David’s Reviews > Consider Phlebas > Status Update

Horza, although he does have his own legitimate reasons, is way too trusting in keeping Xorxale and Balveda alive and is also too cruel to Ulaha Closp which might also prove to be a liability. Not making sure that the seemingly dead Idiran was actually dead is also an issue. Ultimately looks like chaos incoming for the next chapter. The chapter dragged the tension a bit too long imo.

The mighty Dra’Azon and the Quiet Barrier. Why is Horza risking his life by keeping Balveda around? His intentions seem clearly explained but it’s a huge liability either way. Poor Horza, he’d been making plans for a future life and unbeknownst to him those plans were dashed even as he was first concocting them.

Action packed chapter and some trouble ahead for Horza.

Damage is quite the interesting albeit brutal, card game. I’m having a difficult time disliking either the Culture or the Iridans- there is no black and white here, except for when it is provided by Horza, just shades of grey.

Canibalistic and outright insane Lilliputians was a bit excessive. How does anybody imagine anything so grotesque? Horza murdering the Mind (they are sentient which makes what Horza did murder) was a bit cold and cruel but definitely necessary- great world building and an introduction to the rampant chaos in this far distant future I expect.