Dawn

By: Yoshiki Tanaka, Daniel Huddleston - translator

Narrated by: Tim Gerard Reynolds

Length: 11 hrs and 14 mins

Publisher's Summary

"The Golden Brat", Reinhard von Lohengramm, a military prodigy and admiral of the Galactic Empire, has ambitions beyond protecting the borders or even defeating the empire's enemies. He seeks to overthrow the old order and become a truly absolute - yet benevolent - dictator. His rival, the humble Yang Wen-li of the Free Planets Alliance, wishes to preserve democracy even if he must sacrifice his political ideals to defeat the empire. Their political and military battles play out over a galactic chessboard in an epic saga 15 centuries in the making!

©2016 Yoshiki Tanaka (P)2016 Simon & Schuster

Lots of "telling", but fails to paint a picture

Very hard to follow. Too many characters lacking character development. Too much this happened, then this happened, then this happened. The author isn't very good a painting a picture or scene. I'm almost finished and really don't care to stick it out through the last two chapters because I still can't keep track of who half the characters are.

5 of 5 people found this review helpful

Amazing. Tim Gerard Reynolds is a saint with these

This book is fantastic. Tim Gerard Reynolds really pull you into the world. Both main characters are portrayed so well. The world is engaging. 10/10

5 of 5 people found this review helpful

Kind of like a dull history book

I have always been intrigued by this anime/manga/series, because it seemed to be the biggest epic space opera that had never been brought over to US shores. And since it came out back in the '80s, I knew the animation quality of the anime probably wouldn't hold up to modern standards. Therefore when I found out about this new English publication of the novels, I was cautiously excited to find out what all the fuss was about.

If you have read a lot of space opera or military sci-fi, you're either going to find you like this series because it tries to marry both genres, or you're going to be disappointed because it fails to deliver the depth into either one that you may be used to. This novel stays at a very high level throughout most of the book, delivering hundreds of years of history and conflict almost like a Wikipedia entry, while glossing over details of battles involving tens of thousands of starships as though you're watching everything on a strategic starmap. Because of such a huge scale, and a large cast of characters, we don't get to see them developed in detail much other than to establish a few stereotypes and certain likes/dislikes and character traits. Even though the novel eventually focuses down onto the two protagonists, we don't really get any sense of what their lives are actually like. Everything is done within the context of driving ahead this massive historical machine.

There are parts of the novel that are certainly enjoyable, and a lot of the tactical combat techniques are interesting, reminiscent of Jack Campbell's "Lost Fleet" engagements (although still falling far short). However, one problem that keeps repeating itself is that the book portrays all the establishment leaders on both sides of the war as utter imbeciles. They make very stupid strategic and tactical blunders that are just too difficult to believe, especially when the fates of literally millions of lives are affected by those decisions. Somehow we must believe that only the two geniuses on either side of the conflict are capable of making good decisions, and therefore their rise into power, which this book essentially chronicles, is made with a speed that is simply impossible to take as believable.

I admit I am still interested in seeing where this series is going, but I'm worried that it will just continue to be more of the same.

20 of 24 people found this review helpful

This Space Epic should be loved by all!

If you could sum up Dawn in three words, what would they be?

Militaristic galactic politics

What did you like best about this story?

I will say that at first glance the reader can seem a bit monotone, but that feeling will not last long. His stone cold approach to characters is perfect for this book. His delivery is always spot on and perfectly reflects the stoic viewpoint of the two main characters.

To segway from that point, Yang and Reinhard are just perfect characters, and their situations among their forces grow more and more interesting the longer you consider what they are actually planning with each choice. I was not annoyed by any character and felt that every single second of the book was put to good use. No time wasted at all.

I do not want to gush for too long, but I have never read a book that makes war seem any cooler or more strategic than Dawn. While other stories focus on certain battles and following along the protagonists, Legends shows the whole scope and the grandiose nature of galactic combat, and I loved it for that reason.

Which scene was your favorite?

No major spoilers

The scene with the Patriotic Knights Corps was so interesting in association with Yang.

The very best scenes were of course the unbelievably large conflicts.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

11hrs would be a long time to sit and listen, but I listened intently every day for as long as I could manage.

Any additional comments?

I knew almost nothing about this book or story beforehand. I had seen the first episode of the anime, saw how many more episodes there were, and quit. I found this searching though the Audible library and tried it on a whim, and boy, did that whim pay off.

Possibly my favorite book. Definitely my favorite sci-fi book. "Ambition" here I come!

7 of 8 people found this review helpful

Finally!

Any additional comments?

This a book I've been waiting a very very long time to read. Having watched some of the anime series I knew it would be a good read. I'm glad to see I was right. If you like David Weber's Honorverse series you will like this.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

If you love Foundation, you will LOVE this gem!

Like Isaac Asimov's Foundation, Legend of the Galactic Heroes is an outstanding science fiction epic. Even though this is only the first book in the series, I eagerly await the next installment!

6 of 7 people found this review helpful

An intriguing start to a sci-fi saga

The first book of the LoGH series does a great deal of stage setting that I expect will pay off in the remaining books. The pov characters are interesting and the two leads, Reinhard and Yang are good foils for one another. The reader, Tim Gerard Reynolds is, as always, fantastic. Definitely plan to follow this series.

5 of 6 people found this review helpful

Legend of The Galactic Heroes Finally Translated!

The first book of Tanaka's space epic did not disappoint. The translation and narration were superb. I really have been waiting over a decade for these novels to be translated into English and it was so worth the wait. Bring on book two!

5 of 6 people found this review helpful

War and Peace on the Galactic Scale

I was delighted to find the novel translation was scheduled shortly after I finished the lengthy original Anime adaptation (2014). I have since enjoyed this audio performance.

The scale of this space opera may be daunting for some. In only 300 pages the reader is introduced to about three times the typical number of characters, given a detailed historical account of the three factions in power, and lead through three battles, each worthy of a dedicated full length film. Equal attention is given to the political intrigues surrounding the battles as to the battles themselves.

The purpose of such an ambitious approach was for the author to have a backdrop adequate to explore his own political and philosophical ideas from multiple perspectives. This Tanaka did quite well.

The prose excels at clearly conveying such content pleasantly. I, personally, find it a refreshing change of pace from the typical page-turner, where after 700 pages you realise not that much has actually happened.

My only criticism is as follows. Overstatement. The incompetence of high-level military commanders is painfully difficult to swallow. The most basic tactical oversights, inept handling of unexpected developments, obstinate refusals to consider a second opinion, basic lack of common sense. The reader is left wondering how such imbeciles became commanders instead of admiring the talent of the protagonists. That, and is it really necessary keep bringing attention to how attractive Reinhard is in nearly his every scene? I'm not sure how much of that may just be due to Japanese wiring convention.

All in all, a solid read. More than a solid read. There's a good chance it will blow your mind. And if not blow, then at least build it. It'll be that one you remember 100 books later. And if you're the type to reread, you probably will for this one.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

An Option

Being a fan of the anime, I was pleasantly surprised that the novel holds supplemental information on the history and general mind set of the people throughout the history of this/these world(s). It gives the reader a better understanding of why and how things are the way they are and where they can go.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

An excellent space opera series!

Legend Of The Galactic Heroes is excellently written space opera. The epic battles between the Galactic Empire and the Free Planets Alliance and the political manuvers on both sides between the politicans and those who wish to gain power are truly grand. This series comes with writting that personally puts me in mind of Issac Asimov's Foundation series or the world building of Robert A. Heinlein.

It is fascinating watching the characters of Reinhard Von Lohengramm and Siegfried Kircheis of the Galactic Empire and Yang Wen-li of the Free Planets Alliance and those around them grow and develop. Lohengramm's practically childish nature is especially interesting when you compare him to the nobles and - the in some cases too mature - Yang Wen-li. The obvious comparisons make both sides very interesting.

Another point of interest is the writing of the characters. The book does a very good job of making you understand each character's separate viewpoint on the issues being discussed. You might not agree with the views of certain characters...in fact you definitely won't agree with everyone! But you will still understand why they believe what they do.

The narration by Tim Gerard Reynolds is also sutibly well done. The space epic style he takes with the narration suits the series well. He is also expert at the commanding militaristic tone that many of the commanders use when giving their orders be it for defence, offensive or panicked retreat. I honestly can't imagine anyone else doing this series.

The series is truly worth your time. Even use a credit if you have to. I absolutely adore this series and I hope that more people will give the series a chance. It deserves the title it has as an epic story. If you are at all interested in space opera give this a listen. I cannot recommend this series enough.

I know it may not be to some people’s tastes but I hope some of you will give it a try.