What do you think?
Rate this book
The Tempered Steel of Antiquity Grey #1
The Tempered Steel of Antiquity Grey
"It's a perfect post-apocalyptic mech-filled SF adventure―like Pierce Brown's Red Rising meets Robotech.“ ―Aidan Moher, Hugo Award WinnerForever shamed for family actions a century earlier, Antiquity Grey is a young woman living in a far-future city of Erth. It is a life of danger and hardship, dragons and advanced technology.But when she discovers an outlawed and operational mech buried in the sands of her planet, she realizes its secrets hold the power to reverse her family’s dishonor while challenging the Imperium’s off-world oppressive might. The Imperium is not so willing to loosen its grip, needing Erth’s valuable titanium resources at a time when war spreads among the stars. In response, the Governor of Erth sends Star Sentinel―his mightiest mech, which nothing can stand against―after Antiquity.As she flees into the wilderness in a desperate attempt to uncover the secrets of her past and free an entire planet, Antiquity learns friendship can mean more than family, even the hardest heart of an enemy can soften, and adventure is not what she thought it would be.
313 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 7, 2021
29 people are currently reading
4030 people want to read
About the author
Shawn Speakman
31 books729 followersShawn Speakman grew up in the beautiful wilds of Washington State near a volcano and surrounded by old-growth forests filled with magic. After moving to Seattle to attend the University of Washington, he befriended New York Times best-selling fantasy author Terry Brooks and became his webmaster, leading to an enchanted life surrounded by words.
He was a manager at one of the largest Barnes & Noble Booksellers in the country for many years and now owns the online bookstore The Signed Page, manages the websites for several authors, and is a freelance writer for Random House.
He also contributed the annotations for The Annotated Sword of Shannara by Terry Brooks, published in 2012.
Shawn is a cancer survivor, knows angel fire east, and lives in Seattle, Washington.
He was a manager at one of the largest Barnes & Noble Booksellers in the country for many years and now owns the online bookstore The Signed Page, manages the websites for several authors, and is a freelance writer for Random House.
He also contributed the annotations for The Annotated Sword of Shannara by Terry Brooks, published in 2012.
Shawn is a cancer survivor, knows angel fire east, and lives in Seattle, Washington.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 105 reviews
Read
July 23, 2024Released today!
I should caveat that I've known Shawn online for years and he publishes my omnibus editions. I will of course give an honest review but it should be mentioned upfront.
This is a non-stop ride! It's a fairly short book and it covers a lot of ground with a fair-sized ensemble around the single point-of-view character, the eponymous Antiquity Grey.
It's interesting that the title includes "tempered steel" because the plot centres on titanium and this book probably holds the world record for number of times the word "titanium" is used.
This is a sci-fi book but not a "hard" sci-fi book. It's more of a mash-up of Star Wars, Avatar, and Transformers. You will have to dial into that mindset and have fun rather than ask too many questions. We see 100m tall titanium robot-suits battle each other, battle star ships, battle dragons ... sometimes all at once. We follow a young chosen one fighting against an evil empire - though to be honest it seems more about her dissatisfaction about her own circumstances - I didn't see much evidence that the common folk (many of whom end up dead as a result of her actions and the rest embroiled in a war not of their own choosing) were suffering particularly.
The planet the story plays out on is Earth-like and has a religion followed by some portions of the populace that seems to parallel an existing one. The vibe is a young adult one - I think the main characters are teens but I don't hold that to the diagnostic test for YA.
It's a story full of energy and ideas. Fights abound. I could easily imagine it being a movie. Speakman describes his locations with a passion that put me in mind of his good friend Terry Brooks, and is capable of evoking strong emotion as witnessed by a flashback scene where the main character sits with her dying mother in hospital.
If you're up for giant mechs in Godzilla vs King Kong style battles, laz-guns, martial artists,dragons, mystic powers, evil kings, alien overlords, and loads more then this is the book for you. Take a deep breath because the action is full on!
Join my Patreon
Join my 3-emails-a-year newsletter #prizes
..
I should caveat that I've known Shawn online for years and he publishes my omnibus editions. I will of course give an honest review but it should be mentioned upfront.
This is a non-stop ride! It's a fairly short book and it covers a lot of ground with a fair-sized ensemble around the single point-of-view character, the eponymous Antiquity Grey.
It's interesting that the title includes "tempered steel" because the plot centres on titanium and this book probably holds the world record for number of times the word "titanium" is used.
This is a sci-fi book but not a "hard" sci-fi book. It's more of a mash-up of Star Wars, Avatar, and Transformers. You will have to dial into that mindset and have fun rather than ask too many questions. We see 100m tall titanium robot-suits battle each other, battle star ships, battle dragons ... sometimes all at once. We follow a young chosen one fighting against an evil empire - though to be honest it seems more about her dissatisfaction about her own circumstances - I didn't see much evidence that the common folk (many of whom end up dead as a result of her actions and the rest embroiled in a war not of their own choosing) were suffering particularly.
The planet the story plays out on is Earth-like and has a religion followed by some portions of the populace that seems to parallel an existing one. The vibe is a young adult one - I think the main characters are teens but I don't hold that to the diagnostic test for YA.
It's a story full of energy and ideas. Fights abound. I could easily imagine it being a movie. Speakman describes his locations with a passion that put me in mind of his good friend Terry Brooks, and is capable of evoking strong emotion as witnessed by a flashback scene where the main character sits with her dying mother in hospital.
If you're up for giant mechs in Godzilla vs King Kong style battles, laz-guns, martial artists,dragons, mystic powers, evil kings, alien overlords, and loads more then this is the book for you. Take a deep breath because the action is full on!
Join my Patreon
Join my 3-emails-a-year newsletter #prizes
..
July 8, 2020
The usual caveat: I read this book in galley form, as a gift from the author, Shawn Speakman. Shawn and I have been friends for many years, and he has published some of my work. I do not believe that affects my review of this unpublished work.
And, as always, I will attempt to avoid all spoilers.
The Tempered Steel of Antiquity Grey is science fantasy, that is, a flavorful blend of what might be in a future that may or not be the future of our world. It's a coming of age story, based around an engaging character who has good intentions, and makes the sort of errors that many of us make in our 'coming of age' years. In that sense, it can be classified as Young Adult, but I think it's an enjoyable read for anyone. In some ways, it put me in mind of the better examples of Space Opera I read as a young adult, with hints of the same feelings I got the first time I viewed Star Wars. (Both of those are very good things.)
There are certain elements that will always entice me into the story. A murky family history. Hints of forgotten technology. Lost cities. Cryptic warnings. Deep friendships. Uneasy alliances with possibly untrustworthy allies.
All these ingredients are here, for a rich and savory tale.
This book is not yet available, but when it is, I recommend it.
And, as always, I will attempt to avoid all spoilers.
The Tempered Steel of Antiquity Grey is science fantasy, that is, a flavorful blend of what might be in a future that may or not be the future of our world. It's a coming of age story, based around an engaging character who has good intentions, and makes the sort of errors that many of us make in our 'coming of age' years. In that sense, it can be classified as Young Adult, but I think it's an enjoyable read for anyone. In some ways, it put me in mind of the better examples of Space Opera I read as a young adult, with hints of the same feelings I got the first time I viewed Star Wars. (Both of those are very good things.)
There are certain elements that will always entice me into the story. A murky family history. Hints of forgotten technology. Lost cities. Cryptic warnings. Deep friendships. Uneasy alliances with possibly untrustworthy allies.
All these ingredients are here, for a rich and savory tale.
This book is not yet available, but when it is, I recommend it.
January 12, 2022
Just want to take a moment to remind you that Author, Friend, Guardian of Brooks Books and all-around hard worker Shawn Speakman has a brand new book coming out January 25th. Having read it myself, I feel confident in suggesting you might be sorry to miss out on a first rate reading experience. THE TEMPERED STEEL OF ANTIQUITY GREY publishes later this month following many good reviews and reading experience, so if you need yet another fantasy to get through this winter, here is your chance to experience a good read. Giving a loud shout-out to Shawn!! -- Terry
July 27, 2021
3.75⭐️ (higher if I’m rating solely with YA books)
That was fun! Glad I took the time to read this one
That was fun! Glad I took the time to read this one
February 14, 2020
She wasn't supposed to be where she was. She wasn't supposed to find what she found. But that discovery may change everything!!! Or destroy it all!
Shawn Speakman has crafted a story of a new heroine that I think readers will take to immediately. Resourceful and brave…and a little rebelliousness...balanced with fear and longing, presents us with someone many of us can identify with. Shawn has taken his new heroine and dropped her into a world, that in the span of 55 pages, is rich in people and culture as well as giving us varying degrees of bad and good - with the gray that lies in between.
This is what I hope will be the first in a series of stories set in the world of Erth with Antiquity Grey as someone I will want to read about for quite a good long time.
Fingers Crossed!!!
Shawn Speakman has crafted a story of a new heroine that I think readers will take to immediately. Resourceful and brave…and a little rebelliousness...balanced with fear and longing, presents us with someone many of us can identify with. Shawn has taken his new heroine and dropped her into a world, that in the span of 55 pages, is rich in people and culture as well as giving us varying degrees of bad and good - with the gray that lies in between.
This is what I hope will be the first in a series of stories set in the world of Erth with Antiquity Grey as someone I will want to read about for quite a good long time.
Fingers Crossed!!!
March 29, 2021
This review was originally posted on Books of My Heart
Review copy was received from Author. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
3.5 hearts
The Tempered Steel of Antiquity Grey is kind of like Pacific Rim + Godzilla + Star Wars. It is the journey of a girl who finds the mechanical suit of her family once lost in the desert. All the other fighting suits of its kind were destroyed in the war with the Imperium years ago. Since then, there has mostly been peace on her planet, but it is a peace where you know you lost the war and you are not your own leaders.
Finding the suit throws everything in Antiquity’s life into upheaval and she is forced to flee her home with both friends and past enemies in hopes of making it to one of the last cities where she could be trained and learn what the secrets of her family are.
This is one of those stories I have to really be in the mood for to enjoy. There are a lot of versions of the reluctant hero, finding a mentor to become the awesome power they were always meant to be, standing up to the political military force in front of them. I had a few issues connecting with a couple characters that came off really bad at first meeting and I never quite forgave them for how they behaved. While I liked Antiquity, she was very young and naïve and most of the story just happens to her.
This isn’t a heavy fantasy book where the mechanics of the suit or how it is set up for people to travel in is really ever addressed. It also doesn’t hit on how the suits connect to one family’s minds to be able to work. As an avid fantasy reader, these are usually the deeper questions I like to have answered.
Still there is some awesomeness in the fighting and her robot sidekick who is always trying to keep her out of trouble and I did enjoy the sword-wielding mentor she picked up along the way. It is a fun story, but it isn’t the kind of story you can dig deep into. A better choice for when you just want to go along for the ride.
Review copy was received from Author. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
3.5 hearts
The Tempered Steel of Antiquity Grey is kind of like Pacific Rim + Godzilla + Star Wars. It is the journey of a girl who finds the mechanical suit of her family once lost in the desert. All the other fighting suits of its kind were destroyed in the war with the Imperium years ago. Since then, there has mostly been peace on her planet, but it is a peace where you know you lost the war and you are not your own leaders.
Finding the suit throws everything in Antiquity’s life into upheaval and she is forced to flee her home with both friends and past enemies in hopes of making it to one of the last cities where she could be trained and learn what the secrets of her family are.
This is one of those stories I have to really be in the mood for to enjoy. There are a lot of versions of the reluctant hero, finding a mentor to become the awesome power they were always meant to be, standing up to the political military force in front of them. I had a few issues connecting with a couple characters that came off really bad at first meeting and I never quite forgave them for how they behaved. While I liked Antiquity, she was very young and naïve and most of the story just happens to her.
This isn’t a heavy fantasy book where the mechanics of the suit or how it is set up for people to travel in is really ever addressed. It also doesn’t hit on how the suits connect to one family’s minds to be able to work. As an avid fantasy reader, these are usually the deeper questions I like to have answered.
Still there is some awesomeness in the fighting and her robot sidekick who is always trying to keep her out of trouble and I did enjoy the sword-wielding mentor she picked up along the way. It is a fun story, but it isn’t the kind of story you can dig deep into. A better choice for when you just want to go along for the ride.
June 16, 2021
This is a YA/soft SFF/dystopian novel set far in the future on Erth (could be our future of Earth or just loosely based on Earth). Without giving away too many spoilers, the people of Erth have been conquered by the Imperium and live under their oppressive rule. The story is told from the POV of Antiquity Grey, so named 'Grey' for her ancestors failure to defeat the Imperium over a 100 years ago and now forced to live among her people in shame and disgrace. She is rebellious and struggles to come to terms with her family's low status and the hardships they face. Often venturing out into the desert sands (with her friend and protector Chekker, a spherical bot) she discovers an ancient mech - which changes the course of not only her future, but potentially the whole world.
I really thought the world building was brilliant - many rich and varied cultures as well as an exciting history (I love stories that have interesting origins) and I thought it was a good balance of sci-fi and fantasy - you have bots as well as dragons! It is packed full of strong female characters and great friendships. One of my favourite characters was Sadiya, a mysterious arabi woman who often speaks in riddles and proverbs and you aren't quite sure whether to trust her or not.
There is a lot of action for such a relatively short story, which I thoroughly enjoyed and binge read over a few days.
The story itself spans only a few weeks and I did find myself thinking that some of the outcomes/character growths were a little unrealistic in that time span but other than that it was a great story! Looking forward to reading more of this world in the future!
I received an ARC of this story from Netgalley - this is due for release in September 2021.
I really thought the world building was brilliant - many rich and varied cultures as well as an exciting history (I love stories that have interesting origins) and I thought it was a good balance of sci-fi and fantasy - you have bots as well as dragons! It is packed full of strong female characters and great friendships. One of my favourite characters was Sadiya, a mysterious arabi woman who often speaks in riddles and proverbs and you aren't quite sure whether to trust her or not.
There is a lot of action for such a relatively short story, which I thoroughly enjoyed and binge read over a few days.
The story itself spans only a few weeks and I did find myself thinking that some of the outcomes/character growths were a little unrealistic in that time span but other than that it was a great story! Looking forward to reading more of this world in the future!
I received an ARC of this story from Netgalley - this is due for release in September 2021.
July 1, 2020
The story spans only 55 pages, but the character development feels so much longer, in the best of ways. I found myself smiling, as I could relate to the main character in my younger years.
This story takes you for a ride, and you better hold on tight...until...you find yourself finishing and wanting more.
Two chapters is just enough to pull you in, and many fans are waiting with bated breath for additional chapters.
This is a work of art, truly original, and definitely not over-done, like many other story lines.
Give it a read, you won't be sorry! <3
This story takes you for a ride, and you better hold on tight...until...you find yourself finishing and wanting more.
Two chapters is just enough to pull you in, and many fans are waiting with bated breath for additional chapters.
This is a work of art, truly original, and definitely not over-done, like many other story lines.
Give it a read, you won't be sorry! <3
June 8, 2021
Antiquity Grey has always known that Grey is not her last name but what she is called due to some family disgrace in the past. Her parents were murdered and she has been raised by her grandmother. Even though she is forbidden to be educated her grandmother has secretly taught her about history and how the "Erth" has come to be ruled by an alien race from the universe. While exploring in the desert near her home she finds a mech in the sand. This is one of the mechanical Robots that defended the planet long ago. Unearthing the Mech sets off an adventure of world changing importance. Antiquity and her friends must rally to fight against the Imperium to free Erth from their grip and restore her family name.
This is an exciting adventure and a thrilling read! I look forward to the next book in the series!!!
This is an exciting adventure and a thrilling read! I look forward to the next book in the series!!!
May 19, 2021
Many thanks to NetGalley and Grim Oak Press for this Advanced Readers Copy.
This was a book I devoured pretty much all in one sitting. I have never been a big fan of dystopian, sci-fi'ish type stories, but this one grabbed me by the eyes, and took me for a ride. Speakman's writing style is easy to read and has a rhythm that keeps the story driving along. Character building wasn't the best, and would have appreciated maybe some more detail. However, the story rolled along well. I didn't get the impression this was NOT a stand-alone story until I was about 2/3 of the way through, so be prepared for a wait for additional titles in this series. Overall, I felt it was a good read and would easily recommend for YA or older readers.
This was a book I devoured pretty much all in one sitting. I have never been a big fan of dystopian, sci-fi'ish type stories, but this one grabbed me by the eyes, and took me for a ride. Speakman's writing style is easy to read and has a rhythm that keeps the story driving along. Character building wasn't the best, and would have appreciated maybe some more detail. However, the story rolled along well. I didn't get the impression this was NOT a stand-alone story until I was about 2/3 of the way through, so be prepared for a wait for additional titles in this series. Overall, I felt it was a good read and would easily recommend for YA or older readers.
January 24, 2021
More reviews at undertheradarsffbooks.com
The Tempered Steel of Antiquity Grey is expected to be released in September 2021. I received this ARC copy early by supporting Shawn’s Kickstarter and I will leave a link and the end of this post for new readers to check it out. The Tempered Steel of Antiquity Grey is a non-stop ride for a fairly short book of just over 300 pages. The story takes place on a futuristic Earth or “Erth” as it is referred to in the book, where humans have colonized space. This is a softer Sci-fi story as if you were watching a Star Wars movie or reading Dune because Shawn doesn’t throw the kitchen sink at you with complex technology. Shawn also incorporates some fantasy elements into this story and it works very well with the overall plot and story until the finale. I am very excited to share my review with new readers and I hope you will be on the lookout for this in the coming months.
Shawn Speakman describes himself in his own words as “a writer, webmaster, and purveyor of dreams and lies.” He is the author of several fantasy novels including Dark Thorn and The Song of the Fell Hammer as well as the editor of the best selling fantasy anthology Unfettered. To top it all off, he is the owner of the SF&F bookstore The Signed Page and the SF&F specialty press Grim Oak Press. Shawn also befriended New York Times best-selling fantasy author Terry Brooks and became his webmaster, leading to an enchanted life surrounded by words. So, I was very excited to back this popular project and to dive into Shawn Speakmans worlds for the first time. If you are a fan of Star Wars, Dune, The Expanse, and Pacific Rim you will have a smashing good time with this book and I believe there is enough in this first story that will appeal to every SFF reader who likes adult fiction.
As I mentioned before, this story takes place on a futuristic Earth in the city of Solomon Fyre. The history of the planet revolves around humans needing to colonize space due to the growing fears of global warming and the depletion of Earth’s resources. Some of the humans left Earth for space and over the centuries their appearances have become somewhat distorted and they have a hard time existing in gravity planets. These humans became known as the Imperium and they will return to Earth once again. The other half of the population was left behind and everyone excepted them to die from the depleted resources and warming of the planet, but they survived and adapted to the harsh enviroments of the Earth.
We follow the story of Antiquity Grey as she traverses the desert looking for treasures with her bot CHKR-11. Think of CHKR-11 as a flying metal ball with the intelligence of C3PO. Eventually Antiquity discovers a giant metal hand in the desert and decides to dig it out. She discovers that the hand is attached to a huge mechanical suit, similar to the movie Pacific Rim, with the symbol of her family crest on the chest of the suit. From here the story moves into hyper drive with non stop action and tension as the Imperium has discovered existence of this suit and will do what ever it takes to confiscated it for its rare metal, titanium. Antiquity’s family possesses the surname Grey not as a name passed down through the generations, but as a punishment for the sins of their past. The Grey’s once sat with the counselors of power until the actions of Antiquity’s ancestors turned them into outcasts with the shame of dishonor to Solomon Fyre. Learning about Grey’s past was one of my favorite parts of the novel.
The one small part that I didn’t like about the novel is that there are several slow chapters in this books that felt too drawn out for me. It felt like the dialogue went on a bit too long but this can just be a me problem as I wanted to get back to the action! You learn a lot about how the races changes over the centuries and how the cultures have saved and recorded their histories. There is so much to discover in this world and even though this book won’t be released to the SFF community for several months, I am eagerly anticipating the sequel as well as diving into Shawn’s other works soon.
Well done Shawn, it is well worth wait!
Cheers!
The Tempered Steel of Antiquity Grey is expected to be released in September 2021. I received this ARC copy early by supporting Shawn’s Kickstarter and I will leave a link and the end of this post for new readers to check it out. The Tempered Steel of Antiquity Grey is a non-stop ride for a fairly short book of just over 300 pages. The story takes place on a futuristic Earth or “Erth” as it is referred to in the book, where humans have colonized space. This is a softer Sci-fi story as if you were watching a Star Wars movie or reading Dune because Shawn doesn’t throw the kitchen sink at you with complex technology. Shawn also incorporates some fantasy elements into this story and it works very well with the overall plot and story until the finale. I am very excited to share my review with new readers and I hope you will be on the lookout for this in the coming months.
Shawn Speakman describes himself in his own words as “a writer, webmaster, and purveyor of dreams and lies.” He is the author of several fantasy novels including Dark Thorn and The Song of the Fell Hammer as well as the editor of the best selling fantasy anthology Unfettered. To top it all off, he is the owner of the SF&F bookstore The Signed Page and the SF&F specialty press Grim Oak Press. Shawn also befriended New York Times best-selling fantasy author Terry Brooks and became his webmaster, leading to an enchanted life surrounded by words. So, I was very excited to back this popular project and to dive into Shawn Speakmans worlds for the first time. If you are a fan of Star Wars, Dune, The Expanse, and Pacific Rim you will have a smashing good time with this book and I believe there is enough in this first story that will appeal to every SFF reader who likes adult fiction.
As I mentioned before, this story takes place on a futuristic Earth in the city of Solomon Fyre. The history of the planet revolves around humans needing to colonize space due to the growing fears of global warming and the depletion of Earth’s resources. Some of the humans left Earth for space and over the centuries their appearances have become somewhat distorted and they have a hard time existing in gravity planets. These humans became known as the Imperium and they will return to Earth once again. The other half of the population was left behind and everyone excepted them to die from the depleted resources and warming of the planet, but they survived and adapted to the harsh enviroments of the Earth.
We follow the story of Antiquity Grey as she traverses the desert looking for treasures with her bot CHKR-11. Think of CHKR-11 as a flying metal ball with the intelligence of C3PO. Eventually Antiquity discovers a giant metal hand in the desert and decides to dig it out. She discovers that the hand is attached to a huge mechanical suit, similar to the movie Pacific Rim, with the symbol of her family crest on the chest of the suit. From here the story moves into hyper drive with non stop action and tension as the Imperium has discovered existence of this suit and will do what ever it takes to confiscated it for its rare metal, titanium. Antiquity’s family possesses the surname Grey not as a name passed down through the generations, but as a punishment for the sins of their past. The Grey’s once sat with the counselors of power until the actions of Antiquity’s ancestors turned them into outcasts with the shame of dishonor to Solomon Fyre. Learning about Grey’s past was one of my favorite parts of the novel.
The one small part that I didn’t like about the novel is that there are several slow chapters in this books that felt too drawn out for me. It felt like the dialogue went on a bit too long but this can just be a me problem as I wanted to get back to the action! You learn a lot about how the races changes over the centuries and how the cultures have saved and recorded their histories. There is so much to discover in this world and even though this book won’t be released to the SFF community for several months, I am eagerly anticipating the sequel as well as diving into Shawn’s other works soon.
Well done Shawn, it is well worth wait!
Cheers!
July 20, 2020
It is rare to find a good story that appears to a wide range of readers. Shawn Speakman’s The Tempered Steel of Antiquity Grey is a GREAT story that spans the Young Adult, Science Fiction and Fantasy genres and can be enjoyed by any of those readers.
Shawn’s first chapter quickly enthralls the reader with a plucky but headstrong heroine and her current challenging circumstances. The world’s history is shrouded with mystery but the relevant pieces poke through like the buried mech hand the heroine discovers. The adventure continues from there with well-developed and believable characters with mysteries and surprises of their own.
I thoroughly enjoyed the chapbook and was able to devour an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of the entire tale thanks to the generosity of the author. I am now helplessly hooked on the story and will be anxiously awaiting additional stories set in the same world.
Get a copy of The Tempered Steel of Antiquity Grey and read it!
Shawn’s first chapter quickly enthralls the reader with a plucky but headstrong heroine and her current challenging circumstances. The world’s history is shrouded with mystery but the relevant pieces poke through like the buried mech hand the heroine discovers. The adventure continues from there with well-developed and believable characters with mysteries and surprises of their own.
I thoroughly enjoyed the chapbook and was able to devour an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of the entire tale thanks to the generosity of the author. I am now helplessly hooked on the story and will be anxiously awaiting additional stories set in the same world.
Get a copy of The Tempered Steel of Antiquity Grey and read it!
July 22, 2020
Ok, so I'm following Robin Hobb on this one. I guess that means I need to learn to write because she's going to get all the follows. Ah well...
Where do I start with this one? I got a hold of the full ARC somehow and read the full novel, same as Robin/Megan. It's a very solid mix of sci-fi and fantasy. Usually for me and for a lot of people, that is a difficult mixing.
So when in doubt, punch the reader in the mouth 257 times (once per page) and keep punching until they can't help but like it.
...or something like that. He sure as heck tried. This thing is a ride and it blew past the possible incongruity of some fantastical elements being mixed with technology with sheer action -- and for me, it really worked.
Where do I start with this one? I got a hold of the full ARC somehow and read the full novel, same as Robin/Megan. It's a very solid mix of sci-fi and fantasy. Usually for me and for a lot of people, that is a difficult mixing.
So when in doubt, punch the reader in the mouth 257 times (once per page) and keep punching until they can't help but like it.
...or something like that. He sure as heck tried. This thing is a ride and it blew past the possible incongruity of some fantastical elements being mixed with technology with sheer action -- and for me, it really worked.
May 21, 2021
This is not the chap book this is the actual full book.
I really enjoyed this book. It has dragons, huge robots that require a person to operate (like Pacific Rim), smaller self contained robots (like a rumba with a brain), and all the issues of the modern day (different cultures, bullies, power hungry leaders, and friendships). A wonderful blend of sci-fi, drama, and fantasy. The author blends everything together in a way that draws you into story and makes you feel the characters emotions. Hoping for a sequel.
I really enjoyed this book. It has dragons, huge robots that require a person to operate (like Pacific Rim), smaller self contained robots (like a rumba with a brain), and all the issues of the modern day (different cultures, bullies, power hungry leaders, and friendships). A wonderful blend of sci-fi, drama, and fantasy. The author blends everything together in a way that draws you into story and makes you feel the characters emotions. Hoping for a sequel.
August 30, 2021
This book starts out with a bang—I was invested from the very first page. Basically, the image on the amazing cover is what is described in the beginning of the book, so I could already put names and faces to the descriptions. Unfortunately, my interest waned as the story progressed, and I ended up not loving this book as much as I expected and hoped to.
One day, Antiquity Grey discovers the remains of a giant mech buried in the sand, what she believes is the last of its kind. She wants to unearth it and take it home in an attempt to recover her family’s reputation, but she is thwarted by Manson Dreadth, the son of the enemy family, who tries to claim the mech for himself. What ensues is a battle between enemies who may have to make an uneasy alliance to fight a grander off-world enemy trying to destroy the mech altogether.
When I discovered that this book features both futuristic technology AND dragons, I was so excited!! Two of my favorite things. This is a coming-of-age story with lots of adventure and big bot battles. Despite the descriptions, however, there were hardly any dragons in this book, which disappointed me. There were mentions of dragons, and they talk about going to the Dragonell Mountains a lot, but none actually made an appearance until over 70% into the story, and even then they were barely present.
This book features my least favorite trope, which is the coming-back-to-life trope. This book is kind of different because here there’s a hologram of a dead person, but it has that person’s memories and can communicate as if they were alive. So that kind of bugged me, and the fact that this holo-dead person is who gives Antiquity the quest that she spends the book working toward. And then of course the fate of the whole world rests on whether she can accomplish this quest or not. I don’t like when books (or movies) have the protagonist in charge of saving the whole world or the whole galaxy, etc. because that’s too unrealistic to ever be believable. I like when books have smaller stakes, but that’s just a personal preference for me.
Another issue I had was that Antiquity and her crew spend almost the whole book going on this adventure, and then in the span of a single page, they go back home. That’s just poor writing, in my opinion, and it kind of made the whole adventure feel pointless.
The dialogue between characters felt stilted and contrived to me, like people wouldn’t really talk like that, and the characters themselves were two-dimensional and needed more depth. I attribute those shortcomings to bad writing as well. I admit that I didn’t love the overall writing style in this book, and I think that was my biggest problem. I liked the story and the setting, but I don’t think it was put together well.
The pacing is kind of odd in this book. It feels slow-paced during each scene because the dialogue is slow, but then the book will jump between scenes quickly. Like all of a sudden the characters were in a new place and barely any time was spent getting from A to B, but then they will spend forever in that place, talking. It was kind of jarring and not super enjoyable for me.
I would have liked more explanation surrounding the technology, the government structure, the original purpose of the mechs, and the politics surrounding the Imperium and the Celestials and Erth. The setting itself was really neat, but there was not enough world-building done to really make any aspects of the story come to life for me.
From about the 50% mark to the end, I struggled to maintain focus on the story. I just wanted to be done. This book had so many components that I love in fantasy/sci-fi stories: a dystopian setting, futuristic technology, dragons, giant mechs, a mysterious quest, a female protagonist, enemies to friends trope, and so much more. But I didn’t entirely care for how it was executed. There wasn’t enough substance here, and the writing style wasn’t my favorite. If anyone knows of a book with similar elements but with in-depth descriptions and more sophisticated writing, let me know!
I don’t know if I’ll be continuing on with this series or not. This first book wrapped up nicely and I don’t feel super inclined to continue the story. If I can find audiobooks for future installments I might give it a go, but I can’t see myself reading more books with my eyes, based on how I struggled so much to get through the second half of the book. I do, however, think The Tempered Steel of Antiquity Grey would make a great tv show, and I would love to watch it if that ever happens.
My Book Blog: Storeys of Stories
One day, Antiquity Grey discovers the remains of a giant mech buried in the sand, what she believes is the last of its kind. She wants to unearth it and take it home in an attempt to recover her family’s reputation, but she is thwarted by Manson Dreadth, the son of the enemy family, who tries to claim the mech for himself. What ensues is a battle between enemies who may have to make an uneasy alliance to fight a grander off-world enemy trying to destroy the mech altogether.
When I discovered that this book features both futuristic technology AND dragons, I was so excited!! Two of my favorite things. This is a coming-of-age story with lots of adventure and big bot battles. Despite the descriptions, however, there were hardly any dragons in this book, which disappointed me. There were mentions of dragons, and they talk about going to the Dragonell Mountains a lot, but none actually made an appearance until over 70% into the story, and even then they were barely present.
This book features my least favorite trope, which is the coming-back-to-life trope. This book is kind of different because here there’s a hologram of a dead person, but it has that person’s memories and can communicate as if they were alive. So that kind of bugged me, and the fact that this holo-dead person is who gives Antiquity the quest that she spends the book working toward. And then of course the fate of the whole world rests on whether she can accomplish this quest or not. I don’t like when books (or movies) have the protagonist in charge of saving the whole world or the whole galaxy, etc. because that’s too unrealistic to ever be believable. I like when books have smaller stakes, but that’s just a personal preference for me.
Another issue I had was that Antiquity and her crew spend almost the whole book going on this adventure, and then in the span of a single page, they go back home. That’s just poor writing, in my opinion, and it kind of made the whole adventure feel pointless.
The dialogue between characters felt stilted and contrived to me, like people wouldn’t really talk like that, and the characters themselves were two-dimensional and needed more depth. I attribute those shortcomings to bad writing as well. I admit that I didn’t love the overall writing style in this book, and I think that was my biggest problem. I liked the story and the setting, but I don’t think it was put together well.
The pacing is kind of odd in this book. It feels slow-paced during each scene because the dialogue is slow, but then the book will jump between scenes quickly. Like all of a sudden the characters were in a new place and barely any time was spent getting from A to B, but then they will spend forever in that place, talking. It was kind of jarring and not super enjoyable for me.
I would have liked more explanation surrounding the technology, the government structure, the original purpose of the mechs, and the politics surrounding the Imperium and the Celestials and Erth. The setting itself was really neat, but there was not enough world-building done to really make any aspects of the story come to life for me.
From about the 50% mark to the end, I struggled to maintain focus on the story. I just wanted to be done. This book had so many components that I love in fantasy/sci-fi stories: a dystopian setting, futuristic technology, dragons, giant mechs, a mysterious quest, a female protagonist, enemies to friends trope, and so much more. But I didn’t entirely care for how it was executed. There wasn’t enough substance here, and the writing style wasn’t my favorite. If anyone knows of a book with similar elements but with in-depth descriptions and more sophisticated writing, let me know!
I don’t know if I’ll be continuing on with this series or not. This first book wrapped up nicely and I don’t feel super inclined to continue the story. If I can find audiobooks for future installments I might give it a go, but I can’t see myself reading more books with my eyes, based on how I struggled so much to get through the second half of the book. I do, however, think The Tempered Steel of Antiquity Grey would make a great tv show, and I would love to watch it if that ever happens.
My Book Blog: Storeys of Stories
March 1, 2021
“You might have saved my friend. But I do not trust you.” “When you begin to trust, the friendship the world has spun for us will be put in motion.”
A good-hearted if naïve coming of age science fiction set is a far future dystopic “Erth.” Stereotypical characters act in the expected ways. Predictable but well-developed plot arc--teens against the big bad guys trying to save the world.
Antiquity lowered the knife. “Why you not ending me?” the golem implored. “I not real.” “You are real enough,” Antiquity said, decision made. “Besides, you are about the only family I have left.”
Antiquity will appeal to some readers as a plucky female lead. Other will be irritated by her Mary Sue ability to shed each adversity almost as soon as it manifests.
“Do you see what’s down there, Chekker? Are your sensors shot? Look!” “I do. I see trouble.”
“Trouble finds me all by itself, you old bot!”
Indestructible robot sidekick, enemies turned allies, and enigmatic ancient advisor. Who needs light sabers when you have dragons?
Be the change of the moment,” the old woman said. “My love for you would be remiss if I did not prepare you for the world such as it is, not the world we wish it would be. And that world is coming for us even as we speak.”
A good-hearted if naïve coming of age science fiction set is a far future dystopic “Erth.” Stereotypical characters act in the expected ways. Predictable but well-developed plot arc--teens against the big bad guys trying to save the world.
Antiquity lowered the knife. “Why you not ending me?” the golem implored. “I not real.” “You are real enough,” Antiquity said, decision made. “Besides, you are about the only family I have left.”
Antiquity will appeal to some readers as a plucky female lead. Other will be irritated by her Mary Sue ability to shed each adversity almost as soon as it manifests.
“Do you see what’s down there, Chekker? Are your sensors shot? Look!” “I do. I see trouble.”
“Trouble finds me all by itself, you old bot!”
Indestructible robot sidekick, enemies turned allies, and enigmatic ancient advisor. Who needs light sabers when you have dragons?
Be the change of the moment,” the old woman said. “My love for you would be remiss if I did not prepare you for the world such as it is, not the world we wish it would be. And that world is coming for us even as we speak.”
December 28, 2020
I am no author and not gifted with the talents of words. That being said, here is my honest review. I bought an ARC as part of the kickstarter campaign as it appealed greatly to me. I was not given anything by the author or publisher.
"The Tempered Steel of Antiquity Grey" by Shawn Speakman is an amazing bit of science fantasy about a young woman fighting society, inner demons, & external foes determined to keep her down. It is very well paced & I finished it in a day as I just couldn't out it down. Kudos to Shawn on a wonderful telling and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a new beginning of what I hope to be an exciting series.
"The Tempered Steel of Antiquity Grey" by Shawn Speakman is an amazing bit of science fantasy about a young woman fighting society, inner demons, & external foes determined to keep her down. It is very well paced & I finished it in a day as I just couldn't out it down. Kudos to Shawn on a wonderful telling and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a new beginning of what I hope to be an exciting series.
July 23, 2021
What a pretty cover!
What about the story?
What a pretty cover!!!
No, seriously. What about the story?
I abandoned it after reading 25%. There's only so much stupid and clunky writing I can tolerate, even from YA.
___________
___________
A collection of aggravating excerpts:
“Do you think they would have killed me?”Antiquity asked. The old woman squinted. “Maybe. The Dreadth family has always delighted in violence against others. And that Manson . . . he likes it more than most his age.”
_____________
Vestige darkened. “You are naive and foolish, Antiquity. I have seen what happens to those who challenge the Dreadths,”the old woman hissed, growing angry. “The men, gone. Buried in the mines. Women too. I have lives to keep safe beyond your own. If you do this, I will have to denounce you as a heretic, in public before the Elders. You often do the opposite of what I tell you. It will be the only way to keep the few of us left alive. There will come a time when your discovery will matter. For all of us. That time is not now. Not yet.”
_________
“Trust me. I am old and have seen much. I have a plan to deal with the Dreadths. Always.”
“What plan?”
“In time, you will come to know it and see as I do,” Vestige said. “In time.”
__________
New anger flooded through Antiquity. Vestige Angelus had used her sixteen-year-old granddaughter’s life to barter. For societal standing. Used her. One word echoed inside her. Betrayed. “The families of Dreadth and Angelus shall be wedded through the union of my son Manson and Antiquity,” Jackson Dreadth said.
___________
___________
Thanks to Netgalley for providing this ARC.
What about the story?
What a pretty cover!!!
No, seriously. What about the story?
I abandoned it after reading 25%. There's only so much stupid and clunky writing I can tolerate, even from YA.
___________
___________
A collection of aggravating excerpts:
“Do you think they would have killed me?”Antiquity asked. The old woman squinted. “Maybe. The Dreadth family has always delighted in violence against others. And that Manson . . . he likes it more than most his age.”
_____________
Vestige darkened. “You are naive and foolish, Antiquity. I have seen what happens to those who challenge the Dreadths,”the old woman hissed, growing angry. “The men, gone. Buried in the mines. Women too. I have lives to keep safe beyond your own. If you do this, I will have to denounce you as a heretic, in public before the Elders. You often do the opposite of what I tell you. It will be the only way to keep the few of us left alive. There will come a time when your discovery will matter. For all of us. That time is not now. Not yet.”
_________
“Trust me. I am old and have seen much. I have a plan to deal with the Dreadths. Always.”
“What plan?”
“In time, you will come to know it and see as I do,” Vestige said. “In time.”
__________
New anger flooded through Antiquity. Vestige Angelus had used her sixteen-year-old granddaughter’s life to barter. For societal standing. Used her. One word echoed inside her. Betrayed. “The families of Dreadth and Angelus shall be wedded through the union of my son Manson and Antiquity,” Jackson Dreadth said.
___________
___________
Thanks to Netgalley for providing this ARC.
February 7, 2022
I'd like to thank the Publisher and NetGalley for allowing me a chance at reviewing this book.
This is sadly one of those books where its not the book, it's me. It's me being such a reader that when I dive into books I expect something new and fresh. I also thought that for a YA book the book read more akin to a grade school / childrens book with the dialogue and the tone. (See Brandon Sanderson's current space book series in the YA and the tone and dialogue of that one to get what I mean.)
I grabbed this book because Robin Hobb said it read really good to her. It didn't read well too me and I just got this feeling the book would not chart well.
This is sadly one of those books where its not the book, it's me. It's me being such a reader that when I dive into books I expect something new and fresh. I also thought that for a YA book the book read more akin to a grade school / childrens book with the dialogue and the tone. (See Brandon Sanderson's current space book series in the YA and the tone and dialogue of that one to get what I mean.)
I grabbed this book because Robin Hobb said it read really good to her. It didn't read well too me and I just got this feeling the book would not chart well.
Read
August 22, 2021dnf at 32%
I don't like to DNF, and wish I could say that I stopped reading because the author wrote for a younger audience, but I've read amazing YA sci-fi and fantasy books so that's just not the case here. I think in this particular circumstance, we are thrown into the action of this book, but not given much character development or a decently paced plot to really care about what's going on. I felt like I was reading the same thing over and over again and getting nowhere. The writing was stiff, and there were also a few themes I wasn't fond of from the beginning.
I find it hard when there are character deaths (usually in YA it's family members of young people/teens) that are only written in to serve the plot and do nothing to affect the characters. If one of my close relatives died, I'd at least have some kind of reaction and grieving to go through even if I've got to save myself and go on an epic journey to save the family name.
For me the writing execution I like is the difference between telling me "they appeared to live hard lives. They didn't like us," and showing me something like, "Stoney eyes watched from behind bins filled to the brim with filth. Backs bent from years working in the sun, the people here were wary of us." It's showing vs telling and I sometimes I can put up with it, sometimes I can't. With this book I couldn't.
Overall this may be a better option for people looking for a simple, younger-read, YA sci-fi that doesn't require much thinking and is something you can just experience. For me, I need the story to be a little more immersive, especially if it's sci-fi/ fantasy.
xx
-Christine
I don't like to DNF, and wish I could say that I stopped reading because the author wrote for a younger audience, but I've read amazing YA sci-fi and fantasy books so that's just not the case here. I think in this particular circumstance, we are thrown into the action of this book, but not given much character development or a decently paced plot to really care about what's going on. I felt like I was reading the same thing over and over again and getting nowhere. The writing was stiff, and there were also a few themes I wasn't fond of from the beginning.
I find it hard when there are character deaths (usually in YA it's family members of young people/teens) that are only written in to serve the plot and do nothing to affect the characters. If one of my close relatives died, I'd at least have some kind of reaction and grieving to go through even if I've got to save myself and go on an epic journey to save the family name.
For me the writing execution I like is the difference between telling me "they appeared to live hard lives. They didn't like us," and showing me something like, "Stoney eyes watched from behind bins filled to the brim with filth. Backs bent from years working in the sun, the people here were wary of us." It's showing vs telling and I sometimes I can put up with it, sometimes I can't. With this book I couldn't.
Overall this may be a better option for people looking for a simple, younger-read, YA sci-fi that doesn't require much thinking and is something you can just experience. For me, I need the story to be a little more immersive, especially if it's sci-fi/ fantasy.
xx
-Christine
September 13, 2021
Thanks to the publisher, Grim Oak Press via Netgalley for providing this ebook in exchange for an honest review !
"If the Imperium wants you, you are friends walking among my path."
Antiquity nodded. "And where does that path take you?"
"To freedom"
A space adventure perfect for fans of Star Wars and Pacific Rim!
THE TEMPERED STEEL OF ANTIQUITY GREY offers a fast paced entertaining read with mysterious family secrets, charismatic characters, cool giant robots and DRAGONS!
I personally liked this one A LOT.
Setted on a distant planet being ruled by a tyranic empire, the respective rebellion must resist and fight to regain the authonomy of ther home using the long lost technology of a giant mechanical vessel that shares a deep conection with its pilot.
The group of heroes must start a journey through inclement deserts, giant tree forests and dark caves inhabited by dangerous creatures being guided by old recordings of their ancestors in order to find this ancient power that will help them defeat their oppressors.
Also references social issues like discriminiation, intolerance and culture clash with characters from different environments coming together for a bigger cause setting aside their differences; also featuring a slowburn enemies-to-friends (to hopefully lovers in the future) trope.
Very much entertainig and the writting style is so smooth anyone can read it.
Highly highly recommended!
"If the Imperium wants you, you are friends walking among my path."
Antiquity nodded. "And where does that path take you?"
"To freedom"
A space adventure perfect for fans of Star Wars and Pacific Rim!
THE TEMPERED STEEL OF ANTIQUITY GREY offers a fast paced entertaining read with mysterious family secrets, charismatic characters, cool giant robots and DRAGONS!
I personally liked this one A LOT.
Setted on a distant planet being ruled by a tyranic empire, the respective rebellion must resist and fight to regain the authonomy of ther home using the long lost technology of a giant mechanical vessel that shares a deep conection with its pilot.
The group of heroes must start a journey through inclement deserts, giant tree forests and dark caves inhabited by dangerous creatures being guided by old recordings of their ancestors in order to find this ancient power that will help them defeat their oppressors.
Also references social issues like discriminiation, intolerance and culture clash with characters from different environments coming together for a bigger cause setting aside their differences; also featuring a slowburn enemies-to-friends (to hopefully lovers in the future) trope.
Very much entertainig and the writting style is so smooth anyone can read it.
Highly highly recommended!
September 6, 2021
I thought this book had an interesting premise, combining both sci fi & fantasy elements. The mech that Antiquity discovers is a giant war robot, controlled from the inside by a human. She is sent on a quest by family (I won’t say more on that due to spoilers). She’s joined on the quest by her best friends, guardian robot, and her sworn enemy. This is one of the areas that lost me; her complete willingness to work with him was really odd. In addition to this the pacing was rather slow, and there’s a lot of very cryptic passages & memories & family secrets that get frustrating — just tell us already! An interesting side story was the Arabi peoples, a thinly veiled reference to the two main sects of Islam followers.
Thank you to NetGalley & Grim Oak Press for this advanced reader copy. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Thank you to NetGalley & Grim Oak Press for this advanced reader copy. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
January 12, 2024
I honestly thought I would enjoy this more than I did? But I felt weird with the author's characterizations of "persai" and "arabi" combined with the unreasonably adult tone and thought processes for what should be a 16-year-old girl (granted, who's been through and goes through a lot). I enjoyed the plot, but it didn't come together for me.
January 23, 2021
I’ve read the ARC. This is a fantastic new series by Shawn Speakman. I had to read slowly because I wanted to savor every word. I can’t wait to see what’s next!
September 4, 2022
A splendid new storyline Passion and fear and adventure fill this book to make it a compulsion to finish. Sad to wait for the sequel.
May 18, 2022
3.5/5
Really good book! Something about a lot of the dialogue felt a little off to me (not realistic maybe?), but the storyline is great, the world is interesting, and there are some cool characters.
Really good book! Something about a lot of the dialogue felt a little off to me (not realistic maybe?), but the storyline is great, the world is interesting, and there are some cool characters.
June 20, 2021
Received ARC in exchange for an honest review. Thanks to Netgalley & Grim Oak Press.
Antiquity finds a giant mechanical robot (mech) in the desert which starts her journey into rebelling against the Imperium. I liked the concept and has good components - there are giant mechanical robots, little bots, dragons, two enemies united, a dystopian society. However, it lacked character development, it felt that characters were introduced just for the sake of it, or just in passing and focused more on the travelling than the characters on that journey. The main character, Antiquity, is willful but most of the book was spent following Sadiya around who spoke in annoying riddles all the time. I liked the beginning and end where Antiquity was doing more of her own plan rather than just naively going along with what Sadiya tells her.
Antiquity finds a giant mechanical robot (mech) in the desert which starts her journey into rebelling against the Imperium. I liked the concept and has good components - there are giant mechanical robots, little bots, dragons, two enemies united, a dystopian society. However, it lacked character development, it felt that characters were introduced just for the sake of it, or just in passing and focused more on the travelling than the characters on that journey. The main character, Antiquity, is willful but most of the book was spent following Sadiya around who spoke in annoying riddles all the time. I liked the beginning and end where Antiquity was doing more of her own plan rather than just naively going along with what Sadiya tells her.
September 9, 2021
I picked this book because of its great title, The Tempered Steel of Antiquity Grey, and the wonderful cover. It’s the debut of its author, Shawn Speakman, and it starts a series of the same name.
In far future, the earth is nothing but a colony of the Imperium, people who have left the earth millennia ago and have become almost a different species called celestials. A century ago, a war between Erth, as its now called, and Imperium over natural resources ended with Erth losing.
The person held responsible for it is the great-grandmother of Antiquity Grey, a sixteen-year-old girl whose family have been ostracised as a consequence. One day, she stumbles on a truth about what took place during the war, and ends up bringing the wrath of Imperium on her and her three friends with whom she has to flee. Bent on revenge, she travels after clues left by her great-grandmother to find resources that would defeat the Imperium once and for all.
I wish I could say I enjoyed this book as much as I hoped I would, but I have several issues. First up, I think it was written by a mansplainer. Nothing else explains why characters regularly put words to other characters’ mouths, explaining their lives for them, persisting in this even after being told they’re wrong (along the lines of “In your culture women aren’t allowed to carry a sword.” “You know nothing about my culture.”). The dialogue in general was odd. Maybe it was meant to sound old-fashioned, but it came across as stilted.
I’m not sure either, why the author thought a teenager was a good protagonist for this story. Especially one who is wilful, annoying, and stupid, and remains so. She definitely doesn’t have the tempered steel the title promises. Manor (? I can’t remember his name) came across as even worse, considering that at eighteen he was deemed old enough to become a member of the leading council (all men, naturally, now that the pesky rule of women had been obliterated), yet he behaved like a child. The proposed marriage between the two was creepy and a full-on patriarchal assault, no matter the reasons given for it later.
The rest of the characters weren’t any better, but mostly they remained sketches, existing to serve the needs of the main character. It doesn’t give me much hope that the future of the Erth is in their hands. We’re spared of the YA staple of a romance, at least, though the seeds are there.
The plot read like an RPG, a quest from place to place to find clues. Not that the reader knew that that was the objective until at the climax when Antiquity suddenly puts together random facts she has noticed during her journey. There’s a lot of action, but it doesn’t really lead anywhere. However, unlike so often in YA, characters die too. I wish I could say that I cared, but it’s difficult to care for someone you know nothing about.
My biggest issue, however, is the handling of the other. First up, why does a far future earth still have cultures treated as the other, with the white ‘western’ culture as the norm? And why does a far future world that is so different from ours have a warmongering, zealous, religious sect called arabi? The author couldn’t come up with any other word for them? Persai as their more acceptable (inoffensive) counterpart wasn’t any better word when they only served as a way to emphasise how horrible the arabi were with their swords and beheadings, and when their otherness to the main character’s ‘normal’ (white) culture was constantly brought up.
That one of the characters was arabi didn’t help. The opposite. Like white colonists of the past, the main characters kept repeatedly judging her and her people to her face, refusing to accept her word about her culture. Moreover, these characters were constantly referred to as arabi and persai (in italics), as if that was the only thing that defined them; all the more pronounced because Antiquity and Manor(?), the white characters, were called by their names.
All in all, a disappointment. I didn’t care about the characters or the plot, the mechs weren’t as exciting as I’d hoped, and the promised dragons were a huge let-down. I don’t really see how Antiquity would be the person to lead the Erth to rebel against the Imperium. I don’t care to find out either.
I received a free copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
In far future, the earth is nothing but a colony of the Imperium, people who have left the earth millennia ago and have become almost a different species called celestials. A century ago, a war between Erth, as its now called, and Imperium over natural resources ended with Erth losing.
The person held responsible for it is the great-grandmother of Antiquity Grey, a sixteen-year-old girl whose family have been ostracised as a consequence. One day, she stumbles on a truth about what took place during the war, and ends up bringing the wrath of Imperium on her and her three friends with whom she has to flee. Bent on revenge, she travels after clues left by her great-grandmother to find resources that would defeat the Imperium once and for all.
I wish I could say I enjoyed this book as much as I hoped I would, but I have several issues. First up, I think it was written by a mansplainer. Nothing else explains why characters regularly put words to other characters’ mouths, explaining their lives for them, persisting in this even after being told they’re wrong (along the lines of “In your culture women aren’t allowed to carry a sword.” “You know nothing about my culture.”). The dialogue in general was odd. Maybe it was meant to sound old-fashioned, but it came across as stilted.
I’m not sure either, why the author thought a teenager was a good protagonist for this story. Especially one who is wilful, annoying, and stupid, and remains so. She definitely doesn’t have the tempered steel the title promises. Manor (? I can’t remember his name) came across as even worse, considering that at eighteen he was deemed old enough to become a member of the leading council (all men, naturally, now that the pesky rule of women had been obliterated), yet he behaved like a child. The proposed marriage between the two was creepy and a full-on patriarchal assault, no matter the reasons given for it later.
The rest of the characters weren’t any better, but mostly they remained sketches, existing to serve the needs of the main character. It doesn’t give me much hope that the future of the Erth is in their hands. We’re spared of the YA staple of a romance, at least, though the seeds are there.
The plot read like an RPG, a quest from place to place to find clues. Not that the reader knew that that was the objective until at the climax when Antiquity suddenly puts together random facts she has noticed during her journey. There’s a lot of action, but it doesn’t really lead anywhere. However, unlike so often in YA, characters die too. I wish I could say that I cared, but it’s difficult to care for someone you know nothing about.
My biggest issue, however, is the handling of the other. First up, why does a far future earth still have cultures treated as the other, with the white ‘western’ culture as the norm? And why does a far future world that is so different from ours have a warmongering, zealous, religious sect called arabi? The author couldn’t come up with any other word for them? Persai as their more acceptable (inoffensive) counterpart wasn’t any better word when they only served as a way to emphasise how horrible the arabi were with their swords and beheadings, and when their otherness to the main character’s ‘normal’ (white) culture was constantly brought up.
That one of the characters was arabi didn’t help. The opposite. Like white colonists of the past, the main characters kept repeatedly judging her and her people to her face, refusing to accept her word about her culture. Moreover, these characters were constantly referred to as arabi and persai (in italics), as if that was the only thing that defined them; all the more pronounced because Antiquity and Manor(?), the white characters, were called by their names.
All in all, a disappointment. I didn’t care about the characters or the plot, the mechs weren’t as exciting as I’d hoped, and the promised dragons were a huge let-down. I don’t really see how Antiquity would be the person to lead the Erth to rebel against the Imperium. I don’t care to find out either.
I received a free copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
February 8, 2021
I rarely read sci-fi, but the first snippet I saw Shawn post had me intrigued. The book didn’t disappoint.
It’s more character driven than about technology, with several awesome and relatable characters. Antiquity is a strong girl, but I must admit that Sadiya is my favorite. It’s so refreshing to see Arabic characters in a positive light.
As for the plot, it’s an enjoyable romp, rather like a cross between Pacific Rim and Shannara. Anything that feels predictable is more gratifying when it happens than disappointing.
While this is the first sci-fi novel I’ve read in a long time, it certainly isn’t going to be the last. Shawn’s writing has me excited for more installments in this world.
It’s more character driven than about technology, with several awesome and relatable characters. Antiquity is a strong girl, but I must admit that Sadiya is my favorite. It’s so refreshing to see Arabic characters in a positive light.
As for the plot, it’s an enjoyable romp, rather like a cross between Pacific Rim and Shannara. Anything that feels predictable is more gratifying when it happens than disappointing.
While this is the first sci-fi novel I’ve read in a long time, it certainly isn’t going to be the last. Shawn’s writing has me excited for more installments in this world.
January 25, 2021
I really enjoyed this book. A fast-paced fun sci-fi/fantasy adventure on a future Earth where a society from the stars has invaded and defeated humans. Enter Antiquity Grey, the great-granddaughter of the last leader of free earth, who makes a discovery that puts her on a path that may change the fate of her friends, family, home town and humanity itself. Did I mention giant robots and dragons? Oh yes. Can't wait to read more.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 105 reviews