Perps 2013 Chronicles Reading List - The Reviews

[Perpetual Man]

And here is the review:

Before I go into the review of this book something has to be said: when choosing a book to read, only an idiot would pick up a later book in a series without having read the earlier ones first. Guess what that makes me?

Keeping the above in mind I think one of the problems that I had with the early part of this novel is the torrent of information I had to absorb. Saying that Asher’s universe is big, does not do it justice it is a masterwork of the imagination - but having to try and come to terms of it was hard going.

This is where not starting at the beginning has an effect. Had I read the first book I am sure everything there would have been a competent lead in to a very well thought out and advanced universe and I would have been able to sail through the books easily. Instead I was thrown in the deep world and had to doggy-paddle as I tried to catch up. Once I had done so though I found myself enjoying the book immensely. Asher has created a universe that is rich in detail and technology that twists the mind with it’s concepts and pure invention. A society ruled my Artificial Intelligences that have as much personality as the humans around them. Humans, if they can be called that, who have the chance to live forever, able to move between bodies, cloned or artificially created things called Golems.

The novel is the home of many characters, but at it’s core there are two characters, Ian Cormac and the titular Brass Man, Mr. Crane. Of course there are others, from some of the incredible AI controlled space ships, characters in their own right Jack Ketch and Jerusalem being two that spring to mind, various living or formally living or artificially living members of the Polity; and I suppose the true villain of the piece Skellor a human now enmeshed with an ancient alien technology.

Crane is fascinating a near unstoppable killing machine apparently made of brass (it’s just his skin really), and unique agent Cormac, someone who appears to be growing into something a lot more than a simple human. The metallic Golem is something that has had his mind broken, turning him into a near unstoppable killing machine. But there is a slim chance that he may be made whole. Again most of the characters have come from earlier books, and perhaps joining the story here diminishes the whole experience.

As a whole the book is a magnificent read, I just wish I had started at the beginning of the series....

 

[Perpetual Man]

And there it is. A bit behind schedule but I have finished the initial challenge I set myself and read one book by each author who has or is a member of the Chrons. That includes self-published and traditionally published writers.

As a whole I am pleased to say it has been a very rewarding experience. I enjoyed almost all of what I read with only one book giving me any amount of trouble.

Perhaps, obviously some of the self published works were more prone to small errors - spellings a slight mis-format here and there, but there was nothing that distracted from the over all pleasure I received from reading these novels.

In many ways it is kind of sad that I have come to the end. I will now be moving back to my normal, swollen book pile and wondering if I will ever finish it, but I will be adding some more books to it, by various authors here on the Chrons who made me want to read more. (Damn you all!!! )

 

[Ursa major]

Now I'm not interrupting your flow, I must say that it's unfortunate that you started that Asher series with Brass Man. But having said that, there are things in the earlier books that can be confusing. The joy of the series is that, by the end, it all comes, and fits, together.

 

[Perpetual Man]

A few final comments, those books that surprised me or really stood out.

Francis Knight's (Kissmequick) Fade to Black was something that I found very different, but really appealing.

E J Tett (Mouse) Malinas series was an enjoyable read, not least of which was seeing how she has grown since her earlier book in the series.

Stephen Palmer's Urbis Morpheos - unlike anything I have ever read, something that twist the imagination in on itself and back again.

The King of Thorns by Mark Lawrence someone who could easily become a favourite author. If his first novel was the one that caught my attention this is the one that held it.

Simon and the Wardrobe of Destiny by Ellis Jackson - although fun, it was the brave idea he talks about his introduction that made me think.

I could go on for all the books, but for now I'll stop....

 

[Perpetual Man]

Now I'm not interrupting your flow, I must say that it's unfortunate that you started that Asher series with Brass Man. But having said that, there are things in the earlier books that can be confusing. The joy of the series is that, by the end, it all comes, and fits, together.

Thanks Ursa, that makes me look forwards to reading some more, which leads me to:

 

[Perpetual Man]

Who will be joining the to read pile at some point:

As he mentioned it at the top of the page, Stephen Palmer, E J Tett, Madelaine Howard (That's Teresa Edgerton), Neal Asher (back to the beginning methinks), Thaddeus White (I already have one to read so...), Anne Lyle, Mark Lawrence, Joe Abercrombie, Ian Whates, Steven Poore, Francis Knight and Toby Frost.

 

[Perpetual Man]

Phew so is this thread redundant now? Well as I savage my pile that waits hidden in the recesses of my room (or try to) I've decided read ten books at a time. There will be certain things added to it - there will be one of small press publisher Spectral Press publication, one graphic novel and bowing to pressure from a Mr I. Fyre, his wife and my own Harry Potter will be joining the list. But I will also include at least one book by Chrons authors, and those I shall review here.

And I guess that's that.

 

[Ice fyre]

Told you we'd get you!