So, this one goes straight onto the favourites shelf becuase this continuation turned this series from one I really liked into one I loved. The story picks up straight after the ending of the previous book, and I really loved seeing the instant re-immersion.Some of the elements of this series which I most enjoy: - The blend of Sci-Fi & Fantasy elements into a convincing, bizarre and fun world filled with exciting scenes.- The characters - there are SO MANY great characters within this series fro...

I struggled with this. I finished it, then started the next one. I'm halfway through that, and you know what? I just don't care anymore- I'm going to stop without reading the last book and a half. The thing I like about sci fi is internally consistent worlds that the reader has to work out. This is just page after page of "wouldn't it be cool if" "and then they woke up" rambling.Over it.

In this installment of the series we learn more about Otherland. The main characters travel through simulations trying to find out who is behind trapping people in a coma and why. Because these books are actually one big story, there aren't many spectacular things happening in this volume. I wouldn't call it a filler book, as a lot of things get explained in this one which is crucial to understanding the story. I enjoyed reading this, and ofcourse it's a massive almost 800 pages thick, but it we...

This is a great series and the second book does not disappoint. I can't recommend this series highly enough.

Audiobook from Penguin AudioNarrated by George NewbernLength: 24.5 hoursThe sequel to City of Golden Shadow and the 2nd book (of 4) in the Otherland series, River of Blue Fire is a solid "middle book" in the series.Picking up where City of Golden Shadow left off, this book moved the pieces of all the players in the story without seeming to progress the plot too much. This is a common feature of "middle books" so was expected, though made the reading (listening) slow sometimes. At the point that

Filler.The first novel was long, but it was unraveling a mystery. This is just the main characters being herded through sim after sim, with a few character in the real world having enough screen time to be reminded that they exist. It gets old, because it's not necessary to the plot.1. A character (Paul Jonas) or team of them (Rennie, !Xabbu) land in a sim word reminding us of something, sometimes blatantly.2. They get captured or chased.3. They leave to the next.This is the bulk of the book. Wh...

When last we left Our Heroes, they were caught in the Otherland - an immense virtual reality program built by people with more money than God - with no idea where to go and no idea what to do. They were lost, confused and had no way out.Oh yes - back before Neo got his clock punched by Agent Smith, Renie, !Xabbu, Orlando, Fredericks and all the other Otherland explorers discover that they are in more danger than they realize - if they die on the network, then they'll die in real life. And, almos...

This is now my second book, not counting novellas, by Tad Williams and while I finished it, I will in fact not be continuing on with the series. Book 1 in the Otherland series was just interesting enough to continue and finally the ending ramps things up and I was actually entertained. I get that this series is one long book to the author, but it's so absolutely boring I need something to happen and I start to expect it to at least be at the end of the book. Spoiler alert: (view spoiler)[the end...

The journey continues, just comparable with Simmons and very few other works, in its epic crossover hybrid science fantasy nature.The irony lies in the fact that both of these authors, daring to crossbreed science fiction and, more or less epic, fantasy, don´t get the honor and especially present mainstream success they would deserve for inventing new settings and mechanisms of the best and second best genre of all time. Although, there is satire too, hm, maybe I shouldn´t make elitist lists abo...

Executive Summary: Slow start, and many slow places throughout. The good parts make up for a lot of it, but for that reason I'm rounding my 3.5 stars down.Audio book: Another great job by George Newbern. He definitely Full Review I really enjoyed the first book. Not so much for the characters, but for the setting and the cool ideas. I've always loved the idea of virtual worlds, and Mr. Williams made an excellent blend of Fantasy and Sci-Fi that seemed to hit my buttons in the right way.Unfort...

8/10In the second book of the series Tad Williams continues to impress as he has added more characters than the previous book, more worlds and much more incredible ideas combining them all into a complex, and weirder, story where only himself could have made.The story continues right where the previous one left of with Williams expanding his world-building, making it even greater than what he showed in the first book, and with the protagonists going through incredible, and unbelievable, adventur...

Tad Williams has a great imagination 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️You have a bizarro version of the Lion, tin man and scarecow , we have layers and layers of twisted programming , men to baboon Girl to Boy, environment with transition to nightmare!!! Lions and tigers and bears , oh my😫Take what you know in your life turn it upside down and then invert it !!!Here’s a example:None were complete in themselves, but although they were partial and ephemeral, they were also as individual as snowflakes. They seem

Taking into account that this volume has no beginning and no end, being the continuation of the story started in the first book, it's diffcult to utter an opinion on it. Our heroes wander from simulation to simulation, one more astounding than the other, all different worlds inspired by various myths, childhood stories, or simply the fruits of the owners' imagination. It drags in the first part, but it picks up later with small clues (and new ones) added to the main puzzle. And what a puzzle! My...

I think I'll try to write a review for every book I read from now on. I know not many read this probably, but it's good to put my thoughts somewhere. I will also keep every review as spoiler free as possible, so don't worry about anything major being said here. With all this said: here is my first daily review, Otherland: River of Blue FirePROS: Similar to the first book, Otherland has managed to make me use my imagination is ways that I never have before. The idea of the Net has allowed William...

Enjoyable, but takes its time...The second installment of the Otherland series by Tad Williams picks up where the last leaves off. The "heroes" gathered by Mr. Sellers at the Golden City narrowly escape into another simulation, one that seems perfectly normal except that they are now 1/100th their real size. Gigantic insects and birds populate the world, going about their natural activities, but those are hazardous when you're the size of the next meal. Soon, events beyond their control shatter

I had a difficult getting into the first book of this series because of the incredible amount of detail and world building. I was also disappointed by the number of questions left unanswered. Well, the second book reaps the rewards of all the hard work in the first. This book flew by, and while it didn't answer all the questions put forth by the first (and raised several more), it answered enough to keep me interested.

2nd Otherland book. Great read, better than the first. The meat of the story, and what a story. This man has one of the most vivid, reaching imaginations I have ever encountered. Let's hope he sees into the future again....

The second book in the Otherland series again makes clear that Tad Williams is in no hurry. He will spin his tale out in his good time, so if you are heading for the beach for a week, I recommend this series. Williams does many surprising things in this novel, which keeps it interesting. For one thing, he adds to his already immense cast of characters and story lines, pulling in peripheral characters and developing them in a workman-like way, adding perspectives and really having fun with the wo...

Having reread this novel, I am impressed by how one can take it as a representation of several different genres. The difficulty in deciding which one it is to the greatest degree is somewhat of a drawback. Firstly, it is a cautionary tale of the potential dangers of technological developments. Then, it is a mystery novel. Then, it is a love story. Then, it is a moral homily. Finally, and I believe most frequently, it is an action adventure.The conception of the Grail Brotherhood's 'immortality m...

This book was a tough one to settle on a star rating for me. I will admit that in the beginning there where some elements of it that I enjoyed more than others. However, as the story continued it came together in a really wonderful way. Which made me feel silly for not enjoying some of the earlier bits as much. Plus, all of the book was a very cool wild ride, and I found myself really enjoying listening to the audiobook of this book while reading along in my physical copy. The audio book of is p...