The Bear and the Serpent, by Adrian Tchaikovsky

[rachelmanija]

Everything I have to say about this book is spoilery. Also, this is a reaction, not a proper review.



MOTHS! WASPS! Hooooooooly shit. And also, I knew Tchaikovsky couldn't resist having bugs in this series. Spiders, spiders everywhere!

Also, of fucking course the Bat people are VAMPIRES. I love it.

If this is set post-Shadows of the Apt, I think I know who the captive Fly woman is and I am rooting for her. Her specifically. I am rooting for the shifters in general.

I have no idea what kinden the Plague People were who are talking to the Serpent People, and I'm confused by why no one reacts to them with the utter horror at their lack of a soul that otherwise happens.

Venat is the best. So is Loud Thunder. So is Ash Maker. And it was marvelous to see Maniye and Shyri rampaging through crocodile land, kicking ass and taking names.

Kidnapping the Seal children is THE WORST. Also, given the parallels with Indian boarding schools, I feel like this entire series is liable to end in horrifying doom, though I'm hoping it won't.

Finally, fuck the Eyrie men not letting women fly. What assholes.



The Bear and the Serpent (Echoes of the Fall Book 2)

Comments

[helen_keeble]

I do think there's a sliiiiight continuity error in the books - the first time the kinden are introduced, all their helper insects are carefully described as monstrous inexplicable horrors, not just "giant spiders/bugs/whatever". But I think by the end of the second book (and certainly in the third book) the shifters are recognising them as spiders etc. I think Tchaikovsky was initially going to have no insects in the shifterlands like there are no mammals/birds in the kindenlands (or at least very very few, and just as imported pets), but then suddenly realised that made zero sense since insects are rather more fundamental on the ecological pyramid (plus, he'd already mentioned honey existing).

[rachelmanija]

I noticed that too. I think you're right about why he changed it - I had also thought they couldn't possibly have an ecology without insects unless there were a ton of incredibly tiny mammals and birds and reptiles filling the same niches, which there didn't seem to be. (Now I want Tchaikovsky to write that ecology!) Plus honey. LOL.

[helen_keeble]

TINY FLYING KITTENS POLLINATING FLOWERS

UNDERGROUND COLONIES OF TEENY WEENIE PIGGIES

SWARMS OF MINI BAT WINGED HONEY BADGERS FUCKING PICNICS UP

11/10, would read.

[rachelmanija]

You had me at tiny flying kittens. If Tchaikovsky doesn't write this either you or I should.

[helen_keeble]

Beecat?

[sovay]

SWARMS OF MINI BAT WINGED HONEY BADGERS FUCKING PICNICS UP

PLEASE.