Necessity Book Review

by The Wanderer

Author: Jo Walton
Publisher: Tor Books
Genre: Literary Science Fiction
Series: Thessaly Book Three
Pages: 336

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(Spoilers for The Just City and The Philosopher Kings are below).

The Just City and all it's sister cities have been moved by Zeus to the planet now called Plato. It's now the 26th century, the philosophers are interacting with new alien species', but only decades have passed since the relocation. Pytheas, Apollo in mortal form, has just died. On the same day, Plato receives its first visit from Earth borne humans. Apollo intends to return to Plato, but first must seek out Athene, who has now gone missing.

The Philosopher Kings Book Review

by The Wanderer

Author: Jo Walton
Publisher: Tor Books
Genre: Literary Science Fiction
Series: Thessaly Book Two
Pages: 352

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(An advanced copy was provide by the publisher).

(Spoilers for The Just City are below).

I was “wowed” by The Just City, and once again I’m saying “wow” after finishing its first sequel The Philosopher Kings. Just to be clear when I say wow I’m talking about the word that expresses admiration and astonishment and not the acronym for a popular MMORPG by Blizzard. The Philosopher Kings introduces a great new narrator in Arete, continues with the thoughtful questioning that made the first book so much fun to read, and concludes with a gutsy ending.  If you enjoyed The Just City, and you still have a craving for ancient mythology and philosophy, then you’ll be right at home with the sequel.

The Just City Book Review

by The Wanderer

Author: Jo Walton
Publisher: Tor Books
Genre: Literary Science Fiction
Series: Thessaly Book One
Pages: 368

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(An advanced copy was provided by the publisher).

The Just City is the first book in a new philosophical fantasy trilogy by Jo Walton.  I had never read anything by Jo Walton when I received my advance copy of this book, but I had heard a lot of glowing praise.  So I’m about to jump on that bandwagon, because this book is one of the best new books I’ve read in awhile.  With a great concept, entertaining multidimensional characters, and a nod to one of philosophy’s most important works, Walton tells an utterly compelling and thought provoking story.