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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3.5

theDiaryofaReader
Created 6 months 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.”

Amber
Created 7 months agoShare
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Majka
Created 7 months agoShare
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Cam(eron)
Created 8 months agoShare
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sparks_books
Created 8 months agoShare
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“What a strange and fun ride of a story. It is a dual POV story with lots of interconnectedness, revolving around these two characters that is not really known until about halfway into the story. Both feel like they are the protagonist until later on when their ideologies come head to head. I really loved the humor throughout the story, especially from Swarm and Eddie.
The pacing was great for the fast-paced nature of a plot involving a heist and the planned takeover of not one but two worlds. The multiverse concept was fun and written in a way that makes sense and does not follow the usual style of building a multiverse (no branching universes). There are also mentions of a lot of sexual kinks, but no open door depictions of them, so here is your heads up if that is not your thing. If it were not for this, I would say it leans a little on the YA side, but the characters are of that NA age range (or at least appear to be).
Thank you to Angry Robot and NetGalley for the eARC of the book. All thoughts are my own.”
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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