The lesser Devil made me adjust my view of Hadrian Inna way that I don't think the mainline series could have. It really showed to me that Hadrian was quite self centred, and really had his blinders on when it came to Crispin and what he may have been going through.
Absolutely, I would even go as far as to say (having only read this and Empire) Crispin is a more compelling character than Hadrian, if only because he’s less whiny and melodramatic. A man of action where Hadrian is a man of words. Words that aren’t always true.
I don’t even l think Crispin matured necessarily (though he did to a degree) so much as, we’re seeing Crispin unfiltered by Hadrian’s (who looks down on him) perspective for the first time and thus we’re seeing Crispin as he really is for the first time.
I read this a couple years ago so this was great for me to get refreshed on this book. Totally agree that it was fascinating seeing so much depth revealed in the stereotypical brute and watching him have his worldview challenged through travel/interaction with new people and ideas. I really enjoyed your spoiler discussion too on the aspect of Crispin interacting with a new kind of religion and how he came to have respect for it-on these themes it was quite thought provoking for a slim book! I landed in a similar place with this-maybe not essential to the series but I mostly had a good time with it and am glad I read it.
I'm glad you picked this one up as I'd heard you started Howling Dark. I think The Lesser Devil helps the first person perspective of the main novels insofar as it reminds us we are seeing things from Hadrian's perspective and he's an unreliable narrator who isn't always right.
If they do ever meet again, I would hope that Crispin’s emerging maturity would serve as a foil to Hadrian. It would be so deliciously ironic for Crispin and Sabine to be framed as the “good guys”, especially since we’ve seen their early life from Hadrian’s imperfect perspective.
I am so glad Sun Eater is getting a renaissance. One of the best gems in sci-fi. The series gets better and stranger down the road, and we see that progression in the novellas and short stories too. The Lesser Devil is just the first taste of what's to come. Dregs of Empire, the most recent novella yet, is showing how diverse Ruocchio's writing can be (I'm not done yet). It's so good.
I miss your wall of books. That was so cozy, like we were having a discussion in a library… Or somebody's study… Now it just looks like every other office set up I've ever seen ={{
I'd just like to add that's it's very explicitely stated by Hadrian himself in the first book that he'll never see his family nor Delos again. Granted I haven't read the whole series yet, so obviously there might be some unreliable narrator stuff going on, but I could how missing that statement in the book might set you up for disappointment later in the series which is probably why he wrote it in the first place.
It has been quite a while since I've read The Lesser Devil so this was a nice refresher. Also this is probably the best discussion/analysis of this novella I have heard either on booktube or just in discussions with other readers.
7:11 I can agree with Hadrian thinking about Gibson so much, but in the context of the Novella, Crispin reflecting on Hadrian makes a lot of sense. The author set up so many parallels to the trip where Hadrian disappeared (Sabine’s age, the storm, traveling to their mother’s side).
Here are all the references I caught: Tor Alcuin: Alcuin was a Northumbrian Scholar at Charlemagne’s court, named by the chronicler Einhard «The most learned man anywhere to be found», part of the Carolingian Renaissance and the invention of lower case letters Lud: Ludwig, but also the Biblical Lud (grandson of Noah, ancestor of the Lydians), King Lud (mythical founder of London, possibly connected to the Celtic Mythical Heroes Lludd Llaw Eraint (Wales) and Nauda Airgetlam (Ireland)) and the City of Lud from «The Dark Tower» series Albe: French Village The Cid Arthur Cult being popular in the Legions: Akin to Mithraism in the Roman Legions St. Maximus: 7th Century Theologian, prosecuted, tortured and exiled from Constantinople (he is often named «The Confessor», someone prosecuted but not martyred for their faith) for his dyophysite interpretation of the nature of Jesus (that Jesus was both human and divine in nature), which later become orthodox and he became reinstated as a saint in both the Orthodox and Catholic Churches. Euclid: Ancient Greek Mathematician, Non-Euclidean Geometry shows up in HP Lovecraft, HG Wells and Dostoevsky’ «Brothers Karamazov» The White-haired Durantine Girl: Daenerys or other Targaryans, or Jorah’s Daenerys ersatz in «A Song of Ice and Fire»? Young Lord Albans: Saint Albans, the first British Christian Martyr A Lord’s son and a female relative seeking refuge from noble infighting at an old Terraforming Station: Dune Almonhas: Almohads? Lord of Emperors: Title used for the god Jad in the «Sarantine Mosaic» by Guy Gavriel Kay Laurent’s real name Lorn: «To lose», Adjunct Lorn from «Malazan» Baptists being «extinct heretics»: Yeah, Ruocchio is Catholic, alright! Veselko: Slavic name Medved: «Bear» in multiple Slavic language Temeria: Nation in «The Witcher»! Ruocchio: Avenged Sevenfold-fan? The many-legged colossi: AT-AT/AT-TEs from Star Wars? Spider Tanks from «Ghost in the Shell»? Lord of Hosts: Micah 4,4 A few warriors and villagers against an larger Enemy force: Seven Samurai/The Magnificent Seven! Carlo: «Westworld» Android!
This book made me kinda wonder how does the civilization look at prostetics? Its possible I just missed something but with the old woman needing machines to walk and breathe, how would others see her. Crispen wasn't nearly as discusted at her needing the machines as the cyborg.
I’m so excited for the Howling Dark review as someone who’s reading along with you; holy fuck it’s good. I’m so excited to have been put on to this series
Well i have bought a lot of audio/ physical books from your recommendations. So i may continue with this series. I just started theft of swords from your recommendation. And now I'm on book 3.
I started reading empire of silence Tuesday because of your review and good good it’s soo so good. I’m SHOCKED the community is so small even though everyone that reads it seems to love it. There isn’t even a wiki yet! Thanks for the review I look forward to reading this too
It's not that I thought Crispin was one dimensional in Empire, but, like you, I didn't think highly of him. The Lesser Devil reminded me that we were seeing Hadrian's perspective of Crispin which may not have been accurate. Even at the beginning of the novella, I don't think Crispin can be reduced to being "the brute." That may be an aspect of his personality but it's not all he is/was. However, your description of how he grows over the course of the novella is spot on. All of which is a testament to Christopher's skill at developing characters.
and honestly, the worst thing Crispin did in the fist book was threaten the pilot, which obviously it turns out he didn't do and he only said that because he was trying to spark a reaction from Hadrian. Obviously he still whores and kills slave in the colosseum, but that is less of his specific character being bad and more of the society he is in being bad.
I cannot take it anymore. Have to say…your shelves are awful. Loved the book filled corner background so much better. Great review and I’ll keep listening because I love your input and reviews.
I will watch and like anything SunEater-related, especially when it’s by one of my favorite book reviewers! I wish I can be you just so I can enjoy HD and DIW all over again! You’re in for one heck of a ride!
What is the best online bookstore? I miss the book depot for UK editions. Amazon keeps sending me books that are ruined with labels and stickers and constantly sending the wrong versions. (Artwork/UK vs US)
I generally like these comedic inserts of old movies in the middle of the video, but sometimes they seem completely out of place and they do not hit the comedic timing they're supposed to hit (the "I remember the war" one for example). This is a completely insignificant nitpick, I just thought I should point it out. I know you need to break the monotony of you speaking in front of a camera somehow, I'm just suggesting that you should work on it a little bit more.
I agree pretty much on all fronts. I liked the book, but it felt more like a fan service than a larger progression of the bigger Sun Eater story. I'm more 'mid' with Crispin now, but I did like bringing religion into it (i'm not religious), because it gives you a bit of connection to the past (our current), and what could be. I gave it 4/5, keeping in mind i gave Sun Eater 5/5.
Daniel, don't read this. spoiler spoiler spoiler spoiler spoiler spoiler The only thing i don't like about the series is that Hadrian's family hasn't come into play. I live for these kinds of moments. Well his, father, brother and sister are still alive, so i can hope.
Hadrian's father is actually dead. Unless they do a flashback reunion with Alistair appearing in Jadd in Book #6 Disquiet Gods, it's not happening :( In the Compendium at the back of the novella, Queen Amid Ashes, it gives a historical account of the House Marlowe, which says that Alistair died in the year ISD 17178. The Battle of Perfugium, which happens at the end of Book #5 Ashes of Man, was in ISD 17136. And in the short story featuring Hadrian's daughter, Cassandra, she says that Hadrian has been living in Jadd for about 100 years since he fled the Empire at the end of Book #5.
book reviews are back!! we are returning to the origins of the goblin and im all for it.
Daniel is back to the basics. Hallelujah.
The lesser Devil made me adjust my view of Hadrian Inna way that I don't think the mainline series could have. It really showed to me that Hadrian was quite self centred, and really had his blinders on when it came to Crispin and what he may have been going through.
Absolutely, I would even go as far as to say (having only read this and Empire) Crispin is a more compelling character than Hadrian, if only because he’s less whiny and melodramatic. A man of action where Hadrian is a man of words. Words that aren’t always true.
Literally searched The Sun Eater series in Goodreads 10 mins ago. Is this a sign??
Yes
Yessss
Yes!
Absolutely
Read it! You won't regret it.
I liked that Crispin matured from the first book. I look forward to seeing him as a character in the future.
I don’t even l think Crispin matured necessarily (though he did to a degree) so much as, we’re seeing Crispin unfiltered by Hadrian’s (who looks down on him) perspective for the first time and thus we’re seeing Crispin as he really is for the first time.
Well, keep looking.
I read this a couple years ago so this was great for me to get refreshed on this book. Totally agree that it was fascinating seeing so much depth revealed in the stereotypical brute and watching him have his worldview challenged through travel/interaction with new people and ideas.
I really enjoyed your spoiler discussion too on the aspect of Crispin interacting with a new kind of religion and how he came to have respect for it-on these themes it was quite thought provoking for a slim book!
I landed in a similar place with this-maybe not essential to the series but I mostly had a good time with it and am glad I read it.
I'm glad you picked this one up as I'd heard you started Howling Dark. I think The Lesser Devil helps the first person perspective of the main novels insofar as it reminds us we are seeing things from Hadrian's perspective and he's an unreliable narrator who isn't always right.
This is a really good point.
If they do ever meet again, I would hope that Crispin’s emerging maturity would serve as a foil to Hadrian. It would be so deliciously ironic for Crispin and Sabine to be framed as the “good guys”, especially since we’ve seen their early life from Hadrian’s imperfect perspective.
I'm really loving these videos. Really excited for more Sun Eater videos.
I am so glad Sun Eater is getting a renaissance. One of the best gems in sci-fi. The series gets better and stranger down the road, and we see that progression in the novellas and short stories too. The Lesser Devil is just the first taste of what's to come. Dregs of Empire, the most recent novella yet, is showing how diverse Ruocchio's writing can be (I'm not done yet). It's so good.
I miss your wall of books.
That was so cozy, like we were having a discussion in a library… Or somebody's study… Now it just looks like every other office set up I've ever seen ={{
Welcome back to book reviews!!!!! 🎊 🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎁🎁🎁
I'd just like to add that's it's very explicitely stated by Hadrian himself in the first book that he'll never see his family nor Delos again. Granted I haven't read the whole series yet, so obviously there might be some unreliable narrator stuff going on, but I could how missing that statement in the book might set you up for disappointment later in the series which is probably why he wrote it in the first place.
I remember him saying he never saw his mother or Delos again but not his brother and father
It has been quite a while since I've read The Lesser Devil so this was a nice refresher. Also this is probably the best discussion/analysis of this novella I have heard either on booktube or just in discussions with other readers.
Will there be an interview with Christopher Ruoccio?
That would be awesome!
Hadn’t heard about Sun Eater until your first review. Now I’m halfway into book three. Thanks dude!
How the hell
7:11 I can agree with Hadrian thinking about Gibson so much, but in the context of the Novella, Crispin reflecting on Hadrian makes a lot of sense. The author set up so many parallels to the trip where Hadrian disappeared (Sabine’s age, the storm, traveling to their mother’s side).
Added the series to my tbr and becoming high priority! Looking forward to coming back to the spoiler sections!
Here are all the references I caught:
Tor Alcuin: Alcuin was a Northumbrian Scholar at Charlemagne’s court, named by the chronicler Einhard «The most learned man anywhere to be found», part of the Carolingian Renaissance and the invention of lower case letters
Lud: Ludwig, but also the Biblical Lud (grandson of Noah, ancestor of the Lydians), King Lud (mythical founder of London, possibly connected to the Celtic Mythical Heroes Lludd Llaw Eraint (Wales) and Nauda Airgetlam (Ireland)) and the City of Lud from «The Dark Tower» series
Albe: French Village
The Cid Arthur Cult being popular in the Legions: Akin to Mithraism in the Roman Legions
St. Maximus: 7th Century Theologian, prosecuted, tortured and exiled from Constantinople (he is often named «The Confessor», someone prosecuted but not martyred for their faith) for his dyophysite interpretation of the nature of Jesus (that Jesus was both human and divine in nature), which later become orthodox and he became reinstated as a saint in both the Orthodox and Catholic Churches.
Euclid: Ancient Greek Mathematician, Non-Euclidean Geometry shows up in HP Lovecraft, HG Wells and Dostoevsky’ «Brothers Karamazov»
The White-haired Durantine Girl: Daenerys or other Targaryans, or Jorah’s Daenerys ersatz in «A Song of Ice and Fire»?
Young Lord Albans: Saint Albans, the first British Christian Martyr
A Lord’s son and a female relative seeking refuge from noble infighting at an old Terraforming Station: Dune
Almonhas: Almohads?
Lord of Emperors: Title used for the god Jad in the «Sarantine Mosaic» by Guy Gavriel Kay
Laurent’s real name Lorn: «To lose», Adjunct Lorn from «Malazan»
Baptists being «extinct heretics»: Yeah, Ruocchio is Catholic, alright!
Veselko: Slavic name
Medved: «Bear» in multiple Slavic language
Temeria: Nation in «The Witcher»!
Ruocchio: Avenged Sevenfold-fan?
The many-legged colossi: AT-AT/AT-TEs from Star Wars? Spider Tanks from «Ghost in the Shell»?
Lord of Hosts: Micah 4,4
A few warriors and villagers against an larger Enemy force: Seven Samurai/The Magnificent Seven!
Carlo: «Westworld» Android!
Bought this book after seeing this review and just finished. Thanks for starting conversation around these books!
This book made me kinda wonder how does the civilization look at prostetics? Its possible I just missed something but with the old woman needing machines to walk and breathe, how would others see her. Crispen wasn't nearly as discusted at her needing the machines as the cyborg.
He was shocked...but he felt pity for her I guess and that lessened his fear somewhat - at least from my understanding
I an halfway through Empire of Silence and SO into it!!!
Just finished empire of silence wow… cannot wait to pick this up
It’s funny, you uploaded your review of the first book literally a day after I finished reading it. I’m now on book 3 and loving it.
Commenting before I listen: Given Daniel's feelings regarding Crispin in the first book, I think this video is going to be *very* interesting...
I love that giant Wheel of Time volume behind you
Yaay I’m so glad we are back to more book reviews!
Love seeing these reviews again
Howling Dark coming up soon!
Glad you’re finding what is probably one of the best modern sci - fi stories
Demon In White (book 3) is next level good
Been loving the new videos! I've started suneater because of your ane mike's recommendation and I feel almost like we're buddy reading
I’m so excited for the Howling Dark review as someone who’s reading along with you; holy fuck it’s good. I’m so excited to have been put on to this series
I don't get why people don't like the Marllow boys, I just want to hang out with them.
Saw the title and had to watch
Yay for more book reviews!
I look forward to seeing your reaction as this series continues to grow and go crazy
Well i have bought a lot of audio/ physical books from your recommendations. So i may continue with this series. I just started theft of swords from your recommendation. And now I'm on book 3.
Awesome audiobooks!
I started reading empire of silence Tuesday because of your review and good good it’s soo so good. I’m SHOCKED the community is so small even though everyone that reads it seems to love it. There isn’t even a wiki yet! Thanks for the review I look forward to reading this too
🔥 BOOK REVIEW! BOOK REVIEW! BOOK REVIEW! 🔥
It's not that I thought Crispin was one dimensional in Empire, but, like you, I didn't think highly of him. The Lesser Devil reminded me that we were seeing Hadrian's perspective of Crispin which may not have been accurate. Even at the beginning of the novella, I don't think Crispin can be reduced to being "the brute." That may be an aspect of his personality but it's not all he is/was. However, your description of how he grows over the course of the novella is spot on. All of which is a testament to Christopher's skill at developing characters.
and honestly, the worst thing Crispin did in the fist book was threaten the pilot, which obviously it turns out he didn't do and he only said that because he was trying to spark a reaction from Hadrian. Obviously he still whores and kills slave in the colosseum, but that is less of his specific character being bad and more of the society he is in being bad.
I cannot take it anymore. Have to say…your shelves are awful. Loved the book filled corner background so much better. Great review and I’ll keep listening because I love your input and reviews.
Love book reviews!
Sun Eater!!!!!
Daniel stepping up the watch game. Can’t tell what it is, but looks incredible 👌
commenting to praise the youtube algorithm lol
very excited for more book reviews :)
Why haven't you been reviewing the other novellas?
Maybe he hasn’t read them yet mothafucka
You should wear more hats Daniel! They suit you.
He can have get hat sponsors.
Is it not his own hat merch?
I plan reading this eventually, but I will watch on mute to support Daniel.
Watching ever Book review Daniel puts out around sun eater, this series makes me feel like a 8 year old watching starwars for the first time
I've read the first 3 books of the series but I guess I missed this one. Glad to hear your thoughts.
Empire Of Silence sounds good, added to the list.
Love the new video background, feels very personal and genuine!
Howling Dark on a boat? Good luck!
Don't know if it was because of the isolated setting, but the religion side of this story reminded me of the one from Hyperion
Well I picked up the first just based on that videos thumbnail and it's included in Audible so I had a no lose situation, glad I did. thanks D
Let’s go. You are not ready for Caesar! Lol
Wait till you get to Kingdoms of Death. Pure pain.
Want to watch the video to support the new channel direction but i'm still on the middle of book 1 and having a lot of fun. Will watch once i finish.
Looking incredibly devilish in that thumbnail! Deliciously so!
Love the inclusion here! Keep it going. Can't wait for the next one.
I wish more people understood the difference between liking a character as a person versus liking a character as a concept! 🤭🤭😁💖
Book review! YAy!
I will watch and like anything SunEater-related, especially when it’s by one of my favorite book reviewers! I wish I can be you just so I can enjoy HD and DIW all over again! You’re in for one heck of a ride!
Wow early ❤
God I can’t wait to start Suneater… after I have finished about 15 books on tbr before it. 😢
Unpopular opinion: this is actually my favourite in the Sun Eater series.
Really enjoyed your thoughts on this.
What is the best online bookstore? I miss the book depot for UK editions. Amazon keeps sending me books that are ruined with labels and stickers and constantly sending the wrong versions. (Artwork/UK vs US)
I love the new set up. The lighting and quality looks so good
I generally like these comedic inserts of old movies in the middle of the video, but sometimes they seem completely out of place and they do not hit the comedic timing they're supposed to hit (the "I remember the war" one for example). This is a completely insignificant nitpick, I just thought I should point it out. I know you need to break the monotony of you speaking in front of a camera somehow, I'm just suggesting that you should work on it a little bit more.
Based on this Novella and EOS, I don’t think Crispin and Hadrian are ever going to meet again.
Crispy and his enormous...talent 😎
I've read the first two novels and first two novellas, this is the weakest of the four in my opinion but still pretty good!
Let's go💚
I agree pretty much on all fronts. I liked the book, but it felt more like a fan service than a larger progression of the bigger Sun Eater story. I'm more 'mid' with Crispin now, but I did like bringing religion into it (i'm not religious), because it gives you a bit of connection to the past (our current), and what could be. I gave it 4/5, keeping in mind i gave Sun Eater 5/5.
What's under the hat man??? WHAT'S UNDER THE HAT????
For the algorithm to support the "back to basics"!
Not sure who advised you to read the novellas in the middle but it was bad advice.
I'm flipping annoyed i didn't find this channel before!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Daniel, don't read this.
spoiler
spoiler
spoiler
spoiler
spoiler
spoiler
The only thing i don't like about the series is that Hadrian's family hasn't come into play. I live for these kinds of moments. Well his, father, brother and sister are still alive, so i can hope.
Hadrian's father is actually dead. Unless they do a flashback reunion with Alistair appearing in Jadd in Book #6 Disquiet Gods, it's not happening :(
In the Compendium at the back of the novella, Queen Amid Ashes, it gives a historical account of the House Marlowe, which says that Alistair died in the year ISD 17178. The Battle of Perfugium, which happens at the end of Book #5 Ashes of Man, was in ISD 17136.
And in the short story featuring Hadrian's daughter, Cassandra, she says that Hadrian has been living in Jadd for about 100 years since he fled the Empire at the end of Book #5.