Book 4 was a difficult read because the antagonist is ridiculous. His motivation was “the company” without any real reason for it beyond a paycheck. No one is that blindly loyal without a personal reason, it was dumb. Up until this character, we had nothing but rich characterization. This antagonist felt lazy and 2D, making the book difficult to get through. An entire antagonist built out of tissue paper.

Then, in later books, we sort of lose the crew, to old age, so we have to rewire our brains to accept them in different roles, as old people. Aging changes the landscape. It’s like that last season of Fringe where you’re questioning what you’re watching. You even check the vid to make sure it’s actually Fringe. Later, you accept it as Frimge, but it’s not immediate.

[–] BakerBagel@midwest.social 28 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago) (1 children)

Strong disagreement on you over Murtry. He was head of security and given a free hand at dealing with the Belters however he saw fit. There have always been racists eager to kill and harm minorities, and he was getting paid to do it.

Edit to add more: his contract was going to essentially make him a baron on New Terra, collecting a percentage of any future revenue from the colony. He just had to remove the skinnies by any means necessary, and then he was going to be set for life. That's essentially how the Americas were colonized by Europeans, so idk why you find it so hard to believe that the ruthless racist in a hyper capitalist society wouldn't act the same way.

[–] Zephorah@discuss.online 1 points 1 week ago

All he talks about is the company, but your interpretation adds a layer that makes him make more sense.

[–] Ashtear@piefed.social 16 points 1 week ago (2 children)

His personal motivation was being king of his particular hill. When you're out on the frontier, fear makes you want control.

I had a bigger problem with Elvi's fawning, personally. Thank the gods that wasn't in the TV adaptation.

[–] mysticpickle@lemmy.ca 1 points 1 week ago

Yeah that was one of the cringier parts of the books that the show improved on by omitting 🙏

[–] Zephorah@discuss.online 1 points 1 week ago (1 children)

I haven’t watched the more recent seasons, only 1-4. I can’t imagine them fitting everything that remained into 2 seasons.

[–] Ashtear@piefed.social 1 points 1 week ago

Book 5's adaptation didn't feel super rushed. I think most of the fans were more annoyed by some changes to The Big Thing.

Book 6, yeah. I'm glad we got what we got, but would have definitely preferred a full season. Hopefully they'll get the rest on screen some day.

[–] Underwaterbob@sh.itjust.works -3 points 1 week ago (3 children)

Yeah, I gave up after book 3. So much blah blah blah and nothing of substance being said. It went from fun space zombie insanity to boring political "thriller" in the blink of an eye. I hear book 4 was even worse.

I still haven't seen the show.

[–] Evotech@lemmy.world 5 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago) (1 children)

The show holds a better balance. But it's definitely a political show like GoT.

[–] Underwaterbob@sh.itjust.works 0 points 1 week ago

I don't mind political. It was just boring soap opera on a spaceship. Though it has been a few years. Maybe I should try and revisit them. Science fiction is typically my jam.

[–] Don_alForno@feddit.org 3 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago) (1 children)

To me it got real good whenever it wasn't about the weird space zombies that somehow also are worker crews that build wormhole gates.

[–] Underwaterbob@sh.itjust.works 0 points 1 week ago

I don't mind a good political thriller. Book 3 was a soap opera on a space ship. I hear they do get better later on.

[–] Zephorah@discuss.online 2 points 1 week ago

I like the complexity, the many layers are the lure. Like GoT with the mysterious threat beyond the wall. This is a sci fi version of GoT, system politics and fighting alongside this mysterious alien shit unfolding in the system. Except for the part where it’s completed.

Book 4 was meh, but the next two make up for it. They do a good job crawling inside Naomi’s head, what it was like for her, being abused by a Cluster B personality disorder in her old life.

Amos has a good run as well.

There’s always audiobooks. Jefferson Mays narrates and he is quite good.