Nina W. (purplewitch) - , reviewed In the Courts of the Crimson Kings (Lords of Creation, Bk 2) on + 22 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
I started reading alternative history accidentally when I read Days of Infamy by Harry Turtledove. Someone said that Stirling was a good one to read and I have read his Bronze Age Trilogy and the Change Trilogy. I really enjoyed both series. One of the things I think that alternative histories make me consider is how people react and who is a survivor. Change is difficult and it is interesting to see how the characters develop or don't due to change.
I read Sky People and enjoyed it and naturally wanted to read the other half of the story. Sky People is on Venus and Crimson Kings is on Mars. I did not like this book as well as Stirling's other books. I read a lot of science fiction and I think I have a good imagination but there were pages that just didn't make any sense to me. Not a lot but I don't like to re-read a page and still feel confused and this happened to me several times in this book.
However, I got into the book and the middle 50% read quickly, almost too quickly and I enjoyed it. Then when I got to the very last 10% it ended too abruptly. I can see when you leave a person dangling off a cliff that there is going to be a sequel, but this did not feel that way. It felt like this is my solution to the story and that is it. There is a story line that runs through both books. You really have to ready Sky People first for the overall story line. It just felt contrived. I was a little disappointed. But I am still glad I read the book so there is no feeling of a hanging ending, I just didn't like it and that is it.
I read Sky People and enjoyed it and naturally wanted to read the other half of the story. Sky People is on Venus and Crimson Kings is on Mars. I did not like this book as well as Stirling's other books. I read a lot of science fiction and I think I have a good imagination but there were pages that just didn't make any sense to me. Not a lot but I don't like to re-read a page and still feel confused and this happened to me several times in this book.
However, I got into the book and the middle 50% read quickly, almost too quickly and I enjoyed it. Then when I got to the very last 10% it ended too abruptly. I can see when you leave a person dangling off a cliff that there is going to be a sequel, but this did not feel that way. It felt like this is my solution to the story and that is it. There is a story line that runs through both books. You really have to ready Sky People first for the overall story line. It just felt contrived. I was a little disappointed. But I am still glad I read the book so there is no feeling of a hanging ending, I just didn't like it and that is it.
Barbara B. (catbookmom) reviewed In the Courts of the Crimson Kings (Lords of Creation, Bk 2) on + 52 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
After *The Sky People*, the first book in this series, I looked forward to reading this. Glad I didn't buy it; it didn't have the same interest for me, and I didn't finish it. The plot is an old standard: the missing heir fights for the throne, saves the monarchy, blah, blah. There's none of the charming odd critters and customs that were in Sky People.
Tom H. (JTsDad) reviewed In the Courts of the Crimson Kings (Lords of Creation, Bk 2) on + 22 more book reviews
Let me preface by mentioning that I am a fan of the works of the writer, SM Stirling and science fiction in general. Mr. Stirling has written some mind blowing, action packed stories with memorable characters and fascinating worlds. I highly recommend the Island in the Sea of Time trilogy and Conquistador as well as the first book in this series, The Sky People. They are unforgettable reads.
Having said that,I find it regrettable to report that Courts of the Crimson Kings is just not up to Mr. Stirling's usual standards. Unlike his previous titles, this book's undeveloped characters don't emotionally invest the reader in their fates. You don't know these people so you don't fear for them. They are like strangers on the bus. There's not a lot of plot here either. Stirling becomes so bogged down in the details of describing the people of Mars,their culture, and animal based technology that he leaves little room for plot development.
The Martian society is heavily based on a chesslike board game that all citizens play as practically the only form of entertainment in their every spare minute. This game permeates every aspect of their lives and pretty much every page of the book. These people talk about the game constantly since much of their language references the game. It gets kind of tedious after awhile. As far as the afore-mentioned genetically engineered animal based technology...remember Wilma's kitchen appliances and other household items on THE FLINTSTONES? The bird beak record player and such? Yep. Welcome to Bedrock.
I forced myself to finish it but this book just wasn't for me. I look forward to better works from Mr. Stirling.
Having said that,I find it regrettable to report that Courts of the Crimson Kings is just not up to Mr. Stirling's usual standards. Unlike his previous titles, this book's undeveloped characters don't emotionally invest the reader in their fates. You don't know these people so you don't fear for them. They are like strangers on the bus. There's not a lot of plot here either. Stirling becomes so bogged down in the details of describing the people of Mars,their culture, and animal based technology that he leaves little room for plot development.
The Martian society is heavily based on a chesslike board game that all citizens play as practically the only form of entertainment in their every spare minute. This game permeates every aspect of their lives and pretty much every page of the book. These people talk about the game constantly since much of their language references the game. It gets kind of tedious after awhile. As far as the afore-mentioned genetically engineered animal based technology...remember Wilma's kitchen appliances and other household items on THE FLINTSTONES? The bird beak record player and such? Yep. Welcome to Bedrock.
I forced myself to finish it but this book just wasn't for me. I look forward to better works from Mr. Stirling.
Jim H. reviewed In the Courts of the Crimson Kings (Lords of Creation, Bk 2) on + 47 more book reviews
I absolutely LOVE Stirling's writing. I have read every book he has published except once series and I have those on order. Having said that, "In the Courts of the Crimson Kings" was not up to his standard. I think that many authors, after they have written a lot of books, want to try out different styles. In Crimson Kings Stirling invented a language style that added nothing to the story line, it merely annoyed me. He also went for the swirling lights and ghostly visitations that Ann Rice, Steven King and others descended in to as they tried to keep their writing fresh. That didn't work either. Stirling has one of the best developed abilities to draw the reader in that I have experienced. I hope he sticks to what he does best and avoids the swirling tricks!! But I still enjoy the book! A good read, especially for Sterling fans.
Chris C. (chrisnsally) -
The main literary influences here would be Burroughs and Bradbury with a who's who of the Pulp Fiction crowd for a supporting cast. In fact, Stirling features them all in the introductory segment of the book and found it very entertaining.
I have read many comments about this book which suggest that Stirling has "over written" his subject matter. I, however, found the tone quite appropriate. The tone is divergent from the style of The Sky People and this has largely been the complaint. I believe that the fault lies with the individual readers, who have are challenged by the more difficult style of Courts of the Crimson Kings, and not with the interesting, if not innovative writing of Stirling.
I have read many comments about this book which suggest that Stirling has "over written" his subject matter. I, however, found the tone quite appropriate. The tone is divergent from the style of The Sky People and this has largely been the complaint. I believe that the fault lies with the individual readers, who have are challenged by the more difficult style of Courts of the Crimson Kings, and not with the interesting, if not innovative writing of Stirling.
Tom H. (JTsDad) reviewed In the Courts of the Crimson Kings (Lords of Creation, Bk 2) on + 22 more book reviews
Let me preface by mentioning that I am a fan of the works of the writer, SM Stirling and science fiction in general. Mr. Stirling has written some mind blowing, action packed stories with memorable characters and fascinating worlds. I highly recommend the Island in the Sea of Time trilogy and Conquistador as well as the first book in this series, The Sky People. They are unforgettable reads.
Having said that,I find it regrettable to report that Courts of the Crimson Kings is just not up to Mr. Stirling's usual standards. Unlike his previous titles, this book's undeveloped characters don't emotionally invest the reader in their fates. You don't know these people so you don't fear for them. They are like strangers on the subway. There's not a lot of plot here either. Stirling becomes so bogged down in the details of describing the people of Mars,their culture, and animal based technology that he leaves little room for plot development.
The Martian society is heavily based on a chesslike board game that all citizens play as practically the only form of entertainment in their every spare minute. This game permeates every aspect of their lives and pretty much every page of the book. These people talk about the game constantly since much of their language references the game. It gets kind of tedious after awhile. As far as the afore-mentioned genetically engineered animal based technology...remember Wilma's kitchen appliances and other household items on THE FLINTSTONES? The bird beak record player and such? Yep. Welcome to Bedrock.
I forced myself to finish it but this book just wasn't for me. I look forward to better works from Mr. Stirling.
Having said that,I find it regrettable to report that Courts of the Crimson Kings is just not up to Mr. Stirling's usual standards. Unlike his previous titles, this book's undeveloped characters don't emotionally invest the reader in their fates. You don't know these people so you don't fear for them. They are like strangers on the subway. There's not a lot of plot here either. Stirling becomes so bogged down in the details of describing the people of Mars,their culture, and animal based technology that he leaves little room for plot development.
The Martian society is heavily based on a chesslike board game that all citizens play as practically the only form of entertainment in their every spare minute. This game permeates every aspect of their lives and pretty much every page of the book. These people talk about the game constantly since much of their language references the game. It gets kind of tedious after awhile. As far as the afore-mentioned genetically engineered animal based technology...remember Wilma's kitchen appliances and other household items on THE FLINTSTONES? The bird beak record player and such? Yep. Welcome to Bedrock.
I forced myself to finish it but this book just wasn't for me. I look forward to better works from Mr. Stirling.
