River of Blue Fire

Otherland Book 2

By: Tad Williams

Narrated by: George Newbern

From the New York Times–bestselling author comes the second entry in the popular Otherland series.

A small band of adventurers has penetrated the veil of secrecy that prevents the uninitiated from entering Otherland. But having broken into the amazing worlds within worlds that make up this universe, they are trapped, unable to escape back to their own flesh-and-blood bodies in the real world. And as dangers and circumstances split their party into small, widely scattered groups, their only hope of reuniting lies in returning again and again to the River that flows—in one form or another—through all the worlds.

But the odds seem to be completely against them as they—and the one outsider with whom they might join forces—become hopelessly lost in realms where an Ice Age tribe’s fears can only be quenched in blood . . . where insects are as large and deadly as dinosaurs . . . where they are caught in the war between a man made of straw and one made of tin . . . where cartoon ads take on a life of their own . . . where humans strive to survive in the aftermath of an alien invasion . . . and where one among their party is actually The Grail Brotherhood’s most terrifying weapon—a sociopathic killer who has never failed and whose current mission is to make certain that not even one member of this little invasion force lives long enough to reveal the truth about Otherland to the people of Earth.

a hot mess

Interesting. I'm still thinking about it months later. But it could have used an editor to tighten it up.

Great book! Slightly frustrating audiobook

So lemme start by saying the book is wonderful. I almost enjoyed it more than the first book just because having read the first one there were a lot of things I understood better about the world and technology and whatnot. My only issue with the audiobook is that the reader almost never pauses or provides a slight break before starting new sections or chapters. Since this book follows many different characters, not having that slight break before changing stories can be INCREDIBLY CONFUSING at times. Especially if your listening to this audiobook while doing other things.

less than expected

The naration was superb just like the previous book.
Story wise, the first half of the book was a strugle.But the end has me wanting more.

exceptional story and storytelling

very pleasant to listen to. This book starts getting into details, I love it. Reader did a phenomenal job voicing the characters and narrating the story. perfect reading

Awesome

Tad Williams has a great imagination 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
You have a bizarro version of the Lion, tin man and scarecow , we have layers and layers of twisted programming , men to baboon Girl to Boy, environment with transition to nightmare!!! Lions and tigers and bears , oh my😫

Take what you know in your life turn it upside down and then invert it !!!

Here’s a example:
None were complete in themselves, but although they were partial and ephemeral, they were also as individual as snowflakes. They seem far more than just a trick of programming each phantom, its moments of Quintessence , Seemed somehow undeniable real to me. I already find it difficult to distinguish between the realism of my companions and the realism of the networks simulated people, but these phenomena were even more complex. It’s such Richness can be engendered purely by mechanical means, even buy a system as magical capable as Otherland, then I have much to consider.