Demon in White by Christopher Ruocchio

It’s absolutely not surprising to me that this book is being called one of the greatest science fiction novels of all time. It’s absolutely true. Demon in White expanded on the brilliance of Empire of Silence and Howling Dark and made the story even more compelling and engrossing. This is by far the best science fiction novel I have ever read and I will never emotionally recover from it. And also, the bar is so goddamn high now I can only hope to keep reading books as good as this one.

Demon in White follows Hadrian on a series of seemingly impossible tasks. He has gained enormous renown throughout the galaxy. He has a plethora of nicknames that follow him, people believe in him. Believe he is unkillable. Some believe the stories told about him are impossible, but they are true, despite how improbable they may seem.

The Emperor gives Hadrian a mission to travel far toward the planet Goddoddin to track lost legions that had been fighting against the Pale. But Hadrian knows this mission is one he and the Red Company he leads are meant to fail. His fame has become problematic for many of the other people in power, and they are trying to rid themselves of him as easily as possible.

But Hadrian is not one who easily fails. His victory makes him even more of a target. And the story takes Hadrian, Valka and the rest of the Red Company to far off places, to make discoveries no one could have ever imagined.

I’m trying not to give any spoilers away. This book is triumph. It is one of the greatest novels I have ever read, and clocking in at almost 900 pages, it never felt slow to me. I was on the edge of my seat from page one. The world-building, chatacter development and politics of this novel are incredible in expanse and scope. I love how much Hadrian and his company get to travel. I love the feel of exploration in this novel, parts of this felt like a love letter to learning and libraries, and I was here for it. The series just keeps getting better, and I absolutely cannot wait to see what comes next.

If you’re looking for the greatest science fiction series of your life, look no further. This one is amazing and worth the ride.