Ghostwater

I’m still listening through the Cradle series in Audiobook form, and I have to admit the narrator has won me over. However! This series, and most fantasy books with progression elements, are significantly better when read directly. Will Wight is a solid writer, but I need my ability to skip ahead to the good bits.

Just like every other Cradle book, this one gets a ratings bump from the fact that the series is fun. Additionally, we are now entering what I think of as the peak of the Cradle series books 5-8, as the main character stops being weak and a little bit cringey. This allows the main characters for the overall series to take a larger role, and lets the series get to the better stuff. It also has the most interesting character changes, as well as some of the better villains.

In addition to the main character improving, we also meet Dross in this book. Dross improves a lot of the combat scenes that I would normally skim through (damn you Audio books!), as well as adding flair to the overall story telling.. The only drawback is that Eithan, often the best character in the series, has a much more limited role.

As far as the plot, it is a complete, coherent, well written story – unlike some of the previous books. Lindon and Dross take the vast majority of the storyline, and are stuck in a deserted, futuristic world with four powerful beings that are also trying to scavenge for scarce resources. I enjoyed the subplots with each of the character, and overall have really no complaints.

Even though it is not high literature, I enjoy the book immensely and give it an 8.