Assassin of Reality by Marina Dyachenko
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

After having just read the whirlwind of a book, Vita Nostra, and succumbing to all its charms, it's WORDS, there was no way in hell I could stay away from the second book--not when it is in my grasp... in my eidos of understanding.

:)

So. First of all, this isn't the same brilliant entry as the first. It is, however, a seamless continuation of it--with one caveat: the confusion, the striving for meaning within an ocean of willpower, of the direct conception of gravity, of error--of fear--wasn't centered on our dear hero's understanding of the text or audio. The novel's confusion was, instead, focused on the DEFINITIONS.

JFC, my review--is it meant to be confusing? Forgive me. Put simply, the writing is fantastic, the character motivations and hiccups and sheer revisionist editing of reality, itself, makes this continuation a heady, un-put-downable tale. Remember Butterfly Effect? Now throw in Doctor Strange. Now add the massive stresses of higher education. And then, the conflict of self-actualization versus EVERYTHING ELSE.

My head is spinning--in a great way.

No, this book did leave some bad tastes in my mouth, at least at first, for her decisions, the kinds of self-effacing behaviors that come with trying to redefine yourself, but the end was something of a freaking revelation to me. Ambiguous, yes, but revelatory.

I am ABSOLUTELY loving this. High concept, gorgeously written, and creative as all freaking hell.

I cannot WAIT for the next.

My synesthesia allows for nothing less than a windstorm with stinging rain on my body.


Personal note:
If anyone reading my reviews might be interested in reading my own SF, I'm going to be open to requests. Just direct message me in goodreads or email me on my site. I'd love to get some eyes on my novels.

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