Member Reviews
As a quite novice Sci-Fi reader this book had a lot for me to sink my teeth into, it has romance, science, politics and multiple POVs with interweaving story lines. The narration of the audiobook was great but some passages felt quite repetitious to me but overall I was engaged. I think the sheer amount of characters and nature of the book had me struggling to fully get the best experience out of the book and I did wonder whether having a physical copy of the book would have improved this. Overall, it is a great story but I do not believe I am the intended audience but nevertheless I would recommend it to those who are a fan of the genre.
Thank you to NetGalley and R. C. Vielee for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook.
This was a book who really loves to look at the the different was to look at space and time. The different ways to approach scientific theory with an to bring Fantasy realms into it. With the infinite possibility of anything being possible. This had politics, romance and scientific theory, all the things you can love in a sci-fi book.
This book includes:
- a small-town farmer who may be more than meets the eye
- parallel universes/multiverse?
- multiple POVs
- a clash between religion and politics/religious leaders and politicians
- intertwined storylines
"Utopia Falling" is an interesting concept. It challenges you to think beyond the bounds of a singular universe. While the storyline is compelling, I found that the writing style was just not for me. There were many moments where statements were repeated numerous times, even within a single paragraph. It was, unfortunately, too distracting for me to enjoy the story. The audiobook was well narrated, with good pacing and a pleasant voice.
I received this audiobook as an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to NetGalley and R.C. Vielee for the opportunity to review this book. This review is also available on my GoodReads - check out my profile https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/62314863
From what I read of this, it was imaginative and promised interesting characters, but sadly the tone and dialogue didn't work for me. I found one or two characters quite annoying and also I felt the writing itself was missing the depth I like.
Overall, certainly not a terrible book from the parts I read, but I wouldn't recommend it over others in this genre.
Listening to the audiobook was a very enjoyable experience. The narrating was superb, making the listening experience engaging.
The plot of Utopia Falling is intriguing and captivating. It kept me hooked. The world of Tartica is really interesting, I'd love further opportunities to explore the world more. The intricate political intrigue woven throughout the narrative made it not just a sci-fi adventure but also a thoughtful exploration of power and society.
However, I did find it a bit challenging to keep track of the numerous characters introduced. While the characters were well-crafted and interesting, the sheer number sometimes made it hard to follow. I wish I had more time to get to know each character better and delve deeper into their personal stories and motivations.
Despite this minor drawback, it is a fantastic audiobook that I would definitely recommend. If you're a fan of sci-fi with a mix of political drama, romance, and banter, this book is definitely worth your time.
Thanks to NetGalley and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for the advance listeners' copy.
I feel really bad because the worldbuilding is interesting, and the idea of the plot intrigues me, but I just struggled to finish this. It might just be the narration style, but I had trouble telling the many characters apart. They all sounded the same. Especially when the plot involves the political machinations of multiple characters, it makes the story hard to follow. I'd like to go back to this with a physical copy someday and see if that helps.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6643883118
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Check out this review of Utopia Falling: A Darkness Rises (The Utopia Falling Saga Book 1) on Fable. https://fable.co/review/c59af1bc-3720-44b0-a191-5a5aa4b8fe07/share
In his debut work, R.C. Vielee tells an intriguing and multidimensional story that is equal parts love story, dystopian sci-fi thriller, and mystical and scientific. This story, the first in what promises to be an exciting three-book series, is full of odd twists and surprises.
The plot is set in the realm of Tartica, millennia after Earth was destroyed. Humans have rebuilt, creating a world that reflects both the virtues and vices of the twenty-first century. Tartica lives on hard work, love, friendship, and unity, but it also suffers from money, political intrigue, treachery, and murder. This combination of good and evil lays the groundwork for unavoidable chaos.
Reyne, a simple nut farmer with unknown abilities and a tremendous destiny is central to the plot. Reyne is a reluctant hero whose journey to self-discovery is both endearing and, at times, frustrating. His evolution is characterized by charm and vulnerability, making him a likable and intriguing protagonist. As Reyne travels his path, sinister forces gather around him. Various factions with hidden intentions collide, with some directly attacking Reyne and others engaging in larger plots that would eventually lure him in.
Vielee’s unique writing shines through in the two narratives that intertwine. The depth of character development and rich background elements enrich the story, laying the groundwork for grasping the plot’s complexities.
However, the novel is not without defects. Some readers may find the plot difficult to follow at times, and the dialogues may be unclear. The relationship between the characters is vague, which may lead readers to question its genuine nature. Furthermore, the writing style can be repetitive, with themes repeated in consecutive paragraphs, which may disrupt the flow and make it difficult to maintain focus.
Despite these minor drawbacks, R.C. Vielee’s debut novel stands out for its originality and creativity.
The story kicks off after the Great Destruction in the nearly perfect world of Tartica. Just before Reyne’s wedding, assassins from the parallel world of Evidar try to kill him, starting an exciting conflict.
The plot is complex and keeps me excited enough to finish the audiobook in 2 days! The characters are well-developed, and the author skillfully connects different storylines. The world-building is vivid plus the face pace (huge credit to the narrator), I feel like I’m right there in Tartica and Evidar.
Overall, I’m excited to read the next installation of the series and will recommend this book.
The storyline of this book sounded intriguing to me, because it sounded like I could expect fantasy, political machinations, and a bit of romance sprinkled into the parallel timelines. While rich in scope and thematic depth, the novel ventures into complex territories that may challenge some readers' engagement. (It did mine!)
The novel introduces a diverse array of characters and factions, each pivotal to the evolving plot centered on Earth's parallel timelines. Set against a backdrop of political intrigue and religious fervor, the narrative weaves together the lives of highly-trained assassins, romantic entanglements, and the interplay of conflicting ideologies.
At its core, the concept of parallel Earth timelines and the clandestine world of assassins holds immense allure. However, the execution occasionally falters, especially in the clarity of dialogue and character relationships. There is a LOT of freaking characters to keep track of! I need a chart! The banter between Mithany and Arek, while intended to reveal deeper complexities, often feels disjointed and ambiguous, leaving readers questioning the true nature of their connection. Didn't Mithany ONLY want to marry Reyne? Structurally, the novel's pacing is hindered by lengthy and occasionally repetitive paragraphs.
Despite these challenges, the novel excels in its character development, particularly with protagonists like Reyne and Tomelai. Their internal conflicts and external decisions drive the narrative forward, leaving readers intrigued about their future trajectories. Each character possesses untapped potential, hinting at deeper revelations and developments in subsequent installments of the saga. In the end, I was left feeling grateful it was over and unsure if I cared if the story continued or not. It was not bad; it just didn't leave me waiting for more, either.
Great start to this new series. Earth suffered in the Great Destruction but Tartica is strong again. Reyne is to be married in a few days but assassins have been sent from Evidar to kill him. Chaos is being brought to Tartica.
Veer enjoyable, well written and well narrated novel (I listened to the audiobook). Great characters whose lives are held in balance. Well paced and full of action. Two worlds so entwined but which will survive the plans of the Devil’s Blacksmith? Look forward to book two.
This was an interesting story with world building and multiple characters that were enjoyable. I would consider continuing in the series.
I quite enjoyed this audiobook, it had an air of what’s going on in the world current day. I would have liked more depth to the characters but that said it was very well written and great to disappear into.