SciFi and Fantasy Book Club discussion

A few questions to get us started:


1. What did you think of the world?
2. What did you think of the characters?
3. What worked or didn't for you?
4. Overall thoughts?

Non-spoiler thread here: First impressions

I read this book earlier this year and found it to be very compelling.

Novel, good world building
The character Vis is quite interesting and is placed in challenging circumstances.

Overall, I found it worthwhile and thought provoking

Loved the world. Still very curious about the finer points of how Will is ceded and properly yielded. It's a very fun fantasy element, but it doesn't feel like I completely grasp it after book 1.

Loved the characters. At times it felt like Vis was TOO good at everything. For a story built on a foundation of lack of trust, I'm not entirely sure who the main antagonist is at this point, which is fun because that position feels like it could also be clarified in book 2.

Overall; this is the first time I have ever wanted to preorder a book. Looking forward to the next one!

Finished yesterday. My brain says it's great, but for some weird reason my heart is not as much into it.

I appreciate the worldbuilding, character development and plot twists - all masterfully written. I'm very much intrigued both by the world politics woven throughout the book and (even more) by the mindblowing revelation in the end. I was at first confused by the repetitions of the scene inside the Labirynth, but then it hit me and gods damn I want to know more.

I agree with PJ that Vis was kind of too good to be true. Even when he failed or had to struggle, it still felt like he was better that anyone else around. The Golden Boy. There were no true drawbacks or fails of his own that he ever needed to overcome. All his plans were successful, always saved at the last moment, always managed to pull by a thread and a lucky chance. All his failings were due to other people - Veridius (who set him up the first day), Dultatis (who kept him in class six)... hmmm, can't even think of other drawbacks...

I agree that Vis is too good to be true. Reminds me of Ender Wiggin of Ender's Game. He's young, super smart, takes on the bullies and finds himself pushed to the limit in a high-pressure academy where you either do or you die. Loved it and can't wait for the sequel!

Nice picking for November y'all.

sorry
all I see is Rinse Wash Repeat
and you'd understand if you've read his Licanius Trilogy which I endjoyed very much
here is my full review
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I loved this! I agree about Vis being a little too perfect, which is maybe what held it back from being a perfect read for me in the end. I am curious to see if he will remain like this through out the series or if he’ll change.

But I really enjoyed everything else. I thought the world building and magic system were really unique. I did get a sense of a vast empire. I think the intrigue is high. There’s no cover yet but I am keeping my fingers cross for the May 2025 release date for book 2.

Counterpoint: Not all tropes are bad. Tropes become tropes because they have a message that resonates with a time and place.

I think Vis's challenge is different than the other big dystopian heroines/heroes in that I can see myself running a maze of this nature. The challenge is a matter of multi-tasking and problem solving, not the standard survival of the fittest. It requires some physical fitness, but of a super-human variety, and Vis doesn't have a preordained destiny.

My biggest issues is a plot point over-shadowed by the epilogue ending. He spent the whole book vowing (view spoiler)[to never give or wield will (hide spoiler)] and then he casually (view spoiler)[agrees to do it (hide spoiler)]! I was disappointed at how easily he (view spoiler)[crossed his own read line (hide spoiler)]. That being said. I am highly likely to read the next book in this series.

I think it's a good book... but...
After 600-plus pages, I want more than the setup phase and a cliffhanger ending. It was heavy on action and adventure (fun!), but the world building just kept simmering when I wanted it to flame up - get to the end, please - tear this motha down!