The Silo Series Boxed Set: Wool, Shift, Dust, and Silo Stories

You can safely read this commentary because there will be no spoilers here!I re-read Wool and now just finished the Silo trilogy books II and III. Wow! I think this may be the best Sci Fi story since Frank Herberts Dune! And, I'm including The Three Body Problem. The Silo Trilogy starts with a great story which launches you into a very different but totally understandable world. The author, Hugh Howey, does a fantastic job of creating a new world, like nothing we have seen before, but ultimately an understandable world. The details of Silo life, the details of Silo mechanical operation, etc. All so well done and described. But, the next two books in the series is where the author really shines. Book II is a prequel and explains how the silo and silo life came into existence. Book III is the sequel, and tells a story of survival. Hugh Howey keeps the story grounded. The problem I had with The Three Body Problem is that it became VERY huge. Too huge. Book 3 of The Three Body problem got so esoteric that it lost the story significance. (Author Liu Cixin, should have stopped with book II). Unlike that, the Silo story stays grounded. Still lots of good hard science and fun wierdnesses but it is always interesting and understandable from beginning to the end. The character arcs are very interesting and never obvious. And, if you like action packed sequences there is plenty for you. (Another problem with The Three Body Problem!) Hugh Howey does a really great job of sending us into the middle of this crazy silo roller coaster ride, then takes us back to the start of the ride in Book I and finally finishes up with the most dangerous part of the ride in Book III. Whoooopeee! BTW - I am a reader and think the written novels are better than the TV show. But, I really like the TV show too! The production values and the design of the TV silo is awesome!

I FINALLY got around to starting the first book - having been inspired to buy the trilogy after watching Season 1 - once I started, I could not put it down! Very creative concept behind the book (Wool), great cast of characters and character development, excellent and detailed descriptions, kept me on the edge of my seat all the way to the end . . . I also found the author's note at the end . . . the story of how the first book . . . and later the next two came into being . . . definitely a great read!! Going to start on 2nd book - Shift - later today . . .

This was an amazing series, especially the final entry! I have little to complain about. In fact, my biggest gripe is probably how everyone calls them "clips" instead of "magazines." All those military men would have known better. I digress. Poor research on military jargon is not enough to make me speak ill of this book series. I can't wait to watch the show now, and I hope it stays true to what was written on the pages gifted to us by Mr. Howey. The reason for only four stars is because the first two entries had some slow parts and eye rollers.

If the show is good, then the book series is pretty great!Seriously. Good read. Better than the show.

The best science fiction I have read in years. Highly original and does not simply replicate old writing, or rely on gore and sensationalism.

Bought this trilogy after watching both seasons of "Silo" on Apple TV - I literally NEEDED to know what happened next.Arguably enjoyed the books better than the TV series- finished reading them in record time. The books are paperback but it helps that they sit in the little cardboard set holder so that they don't warp sitting upright on the bookshelf.

I don’t read at all, it’s never been a thing for me. However, I bought a new iPhone and got my free 3 months of Apple TV. This show called Silo was listed as number 1 on the app. Sure, I like science fiction, why not give it a shot. After about 3 episodes the show grabbed my attention and I couldn’t stop watching. I binged all the way through the end of season two. When it ended I looked at my wife and said “this cliff hanger has me wanting to just read the books, because I don’t think I can wait 18 months to learn what happens.”I bought the books. I blew through Wool in 3 days. My god it was amazing. And I prefer its story to the one the show had (yes they kinda end up in the same place, but the journey was a bit different). I have never read a book that I enjoyed as much as this one.I started book 2 today and it doesn’t disappoint. This is it, this is what made me want to read. I can’t wait to see where this journey ends. Thank you Hugh Howey, you’ve written a beautiful story and I can’t wait to continue it in silo 40.

I enjoyed the character development, and switching between storylines kept it engaging. I found myself identifying characters with traits similar to people I know in real life, and wondering whether we would respond as well, or in the same way to such challenges. The writing was like viewing a picture at times with rich (yet terse) descriptions. I have to read more of his work.