Metro 2033

I decided to read this as I was interested in the dark atmosphere and intriging world. And in that aspect the book definitely delivered. The muscovy Metro is split into different factions with internal conflicts determining the actions of their leaders thus shaping the whole Metro. Unfortunately there are regular crises demanding cooperation of conflicting factions ... what a set up!

The introduction to the mc was also grabbing my attention. However, to establish the factions the mc has to at least pass them by which leads to a drawn out story. In my opinion it sometimes feels like the author prioritised showing of this cool world instead of writing a tense story. And I thought some scenes were really weird but that might just be me. However there were moments which stayed in my head and I really appreciated. And towards the end the book feels a bit like rushing towards the finish line.

Well if you're interested in the world you should definitely think about picking this up! Especially if you want an adventure discovering a post-apocalyptic Metro.

Do you like internal indecisive monologues, philosophical ramblings, and info-dumps? Well this is the novel for you! Let’s get this across: I enjoyed the concept of the world this novel presents, but I detested everything about the execution. The world-building is explained by “author fiat” at best, and the author’s writing skill is terrible. As such, despite finishing this novel, I hated the entire experience.

Why finish something you dislike? Well - there are flashes of greatness here and there. But if this review will convince even one person to give up, then it has been worth my time to write. If you think the novel will get better, don’t. It is terrible from start to finish.

This was supposed to inspire a video game, right? Well it feels like the opposite. The main character travels from one location to the next, narrating his internal thoughts and describing the dark tunnels he’s exploring. Yes, it’s that boring. And then when you get to the next station? You meet entirely new characters that will info-dump everything you need to know about the place. Then the main character will leave these characters behind, and you’ll restart this process.

Worse, every so often you’ll face mini-bosses or sidequests. A random antagonist will give the main character some challenges, and then deus ex machina will save the main character. Or he’ll meet someone that will rant about some pseudo philosophy that has zero impact on the rest of the plot. Nearly every chapter is episodic and doesn’t impact future chapters.

Brutal. I have no idea why this is so highly rated.

My favourite point is that at 75% of the way through the novel, when we’re going to deploy a missile against the botanical garden and save the whole Metro, the author chooses to spend 2 chapters on a side-quest against a brand new enemy called the Children of the Worm. Two entire chapters of bad religion, priests ranting about the great worm, and then the main character is saved by others (again, he doesn’t solve his own problems. Others always show up).

Halting the plot? Check. Utterly irrelevant sideplot? Check. Deus ex machina solution? Check.

Fuck this book.