Book Review: Farilane (The Rise and Fall, #2) by Michael J. Sullivan (five stars)
“The future is darker than you can imagine—it is the nightmare that nightmares fear.”
Perhaps Sullivan’s best yet. All the complexity and world-building of his historical novels seasoned with the humor and eucatastrophes of Royce and Hadrian tales. More Easter eggs than the White House south lawn.
“How can you still believe in deities? You’re the most educated man I know.” “The more we know, my dear, the more we understand how little we understand.” “Sounds like you’re stuttering in whole words.”
Farilane is a smart, caring, wisecracking protagonist who’s easy to like. (So long as you don’t have to live in the same house.) Her full-throttle behavior is balanced by self-doubt, introspection, and self-sacrifice. She cares about people, even though warned not to. She cares about the truth, especially when everything she believed turns upside down.
“You’re adventurous, brave, intelligent, athletic, generous, kind, and above all—at least as far as they see it—good.” “Yeah, but I’m a bitch.” “She’s got you there, old man.”
Connects many dots between his earlier and later series and scatters handfuls of new ones. Ensemble performers. Best enjoyed by those who have read the entire corpus to date, but this story stands alone for new readers.
“I’ll promise not to snore.” “How can you stop yourself from snoring?” “Can’t—but I can promise.”
As a Matter of Fancy 