Terry Pratchett & Stephen Baxter: The Long Cosmos

Hi everyone

Yesterday I finished the fifth and final book in The Long Earth series by Terry Pratchett & Stephen Baxter. This was my second time reading it, and while it wraps up the series neatly, I walked away with mixed feelings.

"2070-71. Nearly six decades after Step Day, a new society continues to evolve in the Long Earth. Now, a message has been received: “Join us.”
The Next - the hyper-intelligent post-humans - realize that the missive contains instructions for kick-starting the development of an immense artificial intelligence known as The Machine. But to build this computer the size of an Earth continent, they must obtain help from the more populous and still industrious worlds of mankind.
Meanwhile, on a trek in the High Meggers, Joshua Valienté, now nearing seventy, is saved from death when a troll band discovers him. Living among the trolls as he recovers, Joshua develops a deeper understanding of this collective-intelligence species and its society. He discovers that some older trolls, with capacious memories, act as communal libraries, and live on a very strange Long Earth world, in caverns under the root systems of trees as tall as mountains.
Valienté also learns something much more profound . . . about life and its purpose in the Long Earth: We cultivate the cosmos to maximize the opportunities for life and joy in this universe, and to prepare for new universes to come."

The Long Cosmos is satisfying in that it concludes everything nicely. However, it also feels disappointing because it lacks the drive and depth I’d hoped for in a series finale.
The book obviously aims for an epic conclusion and it just doesn't deliver. The last 100 pages, in particular, feel underwhelming, and the entire book is surprisingly uneventful. There are countless repetitions (and jokes) of how old the characters are, and while two characters go missing (how convenient!), we never truly uncover the purpose of the mysterious message or the supercomputer. It feels like a missed opportunity to explore something truly profound. 

Don’t get me wrong; The Long Cosmos is a quick and easy read. It’s never boring, but it also didn’t hold my attention for long stretches. In fact, it says a lot that this was my second time reading the series, and I barely remember more than the basic premise. The story just doesn’t leave a lasting impression, which is a shame for what could have been an epic finale to a series with a thought-provoking and interesting premise. 
As it turns out, the premise is the most exciting part of the whole series.

Have you read The Long Cosmos or any of the other books in The Long Earth series? Did you feel the same way, or did the finale resonate more with you? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Happy reading!
Helena 

Wrap Up: August 2025

Hi everyone

August flew by in a blur of laughter, cake, and way too many books! We went on a family holiday, celebrated my daughters turning 8 and 4 (how are they growing so fast?!), and my husband and I toasted to 11 years of marriage. Summer was packed with joy, and now we’re easing back into the school routine—though the Belgian weather seems determined to remind us that autumn is just around the corner.

As always, I found rest, relaxation and adventure in the pages of some wonderful books. 

Here's what I read last month:

- T. J. Klune: Under the Whispering Door

- Tommy Orange: Wandering Stars

- Neil Gaiman: Coraline 

- Glen Cook: The Black Company 

- Vernor Vinge: A Fire Upon the Deep 

- Katherine Addison: The Tomb of Dragons

- Brandon Sanderson: Tress of the Emerald Sea

- Terry Pratchett & Stephen Baxter: The Long Utopia 

What about you? Did August bring any gems your way? Or maybe a new favorite? Let me know! I’m always on the lookout for recommendations!

Happy reading!
Helena 

 

Terry Pratchett & Stephen Baxter: The Long Utopia

Hi everyone

This was my second time reading the fourth book in The Long Earth series by Terry Pratchett & Stephen Baxter.
I have to admit, the experience was just as emotional and thought-provoking as the first time.

" 2045-2059. After the cataclysmic upheavals of Step Day and the Yellowstone eruption humanity is spreading further into the Long Earth, and society, on a battered Datum Earth and beyond, continues to evolve.
Now an elderly and cantankerous AI, Lobsang lives in disguise with Agnes in an exotic, far-distant world. He’s convinced they’re leading a normal life in New Springfield – they even adopt a child – but it seems they have been guided there for a reason. As rumours of strange sightings and hauntings proliferate, it becomes clear that something is very awry with this particular world.
Millions of steps away, Joshua is on a personal journey of discovery: learning about the father he never knew and a secret family history. But then he receives a summons from New Springfield. Lobsang now understands the enormity of what’s taking place beneath the surface of his earth – a threat to all the worlds of the Long Earth.
To counter this threat will require the combined efforts of humankind, machine and the super-intelligent Next. And some must make the ultimate sacrifice... "

I still find the ending difficult to read. Even though I don’t particularly like Sally, the way her story concludes left me surprisingly emotional. It’s one of those moments that lingers long after you’ve turned the last page.

The scope of this series is staggering. The idea of alien species from another universe aiming to destroy the Long Earth is terrifying—it’s the kind of concept that makes you pause and wonder, What if? 

The shift in perspective for Joshua’s family history threw me off a bit. I think it would have felt more natural if it had been told from Nelson’s point of view or through the narrator’s voice.

Lobsang’s journey, however, was beautifully done. Despite being an AI, he’s so deeply human in his emotions and reasoning. His decision to escape to another world and start anew with Agnes is both heartbreaking and beautiful. They make such a sweet, unlikely couple.

And I’m so relieved Joshua and Sally never became a couple. It would have been too easy, too forced. Their dynamic works much better as it is, and I appreciate that the authors resisted the urge to push them into a romantic relationship.

The Long Utopia is a book that makes you think, feel, and wonder. It’s a great continuation of a series that challenges our perceptions of humanity, technology, and the universe itself.
Have you read The Long Utopia or any of The Long Earth series? What did you think? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Happy reading!
Helena 

 

Wrap Up: May 2025

Hi everyone

May was a good reading month. Because I didn't really enjoy Parker-Chan's He Who Drowned the World; I read a few children's book alongside and I really liked this combination.

Here's what I read: 

- Terry Practhett & Stephen Baxter: The Long Mars

- Jim Butcher: Furies of Calderon 

- The Poetry of Emily Dickinson

- Harriet Muncaster: Isabella Maan gaat naar de kermis

- Harriet Muncaster: Mirabelle heeft een slechte dag

- Paul van Loon: Birthday Surprise

- Paul van Loon: Full Moon

- Shelley Parker-Chan: He Who Drowned the World

- Emma Newman: Before Mars

How was your month? Did you read anything you'd like to recommend?

Happy reading!
Helena

 

Terry Pratchett & Stephen Baxter: The Long Mars

Hi everyone

This was my second time reading Terry Pratchett and Stephen Baxters The Long Mars; the third book in The Long Earth series. You can find my other reviews here. 

"2040-2045: In the years after the cataclysmic Yellowstone eruption there is massive economic dislocation as populations flee Datum Earth to myriad Long Earth worlds. Sally, Joshua, and Lobsang are all involved in this perilous work when, out of the blue, Sally is contacted by her long-vanished father and inventor of the original Stepper device, Willis Linsay. He tells her he is planning a fantastic voyage across the Long Mars and wants her to accompany him. But Sally soon learns that Willis has ulterior motives ...
Meanwhile U. S. Navy Commander Maggie Kauffman has embarked on an incredible journey of her own, leading an expedition to the outer limits of the far Long Earth.
For Joshua, the crisis he faces is much closer to home. He becomes embroiled in the plight of the Next: the super-bright post-humans who are beginning to emerge from their 'long childhood' in the community called Happy Landings, located deep in the Long Earth. Ignorance and fear are causing 'normal' human society to turn against the Next - and a dramatic showdown seems inevitable . . . "

This was a mixed reading experience. 

The first half of the book flew by, I was completely hooked by the adventure and the worldbuilding. But by the time I reached the second half, it started to drag. The problem? Both Maggie and Sally spend most of the book just exploring, stepping from world to world with too little happening to keep the momentum going. There are a few interesting moments, but they’re too few and far between to maintain the excitement.

That said, I did enjoy the writing and the story. The ideas are fascinating, and the characters are as compelling as ever. It’s just that the book feels too long for what actually happens.

Overall, it was still an enjoyable read, but I wish the pacing had been tighter and the adventures more dynamic. If you love exploration-heavy sci-fi with big ideas, you might still appreciate it, but don’t expect non-stop action.

Have you read The Long Mars? Did you feel the same way, or did it keep you engaged the whole way through? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Happy reading!
Helena

Wrap Up: November 2024

 Hi everyone

Another month has gone by. November is one of my least favorite months because it gets cold, wet and dark here in Belgium.
The upside is, perfect weather for cozy reading!

Here's the list of books I read with a link to their review:

- Shelley Parker-Chan: She Who Became the Sun

- Terry Pratchett & Stephen Baxter: The Long War

- Ira Levin: Son of Rosemary

- Daniel Kahneman: Thinking Fast and Slow

What books did you read last month?

Happy reading!
Helena

 

Terry Pratchett & Stephen Baxter: The Long War

 Hi everyone

This was my second time reading Terry Pratchett and Stephen Baxters The Long War; the second book in The Long Earth series. You can find my first review here. 

“A generation after the events of The Long Earth, mankind has spread across the new worlds opened up by Stepping. Where Joshua and Lobsang once pioneered, now fleets of airships link the stepwise Americas with trade and culture. Mankind is shaping the Long Earth - but in turn the Long Earth is shaping mankind... A new 'America', called Valhalla, is emerging more than a million steps from Datum Earth, with core American values restated in the plentiful environment of the Long Earth - and Valhalla is growing restless under the control of the Datum government...
Meanwhile the Long Earth is suffused by the song of the trolls, graceful hive-mind humanoids. But the trolls are beginning to react to humanity's thoughtless exploitation... Joshua, now a married man, is summoned by Lobsang to deal with a gathering multiple crisis that threatens to plunge the Long Earth into a war unlike any mankind has waged before.”

I still stand by my previous review. 

The storyline of the Chinese expedition should have been cut. It was uninteresting with boring characters and it didn't add much to the overal plot of the book.

I really dislike Sally, maybe more so now I have children of my own and I realize more she just forces Joshua away from his son and wife. There's no nuance to her character. She's always very harsh, hard and uncaring for others. 

But I still love the setting, the ideal of Long Earths, I love Joshua and his family, I love Lobsang.

Happy reading!
Helena

Terry Pratchett & Stephen Baxter: The Long Utopia

Hi everyone

I finished the fourth book in The Long Earth series by Terry Pratchett & Stephen Baxter.
My copy has a gorgeous cover and counts 434 pages. I got it on holiday in Amsterdam.
You can find all reviews in the series here.

                                                *    SPOILERS    *

The Long Utopia wasn’t bad but it wasn’t as engaging and interesting as the previous ones.
There’s one overarching plot and a bunch of family history. The history was a nice addition but it was too big a part of the book. It should have been more of a side plot.

It was enjoyable and entertaining though.
I simply love the worldbuilding and the general idea of this Long Earth. It’s truly fascinating and it made me think and dream.
The characters are great and I love them all and those giant bugs really gave me the absolute creeps.
The ending is so sad it almost made me tear-up.

This book is more grounded than the ones before. There’s less time to explore the worlds and more time to get to know the characters and what’s happening all around.
All in all, I enjoyed it but it was too slow and the real plot was of too little importance.

Happy reading!
Helena

Terry Pratchett & Stephen Baxter: The Long Mars

Hi

This review is about the third novel in The Long Earth series by Terry Pratchett and Stephen Baxter.
The novel has 437 pages and I got it from The Book Depository.

                * NO SPOILERS *

First of all; what a beautiful cover. That’s not the most important part, I know, but still.

There are only three major plotlines and that is a huge improvement from the previous book.

This one was really amazing. The discoveries, the new species they meet, Mars and its stepworlds, fascinating ideas about evolution, captivating journeys and very interesting new people (I liked that a lot).

And even though I don’t particularly like Sally and her father, I did enjoy their storyline. Unlikable but realistic people make great stories.

This novel has more suspense and action than the ones before too. But at the same time, not much happens and it got really boring reading about the constant stepping into worlds much the same from the others.

The writing style is the same, still as engaging as the ones before but less philosophical because Lobsang is less important in this story.

Happy reading!

Helena

Terry Pratchett & Stephen Baxter: The Long War

Hi again

Here with my review of the second part in The Long Earth series.
This novel has 501 pages.

I knew several people didn’t enjoy this one as much as the first and second parts and that’s why I decided I would read part two and three back to back. So you can expect my review of the third part tomorrow.

“A generation after the events of The Long Earth, mankind has spread across the new worlds opened up by Stepping. Where Joshua and Lobsang once pioneered, now fleets of airships link the stepwise Americas with trade and culture. Mankind is shaping the Long Earth - but in turn the Long Earth is shaping mankind... A new 'America', called Valhalla, is emerging more than a million steps from Datum Earth, with core American values restated in the plentiful environment of the Long Earth - and Valhalla is growing restless under the control of the Datum government...
Meanwhile the Long Earth is suffused by the song of the trolls, graceful hive-mind humanoids. But the trolls are beginning to react to humanity's thoughtless exploitation... Joshua, now a married man, is summoned by Lobsang to deal with a gathering multiple crisis that threatens to plunge the Long Earth into a war unlike any mankind has waged before.”

This novel lacked direction because several plotlines aren’t really going anywhere. And that’s very sad because this is such an interesting setup.
What happens after this huge discovery in the previous novel?

I loved the exploration of the different worlds and the discoveries and I would have loved to read more about life in these settlements or life on board a twain.
But there are too many plotlines and too many characters so the characterization isn’t great. Or this novel is too short to give us the depth it really needs to pull this off. I want it all but just more thorough. I want a bigger novel with all the plotlines and characters.
For example; the trek of the Chinese doesn’t do much for the novel. Be done with it, or work it out in more detail because it is an interesting point of view.

In one way there’s too much going on because of all the characters and plotlines. On the other hand there’s almost no action and I don’t care about that but some of you will. It’s hard to explain but there is a difference between action and ‘stuff happening’.

So don’t get your hopes up too high because of the title. Once you understand what this ‘war’ is about you’ll be disappointed. Not about the story, but they should have chosen a different title that doesn’t suggest something like, you know, a war.

I am curious to find out what this Black Corporation is all about. There’s clearly more going on there.

See you tomorrow!
Helena

On to the next part in the series!

Terry Pratchett & Stephen Baxter: The Long Earth

Hi again

This review is about The Long Earth; the first novel in the The Long Earth Series; a novel written by Stephen Baxter and Terry Pratchett.
The book has 425 pages and a very beautiful cover.

 “1916: The Western Front. Private Percy Blakeney wakes up. He is lying on fresh spring grass. He can hear birdsong, and the wind in the leaves. Where has the mud, blood and blasted landscape of no-man's-land gone? For that matter, where has Percy gone?
2015: Madison, Wisconsin. Police officer Monica Jansson is exploring the burned-out home of a reclusive--some said mad, others allege dangerous--scientist who seems to have vanished. Sifting through the wreckage, Jansson finds a curious gadget: a box containing some rudimentary wiring, a three-way switch, and...a potato. It is the prototype of an invention that will change the way humankind views the world forever.”

I enjoyed this novel; it's something very different from what I’m used to reading.

I thought it a very absorbing, interesting and easy read. The writing style is absolutely engaging with easy to understand information and lovely references to other cultural works, it’s very accessible. The story itself is quite fast paced.

The authors show us what these Long Earths could mean for families, politics and the world economy. And that’s a fascinating and promising idea that is cleverly worked out in this first novel in the series. It made me think about our existence on Earth and our possible futures.

The different POV’s made the idea behind the novel more real because we could see it from very, very different perspectives. A child doesn’t see the same possibilities as a politician for example. This way we know what’s going on back at Datum Earth and at other Earths.

I didn’t care for the ending but I am very interested in finding out where this series will go.

Happy reading.
Helena