Behemoth(Mammoth omnibus 1-3)
by Stephen Baxter
2015 Reading Challenge:
A Trilogy, A Book With Non-Human Characters, A Book More Than 500 Pages
-------------REVIEW WIP
Book One--Silverhair: Three Stars This was my least favorite of the trilogy, and I completely understand why many
readers gave up on this series after book one. It has an absolutely fantastic beginning, introducing the fascinating
mythology and culture of mammoth-kind, artfully blending science and spirituality into a completely plausible
culture for these creatures. For instance, the mammoths' ability to hear in infrasonic is modeled on this real-life
ability seen in modern African and Asian elephants. This means that not only can they hear each other over long
distances, but they can also hear the deep rumblings and geologic activity of the very planet itself, making
decisions and learning about their environment based on what they hear. They are literally listening to the songs
of the earth, creating a powerful spiritual bond between mammoths and the earth that is also firmly rooted in
scientific fact. Pure genius writing on Stephen Baxter's part.
Now onto the problems of this first book. Because of the long and troubled history between humans and
elephants, it's a given that humans should be portrayed as antagonists of a story told from the mammoths'
perspective. This first book, however, takes it WAY too far. The human villains here are sickeningly, disgustingly,
and cartoonishly evil, making even Captain Planet villains look subtle in comparison. These characters could hardly
be more evil if they were freaking Nazi rapist pedophiles. Not even joking. (view spoiler)[Of course, it is revealed at
the end that maybe not all humans are complete scum, but still. Too little, too late. (hide spoiler)] This severely
affected my enjoyment of this book, but not enough to make me want to give up on the trilogy altogether.
be more evil if they were freaking Nazi rapist pedophiles. Not even joking. (view spoiler)[Of course, it is revealed at
the end that maybe not all humans are complete scum, but still. Too little, too late. (hide spoiler)] This severely
affected my enjoyment of this book, but not enough to make me want to give up on the trilogy altogether.
Book Two--Longtusk: Five Stars As you can see, I adore this second book. All of the awesomeness of mammoth
culture and creation myths are here, as well as a fantastic lead character, fantastic side characters, an amazing
setting, and a much more complex and tragic portrayal of humans. (view spoiler)[The relationship between Crocus
and Longtusk warmed my heart, then broke it, then somehow put it back together again. (hide spoiler)] This book
might have even worked as a wonderful standalone, except for the epilogue which leads into the third and final
book, and which also doesn't make a lick of sense unless you've read the first book.
Book Three--Icebones: Five Stars This one was a slow-burning reading experience for me. Unlike the second book,
which had my attention and held it from page one, and the first book which had my attention and gradually lost it
as the pages wore on, this one didn't grab me immediately, but slowly worked its roots into my heart. Icebones is
another fantastic lead (who might even make my top ten list of favorite female protagonists), surrounded by more
fantastic side characters, and while Mars is an incredibly weird setting for an epic tale about woolly mammoths, it
grows on you after a while.
And that ending...that ending, man...This was one of those stare-at-the-ceiling-and-hug-the-book-tightly-to-yourbody-while-you-breathe-deeply-and-turn-the-fictional-events-over-and-over-in-your-mind kind of endings. Spot
on, pitch perfect, and makes the entire experience worthwhile.
If you have an open mind and are looking for something truly unique in either science-fiction or
xenofiction/animal fantasy, definitely give this trilogy a try. I can truly say that as far as I can tell, there's really no
book quite like this.|Surprisingly enthralling!|I've been wanting to read this trilogy for a long time and I really
enjoyed it. I'd have liked to know why exactly mammoths were brought to Mars (nothing else could do the
terraforming?) but other than that, really fun series of books.|Trilogy in one volume. Main characters are
mammoths. Amazing book that has a fantasy edge, especially in the third volume.|well worth reading