Wow, this book is downright AMAZING. Jay Kristoff is officially one of my favorite authors, hands down.
From the onset, we get compelling narratives oWow, this book is downright AMAZING. Jay Kristoff is officially one of my favorite authors, hands down.
From the onset, we get compelling narratives of the life story of Gabriel de Leon, the Last Silversaint and holdout against the empire that is overridden with vampires and the deathless night.
The entire worldbuilding, the circumstances that the heroes and anti-heroes face seem to be at dire ends a lot of the time, and the only way to banish the endless night would be to find the Holy Grail as prophesied by the old writings. Can I just say that the worldbuilding is just so good. Jay Kristoff was able to take similar and familiar concepts to us (ie. vampires, blood sucking, Holy Grail) and he turns them into something entirely new. In his version, vampires are not only immortal beings - they have different bloodline ancestries as well that give them specialized powers (and no, we are not talking about vampires that glitter). The ancient bloodline gambit also plays a lot into the role of Silversaints, who inherit a bit of the power that these full blooded vampires have.
Early on, we are also told that vampires' age also play a huge factor in their strength, and that somehow, despite the war between vampires and humans, vampires cannot totally wipe out the human race else they lose the blood they feed on, thus creating thralls.
A lot of the concepts have been reused from old vampiric tales as old as Dracula, but somehow the irreverence, shamelessness in the telling of the story, to some point even challenging religious beliefs and mindsets, create a feel that is contemporary for the most part.
Given Gabriel's point of view, we see how his time at San Michon became a crucial part of his formative years as a Silversaint, and later on becoming recognized and developing an entire infamous career throughout the nation. A lot of the narration stemmed from his time at San Michon, and the time he encounters the Holy Grail. The mix and balance of narratives on different timelines was well done and far from jarring.
Jean Francois as the historian vampire is also recording Gabriel's words as he narrates his story from the very beginning, much like Interview with the Vampire.
There is a lot to unpack in reading this book, and while its length is something that initially throws one off, it's all the more worthwhile to read and savor....more
This one took me so long to get through versus the other Dandelion Dynasty books, probably because it is a culmination of everything that has been plaThis one took me so long to get through versus the other Dandelion Dynasty books, probably because it is a culmination of everything that has been planted and has taken root since the first three books. I just have so much appreciation and love for this series, and it's probably what A Song of Ice and Fire could have been (could be?). I really love how everything unravels slowly as Ken Liu takes the time to really build the universe of Dara and Ukyu Gonde that you find yourself immersed in the main points of view in this chunky novel.
I found myself resonating with the heroes, the villains and those you couldn't exactly qualify as either hero or villain. The book is largely about the fulfillment of Jia's layers of plots and schemes, Thera's establishment of a separate life in Ukyu Gonde, Phyro's hot headedness and accomplishment as a field general, and Fara's indomitable spirit. The characters whom we grow to love and hate in the past books all come to fruition, including the Blossom Gang, Zomi Kidosu, Savo Ryoto and the Lyucu leaders. The plot of Speaking Bones is so fully realized that I cannot help but feel a huge sense of contentment to have finally finished this series and having gone through it, leaving imprints of mutage (faithful mercy or being able to put the needs of the people over yourself, which is a constant reference in the books) and the beauty of evolving cultures that are similar yet so different from our own current world.
I love how the books lovingly detail a whole world of history, its own wisdom in works of classical authors, its antiquated ways of thinking and living, its celebration of the feats of engineering and its various uses and improvements to the way of life. It almost always reads a lot like a history book, but a very fascinating history book with stories upon stories, poems within literature, and a flourishing set of inventions that make the genius of Dara. I am really in love with how Ken Liu wrote such an immersive fantasy world, and while suffering and strife are main themes in the novel, there was a lot of nuance and complexity layered into it, as numerous as Jia's schemes. The universe of Dara is a living and breathing world of its own, and I would encourage everyone to read these books as much as I really enjoyed reading them....more
This book, this hell of a book - I do get the commotion over this sci fi novel, and how something as seemingly simple as memory can be used to create This book, this hell of a book - I do get the commotion over this sci fi novel, and how something as seemingly simple as memory can be used to create hyper realities, and that consciousness zips through the past-present-future, and how the present day world would handle this type of technology. Reading this book was like a whole journey.
We follow Barry, a detective who wants to solve a mysterious false memory syndrome suicide. What starts out as a suicide becomes a full-blown case filled with puzzle after puzzle. On the other hand, we follow Helena, a young and passionate scientist who has dreams of making a memory chair because of her Alzheimer's afflicted mother.
I really loved this book. It is so well thought out and actually plausible - if such technology invented were ever put into the hands of man, it could mean a huge scientific breakthrough. At the same time, it could spell out war and chaos - as depicted concretely in this book, with the text constantly prodding you to think if the present day world as we know it is truly ready to take on a creation like this. I think that this book really puts across this point very well, without compromising on the whirlwind of emotion, the suffering, the horror aspects of using the memory chair. I found myself thinking that the circumstances that happen over the course of time in the novel create a life paradox - the hell loop and the reality wherein you can achieve a hundred lifetimes' worth of happiness....more
The sequel to the Grace of Kings is nothing short of epic. And the tale it weaves moves way past what the Grace of Kings focused on - vengeance, the TThe sequel to the Grace of Kings is nothing short of epic. And the tale it weaves moves way past what the Grace of Kings focused on - vengeance, the Tiro system of government vs a united empire, the art of war - The Wall of Storms on the other hand is sheer brilliance. We have women at the helm and forefront of war efforts, women who defy society’s norm and become scholars of their own making.
We have heroes like Luan Zya, Marshal Gin Mazoti, newcomer Zomi Kidosu, and the likes of Princess Thera, who really grows into her own. We have anti-heroine Empress Jia, who develops a steely determination to do whatever it takes for Dara, and is willing to sacrifice everything in her arsenal to achieve this.
The Wall of Storms pretty much picks up where The Grace of Kings left off - with Kuni Garu taking up the mantle of Emperor and paving the way for Kuni’s vision of a more “just” Dara. Most of the first and beginning sequences draws you into the life and culture of Dara after the War between the Chrysanthemum and the Dandelion, wherein we see central conflicts that weave around and revive the legacy of the dead Hegemon Mata Zyndu like a resurrected poisoned fruit. Kuni Garu finds himself struggling to maintain the peace of a decade and finds himself slowly questioning the loyalty he once cultivated among his friends and prime officials who helped him win the throne.
While Kuni is caught up in this maelstrom, other threats come into play and are weaved seamlessly into the story. Wall of Storms also plants the seeds for the generation of sons and daughters, and the cycle of inheritance. While maintaining a solid front, Empress Jia and Consort Risana are on a not-so-secret rivalry, always wary of the other’s moves in securing the throne for her own children.
More than the epic storyline that spans decades, I loved how Wall of Storms capitalizes greatly on the academe and the value of engineering. I loved how Ken Liu sees engineering as a way of using old machines or existing ideas to derive a new purpose, and Zomi Kidosu is the very epitome, being Luan Zya’s protege. Granted, there is a long payoff way into the throes of Zomi’s journey. There is a good balance of frustration, shame, cowardice, and at the same time, moments of pride and joy, humility, gratitude and cleverness. Zomi becomes a central character as she engineers ideas and finds extraordinary breakthroughs. She serves to solidify the fact that women in Dara society must not be underestimated, which is what draws readers, especially me, to love her character. There are so many characters to fall in love with, and Zomi is just one of them. Even Jia, whom I had a hard time reconciling with the woman she was in the first book and the woman she is now - despite me having a hard time deciphering her motivations, I realize at the end what a strong character she is.
I also marvel at how Ken Liu wrote the hell out of this book. The worldbuilding is fantastic, the lore is beautiful, the characters are so well fleshed out and interesting - we see a lot of interesting growth within these characters’ story arcs and reading the entire novel makes me realize what a journey it has been, and that’s only one book in a 4-book series.
I’m going to have a hard time finding novels that really speak to me as much as the Dandelion Dynasty has spoken to me thus far. That’s how much I loved this. It has all aspects of fantasy and realism, echoes of history, politics, intrigue, with romance taking a backseat. Its scope and range goes beyond its boundaries and often seeks to eclipse itself, as I could see how much The Wall of Storms contrasted with Grace of Kings, with this somehow creating a deeper look at the whole of the Dara empire. ...more
Warning: plot spoilers if you haven't read Jade City or Jade War
If I could give this ten stars I would. This book was such a satisfying ending to all oWarning: plot spoilers if you haven't read Jade City or Jade War
If I could give this ten stars I would. This book was such a satisfying ending to all of the events that transpire in Jade City and Jade War. The Green Bone saga might be my favorite series of all time. It's just so absorbing, immersing, and a really well conceived world that quite mirrors our own reality, except bioenergetic jade is the main commodity, weapon, and even lifesaver. I loved how this book perfectly ties up the stirring conflicts of Kekon with other countries, struggles between having a nationalistic stance and building into foreign ties with small businesses. I love how the clans acted not only out of violence, but out of a purely logical and creative way to subvert their enemies through psychological and business means. Returning characters like Anden Emery, Kaul Hilo, Kaul Shae, Kaul Maik Wen, and all the other significant characters that started an arc in the previous books made their marks here one way or another. Legacy is such an apt title for the book, as the current generation seeks to pass on the torch to the younger generation - the rebellious and deeply conflicted Niko, Lan's son; Ru, the philanthrophic stone-eye son of Wen and Hilo; Jaya, green bone raised daughter; and Tia, Shae's daughter. I loved how smoothly Fonda Lee incorporated the younger ones into the story as it spanned more than a decade into the years long after the events in Jade War. There were more plots and subplots in this book due to the complexities woven in by the clanless future movement, the long standing enmity between the Mountain and No Peak for the dominance of their clan in Kekon; dealing with barukans, Espenians, and everyone in between. The cast of characters grows by a multitude in this novel, but with Fonda Lee's solid foundation and storytelling style, you never really get lost and even understand the motivations of the most minor characters. Jade Legacy is a masterpiece through and through, and it was a real ride. I'm going to miss the cast of characters I've come to know and love, as well as the addicting world of jade....more
There’s just something about Fonda Lee’s writing that really got me hooked from the very beginning of Jade City. I swear that from the moment I starteThere’s just something about Fonda Lee’s writing that really got me hooked from the very beginning of Jade City. I swear that from the moment I started reading and really getting into the book, I couldn’t find myself putting it down.
I knew that it was about the mafia, and martial arts - but I had no idea how engrossing it would be. It’s like a whole new universe ruled by the Kekonese who prize jade above all kinds of gemstones, wherein jade is a means for a living, and the clans’ ultimate sign of power and prestige. It’s reminiscent of the Godfather but with Asian elements and the center of power anchored on the amassing, control, and distribution of jade. I love how Fonda Lee creates a whole system based on the acquisition of jade - there are clear enhancements provides to a single wearer, but there are also consequences for wearing too much jade and going beyond your body’s physical capacity to handle jade.
We’re drawn into the world of the No Peak clan, headed by the Pillar, Kaul Lan, and his brother being his right hand or Horn, Kaul Hilo, who is in charge of keeping up the security and protection of the clan. They are soon drawn into skirmishes with the other most powerful clan in Janloon City, the Mountain clan, led by a cunning and aggressive clan leader, Ayt Mada. We are also introduced to several other characters like Anden, a young undergraduate of the Academy training more Green bones, and the cousin of the Kaul siblings; Shae, my favorite character, who chose a very different life studying at a foreign Espenian school to be with her ex boyfriend, and comes back to Janloon a regular citizen devoid of jade.
Of course the plot thickens all the more as the story heats up and becomes all the more intense, we see the dynamic between the different Kaul family members and how they live and die by their code of honor as a clan and as a family. We witness the violence and the moral code of each clan, and their struggles and conflicts, their motivations.
All characters have their own story arcs and they are well defined in the book. I especially loved Shae’s prodigal daughter story arc, and how she was the most loved by her grandfather, former Torch of the Kekon and a strong Pillar in his time. I also took a liking to both Lan and Hilo, as both brothers show each other great moral support and the roles they are given suit them both perfectly.
The themes and concepts are altogether familiar and at the same time it felt new because of how the author approached and arranged the plot. I loved how refreshing it was, even though the world is pretty reminiscent of most probably Hong Kong, one city on which this urban fantasy was based on. However it was altogether cool and really well done, like those old-time Chinese gangster movies with a twist. I really can envision this being done in a tv series or movie (I did hear that Jade City is being turned into a series, and having only read the first book, I can still see how vividly this would turn out and how action packed as well.) I definitely think I’m going to binge on the other two books in this series and am pretty excited for Jade Legacy after hearing what other book bloggers and vloggers have had to say about the series....more
This was nothing short of amazing. If Jade City was already really great, Jade War is even better, building on the foundation that started in Jade CitThis was nothing short of amazing. If Jade City was already really great, Jade War is even better, building on the foundation that started in Jade City. Spoilers ahead if you haven't read Jade City yet!
The No Peak and Mountain clans are still at war, after much bloodshed on either side of the clans. Shae assumes her post as the Weather man, handling the business matters of the clan, while Hilo stands as the clan's Pillar after his brother's unexpected death.
Jade War also encompasses the events happening outside of Kekon, wherein the Oortokon conflict near the country of Shotar is happening, and the clans look to foreign aid and building foreign relationships as an investment towards growing the clan's businesses and expanding the family's ties. Anden, the Kaul's cousin and disgraced exile, is sent to the Republic of Espenia to study and familiarize himself with the foreign half of his heritage. He also becomes key to knowing the Kekonese Espenians' struggles and becomes relevant in establishing foreign ties to Kekon in times of war.
There were a lot of complex plots and subplots in Jade War, and despite the complexity, the elements of the story really meld well together and create that air of mystery, suspense and political intrigue that is central to this second book in the trilogy. The book also focuses more on the relevance of family and how the Kauls love each other, and how they all relate with one another, which is very familiar in Asian culture.
What I loved most about Jade War was how obvious it became that women are the ones really running the show. Of course, we can't discount Hilo and his many achievements, but Shae, Maik Wen and even Ayt Mada were the brains of all the operations. I especially grew to love Maik Wen's character, as she has shown to be more than the observant girlfriend of Hilo as she was portrayed in the first book, to being an essential part of the family, and whose love for Hilo extended beyond obeying him to actually being of use to Shae as a white rat spy. I respect her character for the bravery, levelheadedness and cleverness she has shown time and again in Jade War, and it's really made me root for her character all the more. Shae is all the more fascinating in this book as she is forced into the most difficult choices and crossroads that test her loyalty and steadfastness to the clan she had once forsaken (in Jade City). She finds herself at the helm of change, and finds her positioned to do more than handle the business of the clan. Shae in this book is also a lot more vulnerable, which I still love about her character.
And of course we have Hilo, who grows into the role of Pillar in his own way, as he becomes a father and takes full responsibility for the clan in making promises and aiding and abetting the Espenians. I loved his character growth, and despite his temper flares, he's shown in Jade War to be in better control of his impulses.
I also loved how Fonda Lee wrote this to show a bigger world outside of Kekon, and gave details on how other countries see Kekon and know it to be the treasure vault for jade. I like how smoothly Fonda Lee is able to blend politics with the violence, and how the war can also be played through psychological rather than physical means. I liked seeing how each clan tried gaining different advantages and striking against each other by leveraging what the foreigners love most: the acquisition of jade. It's so well thought out and Fonda Lee has definitely outdone herself. She writes of different motivations, including the involvement of cartels who smuggle jade from Kekon to the black market buyers. It's all so realistic that I can't help pinpointing how different aspects are actually similar to how foreign politics and international news actually play out and affect different countries.
I love how well balanced the plot and characters of the Green Bone saga are, and once you start reading, it's seriously difficult to put down. I can't wait to start on Jade Legacy....more
Ruin was a real storm from start to finish. I can't wait to see how it all ends in Wrath.Ruin was a real storm from start to finish. I can't wait to see how it all ends in Wrath....more
I loved this!! What a great follow up to the Blade itself. Joe Abercrombie is right about being better able to string sentences together because his wI loved this!! What a great follow up to the Blade itself. Joe Abercrombie is right about being better able to string sentences together because his writing style has grown a lot from the Blade Itself.
This series is highly character driven, but the nice thing it has going is that we get more world-building here and stories happening in the past connecting in the future. We get more action, more Game of Thrones-esque political intrigue and high treason, more plots within plots.
Glokta is in high form as always and he has got to be my favorite character of the series. Self opinionated and cunning, with his biting internal monologue and cranky Scrooge like demeanor - he isn’t ideally made to be a likeable character, but I think readers naturally gravitate to him because he’s tough, courageous and smart. He does make desperate gambles in this book, though it’s not without knowing the calculable risk of “digging too deep”. His role here for most of the book is defending Dagoska during the attack of the Emperor of the Gurkhuls, under Arch Lector Sult’s direct orders. He reminds me a lot of Tyrion Lannister in the way that he gets to the bottom of things and sees things clearly after some spot-on interrogation and sleuthing.
I also grew to like Logen and Ferro more in this book - not to mention Jezal, who is slowly getting to be likeable after an incident which happens in this book. Ferro is unapologetic and has a tough, prickly exterior, and is strongly committed to her motivations on vengeance. Logen, despite being famed as the Bloody Nine, tries to unite everyone on Bayaz’ team on the same side despite them all having such different personalities. He reaches out to both Jezal and Ferro and tries developing relationships with each of them, which struck me as someone who does think as a leader.
Their journey is tough and is something that we don’t understand completely yet, but bits and pieces of the puzzle come to light as Bayaz and Quai begin explaining the different pieces of history that was close to legend. It still doesn’t explain much on how Bayaz, Yulwei and the other mages survived this long.
Spoilers for anyone who hasn't read much on Greek mythology.
I loved this. It's a story that has been told, time and time again in the Iliad and relivSpoilers for anyone who hasn't read much on Greek mythology.
I loved this. It's a story that has been told, time and time again in the Iliad and relived in other stories - but this was the first time I read a version wherein Patroclus and Achilles actually had a relationship that went more than platonic.
Of course it is heavily implied in a lot of the retellings how Achilles loved Patroclus to a fault and avenged his death with Hector's. But nothing could have prepared me for the beautiful vulnerability in which both Patroclus and Achilles were cast in this one.
I liked who Achilles was in Patroclus' eyes. To be honest, I have never felt much for Achilles before I ever read this one or Silence of the Girls by Pat Barker. Pat Barker's version shows Achilles as a colorful and interesting character who has his own edge and stubborness. He takes Briseis for a lover since he wins her over as a prize. But here, Achilles is lovingly detailed by Madeline Miller's Patroclus, who sees him as an Achilles whom we could all love - from boyhood memories to Chiron's tutelage at Mount Pelion to the war that would claim both their lives. It is really Patroclus' love and admiration for Achilles that truly sells the beauty of this novel. My heart ached for them both and the novel got me shedding tears at both their deaths.
This one is truly a timeless and well written story. I finished it in less than 24 hours and I loved this as much as I loved Circe. Madeline Miller just has an astounding way of humanizing characters, even those whom are difficult to love, and make you see their side of the story and empathize with them too. Would recommend to any fan of Greek mythology, and for those who want to read a moving and heartbreaking rendition of Achilles' tale....more
I love the book for the fact that it breaks down habits into a very precise science, and because of that, it becomes more objective and easier to absoI love the book for the fact that it breaks down habits into a very precise science, and because of that, it becomes more objective and easier to absorb. I think that it applies to a general range of habits to form, and the secrets that James Clear shares are easy to understand and gets you excited to try them out for yourself. He speaks a lot about motivation, about cues and cravings, creating good environments to develop good habits, and integrity and commitment to stick to it.
I think my biggest takeaway also would have to be the mantra “never miss twice” on your habits, and that life can easily get in the way, but all those coins or 1% you’ve been saving up each day does add up to something that you can leverage. It’s a really good read and I think I’ll be re-reading some chapters....more
This was really Joanna Hathaway's best and most beautiful writing - I can't count how many times my heart's been wrenched & gutted, and how many timesThis was really Joanna Hathaway's best and most beautiful writing - I can't count how many times my heart's been wrenched & gutted, and how many times I felt like I bled with each of the characters. And that reveal! (That could have mattered any less after the havoc that ensued) I loved how all those loose ends tied up and how, despite this being a YA set of novels, I felt it was all the more adult with the reality and cruelties of a war that was fated to happen. And the beauty here was how the author emphasized the power of choice, and how Aurelia and Athan could have chosen differently every step of the way, except each of them did what they thought was right in their eyes. I also loved how in this book, everything, even up to the very end, was in a role reversal - a literal turning of the tables. It was satisfying and yet harrowing and I'm sitting here, with this whole journey in my mind, with a major hangover. Want to write a longer review of what blew me away, but these are all my top of mind thoughts. I got so invested in this story, hands down....more
This is my second Sanderson book, and while I loved The Way of Kings of the Stormlight Archive, I couldn’t help but love the first of the Mistborn TriThis is my second Sanderson book, and while I loved The Way of Kings of the Stormlight Archive, I couldn’t help but love the first of the Mistborn Trilogy too. The story and the characters are very compelling, and I loved the elaborate magic system here in Mistborn. I really enjoyed reading through Vin’s journey to becoming a full fledged Mistborn, and I liked how Kelsier wasn’t just a heroic symbol to the skaa, but a character you could well relate to - the way that he hated the nobles and wanted what was best for the long oppressed skaa community who didn’t know how to fight back. The supposed father daughter dynamic between Vin and Kelsier somehow didn’t really catch on for me, but I could look up to each character individually. I liked how Vin managed to pick herself up even though she did make some reckless choices in the book - well, as did Kelsier - though their intentions of toppling the Final Empire were really well meant. I liked how openly trusting Kelsier was in the book, and how self assured he was about his plans and how to execute them. As for Vin, I liked how smart she is and her bravery.
I think one thing I didn’t really believe in during the course of reading was the romance bit. I know it wasn’t really a focus, but I think I would have preferred it if the relationship remained platonic. Though that is a very small nitpick compared to how much I did enjoy Mistborn.
I can say Brandon Sanderson is a really gifted writer, and his worlds just have this way of sucking you in and leaving you thinking about the world, and impinging what you would have done in the heroes’ place. ...more
This book… WOW. Just wow. (Spoilers for those who haven’t read Dark Shores or Dark Skies)
I couldn’t have imagined a more engaging penultimate novel ofThis book… WOW. Just wow. (Spoilers for those who haven’t read Dark Shores or Dark Skies)
I couldn’t have imagined a more engaging penultimate novel of a series. Yes, it was long. Yes, it spent a lot of time building on the initial foundation that was already there. Yes, it was also riddled with common YA tropes - but just how satisfying was it to read from start to finish?
I did enjoy the four points of view of Dark Shores and Dark Skies converging in Gilded Serpent. I also love how the storylines become mirror reflections of each other at some points. Danielle Jensen really knows how to build her characters and her storylines in such a convincing way that when things actually start snowballing, you can feel the avalanche coming every step of the way.
Again we’re given Teriana’s and Marcus’ point of view, wherein both Marcus and Teriana are still on the brink of deciding if their relationship is worth fighting for, or if it was just “feelings”. Marcus is also preoccupied with finding out which of the legionnaires was the one who betrayed him.
Lydia on the other hand was forced to take up with Quindor after the political events that conspire to drive both Killian and Lydia apart from each other. Killian becomes wracked with guilt when, in his decisions to save Lydia as a priority, he neglects his own commitment to safeguard Malahi, who gets kidnapped by Rufina by the end of Dark Skies. Consumed with guilt, he dedicates himself to wholeheartedly driving back the threats that surround Mudamora, while fighting alongside Lydia to keep back the blight that is quickly spreading throughout the continent.
While both storylines are entirely on different plains, I appreciated how each point of view manages to keep its own individuality while in later chapters managing to build up part of the main storyline and conflicts. Both relationships have obstacles that stand in the way of both couples’ love for each other, and we also see how those obstacles only strengthen the bonds they have.
We also see tests of resilience and a lot of necessary character building. We get to understand more of Rufina’s background as a villain, and glimpses into the tyranny and elitist social stratification that defines the Empire of Celendor.
We get deeper insight to each of the characters’ motivations, and while some situations put them directly in the line of fire, their choices are brought to the most basic “when push comes to shove”.
I personally enjoyed seeing things from a broader point of view, with all four characters playing equally major roles in the unravelling of the plot.
And… that ending… it has me wanting to pick up the fourth book immediately!...more
Project Hail Mary was amazing. It kept me thinking about alien life in my dreams, and the structure of the story delivery was really well done - preseProject Hail Mary was amazing. It kept me thinking about alien life in my dreams, and the structure of the story delivery was really well done - present day events interspersing with past events and getting to know the main character bit by bit through gritty flashbacks was an experience. Especially loved how friendship played such a key role in this story and how desperation and knack for science really kicked in some major parts in the book. Truly enjoyed it even if sometimes even the elementary science made me feel like I didn't study enough back in school. Had me blinking back tears towards the end....more
I’ve read a couple of rave reviews before starting on The Shadow of the Gods, and the hype is real: The Shadow of the Gods is brilliant!
All three maiI’ve read a couple of rave reviews before starting on The Shadow of the Gods, and the hype is real: The Shadow of the Gods is brilliant!
All three main POV characters are really interesting and I got immediately invested in Orka’s story and character as a strong and ferocious mother. I loved how her story builds up from teaching Breca how to shoot, to her run-ins with Sigrun and Gudvarr, and later on Mord and Lif - her story really shapes out and becomes all the more compelling as we learn more about her. She’s also one really bad-ass fighter when she’s enraged.
Also really liked Elvar and Varg, whose storylines start out in very similar and very different ways too - you don’t really get a real taste of who Elvar is and what she’s about until much later, but Varg is a character whose mettle and courage is tested from Day 1 when he meets the Bloodsworn. Both are with groups of well trained and seasoned fighters, and somehow I found myself rooting for the both of them as events unfolded.
Overall, I’ve never really read a Norse inspired book before, so you could imagine me every step of the way consulting Google images for some of the terminology - but overall, I found the worldbuilding really solid, with the battle scenes really well fleshed out and me imagining battle scenes in my head - which is something I’m usually not so engrossed with in a book. I think John Gwynne’s got a real talent in getting a reader absorbed even in fight scenes, and the holmganga one-on-one fight with its own set of rules. I found myself so absorbed in the blow-by-blow descriptions, even the goriest ones.
It’s also my first time reading a John Gwynne novel, and I’m probably going to be one of the readers who will try this backwards - I’ve recently acquired the Malice series, and waiting for my order of A Time of Blood series to be delivered - and so far I’m really impressed and engrossed in his writing.
Lastly - I was initially worried about the cliffhanger I knew was coming, but after reading it and wanting to know how all POV characters will ever meet or if their plotlines do converge? Well, there were quite a few spellbinding twists near the end of the book, and wow - all I can say is what a way to end it. Now I can’t wait to read the next one....more
A Short Summary of the Stormlight Archive Book 1 –
This series is told from a few characters’ point of view:
Kaladin, son of a surgeon and a soldier-turned-slave, is first seen on the battlefields of Alethkar when he is conscripted under Amaram, a brightlord, and chosen as the leader of his small army of soldiers who have given him unquestioning loyalty. Kaladin is later on sent away from the battlefield and becomes a slave physically hand-carrying bridges under the domain of High Prince Sadeas in the Shattering Plains, wherein Kaladin faces the inevitability that bridgemen would be expendable to the war efforts. Kaladin is then given a choice of giving into his wretched thought of simply giving up all hope, or to take the higher road of claiming leadership over the bridgemen.
Dalinar Kholin, late King Gavilar’s brother, is a High Prince, war general and uncle to the current King Elhokar. He finds himself in the midst of the war effort on the Shattering Plains, and is forced to deal with court politics and is seemingly plagued with visions of the past during the arrival of the high storms. He becomes continually concerned with defending his nephew the King, when some evidence turns up that someone may be plotting to have Elhokar killed. Dalinar’s son, Adolin, a fierce and strong-minded youth, continually becomes concerned when Dalinar gains a reputation of perceived weakness – something unheard of in the culture of the competitive Alethi high princes. In these books, Dalinar is faced with trouble after trouble when he is told by his visions to “unite the kingdom” and struggles to balance his brother’s legacy and his king’s own need to satisfy their vengeance against the Parshendi, who assassinated Gavilar several years before.
And lastly we have the point of view of Shallan, an aspiring scholar who is determined to seek out Jasnah, the heretic princess, and is willing to commit a daring heist to save and help her family drowning in debt and at the brink of ruination. Shallan is a talented artist, and she seeks to win over Jasnah in her quest to become the princess’ ward.
My review of The Way of Kings:
I bought the UK editions of Brandon Sanderson’s Stormlight Archive, having read many good things about it, and I was personally curious about Sanderson’s writings. Little did I know that I was getting into a world I wouldn’t want to leave willingly. I was up late at night reading, wanting to know what happens next, and flipping through pages wanting to know more.
The experience or reading about this universe was mind-blowing to me, and until now I am marvelling at how easily the Stormlight Archive has sucked me in its depths and how committed I was to the story and its characters, which are so compelling. Stormlight Archive has easily become one of my new favorite fantasy series, and I immediately knew I would want to work on a review of these books after reading.
Let’s start out with the reasons I loved this first installment:
1. The Characters. All of The Way of Kings characters are really well written and have their own set of motivations. I resonated a lot with Kaladin, and how his altruism, courage and determination bring out the natural born leader that could lead armies, and in this book he mostly leads bridgemen, who are viewed as expendable by the war leaders. I loved how layered a character Kaladin is – I immediately resonated with his fear of failure, constant worry about the people whom he couldn’t save. He literally starts out from the bottom, with his fellow bridgemen ignoring him and calling him an uptight lordling, but the tides shift as Kaladin begins slowly to prove himself worthy of leadership. He doesn’t outright convince these bridgemen to follow him, but they do so of their own accord when they see something special about Kaladin. I also love the spren (little creature – uh I’m not sure exactly how to define this word in Sanderson’s world, but spren make up all things) who hangs out with Kaladin and encourages him during the times Kaladin feels he wants to give up. I also loved Kaladin’s relationship with his men, and how you could really empathize with his character because Kaladin was just so brave and so human at the same time. I went through the book rooting for him and wanting him to succeed. I also loved Shallan, and her parts were all page-turners too. I loved how she rose above her fear of rejection when she faces up to Jasnah multiple times, despite Jasnah’s strong personality. Shallan is impulsive at times, and is shown to make some reckless mistakes, but you can’t help but root for her anyway when she snares Jasnah’s attention. On the other hand, Dalinar Kholin – boy, does he remind me so much of A Song of Ice and Fire’s Eddard Stark in terms of nobility and the refusal to compromise his honor or his beliefs. In fact, Eddard plays the game of thrones with enemies who are more underhanded and devious, much how Dalinar navigates the Alethi political kingdom composed of highprinces. Dalinar is steadfast in his own beliefs, yet he does a lot of rumination about whether or not he was slowly becoming senile. I loved how self-aware and stubborn he was, and the weight of his own honor that he doesn’t willingly compromise even with the highest stakes. I became so invested with each and every one of Brandon Sanderson’s characters as they are so relatable, and you just can’t help but keep rooting for them throughout the novels.
2. The Worldbuilding. Yep, obvious reason to love Brandon Sanderson’s Stormlight Archive – a lot of reviewers do say this, and the claim is true – the Cosmere universe is a richly inspired epic universe, and Sanderson is able to pack it with layers of culture and a rich history. You know the worldbuilding is amazing when you keep flicking back to the map at the beginning of the novel and wondering where your heroes are making their stands. I also think his worldbuilding is on point from the fact that I could clearly see each and every event happening so clearly and vividly in my mind. There’s never a dull moment in the first book, and the funny thing is that it doesn’t have to be all action to keep me hooked to the story. I loved the power play, politics, the introduction of faith and religion, and how people, places and things are so vividly and lovingly detailed.
3. The Story and Plot layering. As you can tell, I really loved the way the story played out. The story is not hard to grasp even though there are so many facets to it that it becomes difficult to summarize the story, let alone explain why things are this way. Sanderson does this so flawlessly in my opinion, and he has such a lovely way of storytelling that just brings everything to life. The plot and subplots were clear, and the story arcs were very well written. It makes me want to delve into the next books and learn about what happens next. I also didn’t understand at first why Sanderson has so many mini novellas out (for background, I read a couple of Reddit threads and I always see readers recommend others to read Edgedancer before reading Oathbringer (the third book in the Stormlight Archive). Now I see clearly why this is so. It would greatly confuse the story to focus on so many aspects rolled into one universe, and I like how you always manage to discover something new as you read through the novels.
Again, I have to reiterate that Brandon Sanderson just has this magic way of easing you into the story, bit by bit, even if you have no clue as to what the Stormlight Archive is all about. He doesn’t overwhelm you with a lowdown of the facts and the universe, and instead builds it slowly while you are perceiving his world through the eyes of each of his characters. Short of saying, I find his style of writing magical and with just the right balance of intrigue and thrill. He introduces a lot of new concepts as with any fantasy, but Stormlight Archive as a whole is built on such a solid and unshakeable foundation.
It’s easily one of the best fantasy epics out there, and given the rave reviews I’m hearing about Rhythm of War (his latest novel to date), this series is gaining a firm foothold in the throes of the fantasy genre. Would definitely recommend this book to fantasy lovers out there, and this is just one must-have series to have on your bookshelf....more
A Short Summary of the Stormlight Archive Book 1 –
This series is told from a few characters’ point of view:
Kaladin, son of a surgeon and a soldier-turned-slave, is first seen on the battlefields of Alethkar when he is conscripted under Amaram, a brightlord, and chosen as the leader of his small army of soldiers who have given him unquestioning loyalty. Kaladin is later on sent away from the battlefield and becomes a slave physically hand-carrying bridges under the domain of High Prince Sadeas in the Shattering Plains, wherein Kaladin faces the inevitability that bridgemen would be expendable to the war efforts. Kaladin is then given a choice of giving into his wretched thought of simply giving up all hope, or to take the higher road of claiming leadership over the bridgemen.
Dalinar Kholin, late King Gavilar’s brother, is a High Prince, war general and uncle to the current King Elhokar. He finds himself in the midst of the war effort on the Shattering Plains, and is forced to deal with court politics and is seemingly plagued with visions of the past during the arrival of the high storms. He becomes continually concerned with defending his nephew the King, when some evidence turns up that someone may be plotting to have Elhokar killed. Dalinar’s son, Adolin, a fierce and strong-minded youth, continually becomes concerned when Dalinar gains a reputation of perceived weakness – something unheard of in the culture of the competitive Alethi high princes. In these books, Dalinar is faced with trouble after trouble when he is told by his visions to “unite the kingdom” and struggles to balance his brother’s legacy and his king’s own need to satisfy their vengeance against the Parshendi, who assassinated Gavilar several years before.
And lastly we have the point of view of Shallan, an aspiring scholar who is determined to seek out Jasnah, the heretic princess, and is willing to commit a daring heist to save and help her family drowning in debt and at the brink of ruination. Shallan is a talented artist, and she seeks to win over Jasnah in her quest to become the princess’ ward.
My review of The Way of Kings:
I bought the UK editions of Brandon Sanderson’s Stormlight Archive, having read many good things about it, and I was personally curious about Sanderson’s writings. Little did I know that I was getting into a world I wouldn’t want to leave willingly. I was up late at night reading, wanting to know what happens next, and flipping through pages wanting to know more.
The experience or reading about this universe was mind-blowing to me, and until now I am marvelling at how easily the Stormlight Archive has sucked me in its depths and how committed I was to the story and its characters, which are so compelling. Stormlight Archive has easily become one of my new favorite fantasy series, and I immediately knew I would want to work on a review of these books after reading.
Let’s start out with the reasons I loved this first installment:
1. The Characters. All of The Way of Kings characters are really well written and have their own set of motivations. I resonated a lot with Kaladin, and how his altruism, courage and determination bring out the natural born leader that could lead armies, and in this book he mostly leads bridgemen, who are viewed as expendable by the war leaders. I loved how layered a character Kaladin is – I immediately resonated with his fear of failure, constant worry about the people whom he couldn’t save. He literally starts out from the bottom, with his fellow bridgemen ignoring him and calling him an uptight lordling, but the tides shift as Kaladin begins slowly to prove himself worthy of leadership. He doesn’t outright convince these bridgemen to follow him, but they do so of their own accord when they see something special about Kaladin. I also love the spren (little creature – uh I’m not sure exactly how to define this word in Sanderson’s world, but spren make up all things) who hangs out with Kaladin and encourages him during the times Kaladin feels he wants to give up. I also loved Kaladin’s relationship with his men, and how you could really empathize with his character because Kaladin was just so brave and so human at the same time. I went through the book rooting for him and wanting him to succeed. I also loved Shallan, and her parts were all page-turners too. I loved how she rose above her fear of rejection when she faces up to Jasnah multiple times, despite Jasnah’s strong personality. Shallan is impulsive at times, and is shown to make some reckless mistakes, but you can’t help but root for her anyway when she snares Jasnah’s attention. On the other hand, Dalinar Kholin – boy, does he remind me so much of A Song of Ice and Fire’s Eddard Stark in terms of nobility and the refusal to compromise his honor or his beliefs. In fact, Eddard plays the game of thrones with enemies who are more underhanded and devious, much how Dalinar navigates the Alethi political kingdom composed of highprinces. Dalinar is steadfast in his own beliefs, yet he does a lot of rumination about whether or not he was slowly becoming senile. I loved how self-aware and stubborn he was, and the weight of his own honor that he doesn’t willingly compromise even with the highest stakes. I became so invested with each and every one of Brandon Sanderson’s characters as they are so relatable, and you just can’t help but keep rooting for them throughout the novels.
2. The Worldbuilding. Yep, obvious reason to love Brandon Sanderson’s Stormlight Archive – a lot of reviewers do say this, and the claim is true – the Cosmere universe is a richly inspired epic universe, and Sanderson is able to pack it with layers of culture and a rich history. You know the worldbuilding is amazing when you keep flicking back to the map at the beginning of the novel and wondering where your heroes are making their stands. I also think his worldbuilding is on point from the fact that I could clearly see each and every event happening so clearly and vividly in my mind. There’s never a dull moment in the first book, and the funny thing is that it doesn’t have to be all action to keep me hooked to the story. I loved the power play, politics, the introduction of faith and religion, and how people, places and things are so vividly and lovingly detailed.
3. The Story and Plot layering. As you can tell, I really loved the way the story played out. The story is not hard to grasp even though there are so many facets to it that it becomes difficult to summarize the story, let alone explain why things are this way. Sanderson does this so flawlessly in my opinion, and he has such a lovely way of storytelling that just brings everything to life. The plot and subplots were clear, and the story arcs were very well written. It makes me want to delve into the next books and learn about what happens next. I also didn’t understand at first why Sanderson has so many mini novellas out (for background, I read a couple of Reddit threads and I always see readers recommend others to read Edgedancer before reading Oathbringer (the third book in the Stormlight Archive). Now I see clearly why this is so. It would greatly confuse the story to focus on so many aspects rolled into one universe, and I like how you always manage to discover something new as you read through the novels.
Again, I have to reiterate that Brandon Sanderson just has this magic way of easing you into the story, bit by bit, even if you have no clue as to what the Stormlight Archive is all about. He doesn’t overwhelm you with a lowdown of the facts and the universe, and instead builds it slowly while you are perceiving his world through the eyes of each of his characters. Short of saying, I find his style of writing magical and with just the right balance of intrigue and thrill. He introduces a lot of new concepts as with any fantasy, but Stormlight Archive as a whole is built on such a solid and unshakeable foundation.
It’s easily one of the best fantasy epics out there, and given the rave reviews I’m hearing about Rhythm of War (his latest novel to date), this series is gaining a firm foothold in the throes of the fantasy genre. Would definitely recommend this book to fantasy lovers out there, and this is just one must-have series to have on your bookshelf....more
I don’t really know why and how it took me pretty much a week to finish this beauty of a novel. The House in the Cerulean Sea has to be one of the mosI don’t really know why and how it took me pretty much a week to finish this beauty of a novel. The House in the Cerulean Sea has to be one of the most heartwarming and lovely books I have ever read.
Obviously set somewhere near the ocean on the island of Marsyas, Linus Baker, a caseworker under DICOMY (Department in charge of the Magical Youth) is sent on a classified Level 4 top secret case - to check on whether the orphanage is suitable to continue or if it should be closed down depending on the children’s state, and to investigate whether Arthur Parnassus, the head of the orphanage, was doing a good enough job of running the orphanage.
What Linus doesn’t expect is the fact that he would meet and come to care for the six children - and subsequently, Zoe Chapelwhite (the sprite who owns the island) and of course, Arthur - and that he would slowly be torn from the beliefs that he came bearing with him to the island.
This story is best binge-read on a sunny Sunday afternoon with a record playing in the background, and preferably by the beach or somewhere outdoors. The setting is just beautiful, peaceful, and the ambiance that the book creates is quite vivid. The scenery, of course with a lot of cerulean, and the simplicity of this book makes you feel warm and fuzzy inside. There are nuggets of wisdom and sprinkles of hope everywhere in this book, and the message couldn’t have been more clear. It’s the sort of book that can comfort you like a warm blanket on a cold winter’s day.
It’s not the type of book that you analyze for the world building, but the type that brings you home to a world filled with positivity and hope. And truth be told, we need more heartwarming books like this one. The small things I found special about the book were the sentences that described particular real-life songs, some of them were familiar to me and some of them I had to find on Youtube, but all the more it builds the setting to a Sunday afternoon listening to old music on the radio.
It’s a given that the characters are quite lovable and that they grow on you like acquaintances that eventually become like friends. The charm and the love that they all share in the book is intoxicating and will leave you with the warmest of feelings. I personally cried during some of the latter scenes in the book over the smallest things.
This book basically has everything going for it, though If I were to somehow bring up some thoughts to ponder - here were what I thought of while reading: - why are there no adult manifestations of magic (well except for maybe one case I can think of) - the book doesn’t clearly explain why there is a department managing the magical youth and why it was so important to keep them “away” from other people, physically. I likened it somehow to Area 51 where aliens in the US are rumored to be kept
Yup, those were basically the thoughts running through my mind that weren’t fleshed out completely. Other than that, I just enjoyed the book for what it was and would recommend others to read this. ...more
Denille Ashley
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