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

Hadrian’s curiosity is really what’s leading the story forward and I love that as the reader, I learn the same information alongside the protagonist. This is the same reason I found Project Hail Mary so charming. The mystique is maintained to keep intrigue.

I love that he keeps ragebaiting Gillian and all further context about the Chantry and established history has been very interesting to learn about

Hadrian is so charming and his aristocratic air gives him an advantage over how he wields the dynamics with people. He uses being multilingual to prove himself more to those who doubt his worth, he is persuasive and charming. His time as a tutor and without the action isn’t boring or less entertaining from the pits.

Halfway into the book and Hadrian finds himself among the lords again but the script is flipped and he is an employee of powerful lords. I find it interesting because he has to abruptly adjust to accumulate but also leaving no longer becomes an option.

I wonder how this would change. I couldn’t even try to predict how the story would go. It’s amazing how much has already happened plot-wise for the protagonist!

The gladiator arc is really fascinating because this shows Hadrian’s capability of leadership better than having to do his father’s errands. I loved how encouraging he is, how strategic and cunning.

Although I can say that the fighting scenes could be written better. I guess coming from John Gwynne’s fight scenes is being biased but I just want better specifics.

Now in his gladiator arc, it’s so refreshing to see how the story isn’t confined in one setting. Hadrian goes through arches that surely shapes so much of his character and it has been very interesting so far. I love how it could go from royalty to depravity to this in 200 pages! And there’s so much more this book could offer.

Now in his gladiator arc, it’s so refreshing to see how the story isn’t confined in one setting. Hadrian goes through arches that surely shapes so much of his character and it has been very interesting so far. I love how it could go from royalty to depravity to this in 200 pages! And there’s so much more this book could offer.