This book an interesting dive into a lot of things I've never considered. It is not my usual style of reading, so I think this book is for a very specific audience. However, it was a thinker.

This story had a lot of philosophical themes and ideology, and a lot of meditation about life and death and what it means to live and die. I can absolutely see why people will love this and really connect with it, but I am not a very philosophical person who has any deep thoughts on the themes in this book so it wasn't for me. When I read, I tend to read for plot and character over overarching themes/ideologies. So, while it was an interesting read, I didn't necessarily enjoy it--if that makes sense. I've seen other reviews qualify that this is a really unique read, and I agree with them--this is definitely a unique story unlike much I have read, but it wasn't my cup of tea. I really love the cover, that was the first thing about this story that caught my eye. I don't want to rate this story too low, because I didn't...dislike it, and it just was an instance of the story and my brain not being made for each other.

This book offered a unique reading experience that differed from anything I had encountered before. Reflecting on it, I wish I had explored other works by Vajra Chandrasekera prior to diving into ‘Rakesfall’. If you appreciate philosophical themes, contemplations on life and death, and rare literary gems, this book could be a perfect match for you. Personally, while I didn't dislike the book, it didn't resonate with me. I often felt extremely confused and had to revisit certain chapters multiple times to grasp the content.

This was different from anything I've read - very philosophical, exploring life, death, etc. It's hard to explain and takes some time to get into and stick with. If you're looking for a unique read, this is for you!
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for access to this eARC.

DNF

This was just a case of the writing style not being for me - I found everything confusing and couldn’t get into it.

Thank you @tordotcompub #partner for the free copy of this book!

Wow! I’m not sure how to really describe this book as it’s like nothing I’ve read before! It was extremely poetic and interesting. I wouldn’t call this an easy read by any means as I do feel it was very complex at times but was written in a way that made me want to go back for more. This book delves into Hindu mythology and Asian religions which I am not overly familiar with. At times it made it a little hard to understand but I also think this was such a non conventional book that maybe that was the purpose a bit too? This book felt magical, dystopian, and maybe a little bit of science fiction all wrapped into one exploring reincarnation over and over again. I would say if you are looking for a fresh one of a kind novel that will be like nothing you've ever read before grab yourself a copy! How can you not?! That cover is GORGEOUS!

Rakesfall is a very surreal and experimental science fiction novel. It's hard to justly create a short synopsis for the book. Really, it's about the meaning of "being" . It looks at death and dead things, incarnation, reincarnation, the games gods play and the repeating cycles of life, death, and ultimately, being. The story spans several lifetimes and millennia, and reaches into the past and the to the ends of the earth to look at what it means to be alive, and to die.

Chandrasekera has. a very unique and almost lyrical style. It's a book that takes time and digestion to fully read and enjoy.

The Saint of Bright Doors was incredible, but Rakesfall is a new level entirely. Chandrasekera’s writing is so beautiful and so loaded with meaning that Rakesfall needs you to take time with this twisting epic about two souls in time, finding each other again and again into the future. It’s dark and daring.

Loved this! It was so different and interesting and the characters were unique. Would for sure recommend and will add to our library!

Maybe it wasn't the right mood for me at the time, but I feel like this one ernt above my head. I didn't get very far before I felt utterly lost and would have to go back to check what was happening. Perhaps audio will be the best way for me with this one... with a dual narratation.

This is very much a case where a book is not objectively bad but just clearly not for me. I couldn't tell from the marketing so I had request the book to see for myself. The narrative style and tone of the story just felt off or simply not too my tastes.

I requested this one because it might be an upcoming title I would like to review on my Youtube Channel. However, after reading the first several chapters I have determined that this book does not suit my tastes. So I decided to DNF this one.

3 stars

Mom going to have to sit on this o e for a while.
While I did enjoy the story, I’m not sure I liked the writing style. It’s a hard one for me to rate at this time, so I’ll stick with 3 as an average book.
I may or may not change that rating after I’ve had time to digest and think about it.

This cover is a stunner! Absolutely amazing.

The writing itself is going to appeal to a very specific sort of reader. I’d guess fans of NK Jemison’s Fifth Season will really enjoy it. Those readers, easy four to five stars.

Thank you to NetGalley and Tor for the ARC.

In this captivating read, the author masterfully weaves a narrative that is both engaging and thought-provoking. Through a blend of richly developed characters and a meticulously crafted plot, the book offers a unique exploration of its central themes, inviting readers to immerse themselves in the story's depth and complexity. The narrative is paced perfectly, balancing moments of intense action with thoughtful reflection, ensuring that readers are hooked from the first page to the last. The author's ability to evoke emotion and create a vivid, immersive world is truly remarkable, making this book a must-read for anyone looking for an exceptional literary experience.

Beyond its compelling storyline, the book stands out for its insightful commentary on the human condition, weaving philosophical questions into the fabric of its narrative. The author's skillful use of language not only enriches the text but also elevates the reader's experience, offering new perspectives on familiar themes. Whether it's the intricate dynamics of relationships, the exploration of identity, or the confrontation with ethical dilemmas, this book tackles complex issues with sensitivity and intelligence. It's a testament to the power of storytelling to illuminate the nuances of life, making it a valuable addition to any book lover's collection. Regardless of genre, this is a work that resonates on multiple levels, affirming the enduring impact of well-crafted literature.

I'm not even sure how to begin talking about this book.

First off, I would not trust the copy at all. It is nothing like This is How You Lose the Time War (which, intentional or not, that is a recurring theme I have seen in people's expectations). There is little to no narrative cohesion in the book, and without the copy, I'm not sure that I would have seen many of the connections or themes that it references (the power of suggestion).

Which isn't to say that I didn't enjoy the book. (I don't know, did I?)

Told through a number of moveable literary forms, characters, settings, times, and themes, this was a strange fever dream of a book. Also, despite the reincarnation cycle, there was little to ground it in SFF (though that is undoubtedly where it will be shelved). It will appeal less to SFF readers than a VERY specific kind of reader (think someone who liked Annihilation, Freshwater, or Fever Dream) but will hugely disappoint anyone looking for a plot, familiar structure, or TIHYLTTW vibes. Anyone looking for the kind of romance implied by the copy will be both confused and disappointed.

3.5 stars, rounding down because I do think people should take a moment and really consider if this is a book for them.

Genre: speculative fiction/science fiction
Sri Lanka, through many ages

A portrait of death (and dead things walking) and incarnations and reincarnations, of gods playing games and being caught in the same cycle, woven seamlessly with South Asian religion and lore. The story spins out over millennia and lifetimes, reaching into the distant past and stretching into the future to the ends of the earth.

I find Vajra Chandrasekera difficult to review. His prose is lyrical and inventive and his style intensely complex in an intellectually stimulating way. Knowing his style, I fully intended to take my time reading Rakesfall, and yet at halfway through I was so invested in the spiral of reincarnation and destruction that I read the entire book in an evening. Having some knowledge of the South Asian religious landscape - the Vedas and Upanishads and Sri Lankan Buddhism helped me connect to the text more deeply. Chandrasekera is playing with traditional themes of reincarnation and mixing with his own interpretation.

This book is bolder than Saint of Bright Doors in style. Despite magic and zombies-of-a-sort this fits more comfortably in the science fiction genre than fantasy or horror. At times it reminded me of a more personal or a slice-of-life version of The Years of Rice and Salt by Kim Stanley Robinson, with the winding epic quality of iterations of life after life. At other times, it reminded me of This is How You Lose the Time War, with entities altering the fabric of the world.

Rakesfall is stunning and complex. The pacing is slow and the book is wordy - I’ve never been more thankful for having wikipedia and a dictionary connected to my kindle - but utterly beautiful. Lush worldbuilding through myth and a variety of styles is a similar technique to Bright Doors, and yet gives us an entirely different and purely wild setting.

Surreal, lyrical, beautiful, haunting – featuring a heady mélange of narrative forms and storytelling styles – Rakesfall is an evocative epic poem of a novel. 

It’s impossible to distill Vajra Chandrasekera’s sprawling opus into any short plot synopsis (so kudos to whoever wrote the publisher’s summary), but readers will need to recalibrate their expectations if they go in looking for the everlasting romance said summary implies. Rakesfall defies any easy genre categorization. It’s closer to New Weird or “slipstream” than anything else. Oftentimes difficult to parse, but very hard to put down. The emphasis on atmosphere (read: “vibes”) over plot was a refreshing change of pace over most mainstream genre fare, as well.

This will surely be polarizing among readers as nothing is spoonfed and it challenges you at every turn. But with two incredible books (see The Saint of Bright Doors) releasing within the last year, Chandrasekera has cemented himself as a must-read author and a bold new voice in speculative fiction.