User Profile

Strakul

Strakul@bookwyrm.social

Joined 1 year, 11 months ago

This link opens in a pop-up window

Strakul's books

Currently Reading

reviewed Rogue Protocol by Martha Wells (The Murderbot Diaries, #3)

Martha Wells: Rogue Protocol (2018) 4 stars

SciFi’s favorite antisocial A.I. is again on a mission. The case against the too-big-to-fail GrayCris …

Review of 'Rogue Protocol' on 'Goodreads'

4 stars

The third of the Murderbot Diaries books. This was also quite interesting with some neat new characters, particularly Miki. Though it didnt feel as good as ART, it was still a curious bot that helped grow Murderbot. Overall the story was fun, but lacked some of the clarity and intrigue of Artificial Condition. However, it does set the stage for future novels.

reviewed Artificial Condition by Martha Wells (The Murderbot Diaries, #2)

Martha Wells: Artificial Condition (2018) 4 stars

Review of 'Artificial Condition (The Murderbot Diaries, #2)' on 'Goodreads'

5 stars

This is the second book of The Murderbot Diaries and I enjoyed it a lot more than the first one. It had a bit of a detective novel feel to it, even though it isn't anything like that. Plus I really enjoyed that there was another AI for Murderbot to talk to. I hope ART comes back in the future! Looking forward to reading more of these fun, short books.

Brandon Sanderson: Warbreaker (Paperback, 2012, ORBIT) 4 stars

After bursting onto the fantasy scene with his acclaimed debut novel, Elantris, and following up …

Review of 'Warbreaker' on 'Goodreads'

4 stars

This is an other great Brandon Sanderson book, even if it isn't his best. I enjoyed the characters, especially Lightsong, and the mysterious magic of Breaths and BioChroma. The magic feels far more incomplete than, for example, Mistborn or Elantris, but it feels deliberate as I'm sure Sanderson will return to this world in the future. I reread this book because of two elements in it that appeared in Words of Radiance. It's interesting to see how Sanderson is starting to link the Cosmere books together. I look forward to reading from all his series and spotting the connections!

For a full review, check out my blog: strakul.blogspot.com/2014/04/book-review-warbreaker-by-brandon.html

reviewed Rhythm of War by Brandon Sanderson (The Stormlight Archive, #4)

Brandon Sanderson: Rhythm of War (Hardcover, 2020, Tor Books) 4 stars

After forming a coalition of human resistance against the enemy invasion, Dalinar Kholin and his …

Review of 'Rhythm of War' on 'Goodreads'

5 stars

This was a great addition to The Stormlight Archive! I enjoyed the scientific discoveries Navani and other made in that they slowly peeled back some of the mystery of the world, but did so while retaining the framework of a story rather than as an info-dump or similar. As usual, we have some strong characters and an explosive plot so this was fun to read. I took it slow and steady, but could easily have devoted large chunks of time to blaze through this. I can't wait to see how the next book resolves some of the interesting issues raised in this one!

Check out a more in-depth review at my blog: strakul.blogspot.com/2020/12/book-review-rhythm-of-war-by-brandon.html

FAR BENEATH the surface of the earth, upon the shores of the Starless Sea, there …

Review of 'The Starless Sea' on 'Goodreads'

5 stars

Ambience is the one word I would use to describe this book. The setting is so prevalent that I ended up wanting to read just to feel like I was in the Harbor by the Starless Sea, amidst the books reading by quiet, warm candlelight. Of course, it wasn't all soothing, there is danger as the characters struggle against forces they don't entirely understand, bringing a mythic scope to the plot alongside tangled romances. Overall, this was a rewarding book to be read slowly and ponder all its intricate connections.

For a full review, check out my blog: strakul.blogspot.com/2020/11/book-review-starless-sea-by-erin.html

Review of 'All Clear' on 'Goodreads'

4 stars

Blackout/All Clear was a pretty good pair of books with some epic events going on. It featured some interesting characters caught in the chaos of WW2 in London and their struggle to return home, or at least get a message out to the future. The plot was tense and chaotic, but with a good, enjoyable payoff when it delivered. And the setting was cool. I wouldn't mind seeing more time travel novels from Connie Willis, but in terms of preference I enjoyed [b:Doomsday Book|24983|Doomsday Book (Oxford Time Travel, #1)|Connie Willis|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1403972500l/24983.SY75.jpg|2439628] over [b:To Say Nothing of the Dog|77773|To Say Nothing of the Dog (Oxford Time Travel, #2)|Connie Willis|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1469410460l/77773.SY75.jpg|696] over Blackout/All Clear and would recommend others read them in that order.

For my full review, check out my blog: strakul.blogspot.com/2020/10/book-review-blackout-all-clear-by.html

reviewed Harrow the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir (The Locked Tomb, #2)

Tamsyn Muir: Harrow the Ninth (Paperback, 2021, Tor.com) 4 stars

"She answered the Emperor's call.

She arrived with her arts, her wits, and her only …

Review of 'Harrow the Ninth' on 'Goodreads'

5 stars

Holy shit this was an incredible book. It has it all: a very intriguing setting that keeps you wondering how things work. A plot that keeps you glued to the story; I had many theories on what was going on- most of them wrong. And characters that are fascinating to read about, whether they are discussing the mysteries of life and death, visiting other planets, or just enjoying some soup. I highly recommend this series and can't wait for the next book!

Read my full review at my blog (warning: has spoilers for [b:Gideon the Ninth|42036538|Gideon the Ninth (The Locked Tomb, #1)|Tamsyn Muir|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1546870952l/42036538.SY75.jpg|60943229]): strakul.blogspot.com/2020/08/book-review-harrow-ninth-by-tamsyn-muir.html

"A thriller of war that never was--of survival in an impossible city--of surreal cataclysm. In …

Review of 'The last days of new Paris' on 'Goodreads'

3 stars

This was quite an interesting ride. I was not too familiar with Surrealist art, but gained a deeper appreciation of it thanks to this novella. I also appreciated its length since a much longer novel would have been exhausting with all the craziness that takes place. The characters were decent, but the main selling point was New Paris and the unique setting were art and devils roam the streets alongside Nazis and resistance fighters. While not my favorite Mieville story, this is in line with the weird fiction he is known for.

For a full review, check out my blog: strakul.blogspot.com/2020/08/book-review-last-days-of-new-paris-by.html