u/tkinsey3

Context: I was thinking the other day of a few series that were talked about a lot back in the 2010s, but are rarely mentioned anymore:

• The Shadow Campaigns by Django Wexler
• Ketty Jay by Chris Wooding
• Ash and Sand, by Richard Nell
• Iconoclasts, by Mike Shel
• Traitor Son, by Miles Cameron
• A Chorus of Dragons, by Jenn Lyons

What are some others that you wish were discussed more these days, or that you would love for new Fantasy readers to check out?

The short version of my review is this:

Too Like the Lightning earns 5 stars from me for its writing style and its incredibly detailed futuristic setting, but I also understand/respect why it might not be for many readers.

Ada Palmer is a Harvard-trained historian and scholar by trade, and she uses that extraordinary breadth of knowledge about humanity to craft a future that is deeply informed by the past. It is a utopia that feels remarkably grounded and imminently believable, despite taking place centuries from now. Even better, Palmer writes in a style reminiscent of the eighteenth century because our narrator, Mycroft Canner, is an admirer of that era and its great thinkers. The result is a narrative voice unlike anything else I've read in science fiction.

That said, to say this is a dense read—especially in the beginning—is an understatement. Palmer refuses to hold the reader's hand. There are countless organizations, historical references, political factions, and characters that you are expected to piece together almost entirely through context. That challenge is made even greater by one of the novel's most significant worldbuilding choices: in Palmer's future, gender—and specifically gendered pronouns—are no longer considered socially relevant.

As a result, a character Mycroft refers to as "her" may, biologically, be male, and the only clues come from careful attention to the surrounding descriptions. It can be disorienting at first, but it's also one of the many ways Palmer asks the reader to immerse themselves completely in this future society rather than viewing it through a modern lens.

And yet, despite these hurdles (or perhaps, because of them?)... I really loved this book.

I found the setting absolutely fascinating, and once I settled into the world, I discovered that the central story is actually quite straightforward. Beneath all the density is an engaging mystery that rewarded my patience and had me gripped by the second half of the novel.

This book certainly won't be for everyone, and it wouldn't surprise—or offend—me to see reviewers whose opinions I respect absolutely bounce off of it. But it worked for me, and I'm genuinely excited to continue the series.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️½

Quick Spoiler-Free Synopsis:

>In the near future, humanity discovers intelligent life on a distant planet. Inspired by a mysterious recording of beautiful alien music, a Jesuit priest joins the first expedition to make peaceful contact with the civilization that created it.

>What begins as a story of hope, curiosity, faith, and exploration gradually becomes a profound examination of culture, unintended consequences, suffering, and the limits of even our best intentions. Told through alternating timelines, the novel slowly reveals the tragic events that transformed a celebrated mission into an unimaginable catastrophe.

I'm a little torn on this one.

On one hand, I can't deny that the premise is remarkable. Mary Doria Russell explores some genuinely fascinating ideas, and I found myself deeply moved by what she was trying to say.

This novel forced me to reconsider many of my long-held assumptions, especially surrounding what I'd call 'well-intentioned' Colonialism — the idea that people can enter another culture with nothing but humility, curiosity, and a desire to learn, and still unintentionally cause tremendous harm.

(This is why Star Trek has the Prime Directive, guys!)

I already considered myself a fairly empathetic person, but this book challenged me to become even more so. It pushed me to think more carefully about perspectives very different from my own, and for that I'm genuinely grateful.

That said, one thing kept this from being a five-star read (at least for now):

The ending >!of this book is bleak. Incredibly bleak.!<

>!Consider this a broad content warning for just about everything—violence, illness, death, sexual assault, and more. From the opening pages, it's clear that this story isn't headed toward a happy ending, so I don't think that's much of a spoiler. But knowing something bad is coming and actually experiencing it are two very different things.!<

>!This is one of the darkest novels I've ever read.!<

Do I regret reading The Sparrow? Probably not. I certainly don't regret having my worldview challenged or wrestling with the questions Russell raises.

I also have yet to read the sequel, which I expect will address the ending and hopefully give some additional resolution.

Overall, though, this was a beautifully written and thought-provoking book that asks a ton of great questions. I definitely recommend it - with caution.

First, let me start by saying that the Pistons could absolutely win tonight, win this series, and even win beyond that. Who knows?

But no matter what happens, I want to remind you guys of the timeline of another team with a big lead guard/MVP candidate: OKC

Does this sound familiar?

2021: SGA comes to OKC - 22 wins

2022: 24 wins

2023: 40 wins

2024: 57 wins and #1 Seed (lose in Western Semis) <----- Pistons are HERE

(Team makes off-season changes based on Playoff Performance - like adding size)

2025: 68 wins and NBA Championship

2026: 64 wins and 8-0 in Playoffs so far

It's not a perfect comparison, but it's close enough that it drew my attention. OKC fans were really disappointed after losing to DAL in 2024, but that loss helped the GM and Ownership see what was needed to take that next step.

For those unfamiliar with Guite (as I was), he is an English poet, historian, and theologian who studies mythology, amongst other things.

Galahad and the Grail is the first part in his poetic retelling of the tales of Arthur, Lancelot, Guinevere, Galahad, etc. It is written in full poetic verse, which is both beautiful and very approachable. I was riveted to the story, despite having very little experience with poetry or epic verse.

According to Guite, this book (and the three forthcoming) are the product of his life's work; something he has been researching and writing for decades.

The physical copy of the book is beautiful, with dozens of full-page illustrations and a foreword by Susanna Clarke. You can see the cover HERE.

Yet, I think it is the audiobook, read by Guite himself, that is the best way to experience this epic tale.

If you are a fan of mythology, Arthurian legends, poetry, or just want to try something new, I highly recommend this.

Galahad and the Grail released April 20th.

Part II, The Coming of Arthur, releases November 2nd, 2026.

Parts III and IV will be released in 2027 and 2028.

I did not read much Pratchett until the last 3-5 years, but I happened to be going through Discworld when my father passed away suddenly in March of 2023. It sounds like hyperbole, but I'm pretty sure Discworld saved my life during those first few months.

I will always be grateful for Pratchett's unique mix of warmth, wit, and a fierce determination to make the world a better place.

>"Wen considered the nature of time and understood that the universe is, instant by instant, recreated anew. Therefore, he understood, there is in truth no past, only a memory of the past. Blink your eyes, and the world you see next did not exist when you closed them. Therefore, he said, the only appropriate state of the mind is surprise. The only appropriate state of the heart is joy. The sky you see now, you have never seen before. The perfect moment is now. Be glad of it."

- Thief of Time, 2001

GNU, Sir Terry.

I did not read much Pratchett until the last 3-5 years, but I happened to be going through Discworld when my father passed away suddenly in March of 2023. It sounds like hyperbole, but I'm pretty sure Discworld saved my life during those first few months.

I will always be grateful for Pratchett's unique mix of warmth, wit, and a fierce determination to make the world a better place.

>"Wen considered the nature of time and understood that the universe is, instant by instant, recreated anew. Therefore, he understood, there is in truth no past, only a memory of the past. Blink your eyes, and the world you see next did not exist when you closed them. Therefore, he said, the only appropriate state of the mind is surprise. The only appropriate state of the heart is joy. The sky you see now, you have never seen before. The perfect moment is now. Be glad of it."

- Thief of Time, 2001

GNU, Sir Terry.