I loved this series in print when it first came out. The exquisite world building, meticulous philosophical discourse, and vibrant characters all drive a highly imaginative and complex mystery to be uncovered. It is far more sophisticated than the typical utopia/dystopia sci-fi genera. However, Jefferson Mays’s reading of the text has me reimagining the series again. They were the perfect selection to give voice to Mycroft Canner and yet were able to bring a distinct and plausible nuance to every character in the book. Moreover, Mays has faithfully reproduced, if not enhanced, Palmer’s deliberate obfuscation and revision of characters’ gender identities relative to the moment and other character while retaining consistent unique characterizations. In short, these audio books are remarkable.

I am sinking my teeth into this series, and I predict that I won't be letting go of it for a while.

Naw, it’s not a “mad combination of heaven and hell,” it’s just an authoritarian hellscape, period. Its as if the story were written for an audience of pseudo intellectuals who don’t care (can’t tell?) if half the sentences are meaningless gibberish. “Humanist boots?” What the hell are humanist boots? Does the author know what humanist means? I doubt it. Apart from the postmodern wankery, the writing is awful and it is depressing that this won awards. Regarding some of the book’s themes, I’m a gender non-conforming atheist, but I struggle with the ridiculously immature level of discourse on such topics as this book represents. People who know nothing about language, civics, or human biology want to re-engineer society to suit their own imagination. That’s not a thing 500 years in the future that people living today couldn’t possibly comprehend, that’s happening right now. This book is a love letter to the author’s intellectual vanity. Not insightful, not innovative, and very badly written. Not recommended.

i got turned off by the constant jabbering and porn discussions in third wall breaks. it is extremely annoying. without those i think the story would be good but i can not get over being pulled out of it to listsen some random jabbering