Same. if it wasn’t for Mike I would have been late to the party. I do love 2ToRambles convo and analysis about “Empire of silence” makes me want to do a fresh reread 😊
The book was already sold out by the time Daniel Greene did his review. It was Mike at Mike's Book Reviews that started it. The author even says as much in the dedication of his latest novella.
Austin reading the dramatic final paragraph of the book killed me had me in a fit of laughter 🤣 love this series and hope you guys continue with it cause its so epic
the linkIn park and dialogue bit was one of the funnier book tube moments. great prep work and comedy. Austin is a natural host. great awareness of the audience engagement and setting up interesting questions and moments
I think the Red Rising comparisons are affecting expectations... while there are similarities, they are very different stories. This is very much a book 1 of a larger story; keep reading it gets insane in story and scope. As for Hadrian's melodrama, he is frequently called out on that by other characters as the story progresses.
There’s surface similarities but at the end of the day Red Rising is like a good summer Blockbuster. Sun Eater is the 3 hour long drama film that nobody watched but one all the awards. Both will be remembered in different ways, but I think Sun Eater will be thought of as a modern classic in sci-fi epics by the time a few years pass after it’s conclusion. And I say that as a huge fan of both series.
@@Ghostlyape123 This is the best comparison I've seen so far... I really hate the comparison. "Summer blockbuster" vs "3 hour long drama film" is perfectly put haha
I heard - it's a deeply traumatic experience...I have NEVER had such an uncomfortable reading experience before and it maybe one of the best books I have ever read.... And then I realised it was my own voice
Ruocchio never read Red Rising before writing this. His biggest "inspiration" is probably Book of the New Sun, and he hadn't read that before finishing Empire of Silence. His editor was quite onerous in making him be more NOTW. But by Howling Dark, that sh*t gets thrown out. I like Red Rising, but... Sun Eater is on a whole different scale.
@@Avzigoyhbasilsikosperfect comparison.. I’m only half way through Red Rising and I don’t think they are that similar at all.. some themes maybe, but they are very different. Don’t really understand the comparison.. though I admit I’m up to date on all of Sun Eater and not finished with Red Rising.
Red Rising is kinda trash... I mean. It's like fried chicken. Tastes great. Keep eating it and you just end up at 3am with grease everywhere feeling like shit being like why did I do this to myself 😂
Currently making my way through Disquiet Gods right now. This series just gets better and better. I’m looking forward to hearing what you guys think of Book 2. Congrats on episode 100!
Empire of Silence was very good. I just finished book 3 and can say that books 2 and 3 are masterclass status. Incredible character work. Keep going Plz.
Stormlight and SunEater are 1a and 1b as far as my favorite series are concerned. The amount of times Name of the Wind was mentioned was disappointing because the similarities end after the first 1/3. Hope you guys change your tune a bit going into books 2 and 3 otherwise I enjoyed the discussion.
The similarities are it‘s about a legendary figure telling their story. It really ends there. So yea I agree was a little disappointed by the review it is what is though.
You guys are quickly becoming one of my favorite BookTube channels. Keep up the amazing work - you have been a major inspiration for me starting my own BookTube channel :)
Below an 8/10 is wild to me. I've yet to read Red Rising, and Sun Eater is one of the GOAT series for me. By end of book 2 you will agree it deserves GOAT status. Also I listen to it on audiobook, the narration really helps set the tone for Hadrian's voice. I think the voice in your head can really ruin a book for you.. especially because a lot of times that judgmental voice in your head interrupts the reading process and won't let you see the book for what it actually is.
I started it some time ago and just didn't have the energy to continue... I like how you guys motivate me to get back to projects :D (congrats on 100 episodes!)
After reading the first 3/4 of Empire of Silence I felt the same as Austin. I was extremely whelmed and it felt quite derivative to me; however, I felt it found its footing in the last quarter, AND Howling Dark is GREAT. Completely sets the world and story apart from other sci-fi I’ve read. So if you’re intrigued by the world, I would implore you to continue.
Had the same experience. I was quite underwhelmed by Empire of Silence. But I trusted that the story would deliver going forward. And oh man it did. Howling Dark is amazing. I'm gonna eat through this series now!
This is my favorite sci fi series. Each book gets better for Mr. I finished dregs of Empire a couple weeks ago and cannot wait to get my hands on disquiet gods in april.
Having read all the way to the penultimate book in this series (Disquiet Gods) and Red Rising (Lightbringer), Suneater is a far better series. Given all the hype Red Rising has received here, hope you guys will read rest of Suneater soon - I am betting that you will change your enthusiasm for this series!
Congrats on episode 100! The Linkin Park tie-in was amazing. I'm in a similar boat where I finished Empire of Silence and I'm intrigued as to where the story goes because everyone says it continues to get better. These discussions are great.
While the references to other books are prevalent throughout the series, they feel far more like a love letter in later installments and the series really comes into its own. Think of the first book a bit like Eye of the World, clearly derived from LOTR, but becomes soo much more.
You can’t really judge this book on its own. I agree with a rating of around 6 by it self, but this book does exactly what it supposed to in the context of the larger series. Also Hadrian is HIM !!!!!
His hardcovers have been out of print for a long time. DAW Publishing won’t reprint the hardcovers. He said if you send DAW a kind email asking them to print more.
I feel like I have to read Ruocchio's favorite series BOTNS another time before I get to this. Few books garner this level of praise and I don't want to rush. But I'm probably taking time for granted.
Empire of Silence was easily the best science fiction novel I've ever read. The following two books are just masterpieces, the novellas and short stories between them are also great. Christopher Ruocchio is easily my favorite author since I discovered Sanderson in 2010
Empire of Silence was really good, but it was not the sort of book the following two I've read are. Those are on another level of quality :)@@2ToRamble
I’m halfway through Empire of Silence and I like it so far. The writing is beautiful and smooth. Not sure why there’s a Red Rising comparison at all….but I’ll come back to this comment after I finish it. Edit: After finishing the book, I definitely enjoyed it a lot. The writing is great, the characters are very interesting, and the world building is great. Again…this story is nothing like Red Rising 😂. Sure there’s protagonist similarities, but you could slap those comparisons to many other stories.
I wish every first person retrospective wasn’t compared to Name of the Wind like Rothfuss invented it or was the only one that has ever done it 😅 great review though. Excited to see how much better you think Howling Dark is.
I think others have said it, but Ruocchio's first editor basically required things to be re-written to be like NoTW. In the sequels that's not a thing and stuff gets crazy. Also he learned to outline after book 1 so pacing and plot is better imo. Last thing I'll say is if you think you know where the story is going...you have no idea 😂
I got this book the day Daniel reviewed it and I finished the series by the time he put out the second review. I devoured these books so quickly and they’ve stuck in my head ever since. There’s so much to think about and my heart hurts for what Ruocchio put us through. If I could figure out a good tattoo idea this would be my definitely be my next inspo
I didn't love EoS. I thought that each plot point got less and less interesting(Gibson story at the start was very interesting but from Cat to Gladiator to Had as a teacher I thought the story was going downhil until the very end and then I was intrigued. I didn't love the series each to read book 1.5 (Crispin story) but I decided to see how book 2 is. And wow book 2 was incredible compared to book 1. So now im reading all the short stories and novellas before moving onto book 3.
🤣Y'all had me rolling on multiple occasions. I loved the Italian food rabbit trail and of course the Linkin Park dramatic readings. But y'all have to continue on! Howling Dark is weird and wonderful. I'm confident y'all will like it more.
I gave Lightbringer and Empire of Silence a 4.5/10, I think I'm just a big fan of inner turmoil lmao edit: I also read both via audiobook, which are fantastic. I think a big part of Hadrian's character was about absorbing other people's perceptions of him (and his perception of them) and attacking himself and others with those projections. He constantly quotes gibson and his father. It almost feels like all of the other characters are warped mirrors for Hadrian to reflect and judge back into, and as a reader we're kinda watching how he reacts to it all. It's a really strange perspective.
@@2ToRamble Yeah that's my mistake, I did mean 9.5. I also started Hyperion off of Richard's recommendation and it might be might be the best thing I've ever read, love the content 🤙
I never get attached to characters . I don't want to get attached . I don't "like" Hadrian but I don't feel like I am supposed to (not in this book at least) I hope he Gets more likeable but I'm not expecting to ever love him (or connect)- He's interesting enough and so far very well written . Also, there's nothing wrong with archetypes and there's no one RIGHT w ay to write characters and different things work for different people . I've never loved any sanderson characters actually
Hey guys! Yeah I wasn't super high on empire of silence especially cuz I went into this with the thought process that it was going to be The Name of the Wind but in space and in a way it kinda is but not really. Now I have since finished the sequel and Howling Dark is an easy 8 maybe 8.5 out of 10. Empire of Silence is basically a prologue book and Howling Dark is the real story
I just finished this two days ago . Really liked it . 4,5/5 stars for me . I read Red Rising last week (3/5). In my opinion this one is marginally better than Red Rising . I generally like more plot heavy books and don't care too much about characters but I don't know what it is about Eo S but it just worked for me
I agree with the trying to create tension. One of my peeves with the book is with how each chapter ends. It was giving “Dun-dun-dun” vibes and felt heavyhanded at times. It made me roll my eyes at least a couple of times.
Subway and Quiznos used to be my jam in university. Somewhere between 6-11 dollars to get me through a day. Stopped there not too long ago and it was like 10 dollars minimum. Bring back five dollar foot longs dammit.
Man I’m in the same boat. Just finished it and it feels so generic. I’m about 35% of the way through book 2 and while it’s got some good moments, I still just don’t get it. Maybe I’ll feel different once the book is over.
I love this series, I enjoyed, but wasn't fully invested in the first book, but Howling Dark blew my mind and now i cant get enough. Waiting for disquiet gods to hurry up and release!!
1. It’s a prequel. 2. It makes you think of books that are better than it. … Those are this books two core problems, and they are more interconnected than they seem. Ruocchio isn’t telling the story he wants to with this. He is setting up the conversation. This book should’ve been spread over books two and three as flash backs like stormlight, rather than be its own book. I just recently did a reread because I couldn’t tell why this book was so mid for me (2/5 stars). I have so much respect for the author and what he was trying to do. Buts it’s honestly a less than average book. I’m going to make a follow up video about it eventually. Great video! Love the channel.
Hey I mentioned this in ur tiktok live but this series was influenced insanely by book of the new sun, one of the greatest series ever. It is the most complex and well written story ever.
20:52 fighting words 😂😂😂 noodles and pasta are different broooo He has a point with the shapes 😂 but different shapes are interesting ❤❤ 44:18 - 48:19 THIS IS SO UNNECESSARILY FUNNY 😂😂😂😂😂 pls more of this jester, it pleases the crowd 😂😂
Please do Blood Song ! I've seen it in your background but I guess you might not have both read it ? Anyway it's compared to The Name of the Wind often and it's fantasy and really really good ! (Book 3 isn't but the first 2 are worth it !! And aparently book 4 and 5 are great too !) Anyway : I've just watch the spoiler free part because I haven't read this book yet, and I loved it ! Congrats on the 100th episode !
Thabkuou for watching!!! And I (austin) have yet to read but maybe ill have Rich pitch it to me like we did Dune and if that connects we’ll do a review 🤌
I liked the book and wanted to go on because I got curious. I read Howling dark, book 2, and got mindblowed by Christopher Ruocchio´s tale. Now I´m addicted to Sun eater and literally devour it. As an italian, I agree that Italy´s pasta skills are overrated, Italy is overrated overall due to really good marketing.
This was one of the books I could not bring myself to finish. I got about 30% of the way through before I had to put it down. I genuinely cannot read prose that is super flowery, and every chapter had some long philosophical moment that just seemed to be put in there to sound like Dune and takes me out of the story. When I analyze each sentence, I like the prose, but reading a full chapter was painful. Also the author has described how he wanted Hadrian to feel like Attack of the Clones Anakin and that explains why I hated him so much. I liked elements of it but it never came together.
I would have put the first book a 7.2 to 7.4 approximatively. It was good, not amazing for sure. But what people are saying about book 2 and 3 is encouraging. I did not agree about no emotionals moments, or maybe tension more than emotional. I find the moment with the emprisoned Cielsin really cool
I read it about a year and a half ago because of Mike’s book reviews recommendation, thought it was meh. Still haven’t read The Howling Dark. My biggest problem with this book was that it kept taking me out of the story with the constant voice injections from Hadrian. He keeps talking about the dying sun and stuff that happens in the future while telling the story of the past, I don’t want to hear that. In the name of the wind, the only mentions of stuff not in the past story was during the interludes, while in this book it’s constantly mentioned. This took me out of the story narrative and made it feel more like someone telling me a history, I’d prefer it to feel like a story progression narrative with present injections in some interludes or something.
@@2ToRamble I actually adore The Name of the Wind. One of my favorite books. The difference in narrative structure between Name of the Wind and Empire of Silence makes all the difference. In NotW, as mentioned above, it feels like a constant story told from a first person narrative. That’s fine, as the only time Kvothe isn’t talking about his story is in the interludes when he speaks with the chronicler, so this prevents me from being taken out of the story WHILE it’s being told. My problem with the narrative in Empire of Silence is that Hadrian mentions the sun thing and other things WHILE TELLING the story. So he could be in the middle of a recounted conversation and then go on a monologue about the dying sun directly after, then immediately continue the story as if that exit didn’t happen. Interludes would have worked much better here. The exits from the narrative took me out of the story here, while the Name of the Wind only had narrative exits during spaces set aside specifically for story exits.
Austin its kind of funny to judge this author's character writing by the principles that other authors use for their characters. Seems like an unfair standard lol. Also, I think there isn't really a "love" story in book 1 because its a one sided romance between the main characters, its not love at first sight like it was with Mustang and Darrow lol.
Fair! I was trying to express why the characters didnt “live off the page” in that sort of way and using some examples why it felt that way. Sanderson and ML Wang also write their characters very differently but each author creates amazing characters - I guess it was a way for me to think about why a character comes off as cliche vs unique and this was the best way i could break it down 🙏
2 points: 1. Better than Red Rising 🤣 2. You complain about how he gives a summary of what is coming and that it isn’t in this novel… I’m interested in what you think of Rothfuss’ same start to both his novels… Ruocchio will finish his series and we will see all of this happen 🤣🤣 I’m starting to doubt we will ever see Doors of Stone
Astonished that you rated this lower than Ref Rising. I enjoyed RR but this blew it out of the water for me. Hadrian is a much more complex and interesting character than Darrow. I went into the book knowing very little about it and was surprised by the places the story went.
I totally agree that the author went crazyyy with trying to up the stakes in unnecessary moments. The tensest moments came when he was trying to have sneaky conversations. Especially since it’s being told from the future you know he has plot armor for at least the first book.
Found this book very slow, and nothing really happened. Almost as tough the entire book was just there to set up the main characters backstory. Which could have been done in a few chapters. Hopefully book two is better.
I’m so glad yall are reading this series! Book 1 is definitely the weakest in my opinion. It goes from being just another good sifi book to rivaling Dune, Enders Game and Red Rising as the best sifi series ever. I can’t wait to get your thoughts on the rest of the series!
Funny Linkin Park bit.. no wonder I love this series because I loved Linkin Park as well lmao! Also, every book ends with the same line (except the last, I assume)
I'm putting milk before the cereal until you do the next WoT book. This book sounded interesting until it was likened to Name of the Wind. No book has every made me cringe so much
And props to Mike from Mike's Book Reviews for being the first to bring this to the surface, the new novella is dedicated to Mike
Oo thats awesome
Yeah that’s where I first saw the book and from what I remember he (and the author I believe) did not like the comparisons to name of the wind
Yeah, Mike got me into it.
Same. if it wasn’t for Mike I would have been late to the party. I do love 2ToRambles convo and analysis about “Empire of silence” makes me want to do a fresh reread 😊
Sorry for late reply but what is the novella called?
The book was already sold out by the time Daniel Greene did his review. It was Mike at Mike's Book Reviews that started it.
The author even says as much in the dedication of his latest novella.
Austin reading the dramatic final paragraph of the book killed me had me in a fit of laughter 🤣 love this series and hope you guys continue with it cause its so epic
the linkIn park and dialogue bit was one of the funnier book tube moments. great prep work and comedy. Austin is a natural host. great awareness of the audience engagement and setting up interesting questions and moments
Damn thanks so much!
I think the Red Rising comparisons are affecting expectations... while there are similarities, they are very different stories. This is very much a book 1 of a larger story; keep reading it gets insane in story and scope. As for Hadrian's melodrama, he is frequently called out on that by other characters as the story progresses.
There’s surface similarities but at the end of the day Red Rising is like a good summer Blockbuster. Sun Eater is the 3 hour long drama film that nobody watched but one all the awards. Both will be remembered in different ways, but I think Sun Eater will be thought of as a modern classic in sci-fi epics by the time a few years pass after it’s conclusion. And I say that as a huge fan of both series.
@@Ghostlyape123 This is the best comparison I've seen so far... I really hate the comparison. "Summer blockbuster" vs "3 hour long drama film" is perfectly put haha
Hadrian calls himself out for melodrama, almost embraces it really.
Yeah.. went straight to Suneater after finishing Lightbringer and I hated it. Going to go back to Suneater when I let my expectations die down.
@@Ghostlyape123 I need to read RR. or give it another go didn't work for me.
But so far loving this book
OMG AND CONGRATS ON 100 EPISODES!!!!
Thank you!!
The Italian disparagement mid-episode was outstanding.
You guys have to continue the series, it just gets better and holy shit Kingdoms of Death is an experience.
🤝
Kingdom of death was crazzyyy.
I’m about halfway through Demon in White..can’t wait for Kingdom!
I heard - it's a deeply traumatic experience...I have NEVER had such an uncomfortable reading experience before and it maybe one of the best books I have ever read.... And then I realised it was my own voice
Ruocchio never read Red Rising before writing this. His biggest "inspiration" is probably Book of the New Sun, and he hadn't read that before finishing Empire of Silence. His editor was quite onerous in making him be more NOTW. But by Howling Dark, that sh*t gets thrown out.
I like Red Rising, but... Sun Eater is on a whole different scale.
Comparing sun eater to red rising is like comparing HBOs Rome to 300
@@Avzigoyhbasilsikos I just watched the first season of that show, it was amazing.
@@Avzigoyhbasilsikosperfect comparison.. I’m only half way through Red Rising and I don’t think they are that similar at all.. some themes maybe, but they are very different. Don’t really understand the comparison.. though I admit I’m up to date on all of Sun Eater and not finished with Red Rising.
Red Rising is kinda trash... I mean. It's like fried chicken. Tastes great. Keep eating it and you just end up at 3am with grease everywhere feeling like shit being like why did I do this to myself 😂
If there is a Suneater video, I will be there, shouting Book of the New Sun in the comment section.
Currently making my way through Disquiet Gods right now. This series just gets better and better. I’m looking forward to hearing what you guys think of Book 2. Congrats on episode 100!
Thank you!!
Empire of Silence was very good. I just finished book 3 and can say that books 2 and 3 are masterclass status. Incredible character work. Keep going
Plz.
That is encouraging 👊
Keep going!!!
Stormlight and SunEater are 1a and 1b as far as my favorite series are concerned. The amount of times Name of the Wind was mentioned was disappointing because the similarities end after the first 1/3. Hope you guys change your tune a bit going into books 2 and 3 otherwise I enjoyed the discussion.
The similarities are it‘s about a legendary figure telling their story. It really ends there. So yea I agree was a little disappointed by the review it is what is though.
You guys are quickly becoming one of my favorite BookTube channels. Keep up the amazing work - you have been a major inspiration for me starting my own BookTube channel :)
Thanks a ton - this is so sick to hear!! Reach out about Booktube stuff anytime 🙏
@@2ToRamble you guys are the best 🥲
On behalf of everyone, We Love Yall !! Thanks for all the effort. It shows !!
Thanks so much 👊👊
Below an 8/10 is wild to me. I've yet to read Red Rising, and Sun Eater is one of the GOAT series for me. By end of book 2 you will agree it deserves GOAT status. Also I listen to it on audiobook, the narration really helps set the tone for Hadrian's voice. I think the voice in your head can really ruin a book for you.. especially because a lot of times that judgmental voice in your head interrupts the reading process and won't let you see the book for what it actually is.
We’re definitely reading book 2 - hope to join ya in excitement
I started it some time ago and just didn't have the energy to continue... I like how you guys motivate me to get back to projects :D (congrats on 100 episodes!)
Thank you!!
Cannot wait to hear your thought about the rest of the series!!
After reading the first 3/4 of Empire of Silence I felt the same as Austin. I was extremely whelmed and it felt quite derivative to me; however, I felt it found its footing in the last quarter, AND Howling Dark is GREAT. Completely sets the world and story apart from other sci-fi I’ve read. So if you’re intrigued by the world, I would implore you to continue.
This is what I hope amd expect to happen for me (austin) - glad to hear this!
Had the same experience.
I was quite underwhelmed by Empire of Silence.
But I trusted that the story would deliver going forward.
And oh man it did.
Howling Dark is amazing.
I'm gonna eat through this series now!
Believe me when I tell you this series gets exponentially better as it goes on. It’s incredibly mature sci fi.
It’s funny to listen to these characters critiques. Bc boy ol boy do you guys have some surprises ahead of you
This is my favorite sci fi series. Each book gets better for Mr. I finished dregs of Empire a couple weeks ago and cannot wait to get my hands on disquiet gods in april.
The algo brought me to you and I like you guys a lot. Good chemistry!
Thank you!!
Having read all the way to the penultimate book in this series (Disquiet Gods) and Red Rising (Lightbringer), Suneater is a far better series. Given all the hype Red Rising has received here, hope you guys will read rest of Suneater soon - I am betting that you will change your enthusiasm for this series!
Congrats on episode 100! The Linkin Park tie-in was amazing. I'm in a similar boat where I finished Empire of Silence and I'm intrigued as to where the story goes because everyone says it continues to get better. These discussions are great.
Thank you!!
One of my fav channels reviewing my favorite series of all time?? Heck yeah!
🙏🤝🤝
While the references to other books are prevalent throughout the series, they feel far more like a love letter in later installments and the series really comes into its own. Think of the first book a bit like Eye of the World, clearly derived from LOTR, but becomes soo much more.
You can’t really judge this book on its own. I agree with a rating of around 6 by it self, but this book does exactly what it supposed to in the context of the larger series. Also Hadrian is HIM !!!!!
Never clicked on sum so fast
Same 😂
His hardcovers have been out of print for a long time. DAW Publishing won’t reprint the hardcovers. He said if you send DAW a kind email asking them to print more.
New to the channel, really liking it, but man, you guys are tough! Love the detail and the complexity of your ratings!
Cheers thank you! Hopefully were not too curmuggeon, we’re known for that sometimes
@@2ToRambleI am a bit of a curmuggeon myself, so no worries. Looking forward to the next review/discussion!
I feel like I have to read Ruocchio's favorite series BOTNS another time before I get to this. Few books garner this level of praise and I don't want to rush. But I'm probably taking time for granted.
Empire of Silence was easily the best science fiction novel I've ever read. The following two books are just masterpieces, the novellas and short stories between them are also great. Christopher Ruocchio is easily my favorite author since I discovered Sanderson in 2010
Oh damn! Is Empire of Silence better than the other novels in the series to you?
Empire of Silence was really good, but it was not the sort of book the following two I've read are. Those are on another level of quality :)@@2ToRamble
Just keep Reading guys.. the series only gets better from here,the 2nd book will hook you forever.. the character's study is top notch
This is super soft scifi......really science fantasy by Christopher's own words.
Damn this book is everywhere now
Congrats guys on your 100th show!
Thank you!!
Just starting it now on audio book.
And early on i can tell this is layered and something special.
I’m halfway through Empire of Silence and I like it so far. The writing is beautiful and smooth. Not sure why there’s a Red Rising comparison at all….but I’ll come back to this comment after I finish it.
Edit: After finishing the book, I definitely enjoyed it a lot. The writing is great, the characters are very interesting, and the world building is great. Again…this story is nothing like Red Rising 😂. Sure there’s protagonist similarities, but you could slap those comparisons to many other stories.
Of course its not Red Rising. It's actually well written.
😭😂 richard would appreciate this comment
Watch it buddy
I wish every first person retrospective wasn’t compared to Name of the Wind like Rothfuss invented it or was the only one that has ever done it 😅 great review though. Excited to see how much better you think Howling Dark is.
We heard Howling Dark is a giant step up from here!
I think others have said it, but Ruocchio's first editor basically required things to be re-written to be like NoTW. In the sequels that's not a thing and stuff gets crazy. Also he learned to outline after book 1 so pacing and plot is better imo. Last thing I'll say is if you think you know where the story is going...you have no idea 😂
We’re stoked based on all these comments. Seems we’re in for a ride
I got this book the day Daniel reviewed it and I finished the series by the time he put out the second review. I devoured these books so quickly and they’ve stuck in my head ever since. There’s so much to think about and my heart hurts for what Ruocchio put us through. If I could figure out a good tattoo idea this would be my definitely be my next inspo
But I will add the caveat that Name of the Wind is one of my favorite series so…..😂
@@muazabdul-aziz8258 pathetic
I didn't love EoS. I thought that each plot point got less and less interesting(Gibson story at the start was very interesting but from Cat to Gladiator to Had as a teacher I thought the story was going downhil until the very end and then I was intrigued. I didn't love the series each to read book 1.5 (Crispin story) but I decided to see how book 2 is. And wow book 2 was incredible compared to book 1. So now im reading all the short stories and novellas before moving onto book 3.
Same here
Richard and I heard it gets so much better from here - glad youre confirming this!
🤣Y'all had me rolling on multiple occasions. I loved the Italian food rabbit trail and of course the Linkin Park dramatic readings.
But y'all have to continue on! Howling Dark is weird and wonderful. I'm confident y'all will like it more.
🤝
Honestly the connection to the way Ruocchio ends chapters to Linkin Park is an absolute win for me hahaha
😂😂 hell yea
Considering my love for Name of the Wind, that comment alone sold me on checking this one out. I’d enjoy seeing Richard give it a try again!
I gave Lightbringer and Empire of Silence a 4.5/10, I think I'm just a big fan of inner turmoil lmao
edit: I also read both via audiobook, which are fantastic.
I think a big part of Hadrian's character was about absorbing other people's perceptions of him (and his perception of them) and attacking himself and others with those projections. He constantly quotes gibson and his father. It almost feels like all of the other characters are warped mirrors for Hadrian to reflect and judge back into, and as a reader we're kinda watching how he reacts to it all. It's a really strange perspective.
That makes sense why youd like these! (Also assuming you meant 4.5/5) those are solid scores
@@2ToRamble Yeah that's my mistake, I did mean 9.5. I also started Hyperion off of Richard's recommendation and it might be might be the best thing I've ever read, love the content 🤙
thanks so much! rich appreciates that!@@qwuzzy
5:50 It’s because red rising isn’t very good at all lol. Looking forward checking this one out.
😳
I hated Neuromancer, but Hyperion is my favorite sci fi book and I loved Empire of Silence. Neuromancer is an entirely different kind of book.
Just finished the book! I liked it a lot. The world and setup for the future is what has me most excited. I also loved Switch and the doctor.
I never get attached to characters . I don't want to get attached . I don't "like" Hadrian but I don't feel like I am supposed to (not in this book at least) I hope he Gets more likeable but I'm not expecting to ever love him (or connect)- He's interesting enough and so far very well written .
Also, there's nothing wrong with archetypes and there's no one RIGHT w ay to write characters and different things work for different people . I've never loved any sanderson characters actually
Good thoughts!
Hey guys! Yeah I wasn't super high on empire of silence especially cuz I went into this with the thought process that it was going to be The Name of the Wind but in space and in a way it kinda is but not really. Now I have since finished the sequel and Howling Dark is an easy 8 maybe 8.5 out of 10. Empire of Silence is basically a prologue book and Howling Dark is the real story
Have to listen to Austin praise a book I hated and underrate a book I thought was very good, in the same week.
This is the way
I just finished this two days ago . Really liked it . 4,5/5 stars for me . I read Red Rising last week (3/5). In my opinion this one is marginally better than Red Rising . I generally like more plot heavy books and don't care too much about characters but I don't know what it is about Eo S but it just worked for me
Fair!
I agree with the trying to create tension. One of my peeves with the book is with how each chapter ends. It was giving “Dun-dun-dun” vibes and felt heavyhanded at times. It made me roll my eyes at least a couple of times.
Oh yea definitely felt the same
Subway and Quiznos used to be my jam in university. Somewhere between 6-11 dollars to get me through a day. Stopped there not too long ago and it was like 10 dollars minimum. Bring back five dollar foot longs dammit.
Preach
Man I’m in the same boat. Just finished it and it feels so generic. I’m about 35% of the way through book 2 and while it’s got some good moments, I still just don’t get it. Maybe I’ll feel different once the book is over.
I love this series, I enjoyed, but wasn't fully invested in the first book, but Howling Dark blew my mind and now i cant get enough. Waiting for disquiet gods to hurry up and release!!
1. It’s a prequel.
2. It makes you think of books that are better than it.
…
Those are this books two core problems, and they are more interconnected than they seem. Ruocchio isn’t telling the story he wants to with this. He is setting up the conversation. This book should’ve been spread over books two and three as flash backs like stormlight, rather than be its own book.
I just recently did a reread because I couldn’t tell why this book was so mid for me (2/5 stars). I have so much respect for the author and what he was trying to do. Buts it’s honestly a less than average book. I’m going to make a follow up video about it eventually.
Great video! Love the channel.
Thanks a bunch - we are going to continue with the series, I (austin) would also give it a 2/5 - curious to see if book 2 gets me
Hey I mentioned this in ur tiktok live but this series was influenced insanely by book of the new sun, one of the greatest series ever. It is the most complex and well written story ever.
I really hope you guys read the following books. 4 of the next 5 novels are 9/10 at least. Empire is a good book but those are truly genre defining.
20:52 fighting words 😂😂😂 noodles and pasta are different broooo
He has a point with the shapes 😂 but different shapes are interesting ❤❤
44:18 - 48:19 THIS IS SO UNNECESSARILY FUNNY 😂😂😂😂😂 pls more of this jester, it pleases the crowd 😂😂
The Linkin Part cameo may be the best podcast clip of all time.
Ahhh 🙏
Yep, the Red rising it is not. I am hopeful and will keep going but it’s a very slow burn….
Please do Blood Song ! I've seen it in your background but I guess you might not have both read it ? Anyway it's compared to The Name of the Wind often and it's fantasy and really really good ! (Book 3 isn't but the first 2 are worth it !! And aparently book 4 and 5 are great too !)
Anyway : I've just watch the spoiler free part because I haven't read this book yet, and I loved it ! Congrats on the 100th episode !
Thabkuou for watching!!! And I (austin) have yet to read but maybe ill have Rich pitch it to me like we did Dune and if that connects we’ll do a review 🤌
@@2ToRamble That would be great ! 😍
Just bought a signed first edition for a good deal!
I get loads of Dune vibes from the dialogue, there are several sayings in it that seem to be from Dune.
Not to mention the overall worldbuilding.
I liked the book and wanted to go on because I got curious.
I read Howling dark, book 2, and got mindblowed by Christopher Ruocchio´s tale. Now I´m addicted to Sun eater and literally devour it.
As an italian, I agree that Italy´s pasta skills are overrated, Italy is overrated overall due to really good marketing.
You had me until the Italian slander. Marone!
I kinda love how throughout the book he keeps reminding us that he knows/knew how melodramatic he is.
This was one of the books I could not bring myself to finish. I got about 30% of the way through before I had to put it down. I genuinely cannot read prose that is super flowery, and every chapter had some long philosophical moment that just seemed to be put in there to sound like Dune and takes me out of the story. When I analyze each sentence, I like the prose, but reading a full chapter was painful. Also the author has described how he wanted Hadrian to feel like Attack of the Clones Anakin and that explains why I hated him so much. I liked elements of it but it never came together.
Oh shoot didnt know that about the attack of the clons part - kinda see it now
Idk why the Lincoln park bit had me laughing so hard 🤣
I would have put the first book a 7.2 to 7.4 approximatively.
It was good, not amazing for sure. But what people are saying about book 2 and 3 is encouraging.
I did not agree about no emotionals moments, or maybe tension more than emotional.
I find the moment with the emprisoned Cielsin really cool
I read it about a year and a half ago because of Mike’s book reviews recommendation, thought it was meh. Still haven’t read The Howling Dark. My biggest problem with this book was that it kept taking me out of the story with the constant voice injections from Hadrian. He keeps talking about the dying sun and stuff that happens in the future while telling the story of the past, I don’t want to hear that. In the name of the wind, the only mentions of stuff not in the past story was during the interludes, while in this book it’s constantly mentioned. This took me out of the story narrative and made it feel more like someone telling me a history, I’d prefer it to feel like a story progression narrative with present injections in some interludes or something.
Ah yea this and Name of the Wind storytelling definitely wont scratch that itch, I see your point why you wouldnt like them
@@2ToRamble I actually adore The Name of the Wind. One of my favorite books. The difference in narrative structure between Name of the Wind and Empire of Silence makes all the difference. In NotW, as mentioned above, it feels like a constant story told from a first person narrative. That’s fine, as the only time Kvothe isn’t talking about his story is in the interludes when he speaks with the chronicler, so this prevents me from being taken out of the story WHILE it’s being told. My problem with the narrative in Empire of Silence is that Hadrian mentions the sun thing and other things WHILE TELLING the story. So he could be in the middle of a recounted conversation and then go on a monologue about the dying sun directly after, then immediately continue the story as if that exit didn’t happen. Interludes would have worked much better here. The exits from the narrative took me out of the story here, while the Name of the Wind only had narrative exits during spaces set aside specifically for story exits.
Ahh I see! Sorry, misread you the first time@@s.p.8508
@@2ToRamble no problem! I’ll probably end up reading the next ones eventually…. Just not right now.
Currently rereading Dune and A Desolation Called Peace so of course I bought this book to add to my back log lol
Austin its kind of funny to judge this author's character writing by the principles that other authors use for their characters. Seems like an unfair standard lol. Also, I think there isn't really a "love" story in book 1 because its a one sided romance between the main characters, its not love at first sight like it was with Mustang and Darrow lol.
Fair! I was trying to express why the characters didnt “live off the page” in that sort of way and using some examples why it felt that way. Sanderson and ML Wang also write their characters very differently but each author creates amazing characters - I guess it was a way for me to think about why a character comes off as cliche vs unique and this was the best way i could break it down 🙏
will there be first law spoiler review's ? Great video btw 👍
Absolutely will be - just dont know exactly when quite yet!
I’ve been waiting for a copy from Libby for a while now and it’s not coming anytime soon so I’m here for the pasta talk 😂
😂
hey guys, would you please introduce more what is the book about in the non spoiler section like you did with Hyperion? Thanks
We’ll attempt to give more info without spoiling!
@@2ToRamble you're the best! Btw I like that you are on Spotify too, it is really convenient for lot of us I believe
@@Kozlik00 Appreciate that a bunch -- let us know how else we can improve!
2 points:
1. Better than Red Rising 🤣
2. You complain about how he gives a summary of what is coming and that it isn’t in this novel… I’m interested in what you think of Rothfuss’ same start to both his novels… Ruocchio will finish his series and we will see all of this happen 🤣🤣 I’m starting to doubt we will ever see Doors of Stone
Your first point is blasphemy 😂. I look forward to reading Name of the Wind to see!
@@2ToRamble The truth hurts 🤣 Don’t waste your time on TNotW 😉 If Doors of Stone are ever finished that’s when to pick it up
Welcome to the cult. It only gets better from here. It gets WEIRD
🤝
Astonished that you rated this lower than Ref Rising. I enjoyed RR but this blew it out of the water for me. Hadrian is a much more complex and interesting character than Darrow. I went into the book knowing very little about it and was surprised by the places the story went.
Fair!
I remember after seeing Greenes video and I tried to order it but it was sold out
It’s kind’ve amazing the effect of TH-cam 😂
I totally agree that the author went crazyyy with trying to up the stakes in unnecessary moments. The tensest moments came when he was trying to have sneaky conversations. Especially since it’s being told from the future you know he has plot armor for at least the first book.
Oh yea we are in total agreement (austin)
Just wondering when you guys r gonna get back to WOT?
It’s on pause but not in the trash can yet - it’s taking some time very sorry
Found this book very slow, and nothing really happened. Almost as tough the entire book was just there to set up the main characters backstory. Which could have been done in a few chapters. Hopefully book two is better.
mikes books reviews started all the hype with these books just saying, love daniel though too
ah yes, a very tormented and unlucky character to start the day. it's a good day.
😁
You guys are in for a wild ride...
Yes! as long as i stay one book ahead im safe!
🥂
To be fair - DAW did not do many hardcover books- pre-Daniel Green Empire of Silence HC was running over $100.
Still waiting for book 2 review.
Guys!!! You need to finish The Traitor by Anthony Ryan
Book 1 is very good. But that’s pretty much the low point. 2 and 3 are fantastic and 4 is very memorable and will stick with you.
Ok I laughed out loud VERY hard at the Linkin Park section 😂😂
Got 60 % through the book but lost interest during the teacher plot... might give it a shot later in the year again
I’m so glad yall are reading this series! Book 1 is definitely the weakest in my opinion. It goes from being just another good sifi book to rivaling Dune, Enders Game and Red Rising as the best sifi series ever. I can’t wait to get your thoughts on the rest of the series!
Funny Linkin Park bit.. no wonder I love this series because I loved Linkin Park as well lmao! Also, every book ends with the same line (except the last, I assume)
Lol that’s awesome
I'm putting milk before the cereal until you do the next WoT book.
This book sounded interesting until it was likened to Name of the Wind. No book has every made me cringe so much
This threat you make…it might work
Red Rising, but good😉
Hey now 😂😂
Yes, the answer is yes
🤌