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83vette's review against another edition
DNF - looking for more Egyptian mythology at this time
vforvanessa's review against another edition
4.0
It's zany, but just the right amount to create an intriguing world, and the time travel is well-crafted, weaving in paradoxes without asking too many questions. (This is fantasy time-travel, not sci-fi time travel.) It's a shame that there's only one woman in the story and she's not given nearly enough time to shine.
ecooper99's review against another edition
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
This book was bonkers. Absolutely bonkers! I can’t decide if it’s bonkers in a “wow, that was fun” way or if it teeters too close to the edge of “WTF did I just read?” Either way, it kept me on my toes.
The English major in me was thrilled to see real historical figures like Coleridge and Byron woven into the chaos. They felt right at home in the mix of magic, time travel, and Victorian London’s grime. It added a layer of literary joy that balanced the crazier aspects of the novel.
The plot is the real issue. It's convoluted and messed up and... like I said... bonkers. I lost the thread a few times, and I’m pretty sure Tim Powers might have, too. There are a lot of tangents, weird trains of thought, and side quests that get more airtime than they probably need. That said, the epilogue was satisfying, so kudos to Powers for sticking the landing on a twisting, confusing tale.
It’s also worth noting that this book was written in 1983, and it definitely reads that way. It has the sprawling, old-school fantasy vibe that isn’t afraid to meander, take detours, and make you work for the payoff. It reminded me a lot of Clive Barker's writing with a mix of The Doomsday Book by Connie Willis.
Overall, The Anubis Gates is a mixed bag of brilliance and nuttiness. The detailed historical setting and the fascinating blend of real and fantastical elements kept me engaged even when the plot lost me.
The English major in me was thrilled to see real historical figures like Coleridge and Byron woven into the chaos. They felt right at home in the mix of magic, time travel, and Victorian London’s grime. It added a layer of literary joy that balanced the crazier aspects of the novel.
The plot is the real issue. It's convoluted and messed up and... like I said... bonkers. I lost the thread a few times, and I’m pretty sure Tim Powers might have, too. There are a lot of tangents, weird trains of thought, and side quests that get more airtime than they probably need. That said, the epilogue was satisfying, so kudos to Powers for sticking the landing on a twisting, confusing tale.
It’s also worth noting that this book was written in 1983, and it definitely reads that way. It has the sprawling, old-school fantasy vibe that isn’t afraid to meander, take detours, and make you work for the payoff. It reminded me a lot of Clive Barker's writing with a mix of The Doomsday Book by Connie Willis.
Overall, The Anubis Gates is a mixed bag of brilliance and nuttiness. The detailed historical setting and the fascinating blend of real and fantastical elements kept me engaged even when the plot lost me.
caringcatiecary's review against another edition
5.0
Thoroughly enjoyed the re-read and even though I noticed a number of little problems that passed me by when I first read it over 25 years ago it still deserves 5 stars for the sheer power of his imagination.
Oh, and by the way, it's not steampunk and never was but a rollicking great time travel story.
Oh, and by the way, it's not steampunk and never was but a rollicking great time travel story.
timzin's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
vggonz's review against another edition
3.0
Con esta novela he descubierto que no todo lo que rodea a los viajes en el tiempo tiene por qué ser ciencia ficción ni resultar emocionante.
La historia es redonda y es digno de mención cuando se involucran varias líneas temporales y clones de personajes. El protagonista es bastante sólido aunque su evolución psicológica me llegó a chirriar a partir de cierto punto. Y por supuesto hay aventuras y fantasía sin necesidad de recurrir a ningún tipo de ciencia.
La ambientación es espectacular. El autor ha conseguido que ese Londres de finales del siglo XIX resulte muy cercano. Prácticamente puedes oler las alcantarillas y masticar los aromas entremezclados de los puertos y la falta de higiene.
Pero el principal problema que le he encontrado y que para mí ha sido desastroso ha sido la emoción. Hay aventuras y muchas escenas no sabes lo que va a ocurrir a continuación pero no resulta excitante. Te preocupas por el personaje, pero lo que le ocurre parece más que lo espera venir y va improvisando más que vivirlo. Le falta éso: emoción por las cosas que ocurren. Es como una mala obra de teatro en la que te das cuenta de que todo está ensayado y los actores, como no pueden salirse del guión, se resignan.
Es entretenida, sobre todo si buscas fantasía muy bien construida y ambientada, pero no imprescindible.
La historia es redonda y es digno de mención cuando se involucran varias líneas temporales y clones de personajes. El protagonista es bastante sólido aunque su evolución psicológica me llegó a chirriar a partir de cierto punto. Y por supuesto hay aventuras y fantasía sin necesidad de recurrir a ningún tipo de ciencia.
La ambientación es espectacular. El autor ha conseguido que ese Londres de finales del siglo XIX resulte muy cercano. Prácticamente puedes oler las alcantarillas y masticar los aromas entremezclados de los puertos y la falta de higiene.
Pero el principal problema que le he encontrado y que para mí ha sido desastroso ha sido la emoción. Hay aventuras y muchas escenas no sabes lo que va a ocurrir a continuación pero no resulta excitante. Te preocupas por el personaje, pero lo que le ocurre parece más que lo espera venir y va improvisando más que vivirlo. Le falta éso: emoción por las cosas que ocurren. Es como una mala obra de teatro en la que te das cuenta de que todo está ensayado y los actores, como no pueden salirse del guión, se resignan.
Es entretenida, sobre todo si buscas fantasía muy bien construida y ambientada, pero no imprescindible.
milo_robertson's review against another edition
3.0
I started out liking it, and then it just got really weird. The writing was good except that I hated how many points of view he included, ruining a lot of the tension and suspense. And then as it went on it got more confusing because he was trying to keep the suspense and explain things with other people's points of view...to really explain why it was confusing I'd have to give away most of the plot, so I won't. Give this book a try if you like anime or confusing historical sci-fi.
larsdradrach's review against another edition
4.0
A classic Time Travel story.
A fast paced entertaining novel, following Brendan Doyle, expert in English Literature, on a time travel to hear Coleridge speak in 1801.
The story fires on all engines, it's a little like watching a Dr. WHO episode, we have Egyptian sorceress and gods, shapeshifters, monsters, famous poets and a kind of a love story, but somehow Powers manages to keep it all together and bringing it to a satisfactory conclusion.
The story is told in big jumps, which is a little confusing at times, just as you think the story is reaching a climax, we are somewhere else 6 months later and only gradually learns about the conclusion of the previous story line.
Some of the story twists were to obvious and didn't provide the intended surprise.
The story reminded me a little of [b:The Strange Affair of Spring Heeled Jack|7293120|The Strange Affair of Spring Heeled Jack (Burton & Swinburne, #1)|Mark Hodder|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1327931939s/7293120.jpg|8590363] which i read recently, but where Hodder's novel is pure Steampunk with a little time-travel, Power's is just the opposite.
A fast paced entertaining novel, following Brendan Doyle, expert in English Literature, on a time travel to hear Coleridge speak in 1801.
The story fires on all engines, it's a little like watching a Dr. WHO episode, we have Egyptian sorceress and gods, shapeshifters, monsters, famous poets and a kind of a love story, but somehow Powers manages to keep it all together and bringing it to a satisfactory conclusion.
The story is told in big jumps, which is a little confusing at times, just as you think the story is reaching a climax, we are somewhere else 6 months later and only gradually learns about the conclusion of the previous story line.
Some of the story twists were to obvious and didn't provide the intended surprise.
The story reminded me a little of [b:The Strange Affair of Spring Heeled Jack|7293120|The Strange Affair of Spring Heeled Jack (Burton & Swinburne, #1)|Mark Hodder|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1327931939s/7293120.jpg|8590363] which i read recently, but where Hodder's novel is pure Steampunk with a little time-travel, Power's is just the opposite.
kosdiscord's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
eric_sturdevant's review against another edition
5.0
I've read this twice now. One of my favorite books from one of my favorite authors.