionally engaged. For my tastes the four main characters (each of whom dominates their story threads leaving little room for others) while interesting and skilfully drawn, are not the sort to set my pulse racing - with none of them would I get overly excited if they were to die, I wouldn't throw the book down in disgust if something terrible happened to them, I wouldn't get a tear in my eye if they were betrayed or heartbroken in some way.
So there you have it. A big fat paragraph of what pales to minor complaint given the Machiavellian clockwork glory of the epic tale unfolding. For lovers of great writing - this is the book for you. For lovers of wide-ranging complex tales of politics and war - this is the book for you. Give it a try.
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...
Those Above is a very good book that you should go out and buy.
A wonderfully written book. Those focused on plot may enjoy it less than I did.
I didn't enjoy the book as much as I enjoyed the Low Town trilogy - but it's rather like my The Name of the Wind vs The Wise Man's Fear issues - just because one didn't do the same job for me as the other, it doesn't mean that both aren't great.
In Those Above we're given four widely spaced points of view in strict rotation:
We have the most successful battle-field general in the armies of the most successful human nation. He's well painted and interesting. I had a niggle about one part where he becomes isolated in a battle ... but that's just a niggle.
We have the super-clever older woman who is the true 'power behind the throne' of the most successful human nation. A master manipulator who has been playing the long game for decades. She is well painted and interesting too.
We have the top human assistant to one of the most powerful/influential of Those Above. She's a very intelligent mature woman who offers us all sorts of insights into these superior-in-every-way masters of the world.
We have the young born-into-poverty brawler who fights for position in the underclass of Those Above's human servants.
This isn't a particularly long book and there is a metric ton of world-building to be done. Moreover this world-building is different for each PoV character and so in the first few chapters for each (& constituting perhaps the first third of the book) we are fed a lot of world-building along with getting to know the four characters. I find this sort of thing hard to swallow. Polansky's excellent writing makes it a lot easier to swallow. I did find it a little bit like hard work for a while though - we even get a character delivering us a visual impression of themselves via a mirror...
This said, it's an interesting world. Perhaps I didn't want quite so much detail about the sumptuous splendour in which Those Above live, but there's a lot of great imagination on show, and of course the detail is very well done.
Gradually the 4 threads wind about each other and start to build momentum and some tension. Toward the end the tempo builds and there's some excitement, but really the overwhelming impression is that pay-off is coming in book 2 and 3. A great foundation has been laid but the real fireworks, having been wheeled onto the stage, have not yet gone off.
My biggest complaint is one of personal preference and (as stated in the very first line) does not stop this been a great read that you should try. As a reader I'm more interested in character than world building, and (perhaps unsophisticatedly) my taste is for highly charismatic characters with whom I can be strongly emotionally engaged. For my tastes the four main characters (each of whom dominates their story threads leaving little room for others) while interesting and skilfully drawn, are not the sort to set my pulse racing - with none of them would I get overly excited if they were to die, I wouldn't throw the book down in disgust if something terrible happened to them, I wouldn't get a tear in my eye if they were betrayed or heartbroken in some way.
So there you have it. A big fat paragraph of what pales to minor complaint given the Machiavellian clockwork glory of the epic tale unfolding. For lovers of great writing - this is the book for you. For lovers of wide-ranging complex tales of politics and war - this is the book for you. Give it a try.
Join my Patreon
Join my 3-emails-a-year newsletter #prizes
...
February 13, 2016
Those Above, by Daniel Polansky, is one of the most disappointing books I’ve ever read. Not just because it was poor but, because it could have so easily been something good. It has such a good write up that just doesn’t quite fit the novel; the cover art is fantastic but, the sword is so irrelevant; the writing itself is excellent, but the plot is not existent; the characters are well rounded but, just don’t go anywhere. A bit of a shame really: I was looking forward to this one!
The author spent a lot of time setting up his characters, and I mean a lot of time. It was not until around half way through that the multi protagonists became aware of each other and that was only in passing. This made it quite difficult to understand each ones place in the social hierarchy. Whilst I’m not criticising taking a long time to set up characters, as some authors do this really well, I am, however, questioning why so much time is spent on it in this in novel. This series is a duology (two books long) in which the author has spent a quarter of it world building and introducing characters. I could understand if this was going to be a long series but, it isn’t so a lot of time has been wasted.
Nothing really happens
Furthermore, there is a complete lack of plot; there are chapters that don’t link together or even follow a proper story ark. This book is four hundred pages long, and virtually nothing happens. I kept expecting the plot to develop and the characters stories to come together; the eventual result was very disappointing. This book could have been so much better. The author is a good writer but, he is terrible at creating a plot and the novel can be barely considered a fantasy.
I have given this book at two star rating for one reason: I liked the chapters of one of the protagonists. The character himself isn’t very likeable but, he is well written. I feel that his chapters should be plucked out of the rest of the book and developed into a novel of its own. Thistle has potential; the rest of the characters do not.
Poor toilet humour
Another point to make: on one too many occasions the characters made reference to someone letting out a “loud wet fart” or a “slurpy fart.” I’m by no means prudish. However, these references just seemed so out of place in an otherwise serious novel. This attempt at comic relief is very bad taste. Take this one for example:
“That sound,” Calla hissed, “that awful incessant, sucking sound. I can’t possibly be the only one who hears it.”
“Of course I hear it,” Sandalwood said. If anything Sandalwood seemed to be enjoying the tip less than Calla. “Like a falling turd.”
I mean seriously “Like a falling turd,” what does that even sound like?????? Just ridiculous, need I say anymore?
I really don't recommend this book.
The author spent a lot of time setting up his characters, and I mean a lot of time. It was not until around half way through that the multi protagonists became aware of each other and that was only in passing. This made it quite difficult to understand each ones place in the social hierarchy. Whilst I’m not criticising taking a long time to set up characters, as some authors do this really well, I am, however, questioning why so much time is spent on it in this in novel. This series is a duology (two books long) in which the author has spent a quarter of it world building and introducing characters. I could understand if this was going to be a long series but, it isn’t so a lot of time has been wasted.
Nothing really happens
Furthermore, there is a complete lack of plot; there are chapters that don’t link together or even follow a proper story ark. This book is four hundred pages long, and virtually nothing happens. I kept expecting the plot to develop and the characters stories to come together; the eventual result was very disappointing. This book could have been so much better. The author is a good writer but, he is terrible at creating a plot and the novel can be barely considered a fantasy.
I have given this book at two star rating for one reason: I liked the chapters of one of the protagonists. The character himself isn’t very likeable but, he is well written. I feel that his chapters should be plucked out of the rest of the book and developed into a novel of its own. Thistle has potential; the rest of the characters do not.
Poor toilet humour
Another point to make: on one too many occasions the characters made reference to someone letting out a “loud wet fart” or a “slurpy fart.” I’m by no means prudish. However, these references just seemed so out of place in an otherwise serious novel. This attempt at comic relief is very bad taste. Take this one for example:
“That sound,” Calla hissed, “that awful incessant, sucking sound. I can’t possibly be the only one who hears it.”
“Of course I hear it,” Sandalwood said. If anything Sandalwood seemed to be enjoying the tip less than Calla. “Like a falling turd.”
I mean seriously “Like a falling turd,” what does that even sound like?????? Just ridiculous, need I say anymore?
I really don't recommend this book.
February 9, 2017
I've surprised myself by expecting less and receiving more from this book.
Honestly, I've read so many epic fantasies by this point that I either have to read something that is written extremely well or it comes with an extraordinary number of innovations, or both, before I get truly wowed.
I'm not quite there with this one, but after having read a good handful of Polansky's novels, I've gotten quite used to his style and know enough to be patient. It always pays off. Usually there's a lot of in-depth and long-building characters with a large amount of either politics or of rolling around in the dirt of a dirty city or of just plain warfare. Each is great in it's own way, but that's just the thing: It takes time and patience to pull off the big picture that he's painting.
But here's the good part: He paints beautiful pictures.
In this case, I knew before I started that this is a Duology. Knowing that, I didn't expect a truly satisfying end. I expected a picture-perfect build-up that will be concluded in the second novel.
This goes against a lot of modern expectations. Either we have immense build-ups over many novels that finish with a blow out, or we have individual novels that are fully satisfying on their own that happen to have larger threads that tie everything together for a big blow out. In this one, we may as well just clump these two together and call it one large tale.
Decisions, decisions, publishers.
I'm gonna shrug and read the second one right away and buck tradition. I'm just going to assume this is one big tale. You know, like Dan Simmons' Hyperion and The Fall of Hyperion.
I'm fully immersed in this fantasy. It's the beginnings of rebellion between the downcast humans and somewhat bird-like peoples with long lives, great strength, and high intelligence. Simple, but written very well.
Above that, in my opinion, is the mythos that is developed and the depth of the world building. It sneaks right in there in all the nooks and crannies and it's really rather beautiful.
I've read a few reviews that complain about the characters, but I disagree. I like them. I like the political machinations above. I like the bad boys down below. I like the way that they all jockey for position and prepare or fail to prepare for the bloodbath to come. It's evocative.
And now I'm perfectly poised to dive in and see how this ends. :)
Honestly, I've read so many epic fantasies by this point that I either have to read something that is written extremely well or it comes with an extraordinary number of innovations, or both, before I get truly wowed.
I'm not quite there with this one, but after having read a good handful of Polansky's novels, I've gotten quite used to his style and know enough to be patient. It always pays off. Usually there's a lot of in-depth and long-building characters with a large amount of either politics or of rolling around in the dirt of a dirty city or of just plain warfare. Each is great in it's own way, but that's just the thing: It takes time and patience to pull off the big picture that he's painting.
But here's the good part: He paints beautiful pictures.
In this case, I knew before I started that this is a Duology. Knowing that, I didn't expect a truly satisfying end. I expected a picture-perfect build-up that will be concluded in the second novel.
This goes against a lot of modern expectations. Either we have immense build-ups over many novels that finish with a blow out, or we have individual novels that are fully satisfying on their own that happen to have larger threads that tie everything together for a big blow out. In this one, we may as well just clump these two together and call it one large tale.
Decisions, decisions, publishers.
I'm gonna shrug and read the second one right away and buck tradition. I'm just going to assume this is one big tale. You know, like Dan Simmons' Hyperion and The Fall of Hyperion.
I'm fully immersed in this fantasy. It's the beginnings of rebellion between the downcast humans and somewhat bird-like peoples with long lives, great strength, and high intelligence. Simple, but written very well.
Above that, in my opinion, is the mythos that is developed and the depth of the world building. It sneaks right in there in all the nooks and crannies and it's really rather beautiful.
I've read a few reviews that complain about the characters, but I disagree. I like them. I like the political machinations above. I like the bad boys down below. I like the way that they all jockey for position and prepare or fail to prepare for the bloodbath to come. It's evocative.
And now I'm perfectly poised to dive in and see how this ends. :)
May 6, 2015
They enslaved humanity three thousand years ago. Tall, strong, perfect, superhuman and near immortal they rule from their glittering palaces in the eternal city in the centre of the world. They are called Those Above by their subjects. They enforce their will with fire and sword.
Twenty five years ago mankind mustered an army and rose up against them, only to be slaughtered in a terrible battle. Hope died that day, but hatred survived. Whispers of another revolt are beginning to stir in the hearts of the oppressed: a woman, widowed in the war, who has dedicated her life to revenge; the general, the only man to ever defeat one of Those Above in single combat, summoned forth to raise a new legion; and a boy killer who rises from the gutter to lead an uprising in the capital.
I approached Those Above with an almost giddy like excitement. I previously have adored Polansky's work in the Low Town universe, and the premise of this novel had me jumping up and down in anticipation. Every time the mailman came to deliver a package to my door I was hoping it was Those Above. Finally, the book arrived, and boy was I not disappointed.
Those Above is Polansky's first foray into what can arguably be described as epic fantasy, and it is a vastly different reading experience to what many people might expect. Focusing primarily on four different points of view, Polansky takes the reader on a journey of masterful world building and intricate characterisation. We are first introduced to Bas, an army general, early on. Bas is the only human to have ever defeated one of the immortals in combat, and it is this sticking point that makes his character so enthralling. He is brilliantly painted throughout the story, and I adored how he interacted with those around him because of it. Eudokia is also of a similar vein. She is the power behind one of the human thrones and has been setting in play her plans for revenge against the 'others' for decades. I particularly liked the political intrigue and manuevering that surrounded her chapters, as well as those of Calla, a human assistant and representative for a well placed immortal in court. Calla's chapters gave me a fascinating insight into the thoughts and motivations of the immortals, and really fleshed out their alien-like nature. The final viewpoint is that of Thistle, a young brawler who is born into poverty and now has to fight for everything in his life. Thistle's chapters incorporated the more familiar tones of grit and grime that I usually associate with Polansky's writing, and it was wonderful to read the transition from this dark and brutal existence to the more lofty and noble setting of Eudokia's chapters.
This is one of the highlights of Those Above. The world building is immersive, detailed, and vivid, with Polansky shifting seamlessly from the glittering halls of the Roost (the immortal's domain) to the lowliest criminal establishment page after page. I loved the level of detail that Polansky included in this book, and I adored how despite this he still left many grey areas which to explore in future releases. The immortals are also portrayed brilliantly, exhuming a creepy and disconcerting aloofness and arrogance that that had me on edge from start to finish, and I loved the simmering hatred of them that oozed out of every facet of humanity throughout this book.
The flow and pacing in Those Above is also very surprising. For the first half the book Polansky lays down a solid foundation on which to build, fleshing out his protagonists and the world in which they live. As a result the pace of the story does suffer at times, but overall this didn't bother me too much. I usually don't mind a slower narrative so long as I can see the end game coming (as was the case with Those Above). The second half of the book speeds up dramatically, and the four protagonists and their plot threads weave together and gain momentum, eventually reaching a crescendo in what was a very satisfying ending (and lead in to the sequel).
All in all Those Above is an amazing and cracking release that I enjoyed on many different levels. Polansky has shown with this book that he is not a one trick pony, and I cannot wait to see what he will produce next. An enthralling epic fantasy that will only get better and better, I would highly recommend this book to anyone with even a slight interest in speculative fiction.
5 out of 5 stars.
smashdragons.blogspot.com.au
A review copy was provided.
Twenty five years ago mankind mustered an army and rose up against them, only to be slaughtered in a terrible battle. Hope died that day, but hatred survived. Whispers of another revolt are beginning to stir in the hearts of the oppressed: a woman, widowed in the war, who has dedicated her life to revenge; the general, the only man to ever defeat one of Those Above in single combat, summoned forth to raise a new legion; and a boy killer who rises from the gutter to lead an uprising in the capital.
I approached Those Above with an almost giddy like excitement. I previously have adored Polansky's work in the Low Town universe, and the premise of this novel had me jumping up and down in anticipation. Every time the mailman came to deliver a package to my door I was hoping it was Those Above. Finally, the book arrived, and boy was I not disappointed.
Those Above is Polansky's first foray into what can arguably be described as epic fantasy, and it is a vastly different reading experience to what many people might expect. Focusing primarily on four different points of view, Polansky takes the reader on a journey of masterful world building and intricate characterisation. We are first introduced to Bas, an army general, early on. Bas is the only human to have ever defeated one of the immortals in combat, and it is this sticking point that makes his character so enthralling. He is brilliantly painted throughout the story, and I adored how he interacted with those around him because of it. Eudokia is also of a similar vein. She is the power behind one of the human thrones and has been setting in play her plans for revenge against the 'others' for decades. I particularly liked the political intrigue and manuevering that surrounded her chapters, as well as those of Calla, a human assistant and representative for a well placed immortal in court. Calla's chapters gave me a fascinating insight into the thoughts and motivations of the immortals, and really fleshed out their alien-like nature. The final viewpoint is that of Thistle, a young brawler who is born into poverty and now has to fight for everything in his life. Thistle's chapters incorporated the more familiar tones of grit and grime that I usually associate with Polansky's writing, and it was wonderful to read the transition from this dark and brutal existence to the more lofty and noble setting of Eudokia's chapters.
This is one of the highlights of Those Above. The world building is immersive, detailed, and vivid, with Polansky shifting seamlessly from the glittering halls of the Roost (the immortal's domain) to the lowliest criminal establishment page after page. I loved the level of detail that Polansky included in this book, and I adored how despite this he still left many grey areas which to explore in future releases. The immortals are also portrayed brilliantly, exhuming a creepy and disconcerting aloofness and arrogance that that had me on edge from start to finish, and I loved the simmering hatred of them that oozed out of every facet of humanity throughout this book.
The flow and pacing in Those Above is also very surprising. For the first half the book Polansky lays down a solid foundation on which to build, fleshing out his protagonists and the world in which they live. As a result the pace of the story does suffer at times, but overall this didn't bother me too much. I usually don't mind a slower narrative so long as I can see the end game coming (as was the case with Those Above). The second half of the book speeds up dramatically, and the four protagonists and their plot threads weave together and gain momentum, eventually reaching a crescendo in what was a very satisfying ending (and lead in to the sequel).
All in all Those Above is an amazing and cracking release that I enjoyed on many different levels. Polansky has shown with this book that he is not a one trick pony, and I cannot wait to see what he will produce next. An enthralling epic fantasy that will only get better and better, I would highly recommend this book to anyone with even a slight interest in speculative fiction.
5 out of 5 stars.
smashdragons.blogspot.com.au
A review copy was provided.
June 22, 2019
*** 3.41 ***
I really should have loved everything about this book. On paper, it checks off all my favorite things. It is imaginative, it has some historical influences mixed with some myth, it is shaping up to be Epic in nature and still has the four different POV's of very different backgrounds, giving us a more complete picture of what the world we are dealing with looks like. The prose is solid and even pretty at times, the female characters rounded and layered. However, there is something very wrong with the pacing and timing of reveals through the book. At times we are thrown into the world and expected to figure things out on our own, while at others we have to drudge through enormous info-dumps... I had periods when I was lulling into sleep while reading, and that is never a good omen about a fantasy book... I wanted to give it a better rating, but I just couldn't. Maybe I read it at a time when I was just not feeling it, so I would still tell folks to read it and make up their own minds:)
Now I wish you all Happy Reading and many wonderful books to come!
I really should have loved everything about this book. On paper, it checks off all my favorite things. It is imaginative, it has some historical influences mixed with some myth, it is shaping up to be Epic in nature and still has the four different POV's of very different backgrounds, giving us a more complete picture of what the world we are dealing with looks like. The prose is solid and even pretty at times, the female characters rounded and layered. However, there is something very wrong with the pacing and timing of reveals through the book. At times we are thrown into the world and expected to figure things out on our own, while at others we have to drudge through enormous info-dumps... I had periods when I was lulling into sleep while reading, and that is never a good omen about a fantasy book... I wanted to give it a better rating, but I just couldn't. Maybe I read it at a time when I was just not feeling it, so I would still tell folks to read it and make up their own minds:)
Now I wish you all Happy Reading and many wonderful books to come!
December 26, 2015
This is a difficult book to rate and review. Mainly because I'm not entirely sure how I feel about it! I'm going to say I enjoyed the story, but did not particularly like any of the characters. This was not a light fantasy read and definitely qualifies for the grimdark subgenre!
It is even tough to describe the happenings as the full story was basically just following the build up to a full scale war between the two most powerful nations in the region. The dominant nation being Those Above from the Roost. Those Above are non-human, but human-like, bird creatures. They are superior to the humans in speed, strength, size, and even lifespan. They conquered the region and subjugated the humans over three thousand years ago, but in the present day they stay confined to their glittering Palaces at the height of the Roost, the most magnificent city ever built, and only venture out rarely when they feel their laws are not being sufficiently followed. The last such incident happened 30 years preciously when Aeleria grew too powerful and started to conquer the other human nations immediately surrounding the Roost. The humans were duly defeated by the mighty superhuman skills of the Others, but that defeat has left a bad taste in the mouth of the Aelerians and the most powerful women in the country has been plotting revenge for the death of her husband ever since. Her long plans are finally coming to fruition.
The story was interesting, but definitely a bit slow paced. There was not a ton of action and most of the focus was on political intrigue and character development. Despite that the story managed to keep me fairly engaged.
We followed four POV characters. Eudokia, the manipulative women who controls the senate of Aeleria from the shadows. Bas, a seasoned military commander. Calla, a human servant/slave who serves on the Those Above in the heights of The Roost. Thistle, a youth from the lowest tier of the Roost. All proved to be interesting POV characters, but I'm not sure I'd call any of them likeable. It was fun to follow Eudokia as she used her wits to defeat her various opponents and enemies. That said, she was on a quest for vengeance and was ruthless. Bas was an interesting character. A typical career military leader. He kills who he is told and does not lose much sleep if that is soldier or civilian. He is famous because he killed one of the Others in single combat during the last war. He is also a distant and cynical guy with little interest in politics or glory. Calla was probably the most likeable of the bunch, but she was in truth a pampered slave with little grasp of what life was like outside the highest of the Roost's five tiers. Her story was interesting because it gave us a glimpse of the Roost and Those Above. Thistle was the youngest and least likeable of all the characters. He was born into poverty and is driven by hatred and anger. His violent ways first see him find his way to the gang running the fifth tier and then later he is seduced by the prospect of rebellion by a leader who has a talent for inspiring fanaticism in his followers.
I mostly enjoyed the story and will definitely grab the sequel to discover what happens next. The bizarre thing is that I'm not even sure what will happen next or who I want to win, or even just survive, the coming war. It is so tough to root for any of the characters in this story!
Rating: 4 stars.
Audio Note: I took a bit of time to warm to Andrew Wincott, but once I did I thought he performed this well.
It is even tough to describe the happenings as the full story was basically just following the build up to a full scale war between the two most powerful nations in the region. The dominant nation being Those Above from the Roost. Those Above are non-human, but human-like, bird creatures. They are superior to the humans in speed, strength, size, and even lifespan. They conquered the region and subjugated the humans over three thousand years ago, but in the present day they stay confined to their glittering Palaces at the height of the Roost, the most magnificent city ever built, and only venture out rarely when they feel their laws are not being sufficiently followed. The last such incident happened 30 years preciously when Aeleria grew too powerful and started to conquer the other human nations immediately surrounding the Roost. The humans were duly defeated by the mighty superhuman skills of the Others, but that defeat has left a bad taste in the mouth of the Aelerians and the most powerful women in the country has been plotting revenge for the death of her husband ever since. Her long plans are finally coming to fruition.
The story was interesting, but definitely a bit slow paced. There was not a ton of action and most of the focus was on political intrigue and character development. Despite that the story managed to keep me fairly engaged.
We followed four POV characters. Eudokia, the manipulative women who controls the senate of Aeleria from the shadows. Bas, a seasoned military commander. Calla, a human servant/slave who serves on the Those Above in the heights of The Roost. Thistle, a youth from the lowest tier of the Roost. All proved to be interesting POV characters, but I'm not sure I'd call any of them likeable. It was fun to follow Eudokia as she used her wits to defeat her various opponents and enemies. That said, she was on a quest for vengeance and was ruthless. Bas was an interesting character. A typical career military leader. He kills who he is told and does not lose much sleep if that is soldier or civilian. He is famous because he killed one of the Others in single combat during the last war. He is also a distant and cynical guy with little interest in politics or glory. Calla was probably the most likeable of the bunch, but she was in truth a pampered slave with little grasp of what life was like outside the highest of the Roost's five tiers. Her story was interesting because it gave us a glimpse of the Roost and Those Above. Thistle was the youngest and least likeable of all the characters. He was born into poverty and is driven by hatred and anger. His violent ways first see him find his way to the gang running the fifth tier and then later he is seduced by the prospect of rebellion by a leader who has a talent for inspiring fanaticism in his followers.
I mostly enjoyed the story and will definitely grab the sequel to discover what happens next. The bizarre thing is that I'm not even sure what will happen next or who I want to win, or even just survive, the coming war. It is so tough to root for any of the characters in this story!
Rating: 4 stars.
Audio Note: I took a bit of time to warm to Andrew Wincott, but once I did I thought he performed this well.
August 1, 2015
Not as good as low town. Didnt care for the characters, baz the general may improve. Didnt seem much difference between the roost rulers and the rich humans with the power with the they play at politics and warmongering with the lives of those below them.
didnt have the great touch of gritty grimdark we loved in the low town book.
Two possible strong female characters who I hope do get more interesting.
will read the others as they come out.
not going to do a mass recommend. Will just say give it ago.
didnt have the great touch of gritty grimdark we loved in the low town book.
Two possible strong female characters who I hope do get more interesting.
will read the others as they come out.
not going to do a mass recommend. Will just say give it ago.
June 11, 2023
I absorbed the words like a drunkard sponging the last remnants of alcohol from a barrel to settle his tremor, and they left me giddy and reeling. Criminally underread and underrated.
March 18, 2015
Those Above kinda floored me, but not for the reasons you might expect.
I really didn’t get along with Daniel Polansky’s last series, the Low Town trilogy. I respected where he was going with it and the concept was interesting but ultimately it just wasn’t for me. It was grim, dark and cynical but all a bit introverted, focussing on a character that I just couldn’t connect with.
Well Those Above is the same. But also…different.
It is grim, dark and cynical with that same biting sense of humour and florid, dense prose style I remembered from Low Town. But now Polansky has completely expanded his focus into a more epic story, with some wildly inventive worldbuilding and tremendous main characters. The narrative style moves to third-person, utilising the much-copied Martin-esque technique of having each chapter dedicated to one exclusive point-of-view at a time. It works well for a reason and Polansky really pulls it off, starting off with four very separate storylines that all begin to overlap and converge as the book goes on. It’s very clever storytelling indeed.
The basic premise is that long ago the world came to be ruled over by dominant, seemingly immortal elf-like creatures known as Those Above, living in an enormous city known as The Roost. They live at the top of the mountain (quite literally) in what is known as the First Rung of the city, an always ominous presence that becomes less prevalent the further from the Roost we travel. Elsewhere the country of Aeleria is in a shaky alliance with The Roost and its countrymen, driven further and further to the brink by the machinations of those at the top of its Romanesque political structure. And all the while the seeds of rebellion are being laid in the Fifth Rung of the Roost where a young boy known as Thistle is pulled inadvertently into the mix with Those Above.
This is very much epic fantasy with battles, politics and rebellion being the order of the day. As for characters there’s four major POVs: Bas, the old battle commander who is infamous for having killed one of Those Above in battle many years previous; Eudokia, the woman who sits at the head of a vast web of political power in Aeleria; Calla, the slave who serves one of Those Above directly and knows no other life; and Thistle, the young boy pulled into everything by no real fault of his own but who has known nothing else in life but theft, survival and violence. There’s also a host of memorable supporting characters – Those Above themselves steal many a scene – but this is very much the story of the aforementioned four.
Each has their moments, with Eudokia in particular dominating much of the book, having a hand in events far and wide as she grips the strings like a puppet master. She’s a strong character, reminiscent of Cersei Lannister if Cersei were twice as ruthless and half as arrogant. Indeed there are echoes of many epic fantasy staples here – with Bas being our typically gruff, take-no-nonsense army veteran who’s probably too old for this shit and Thistle, our hero who’s risen up from the gutters to face evil itself. But it rarely feels overly familiar, with Polansky displaying a deft touch in making each character believable. Each is flawed and as unlikeable at times as they are likeable, with for instance, much of Calla’s reasons for her actions only becoming clear the more we get to know her. It’s an interesting mix that allows for the book to remain intimate while progressing an epic plot that could span books and books.
And there’s my problem: it’s a bit short for such an epic story. That would be admirable if it weren’t for the fact that there is no real feeling of accomplishment – the book builds and builds each storyline to a crescendo that never really comes. Yes, there’s some excellent and exciting scenes in the latter third, but none are what I might come to expect from the ending of an epic fantasy novel. Characters get where we’d expect them to get in the first part of a much larger series, but by all accounts this is a two-parter; something that seems bizarre to me. Polansky has only just begun to set out his tools in Those Above and then it’s cut short, with only one more book to come. Suffice to say I’m curious to see where it goes in the next one as there’s an awful lot of big moments set-up here that need pay-off in the next, and the last thing I want is a rushed finale for the sake of completing the story in two books. Those Above is just too good for the second to fall flat.
And that’s just it: Those Above is excellent epic fantasy. Polansky retains much of his style from Low Town but is able to paint it across a much larger canvas with a wide and varied cast that it’s easy to become attached to. Things are coming to a head by the end and I just hope he can pull it off in part two, because if he can this will be a story to remember and recommend for years to come as an epic fantasy done just right.
I really didn’t get along with Daniel Polansky’s last series, the Low Town trilogy. I respected where he was going with it and the concept was interesting but ultimately it just wasn’t for me. It was grim, dark and cynical but all a bit introverted, focussing on a character that I just couldn’t connect with.
Well Those Above is the same. But also…different.
It is grim, dark and cynical with that same biting sense of humour and florid, dense prose style I remembered from Low Town. But now Polansky has completely expanded his focus into a more epic story, with some wildly inventive worldbuilding and tremendous main characters. The narrative style moves to third-person, utilising the much-copied Martin-esque technique of having each chapter dedicated to one exclusive point-of-view at a time. It works well for a reason and Polansky really pulls it off, starting off with four very separate storylines that all begin to overlap and converge as the book goes on. It’s very clever storytelling indeed.
The basic premise is that long ago the world came to be ruled over by dominant, seemingly immortal elf-like creatures known as Those Above, living in an enormous city known as The Roost. They live at the top of the mountain (quite literally) in what is known as the First Rung of the city, an always ominous presence that becomes less prevalent the further from the Roost we travel. Elsewhere the country of Aeleria is in a shaky alliance with The Roost and its countrymen, driven further and further to the brink by the machinations of those at the top of its Romanesque political structure. And all the while the seeds of rebellion are being laid in the Fifth Rung of the Roost where a young boy known as Thistle is pulled inadvertently into the mix with Those Above.
This is very much epic fantasy with battles, politics and rebellion being the order of the day. As for characters there’s four major POVs: Bas, the old battle commander who is infamous for having killed one of Those Above in battle many years previous; Eudokia, the woman who sits at the head of a vast web of political power in Aeleria; Calla, the slave who serves one of Those Above directly and knows no other life; and Thistle, the young boy pulled into everything by no real fault of his own but who has known nothing else in life but theft, survival and violence. There’s also a host of memorable supporting characters – Those Above themselves steal many a scene – but this is very much the story of the aforementioned four.
Each has their moments, with Eudokia in particular dominating much of the book, having a hand in events far and wide as she grips the strings like a puppet master. She’s a strong character, reminiscent of Cersei Lannister if Cersei were twice as ruthless and half as arrogant. Indeed there are echoes of many epic fantasy staples here – with Bas being our typically gruff, take-no-nonsense army veteran who’s probably too old for this shit and Thistle, our hero who’s risen up from the gutters to face evil itself. But it rarely feels overly familiar, with Polansky displaying a deft touch in making each character believable. Each is flawed and as unlikeable at times as they are likeable, with for instance, much of Calla’s reasons for her actions only becoming clear the more we get to know her. It’s an interesting mix that allows for the book to remain intimate while progressing an epic plot that could span books and books.
And there’s my problem: it’s a bit short for such an epic story. That would be admirable if it weren’t for the fact that there is no real feeling of accomplishment – the book builds and builds each storyline to a crescendo that never really comes. Yes, there’s some excellent and exciting scenes in the latter third, but none are what I might come to expect from the ending of an epic fantasy novel. Characters get where we’d expect them to get in the first part of a much larger series, but by all accounts this is a two-parter; something that seems bizarre to me. Polansky has only just begun to set out his tools in Those Above and then it’s cut short, with only one more book to come. Suffice to say I’m curious to see where it goes in the next one as there’s an awful lot of big moments set-up here that need pay-off in the next, and the last thing I want is a rushed finale for the sake of completing the story in two books. Those Above is just too good for the second to fall flat.
And that’s just it: Those Above is excellent epic fantasy. Polansky retains much of his style from Low Town but is able to paint it across a much larger canvas with a wide and varied cast that it’s easy to become attached to. Things are coming to a head by the end and I just hope he can pull it off in part two, because if he can this will be a story to remember and recommend for years to come as an epic fantasy done just right.
Read
November 28, 2016DNF at 17%
Dark, cynical and going nowhere very slowly. Really not for me.
Dark, cynical and going nowhere very slowly. Really not for me.
June 2, 2015
Good things:
- Eloquent prose
- Interesting themes
- Strong worldbuilding
Less good thing:
- telling us things, not showing us
- three, consecutive chapters with people getting up and morning rituals: dull!
- 2 of the four pov-characters are cardboard thin: Bas is a general but apart from the battle at the beginning he barely does anything at all. The other, Calla, is a gateway POV for us to look upon the Eternal
(Godlike creatures) and barely has any scenes where she actually does anything herself.
- the Revenant Mother, Eudokia, is a real spider queen, but is all too succesful in any venture.
- Plot is slow, and just a setup really for the story
- His prose may be eloquent, but it's very descriptive.
- The rare scenes that actually have some action are pretty bland and not all that exciting.
- Toilet humour among the highly civilized sound weird; what sound does a 'falling turd' even make?
- Eloquent prose
- Interesting themes
- Strong worldbuilding
Less good thing:
- telling us things, not showing us
- three, consecutive chapters with people getting up and morning rituals: dull!
- 2 of the four pov-characters are cardboard thin: Bas is a general but apart from the battle at the beginning he barely does anything at all. The other, Calla, is a gateway POV for us to look upon the Eternal
(Godlike creatures) and barely has any scenes where she actually does anything herself.
- the Revenant Mother, Eudokia, is a real spider queen, but is all too succesful in any venture.
- Plot is slow, and just a setup really for the story
- His prose may be eloquent, but it's very descriptive.
- The rare scenes that actually have some action are pretty bland and not all that exciting.
- Toilet humour among the highly civilized sound weird; what sound does a 'falling turd' even make?
January 17, 2015
Oh I loved this one! To be honest I wasnt sure that Daniel Polansky could top the wonder that was the “Low Town” series but if anything this is even better in a lot of ways- great world building, a huge amount of depth to the characters and a real page turner.
There is a lot of character building and scene setting in the early chapters which can be a tad confusing at first, but it comes into focus quick smart and from then on in is a rollicking read, a huge amount of fun, with a dark side that really appealed to me. There is a richness to the often strange language used, a unique feel to the whole thing and some terrific plot arcs that make it an intelligent and often heart stopping read.
An intricate set of circumstances, an eclectic and hugely differing cast of characters (Bas, I loved Bas!) a heck of a story beautifully told, as a “book one” it was pretty perfect. Am VERY much looking forward to what is next, as now we have a picture and understanding, Chapter two cannot be anything but brilliant.
Highly Recommended for Fantasy fans. And much as I dislike comparisons, I do think honestly that if you are a Game of Thrones fan you will adore this.
Happy Reading Folks!
There is a lot of character building and scene setting in the early chapters which can be a tad confusing at first, but it comes into focus quick smart and from then on in is a rollicking read, a huge amount of fun, with a dark side that really appealed to me. There is a richness to the often strange language used, a unique feel to the whole thing and some terrific plot arcs that make it an intelligent and often heart stopping read.
An intricate set of circumstances, an eclectic and hugely differing cast of characters (Bas, I loved Bas!) a heck of a story beautifully told, as a “book one” it was pretty perfect. Am VERY much looking forward to what is next, as now we have a picture and understanding, Chapter two cannot be anything but brilliant.
Highly Recommended for Fantasy fans. And much as I dislike comparisons, I do think honestly that if you are a Game of Thrones fan you will adore this.
Happy Reading Folks!
December 23, 2014
They enslaved humanity three thousand years ago. Tall, strong, perfect, superhuman and near immortal they rule from their glittering palaces in the eternal city in the centre of the world. They are called Those Above by their subjects. They enforce their will with fire and sword.
Twenty five years ago mankind mustered an army and rose up against them, only to be slaughtered in a terrible battle. Hope died that day, but hatred survived. Whispers of another revolt are beginning to stir in the hearts of the oppressed: a woman, widowed in the war, who has dedicated her life to revenge; the general, the only man to ever defeat one of Those Above in single combat, summoned forth to raise a new legion; and a boy killer who rises from the gutter to lead an uprising in the capital.
So this is another, where I can't come up with a better synopsis that won't be full of spoilers, so you guys get the GoodReads one! I was lucky enough to win a copy of this from a GoodReads giveaway and I couldn't wait to get stuck in, and I honestly wasn't disappointed, and dammit, this is another series to add to my favourites and anxiously await the next installments of.
The world building for this is truly incredible. The world is so detailed and extensive, and I just need to see more of it, not that you don't see a good chunk of it in this installment, but plenty of other parts of the world are mentioned, and I'm so curious to see what those places are like as well! The world is so well described, that I could picture everything that was described in vivid detail, it's like the world and the landmarks and the cities came to life in front of my eyes. I could also, very clearly, picture the map of the world that I'm assuming is going to be included in the finished copies of the novel! I hope I'm right and have everything correct in my own map!
Normally I detest books being described as "like so and so", but I can't argue with the fact that Game of Thrones fans are going to love this, this is very different from Game of Thrones, but has the epic fantasy feel to it, and the sweeping journey and incredible world, not to mention the colourful cast of characters, some on opposing sides, who are all entwined by the events that are going to happen and have happened. It's premise, however, is unique, and unlike any other fantasy I have a read, and the premise is only one reason that I have found myself totally obsessed with this new series!
There are different points of view, from different types of people, and from all of these you see both sides of the impending war between Those Above and the Aeleria, and you see different classes of people, all involved in different things, so you get a wide scope of characters showing you different parts and aspects of the world, different things happening and so on. Each point of view is important, and adds to the story, adding more threads to the plot, helping you get to know the characters, get to know the world and it's different sides.
Everything about this book is intricate, the world and it's details are intricate, with an intricate and detailed history and politics and customs and so on and so forth, not to mention the stories mentioned. This book is so incredibly different, and it's this difference that is going to add a breathe of fresh air to the genre, and keep people reading and longing for more. It's a hard world to leave, you just want to stay submerged in it, once it sucks you in it's hard to get out!
Like I said, the characters are colourful, I particularly loved Eudokia, she's kind of a bitch, but she's also so intelligent and a total badass, like the whole burning house thing and what happened and how she dealt with it and she wasn't screaming or freaking out, it was so awesome, I was wary of her at first, thinking oh maybe she's the bad guy, and maybe she is, but she is, so far, my favourite character! She's crazy smart and pretty much orchestrating everything and is a master at manipulation. So awesome. Calla I was a bit like "hmmmm" she has the potential to be interesting, but so far she hasn't piqued my interest, I mean she's up to something, she knows the language she isn't supposed to, but she seems a bit too much in thrall with Those Above and a bit of a wet blanket.....at the moment. I have a feeling that's going to change, she is our insight in to Those Above, as she works for one of them, but I have a feeling she's going to be a character to watch.
Bas, I so want to now more about Bas and his past and his past battles! Although I do wish he'd smack the Dycian one, like seriously, he needs a good smack up the head! He's quite the badass as well, and I can see him and Eudokia plotting together, because I'm really hoping he's going to end up working with her, like more than he did in the brief bit at the end you know? he is after all going to be planning the war, and most likely leading it, as the only person to have killed one of Those Above. Eudokia is all about revenge against Those Above and these two, plus Thistle are making up the oppressed who, understandably, want to be not oppressed. Thistle is kind of a criminal? He lives in the lowest rung of the Roost and ends up working for a criminal and then he turns in to a killer, but then he ends up going to this guy who I can't make my mind up about, he's clearly against Those Above. The thing is, the end leaves you wondering, because it's like "what the hell". But yeah. Awesome characters. Even Irene who seriously? Should have been smacked one.
My point being that the secondary characters where just as well written, and full of depth as the main characters, Irene and her plotting, and then my other favourite character, Jahan, casually has a blade sticking out of him and it's like he doesn't even feel it. I would love to know even more about him! He's totally awesome as well!
As you can probably tell, you see different groups, with Bas you see the Soldiers and the upcoming Legion, with Thistle you see the people of the lowest rung of the Roost, treated horribly by Those Above, and the criminals that dwell there, as well as the stirrings of rebellion, with Calla you see Those Above and some of the people of the higher rungs as she works for one of them, so you see the inner workings of Those Above, and what they're plotting and planning and their politics, aaand with Eudokia you see the inner workings and the bickerings and the manipulation of the people who are going to start the war and lead the revolution.
It did take me a few chapters to get a grip on everything and start to get everything in order, who was what and so on, and I'm still not entirely sure I'm correct, but it's quite possibly supposed to be like that. The book does require concentration as there's a lot of information to take in and remember and store away for the rest of the book and the rest of the series, I would imagine, but it's no less enjoyable, said information isn't just dumped in one chapter for you to struggle through, you get bits and pieces as and when the situation arises that requires you to know about it.
So as you can imagine, the plot is very complex, there's multiple things going on to get our characters where they need to be, this installment is setting the scene and setting the pieces up, and therefore setting up the next book, but this is going on subtly while we're following the plot for this installment, and doesn't take away from the book. It's hard to explain, but as you're reading about the characters and their individual stories and situations and what's happening to them, you don't realize they're heading to a certain place so they're in position for the next book...until you've finished reading if that makes sense? Underneath the different plots as it where, there's the underlying plot that there's a war coming, and it's being set up and there's a revolt being set in place in the capital itself. I know I suck, really suck at explaining this, but the plot was fantastic, there where lots of different threads and subplots all woven together to create this engaging and interesting book that you can't put down.
I loved the uniqueness of the book, with Those Above, and the world and the different types of people and the Roost, and the significance of the birds, even if birds do reaaaallly creep me out with their dodgy beady, evil eyes.
There was always something going on, even if you didn't pick up on it at once, and so the book was one where you find it difficult to find a place to stop, so ya know...I read it in one go and finished it at a ridiculous time! Standard. The book ends leaving you intrigued, and invested in the characters and what's going on and what's going to happen to them, you don't want to leave any of it behind and the ending will seriously leave you like ".....what. No. When's the next book out? THERES NO DATE?! WHAAAT?! HOW CAN I WAIT FOR AN INDEFINITE AMOUNT OF TIME", so yes, I'm currently sad because I want the next installment and I can't have it for ages. Insert extreme sad face here.
Those Above is a book riddled with uniqueness, and with all the hallmarks of a fantastic fantasy book, it's expertly laid the foundations for the series, while getting you emotionally invested in the fantastic, colourful and interesting characters, occupying the intricately fascinating world. I'm intrigued to know what's going to happen next, intrigued to know more about the world and the different people in it, and I've already picked my side.
Those above is a definite series to watch out for and keep an eye on. It's the perfect series opener, and is promising to be an engaging and incredible series, that's going to have a strong fan following. (and if we're lucky, a TV series, because seriously.....so cinematic)
Twenty five years ago mankind mustered an army and rose up against them, only to be slaughtered in a terrible battle. Hope died that day, but hatred survived. Whispers of another revolt are beginning to stir in the hearts of the oppressed: a woman, widowed in the war, who has dedicated her life to revenge; the general, the only man to ever defeat one of Those Above in single combat, summoned forth to raise a new legion; and a boy killer who rises from the gutter to lead an uprising in the capital.
So this is another, where I can't come up with a better synopsis that won't be full of spoilers, so you guys get the GoodReads one! I was lucky enough to win a copy of this from a GoodReads giveaway and I couldn't wait to get stuck in, and I honestly wasn't disappointed, and dammit, this is another series to add to my favourites and anxiously await the next installments of.
The world building for this is truly incredible. The world is so detailed and extensive, and I just need to see more of it, not that you don't see a good chunk of it in this installment, but plenty of other parts of the world are mentioned, and I'm so curious to see what those places are like as well! The world is so well described, that I could picture everything that was described in vivid detail, it's like the world and the landmarks and the cities came to life in front of my eyes. I could also, very clearly, picture the map of the world that I'm assuming is going to be included in the finished copies of the novel! I hope I'm right and have everything correct in my own map!
Normally I detest books being described as "like so and so", but I can't argue with the fact that Game of Thrones fans are going to love this, this is very different from Game of Thrones, but has the epic fantasy feel to it, and the sweeping journey and incredible world, not to mention the colourful cast of characters, some on opposing sides, who are all entwined by the events that are going to happen and have happened. It's premise, however, is unique, and unlike any other fantasy I have a read, and the premise is only one reason that I have found myself totally obsessed with this new series!
There are different points of view, from different types of people, and from all of these you see both sides of the impending war between Those Above and the Aeleria, and you see different classes of people, all involved in different things, so you get a wide scope of characters showing you different parts and aspects of the world, different things happening and so on. Each point of view is important, and adds to the story, adding more threads to the plot, helping you get to know the characters, get to know the world and it's different sides.
Everything about this book is intricate, the world and it's details are intricate, with an intricate and detailed history and politics and customs and so on and so forth, not to mention the stories mentioned. This book is so incredibly different, and it's this difference that is going to add a breathe of fresh air to the genre, and keep people reading and longing for more. It's a hard world to leave, you just want to stay submerged in it, once it sucks you in it's hard to get out!
Like I said, the characters are colourful, I particularly loved Eudokia, she's kind of a bitch, but she's also so intelligent and a total badass, like the whole burning house thing and what happened and how she dealt with it and she wasn't screaming or freaking out, it was so awesome, I was wary of her at first, thinking oh maybe she's the bad guy, and maybe she is, but she is, so far, my favourite character! She's crazy smart and pretty much orchestrating everything and is a master at manipulation. So awesome. Calla I was a bit like "hmmmm" she has the potential to be interesting, but so far she hasn't piqued my interest, I mean she's up to something, she knows the language she isn't supposed to, but she seems a bit too much in thrall with Those Above and a bit of a wet blanket.....at the moment. I have a feeling that's going to change, she is our insight in to Those Above, as she works for one of them, but I have a feeling she's going to be a character to watch.
Bas, I so want to now more about Bas and his past and his past battles! Although I do wish he'd smack the Dycian one, like seriously, he needs a good smack up the head! He's quite the badass as well, and I can see him and Eudokia plotting together, because I'm really hoping he's going to end up working with her, like more than he did in the brief bit at the end you know? he is after all going to be planning the war, and most likely leading it, as the only person to have killed one of Those Above. Eudokia is all about revenge against Those Above and these two, plus Thistle are making up the oppressed who, understandably, want to be not oppressed. Thistle is kind of a criminal? He lives in the lowest rung of the Roost and ends up working for a criminal and then he turns in to a killer, but then he ends up going to this guy who I can't make my mind up about, he's clearly against Those Above. The thing is, the end leaves you wondering, because it's like "what the hell". But yeah. Awesome characters. Even Irene who seriously? Should have been smacked one.
My point being that the secondary characters where just as well written, and full of depth as the main characters, Irene and her plotting, and then my other favourite character, Jahan, casually has a blade sticking out of him and it's like he doesn't even feel it. I would love to know even more about him! He's totally awesome as well!
As you can probably tell, you see different groups, with Bas you see the Soldiers and the upcoming Legion, with Thistle you see the people of the lowest rung of the Roost, treated horribly by Those Above, and the criminals that dwell there, as well as the stirrings of rebellion, with Calla you see Those Above and some of the people of the higher rungs as she works for one of them, so you see the inner workings of Those Above, and what they're plotting and planning and their politics, aaand with Eudokia you see the inner workings and the bickerings and the manipulation of the people who are going to start the war and lead the revolution.
It did take me a few chapters to get a grip on everything and start to get everything in order, who was what and so on, and I'm still not entirely sure I'm correct, but it's quite possibly supposed to be like that. The book does require concentration as there's a lot of information to take in and remember and store away for the rest of the book and the rest of the series, I would imagine, but it's no less enjoyable, said information isn't just dumped in one chapter for you to struggle through, you get bits and pieces as and when the situation arises that requires you to know about it.
So as you can imagine, the plot is very complex, there's multiple things going on to get our characters where they need to be, this installment is setting the scene and setting the pieces up, and therefore setting up the next book, but this is going on subtly while we're following the plot for this installment, and doesn't take away from the book. It's hard to explain, but as you're reading about the characters and their individual stories and situations and what's happening to them, you don't realize they're heading to a certain place so they're in position for the next book...until you've finished reading if that makes sense? Underneath the different plots as it where, there's the underlying plot that there's a war coming, and it's being set up and there's a revolt being set in place in the capital itself. I know I suck, really suck at explaining this, but the plot was fantastic, there where lots of different threads and subplots all woven together to create this engaging and interesting book that you can't put down.
I loved the uniqueness of the book, with Those Above, and the world and the different types of people and the Roost, and the significance of the birds, even if birds do reaaaallly creep me out with their dodgy beady, evil eyes.
There was always something going on, even if you didn't pick up on it at once, and so the book was one where you find it difficult to find a place to stop, so ya know...I read it in one go and finished it at a ridiculous time! Standard. The book ends leaving you intrigued, and invested in the characters and what's going on and what's going to happen to them, you don't want to leave any of it behind and the ending will seriously leave you like ".....what. No. When's the next book out? THERES NO DATE?! WHAAAT?! HOW CAN I WAIT FOR AN INDEFINITE AMOUNT OF TIME", so yes, I'm currently sad because I want the next installment and I can't have it for ages. Insert extreme sad face here.
Those Above is a book riddled with uniqueness, and with all the hallmarks of a fantastic fantasy book, it's expertly laid the foundations for the series, while getting you emotionally invested in the fantastic, colourful and interesting characters, occupying the intricately fascinating world. I'm intrigued to know what's going to happen next, intrigued to know more about the world and the different people in it, and I've already picked my side.
Those above is a definite series to watch out for and keep an eye on. It's the perfect series opener, and is promising to be an engaging and incredible series, that's going to have a strong fan following. (and if we're lucky, a TV series, because seriously.....so cinematic)
March 9, 2015
Those Above had to have been one of my most anticipated reads for not just the first six months of 2015, but for the entire year. Daniel Polansky's previous trilogy, Low Town, was just amazingly good and its ending just floored me, and I mean flat-out, ugly-crying floored me. So to see where he would go next was very exciting. It also made it hard for Polansky to live up to my expectations, because the bar was set high. But he delivered the goods and he did so in style. Those Above was amazing.
Set on a world where humanity is governed by a race of long-lived, exceptionally beautiful people, who have put us under their heel and do not intend to let us up out of the mud, Those Above mainly focusses on two locations. One is The Roost, the city where the long-lived ones, generally called Those Above, reside and the other is the capital of Aeleria, a Romanesque Empire, which is heading for open conflict with Those Above at breakneck speed. We see some of the other territories in the human lands, but only as it pertains to our Aelerian characters. I really liked these locations and the way Polansky goes about setting them up, especially The Roost. Aeleria is mostly interesting for its politics and society, but The Roost is interesting for its physicality.
The Roost is literally a mountain in the middle of the continent. Those Above reside at its top in a place that is described by its residents as heavenly. Yet when you travel down the mountain from what is known as the First Rung, you travel through different societal strata of human servants to Those Above, until you arrive at the Fifth Rung, which comprise the worst of the slums, much of the criminal element of The Roost, and the docks that are the gateway of all goods arriving in the city. It is here that we see the cost of the perfection Those Above in the First Rung enjoy. The inhabitants of the Fifth Rung are constantly surrounded by the noise of the suck, the system of pipes that pumps water to the top of the Roost. There is a large net of waterways that covers the Roost, but only Those Above are allowed to use them, so everyone else is forced to trudge up and down and around the mountain to get anywhere. The Roost is the physical representation of the stranglehold Those Above have on the humans in the surrounding lands. People, Those Below and the people living in the lands that are part of the dominion of Those Above, are terrified of them as they are ruthless and very skilled warriors.
Polansky tells his tale through four different viewpoints. They provide a wide scope; there are two male and two female viewpoints, two are located in the Roost and two are Aelerian. We have Aelarian matriarch Eudokia, Aelerian general Bas, First Rung servant to one of the most prominent members of the Roost, Calla, and Fifth Rung street rat Thistle. They’re all fascinating characters, but I admit that I'm mostly smitten with Eudokia. I just loved her conviction and her ruthless manipulations of the great game of politics in Aeleria. She’s always three steps ahead of everyone and rightfully a bit smug about that. Her’s is a tale of revenge and the desire to avenge her losses, of her husband and the future she’d imagined, upon Those Above. Bas is an Aelerian war hero because of the previous war against the masters of the Roost and while he isn’t afraid to fight them, he isn’t raring to go off to battle either. I liked his gruff, world-weary acceptance of his fate and his full expectation to die in his harness so to speak. He shines in his interactions with his men, however, and I really liked his officers, especially Hamilcar. A Dycian, a survivor of the war that made his nation a part of the Aelerian Empire, he has sworn allegiance to Bas, but is still somewhat of a loose cannon, genius, but unpredictable. I loved his raucous humour and his quick wit.
Hamilcar is also one of a number of PoC explicitly identified as such, which I liked. Polansky creates a diverse cast of characters, with the majority being of a darker complexion than the standard Northern European we often get in epic fantasy. In fact, the only main character that is clearly labeled as blond and blue-eyed is Calla, High Servant to the Aubade, one of the most prominent members of Those Above. Calla is also the one whose privilege is explicitly challenged and who has to come to grips with the fact that she is actually greatly privileged and that the world is a far darker place than she had ever imagined. Her mirror is Thistle, our last viewpoint. He lives on the Fifth Rung and it is through him we see how awful and alien Those Above truly are. While I love Eudokia and Hamilcar, Thistle and Calla’s story arcs are perhaps the more powerful and this made them quite compelling as characters as well.
I absolutely loved Those Above. Polansky created a cracking story; one that at times moves – a tad too – slowly and builds up the politics brilliantly, before unexpectedly moving into brutal action. But not only did he create a great story and wonderful characters, Polansky does so in a style and prose that is incredibly well-crafted. Polansky is a skilled word smith and, in my opinion, one of the most underrated authors currently active in the field. Those Above is a brilliant start to the Empty Throne duology and I can't wait to read its conclusion. I devoured Those Above and I wouldn't be surprised to find it high on the list of favourites at the end of the year.
This book was provided for review by the publisher.
Set on a world where humanity is governed by a race of long-lived, exceptionally beautiful people, who have put us under their heel and do not intend to let us up out of the mud, Those Above mainly focusses on two locations. One is The Roost, the city where the long-lived ones, generally called Those Above, reside and the other is the capital of Aeleria, a Romanesque Empire, which is heading for open conflict with Those Above at breakneck speed. We see some of the other territories in the human lands, but only as it pertains to our Aelerian characters. I really liked these locations and the way Polansky goes about setting them up, especially The Roost. Aeleria is mostly interesting for its politics and society, but The Roost is interesting for its physicality.
The Roost is literally a mountain in the middle of the continent. Those Above reside at its top in a place that is described by its residents as heavenly. Yet when you travel down the mountain from what is known as the First Rung, you travel through different societal strata of human servants to Those Above, until you arrive at the Fifth Rung, which comprise the worst of the slums, much of the criminal element of The Roost, and the docks that are the gateway of all goods arriving in the city. It is here that we see the cost of the perfection Those Above in the First Rung enjoy. The inhabitants of the Fifth Rung are constantly surrounded by the noise of the suck, the system of pipes that pumps water to the top of the Roost. There is a large net of waterways that covers the Roost, but only Those Above are allowed to use them, so everyone else is forced to trudge up and down and around the mountain to get anywhere. The Roost is the physical representation of the stranglehold Those Above have on the humans in the surrounding lands. People, Those Below and the people living in the lands that are part of the dominion of Those Above, are terrified of them as they are ruthless and very skilled warriors.
Polansky tells his tale through four different viewpoints. They provide a wide scope; there are two male and two female viewpoints, two are located in the Roost and two are Aelerian. We have Aelarian matriarch Eudokia, Aelerian general Bas, First Rung servant to one of the most prominent members of the Roost, Calla, and Fifth Rung street rat Thistle. They’re all fascinating characters, but I admit that I'm mostly smitten with Eudokia. I just loved her conviction and her ruthless manipulations of the great game of politics in Aeleria. She’s always three steps ahead of everyone and rightfully a bit smug about that. Her’s is a tale of revenge and the desire to avenge her losses, of her husband and the future she’d imagined, upon Those Above. Bas is an Aelerian war hero because of the previous war against the masters of the Roost and while he isn’t afraid to fight them, he isn’t raring to go off to battle either. I liked his gruff, world-weary acceptance of his fate and his full expectation to die in his harness so to speak. He shines in his interactions with his men, however, and I really liked his officers, especially Hamilcar. A Dycian, a survivor of the war that made his nation a part of the Aelerian Empire, he has sworn allegiance to Bas, but is still somewhat of a loose cannon, genius, but unpredictable. I loved his raucous humour and his quick wit.
Hamilcar is also one of a number of PoC explicitly identified as such, which I liked. Polansky creates a diverse cast of characters, with the majority being of a darker complexion than the standard Northern European we often get in epic fantasy. In fact, the only main character that is clearly labeled as blond and blue-eyed is Calla, High Servant to the Aubade, one of the most prominent members of Those Above. Calla is also the one whose privilege is explicitly challenged and who has to come to grips with the fact that she is actually greatly privileged and that the world is a far darker place than she had ever imagined. Her mirror is Thistle, our last viewpoint. He lives on the Fifth Rung and it is through him we see how awful and alien Those Above truly are. While I love Eudokia and Hamilcar, Thistle and Calla’s story arcs are perhaps the more powerful and this made them quite compelling as characters as well.
I absolutely loved Those Above. Polansky created a cracking story; one that at times moves – a tad too – slowly and builds up the politics brilliantly, before unexpectedly moving into brutal action. But not only did he create a great story and wonderful characters, Polansky does so in a style and prose that is incredibly well-crafted. Polansky is a skilled word smith and, in my opinion, one of the most underrated authors currently active in the field. Those Above is a brilliant start to the Empty Throne duology and I can't wait to read its conclusion. I devoured Those Above and I wouldn't be surprised to find it high on the list of favourites at the end of the year.
This book was provided for review by the publisher.
May 23, 2015
Rating, mmmmmnhhm 3.5 ?
I expected to love this book, I did. Well, I loved the Low Town trilogy and maybe I expected too much (happens sometimes), but I don't think that was the problem.
I love Polansky's style of writing, but this book felt like an overly long prologue.... and it didn't help that I didn't care for either one of the main players in the story. The Others, or Those Above, with their supernatural-selves were possibly the less interesting (OK, the Aubade was promising), with Calla's not much developed character, and that Bulan guy in their story-line, speaking of himself in third person *shivers* didn't help... seriously, I wanted to hurl the book at the wall, every time he opened his mouth.
At the beginning Bas' story was the most enjoyable, what you would call epic ... though later he somehow faded in the background and Eudokia was the character that kept my interest till the end. Thistle's story was not here nor there for me, though the Barrows held similarities with Low Town.
Still, it wasn't that bad either and I will be reading the next book hoping the story picks up the pace ( no more prologue, please).
I expected to love this book, I did. Well, I loved the Low Town trilogy and maybe I expected too much (happens sometimes), but I don't think that was the problem.
I love Polansky's style of writing, but this book felt like an overly long prologue.... and it didn't help that I didn't care for either one of the main players in the story. The Others, or Those Above, with their supernatural-selves were possibly the less interesting (OK, the Aubade was promising), with Calla's not much developed character, and that Bulan guy in their story-line, speaking of himself in third person *shivers* didn't help... seriously, I wanted to hurl the book at the wall, every time he opened his mouth.
At the beginning Bas' story was the most enjoyable, what you would call epic ... though later he somehow faded in the background and Eudokia was the character that kept my interest till the end. Thistle's story was not here nor there for me, though the Barrows held similarities with Low Town.
Still, it wasn't that bad either and I will be reading the next book hoping the story picks up the pace ( no more prologue, please).
October 7, 2025
Polansky weaves and intricate web of deceit, corruption and politics, with a taste of battle. Those Above refers to the demigod-like beings called Eternals who lord it over the humans, and have done so for over 3000 years.
During that time there have been 5 uprisings that were all quashed. But in the most recent one an Eternal was killed in one on one combat by a human.
Lots of plots and betrayals rule the pages and it seems to be leading to a war of insurrection in the next book.
What a bitch Eudoka is.
During that time there have been 5 uprisings that were all quashed. But in the most recent one an Eternal was killed in one on one combat by a human.
Lots of plots and betrayals rule the pages and it seems to be leading to a war of insurrection in the next book.
What a bitch Eudoka is.
November 4, 2024
You know the feeling of excitement when you get a brand, shiny new book – the cover is gorgeous, the plot sounds perfect, and you can’t WAIT to read it. Then you have to wait a little while to fit it into your reading schedule, but you know it will be worth the wait. And then you finally, finally get to read it.
And it breaks your heart just a little bit, because it is utterly disappointing.
That is what Those Above was to me. I fell in love with the cover (hello Roman inspired fantasy!) and the premise. I eyed that book up a lot, sat on my shelf, waiting patiently to be read whilst I battled with university work. And then I could finally read it, so settled down for a few hours of cosy reading – and found I couldn’t even concentrate on it for one.
Why, Those Above, why?? In the simplest terms, you just weren’t as exciting as I’d expected. By two thirds into the book, I was still waiting for something to actually happen. Yes, it’s the first in a series so there’s lots of world-building to do and lore to set out, but it’s got to draw me in if it wants me to carry on reading the series. I felt no attachment to any character, and not just because of the fact that they were pretty despicable in their own ways (here’s looking at you, cast of A Song of Ice and Fire), but because they felt rather flat. I honestly did not care what would happen to any of them.
I appreciated the Roman and Greek influences and it didn’t even bother me that they were mixed. But the world in which Those Above is set did not feel particularly original. So, you’ve got your warring nations, your shanty-towns, your aristocrats and nobility, even if that nobility is a strange alien (I think?) race. The issue with ‘Those Above’ as rulers is that they weren’t scary. There was maybe one or two scenes that demonstrated their strength, but I never completely got a clear impression of why the people of this world let themselves be enslaved, or how it happened.
In addition, I suppose this book came at a bad time. I’m getting quite bored of fantasy books where the women are second class. Is this historically accurate? No, it’s fantasy. So why are the women always down-trodden and less important in society than the men? Also due to the story pretty much taking place in one city, or certain parts of one city, I got no impression of the rest of the world and as a result it felt very small. I had no idea what sort of influence ‘Those Above’ had on people outside of this city, because I never saw them.
So regrettably, I only want to award this book three stars – a ‘you disappointed me and it makes me sad’ sort of three stars. I have another book of Daniel Polansky’s, and this won’t put me off reading that – but I’m not sure I will continue with this particular series.
I received a copy of this book for free from the publisher, Hodder and Stoughton, in exchange for an honest review. Originally posted on my former blog, Rinn Reads.
And it breaks your heart just a little bit, because it is utterly disappointing.
That is what Those Above was to me. I fell in love with the cover (hello Roman inspired fantasy!) and the premise. I eyed that book up a lot, sat on my shelf, waiting patiently to be read whilst I battled with university work. And then I could finally read it, so settled down for a few hours of cosy reading – and found I couldn’t even concentrate on it for one.
Why, Those Above, why?? In the simplest terms, you just weren’t as exciting as I’d expected. By two thirds into the book, I was still waiting for something to actually happen. Yes, it’s the first in a series so there’s lots of world-building to do and lore to set out, but it’s got to draw me in if it wants me to carry on reading the series. I felt no attachment to any character, and not just because of the fact that they were pretty despicable in their own ways (here’s looking at you, cast of A Song of Ice and Fire), but because they felt rather flat. I honestly did not care what would happen to any of them.
I appreciated the Roman and Greek influences and it didn’t even bother me that they were mixed. But the world in which Those Above is set did not feel particularly original. So, you’ve got your warring nations, your shanty-towns, your aristocrats and nobility, even if that nobility is a strange alien (I think?) race. The issue with ‘Those Above’ as rulers is that they weren’t scary. There was maybe one or two scenes that demonstrated their strength, but I never completely got a clear impression of why the people of this world let themselves be enslaved, or how it happened.
In addition, I suppose this book came at a bad time. I’m getting quite bored of fantasy books where the women are second class. Is this historically accurate? No, it’s fantasy. So why are the women always down-trodden and less important in society than the men? Also due to the story pretty much taking place in one city, or certain parts of one city, I got no impression of the rest of the world and as a result it felt very small. I had no idea what sort of influence ‘Those Above’ had on people outside of this city, because I never saw them.
So regrettably, I only want to award this book three stars – a ‘you disappointed me and it makes me sad’ sort of three stars. I have another book of Daniel Polansky’s, and this won’t put me off reading that – but I’m not sure I will continue with this particular series.
I received a copy of this book for free from the publisher, Hodder and Stoughton, in exchange for an honest review. Originally posted on my former blog, Rinn Reads.
May 1, 2015
I continue to find myself in the midst of a love/hate relationship with one Daniel Polansky. I don't have a problem with him, but my beef is that it just feels like he can't quite live up to his own potential. All three of the books in his first trilogy had long stretches of absolute brilliance, things that made me so damn happy to read. His prose is spectacular, his dialogue is witty and engaging, and his level of snarkiness and wit are through the roof. However, there seems to always be a lack of focus, and Those Above is no different.
In the book, Daniel has created a very interesting geographical area, focusing on a few characters from two different geographical areas - the Roost, and The Commonwealth. It follows Bas, a gruff, jaded hero of war whose reputation for battle precedes itself, and who finds himself promoted to military leader. In the same area, Eudokia is followed, essentially a figurehead who has spent the better part of three decades building and plotting her plan for war. In the Roost, a young steet urchin in the lowest rung of their society finds himself tied in with a group of organized thugs, but quickly finds that his ambitions might not lead to quite what he'd always hoped they'd lead to. And then Calla, who lives in the highest rung of the Roost, who is the assistant to the Aubade, one of the godlike creatures who rule the citystate.
The creativity is fantastic, and the worldbuilding - while limited to a small area - is really great. The godlike creatures have unique characteristics, and I can only picture them as being similar to the weird natives in Avatar, except more humanlike? They are arrogant and self-righteous, but with reason, as the people of the land have exalted them as gods, and their superior lifespan, intelligence and physical attributes have done nothing to dispel their position.
Bas started out as my favorite POV of the bunch - Polansky writes the gruff military type very well, as seen with Warden in Low Town. However, as the book went on, I found myself less engaged in his story, and much more in that of Eudokia, with her political maneuverings, subterfuge, and intelligent plotting.
But, as with the Low Town books, I was left feeling a bit unfulfilled. I loved the world, the war building, the characters...but it just felt a bit anemic. The book was fairly short, and I felt it could have benefited from a couple hundred more pages - even if he is planning on hitting all of the storylines in full stride in the second novel, he could have filled in so much more in this book. So much is left undone and unsaid, and it felt like certain parts were skimmed over in order to not get too deep into their story before ending the book.
In summary - great prose, great worldbuilding, great dialogue and action sequences, slightly disappointing lack of fulfillment that left the book a bit short of it's potential. Still very enjoyable, and I'll still say that Polansky probably ranks among my favorite writers.
In the book, Daniel has created a very interesting geographical area, focusing on a few characters from two different geographical areas - the Roost, and The Commonwealth. It follows Bas, a gruff, jaded hero of war whose reputation for battle precedes itself, and who finds himself promoted to military leader. In the same area, Eudokia is followed, essentially a figurehead who has spent the better part of three decades building and plotting her plan for war. In the Roost, a young steet urchin in the lowest rung of their society finds himself tied in with a group of organized thugs, but quickly finds that his ambitions might not lead to quite what he'd always hoped they'd lead to. And then Calla, who lives in the highest rung of the Roost, who is the assistant to the Aubade, one of the godlike creatures who rule the citystate.
The creativity is fantastic, and the worldbuilding - while limited to a small area - is really great. The godlike creatures have unique characteristics, and I can only picture them as being similar to the weird natives in Avatar, except more humanlike? They are arrogant and self-righteous, but with reason, as the people of the land have exalted them as gods, and their superior lifespan, intelligence and physical attributes have done nothing to dispel their position.
Bas started out as my favorite POV of the bunch - Polansky writes the gruff military type very well, as seen with Warden in Low Town. However, as the book went on, I found myself less engaged in his story, and much more in that of Eudokia, with her political maneuverings, subterfuge, and intelligent plotting.
But, as with the Low Town books, I was left feeling a bit unfulfilled. I loved the world, the war building, the characters...but it just felt a bit anemic. The book was fairly short, and I felt it could have benefited from a couple hundred more pages - even if he is planning on hitting all of the storylines in full stride in the second novel, he could have filled in so much more in this book. So much is left undone and unsaid, and it felt like certain parts were skimmed over in order to not get too deep into their story before ending the book.
In summary - great prose, great worldbuilding, great dialogue and action sequences, slightly disappointing lack of fulfillment that left the book a bit short of it's potential. Still very enjoyable, and I'll still say that Polansky probably ranks among my favorite writers.
December 4, 2017
Full review up on my blog: https://chaininteraction.wordpress.co...
I picked this book up at YALC because the cover looked aesthetically pleasing and the summary sounded like the kind of thing I enjoy reading – who doesn’t love a good revolution? In fact this summary is the best thing about the book. If the book was actually what this summary says it is I think I would have liked it a lot more.
Let’s start with length, this is a pretty standard c.400 page paperback, but the font is deceptively small and it’s incredibly dense writing so it feels more like a marathon than an enjoyable read. I had to actively split the book into tenths and force myself to read to the next bookmark just to get through it. I love a long book, I’m here for length but the density of description just makes this feel like excessively hard work.
Next up, my biggest criticism of this entire book. Nothing happens. Seriously. You know in very early English lessons in school you talk about books having a beginning, a middle and an end (if you’re fancy you might even have used the word denouement at times)? Well someone tell this book that because I got to page 300 and I’m pretty sure there was no real climax. Partly I think that was the fault of the quite disparate multiple POVs. But even then I felt like the book was more a collection of distinct events, I never felt like any of the characters were working towards anything in particular, things just sort of happened to them.
There is also, in my opinion, excessive worldbuilding. I know! How can this be? Worldbuilding is one of the best bits of reading fantasy! But in this case there was so much detail I just felt overwhelmed, I didn’t have a sense of the climate or the size of the land we were talking about but I could tell you a lot about the various different deities that would be in one particular procession. Choices were made as to what details were given to the reader and for me it just didn’t work.
I will say, there are some great lines of dialogue in this, most of which come from my favourite character, the machiavellian matriarch Eudokia. If I could have just read her story I probably would have enjoyed this a lot more.
However, some good lines from one good character does not a great novel make. If you loved this book then that’s amazing for you but for me it’s been a frustrating few days, suffice to say I don’t think I’ll be picking up the sequel…
My rating: 1/5 stars (I don’t think I’ve given a 1* before?!)
I picked this book up at YALC because the cover looked aesthetically pleasing and the summary sounded like the kind of thing I enjoy reading – who doesn’t love a good revolution? In fact this summary is the best thing about the book. If the book was actually what this summary says it is I think I would have liked it a lot more.
Let’s start with length, this is a pretty standard c.400 page paperback, but the font is deceptively small and it’s incredibly dense writing so it feels more like a marathon than an enjoyable read. I had to actively split the book into tenths and force myself to read to the next bookmark just to get through it. I love a long book, I’m here for length but the density of description just makes this feel like excessively hard work.
Next up, my biggest criticism of this entire book. Nothing happens. Seriously. You know in very early English lessons in school you talk about books having a beginning, a middle and an end (if you’re fancy you might even have used the word denouement at times)? Well someone tell this book that because I got to page 300 and I’m pretty sure there was no real climax. Partly I think that was the fault of the quite disparate multiple POVs. But even then I felt like the book was more a collection of distinct events, I never felt like any of the characters were working towards anything in particular, things just sort of happened to them.
There is also, in my opinion, excessive worldbuilding. I know! How can this be? Worldbuilding is one of the best bits of reading fantasy! But in this case there was so much detail I just felt overwhelmed, I didn’t have a sense of the climate or the size of the land we were talking about but I could tell you a lot about the various different deities that would be in one particular procession. Choices were made as to what details were given to the reader and for me it just didn’t work.
I will say, there are some great lines of dialogue in this, most of which come from my favourite character, the machiavellian matriarch Eudokia. If I could have just read her story I probably would have enjoyed this a lot more.
However, some good lines from one good character does not a great novel make. If you loved this book then that’s amazing for you but for me it’s been a frustrating few days, suffice to say I don’t think I’ll be picking up the sequel…
My rating: 1/5 stars (I don’t think I’ve given a 1* before?!)
September 21, 2018
Daniel Polansky is the writer of the Low Town series, a series which I haven't read myself but that gets sme praise on the internet. With The Empty Throne he makes a first attempt at epic fantasy. It's not that the end result is bad, but it isn't great either.
The main strength in the book is the world building for me. Polansky brings something new with this book, or at least something I haven't read before. The world exist of the ordinary people on the one hand, and the Eternal on the other. The Eternal act like Godlike creature, they live on the uppur level of the Roost, a huge town build atop a huge mountain that is devided in five levels with the lowest rung containing the poorest people. Among them there is Thistle, a boy in search of a purpose in life. Among the Eternal themself we follow Calla, she is one of the servants of the Aubade, one of the Eternal. Next to them we have two Aelerian representatives; Eudokia, the central figure in the Commonwealth,widowed after the last war with the Eternal, and Bas, a General in the Aelerian army, the only one ever to have killen an Eternal.
Polansky brings all this with very good writing, another important plus.
Unfortunately there are also some negatives. The story still has an interesting start but it slows down enormously. It takes a lot of time before we get some direction where Polansky is going with his story. Once things fall in place we still don't get much excitement; a lot of the story concists of politicking by Eudokia. Nothing wrong with this, even an interesting aspect in fantasy, but here Eudokia is just to perfect in everything with barely any opposition. And when there finaly is some, it is easy dealt with.
This finally brings you to the ending. Rather abrupt and without a propor finish to the book. It really makes you wonder why it was necessary to split this series up in two when it would have been better brought in one book. It's perfectly possible as even then it would only be less than 800 pages. I can only come up with one reason: money!
Conclusion:
Interesting wold building and the story does have potential, I Just don’t think Polansky got everything out of it what he wanted. He didn’t really find the righy balance in his story. On top of this the story is split in two at a moment when it would have become more interesting. A standalone would have been the better choice (from my viewpoint before having read the second
Book)
The main strength in the book is the world building for me. Polansky brings something new with this book, or at least something I haven't read before. The world exist of the ordinary people on the one hand, and the Eternal on the other. The Eternal act like Godlike creature, they live on the uppur level of the Roost, a huge town build atop a huge mountain that is devided in five levels with the lowest rung containing the poorest people. Among them there is Thistle, a boy in search of a purpose in life. Among the Eternal themself we follow Calla, she is one of the servants of the Aubade, one of the Eternal. Next to them we have two Aelerian representatives; Eudokia, the central figure in the Commonwealth,widowed after the last war with the Eternal, and Bas, a General in the Aelerian army, the only one ever to have killen an Eternal.
Polansky brings all this with very good writing, another important plus.
Unfortunately there are also some negatives. The story still has an interesting start but it slows down enormously. It takes a lot of time before we get some direction where Polansky is going with his story. Once things fall in place we still don't get much excitement; a lot of the story concists of politicking by Eudokia. Nothing wrong with this, even an interesting aspect in fantasy, but here Eudokia is just to perfect in everything with barely any opposition. And when there finaly is some, it is easy dealt with.
This finally brings you to the ending. Rather abrupt and without a propor finish to the book. It really makes you wonder why it was necessary to split this series up in two when it would have been better brought in one book. It's perfectly possible as even then it would only be less than 800 pages. I can only come up with one reason: money!
Conclusion:
Interesting wold building and the story does have potential, I Just don’t think Polansky got everything out of it what he wanted. He didn’t really find the righy balance in his story. On top of this the story is split in two at a moment when it would have become more interesting. A standalone would have been the better choice (from my viewpoint before having read the second
Book)
January 21, 2016
Firstly, isn't that cover gorgeous? It's what drew me to Those Above in the first place, that beautiful cover with a giant sword that screamed Read Me. And I was further enthralled when I read the synopsis. A human uprising against the Gods? Sign me up.
Those Above, Polansky's first venture into epic fantasy, is the thrilling beginning to a story I cannot wait to explore further. Set in a brilliantly realised world and populated with characters one cannot help but love, it will capture the imagination of many a speculative fiction reader.
I think my only real complaint about this novel is the set-up, to let's begin there. Those Above takes a long time to set things up, a somewhat necessary evil considering the scope of the novel, but still vaguely disappointing because this is not Polansky's first rodeo - far from it. The narrative is told from the viewpoints of four different characters, and it takes a good quarter to a third of the book to get a firm grasp of who these characters are and why they're important. And it's only in the second half of the book that things really start coming together, although admittedly, once they do the book is nigh on unputdownable. But that's not all.
If the first half of Those Above is set up for the second half, then it is undeniable that the entirety of the novel is a set up for the sequel, Those Below. By this I mean that nothing really happens in this book but it ends in such a way that each of its characters is poised to do Great and Terrible Things in the sequel. One might argue that this is a side-effect of writing a duology, but I know it can be avoided (for example, Sam Bowring's Strange Threads)
The four protagonists are widely varied and incredibly well crafted, from Bas, the only man to ever kill an Immortal and a general in the Aelerian army to boot, to Eudokia, Revered Mother by order of the Senate in Aeleria, to Calla of the Red Keep, Seneschal to the Immortal called the Aubade, and finally to Thistle, an ambitious young street thug. With these four viewpoints come the various facets of life in the world Polansky has created - from the harsh realities and stratagem of war to the mysteries of the Aurelian political landscape, from the grandeur and excess of the Roost, where the Immortals rule, to the poverty and desperation that enables that lifestyle. The greatest strength of this book is the rich and vivid way the author has brought these characters and their worlds to life.
Without a point-of-view character from the ranks of the Immortals themselves, we are left to discover these alien god-like creatures through the eyes of those around them. Calla is closest to them, being the chief amongst an Immortal's servants, but her view is flawed and deeply biased. Still, we get a good sense of them - their power and arrogance and sheer Otherness. Thistle perceives them quite differently - unfeeling, uncaring oppressors who see humans as little more than chattel. It's through Bas that we get a happy medium, his healthy respect for their power balancing out his natural abhorrence for their tyranny. Considering that the book is concerned with a war between the Immortals and the humans, we find out very little about the history of the former. I'm hoping the next book will explore some of the mysteries that surround them.
I really enjoyed Those Above. It has moments of brilliance where it transcends expectations, and at all other times is an entertaining and glorious read. I can't wait to get my hands on the sequel!
This review was originally posted on Speculating on SpecFic
Those Above, Polansky's first venture into epic fantasy, is the thrilling beginning to a story I cannot wait to explore further. Set in a brilliantly realised world and populated with characters one cannot help but love, it will capture the imagination of many a speculative fiction reader.
I think my only real complaint about this novel is the set-up, to let's begin there. Those Above takes a long time to set things up, a somewhat necessary evil considering the scope of the novel, but still vaguely disappointing because this is not Polansky's first rodeo - far from it. The narrative is told from the viewpoints of four different characters, and it takes a good quarter to a third of the book to get a firm grasp of who these characters are and why they're important. And it's only in the second half of the book that things really start coming together, although admittedly, once they do the book is nigh on unputdownable. But that's not all.
If the first half of Those Above is set up for the second half, then it is undeniable that the entirety of the novel is a set up for the sequel, Those Below. By this I mean that nothing really happens in this book but it ends in such a way that each of its characters is poised to do Great and Terrible Things in the sequel. One might argue that this is a side-effect of writing a duology, but I know it can be avoided (for example, Sam Bowring's Strange Threads)
The four protagonists are widely varied and incredibly well crafted, from Bas, the only man to ever kill an Immortal and a general in the Aelerian army to boot, to Eudokia, Revered Mother by order of the Senate in Aeleria, to Calla of the Red Keep, Seneschal to the Immortal called the Aubade, and finally to Thistle, an ambitious young street thug. With these four viewpoints come the various facets of life in the world Polansky has created - from the harsh realities and stratagem of war to the mysteries of the Aurelian political landscape, from the grandeur and excess of the Roost, where the Immortals rule, to the poverty and desperation that enables that lifestyle. The greatest strength of this book is the rich and vivid way the author has brought these characters and their worlds to life.
Without a point-of-view character from the ranks of the Immortals themselves, we are left to discover these alien god-like creatures through the eyes of those around them. Calla is closest to them, being the chief amongst an Immortal's servants, but her view is flawed and deeply biased. Still, we get a good sense of them - their power and arrogance and sheer Otherness. Thistle perceives them quite differently - unfeeling, uncaring oppressors who see humans as little more than chattel. It's through Bas that we get a happy medium, his healthy respect for their power balancing out his natural abhorrence for their tyranny. Considering that the book is concerned with a war between the Immortals and the humans, we find out very little about the history of the former. I'm hoping the next book will explore some of the mysteries that surround them.
I really enjoyed Those Above. It has moments of brilliance where it transcends expectations, and at all other times is an entertaining and glorious read. I can't wait to get my hands on the sequel!
This review was originally posted on Speculating on SpecFic
January 18, 2015
Those Above is the first instalment of Daniel Polansky’s new epic fantasy series The Empty Throne. Set in a world dominated by ‘Those Above’ – immortal four-fingered beings who are mentally and physically superior to the human race – the story introduces those who live beneath their eternal overlords in varying states of both poverty and privilege. Although somewhat slow to get going, Those Above does an admirable job of establishing both world and character, and of artfully weaving together a series of events to set the ball rolling for the inevitable conflict to come.
Those Above utilises the popular narrative method of having each chapter written in third person and from the point of view of a different character than the previous chapter. This can occasionally make the story lose impetus, as this style forces the reader to pause for breath at the end of each chapter before re-acclimatising themselves with the next character. Although used to good effect the third person narrative and multiple POVs do lack some of the distinctive voice and character of Polansky’s Low Town novels, which were written in first person. However, this style better suits the epic scope of his new series; and instead of following in the footsteps of George R. R. Martin and creating a sprawling cast of characters Polansky has instead wisely opted to focus on just four, in a similar style to Daniel Abraham’s fantastic Dagger and Coin series. In this way the author manages to keep the story tightly focused, and minimises the disorientation usually caused by shifting POVs.
Like Abraham, Polansky’s four characters are diverse and interesting, and each has their own unique perspective on the upcoming conflict due to their different situations. There’s Bas, a veteran army commander whose name and past deeds are legendary; Eudokia, a powerful noble and religious leader who schemes from behind the scenes of her Roman-esque society; Thistle, an impoverished and angry slum boy forced into crime to feed his family; and Calla, the privileged Seneschal to Those Above, unaware that she lives in a gilded cage and harbouring a dangerous secret. Each of the four characters are entertaining to read about in their own way – I particularly enjoyed Eudokia’s chapters – and though none of them actually do very much it’s clear that all four of them will have a huge part to play in the events of the rest of the series.
To sum up, then: Those Above, while not exactly action-packed, does a masterful job of establishing character and setting events in motion for the rest of the series. It’s entertaining and clever, and best of all contains Polansky’s trademark dry humour, albeit subtly hidden beneath the surface. Polansky’s first foray into epic fantasy doesn’t disappoint, and this is definitely a series I look forward to reading more of in the future.
Those Above utilises the popular narrative method of having each chapter written in third person and from the point of view of a different character than the previous chapter. This can occasionally make the story lose impetus, as this style forces the reader to pause for breath at the end of each chapter before re-acclimatising themselves with the next character. Although used to good effect the third person narrative and multiple POVs do lack some of the distinctive voice and character of Polansky’s Low Town novels, which were written in first person. However, this style better suits the epic scope of his new series; and instead of following in the footsteps of George R. R. Martin and creating a sprawling cast of characters Polansky has instead wisely opted to focus on just four, in a similar style to Daniel Abraham’s fantastic Dagger and Coin series. In this way the author manages to keep the story tightly focused, and minimises the disorientation usually caused by shifting POVs.
Like Abraham, Polansky’s four characters are diverse and interesting, and each has their own unique perspective on the upcoming conflict due to their different situations. There’s Bas, a veteran army commander whose name and past deeds are legendary; Eudokia, a powerful noble and religious leader who schemes from behind the scenes of her Roman-esque society; Thistle, an impoverished and angry slum boy forced into crime to feed his family; and Calla, the privileged Seneschal to Those Above, unaware that she lives in a gilded cage and harbouring a dangerous secret. Each of the four characters are entertaining to read about in their own way – I particularly enjoyed Eudokia’s chapters – and though none of them actually do very much it’s clear that all four of them will have a huge part to play in the events of the rest of the series.
To sum up, then: Those Above, while not exactly action-packed, does a masterful job of establishing character and setting events in motion for the rest of the series. It’s entertaining and clever, and best of all contains Polansky’s trademark dry humour, albeit subtly hidden beneath the surface. Polansky’s first foray into epic fantasy doesn’t disappoint, and this is definitely a series I look forward to reading more of in the future.
March 11, 2015
This is a beautiful book. Sad, and lovely, and maybe a little bit bitter. Clear and cool as fresh water, but full of filth and body fluids to remind us life is nasty and brutal as well. It's sparse in the right place, rich and heavy and almost baroque elsewhere to make you revel in the wold it's creating. It's visceral but not gratuitously unpleasant. Ethereal but not fay. Alien but utterly familiar. Rather like Those Above themselves, in fact.
It's not a traditional fantasy novel by any means. In fact, I'm aware there's some criticism of Polansky for writing modern hard-bitten noir dialogue into 'fantasy' settings. The disjoint can be unsettling in Those Above, more so than in the Low Town novels. And yes, maybe it's a bit flawed as a result. But that ultimately makes it only more interesting.
It's not about good versus evil, or light versus dark, or hope versus despair or anything that obvious. As far as I can see, it's about living as best you can in a world that's cruel and corrupt and nasty and bloodsoaked and wonderful all at once. It made me shiver.
In other words: just read it.
It's not a traditional fantasy novel by any means. In fact, I'm aware there's some criticism of Polansky for writing modern hard-bitten noir dialogue into 'fantasy' settings. The disjoint can be unsettling in Those Above, more so than in the Low Town novels. And yes, maybe it's a bit flawed as a result. But that ultimately makes it only more interesting.
It's not about good versus evil, or light versus dark, or hope versus despair or anything that obvious. As far as I can see, it's about living as best you can in a world that's cruel and corrupt and nasty and bloodsoaked and wonderful all at once. It made me shiver.
In other words: just read it.
May 5, 2015
NEVER JUDGE A BOOK BY ITS COVER
When a book has such a nice cover, you can't help but think the contents will be nice as well. But when you discover that the niceness does not extend past the cover, it makes you wanna chuck the book out the nearest window (provided its not in ebook format).
The plot building is worse than poor. The plot has no heading, no aim. Halfway with the book and I still don't know what im reading about. No organization!
When a book has such a nice cover, you can't help but think the contents will be nice as well. But when you discover that the niceness does not extend past the cover, it makes you wanna chuck the book out the nearest window (provided its not in ebook format).
The plot building is worse than poor. The plot has no heading, no aim. Halfway with the book and I still don't know what im reading about. No organization!
January 3, 2018
Sensational beginning to a new epic fantasy series set in a world populated by warring humans and godlike beings who live high on the First Rung of the extraordinary city of Roost. Fantastic worldbuilding.
July 11, 2023
3.5 / 5
Those Above is a tough beast of a novel to read and to review. I will forgo my usual reviewing mode and style and speak more freely about it.
First important thing to know is that this book is the first of a duology which is meant to be read together. It can not be read as a standalone. That's not a bad thing, it's just something that readers should know before starting it.
Now, let's get into the real criticism. Polansky's prose is impressive and dense, so much so that it requires quite an effort and concentration from the reader in order to reap the rewards of reading it. Herein lies the first pitfall: sometimes it gets way too dense, too hard to figure out, so complicated and verbose that it becomes labyrinthine. It's not constantly but it's often enough.
Then there's the plot. I won't say there's not a great plot in this book but it sure takes its good time to show up and get going. Also, I personally believe that any plot, good or bad, needs hooks to get and hold the readers attention. Surprisingly for a writer as experienced and great as Polansky, there are absolutely no hooks for most of the book! I honestly kept reading just by burning my trust for Polansky's ability and hopeful vision. For at least the first half of the book I kept wondering why I was reading it as there was little holding me or making me turn the pages. There's always the hints or promises that something great or amazing or mind-blowing is coming any page now... but it's not coming. This lack of a well-presented plot acting as a driving force, along with the total lack of hooks to make the reader want and keep reading is inexcusable to me for such a proven author.
Those three criticisms take down the score for at least half a point each and for another book and author it would be more but at least Polansky has some really deep and well developed characters as his protagonists. None is perfect and each has flaws but they are all written very well. Dialogues are very well crafted and totally believable, a feat that for me few books can achieve.
Also, world-building is absolutely amazing with so much history and details presented all throughout the book that I honestly often felt that this was a real world. All the races, countries and places have rich histories and backgrounds. The politics are realistic and exciting. Warfare is brutal, awful and with no real winners. Top-notch staff here!
So in summary, there's a lot to like here. Polansky has proven in the past that he can write amazingly, and in a way, it's obvious here as well. But, as I mentioned before, this whole idea with the extremely obscure and slow plot along with the lack of plot-hooks gave me a rather frustrating experience. Before I read the second and final part, I can't say if I recommend this or not.
3.5 / 5
Those Above is a tough beast of a novel to read and to review. I will forgo my usual reviewing mode and style and speak more freely about it.
First important thing to know is that this book is the first of a duology which is meant to be read together. It can not be read as a standalone. That's not a bad thing, it's just something that readers should know before starting it.
Now, let's get into the real criticism. Polansky's prose is impressive and dense, so much so that it requires quite an effort and concentration from the reader in order to reap the rewards of reading it. Herein lies the first pitfall: sometimes it gets way too dense, too hard to figure out, so complicated and verbose that it becomes labyrinthine. It's not constantly but it's often enough.
Then there's the plot. I won't say there's not a great plot in this book but it sure takes its good time to show up and get going. Also, I personally believe that any plot, good or bad, needs hooks to get and hold the readers attention. Surprisingly for a writer as experienced and great as Polansky, there are absolutely no hooks for most of the book! I honestly kept reading just by burning my trust for Polansky's ability and hopeful vision. For at least the first half of the book I kept wondering why I was reading it as there was little holding me or making me turn the pages. There's always the hints or promises that something great or amazing or mind-blowing is coming any page now... but it's not coming. This lack of a well-presented plot acting as a driving force, along with the total lack of hooks to make the reader want and keep reading is inexcusable to me for such a proven author.
Those three criticisms take down the score for at least half a point each and for another book and author it would be more but at least Polansky has some really deep and well developed characters as his protagonists. None is perfect and each has flaws but they are all written very well. Dialogues are very well crafted and totally believable, a feat that for me few books can achieve.
Also, world-building is absolutely amazing with so much history and details presented all throughout the book that I honestly often felt that this was a real world. All the races, countries and places have rich histories and backgrounds. The politics are realistic and exciting. Warfare is brutal, awful and with no real winners. Top-notch staff here!
So in summary, there's a lot to like here. Polansky has proven in the past that he can write amazingly, and in a way, it's obvious here as well. But, as I mentioned before, this whole idea with the extremely obscure and slow plot along with the lack of plot-hooks gave me a rather frustrating experience. Before I read the second and final part, I can't say if I recommend this or not.
3.5 / 5
September 25, 2024
Abbandonato a metà.. questo libro non fa per me...
Ho capito che non è incentrato sull'azione, ok, ma è anche vero che troppo noioso.. non succede nulla, dialoghi monotoni, mille descrizioni di vestiti, acconciature, outfit e dettagli simili.. anche durante uno scontro ci sono mille pensieri e approfondimenti che rendono il tutto oltremodo noioso..
Peccato, avrei voluto farmelo piacere, l'idea di base mi gustava, con questi esseri superiori agli umani che hanno conquistato e adesso comandano.. ma anche lì, mille dettagli su vestiti, cibi e simili.. unito che la cultura prende spunto dai romani, ho trovato davvero poco di interessante.. ho troppe cose più nei miei gusti che mi aspettano sullo scaffale..
Ho capito che non è incentrato sull'azione, ok, ma è anche vero che troppo noioso.. non succede nulla, dialoghi monotoni, mille descrizioni di vestiti, acconciature, outfit e dettagli simili.. anche durante uno scontro ci sono mille pensieri e approfondimenti che rendono il tutto oltremodo noioso..
Peccato, avrei voluto farmelo piacere, l'idea di base mi gustava, con questi esseri superiori agli umani che hanno conquistato e adesso comandano.. ma anche lì, mille dettagli su vestiti, cibi e simili.. unito che la cultura prende spunto dai romani, ho trovato davvero poco di interessante.. ho troppe cose più nei miei gusti che mi aspettano sullo scaffale..
March 18, 2020
The stunning front page gave me too high hopes, this book didn't deliver that. It sadly, wasn't my cup of tea.
May 28, 2024
3.5. RTC.
September 14, 2018
A pretty decent read all in all. There are 4 POVs from different walks of life and each of their first couple of chapters were quite slow as they were quite info-dumpy and whatnot, but after that they became a lot easier to read.
I started off just liking 2 of the characters more than the others but by the end I loved all of them just as much as the other. Excited to read the second book and see them progress.
The only other slightly negative thing I can think of is that the author uses quite a lot of words that I really didn't know the meaning of. However, I can't really mark the author down for my ignorance of the English language :P
Definitely more for readers who like quite a slower paced fantasy.
I started off just liking 2 of the characters more than the others but by the end I loved all of them just as much as the other. Excited to read the second book and see them progress.
The only other slightly negative thing I can think of is that the author uses quite a lot of words that I really didn't know the meaning of. However, I can't really mark the author down for my ignorance of the English language :P
Definitely more for readers who like quite a slower paced fantasy.
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