The Shades Of Time And Memory (2015) - Plot & Excerpts
I loved parts of this story, but it’s got a higher angst level than other Wraeththu booksWarning: This review might contain what some people consider SPOILERS. Rating: 9/10PROS: - The characters in these later books (the Histories) seem more personable to me than many of the characters in the original Wraeththu trilogy. Their reactions are more humanlike and less removed, less controlled. Even the older characters who were present in the original books seem less distant in these volumes.- Constantine’s writing is amazing: not only is her characterization deep, but her descriptions of physical settings and abstract, metaphysical ideas are lyrical and captivating.- One of my favorite aspects of the Wraeththu series is the romantic relationships that emerge, and I was delighted by several of the pairings that occur in this book. One character in particular has been present since the first book and finally finds his chesnari (partner/soul mate) in this book.- With each new Wraeththu volume I read, I find it incredibly interesting to see how much further Constantine develops the story--how the new characters turn out (especially when they’re the children of existing characters), what new plot developments will happen, how everything ties into the original stories, etc.- The author includes explanations of essential events from the earlier books when such information is necessary to keep new readers from getting confused. I thought her inclusion of these explanations was less intrusive in this volume than in the first Histories book, The Wraiths of Will and Pleasure.CONS:- One of my least favorite features of the original series is present in this book also. Two of the characters who have been through hell and back and are finally united at the end of the original trilogy are once again separated for the majority of this book. Not just separated physically, either: throughout this story, each of them doubts repeatedly whether the other is still in love with him. Angst is much more prevalent in this book than previous ones.- Sometimes it’s hard to see how all of the disparate storylines fit together, and I found it difficult to get through certain chapters because I simply wasn’t as interested in the characters in them as I was in the characters of other chapters.Overall comments: I adore this series. The world Constantine has created becomes grander and more beautiful with each additional volume, and she continues to add multi-layered characters at such a rate that I’ve reached a point where I’m starting to have a hard time keeping track of everyone. I didn’t wholeheartedly enjoy reading the parts of this story in which the characters are so emotionally miserable, but it ends well, and I’m now looking forward to reading the final installment.
Pleasantly surprised. The original Wraeththu books were so appealing to me that when Constantine started a new set with the Wraiths of Will and Pleasure, I read it eagerly only to be disappointed by the disjointed nature of it. However The Shades of Time and Memory, while not nearly as compelling as the original books, was much better than Wraiths. The feel of things is much different, with Wraeththu becoming aware that the universe is larger than they knew and that there history is far different than they imagined. The only thing this book suffers from is the inability to decide who the main protagonist is. One might suspect that Cal or maybe Pell would be, but it really seems to move back and forth between them and others. Anyway, definitely worth the read.
What do You think about The Shades Of Time And Memory (2015)?
This was a book that I found difficult to put down. There was so much going on in this one and every subplot was necessary to the story. I thought the characters were very well developed. I really liked the introduction of Moon. I am loving how Pell and Cal continue to grow as very complex characters. I thought this book was amazing and recommend it to anyone who has read the previous Wraethu books, especially the Wraethu Chronicles. It also helps to have a glossary of some of the wraethu vocabulary handy(available online).
—Diane
I like that it is acknowledged that the characters have changed over time, and that much of the relationships that were so important a couple of books ago can no longer be the same as they were. And I love that it is not ignored by the characters. Things were at last confronted that I've been waiting to witness since the end of the first trilogy! But I think a part of me still wants the old connections and goals from the first trilogy, and maybe that's why I don't want to give it as high a rating.But it's not that I wasn't as emotionally invested. Or that I wasn't surprised by new revelations, or afraid for the characters in peril. The book is still of the same caliber as the others, with the promise of even greater revelations to come. Maybe I'm worried I'll be disappointed by those revelations--though why I should think so, when I have not been let down by the story so far, is puzzling. Maybe it's just because I detect the Something that is being led up to is just So Big. Or maybe I'm just reluctant to reach the end of the saga. That could be it. Perhaps its just a worry that I'll never get to see the characters have what I've wanted them to have from the beginning. However, the story's always been so much more gripping because they've been denied it. No, the rating should be the same. It's not my story I'm reading, heh.
—Belcky
