To explain that I will need to spoil certain parts – including spoilers for Lightning. The biggest problems I experienced have to do with some of the philosophy underlying the books. That’s because there’s also something more fundamental to be said than nitpicking. As a series though, based on my reading of Seven Surrenders, I doubt it will eventually match The Book of the New Sun or Anathem as an intellectual achievement of speculative wonder.

So, taking stock, Too Like the Lightning remains a favorite book. For those who were still on the fence after reading Too Like the Lightning, if that didn’t grab you, Seven Surrenders will not change your mind: don’t even bother, I’d say.

I’m pretty sure I’ll enjoy the two remaining books, but as Palmer walks a tightrope, we’ll see. A full on recommendation for anybody in for challenging science fiction. Let me be loud and clear first: together, the first half of Terra Ignota – there are 4 books in total – is audacious, daring, dazzling, intricate, high octane, entertaining, dense, a bit pompous, at times soapy & melodramatic, original, fresh.

And even though she manages to do that, those thoughts also form the heel at which this kind of reader will aim his arrow. Not that Palmer writes only for effect and show: she also wants to articulate serious thoughts. It is only in Seven Surrenders Palmer shows her true hand: while there were hints of it in Too Like the Lightning, this part makes it fully clear this series is an over the top, theatrical series, heavily influenced by the pulp side of Japanese anime. All things considered, it still is a strong 4.5 star read – not a mean feat by any measure. While I loved the bulk of Seven Surrenders, a few problems did arise, and taken as a whole – the two novels are one story playing out over a few days only – I can’t give it the full 5 stars. To cut to the chase: this review will be less raving. If you haven’t, please read my review of Lightning first – in which I try to explain why that book nearly flabbergasted me. Seven Surrenders is not a stand alone novel, and this review isn’t stand alone either. Normally I read more than 15 other books between installments of a series, but as I was so hooked by Too Like the Lightning, Ada Palmer’s debut, I decided to read book 2 of Terra Ignota quickly.

Seven surrenders by ada palmer