Mostly I read fantasy, sci-fi or historical fiction in bed, trying to fall (back) asleep. This is partly why I don't tend to review much; I don't think it's fair to say "couldn't follow the plot" or "prose too complicated" when I've skimmed through a book barely conscious. Books that I've read in recent years are fairly reliably logged, I tend to add those that I've read years ago as I find them - there are many gaps.
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Dark forces gather in the Malazan Empire as Empress Laseen, malevolent ruler, turns her attention to Darujhistan, last of the …
A worldwide bestseller for over thirty years, Watership Down is one of the most beloved novels of all time. Set …
The Ides of April is a 2013 historical mystery crime novel by Lindsey Davis and the first book in the …
Good stuff and I enjoyed it a lot. Perhaps a little predictable in plot and characters, but good world building and a satisfying (and not overly extended) climax. I'm genuinely disappointed there's not more (yet?).
Author Ben Mears returns to ‘Salem's Lot to write a book about a house that …
3.5 stars really.
A lot more odd than I thought it would be - the bit at the end was a little random. The beginning is a bit pedestrian, almost awkward compared to more recent books I've read. Then some parts seemed rushed and predictable. In general the pacing was off for me, plot didn't follow very well: some characters seem treated differently to others without it being made clear why. It may be that phenomenon where it's harder to appreciate an influential work if you experienced the derivations first. It may be some of it flew over my head.
I found this more accessible than the only other Stephen King I've read (The Dark Tower: The Gunslinger) which I suspect wouldn't be surprising to others. Went a bit in the deep end there, I think.
I'm not feeling compelled to rush into more of Stephen King for a while …
3.5 stars really.
A lot more odd than I thought it would be - the bit at the end was a little random. The beginning is a bit pedestrian, almost awkward compared to more recent books I've read. Then some parts seemed rushed and predictable. In general the pacing was off for me, plot didn't follow very well: some characters seem treated differently to others without it being made clear why. It may be that phenomenon where it's harder to appreciate an influential work if you experienced the derivations first. It may be some of it flew over my head.
I found this more accessible than the only other Stephen King I've read (The Dark Tower: The Gunslinger) which I suspect wouldn't be surprising to others. Went a bit in the deep end there, I think.
I'm not feeling compelled to rush into more of Stephen King for a while so perhaps I liked this less than it seems. Perhaps I just don't get him.
Half-orcs, eh? Not a bunch I'd particularly found appealing in the past, but I enjoyed this far more than I expected. The plot isn't quite a sieve, but I wouldn't try to carry water with it either. The characters are more vulgar than the hogs they ride - I guess they're half-orcs, right? The action sequences are a strength and the sheer amount of stuff chucked in as far as species, magical happenings, horror and filth keeps it from ever getting dull. Writing is okay, sometimes a bit clumsy, mostly it doesn't get in the way - my biggest gripe: the word is "dragged" not "drug".
Anyway, I'm not sure who I'd recommend it to, but I liked it.
It's a bit slow and I found the ending a little anti-climactic, but the characters, writing and world building are the usual Robin Hobb high standard. I considered skipping this series entirely, but I'm glad I gave it a go. It's definitely more Liveship Traders than Fitz and Fool though.
(Just for fun: we own pet rabbits and it struck me the dragons in this series are almost as petulant and self-centred as they are - it'd be amusing to do a find/replace "rabbit" for "dragon" in the text although the hunting bits might be a bit odd. Maybe replace the prey animal names with vegetables?)
Journalist Mikael Blomkvist and hacker Lisbeth Salander investigate the disappearance of Harriet Vanger which took place forty years ago.
"Nearly twenty years ago, Robin Hobb burst upon the fantasy scene with the first of her acclaimed Farseer novels, Assassin's …
I'd like to give this 4.5 to be honest. I really enjoyed it and will miss the characters and setting now that it is over, something I remember feeling at the end of other Feist series (I have not read other works by Janny Wurtz). Altogether I found it very enjoyable and Kelewan has been a great, fantastical place to escape to during a not-so-fantastical period in my own everyday life.
I can't give it 5 stars as the story does get a little repetitive at times, the writing is a bit unsophisticated sometimes and some events seem too convenient and artificial. There is an odd inconsistency in the behaviour of the characters at points as well - they break ancient tradition, but then are sticklers for it the next second; they are great, merciful reformers then bloodthirsty killers that ignore the suffering of those around them. Sometimes I got …
I'd like to give this 4.5 to be honest. I really enjoyed it and will miss the characters and setting now that it is over, something I remember feeling at the end of other Feist series (I have not read other works by Janny Wurtz). Altogether I found it very enjoyable and Kelewan has been a great, fantastical place to escape to during a not-so-fantastical period in my own everyday life.
I can't give it 5 stars as the story does get a little repetitive at times, the writing is a bit unsophisticated sometimes and some events seem too convenient and artificial. There is an odd inconsistency in the behaviour of the characters at points as well - they break ancient tradition, but then are sticklers for it the next second; they are great, merciful reformers then bloodthirsty killers that ignore the suffering of those around them. Sometimes I got a little tired of the underlining of the "Akoma honour" and (as with all of Feist) I find the fact that almost every single character excels in usually more than one thing gets a bit fatiguing after a bit. Contrasting it with the Abercrombie books I have read alongside, it underlined to me that this is a fantasy and I treat it as such, but sometimes it would make the story easier to swallow if some of the characters occasionally did a slap-dash job or things felt a little less perfectly set up.
That said, accepting it as a fantasy placed in an unorthodox setting and it hit the mark for me. Mara is a strong heroine without ever being obnoxious (although sometimes a little perplexing) and the other characters and their adventures are engaging. It's fun seeing the events of Magician from another point of view as well.
[BTW I listened to this on audio book and found myself "audience participating" after a while. Every time "honour" is mentioned I felt compelled to repeat it in best Tsurani accent, Sulan-qu was another one etc. Then there was the magician with the Scissor Sisters song title for a name...]
Springtime in Styria, that means war. There have been 19 years of blood. The ruthless …
I enjoyed this, but found some of the characters less interesting than in The First Law trilogy - some of them seem a bit much like they are recycled versions of those in that series.
The premise of taking revenge on seven enemies made for a certain sense of repetition and predictability about the book, which the author didn't entirely conquer, although it certainly wasn't a dealbreaker from me finishing the story.
I think perhaps I should have left more of a gap from the First Law Trilogy before I read this one as that might have helped it seem more fresh.
Logen Ninefingers, infamous barbarian, has finally run out of luck. Caught in one feud too …
I enjoyed the setting and the unorthodox characters. The action sequences are very clear and exciting. the contrast between the points of view and the Union vs the North etc. is well portrayed. I found Logen and Glokta most interesting. Even thought this has a reputation for being the grimmest, darkest fantasy out there, I found the writing style and humour kept it (oddly) lighter in tone than other so-called dark fantasy that I have read.
It would be nice if more stuff happened a little quicker though and it feels like the whole book is just there to setup what comes later. As I had all books to hand this wasn't a problem for me.
