Helpful Score: 2
Dark, dark book. Though this is a novella really, not a complete novel. And very *very* unlike Scalzi's other work.
"The God Engines" is a fantasy story about gods enslaving other gods and the mortals they derive their power from. And the gods? They're nasty creatures.
The story is well-written, and quickly paced. Characterizations (usually Scalzi's strong point) are shallow however, and the dialog is not as "smart" as usual. That's a consequence of the novella format more than anything else, I think, though the switch from sci-fi to fantasy might have something to do with it as well. In addition, the universe is definitely not-Earth, so it's a bit hard for the reader to identify with any one in the story.
Apparently, lots of other people think the novella is wonderful: it's been nominated for a 2010 Hugo and a 2009 Nebula.
For me: solid, but cold. 4 of 5 stars.
"The God Engines" is a fantasy story about gods enslaving other gods and the mortals they derive their power from. And the gods? They're nasty creatures.
The story is well-written, and quickly paced. Characterizations (usually Scalzi's strong point) are shallow however, and the dialog is not as "smart" as usual. That's a consequence of the novella format more than anything else, I think, though the switch from sci-fi to fantasy might have something to do with it as well. In addition, the universe is definitely not-Earth, so it's a bit hard for the reader to identify with any one in the story.
Apparently, lots of other people think the novella is wonderful: it's been nominated for a 2010 Hugo and a 2009 Nebula.
For me: solid, but cold. 4 of 5 stars.
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