Es hätten volle fünf Sterne werden sollen, aber ich denke da ist noch Luft nach oben. Die Geschichte hatte teilweise ihre Längen. Aber es bzw. er trifft genau meinen Nerv. Das große Interesse von Hadrian an Wissen, Sprachen, Kulturen. Seine Naivität am Anfang, Fehler aus denen er lernt, seine Entwicklung ist glaubhaft und fesselnd. Auf zu Teil zwei :-)

Not gonna lie it kind felt like reading backstory (no surprise the series has like 6 parts) but don't understand me wrong! It was amazing! A bit slow at times but I felt like there were reveals and shocking twists that manages to keep the reader hooked. I got really invested (which I always do in books but whatever) and I'm so excited to read more! There is just one part that kinda annoys me. And that's the main character. I'm sorry but Hardrian... Not as cool as I expected 😐✋🏽 but he'll probably improve. Just need to wait for character development. (Loved the side characters though!) It's probably perfect for people who like Dune, it's similar in some ways (mainly the world building and stuff) and readers that still have an attention span that isn't fried by TikTok, cause it's a bit long. Also like I said, it's basically just backstory so just buy it if you actually plan on reading the series. (ALSO VERY IMPORTANT!!!!: There are two(!!) glossaries at the end of the book. I didn't know that until half way through. Would have been useful to know😑)

I think both story and prose are really good, but I'm a character focused reader and they werent detailed enough for me. It makes sense, since Hadrian is still developing and with everyone else there is always the feeling that they'll be only around him for a while. I just couldnt form a connection with anyone. The world and it's relationship with religion and aliens was interesting, though, and the reader gets to experience it from different viewpoints as Hadrian changes from one situation to the next. It never gets boring, but the different chapters of his life don't ever feel episodic or disconnected either. There is a visible Dune inspiration, but it never felt too close and it is a very different style and story. There is much to admire, it's just lacking in the aspect I care most about in books.