Ivy G.’s Reviews > Empire of Silence > Status Update

Reading about the torture against the Cielcin is excruciating. Because the depiction of it is accurate in reality already. Humans tortured that way and worse, I felt like Hadrian who had to sit back and be complacent to it. Powerless to stop it.

It’s given more to the intrigue though with answers to the mystique of the universe of this series and I am so intrigued!

The Chantry’s arrogance is really getting to me. But at the very least, the Cielcin is uncovering humanity’s arrogance over having the birthright to conquer and lead the stars. Even in fiction, I’ve had enough of humans. Even in space, they ruin everything.

There’s so much intrigue behind the Cielcin species and the fact that Hadrian actually got to uncover more details about them. Talking to them like this humanized them better than the Chantry ever could be, which is interesting. Because it’s promising to see more uncovered with the sequels.

I can’t help but feel bad for Hadrian. He can’t catch a break. On one hand, the ruins is playing at his face and Valka wouldn’t believe him. On the other, it’s difficult to get his bearings for him being viewed as an object to Anais. Even I can’t get past it.

There’s personal drama involved on top of the mysterious ruins and the Cielcin attack!

What a reveal! All this time Alistair has been aware and Hadrian is only wanted for his genes for the count’s daughter! Once again, it’s a really excellent choice by the author to pass information to the reader in accordance to the protagonist. I guess this happens since I’m only following one POV, but still. It’s so well done!

The duel between Hadrian and Gillian is amazing. I liked that the crippled priest was underestimated, at the same time, Hadrian was being very cautious from killing him. I wonder how far he’ll come from being a pacifist to earning the supposed title of a genocidal warrior.