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The Empty Throne #2
Those Below (The Empty Throne) by Daniel Polansky
For centuries beyond counting, humanity has served the Others, god-like Eternals who rule from their cloud-capped mountain-city, building a civilization of unimagined beauty and unchecked viciousness.
But all that is about to change. Bas Alyates, grizzled general of a thousand battles, has assembled a vast army with which to contend with the might of Those Above. Eudokia, Machiavellian matriarch and the power behind the Empty Throne, travels to the Roost, nominally to play peacemaker - but in fact to inspire the human population toward revolt. Deep in the dark byways of the mountain's lower tiers, the urchin Pyre leads a band of fanatical revolutionaries in acts of terrorism against their inhuman oppressors. Against them, Calla, handmaiden of the Eternals' king, fights desperately to stave off the rising tide of violence which threatens to destroy her beloved city.
The story that begun in Those Above comes to a conclusion in this battle for the hearts and minds of the human race in Those Below.
Hardcover
First published March 10, 2016
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1373 people want to read
About the author
Daniel Polansky
35 books1,240 followersDaniel Polansky is the author of the Low Town trilogy, Empty Throne duology, the Hugo-nominated novella The Builders, and A City Dreaming. He can be found in Los Angeles, mostly.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 85 reviews
February 9, 2017
I was right! It is a complete story! Well, it shouldn't be that surprising with names like Those Above and Those Below. :) And the blow-out? Lots of machinations, political intrigue from Eudokia (I absolutely love her), and WAR.
We knew it was coming. And it was very satisfying when it came. And the end? LOL. Not saying. But I was satisfied as hell.
Still, I was slightly off. It takes up 2 years after the first novel and things have been progressing and simmering. I suppose that's fine for the sake of action. :)
I still love the writing and the amount of depth in the world building. I love the way he gets behind the scenes and develops both sides of the conflict. I can't say that the four-fingered are gods. Not really. But I can tell you that I love getting to know and love them as much as the poor oppressed five-fingered. :)
How to compare it with most fantasy? Well, I'm reluctant. Polansky has a very gritty style, but he doesn't shirk the posh. And best of all, he makes all the characters ambiguous. Whether story-wise or morally. A lot of authors can say that, of course, but Polansky's style is rather unique and careful. He always takes his time to take us exactly where he wants us, and then he blows us away with fantastic fights and plot twists.
*two thumbs up* It's solid as hell. It's the reason I never refuse an opportunity to read his stuff. He's been consistently great.
We knew it was coming. And it was very satisfying when it came. And the end? LOL. Not saying. But I was satisfied as hell.
Still, I was slightly off. It takes up 2 years after the first novel and things have been progressing and simmering. I suppose that's fine for the sake of action. :)
I still love the writing and the amount of depth in the world building. I love the way he gets behind the scenes and develops both sides of the conflict. I can't say that the four-fingered are gods. Not really. But I can tell you that I love getting to know and love them as much as the poor oppressed five-fingered. :)
How to compare it with most fantasy? Well, I'm reluctant. Polansky has a very gritty style, but he doesn't shirk the posh. And best of all, he makes all the characters ambiguous. Whether story-wise or morally. A lot of authors can say that, of course, but Polansky's style is rather unique and careful. He always takes his time to take us exactly where he wants us, and then he blows us away with fantastic fights and plot twists.
*two thumbs up* It's solid as hell. It's the reason I never refuse an opportunity to read his stuff. He's been consistently great.
April 4, 2016
I really enjoyed this book and thought that it ended The Empty Throne duology very well, it tied up all of the loose ends. However, I did think that it ended very quickly and would have liked to have had more information about the ending for each character.
The plot throughout this book is full of twists and turns and is very clever. I was constantly being surprised by what happened. I really enjoyed that Polansky wasn't afraid to let awful things happen, which made the book much more thrilling to read.
As Those Below takes place two years after the first book, Those Above, we get to see the development of each of the characters over time. It also meant that the plot had time to simmer away and so the situation has escalated by the time we meet all of our characters again. The character development was great and it's crazy to think about where the characters from book one are now.
The world development was good, although without a map I found it very difficult to keep track of the smaller places mentioned throughout. This book is very political and I enjoyed watching plots brew and seeing characters in different positions of power interact.
I would definitely recommend this book to adult fantasy fans, a very unique world that I am sure I will have to reread at some point in the future. Thank you to Hodder & Stoughton for sending me a copy to review after hearing how much I enjoyed the first book!
The plot throughout this book is full of twists and turns and is very clever. I was constantly being surprised by what happened. I really enjoyed that Polansky wasn't afraid to let awful things happen, which made the book much more thrilling to read.
As Those Below takes place two years after the first book, Those Above, we get to see the development of each of the characters over time. It also meant that the plot had time to simmer away and so the situation has escalated by the time we meet all of our characters again. The character development was great and it's crazy to think about where the characters from book one are now.
The world development was good, although without a map I found it very difficult to keep track of the smaller places mentioned throughout. This book is very political and I enjoyed watching plots brew and seeing characters in different positions of power interact.
I would definitely recommend this book to adult fantasy fans, a very unique world that I am sure I will have to reread at some point in the future. Thank you to Hodder & Stoughton for sending me a copy to review after hearing how much I enjoyed the first book!
December 9, 2016
FULL REVIEW ON MY BLOG, TOTAL INABILITY TO CONNECT
I have a fairly up-and-down relationship with Daniel Polansky’s work – I enjoy almost all of it, and for large portions of each (most, more accurately) of his books, I’ve experienced pure joy reading. However, as I’ve pointed out in numerous reviews of Daniel’s books, I’m consistently frustrated with his novels. His prose is, for the majority of the time, stellar – among my favorite of any author, an absolute pleasure to consume. I generally enjoy his characters, his worldbuilding, his creativity. However, in every novel, I’ve felt like he just didn’t quite put all the pieces together, whether it be flat spots in certain sections, making decisions in the story that didn’t make much sense to me, or even just overwriting chunks of the book. I’ve been quite upset with it at times, because I feel as though he could be one of my favorite writers.
Those Below threw all of that above criticism out the window.
While I will stop short of saying that I think Polansky has finally ‘put it all together’ (largely based on the fact I did not enjoy his newest novel all that much, but that was obviously personal preference, based on style and decisions), I will say that I thought Those Below was far and away the best, and most complete, of his works to date. The story arc, progression, characters and dialogue, story direction choices, misdirection, and of course the wonderful prose all worked, all clicked, all felt fulfilling and complete. As much as I wanted to see the resolutions, I dreaded reaching the end, though I thought the conclusion itself was very well done, very moving, and exceptionally impactful.
Those Below picks up not too long after where it’s prequel, Those Above, left off – following Eudokia, Calla, Pyre, and co at the Roost, the magical tiered city run by, well, Those Above, the Eternal, a species of nearly-immortal, godlike people, with some avian qualities. Additionally, we returned to my favorite character from the first book, Bas – the hero warrior of the Aelerian empire, one of the only known to have killed one of Those Above – as he marches his army towards the Roost in preparations for an invasion and war. The pieces have been laid for this, with Pyre and his Five Fingered brethren wreaking havoc in the lower – poorer and more oppressed – parts of the city, sowing the seeds of rebellion, disrupting trade and striking fear into the humans of the higher rungs, ever closer to the Eternal.
The twists involved in this story are not exactly the most shocking, however they were well set up, well presented, and as the pieces fell into place the story became more and more enjoyable. The understated, but incredibly powerful Eudokia mentally sparring with the leader of the Eternal, as well as several of his peers, and of course with Calla, the human servant and representative of the leader of the Eternal (as well as her involvement with Eudokia’s nephew), was one of the more enjoyable bits I’ve read. Calla and her relationship conflicts, being torn between seeing the human’s point of view, while still appreciating the Eternal for their greatness, and the great life her and her predecessors had lived due to them. Bas and his melancholy, his slow descent and acceptance of his purpose, his place in the world, and his inevitable end while his friends fall around him.
The setup is a bit of an anomaly – the book is definitely a slow burner, despite being relatively short, but does keep you engaged the entire time. I never had the periods of incredibly slow movement I experienced in most of his previous works, never lost any interest, never wanted to really put the book down once I was reading it. I always wanted to know what would happen next, how the impending battle would go down, whether we were going to be shocked in the end.
Those Below was certainly one of my favorite reads of 2016, and gave me that “all in” Polansky piece that I’d been desiring after reading his previous works. It was enjoyable front to back, and it was impressive just how much he fit into only two ~350 page novels, a rather refreshing dip from long-winded doorstoppers that have become so common in fantasy. Daniel does not waste words, does not fill space with nonsense, but the words he does use are wonderful and glorious in this piece, and I savored every bit of it.
Rating: 4.75 / 5
I have a fairly up-and-down relationship with Daniel Polansky’s work – I enjoy almost all of it, and for large portions of each (most, more accurately) of his books, I’ve experienced pure joy reading. However, as I’ve pointed out in numerous reviews of Daniel’s books, I’m consistently frustrated with his novels. His prose is, for the majority of the time, stellar – among my favorite of any author, an absolute pleasure to consume. I generally enjoy his characters, his worldbuilding, his creativity. However, in every novel, I’ve felt like he just didn’t quite put all the pieces together, whether it be flat spots in certain sections, making decisions in the story that didn’t make much sense to me, or even just overwriting chunks of the book. I’ve been quite upset with it at times, because I feel as though he could be one of my favorite writers.
Those Below threw all of that above criticism out the window.
While I will stop short of saying that I think Polansky has finally ‘put it all together’ (largely based on the fact I did not enjoy his newest novel all that much, but that was obviously personal preference, based on style and decisions), I will say that I thought Those Below was far and away the best, and most complete, of his works to date. The story arc, progression, characters and dialogue, story direction choices, misdirection, and of course the wonderful prose all worked, all clicked, all felt fulfilling and complete. As much as I wanted to see the resolutions, I dreaded reaching the end, though I thought the conclusion itself was very well done, very moving, and exceptionally impactful.
Those Below picks up not too long after where it’s prequel, Those Above, left off – following Eudokia, Calla, Pyre, and co at the Roost, the magical tiered city run by, well, Those Above, the Eternal, a species of nearly-immortal, godlike people, with some avian qualities. Additionally, we returned to my favorite character from the first book, Bas – the hero warrior of the Aelerian empire, one of the only known to have killed one of Those Above – as he marches his army towards the Roost in preparations for an invasion and war. The pieces have been laid for this, with Pyre and his Five Fingered brethren wreaking havoc in the lower – poorer and more oppressed – parts of the city, sowing the seeds of rebellion, disrupting trade and striking fear into the humans of the higher rungs, ever closer to the Eternal.
The twists involved in this story are not exactly the most shocking, however they were well set up, well presented, and as the pieces fell into place the story became more and more enjoyable. The understated, but incredibly powerful Eudokia mentally sparring with the leader of the Eternal, as well as several of his peers, and of course with Calla, the human servant and representative of the leader of the Eternal (as well as her involvement with Eudokia’s nephew), was one of the more enjoyable bits I’ve read. Calla and her relationship conflicts, being torn between seeing the human’s point of view, while still appreciating the Eternal for their greatness, and the great life her and her predecessors had lived due to them. Bas and his melancholy, his slow descent and acceptance of his purpose, his place in the world, and his inevitable end while his friends fall around him.
The setup is a bit of an anomaly – the book is definitely a slow burner, despite being relatively short, but does keep you engaged the entire time. I never had the periods of incredibly slow movement I experienced in most of his previous works, never lost any interest, never wanted to really put the book down once I was reading it. I always wanted to know what would happen next, how the impending battle would go down, whether we were going to be shocked in the end.
Those Below was certainly one of my favorite reads of 2016, and gave me that “all in” Polansky piece that I’d been desiring after reading his previous works. It was enjoyable front to back, and it was impressive just how much he fit into only two ~350 page novels, a rather refreshing dip from long-winded doorstoppers that have become so common in fantasy. Daniel does not waste words, does not fill space with nonsense, but the words he does use are wonderful and glorious in this piece, and I savored every bit of it.
Rating: 4.75 / 5
May 27, 2016
Originally reviewed here: http://thequeenofblades.blogspot.co.u...
This is due back at the library today, I don't want to part with it.
Disclaimer: This is supposed to be a review, not quite. It's more like me processing a mega-whopper case of book blues.
I can count on one hand the books that broke me - I don't mean a little book hangover, I mean books that have made me question the point of life. Not my life in particular, existence in general. Us as a species. Why are we here? Why do we allow each other to suffer? What is the point of it all? It's two hands now, by the way.
Most days I am able to drive these annoying sort of questions away with typical cynisim. Survive and reproduce - that is the point. Not today though. Today (and yesterday) is for wallowing. I shall embrace the emptiness.
Whilst I was wallowing, I discovered the source of my book hangovers. I delved in to it, poked and prodded. Deconstructed it. I must confess to a passing interest in the human psyche, and book hangovers have always puzzled me. Why should I feel like this? It's not even real!
After a bit of staring off into space, I discovered I have felt similar emotions before. Not quite the same, but enough for me to recognize them. Chiefly among them is grief. Not grief like somebody died, more like they left and you will never see them again.
At which point you might say "It's not real".
Well, the brain doesn't always know the difference: https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/...
If you are too lazy to follow the link here the gist of it:
'The scans revealed heightened connectivity within the students' brains on the mornings following the reading assignments. The areas with enhanced connectivity included the students' left temporal cortex, an area of the brain associated with language comprehension, as well as in the brain's central sulcus, which is associated with sensations and movement.
"The anterior (front) bank of the sulcus contains neurons that control movement of parts of the body," Berns noted. Adding, "The posterior (rear) bank contains neurons that receive sensory input from the parts of the body. Enhanced connectivity here was a surprise finding, but it implies that, perhaps, the act of reading puts the reader in the body of the protagonist."'
So there, it is real! At least partially, to my brain anyway. This might go some way to explain why I sometimes feel completely desolate after some books. I'm also, like most book nerds, way too introverted to deal with the real world too often, I'd much rather disappear into myself. It's safer, and quieter.
And with me I shall have these amazing characters that I have grown to love, warts and all. I've watched them evolve and overcome. I cheered them on against their foe. I was there when they fell in love, I was there when they made mistakes, fought, screamed, fucked, died. And when I close the book, they are gone. Forever. And that is why I feel like this. It is also why I read.
This is due back at the library today, I don't want to part with it.
Disclaimer: This is supposed to be a review, not quite. It's more like me processing a mega-whopper case of book blues.
I can count on one hand the books that broke me - I don't mean a little book hangover, I mean books that have made me question the point of life. Not my life in particular, existence in general. Us as a species. Why are we here? Why do we allow each other to suffer? What is the point of it all? It's two hands now, by the way.
Most days I am able to drive these annoying sort of questions away with typical cynisim. Survive and reproduce - that is the point. Not today though. Today (and yesterday) is for wallowing. I shall embrace the emptiness.
Whilst I was wallowing, I discovered the source of my book hangovers. I delved in to it, poked and prodded. Deconstructed it. I must confess to a passing interest in the human psyche, and book hangovers have always puzzled me. Why should I feel like this? It's not even real!
After a bit of staring off into space, I discovered I have felt similar emotions before. Not quite the same, but enough for me to recognize them. Chiefly among them is grief. Not grief like somebody died, more like they left and you will never see them again.
At which point you might say "It's not real".
Well, the brain doesn't always know the difference: https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/...
If you are too lazy to follow the link here the gist of it:
'The scans revealed heightened connectivity within the students' brains on the mornings following the reading assignments. The areas with enhanced connectivity included the students' left temporal cortex, an area of the brain associated with language comprehension, as well as in the brain's central sulcus, which is associated with sensations and movement.
"The anterior (front) bank of the sulcus contains neurons that control movement of parts of the body," Berns noted. Adding, "The posterior (rear) bank contains neurons that receive sensory input from the parts of the body. Enhanced connectivity here was a surprise finding, but it implies that, perhaps, the act of reading puts the reader in the body of the protagonist."'
So there, it is real! At least partially, to my brain anyway. This might go some way to explain why I sometimes feel completely desolate after some books. I'm also, like most book nerds, way too introverted to deal with the real world too often, I'd much rather disappear into myself. It's safer, and quieter.
And with me I shall have these amazing characters that I have grown to love, warts and all. I've watched them evolve and overcome. I cheered them on against their foe. I was there when they fell in love, I was there when they made mistakes, fought, screamed, fucked, died. And when I close the book, they are gone. Forever. And that is why I feel like this. It is also why I read.
September 16, 2023
I think I strained my eyes finishing the last of this two part, epic fantasy conclusion.
Book-time had passed since the end of the first and it took some little adjustment period, but the momentum built and carried me faster and faster to seeing the end. How this guy is not more widely read continues to confound me; he's upped his writing game from Low Town, shows us his world-building prowess and with three main characters shows flashes of some of the strongest people I remember from other favorite fantasy novels. Eudokia brings to mind Martin's Cersei Lannister or Daniel Abraham's Clara Annalise Kalliam, Bas is the veteran military leader, strong, steady and peerless, Thistle/Pyre the orphan-type from the low-rung, recruited and leading the people's revolt, learns the ropes while he thinks he knows all, how the world works and how to shape it.
The ball started rolling and I rode along with it, knocking other matters to the side so I could see the culmination of this tale, and it was worth every blurry-eyed moment.
Book-time had passed since the end of the first and it took some little adjustment period, but the momentum built and carried me faster and faster to seeing the end. How this guy is not more widely read continues to confound me; he's upped his writing game from Low Town, shows us his world-building prowess and with three main characters shows flashes of some of the strongest people I remember from other favorite fantasy novels. Eudokia brings to mind Martin's Cersei Lannister or Daniel Abraham's Clara Annalise Kalliam, Bas is the veteran military leader, strong, steady and peerless, Thistle/Pyre the orphan-type from the low-rung, recruited and leading the people's revolt, learns the ropes while he thinks he knows all, how the world works and how to shape it.
The ball started rolling and I rode along with it, knocking other matters to the side so I could see the culmination of this tale, and it was worth every blurry-eyed moment.
July 27, 2018
Great finish. Polansky is up there with Joe Abercrombie on my all time favourites list.
December 25, 2023
3.5 / 5
Those Below is the 2nd part of the Empty Throne duology which works as a whole story split into two parts. As such, both parts are totally depended on each other and the ultimate enjoyment and thus rating is also affected from each part. So, likewise, this review must be read along and after my review of Those Above since I will try not to elaborate and repeat myself much.
So, why does Those Below get a 3.5? Does it have the same pros and cons as the first book?
Well, yes and no. It is a better book in some ways and more disappointing in some other. I have 2 very big issues with both books, lack of plot and pacing. There's really very little important plot going on. Honestly, I could summarize the main plot of both book in 1 page; maybe even less. All those hundreds of pages are filled with world-building exposition, character exploration, growth and development and wasteful page-filler. Now, don't get me wrong, the character work in both books is amazing and outstanding, worthy of Polansky's accolades, but it amounts for little when there's so little going on, so minor and few important things driving the story, so little attachment to said protagonists that at the end all that wonderful characterization matters little. It's disappointing really.
The pacing is also horrendous. On the one hand, we keep having alternating POVs among the 4 main characters/protagonists (something that already makes things bad both for pacing and reader attachment) constantly and often with undefined time jumps. On the other hand, even during a certain POV chapter, the pacing is off wandering from wasteful place descriptions or history infodumps to hectic cramming of important plot moving moments and then back again to more indifferent things happening. There are chapters that even after finishing the duology I can't understand why there were in the story, why they were written and kept.
Still, this is not a bad book. In fact, in many ways it's a great and rewarding book. Polansky's writing is simply beautiful and it's obvious he chooses his words and expressions carefully depending the circumstances and POVs. I already mentioned that the characterization is top-notch, so superbly done that after a while you could thing and feel as each main character and expect their reactions.
But, ultimately, I had really high hopes and expectations from Polansky. I think I've read most or all of his books and I thought I knew what to expect and sadly I didn't get that.
So do I recommend this duology? The answer is quite simple really. If you like slow-paced, well-written books, with deep characterization, a lot of politics and a sprinkle of drama soap-opera then definitely try it, I totally recommend it. If, instead, you're looking for a fast paced, action packed, plot-driven typical epic- or dark-fantasy with magic, fantastical creatures etc then stay away; this is not for you.
3.5 / 5
Those Below is the 2nd part of the Empty Throne duology which works as a whole story split into two parts. As such, both parts are totally depended on each other and the ultimate enjoyment and thus rating is also affected from each part. So, likewise, this review must be read along and after my review of Those Above since I will try not to elaborate and repeat myself much.
So, why does Those Below get a 3.5? Does it have the same pros and cons as the first book?
Well, yes and no. It is a better book in some ways and more disappointing in some other. I have 2 very big issues with both books, lack of plot and pacing. There's really very little important plot going on. Honestly, I could summarize the main plot of both book in 1 page; maybe even less. All those hundreds of pages are filled with world-building exposition, character exploration, growth and development and wasteful page-filler. Now, don't get me wrong, the character work in both books is amazing and outstanding, worthy of Polansky's accolades, but it amounts for little when there's so little going on, so minor and few important things driving the story, so little attachment to said protagonists that at the end all that wonderful characterization matters little. It's disappointing really.
The pacing is also horrendous. On the one hand, we keep having alternating POVs among the 4 main characters/protagonists (something that already makes things bad both for pacing and reader attachment) constantly and often with undefined time jumps. On the other hand, even during a certain POV chapter, the pacing is off wandering from wasteful place descriptions or history infodumps to hectic cramming of important plot moving moments and then back again to more indifferent things happening. There are chapters that even after finishing the duology I can't understand why there were in the story, why they were written and kept.
Still, this is not a bad book. In fact, in many ways it's a great and rewarding book. Polansky's writing is simply beautiful and it's obvious he chooses his words and expressions carefully depending the circumstances and POVs. I already mentioned that the characterization is top-notch, so superbly done that after a while you could thing and feel as each main character and expect their reactions.
But, ultimately, I had really high hopes and expectations from Polansky. I think I've read most or all of his books and I thought I knew what to expect and sadly I didn't get that.
So do I recommend this duology? The answer is quite simple really. If you like slow-paced, well-written books, with deep characterization, a lot of politics and a sprinkle of drama soap-opera then definitely try it, I totally recommend it. If, instead, you're looking for a fast paced, action packed, plot-driven typical epic- or dark-fantasy with magic, fantastical creatures etc then stay away; this is not for you.
3.5 / 5
July 23, 2024
2.75. This was a slog. I love Polansky’s writing, he’s an auto-buy author for me, but this lacked interesting characters, pace and a good story to root it all.
Review of the duology to come on my channel.
Review of the duology to come on my channel.
November 27, 2022
There is a certain beauty to Daniel Polansky's writing that transcends all he writes. Whether a description of wonder, poverty, brutal violence, culture, nature, architecture, his use of language evokes images that remain in your head, and in your heart, long after you are done reading.
There is also a deep sorrow, a sense of loss, of the ending of something that will never be again, that seeps into his stories.
All his writings manifest this, yet The Empty Throne series captures it like a perfect moment in time. In The Empty Throne, Those Below exemplifies this to perfection.
While Those Above weaved perfect world building, as well as characters that popped from the page, Those Below demonstrated that the first book was setting up for the snowballing of events of the second. It also proved that the series is a tragedy that at first unfolds in slow motion, and then becomes inevitable in its pace.
It was beautiful and sad, and I finished it weeks ago, and I still remember chilling scenes from it quite clearly.
It left me bereft when it ended, which seems to be a pattern with his series for me. When I finished Low Town, I was beside myself. I finished it years ago, and I still remember scenes and feelings from it in lurid detail.
I have to also admit, there was a specific description in Those Below that reminded me of an amazing description in The Builders. Some of you who read both The Empty Throne and The Builders will catch it, and it will bring you violent joy.
Daniel Polansky is a singular talent, and his capacity for tying knots in my heartstrings is difficult to match.
I'm sad it was only a duology and not a trilogy, but it ended where it needed to end.
There is also a deep sorrow, a sense of loss, of the ending of something that will never be again, that seeps into his stories.
All his writings manifest this, yet The Empty Throne series captures it like a perfect moment in time. In The Empty Throne, Those Below exemplifies this to perfection.
While Those Above weaved perfect world building, as well as characters that popped from the page, Those Below demonstrated that the first book was setting up for the snowballing of events of the second. It also proved that the series is a tragedy that at first unfolds in slow motion, and then becomes inevitable in its pace.
It was beautiful and sad, and I finished it weeks ago, and I still remember chilling scenes from it quite clearly.
It left me bereft when it ended, which seems to be a pattern with his series for me. When I finished Low Town, I was beside myself. I finished it years ago, and I still remember scenes and feelings from it in lurid detail.
I have to also admit, there was a specific description in Those Below that reminded me of an amazing description in The Builders. Some of you who read both The Empty Throne and The Builders will catch it, and it will bring you violent joy.
Daniel Polansky is a singular talent, and his capacity for tying knots in my heartstrings is difficult to match.
I'm sad it was only a duology and not a trilogy, but it ended where it needed to end.
January 3, 2018
Powerful, dark and very grim.... Fabulous worldbuilding. 3.5 stars.
June 26, 2022
Beautifully written, but wow, that sad and cynical ending.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 27, 2018
**4.75 stars**
I really enjoyed this sequel and conclusion to Those Above. I went into this duology with quite low expectations because of it not really being a hyped up book series, but I've loved it to be honest.
I wouldn't change anything that happened in the story, I just wanted there to be an epilogue.
I really enjoyed this sequel and conclusion to Those Above. I went into this duology with quite low expectations because of it not really being a hyped up book series, but I've loved it to be honest.
I wouldn't change anything that happened in the story, I just wanted there to be an epilogue.
August 12, 2016
A slow burner, very character driven, but that is no bad thing. I enjoyed it, with the focus on the characters relationships and motivations. Bas, the old conflicted soldier, was my favourite. I know some people will complain that not a lot actually happened, and it is not one for fans of constant action/fight scenes, although these are in there. The world building was quite good, but could have been made more of, and I would be interested in another book set in this world. This is a contrast ton the Low town books which I loved, but still good.
February 4, 2017
Polansky easily lives up to the expectations that were created with the first book. This duology was really just one long book, and I thought it was excellent. Great, real characters, interesting world, satisfying ending. There isn't a lot of joy and happiness but who needs that when the story is this good?
February 7, 2017
Wasn't as good as the 1st novel however, with Polansky dont expect a suspensful plot. Its all about the slow build and the characters. Great end to the duology.
August 9, 2022
Rushed ending
July 7, 2025
This, similar to book 1 was a bit of a rushed experience.
I’m not really sure where to start, and, like the book I’ll keep it brief.
Essentially what we have here is the culmination of Those Above’s set up - the war (is it really a war or more of a skirmish) between humans and Those Above, continuing to follow a few POV characters.
I enjoyed the book for what it was - the plot moves fast and there’s tons of moments where you think you’ve missed something but no, it’s been glossed over. This sort of approach works for long series, especially some of your urban fantasy - but for a duology I felt a little short changed.
The 2 books combined are probably no bigger than a single normal sized fantasy book. That’d be ok but Polansky is clearly going for epic, so it doesn’t fall into that could have been a stand alone category.
I felt like by the end that the majority of the POV had become redundant expect for Eudokia and Pyre, although Pyre became a little too on the nose for me.
So yeah how do I feel.
I liked it enough to finish - the size of it although seemingly negative probably helped me enjoy it more in a way as I knew it was a wick experience.
But I do think it needed to be more fleshed out. There’s other genres where this approach works better, but building a new world and cast needs more.
It felt rushed but it’s refreshing to be done with a whole series in 11 days! - 6/10
I’m not really sure where to start, and, like the book I’ll keep it brief.
Essentially what we have here is the culmination of Those Above’s set up - the war (is it really a war or more of a skirmish) between humans and Those Above, continuing to follow a few POV characters.
I enjoyed the book for what it was - the plot moves fast and there’s tons of moments where you think you’ve missed something but no, it’s been glossed over. This sort of approach works for long series, especially some of your urban fantasy - but for a duology I felt a little short changed.
The 2 books combined are probably no bigger than a single normal sized fantasy book. That’d be ok but Polansky is clearly going for epic, so it doesn’t fall into that could have been a stand alone category.
I felt like by the end that the majority of the POV had become redundant expect for Eudokia and Pyre, although Pyre became a little too on the nose for me.
So yeah how do I feel.
I liked it enough to finish - the size of it although seemingly negative probably helped me enjoy it more in a way as I knew it was a wick experience.
But I do think it needed to be more fleshed out. There’s other genres where this approach works better, but building a new world and cast needs more.
It felt rushed but it’s refreshing to be done with a whole series in 11 days! - 6/10
February 22, 2019
When I finished the first book I was a little disappointed and I wrote that I would have read this final book in the Empty Throne series only because I had already bought it, but I was hoping to be surprised.
Actually I admit that this book was positive surprise.
Things start happening, we have some action and the plot is developed very cleverly.
Honestly I still couldn't feel anything for the main characters, and after 1 week I can't even remember the names.
However I really appreciated the themes the author addressed through the actions of the characters.
Some of them are very hot topics in our real world, like the use of fanatical terrorist to help subverting a regime, or the consequences of such revolution.
Would the new ruling class be better than the old one, or for the normal people everything would remain the same or even worse?
It is something we saw happening very often in the last years all over the world.
I always love a book that makes me think and I like it even more when it changes your attitude toward the story during the reading.
If you read the blurb you expect to have the heroic and right battle of men against the evil beings which kept them slaves for centuries.
However I must admit that in the end I probably liked those above more than those below.
A special mention for the last scene.
I found it a great conclusion, even if very sad.
Actually I admit that this book was positive surprise.
Things start happening, we have some action and the plot is developed very cleverly.
Honestly I still couldn't feel anything for the main characters, and after 1 week I can't even remember the names.
However I really appreciated the themes the author addressed through the actions of the characters.
Some of them are very hot topics in our real world, like the use of fanatical terrorist to help subverting a regime, or the consequences of such revolution.
Would the new ruling class be better than the old one, or for the normal people everything would remain the same or even worse?
It is something we saw happening very often in the last years all over the world.
I always love a book that makes me think and I like it even more when it changes your attitude toward the story during the reading.
If you read the blurb you expect to have the heroic and right battle of men against the evil beings which kept them slaves for centuries.
However I must admit that in the end I probably liked those above more than those below.
A special mention for the last scene.
I found it a great conclusion, even if very sad.
July 15, 2023
Honestly, this is not a series I would have continued reading if it wasn't for the fact that the author writes beautifully.
It was a hard read with a lot of politics and savagery.
If you like happy endings or even satisfactory endings, this is not it.
To read a book where neither side is worthy, where too much is left undone.
Honestly, I don't know what to say about it other than it has turned me upside down, and I'm not sure if I am glad I read it or wish I hadn't. Only thing I do know is that Daniel Polansky is a magician with words.
It was a hard read with a lot of politics and savagery.
If you like happy endings or even satisfactory endings, this is not it.
To read a book where neither side is worthy, where too much is left undone.
Honestly, I don't know what to say about it other than it has turned me upside down, and I'm not sure if I am glad I read it or wish I hadn't. Only thing I do know is that Daniel Polansky is a magician with words.
November 26, 2018
Definitely a favorite series! Dialog is great, situations are believable and the ending was very realistic, not a HEO type of story. I really enjoyed this read and will read more of Polansky's work!
April 10, 2016
This was a satisfying and fitting conclusion to Daniel Polansky's Empty Throne duology. It confirmed Polansky as an author to watch in my opinion. This was an unusual fantasy story for a few reasons. It was slow paced, but always interesting and engaging. It lacked any characters that I could truly root for, but also made it impossible for me not to sympathize with each of the characters at various times throughout the story. The story was dark, brutal, and very cynical in tone, but at the same time also strangely introspective and melancholic. The story was also one that kept the reader guessing until the very last moment about who would emerge victorious in the ultimate struggle between humanity and the Others and also about the fate of the various POV characters.
This story picked up where the previous book left off with the ambitious Aelerians readying for a war against their inhuman overlords. Bas and his army have routed the last of the human opposition and now ready themselves for the ultimate test against the Eternal. Thistle, now renamed Pyrre, has joined the cause of the Five Fingered and seeks redemption for himself and freedom for his oppressed people. Calla senses that war is inevitable and wants to do all she can to protect the Roost from invasion. Eudokia finds herself in the Roost itself, as a political emissary of sorts, and pits her wits against those of the Eternals as she seeks to put the final touches in her long held dreams of dominance and vengeance.
All in all this was an enjoyable and engaging read. I was happy with the story and how all the loose ends were concluded. I was surprised to find that I enjoyed Pyrre's story arc the most. He showed great development and growth over the course of the Empty Throne books. Eudokia was as fascinating to follow as ever. She was as ruthless as ever in pursuit of her goals, but had moments of humanity and a few interesting observations to impart to some of the more naive characters. I liked Calla and Bas the most. Both were very different in personality. Calla, young and full of hope and naivety. Bas, old and cynical but not willing to give up on dreams even when they seemed hopeless.
Polansky had an engaging writing style that was strange mix of beautiful and gritty. The result was this story felt a bit like reading a grimdark Guy Gavriel Kay story!
Rating: 4 stars.
Audio Note: Jonathan Keeble took over narrator duties from Andrew Wincott. I've no idea why as Wincott did a good job with Those Above and consistency is the most important factor when it comes to audio series if only for the consistency of character interpretation. That said, I think Keeble did an admirable job. He got a bit overexcited with the action scenes, but apart from that was excellent.
This story picked up where the previous book left off with the ambitious Aelerians readying for a war against their inhuman overlords. Bas and his army have routed the last of the human opposition and now ready themselves for the ultimate test against the Eternal. Thistle, now renamed Pyrre, has joined the cause of the Five Fingered and seeks redemption for himself and freedom for his oppressed people. Calla senses that war is inevitable and wants to do all she can to protect the Roost from invasion. Eudokia finds herself in the Roost itself, as a political emissary of sorts, and pits her wits against those of the Eternals as she seeks to put the final touches in her long held dreams of dominance and vengeance.
All in all this was an enjoyable and engaging read. I was happy with the story and how all the loose ends were concluded. I was surprised to find that I enjoyed Pyrre's story arc the most. He showed great development and growth over the course of the Empty Throne books. Eudokia was as fascinating to follow as ever. She was as ruthless as ever in pursuit of her goals, but had moments of humanity and a few interesting observations to impart to some of the more naive characters. I liked Calla and Bas the most. Both were very different in personality. Calla, young and full of hope and naivety. Bas, old and cynical but not willing to give up on dreams even when they seemed hopeless.
Polansky had an engaging writing style that was strange mix of beautiful and gritty. The result was this story felt a bit like reading a grimdark Guy Gavriel Kay story!
Rating: 4 stars.
Audio Note: Jonathan Keeble took over narrator duties from Andrew Wincott. I've no idea why as Wincott did a good job with Those Above and consistency is the most important factor when it comes to audio series if only for the consistency of character interpretation. That said, I think Keeble did an admirable job. He got a bit overexcited with the action scenes, but apart from that was excellent.
July 9, 2017
I wavered between two and three stars. For the most part, the episodic chapters seemed pointless, with little or no character development, and only two of the four main characters advancing the plot in any meaningful way, the other two merely paying witness with ends to match. The culmination of the story seemed equally pointless, war and annihilation for the sake of themselves with no hope or redemption for anyone. As a commentary on war it works; as a work of fiction it's a let-down. For the most part, the characters were unpleasant and they remained so to the end, and I got no joy in their fortunes or felt sadness in their misfortunes. But the last two chapters rose a little above the rest, and so I gave the book three stars. If you can't be bothered with the whole book, you can easily skip to the end without missing anything essential.
April 1, 2016
This book was on my list of to read for a long time. After the first one which was a very well written slow burning set-up novel I thought this would be an explosive conclusion. Unfortunately it was again a very slow burner and again nothing really happened until the last 30 pages or so. By the time the book came to life I didn't really care about the characters and unfortunately found it a bit predictable in the end.
It is very well written but could have been done better in one book and I just didn't take to any of the characters in it at all.
Overall a shame because it has such promise and basic plot.
It is very well written but could have been done better in one book and I just didn't take to any of the characters in it at all.
Overall a shame because it has such promise and basic plot.
March 25, 2016
The Empty Throne has the same kind of brutality and introspective characterization that makes Polansky's Low Town trilogy so entertaining, but here with the claustrophic, noir intensity and intrigue traded for more epic scope, ambition, and possibly even originality - as much as anything in epic fantasy can be called original anymore. Not quite Joe Ambercrombie in its critique of the usual power fantasy tropes of the genre, not as literary at least, but possibly more fun, and still dominated by anti-heroes and sympathetic killers.
January 29, 2020
With what Polanksy does well in character writing and world building, he lacks in a gripping storyline. I really wanted to get into this book because I enjoy the writing style however the lack of story progression and a slow all rounder (even in the first book of the series) made it seem a chore to read. I ended up reading just to finish the book so it would stop taking up space in my backpack. Quite disappointed with how little the story made me want to carry on reading or root for any of the characters such as Bas who had the potential to be a brilliant character if fleshed out enough.
December 8, 2016
¡Bam! Pedazo conclusión. Polansky se ha coronado con esta duología, que empieza bien pero acaba genial. Sorprender no sorprende, ¡pero qué bien escribe el jodido!
Ahora que ya he leído los dos lo tengo que meditar bien para escribir una reseña en condiciones.
Ahora que ya he leído los dos lo tengo que meditar bien para escribir una reseña en condiciones.
April 7, 2016
A great follow up to Those Above... Polansky is a master of prose. Full review to come.
March 9, 2016
Definitely the most disappointing of Polansky's books so far. Very slow, and overly convoluted in some places, but the payout was definitely worth the struggle. Full review soon on readerdad.co.uk.
January 18, 2023
second book of two, so read the first one (Those Above) first to get to know these characters. this is a full-on meditation on war, beautifully written.
January 24, 2024
A great sequel. Not quite as cynical a conclusion as I expected from the first book, but certainly grim. I'm really confused by the genre tags this book currently has on Goodreads: Dystopia seems wrong to me, and Mystery is completely ridiculous. This book is not a mystery. It's not organized around a central question. There are lots of unknowns about the setting, but they're all basically irrelevant to the story. A central theme of the story is that the actual facts of the past are unimportant compared to the narratives we construct over them. What exactly are Those Above, and how did they take power? What was humanity's ancient crime that justifies their current subjugation? Those answers don't matter.
As for Dystopia... this setting has slavery, endemic warfare, and elites living off the toil of the starving masses. So basically, not too different from most of human history. The world's material culture seems to be based off the Mediterranean of the Helenistic Era, and that was certainly a time and place with brutal wars, accompanied by ubiquitous rape, pillage, massacre, and enslavement. Also a period of large empires where tiny elites of one culture ruled over large populations of many other cultures, subjects who could never aspire to citizenship. That kind of society was pretty common throughout human history. So if this is a dystopia, then so were most real-world societies, as well as most medieval fantasy.
I think these similarities are one of the most interesting things about this series. In this world, the noble elites actually are better than everyone else. Those Above are physically superior, larger, stronger, faster, and also culturally superior, more knowledgeable, more refined, more honorable, more inventive, more courageous. Every human who sees them, even those who hate them, agree that they are marvelous and wonderful. They're basically what every aristocracy through history has aspired, or pretended, to be. And yet the society they built is terrible. Out of many things this series says, one of them is that this kind of social stratification is always awful no matter the supposed virtues of the rulers.
As for the ending,
As for Dystopia... this setting has slavery, endemic warfare, and elites living off the toil of the starving masses. So basically, not too different from most of human history. The world's material culture seems to be based off the Mediterranean of the Helenistic Era, and that was certainly a time and place with brutal wars, accompanied by ubiquitous rape, pillage, massacre, and enslavement. Also a period of large empires where tiny elites of one culture ruled over large populations of many other cultures, subjects who could never aspire to citizenship. That kind of society was pretty common throughout human history. So if this is a dystopia, then so were most real-world societies, as well as most medieval fantasy.
I think these similarities are one of the most interesting things about this series. In this world, the noble elites actually are better than everyone else. Those Above are physically superior, larger, stronger, faster, and also culturally superior, more knowledgeable, more refined, more honorable, more inventive, more courageous. Every human who sees them, even those who hate them, agree that they are marvelous and wonderful. They're basically what every aristocracy through history has aspired, or pretended, to be. And yet the society they built is terrible. Out of many things this series says, one of them is that this kind of social stratification is always awful no matter the supposed virtues of the rulers.
As for the ending,
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