Idgie Says:I waited anxiously for this book to come out after I finished the first - nearly 700 page - novel in this series. As I state in my review of that book, (link at bottom of this post) this is an extensively character driven book. Every single name in this book has detailed and in-depth characterizations built into them, so that even the robots - bad and good - are interesting. Everyone has a back story, quirks and distinct qualities.
This novel tops out nearer to 600 pages and begins by presenting a run-down of the first book as the beginning chapter. It was incredibly helpful as it's been a year since I read the first one.
A great saga of a sci-fi story, chapters going back and forth between the characters - all with their own sub-story. All the chapters culminate into the story of the universe itself and what threat is trying to snuff every living creature out of existence.
By the middle of the book the action and suspense are really building and you already start to wonder where you will be left hanging in anticipation and suspense as you remember there's one more book to go.
Good news on the third book - if you follow Kevin J. Anderson on FB, he is working hard on it now and throws out little lines and what I hope is the final cover to the reader every few days.
I highly recommend to the lover of big books and Sci-Fi Space Operas.
Blood of the Cosmos
(Part of SAGA OF SHADOWS)
TOR Books,
June, 2015
The second book in Kevin J. Anderson's Saga of Shadows trilogy, a riveting science fiction epic. 'Anderson hits it out of the galaxy again' - Booklist, starred review, on Dark Between the Stars
An epic space opera of the titanic conflict of several galactic civilizations against a life-destroying force of shadows, a dark cosmic force that has swept through the undercurrents of the human interstellar empire…
The intertwined plot, overflowing with colorful ideas, a large cast of characters, and complex storylines, spans dozens of solar systems, alien races, and strange creatures.
As the second book of the trilogy opens, the humans and Ildirans having narrowly escaped annihilation at the hands of the Shana Rei and their robot allies in Book One, are desperate to find a way to combat the black cloud of antimatter of the Shana Rei. The mysterious, alien Gardeners, who had helped them previously turn out to be a disaster in disguise and because of them, the world tree forests are again in danger. This opens up a second front in this galactic war. Believing they have found a way to stop their dreaded enemies, a new weapon is tested, but it's a horrible failure, throwing the human race and its allies to the brink of extinction.
Read the Dew's review of Book 1 HERE.
June, 2015
The second book in Kevin J. Anderson's Saga of Shadows trilogy, a riveting science fiction epic. 'Anderson hits it out of the galaxy again' - Booklist, starred review, on Dark Between the Stars
An epic space opera of the titanic conflict of several galactic civilizations against a life-destroying force of shadows, a dark cosmic force that has swept through the undercurrents of the human interstellar empire…
The intertwined plot, overflowing with colorful ideas, a large cast of characters, and complex storylines, spans dozens of solar systems, alien races, and strange creatures.
As the second book of the trilogy opens, the humans and Ildirans having narrowly escaped annihilation at the hands of the Shana Rei and their robot allies in Book One, are desperate to find a way to combat the black cloud of antimatter of the Shana Rei. The mysterious, alien Gardeners, who had helped them previously turn out to be a disaster in disguise and because of them, the world tree forests are again in danger. This opens up a second front in this galactic war. Believing they have found a way to stop their dreaded enemies, a new weapon is tested, but it's a horrible failure, throwing the human race and its allies to the brink of extinction.Read the Dew's review of Book 1 HERE.