Review: Empire in Black and Gold, Adrian Tchaikovsky

Rating: 2 out of 5

Took this up on a friend’s recommendation and I kind of wish I had not. The author thinks himself a better writer than he is, with the style reminding me of Frank Herbert’s heroic glorification of the lead character. Yet, Mr Tchaikovsky’s heroes are not as bold and not as daring as those in ‘Dune’, and the attempt at that style makes the book suffer.

The created world is interesting (if infuriating) for how the various peoples are portrayed (without actually explaining what any of it means). The story set in this world is less so: warnings unheeded, daring deeds carried out. The style of the book is what does it the least justice though, and was it a simpler narrative it could carry more weight.

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