This is probably my favorite book of all time. It’s literally one of those ones where you get depressed after because you know there will never be a story like this ever again.
One of the best parts of 2023 for me was discovering this series. I love hearing people's opinions on it. I wasn't sure if the timeline spanning so much time would work well, but Ruocchio does it brilliantly without it feeling hallow or cheap in any way. Really looking forward to book six next year!
I'm so glad that you liked it.I told you that Demon in White is the best of the three,although my favourite is Howling Dark.A bit of warning,Kingdoms of Death is a roller-coaster of emotions.
I'm currently reading Kingdoms of Death, and I agree with you about Demon in White (and I think that is the most important volume for the Quiet mystery and more). Perhaps my best book of the year and now Ruocchio is one of my favorite authors with Abercrombie and Robin Hoob 😁
I'm finishing the 4th book and at a certain moment (after a lot of darkness and gruesomeness) I put my head back, sighed and had tears rolling down my eyes. I felt absolute gratitude for reading such a masterpiece.
So glad you found the words to put out this review! I knew it would be something special as soon as you mentioned it was taking you extra time to figure out how to talk about this one. Wonderfully stated review, great work Petrik! That time paid off, and now I absolutely cannot wait to read this book :D
I LOVE when I love a book this much! Glad you had such a great reading experience. Ok. So now I have to read the Sun Eater series! I just bought Empire of Silence- even though I had to buy it in trade paperback (ugh). I also went ahead and grabbed books 4 & 5 off Amazon since they had them in hardcover. Right now I'm alternating reading The Expanse and Mistborn (I'm enjoying The Well of Ascension- thank you, Petrik for this recommendation). But once I'm finished with The Expanse- I'm heading straight for Christopher Ruocchio!
Thank you! You and me both, Tiffany. I look forward to hearing your thoughts on The Sun Eater series. I think you will love it, too. And I am delighted to hear the news that you're enjoying Mistborn trilogy. The Expannse is great, too, but imo The Sun Eater series is much better. Can't go wrong with reading both of them, though. Plus, The Expanse is finished already! :)
Kind of crazy then I woke up today and when I got on UA-cam you had a video out of this series I just started reading Empire of Silence last night pretty good start so far I don't read a lot of Science Fiction but I do read epic science fiction I love Dune one of my favorite of all time I'm just more of a fantasy horror genre lover and occasionally a thriller here and there either way man great video once again keep up the great work
Thank you! Empire of Silence, while being so good, is the weakest of the series so far. If you love that book, then I think you will love the rest of the series!
Fantastic review, Petrik! 🙌You've done an amazing job of putting the mind-boggling experience that is reading this book into words!! I can't even begin to imagine what awaits us in book 4 - but I can't wait to find out 👀
Just finishing reading Empire of Silence, one of the better books I've done of late. Certainly my favourite since Dungeon Crawler Carl book 6, very fun series if you haven't tried it yet, recommend it in audiobook form if you do. Empire of Silence clearly took alot of inspiration from Name of the Wind, but doesn't quite manage to pull off the voice or frame narrative system anywhere near as well. Still, If the quality level is maintained I can see myself finishing this series. Thanks for the recommendation Petrik.
You're welcome. Howling Dark and Demon in White are certainly superior and they strayed further from The Name of the Wind inspiration. Fingers crossed you'll love them more. I look forward to reading Dungeon Crawler Carl next year!
Great review brother! This one also became one of my favorite sci fi books and just books of all time when I read it. It was like four different novels in one spectacular whole!
THIS book... Imagine my shock and joy that Ruocchio introduces the name of a character from another favorite SSF book of mine, written DECADES ago, and works that character into the plot to make me think this series is a bit of an homage or continuation of the original novel that character came from!! I was giddy. I told everyone around me about it, I don't think this has ever happened before in my history of reading...❤
Julian Felsenburgh!! He is a crucial character in the 1907 SF novel "Lord of the World" by Robert Hugh Benson.. It's a dystopian future, I won't say anything more than that to avoid spoilers if you haven't read it yet. But since I think this is a deliberate tie-in by Ruocchio, (and perhaps a clue to the true nature of what Hadrian is dealing with??), I highly recommend you read it. And then PLEASE get back to me to share your thoughts along these lines! It's all so intriguing, and it'd be nice to have someone to share my giddiness and guesswork with LOL. Maybe it's my age, or my background, but I seem to be the only one around here who recognized this character and it's so frustrating to not have anyone to talk to about it
the explanation about his ability too... (you know what I'm talking about), is really bizzare, but its also interesting too. Howling Dark is still my favorite so far, but this is still a great book. cant wait to read Kingdoms of Death
Everyone says Demon is their fav and he told me he sees this as personal challenge to make book 6 or 7 better and best in the series. He is truly creating something special. @@PetrikLeo
Hahaha I am currently struggling to make it through empire of silence, currently at 70 percent, not sure if I overhyped it in my head but looks like it gets way better
I experienced the same, and it was difficult to finish. I took a month long break at around 70 percent. Ironically, I was pulled in immediately, but lost a lot of interest while Hadrian spends the rest of the book just hanging out and being arrogant and unstoppable without any real stakes. It reminds me a lot of Kojima. There are a lot of cool ideas, but it needs a skillful editor to make more than a derivative of Dune and Name of the Wind. But, Petrik has piqued my interest about Demon in White since it's a 6 out of 5. I'm all in baby 👶
I am currently reading this one and keep saying, out loud, “how is this book even better than the previous ones”. This series is dangerous because once you start it, you don’t want to do anything but read it.
Seems like I'm the only one in your comments struggling with the series, everyone else seems to love it! I started Empire of Silence after reading Will of the Many and it just couldn't compare. I was dragging myself through that book for weeks, made it 50 pages into Howling Dark and was bored out of my mind again. I gave up and picked up The Shadow of What Was Lost and finished the whole trilogy in 10 days. Much better use of my time :)
You're not the only one. Someone just mentioned how much they disliked Empire of Silence, too. And there is no need to force yourself if it's not for you. I am super happy you loved The Licanius trilogy and The Will of the Many. Islington is an amazing author!
I'm on chapter 10 in Empire of Silence and I'm finding it hard to get through. My biggest issue is with the prose. I'm coming to the conclusion that I prefer simple prose and his just distracts me from the story at times. It comes across so overdramatic. I'm also having a hard time fully liking Hadrian. I don't hate him it's just certain aspects of his character annoy me. Like he definitely knows his actions will not make him look good in his father's eyes yet he still does stuff and is surprised and complains when his father is disappointed in him. I've never been the biggest fan of sci-fi so this isn't a total surprise. I'm going to continue the book but I'm going to pick something else up. I usually don't read two books at once but I think it might be a good idea with this one.
Nothing wrong with that! It's good that you can acknowledge you're a fan of simple prose. I'm a fan of both. It all depends on my reading mood! But yeah, the prose in Sun Eater can be a strength or weakness depending on each reader. 🙂
@@danarossa this book? Absolutely not. It's the 3rd book of the series. First book did not end on a cliffhanger though if that's what you're wondering!
@@PetrikLeo understood. It's just that everyone says the book is the best book. Like, no one talks of it as a part of the series. So I've been wondering, if it can be read without the series Thanks!
Demon in WHite is still my favorite book in the entire series as a whole package. Everything that follows it is incredible too, but i can't say why I like Demon in White more without spoiling the shit out of you lmao. I will forewarn you to buckle up for Kingdoms of Death. The title is not Ruocchio fucking around.
Yeahh, as a whole, this book was just absolutely brilliant. I read the newest Malazan this month and it actually pales in comparison to Demon in White. Looking forward to reading Kingdoms of Death!
I know that I am in the minority here, but i dnf'd the first book 60% through. The main character was insufferable and didnt change at all after what he had been through, the pacing was slow in the beginning then years passed in a single chaper, the world was bland and felt empty
Since we've come to recognize that everything to do with space is complete fantasy based in pseudo science and lies the days of classics from this genre are dead and gone.
@@UstartIFinish-zc7lg i have actually read Brave New World a long time ago. But it was for educational purpose. I didn't know the comment is a reference to that. 😅 I will look into what you said, though!
![Lp. Сердце Вселенной #60 РОЖДЕНИЕ ЛОЛОЛОШКИ [Финал] • Майнкрафт](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/YoR0pAV9FVQ/mqdefault.jpg)
I was blaring that Hype Train horns for years and that sound has finally reached the masses. So happy you're enjoying it!
It’s how I found out about it. Criminally underrated!!
The Hype Train horns need to be louder and longer. Thanks for initiating it!!
@@PetrikLeoagreed!
This is probably my favorite book of all time.
It’s literally one of those ones where you get depressed after because you know there will never be a story like this ever again.
Yeah I totally get it. My reading this month has suffered due to book hangover from finishing Demon in White last month!
One of the best parts of 2023 for me was discovering this series. I love hearing people's opinions on it. I wasn't sure if the timeline spanning so much time would work well, but Ruocchio does it brilliantly without it feeling hallow or cheap in any way. Really looking forward to book six next year!
I have a blast reading it. I will catch up before the release of Disquiet Gods! :)
Great review. I couldn’t agree more with your thoughts. Demon In White is just one of those books that transcends.
Thank you so much, my friend! I can't stop thinking about it since I finished it. This month's reading has truly suffered. :')
The fabled 6 out of 5 ⭐'s. I couldn't agree more. I'm very happy with your response to SunEater. Happy Holidays Petrik.
It would be an injustice to not give it that, to be honest. It's too good. Happy holiday! :)
I'm so glad that you liked it.I told you that Demon in White is the best of the three,although my favourite is Howling Dark.A bit of warning,Kingdoms of Death is a roller-coaster of emotions.
Ah it's absolutely incredible. You were right! Looking forward to reading Kingdoms of Death next month!
Petrik, you've made me super excited to read this series!
I am saving it for when I have the time to truly savour it, but I can’t wait!
You definitely should give it a try, Donuts! I think you will have a blast with it. Take your time! :)
I'm currently reading Kingdoms of Death, and I agree with you about Demon in White (and I think that is the most important volume for the Quiet mystery and more).
Perhaps my best book of the year and now Ruocchio is one of my favorite authors with Abercrombie and Robin Hoob 😁
Glad you agree with me. I'll catch up to reading Kingdoms of Death next month! :)
I'm finishing the 4th book and at a certain moment (after a lot of darkness and gruesomeness) I put my head back, sighed and had tears rolling down my eyes. I felt absolute gratitude for reading such a masterpiece.
I know what you mean... Kingdoms of Death is one heck of an experience. 🥲
Hey Petrik, so psyched you liked book 3. Hope you survive 4 and 5 next year!
Thank you so much, Chris! Looking forward to reading book 4 until book 6 next year. Also, will chat to you soon after I work out my schedule!! :)
@@PetrikLeo Looking forward to it! Just say the word!
So glad you found the words to put out this review! I knew it would be something special as soon as you mentioned it was taking you extra time to figure out how to talk about this one. Wonderfully stated review, great work Petrik! That time paid off, and now I absolutely cannot wait to read this book :D
Thank you so much! Not an easy task, but yeah I loved it very much. I want to do it justice as much as I can! :)
Captain of the Sun Eater Discord here- so so happy to hear you're having one hell of a time, Petrik!
Whoa! Captain of the Sun Eater Discord! I am honored! :)
I LOVE when I love a book this much! Glad you had such a great reading experience. Ok. So now I have to read the Sun Eater series! I just bought Empire of Silence- even though I had to buy it in trade paperback (ugh). I also went ahead and grabbed books 4 & 5 off Amazon since they had them in hardcover. Right now I'm alternating reading The Expanse and Mistborn (I'm enjoying The Well of Ascension- thank you, Petrik for this recommendation). But once I'm finished with The Expanse- I'm heading straight for Christopher Ruocchio!
Thank you! You and me both, Tiffany. I look forward to hearing your thoughts on The Sun Eater series. I think you will love it, too. And I am delighted to hear the news that you're enjoying Mistborn trilogy. The Expannse is great, too, but imo The Sun Eater series is much better. Can't go wrong with reading both of them, though. Plus, The Expanse is finished already! :)
Kind of crazy then I woke up today and when I got on UA-cam you had a video out of this series I just started reading Empire of Silence last night pretty good start so far I don't read a lot of Science Fiction but I do read epic science fiction I love Dune one of my favorite of all time I'm just more of a fantasy horror genre lover and occasionally a thriller here and there either way man great video once again keep up the great work
Thank you! Empire of Silence, while being so good, is the weakest of the series so far. If you love that book, then I think you will love the rest of the series!
Fantastic review, Petrik! 🙌You've done an amazing job of putting the mind-boggling experience that is reading this book into words!!
I can't even begin to imagine what awaits us in book 4 - but I can't wait to find out 👀
Thank you so much, Karin! Very kind of you. I look forward to reading Kingdoms of Death, too, next month! :)
Just finishing reading Empire of Silence, one of the better books I've done of late. Certainly my favourite since Dungeon Crawler Carl book 6, very fun series if you haven't tried it yet, recommend it in audiobook form if you do. Empire of Silence clearly took alot of inspiration from Name of the Wind, but doesn't quite manage to pull off the voice or frame narrative system anywhere near as well. Still, If the quality level is maintained I can see myself finishing this series. Thanks for the recommendation Petrik.
You're welcome. Howling Dark and Demon in White are certainly superior and they strayed further from The Name of the Wind inspiration. Fingers crossed you'll love them more. I look forward to reading Dungeon Crawler Carl next year!
Many thanks Petrik a superlative review! This is next on my list :)
You're welcome! Happy reading to you, too. I hope you'll love it as much as I did! :)
Part way through empire of silence. Excited to get this
Take your time. Enjoy reading the series! :)
Great review brother! This one also became one of my favorite sci fi books and just books of all time when I read it. It was like four different novels in one spectacular whole!
Thank you so much, brother! I totally agree. Four or five different novels put in one tome sounds about right!
Last review just dropped yall!
Last booktube review of the year!!
Fine, fine... between you and Mike, I guess I'm going to have to give this series a try ;)
Yessss! Do it! I hope you will love it as much as I did! :)
My favourite in the series! This is somehow better than Red Rising? Going to read Kingdoms Of Death soon.
It's definitely up there with Red Rising Saga for me now. We'll see how the ranking goes by the time I'm caught up! :)
THIS book... Imagine my shock and joy that Ruocchio introduces the name of a character from another favorite SSF book of mine, written DECADES ago, and works that character into the plot to make me think this series is a bit of an homage or continuation of the original novel that character came from!! I was giddy. I told everyone around me about it, I don't think this has ever happened before in my history of reading...❤
Which character are you talking about here? Was it Severian? :)
Julian Felsenburgh!! He is a crucial character in the 1907 SF novel "Lord of the World" by Robert Hugh Benson.. It's a dystopian future, I won't say anything more than that to avoid spoilers if you haven't read it yet. But since I think this is a deliberate tie-in by Ruocchio, (and perhaps a clue to the true nature of what Hadrian is dealing with??), I highly recommend you read it. And then PLEASE get back to me to share your thoughts along these lines! It's all so intriguing, and it'd be nice to have someone to share my giddiness and guesswork with LOL. Maybe it's my age, or my background, but I seem to be the only one around here who recognized this character and it's so frustrating to not have anyone to talk to about it
@@B16pal okay you're right. I haven't heard of that! I will look into it. 😄😄
@@PetrikLeoTHANK YOU
the explanation about his ability too... (you know what I'm talking about), is really bizzare, but its also interesting too. Howling Dark is still my favorite so far, but this is still a great book. cant wait to read Kingdoms of Death
Yeah for sure! I feel that is the part where the fantasy aspect is implemented really well!
Heck yes. Thats all.
Soooo good! 🤯
Reading Demon in White now!
Oh it's SO GOOD!!
Sun Eater is purchased (minus last book) and ready to be read in 2024!!!
Great decision!! I think you will love this series! :)
Happy review… 🎉
Thank you!
If anyone is into audiobooks, book 1, 1.5, and 2 are on the plus catalogue meaning they’re free with an audio subscription! 10/10 narration
I'm not into audiobook but this is awesome! :D
Can't wait to continue next month.
Looking forward to hearing your thoughts next!
Everyone says Demon is their fav and he told me he sees this as personal challenge to make book 6 or 7 better and best in the series. He is truly creating something special. @@PetrikLeo
Petrik, please work your magic with the broken binding to get special editions of the series! 😅
I am dilligently working on it. 😃 If it appears... you know one of the reasons why.
Hahaha I am currently struggling to make it through empire of silence, currently at 70 percent, not sure if I overhyped it in my head but looks like it gets way better
Imo, IF Howling Dark still doesn't pull you in, I don't think the series will be for you. So give it a try until there! 😊
But I loved red rising and name of the wind😭 this feels like it should be my speed.
Like someone said the first book reads like a long prologue
I experienced the same, and it was difficult to finish. I took a month long break at around 70 percent. Ironically, I was pulled in immediately, but lost a lot of interest while Hadrian spends the rest of the book just hanging out and being arrogant and unstoppable without any real stakes. It reminds me a lot of Kojima. There are a lot of cool ideas, but it needs a skillful editor to make more than a derivative of Dune and Name of the Wind. But, Petrik has piqued my interest about Demon in White since it's a 6 out of 5. I'm all in baby 👶
@@PetrikLeo Just finished Howling Dark, you are right, it was amazing!!
OK, let's read it. Thanks.
Hope you like it! :)
Do you think this series would be a good movie franchise or do you think it should just stay a book series?
Book series. I don't think a movie or TV show franchise could do this justice. :)
I loved Demon in White 5⭐️. Reading Kingdoms of Death now.
Me too! Looking forward to reading Kingdoms of Death next month!
I am currently reading this one and keep saying, out loud, “how is this book even better than the previous ones”. This series is dangerous because once you start it, you don’t want to do anything but read it.
I know right!? That was me when I was reading Demon in White. It somehow surpassed Howling Dark! 😵
Seems like I'm the only one in your comments struggling with the series, everyone else seems to love it! I started Empire of Silence after reading Will of the Many and it just couldn't compare. I was dragging myself through that book for weeks, made it 50 pages into Howling Dark and was bored out of my mind again. I gave up and picked up The Shadow of What Was Lost and finished the whole trilogy in 10 days. Much better use of my time :)
You're not the only one. Someone just mentioned how much they disliked Empire of Silence, too. And there is no need to force yourself if it's not for you. I am super happy you loved The Licanius trilogy and The Will of the Many. Islington is an amazing author!
My favorite sci fi series!
It's now one of my top favorite sci-fi, too!
Demon in White is condensed, like you have 3 books crammed in one. Then Kingdom of Death traumatise you
That's what I keep hearing. I look forward to reading Kingdoms of Death early next month! :)
Demon In White rules!
You're not wrong!
I understood that reference!
I'm on chapter 10 in Empire of Silence and I'm finding it hard to get through. My biggest issue is with the prose. I'm coming to the conclusion that I prefer simple prose and his just distracts me from the story at times. It comes across so overdramatic. I'm also having a hard time fully liking Hadrian. I don't hate him it's just certain aspects of his character annoy me. Like he definitely knows his actions will not make him look good in his father's eyes yet he still does stuff and is surprised and complains when his father is disappointed in him. I've never been the biggest fan of sci-fi so this isn't a total surprise. I'm going to continue the book but I'm going to pick something else up. I usually don't read two books at once but I think it might be a good idea with this one.
Nothing wrong with that! It's good that you can acknowledge you're a fan of simple prose. I'm a fan of both. It all depends on my reading mood! But yeah, the prose in Sun Eater can be a strength or weakness depending on each reader. 🙂
What’s your favorite ship?
Ship? As in the spaceship on the book? 😅
@@PetrikLeo I’ll get back to you after you read KoD :).
Can I read it as a standalone?
@@danarossa this book? Absolutely not. It's the 3rd book of the series. First book did not end on a cliffhanger though if that's what you're wondering!
@@PetrikLeo understood.
It's just that everyone says the book is the best book. Like, no one talks of it as a part of the series. So I've been wondering, if it can be read without the series
Thanks!
Looks like I'm going to add another book series to my ever growing list! Again! Petrik... all your fault!😂😂😂
Haha, This one is a MUST read! :D
🎉👍🐐😎
Demon in WHite is still my favorite book in the entire series as a whole package. Everything that follows it is incredible too, but i can't say why I like Demon in White more without spoiling the shit out of you lmao.
I will forewarn you to buckle up for Kingdoms of Death. The title is not Ruocchio fucking around.
Yeahh, as a whole, this book was just absolutely brilliant. I read the newest Malazan this month and it actually pales in comparison to Demon in White. Looking forward to reading Kingdoms of Death!
I know that I am in the minority here, but i dnf'd the first book 60% through. The main character was insufferable and didnt change at all after what he had been through, the pacing was slow in the beginning then years passed in a single chaper, the world was bland and felt empty
I completely disagree. But hey, it's your opinion. Sorry the book did not work for you!
Since we've come to recognize that everything to do with space is complete fantasy based in pseudo science and lies the days of classics from this genre are dead and gone.
Huh? All I know and confident with is is that in the future Sun Eater will be held highly among readers like Dune.
@@UstartIFinish-zc7lg i have actually read Brave New World a long time ago. But it was for educational purpose. I didn't know the comment is a reference to that. 😅 I will look into what you said, though!