Author: Garth Nix
Summary: 'I have died three times, and three times been reborn, though I am not yet twenty in the old earth years by which it is still the fashion to measure time. This is the story of my three deaths, and my life between. My name is Khemri.
Taken from his parents as a child and equipped with biological and technological improvements, Khemri is now an enhanced human being, trained and prepared for the glory of becoming a Prince of the Empire. Should he die, and be deemed worthy, he will be reborn.... Which is just as well, because no sooner has Prince Khemri graduated to full Princehood than he learns the terrible truth behind the Empire: there are ten million princes, and all of them want each other dead.'
My thoughts: I have had many people asking me whether this book is like The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins because of the all-out war between Princes. While there is quite a bit of danger and violence in certain areas, the atmosphere is not the same as within The Hunger Games. This action is quite dispersed, and it wasn't really as much about survival as much as it was about military tactics at times.
With that out the way, let me just say that I read this book in two days. It flowed really well, and I really enjoyed being a part of the thoughts and experiences of Prince Khemri. Upon finishing the book, I found myself wanting more than even the short story at the end of the book could satisfy.
Khemri's character starts off as being arrogant and ignorant - a pretty bad combination. His experiences slowly humble him until he begins to think for himself, rather than through the rose-tinted glasses of his super-human abilities and training.
I don't want to give too much away about what actually happens within the story, so I'll just add that people with little experience of sci-fi books will enjoy this as much as those who read sci-fi consistently. While I occasionally found myself skimming over what I'll deem as 'military speak', I still loved the whole experience of reading this book.
Rating: 8.5/10
Sorry about the slightly shorter review this time, I'll try and do better next time!
Also, please remember to add me on GoodReads! I'm just chilling here.
Aww man, now I want to read it. Do you have a copy I can borrow? I love these short, satisfying action-sci-fi-type novels!
ReplyDeleteI'm afraid I borrowed it from my local library, but I'm sure it wouldn't be too hard for you to get your hands on a copy yourself :)
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