I often find myself desperately in search of a follow-up book, especially after finishing an author's literary gem. Recently, I endured this frantic, nervous breakdown after completing the glory (glory, Hallelujah) that is Nick Harkaway’s The Gone Away World. That book was so damn good it even made my top ten list that I recently posted here on the beloved Steemit.
However, as every true junkie knows, after the first (reading) high, you just can't seem to attain that super-euphoria ever again. (I promise I don’t use crack - though the wife often questions my sanity, and naturally, defaults to asking if I am using drugs). This dilemma was exemplified perfectly by Harkaway’s *Angelmaker”.
Another lengthy read at 482 pages (doesn’t sound like much until you read Harkaway’s prose), this book has no problem taking its time while developing a universe you can really dive into. However, its a double-edged sword in ’Maker, as I often found myself checking the corner of my Kindle and crying out in pure disbelief: “I’m only 17% in?!”
Thus, there are definitely moments in the book when you wonder when in the holy sweet honey of a mechanical bee (literary allusion) is something actually going to happen. Nonetheless, now that I have disclaimed my gripes, let me bring this review of Angelmaker full circle.
Whereas the story requires a commitment from the reader, you will be repaid plentifully in well-developed characters who range from endearing to sexy to downright absa-tootley hilarious (a staple attribute in most Harkaway characters). Additionally, while I went limping into the last 25% of the book convinced it was going to receive the dreaded 3 Stars of lukewarm approval on my Goodreads profile, the ending totally saved it. From watching our main character, Joe, get his balls back, to seeing an ultimate showdown with one bad, bad villain, Angelmaker finished off like a red bow on top of a Christmas gift (whose box is the perfect size and shape of that Nintendo 64 you were begging Mom and Dad for).
So overall, yes, at times ‘Maker was a slog, but insert the “those who wait” cliche here and you’ll understand when I say that the ending was truly worth the ride.
Bottom Line: Not The Gone Away World by a long shot, but still plenty good enough to recommend and enjoy: 4 out of 5 Stars!
For a fine cup of coffee to accompany you on the couch while reading Angelmaker, check out my other post here:
https://steemit.com/coffee/@artibeus/artibeus-s-cuppa-joe-review-best-coffee-for-home-brewing
Keep on Steem’n!
Holy sweet honey of a mechanical bee. Great book review. I am so far behind on my books. I recently bought the massive tome IQ84 on recommendation by naquoya. I don't know when I'll find time to read it.
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Thanks @coldsteem! I hear ya, so many books, so little time. Grab a kindle and read from that wonderfully backlit screen in bed!
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I think I've had a similar experience. I finished Daniel Abraham's brilliant Long Price Quartet and now I seem to be trying to read everything he's ever written - I have read the first and have the remaining four books on hold of The Dagger and the Coin and I'm presently reading the second book of The Expanse, his collab with Ty Franck under the pen name James S.A. Corey. (And I have his short story collection Leviathan Wept also on hold at the library.)
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Oh you totally know my pain @terry93d! I am going to look into LPQ with your recommendation. And I did the same relentless reading through David Foster Wallace's books. There were plenty of good ones but I am still recovering from the lackluster insanity that was The Broom of the System. I suppose even the best authors don't hit a home run everytime!
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LPQ is a fantastic epic fantasy series, especially if you want something different. Just be warned, it's "slower" than most other fantasy series. Not in the sense that it drags but in the sense that there isn't much action, that it's paced more deliberately. I want to tell you more about it, but you strike me as someone who doesn't want spoilers, so I'll refrain.
I've not read any of DFW (weird typing that, I lived in Texas for a decade so DFW means "Dallas/Fort Worth" to me...) but I do have Infinite Jest on my reading list - in part thanks to your recommendation.
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Consider LPQ officially on my reading list! I have no problem with the slow-burn novels, as long as they develop the hell outta their characters.
And let me know when you read Infinite Jest. Man that book is so good - challenging, but so damn good!
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Develop the hell outta their characters, you say?
If Brandon Sanderson's thing is worldbuilding, Daniel Abraham's is characterization. The first book of LPQ is a little weaker than the remaining three - understandably since it's his first published novel - but I guarantee you that by the end you will not be disappointed.
Also, will do! I'll put it on hold at the library when I'm finished with The Dagger and the Coin.
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Lol we have an agreement of books-to-read! I am in!
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