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lesserjoke's review against another edition
3.0
This new book collects the three novellas in author Brandon Sanderson's Legion series (technically unrelated to the X-Men character / FX show of the same name, although there are similarities that Sanderson maintains are coincidental). I had read the first two stories previously, but the third has so far only been published in this collection. Individual reviews below:
Legion: A strong introduction to the series, in which a troubled genius hallucinates manifestations of his expertise. These people are invisible to everyone else, but they advise and assist in the hero's work as a consulting detective, here tracking down a camera that can apparently take pictures of the past. Both the case and the character are fun concepts and a refreshing change from Sanderson's usual high fantasy. ★★★★☆
Skin Deep: The plot beats are very similar to the first story, and the new case, which involves encoding computer data into the human genome, feels like the most ludicrous pseudoscience this side of Dan Brown. Most disappointingly, there's effectively no movement on the overall series plot. ★★☆☆☆
Lies of the Beholder: A largely satisfying conclusion, hampered by how little work the previous stories have done at advancing the series narrative. There's a lot of additional backstory that Sanderson has to cram into this one, and not all of it lands effectively. Still, as a final adventure it's a fine send-off to the character. ★★★☆☆
Overall series: ★★★☆☆
Legion: A strong introduction to the series, in which a troubled genius hallucinates manifestations of his expertise. These people are invisible to everyone else, but they advise and assist in the hero's work as a consulting detective, here tracking down a camera that can apparently take pictures of the past. Both the case and the character are fun concepts and a refreshing change from Sanderson's usual high fantasy. ★★★★☆
Skin Deep: The plot beats are very similar to the first story, and the new case, which involves encoding computer data into the human genome, feels like the most ludicrous pseudoscience this side of Dan Brown. Most disappointingly, there's effectively no movement on the overall series plot. ★★☆☆☆
Lies of the Beholder: A largely satisfying conclusion, hampered by how little work the previous stories have done at advancing the series narrative. There's a lot of additional backstory that Sanderson has to cram into this one, and not all of it lands effectively. Still, as a final adventure it's a fine send-off to the character. ★★★☆☆
Overall series: ★★★☆☆
alyssa_l's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
redley's review against another edition
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
t_shaffner's review against another edition
4.0
My biggest annoyance with this book was the fact that it's three stories in one, and I'd already bought the first two. Apparently only people in the UK could buy the third by itself leaving me to have to buy it all again. I was annoyed enough at that to delay buying for a fair while and to be rather annoyed at the publisher for playing that game.
That said, in the end I'd have bought the third alone too so I bought this and listened again to parts of the first two stories. They were as much fun as the first time around, and the third story was also enjoyable. It was a bit frustrating in that the setup for a more interesting and longer dive into this character's life felt like it was set up as of the end of the book and will never be further explored, but I still thoroughly enjoyed the process to get there. If you've liked Brandon's other books this one will satisfy and is, actually above average even for his high level of quality. Worth it.
That said, in the end I'd have bought the third alone too so I bought this and listened again to parts of the first two stories. They were as much fun as the first time around, and the third story was also enjoyable. It was a bit frustrating in that the setup for a more interesting and longer dive into this character's life felt like it was set up as of the end of the book and will never be further explored, but I still thoroughly enjoyed the process to get there. If you've liked Brandon's other books this one will satisfy and is, actually above average even for his high level of quality. Worth it.
ericzange's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
guybrush's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
bassgirl456's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
elliya's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Wow I liked this. Very reminiscent of Disco Elysium. It was a real speed read, and ending with my favorite trope! The novel eating its own tail trope. Keen to read more from Sanderson. I’m thoroughly spooked by the prison-as-video-game metaphor that he just casually drops in the final 20 pages of the book, and the idea that people could have a more enjoyable time plugged in to a simulated system. Makes me hopeful that the hype is worthwhile about Sanderson!
joey_schafer's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0