The Lesser Devil
Crispin Marlowe grew up in his brother’s shadow, but Hadrian is gone, and his grandmother—the duchess of Delos—is dying. Answering her summons, Crispin takes off on what should be a routine flight to the ducal palace from the castle at Devil’s Rest.
But he is flying into a trap. There are whispers of treachery among the duchess’s many daughters, rumors of hidden knives in the planet’s court... if he can even make it there.
With no one coming to save him and only his sister, Sabine, and a few injured guardsmen to protect him, House Marlowe’s least famous son must make his heroic stand, and contend not only the foes arrayed against his house, but with the cultists who dwell in the mountains above his family’s ancestral home...-Goodreads
Title: The Lesser Devil
Series: The Sun Eater #1.5
Author: Christopher Ruocchio
Page Count: 204
Genre: Science Fiction
Rating: 4.25/5.0
Date Read: November 22nd, 2024
Opening
I finally began my journey into The Sun Eater series in October with our Buddy read group. I enjoyed the first book (Empire of Silence) so much that I wanted to look into continuing with the series in November. I wasn't sure if I should stick to publication order or not as there was a #1.5 The Lesser Devil which was actually published after #2 Howling Dark. In the end I decided to go with The Lesser Devil. We will get to some details and opinions but I will preface with saying I'm still really enjoying this series and look to keep up the momentum as I can going into the end of 2024 and into the new year.
Pacing
The pacing of The Lesser Devil was smooth. This really felt like it was just more of the story that may have been removed from book one and now presented to us to fill some gaps as it relates to the story and characters. I did go with the audiobook version which was narrated by Samuel Roukin who also narrated my book one experience. I feel he's done an excellent job presenting this story so far.
World Building
The worldbuilding was a nice addition to what we experienced in book #1. I don't know if there is much to add other than the fact I've already mentioned it filled in some gap of what happens with some characters introduced in book one but eventually kind of left behind for the rest of that book.
Character Development
The character development was a bit of a shocker but in a pleasant way. The additional information this reads provides us for Crispin puts this character in an entirely different light than I seen him from book one. I really don't want to give to much away as it relates to spoilers but at this rate I hope we get to see more of this character as the series progresses now.
Closing
Only time will tell whether I made the right decision in go to The Lesser Devil before Howling Dark but we shouldn't have to way too long for that as I still hope to get to book #2 by the end of 2024 if it all works out.
This series still gives me vibes similar to Red Rising by Pierce Brown. Both are very different than each other but it still seems to be filling the void for me beyond that series.
Scoring
Pacing 4.0 / 5.0
Worldbuilding 4.0 / 5.0
Character Development 4.75 / 5.0
