DEMON IN WHITE by Christopher Ruocchio - No Spoiler and Spoiler Review (The Sun Eater Book 3)

[@thefantasynuttwork]

What are your fav moments in DiW?

[@Isaiah_McIntosh]

I mean surviving the laser is pretty tops. The insanity at the top of the world is tough to beat too.

[@thefantasynuttwork]

@@Isaiah_McIntosh so many epic moments

[@Isaiah_McIntosh]

The sword catch could be a best scene. The AI reveal that they gave the humans cancer to survive. It was fucked up but it was such an impactful scene.

[@jakebishop7822]

Gibson....that is all. maybe the mega big brain scene with the quiet....maybe with the mercanni....maybe the politics and stuff with the royals...that duel is pretty sick, and uh...both battles the entire book, the entire book is my favorite moment in DiW

[@Severian1]

Definitely the moment with the Quiet, the mountains staring at Hadrian is burnt into my brain, and the Watchers, finding out they are worshiped in this horrific way. The duel with Irshan was great too and meeting Gibson on Colchis.

[@SunEaterBooks]

Hey man! Glad you liked book 3!

[@thefantasynuttwork]

It was an absolute blast dude, I can't wait to see what you have in store for me with KoD!!!

[@SunEaterBooks]

@@thefantasynuttwork I'll check in with you after you read it haha.

[@ttuck6768]

Just finished book 3 it was amazing this is by far my favorite sci-fan series of all time already. And the novellas just make it that much better

[@brightskysyl3913]

Just finished DIW. My interpretation is that the Quiet are negentropic forces, and the Watches entropic ones. The Quiet endowed Hadrian the nigh-omnipotent ability to order reality as he sees fit, akin to a nexus being, which makes me think the Quiet are negentropic. The Watchers, on the other hand, are the Cielcin’s gods, which made me thing they have an entropic nature, since what they symbolize and embody is disorder, chaos, decay, and death. I’m not 100% sure, but my assumptions as to what happened to Hadrian in the Demiurge in HD confirmed with the higher dimensional space scene in DIW with Had and the Quiet. He was literally replaced because these forces are beyond the 3D. Perhaps they’re 4D or 5D beings, both the Quiet and the Watchers.

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Love this!!!

[@WordsinTime]

Answer to your SPOILER question below: . . . . The Watchers and The Quiet are different. We don't know a lot about both of them but I believe the Cielcin worship The Watchers. They are allegedly creatures (gods?) of death. Or at least they are described that way to Hadrian in his visions/experiences with The Quiet. The Quiet seem to fear or perhaps are at war with The Watchers. They seem to be able to interact with time in unique ways and they need Hadrian as part of their plan based on what they've seen. That is why they appeared to have re-routed him to Emesh in Empire of Silence, brought him back from being decapitated in Howling Dark, and enabled him to access his new abilities in Demon in White. I'm not 100% sure about the details but I'm pretty sure this is in the ballpark based on what we've read so far. Can't wait to learn more in Kingdoms of Death and Ashes of Man!

[@thefantasynuttwork]

This seems to be correct, I appreciate you taking the time to answer!

[@WordsinTime]

@@thefantasynuttwork You’re welcome! I enjoyed your review and I’m always happy to talk about Sun Eater!

[@thejohnsanger]

I just finished this a couple days ago and I agree this series should be among the greats. I think part of the mojo you mentioned comes from the fact the it perfectly blends the heady, weird, and strange aspects of sci with the galaxy spanning, action and and adventure sci fi. Most sci books or series seem to fall to one side or the other. It’s the best of both worlds in my eyes and Hadrian is the perfect character to be at the center of it all. As far as DIW moments I mean it’s hard to top Hadrian interacting with The Quiet and learning more about the magic (?). I will also say the moment that unexpectedly made me emotional was when Hadrian was alone on the cliffs on Annica reminiscing that he would come back one day and the only thing there now was a little grave. That gave me a huge sense of melancholy lol. Random little gut punch from Ruocchio.

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Couldn't agree more

[@drulagoon911]

I’m onto kingdoms of death now. Wanted to thank you for suggesting empire of silence. Normally I only read fantasy. This is my first sci Fi book.

[@thefantasynuttwork]

I’m glad you’re enjoying!

[@Isaiah_McIntosh]

N=1 but as someone who hasn't been a real Sci fi fan, Suneater really pulled me in and has made me want to expand into the genre. I binged the three books last week in 3 or 4 days. Ruined my sleep schedule but man was it worth it. Pretty sure the quiet told hadrian that the cielcin serve/worship another extradimensional creature that's opposed to the quiet. Looking forward to the alexander hadrian relationship especially since we got that little thing from modern day hadrian where he said Alexander attempted to execute him at some point in the journey.

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Okay thanks for that clarification! I already want to reread tbh

[@Isaiah_McIntosh]

@@thefantasynuttwork if you got a reread coming I'd be here for it, as soon as I finish midnight ties last week I want to reread again before KOD comes out. In the off chance Jake sees this yeah I've given up I'm going to read book 4 when it comes out. Completely off topic but I finished farseer.

[@Isaiah_McIntosh]

Next week not last week sigh I need to sleep

[@thefantasynuttwork]

@@Isaiah_McIntosh nice!!

[@AmiRempel]

SPOILERS- Regarding your questions about the Quiet and the Watchers- I had asked Ruocchio about just this during a live Q&A and I got rafo’d. He said he is keeping details about the quiet hush hush because there is a lot about it that we don’t know yet and he wants us to discover as he unveils it throughout. He did mention a possible cross over of this with some future projects of his so maybe it’ll be a cosmere situation?? But my guess or how I interpreted it was who the Ceilcin worship and who the Pale Prince gets his info from does not have the same motivations as the Quiet who are seemingly aiding Hadrian thus far. Their goals from the future aren’t the same. Also, keep in mind the Emperor (and his predecessor) know about the existence of the Quiet but do not hear from them. As well as Doriaka (can’t spell it) calls Hadrian ‘kin’ relating or hinting that he too has insight to the future prophecy sight like Hadrian. This could explain why he’s so good at strategic warfare. Take this all with a grain of salt and see it as my two cents worth. My wife and I love this series and this author and also see him as a future famous author. Overall, great review!

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Thank you so much!

[@coleton7048]

I'll be reading Empire of Silence next month as a part of the read a long in Sarah's discord. I'm so hyped and confident I'll like it that I've already bought the three books out in hardcover. 😅

[@thefantasynuttwork]

I think you'll enjoy these a lot!

[@onlinedayton9882]

18:09 I never laughed so hard in my life. Great review Jimmy. Glad you’re enjoying the series! KoD is right around the corner!

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Haha thank you! Excited for KoD!

[@unclecolkie]

Love this book! Super excited for Kingdoms of Death.

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Same here!

[@tammaraliberty]

On my TBR. Reading 2nd book right now. Thank you for the review. I saved you for later too for after I read it.

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Great!!

[@Chris_Traylor]

About to start Howling Dark, you’ve really sold this series to me and I’m havin’ a blast!

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Awesome!!! Hope you love it, things get trippy!

[@safinan8008]

Happy reading to you!! 👋📖🦋

[@thefantasynuttwork]

You as well, thanks 🙏

[@LeeKennison]

Great review/recap and good timing for me since I just finished the book yesterday. Looking forward to book 4. I would love to see one of your Malazan style discussions after you finish book 4, along with additional Ruocchio interviews, particularly if you did an in-depth spoilery discussion with him. It would be awesome if Alan were a part of it, but based on your recent Chatting with Nutts, it sounds like it might be a while before Alan gets to it.

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Appreciate the feedback! I'd love to do some discussion for this series

[@BaldBookTuber]

You’ll now be able to read KoD new with us next week! So happy you love the series - I would have been pretty bummed if you didn’t.

[@thefantasynuttwork]

You never lead me astray!

[@akashas6012]

I liked your review, So I read the Demon in White. I truly enjoyed the book. I haven't read any other books in the series because I am worried about the pacing in books that are over 700 pages. I like Hadrian and Alexander relationship. I like the politics in this book.

[@thefantasynuttwork]

I’m glad you liked it!

[@covfefecoomer]

I’m curious, did you not like the Declaration of Independence thing in concept? Or was it just because the chosen artifact reeked of Nick Cage memes? I quite enjoyed the whole Colchis arc, but felt like the Delcararation of Independance was a little on the nose.

[@thefantasynuttwork]

@@covfefecoomer Nick Cage for sure lol

[@maddy0119]

You continue to hype Suneater for me! I can't wait to start soon.

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Hope it lives up to it for you 😁

[@mrgauth]

If could buy them in HB I think I would jump in, but that does not look likely at this point since not published any more.

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Yeah they can be tricky to obtain

[@brentasmith]

I'm rereading this now. I agree with all of this. This was my book of the year for 2021, and the reread is every bit as good or better.

[@thefantasynuttwork]

I legit wanna reread already 😂

[@crystalsingh7325]

Great review Jimmy! Which book do you recommend I try first between Empire of Silence and The Winter King? 🤔

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Hmmm EoS!

[@brentasmith]

I got the impression that not only are The Quiet and The Watchers different, they are opposing forces.

[@thefantasynuttwork]

That's what I began to think but my brain was so fried I couldn't tell if I was right or the quiet were manipulating me from the future 😂

[@mich7008]

I got that impression also Brent. Such a great entry into this series. On to KoD!!

[@MobbJacket88]

Im trying to decide whether to start this series or to continue on with Malazan.. or to just play more Elden Ring.

[@Isaiah_McIntosh]

Depends on where you are in malazan but I paused after HOC to read Suneater. Pretty natural pause point in malazan before the final continent gets introduced and despite the length, the suneater books read fairly quickly after the first half or so of empire of silence.

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Definitely Elden Ring hahah

[@SunEaterBooks]

Well, *I* am playing Elden Ring--so I totally understand if that's your choice.

[@thefantasynuttwork]

@@SunEaterBooks we all are aren't we 😂

[@Patrick.__]

I guess It's about time I start reading this series.

[@thefantasynuttwork]

I'd support this decision 😎

[@Isaiah_McIntosh]

Iirc ruocchio said he won't write a story in the fight vs the AI. A big part of the reason being just to not completely demystify the AI threat.

[@thefantasynuttwork]

That's fair

[@kevin.jenkins]

LET’S GOOO SIX MORE DAYS😈😈😈

[@thefantasynuttwork]

LFG

[@jakebishop7822]

Whenever I get asked a spoiler question now I want to refrain to answer because I don't want to accidently answer something with something I learned from Kingdoms of Death, so i'm just going to not answer.

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Lol thanks mate

[@jakebishop7822]

I will however say not to worry about there being tension and stakes in the following book

[@noteuser15]

*SPOILERS* Loved this review man, I just finished reading I’m pretty sure the quiet and the watchers are the same thing. As far as if the Cielcin know that Hadrian ‘works for’ the quiet, I was a little surprised when I heard you say that because I don’t think they know that. For example that MINOS SOM guy working with the Cielcin ( forgot his name) was like : ‘There are forces at work you don’t understand’ Hadrian: ‘you mean the watchers?’ SOM: ‘so you do have some knowledge’ So I think they don’t know Hadrian works for the quiet, and it seems to me like Dorayaica and Hadrian are both being led by the quiet. Dorayaica doesn’t know Hadrian is, but Hadrian suspects Dorayaica is. I could be missing something but that’s what I think. My favorite moment was probably the coleseum duel with the adamant arm, such a cool moment! And of course Gibson, As soon as he was exiled in book one, just the fact that he wasn’t killed made me predict that he would show back up in the series at some point, but it was still so well done. And that whole Colchis sequence was just so wonderfully done, it was probably the best sequence like that I’ve read in a book. Where the characters get a period of respite and joy, and life’s good. It was so great! Super excited to move into book four.

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Yeah I’m not super sure on some of my interpretations from the book but either way it’s been so fun figuring stuff out, or trying to haha

[@noteuser15]

@@thefantasynuttwork I totally agree, It’s super cool worldbuilding stuff so I wish I understood everything perfectly, but either way it’s quite a fun ride 💯

[@readingwithrobson3911]

This is the best book in the series so far for me. I though EoS was better than Howling Dark and this ramped it back up

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Hell yeah

[@curtjarrell9710]

The positive WOM on this author piques my curiosity for him. I'll need to take a closer look at his books. My book budget is very limited these days.

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Totally understandable

[@dpeady78]

Just finished it - hoooooolllyyyyyyy shiiiiiiitttttt

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Wild isn't it?!

[@charliemessano2128]

I was so fucking pissed when my boy udax got squashed. Idc about anyone else

[@thefantasynuttwork]

@@charliemessano2128 😂

[@mooahhdeeb]

To my understanding the Quiet and The Watchers are different. Spoiler Spoiler Spoiler The Quiet are the life forms that are traveling backwards through time enlisting Hadrians help. The Watchers we don’t know much about. But they are what the Cielcin worship.

[@mooahhdeeb]

You’re correct though, this is my favorite scifi series of all time right now. It’s like Stormlight but in space. Fucking Mint