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@mimrma@mastodon.wurzelmann.at Awesome, that's really good news! Comparisons never do anyone justice, but I instantly was reminded of Neal Stephenson's Baroque Cycle (also a trilogy), which I loved when it appeared 20 years ago, and have re-read several times since then. Chakraborty, however, brought a lot of fresh ideas to bear, and while her book is evidently very well researched and is vibrant with local color, you never get that dreaded "Nat Geo study trip" vibe.

Imagine Jurassic Park, but instead of a T-Rex, there's Godzilla - no, actually quite a few of them, and tending to these monsters is not a billionaire's private project, but in humanity's best interest. Sure, this is a fantasy-colored satire, a light snack of a read, not a real science fiction novel like Jurassic Park. But Scalzi's writing is enjoyable as always, and with the author's practiced pacing, the action just keeps coming, interrupted only for some comic relief and genre-suited banter. I found it pretty hard to put down, and felt well entertained from the first to the last page.

Wow, what a ride. This recommendation came from @mimrma@mastodon.wurzelmann.at's #24books advent calendar [1], and while I was looking for a lighter read to fill some dead time over the holidays, I actually found it pretty hard to put it down once the story really got going. This is not your run-of-the-mill pirate penny dreadful, this tale has more twists than a cog's hawser, and more turns than a Monkey's Fist. The protagonists, their backgrounds and motives are well-rounded, detailed prettily, and rather relatable - but as the story progresses, it continues to grow fantastical and outlandish, far beyond its actual setting in the Arabian Sea. If this turns out to be the start of a series, sign me up for the next installment!

#2024reads #bookstodon

1: mastodon.wurzelmann.at/@mimrma/111498610915795485