Uroboros Saga (book five)
Arthur Walker
As of now, April 13, 2016, I’m caught up on all the books (5) of Arthur Walker’s Uroboros Saga. This, simply put, in the basest of terminology, is a great series. Book five further expands the plot, with more characters arriving, the pasts of others revealed, and enough action and schemes (both altruistic and nefarious) to warrant either a deep initial reading, or a complete reread. Walker’s imagination seems nearly endless. The story keeps growing, as opposed to funneling down to a finite conclusion. This is a unique form storytelling (and not just sci-fi)…unless one doesn’t like open-ended books, then this might not be your thing. Each of these books is a fluid piece of the whole (and for those who are not aware or have conveniently forgotten, Tolstoi’s War and Peace, is actually five books, available to modern readers in one mammoth volume).
I will admit to having little offhand to compare this to. Obviously, the homage to Rand’s Atlas Shrugged is there, as are the Gods from Greek and Roman epics (those who venture among the masses for self-amusement, to render guidance, or out of plain old boredom with the clouds and mountain tops). However, my knowledge of Greco-Roman mythology is limited so I will refrain from making an ignorant fool of myself. There are also hints of Asimov’s Robot/Foundation series, R. Daneel Olivaw could easily be in this. But no, this is entirely Walker’s work. Perhaps, it says more about Walker’s world and imagination, that both defy an easy, direct comparison. Uniqueness is rarer than we realize, and Uroboros Saga is a refreshing original.
As I think back to when I read book one (in December ’15), I remember thinking I’d not read anything like it before. Now, five months and four books later, I still not read anything like it. From its setting, to the plot, to the POV shifts, to the time-frame jumps, Uroboros Saga is unlike anything I’ve read (or seen, or heard about, or even thought about).
I’ve stated this in earlier reviews, but I am planning on going back to boo one, and rereading the entire series (plus book six, et al, whenever Walker releases future installments). (And by the way, this is a parenthetical review, as apparently, today my brain is working in smiley/frownies). Excellent book, excellent series, which keeps getting better.
For links to reviews of Walker’s other work, check out his PotDS page
https://poetsofthedeadsociety.wordpress.com/arthur-walker/
Links
Amazon: rohttp://www.amazon.com/Uroboros-Saga-Book-Arthur-Walker-ebook/dp/B014GMDXLA/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ArthurHWalker