3.5
The Knife and the Serpent
ByPublisher Description
From Hugo Award winning author Tim Pratt comes a new, high-concept space opera, exploring technology, family and the price we pay to follow our destiny, perfect for fans of Peter F. Hamilton and Adrian Tchaikovsky.
Tamsin and Glenn, ordinary as anyone in the Bay Area. Tamsin is shocked when her grandmother is murdered.
But the surprises keep coming when she finds out that grandma was an oligarch in exile from an adjacent universe in the Nigh-Space continuum. Tamsin finds herself heir to vast wealth and a terrifying future, but the dimension-crossing killers out to exterminate her family are after her. Unless she gets them first… first…
Now Glenn has learned that his girlfriend Vivy is a secret agent for an interdimensional organisation devoted to protecting the inhabitants of Nigh-Space from fascists, tyrants, and hostile aliens. And she’s in trouble. Glenn never imagined he’d end up in another universe on a sarcastic spaceship trying to save his girlfriend, but there he is…
Tamsin and Glenn, ordinary as anyone in the Bay Area. Tamsin is shocked when her grandmother is murdered.
But the surprises keep coming when she finds out that grandma was an oligarch in exile from an adjacent universe in the Nigh-Space continuum. Tamsin finds herself heir to vast wealth and a terrifying future, but the dimension-crossing killers out to exterminate her family are after her. Unless she gets them first… first…
Now Glenn has learned that his girlfriend Vivy is a secret agent for an interdimensional organisation devoted to protecting the inhabitants of Nigh-Space from fascists, tyrants, and hostile aliens. And she’s in trouble. Glenn never imagined he’d end up in another universe on a sarcastic spaceship trying to save his girlfriend, but there he is…
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Meet readers like you in the Fable For You feed, designed to build bookish communitiesThe Knife and the Serpent Reviews
3.5
theDiaryofaReader
Created over 1 year agoShare
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“3.5 stars
The Knife and The Serpent marks my inaugural dive into space opera, and from the outset, it envelops you like a gravitational pull, whisking you into orbit around a universe of words. It's akin to that exhilarating feeling of a maiden voyage into space, marveling at the vastness that surrounds you.
The narrative is intensely character-focused, especially through Glenn's perspective, as if he's recounting his adventures directly to you. Whether he's in trouble or navigating catastrophically complicated situations, his viewpoint keeps you on your toes and often chuckling along.
Detailed and vividly descriptive, the story unfolds like a cinematic experience in your mind, with subtle foreshadowing that tantalizes without giving too much away. It's a tale where mischief and mystery dance hand-in-hand, occasionally veering into what feels like rom-com territory. The witty banter, humorous moments, and budding romance against a backdrop of space and aliens create an unexpectedly charming atmosphere—yes, dare I say, even cute.
"That's because of fuckery..."
However, my enthusiasm waned a bit past the midpoint. The story dips into a lull, particularly through Tamsin's arc, which I found less engaging due to her unlikable nature. While Glenn's chapters shine with energy and intrigue, Tamsin's desire to portray a badass falls flat, akin to a novice cosplayer donning a villain's guise that doesn't quite fit.
As the plot threads converge midway, revealing secret connections among the characters, the narrative's pace slows, dragging down the storyline's momentum. Tamsin's lack of convincing character development further detracts from the overall experience, contrasting sharply with Glenn's growth and adaptability as he uncovers truths that challenge him.
Ultimately, The Knife and The Serpent left me wanting more. The promising buildup in the first half doesn't quite deliver on its potential epicness, culminating in an ending that feels rushed and hastily wrapped up. With its brevity, a few extra pages could have rounded out the storyline more satisfactorily, leaving a more lasting impression.
"Listen to me this world isn't the only world."
Despite its shortcomings, The Knife and The Serpent remains a noteworthy addition to the space opera genre, offering glimpses of brilliance and a narrative style that engages and entertains, albeit with room for improvement.”
Taryn Jones
Created over 1 year agoShare
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“The Knife and the Serpent by Tim Pratt is a delightful blend of humor, adventure, and interdimensional intrigue, reminiscent of the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy series. The novel introduces us to Glenn and Tamsin, two compelling characters from present-day Earth who are thrust into the mind-bending realities of the Nigh-Space continuum.
Glenn, a grad student in Berkeley, discovers that his girlfriend Vivy is a secret agent from an advanced adjacent reality. Their relationship, portrayed with a refreshing kink-positive lens, adds depth to the story without overshadowing the main plot. Meanwhile, Tamsin, a programmer from the Midwest, learns after her grandmother’s murder that she is the heir to a powerful ruling family in another universe. Her journey from Earth to her true home is filled with unexpected revelations and dangerous encounters.
The dual POV structure works well, with Glenn and Tamsin's paths intertwining halfway through the book. The fast-paced narrative and the multiverse concept are well-executed, making the story both engaging and easy to follow. The humor, particularly from the AI characters Swarm and Eddie, adds a light-hearted touch that enhances the overall enjoyment of the book.
One of the standout aspects of the novel is its progressive characters and the imaginative exploration of different dimensions and worlds. The interactions between Glenn, Vivy, and Tamsin are intriguing and often humorous, though Tamsin's ambitious nature does become a bit grating toward the end. The climax feels a bit rushed, leaving some plot points underexplored, but the conclusion is satisfying enough to leave me hoping for more adventures in this fascinating multiverse.
Overall, The Knife and the Serpent is a fun and thought-provoking sci-fi romp. It successfully balances humor and action while introducing a unique and expansive multiverse. Fans of Tim Pratt and those looking for a humorous and adventurous sci-fi read will thoroughly enjoy this book. Four stars.”
Amber
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Majka
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Cam(eron)
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About Tim Pratt
TIM PRATT is a Hugo Award-winning SF and fantasy author, who has also been a finalist for World Fantasy, Sturgeon, Stoker, Mythopoeic, and Nebula Awards, among others. Since 2001 he has worked for Locus, the magazine of the science fiction and fantasy field, where he currently serves as senior editor. He lives in Berkeley, California, with his wife and son.
Other books by Tim Pratt
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