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| 0307739686
| 9780307739681
| 0307739686
| 3.86
| 2,651
| Oct 04, 2011
| Oct 04, 2011
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really liked it
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None
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Notes are private!
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1
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Sep 25, 2024
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Nov 03, 2024
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Sep 25, 2024
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Hardcover
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| 1789095484
| 9781789095487
| 1789095484
| 3.47
| 219
| Jun 07, 2022
| Apr 11, 2023
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really liked it
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7 / 10 ✪ https://arefugefromlife.wordpress.com... For centuries, the inhuman Drehhu have ruled the world from atop the Basilisk Throne, enslaving and re 7 / 10 ✪ https://arefugefromlife.wordpress.com... For centuries, the inhuman Drehhu have ruled the world from atop the Basilisk Throne, enslaving and repressing humanity with their superior weaponry and tactics. But now, at long last, the three Empires of ‘men have united against them. And pushed into Drehhu lands, risking everything on the outcome of one massive battle. Commander of the combined merchant fleet, Alastor Nevelon and his son Crespin sail into battle amidst the strength of over a hundred ships. But their strength is a ruse, for their true secret weapon lies at its heart, hidden from enemy eyes. Meanwhile, Crespin’s sister arrives as a hostage at her emperor’s court—insurance against her father’s loyalties. Here she is confronted by intrigue and scheming, the likes of which she could never have imagined, much less survived. Only she must survive now, for there is more at stake than just her own life. In the wilds, a rogue known only as Hound has teamed up with a group of Chevaliers on a desperate mission—only one he’s not privy to. Their goal: to seduce a powerful sorcerer into doing their bidding, though none of them could’ve envisioned just how powerful he’d be—nor that the girl who rode at his side could prove the key to everything. — My main problem with this was the Drehhu. For an eternal enemy that has brutally enslaved humanity for countless generations, I really would’ve expected a bit more about them. Like… well, something. Instead, we’re presented with just this: “the Drehhu are terrible, and they’ve never been defeated”. Until, just a bit into the story they are defeated. Literally the first time we’ve seen them in battle, and they’ve already lost. They’re barely described in the text at all. Basically, the entire setup is a lie. Or, at best, lazy? Probably lazy, as that pretty much describes the world-building. There are two main languages used here: and they’re English and French. One empire—I honestly can’t remember which—is basically just historically French, with all the terms applied. The third is basically Spanish, with their ranks and hierarchy. Not that these are well-explained. We just kind of figure it out over time. I get that the author doesn’t want to bog the reader down with info-dumps, and I get why—with this story, keeping the pace up is key—but it just makes everything else (the world, the lore) come off as lazy. Now, from this beginning, I kinda expected my review to end here with a DNF and a warning to stay away. Problem is, the plot is actually, um, really good? I mean, it’s amazingly well told, all things considered. Three out of the four characters think with their dicks (well, I guess Ammolite technically thinks with her clit, but it’s the same general “who can I bang first” approach). Chrysanthe is the one breath of fresh air, but sadly she’s just not very cunning. Putting her in court to soak up intrigue is an interesting choice, as she has no talent for it. Smarter than her brother Crespin, though, who’s just an idiot. But no. Despite ALL this, the story rolls right along, through intrigue and plots and counterplots, sex and sex and more sex, violence and war, sorcery and adventure and so much more. Despite how little I related with any of the characters, despite how dumb a good half of them were, how carnal three were, and how uninspired yet another half were, I would still recommend checking this one out. There’s a really good story here, though it might take you a bit to get invested in. It might take looking past the lazy world-building and lazier setup. It might take you longer to make peace with the idiotic and sex-addled characters. But should you look past all of that, there’s a tremendous tale lurking within, just waiting to be let out. TL;DR A conflicted series starter, The Basilisk Throne begins with what is surely just lazy world-building and mixes it with stupid, annoying characters. Despite this, not only did I finish it, but now I’m prepared to recommend it to you. Honestly, even I’m a bit surprised by this. But despite my many initial and last caveats, the story is an excellent one. One I got swept up in despite not relating with nor caring much for any of our four main leads. It’s Game of Thrones-esque, but without quite as much blood. Fortunately the author just replaced that with more sex. Audio Note: For as many caveats as I had about this one, real credit must be given to John Skelley for bringing this one to life. Just like how a bad narrator can kill a good book, a good narrator can make up for just about anything. I’m even down to continue the series, providing Skelley returns to read it. ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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May 19, 2024
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May 24, 2024
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May 19, 2024
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Paperback
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| 0759557160
| 9780759557161
| 0759557160
| 4.26
| 342
| unknown
| Jan 09, 2024
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really liked it
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7.5 / 10 ✪ https://arefugefromlife.wordpress.com... Lucavi, the God-Incarnate, sets foot on Thanet, an island on its knees, yet very much apart from the 7.5 / 10 ✪ https://arefugefromlife.wordpress.com... Lucavi, the God-Incarnate, sets foot on Thanet, an island on its knees, yet very much apart from the rest of the empire he controls. No, more than controls—wields, like a weapon, as he is their savior, their divine, their one and only god. And while Thanet has yet to give in heart and soul, they will never have to. For Lucavi has something very different in mind for the tiny island, something that doesn’t require complete obeisance. The Vagrant may strike fear into any under the Everlorn Empire’s sway, but he is far from reclaiming his crown. And with more soldiers—not to mention a living god—descending on his stolen kingdom, Cyrus may never sit its throne. More upsetting, he may never have his vengeance, nor taste divinity, something he is fast becoming, like it or not. But with the God-Incarnate comes another, unintended consequence of his divinity. One that may yet provide the means to defeat the Everlorn Empire, and free Thanet from its clutches. — The Vagrant Gods continues, albeit in a somewhat darker and more bloody direction. And—if you’ve come this far, you know—it’s been bloody enough as it is. Still, with the amount of soldiers brought to protect/serve the God-Incarnate, there’s more than enough blood to go around. And yet, the realism just wasn’t there for me. It seems too easy to escape in what really isn’t the biggest city, and our heroes always seem to kill an impressive amount of endlessly respawning soldiers before fading into the background, while their pursuers get bored and stop searching. It’s a bit like a bad video game. Not to mention the end, where something impossible happens, nearly ruining the entire thing. Still, the characters remain well-written and interesting. My favorites remain the Vagrant/Cyrus and Sinshei, with an honorable mention to Soma, whose own story just got so much more interesting with the bomb dropped at the end of the Sapphire Altar. Keles wasn’t nearly as bad as she was in the previous book, joining Stasia and Arn in that category. Mari took her place as shallow and unbelievable (at least for me), while both Dario and a mystery guest arrive to steal the story until they, too, fade into the background. TL;DR All in all… this wasn’t the author’s strongest work, but it’s a decent end to a good series, and—while this chapter has ended—the door is open to a possible future, beyond Thanet’s shores. If you’ve come this far, continuing the series should be a no-brainer. If you haven’t yet experienced this series—start with the Bladed Faith, see how it goes. If you haven’t yet had the pleasure of reading any Dalglish: I’d go with Soulkeeper—as it begins what I consider the author’s strongest body of work—but you could also try A Dance of Cloaks, as the Shadowdance is quite a journey in its own right. ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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Apr 25, 2024
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Apr 29, 2024
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Apr 25, 2024
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Paperback
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| 0316421898
| 9780316421898
| 0316421898
| 4.29
| 1,025
| Jul 18, 2023
| Jul 18, 2023
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it was amazing
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10 / 10 ✪ https://arefugefromlife.wordpress.com... Age of Ash was… okaaay. That’s really the best I could’ve said for it. I found the story a bit dry and 10 / 10 ✪ https://arefugefromlife.wordpress.com... Age of Ash was… okaaay. That’s really the best I could’ve said for it. I found the story a bit dry and meandering, a mixed bag with its characters, and nothing I really related to enough to easily draw me into the tale. When I finally did get immersed in the world—the laboriously crafted Kithamar—I reasonably enjoyed it, though that was a near-thing, even approaching the close. So when it came to the sequel I was… not terribly optimistic. Didn’t know if I’d continue with the series, if I’m honest. Even after I requested it, the book sat unopened on my kindle, and while I did try to find time for it, I ultimately wouldn’t until after the start of 2024. Now I’m wishing that I would’ve read it sooner—so that I could’ve read and REREAD it by now. But here’s the thing: it’s going to be very hard for me to recommend this book, even though it may well be the best book I’ll read this year. We’ll get into why in a moment. First, let’s set the scene. — Everything rose and was lost. Every decision ended the other paths that a different choice would have opened. Including all the lives in which this still might be his home. — Garreth Left is a merchant’s son, scion to one of the guild’s most successful families. His life had been built and planned all before he escaped swaddling, with some few caveats left for him to indulge himself on. But what’s clear is his path, where he will build on his parents’ success and lead into the future. Although… Try as they might, his parents have had a hard run of things lately. And Garreth’s already set-out path has gained a new certainty: marriage to a woman he’s never met and does not love, all to cement a deal that will save his family. Life to Garreth is not about choice, but duty. And yet one night, an impossible encounter with an equally unavailable woman, and Garreth finds himself in love with a stranger he’ll likely never see again, nor even learn the name of. And yet he is tempted to try. More tempted than he’s ever been by anything. I think we’ll leave it there. — "Mother is trying to make an alliance. Yrith is here to marry you. She's your wife in everything but the ceremony. How would you feel if she were dragging strange men into her bed?" “Get her some. We'll find out." — So, you’ve seen my rating and read (or skimmed) my spiel—you know I loved this book. Now the why. I always wondered how a story written over three books—all set concurrently—would play out. If done well, it could be a masterpiece, with each volume getting more and more immersive, each revealing minute details you’d have to reread the previous to understand fully. A bit like three people drawing the same map; individually, none would stand out, but when overlaid upon one another, each adding details only noticed by that person, the grander picture would come slowly into focus. Age of Ash was slow, I already said. Though it did tell a complete story. But only here, after Blade of Dream, does the larger scale come into view. I didn’t relate much to Alys (I’m neither cocksure, nor ambitious), and while I enjoyed Sammish more, I never really got to love her. Garreth and Elaine I fell in love with at the start. Two affluent youngsters, with their futures already laid out before them, set in stone. And yet they feel lost, unsure whether either wants to accept the path that is before them, inevitable or not. They happen upon one another, and it’s like the eye of the storm—only the other is visible, yet that’s all either has eyes for anyway. I’m at a time in my life where nothing is clear, lost in a fog where before their was nothing but clear skies. Not only did this come at the perfect time for me, but I related well to both the characters I was presented with. Neither of which could be said of the first book. The build was a bit slow, but after the scene was set and I got into it—I was out. Just ran through it. When I wasn’t reading it, I was thinking about reading it. When I wasn’t thinking about reading it, I was dissecting every detail I remembered from Book 1. Heck, I even went back and reread passages from Age of Ash to compare the two events side-by-side. Even now, weeks after I finished it, the story is still at the front of my mind. None of my more recent reads have replaced, or even competed with it. And yet… I’ve seen a lot of reviews from people who loved the first book, but were less than thrilled with the second. A few that loved both, and a few that were mediocre either way. It’s going to be difficult for me to recommend a book that I know really worked for me because of who I am. Just like I couldn’t recommend the first book—for the exact same reason. I will say that the two work very well together, but I’m still not sure if that’ll be enough to get some of you to approach this series. As I know firsthand, what works for one person may not work well for the next, especially with entries that don’t really share any characters between their pages. Yes, the setting is the same, but the cast has flipped entirely. It’s like turning on the season premier of your favorite show and learning that they’ve decided to go in a different direction, sacked and completely replaced the cast, relocated to a different part of town—though the overarching plot and settings remain the same. It’s the sort of thing that would raise an eyebrow. And lose not a little amount of viewers. I mean… if you loved the first—maybe you’ll like the second? If you were on the fence—well, maybe you’ll like the second? If you’re intrigued and want to see how it all comes together—yeah, feel encouraged to check out the series. Maybe even read them together, I dunno. But I do know that while I didn’t love the first, I adored the second, and am very much anticipating the release of the third, to see how it all ties together! TL;DR I’m not summarizing. You know that I loved the book. If you want to know why, you’ll have to take the long road—sorry. ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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Jan 18, 2024
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Jan 29, 2024
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Jan 18, 2024
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Hardcover
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| 1035901382
| 9781035901388
| 1035901382
| 4.50
| 1,892
| Dec 07, 2023
| Dec 07, 2023
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it was amazing
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9 / 10 ✪ https://arefugefromlife.wordpress.com... Inch by inch, city by city, the Palleseen Sway have brought their brand of perfection across the land. 9 / 10 ✪ https://arefugefromlife.wordpress.com... Inch by inch, city by city, the Palleseen Sway have brought their brand of perfection across the land. It was all well and good when they were imposing their will upon independent kingdoms and city-states, but when their might is run up against that of other would-be empires—the work becomes harsh and bloody. This is where our story begins, and where God’s unfortunate Priest, Yasnic, finds himself. Or, should I say, God’s former priest. For Yasnic has Fallen, and found himself with the peculiar ability to see gods of all types. This divine sight could’ve seen him killed outright, but instead finds Yasnic assigned to a field hospital on the frontlines of the Palleseen’s never-ending war for perfection. This experimental department—made up of those conquered but deemed ‘useful’, condemned to death but too valuable to kill—is on the very edge of what the Sway deems permissible. Warlocks and priests, necromancers and cannibals all gather here—if they are useful to the cause. Fellow-Inquirer Prassel is a necromancer, in charge of the division. While not a criminal herself, she has tied her wagon to this experiment, and lives or dies based on the results. Her past unimportant, military, unique amongst the department, whose histories are cloaked in shadow; their own to tell. The Butcher, a Pal magician of alchemical science, is Prassel’s second. He oversees a disparate company of medics: a Divinati wizard focused on balance; an orderly promoted and demoted so many times as to have a station unique to herself; an artificer, a bundle of priests, former troopers, demonologists, and criminals. But whether Yasnic—or Maric Jack, to his present coworkers—will fit in with the rest or fall out, remains to be seen. He is but a footnote to history, though his death would have unintended effects for his bevy of vagrant gods, hiding in plain sight from the Protectorate that wants them decanted, distilled in magic, and used for the war effort. — Balance, right? Leave the world like you found it. Only if you found it dying and bleeding, then… then what have you gained, right? Except, in the meantime, you get to know those people, those people who would’ve just been meat. You made them back into people and they became people you got attached to. Possessive about, almost. Because you’ve brought them back from the meat. And they’ll be meat again. Any moment. — Sequel to City of Last Chances, House of Open Wounds is an incredible fantasy book in an underdone and niche subject, that of healing magic as a lead element. I mean, there are a lot of fantasy books with healers, or healing magic. But these most often focus on some other, offensive magic as its core concept, rather than something entirely clerical. In fact, as I write the review, I’m hard-pressed to think of something else quite like this. After the events of CoLC, Yasnic’s looking a little worse for wear. He had a tough go of things, and it was legitimately pleasing to hear from him again. He’s a bit of a pushover, really. Perpetually downtrodden and walked upon. So it was nice to see him reinvent himself and change his destiny. That is, until the story got going. And Maric Jack’s back to his same old tricks, which… really isn’t a bad thing, mind. For the story, at least. And the story is an entertaining thing, if a bit dark and depressing. Not that this detracts from the story—in fact, a bit of dark fantasy is good every now and then. And this one is dark. Set in a field hospital on the frontlines of a never-ending war? A dark and bloody business, that is, very dark and bloody. But good, nonetheless. I never thought of calling it quits, never thought of giving up, it was consistently on my mind in the week or so it took me to finish. Where City of Last Chances was chaotic in an off-the-wall kind of way, House of Open Wounds is chaotic in a very regimented way. In a way that only war can be. As much as I enjoyed the chaos that was the first book, I doubt another in the same vein would’ve been as enjoyable. It’s quite hard to bottle lightning multiple times without getting struck yourself. Instead, this went for the chaos of a field hospital: always bloody, full of life and death—you knew what you were getting. And yet, despite this, it was so easy to read and get immersed in, and so easy to get caught up in the story and carried away. TL;DR A story of two tales, this. Where City of Last Chances was a book about chaos in a place famous for it, House of Open Wounds tells a tale about taking chaos and asserting control on it, and the results therein. Centered around our old friend Yasnic (aka Maric Jack), House of Open Wounds tells of the conquered magicians and priests, healing soldiers of the Palleseen Protectorate on the warfront. While you may suspect that an entire book focused on the healing of wounds might be quite dull—prepare to be proven wrong. There was never a dull moment in this. Several twists and turns—be they with the characters, with the war, with Jack’s love life even—keep the story new and interesting, while the overarching doom was always well within reach. It’s a dark story, is Jack’s, a bloody slog full death and chaos. But I never had any doubts about finishing it and always came back for more. I feel the better for this book in a year that was up and down—whole-heartedly recommended. ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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Dec 10, 2023
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Dec 23, 2023
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Nov 04, 2023
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Hardcover
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| B09TV2DKN8
| 4.71
| 14
| unknown
| Mar 02, 2022
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it was amazing
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9.0 / 10 ✪ https://arefugefromlife.wordpress.com... This is a full review of Black Heart — ‘ For in the Middle Kingdoms, the clothes made the man, or the 9.0 / 10 ✪ https://arefugefromlife.wordpress.com... This is a full review of Black Heart — ‘ For in the Middle Kingdoms, the clothes made the man, or the woman, or the woman into a man. ‘ — The Barrow of Azharad has been opened, and the famed sword Gladringer found. But for the survivors, there is no rest. Stjepan and Erim travel to Devil’s Tower in search of Gause Three-Penny, and are confronted by the terrible demon that lives within. Something so ancient and cruel to be beyond their worth—except for the sword of legend that one now carries. The sword that, when it kills, echoes a bell toll across the land. A toll that has now sounded. And the land itself takes pause to listen. But it turns out that neither gold nor glory led Gause and his crew into Devil’s Tower. Instead, it was the rumor of Nameless: the followers of the devil himself, and the dark pantheon around him. For the Nameless presence is more profound in the Middle Kingdoms than it has been for centuries, and the cults have had their fingers in seemingly every attempt to return the Devil itself, Nymarga, to the world. But where some like the Black College are more benign, other cults like the Azharaites have their own worries. For example, a never-ending train of human flesh to sustain them. Human flesh that must come from somewhere, be supplied by someone—something Gause and his crew would very much like to know. While Erim heads north with Gause to flush out the Nameless, Stjepan is summoned back to the capital, where already lords are gathering for war. The seasonal campaign to flush the Rebel Earl from the depths of Manon Mole has arrived, and Black-Heart’s services as the king’s cartographer are required. Though who can say whether or not this campaign will prove any more successful than that of the year before, or whether the Earl’s rebellion will balloon into a full-blown civil war. Annwyn is a lady no more. Instead, having taken Azharad’s power for herself, she sets up in the Black Tower, overlooking the barrow itself, where she waits for the world to acknowledge her. Only… the lords of the west seems to have some odd opinions about their new neighbor. Rumor is, that Azharad has risen again, and returned to his throne. Something that Annwyn knows is impossible, as she subsumed the sorcerer herself. And yet there’s a confidence to his followers when they proclaim this, even when to her face, that leaves Annwyn cold, and just a bit… uncertain. Something is happening in the Middle Kingdoms, something that will change the course of history, turning one age into another. But will it be an Age of Gold or an Age of Blood? — ’ The thing that sits Azharad’s throne may call itself another name, wear [another face] as a mask, but the thing itself is Azharad. It commands in Azharad’s name. It rules in Azharad’s court. It wants what Azharad wants. ‘ — Divided into three parts, each self-published by the author as each part was finished, Black Heart came together over the course of two years. While it can certainly be read in one, at 1124 pages, it’s a bit of a brick, albeit one split in three. Black Heart begins right where The Barrow leaves off, with the survivors of the Barrow of Azharad coming back to civilization. From here it’s a slow build turning to a slow burn, until everything gets rolling and the Nameless mystery unfolds before us. Deep and immersive, practically drowning in history and lore, Black Heart is both an amazing read and the perfect example on how to build a fantasy world. The world of Artesia has been constructed over the course of twenty years by Mark Smylie, through the Artesia graphic novels, corresponding RPG, and more recently the pair of fantasy books. It’s a dense, incredibly well-built world, consisting of far more than just the Middle Kingdoms, where most of the first two stories take place. Fresh off a reread of the Barrow, it took me little time at all to get back into the world of the Middle Kingdoms. There are several threads in play—one surrounding the Nameless, another the Rebel Earl, the third the pursuit of fortune, the fourth that of newfound freedom, oh, and the fate of the Middle Kingdoms themselves—each of which come together and split apart before finally building up once more at the close, revealing the mystery in full. While a bit slow at first, it slowly drank me in, especially once the second and third acts come around. Indeed, by the time I got to the third part, I was completely immersed, able to focus only on this story and no other. I have two minor issues with Black Heart, then I’ll go back to raving wildly about it. The first is the most noticeable: it’s definitely self-published. I mean, the punctuation and language are great, but sometimes you’ll see things you wouldn’t in other traditionally published novels, such as the repeating of a term in its own definition, or a non-menial word two or more times in a single sentence. The length is also a noticeable factor. That is, while the Barrow had certain instances dedicated to lore, in Black Heart they’re all over the place. For the most part this didn’t bother me as it was just part of the world itself playing out. I felt as if events were playing out before my eyes, rather than a storyteller being asked for “just the facts and vital bits, please”. The other issue is the inclusion of Artesia. Now, if you’ve read the graphic novels (which I have not) you might be aware that her inclusion is building towards something (as these novels serve as a prelude to the Artesia series). I assume that it will build up to the point at which Artesia’s own story begins in full, but in this story her role is… minimal. In all honesty, I’m not sure she adds to it at all—though I suppose I could be proven wrong come Book #3, when it all comes together. Instead, they seem to be just an excuse for the author to revel in hedonism, graphic sex, and cultural orgies. As I said, neither of these complaints is very big, and both fail to detract from the plot as a whole. — A wizard can be into places at once; that’s what makes them a wizard. — It’s a magic sword. If it made sense, it wouldn’t be a magic sword. — TL;DR I had two minor issues with Black Heart, and neither detract from the story at large. They mostly come down to self-publishing editing and what all should be included in the book. But the rest of the tale… I mean, this book is a brick. At Stormlight Archive length—1124 pages, not including afterwords, forewords, notes, and glossaries—the thing is a doorstop. But a damned good doorstop at that. Simply, the plot is amazing. The world is amazing. The world-building is amazing. The level of immersion is amazing. The pacing is a bit off at times, but mostly measured throughout. I know this isn’t going to make complete sense, but even the white-knuckle parts are measured. Simply, Black Heart is an amazing addition to the series, and—while it might take you some time to get through it all—it was time that I never once regretted, and money well spent. I only hope that the author finds an outlet for the novel soon, and that the Bright Sword doesn’t have to wait another two years. ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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May 05, 2023
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May 16, 2023
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May 05, 2023
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Kindle Edition
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| 1915202507
| 9781915202505
| B0B44T4XF3
| 3.49
| 152
| May 09, 2023
| May 09, 2023
|
liked it
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6.5 / 10 ✪ https://arefugefromlife.wordpress.com... The Harrows are your typical suburban family. They’re your lawyers, your landscapers, your teachers, 6.5 / 10 ✪ https://arefugefromlife.wordpress.com... The Harrows are your typical suburban family. They’re your lawyers, your landscapers, your teachers, your postal workers, your drug-dealers, your students, your friends, your neighbors—everyone you know and love, and everyone you love to hate. They throw the best parties and have place family above all else. Behind the veil that separates this world from the next, the Harrows rule and protect the March, a kingdom of a thousand peoples—animate toys, sentient lichen, giant snails, anthropomorphic bees, terrestrial nautili, savage wilders, and so many others. Though none can tell you how or why or when they discovered the March, the Harrows have ruled and defended the land for generations, uniting it under a single rule. At a certain age, all Harrows come to the March—and make their place in it. In the past, the March saw all Harrows make their way through the kingdom, but in the modern day, the clan only consists of two: matriarch Sophia, and her heir-apparent, Constance. Yet two more Harrows exist and have visited the March, but have long since ceased their involvement in such matters; the rebellious Mary Ann, and black-sheep John. However, when Sophia lies on her deathbed, and the March is in danger, all the siblings must return to the fold to defend it. And to uncover the horrible truth lurking in its history. Each sibling is in it for their own reasons, but all are after the power at the heart of the March, putting them all in competition for its crown. First, however, they must unite to save it. After all, The End is coming, and it will not be stopped by anything less than a miracle. — To love someone is to want them so bad that you would swallow them and carry them in your stomach rather than have them ever go away. — March’s End is one of your old-fashioned through-the-looking-glass fantasies, a world where the rules regarding entry are loose and the bloodlines that govern it are a family affair. It is very much like a dark glimpse into Narnia at its lowest; a place where children go to grow up quickly, not a world where children learn through adventures and friendship. John hasn’t returned to the March since he was a child, Mary Ann since the incident that has defined her entire life. Both have their reasons, and both have avoided the realm to make their way in the real world. Not that their lives are any better for it. One is borderline delusional, the other an addict flirting with suicide. Constance is the only constant—who stayed when her family needed her, the heir-apparent, who has thrown away her entire life (and marriage) for service to the March. As characters, each is flawed in their own (human) way. Such is each intriguing in their own right. Though some are more resistant than others, all eventually come back to the fold when their mother falls ill. And all return to the March. Constance is known, loved and feared in equal measure, the March’s protector and champion. John is the wildcard—possessed of a strange magic that lets him wield darkness as a cloak. And Mary Ann couldn’t stay away even if she wanted, coming and going from the March practically at will—but even worse, involuntarily, sleeping and waking, at all hours and for any reason. They make for an interesting mix, each bringing a different approach to the same problem. March’s End is told in two parts: one, in the present day, 2023; the other starting in 2000 and continuing to jump forward through the Harrow children from there on. In general, this made for a rather dry opening, though matters do quickly heat up. Not everything in either timeline involves the March. There are parties to attend, schoolwork to do, jobs and lives and relationships to maintain. We catch glimpses of the outside world and its (mostly vague, unimportant) residents. We focus on their outside lives at first, Mary Ann and John especially. We accompany the children on their introductions to the March, and see the place through their eyes. In addition to them, however, we also gain the insight of Sophia’s husband, brother, and mother from the histories, before coming back to the present to see just how that certain fallout has affected their lives, and the world of the March. As a kind of dark Narnia, March’s End works quite well—until it doesn’t. See, imagine trying to distill the magic of C.S. Lewis into a single entry—one not even 500 pages at that. Now imagine trying to put your own personal spin on that, again without lengthening the book at all. Sounds kinda hard, right? I mean, to tell a story under such restraints, you’d have to gloss over… kind of a lot. Which we definitely do. From the inner workings of the March to its boundaries, from even the most basic descriptions of its denizens to the first thing about its ancient evil. Really any kind of pre-2000 history, like, at all. And if you thought the buildup was a bit light on material, the afterword isn’t any better. Let’s say the ancient evil is defeated—well, how? And what was it, anyway? You’d think we would learn at some point. Okay, so let’s say the evil fully engulfs the land, driving the Harrows from it. What then? What’s next for a family torn between worlds, a family that apparently knows know other existence? Again, you’d think we’d find out, but we don’t. Obviously, only one of these comes to pass—and as a dark fantasy, it really could be either one. But the amount of detail the reader receives upon completion of the plot leaves quite a lot to be desired. It took me a little to get into the the story, but once I did—while disappointed by the overall world-building and lack of lore behind it—I managed to get relatively invested in the tale. But come the end, we are given a skeleton crew, the rough designs for a dhow, and told to sail into the setting sun. Quickly. While the story does technically fulfill its brief, it is only very brief in its fulfillment—and ends up leaving a bitter taste even weeks after completion. There’s just so very little that we’re granted, instead allowed to draw our own conclusions—more forced to draw our own conclusions about so many things that the book just never got around to telling us. Yes, there is a decent ending. Yes, it does a decent job of tying up loose ends. But it is sudden, at best. I had so many more questions about the March, about the Harrows, that were just never answered. Mostly, they weren’t even addressed at any point. Like John’s strange shadow power, they’re often simply taken for granted and not even questioned once. TL;DR March’s End is a kind of dark Narnia style through-the-looking-glass fantasy, distilled down into one, relatively succinct, book. If that sounds hard, there’s a reason. It glosses over so much, particularly so much of the world-building, often taking even obscure things as rote, or for granted. While March’s End does tell a complete, even somewhat powerful, dark fantasy tale—it leaves a lot to be desired along the way. The Harrows are what make the March exceptional, at least in so much as anything in the March can be called exceptional. And it kills me to say such a thing about a magic fantasy world. The characters and their interactions are what the book does best, the story itself a bit of an afterthought. The world and its ill-formed creatures are merely forgettable, and anything more about the March is bare-bones at best—a menagerie of half-finished sketches and stick-figures on smudged, paper napkins. Come to the March for the story, for the characters, stay for nothing more. ...more |
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1
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Apr 04, 2023
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Apr 09, 2023
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Apr 04, 2023
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Kindle Edition
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| B09MTFDVM1
| 4.21
| 1,317
| Feb 16, 2023
| Feb 16, 2023
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it was amazing
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10 / 10 ✪ https://arefugefromlife.wordpress.com... — A man who cannot live with himself is apt to find something to die for. — The Dawnwardens have returne 10 / 10 ✪ https://arefugefromlife.wordpress.com... — A man who cannot live with himself is apt to find something to die for. — The Dawnwardens have returned. The crown prince of Kroda is dead. The Ember Blade has been taken. And the revolution has begun. Kinda. It’s been three years since Aren and the Dawnwardens stole the Ember Blade. Since then they’ve been on the run, moving the Blade from safe house to safe house, visiting nobles and private mercenaries, attempting to subsequently kickstart and fund their rebellion. With little to show for it. Aren himself is growing more and more disillusioned. The cost of the Ember Blade proved to be too high. Conditions in Ossia haven’t improved since the theft, with the Krodans only tightening their grip on the nations. Indeed, suspected spies and traitors have been executed without trial, and Shoal’s Point—the birthplace of both Aren and Cade—has been wiped from the map. Cade himself lies dead, something Aren still dwells on daily. Meanwhile the Dawnwardens have done little to inspire anything, had no tangible success that Aren can see. And the longer they wait the heavier it weighs on him. As does the yoke of Vika’s prophecy. Aren is approaching his breaking point, and can’t see any way to stop it. The Dawnwardens travel far to the north in an attempt to unite the irascible Fell Folk, and create a stronghold in the hinterlands. Only death and betrayal follows them even here. The Krodans ambush the clans at their annual meeting, and attempt to steal the Ember Blade. Only the timely intervention of a few allies—including one former comrade—saves Aren and the Blade from the Dreadknights’ wrath. But they can only flee in the wake of these abominations. As matters escalate and tensions rise, the Dawnwardens turn their gaze to a mythic weapon that could destroy the dreadknights and legitimize the rebellion. A weapon that—if it exists—could save, or doom them all. — Friends let friends do stupid things. — It’s been five years since the Darkwater Legacy began, and I’ve to tell you that I’ve been anxiously awaiting the Shadow Casket for some time. Also, I don’t really remember too much from the original adventure, and unfortunately this book does not feature a recap. That is one of two issues I have with it. The other is that it starts a bit slow. I mean, that’s to be expected when one can’t really remember the intricacies of the plot. The Ember Blade was stolen, Klyssen thwarted, Cade killed. Otherwise… I’m pretty much in the dark. Luckily, while there is no recap, over the course of the first hundred or so pages, I was able to piece together the events that led us to this point, and gradually regain my excitement for the story to continue. Which is good, because then it takes off. Twists and turns galore in this sequel, becoming more and more unexpected the further in you read. This is a dark fantasy epic with an emphasis on the “dark” part. Anything can go wrong. Anyone can die. Anything can happen. The story takes place not over the course of a few days or weeks, but months upon months spent following the Dawnwardens around their fruitless revolt. Klyssen shows up as well, newly demoted and disillusioned with his place in the Empire. As it turns out, he and Aren have more in common than either would’ve ever expected. Spies and traitors abound once more, with everyone acknowledging or indulging their own interests. It’s epic in every sense of the word, and fantastical in more. The places they go, the lands they see—from an island ruled by elaru and ogren (even though I couldn’t even remember what those were!); to ruins swarming with nameless terrors; to a moot of druids; to an internment camp with an even darker secret; to the shores of the Krodan motherland itself. I feel like I could rant on and on about this book, even though it was a bit slow getting out of the blocks. Even though I was worried about it failing to live up to its predecessor. Even though it took me a bit to come around, a bit more to remember most of what was happening, a bit to fully appreciate the depth of the story, the setting, the world, the lore—I honestly loved it. Pretty much the first and last thing I should say in this review: the Shadow Casket is amazing! An incredible read—easily book of the year thus far. — TL;DR The Shadow Casket is the amazing followup to an equally amazing Ember Blade that blew me away way back in 2018. My main (and really only issue with the text) is that five years have passed since Book #1, and Book #2 fails to remind us of the events there-within. Fortunately, with a story as good as this one I retained some knowledge of the plot, and with a read as long as this one I had plenty of time to catch up on some of the more intricate points. Even now, as I worry about what I might have missed in-between the lines, I’m having a hard time maintaining any resentment towards the Shadow Casket itself. This story gets a 10/10 from me. The world, the plot, the lore, the twists and turns, the characters and banter and adventures and humor all come together to make this the shadowy ruin in a valley (the dark fantasy equivalent of a shining city on a hill) that one can only dream of when embarking on a fantastical adventure. Now fingers crossed that the finished product comes with a recap, and the Shadow Casket will have achieved perfection—in my view, at least. ...more |
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1
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Jan 21, 2023
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Feb 05, 2023
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Jan 21, 2023
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Kindle Edition
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| B01MXIOAC5
| 4.16
| 532
| Nov 16, 2016
| Nov 16, 2016
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really liked it
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8.5 / 10 ✪ https://arefugefromlife.wordpress.com... ”It’s safe?” Yam laughed. “No, of course not. Have you ever heard a good story that’s safe? What’d be 8.5 / 10 ✪ https://arefugefromlife.wordpress.com... ”It’s safe?” Yam laughed. “No, of course not. Have you ever heard a good story that’s safe? What’d be the point?” Welcome to Crescent Atoll, a remote string of emeralds in a sea of sapphire blue. Islanders eke out an existence on this atoll, using canoes to travel the archipelago. To exist on the isles is to pay respect and homage where it is due: to the gods and taniwha in turn. Though Leinani they respect and fear the most—the goddess taking the shape of a beautiful woman of fire and flame, or a gigantic volcano at the atoll’s edge. Kaimana is a young ocarina player, left home young to perform with a traveling troupe in pursuit of her Knack rather than stay and live and die a fisherman’s wife. But when she returns home after two years, she finds something has changed. A monster—a taniwha—now inhabits her former home. And Kaimana must see it. When she sees the monster for the first time, Kaimana finds herself inspired, the inspiration sparking behind her eyes, a song burning bright trying to find its way out. She is overjoyed—until the taniwha turns up again. And again. Soon Kaimana is certain it is not just following her, but protecting her as well. Cast out by her troupe, she and the taniwha must learn to cooperate if they are to survive. Especially after they earn the attention of Nakoa, the god of war, former lover of Leinani herself. Formidable the taniwha may be, but to attract the gaze of a god is surely death. Unless the two overcome it—together. — It’s not safe, out there. There are cannibals, gods, and yes, taniwha. And more. All of which will not let a young woman travel safely alone. — A pretty simple setup: a boy and his dog against the world. Or, well, pretty much that. My favorite Yarnsworld story to date features a girl that befriends a monster, and their adventures together. Honestly, even before the intervention of Nakoa I was hooked. The archipelago setting, the travel, the exploration, the world of gods and demons—it was all I could’ve ever wanted. I probably would’ve loved to have just read about their adventures regardless of any hook. The two characters that make this a story worth reading are undoubtedly Kaimana and Rakau, her taniwha. This pair, and their interactions, their relationship, is basically one of the two sides of the story—the gods and the atoll covering the other. Interspersed between the chapters again are the tales of the gods. We learn about Leinani, Nakoa, the Birdmen of Broken Island, the atoll’s origin story, and more fables that flesh out the archipelago’s lore. There might even be a few familiar faces—if you’ve read previous Yarnsworld stories. I’d say that this shows a definitive improvement over the author’s debut—They Mostly Come Out At Night—in both writing and storytelling technique. The pacing is smoother, the language consistent, the characters recognizable, the world deep as the author warms to each in turn. It’s not perfect, but certainly a step in the right direction. The gods and taniwha are so colorful and unique; from Yam, the god of yams, to Rakau, a talking log-dog, to Leinani, a goddess of heat and flame, hot and fiery in equal parts. It’s really quite a nice world the author’s invented—I can see why he returns to it. ...more |
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1
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Jan 18, 2023
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Jan 20, 2023
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Jan 18, 2023
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Kindle Edition
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| 1907992286
| 9781907992285
| 1907992286
| 3.27
| 59
| unknown
| Oct 25, 2011
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liked it
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6.5 / 10 ✪ https://arefugefromlife.wordpress.com... Thaddeus Blaklok is a thug, plain and simple. Well, no, as he’s also a demonist, mercenary, and mad 6.5 / 10 ✪ https://arefugefromlife.wordpress.com... Thaddeus Blaklok is a thug, plain and simple. Well, no, as he’s also a demonist, mercenary, and mad bastard. One thing he isn’t, at least, is retired. As of today. Not when Thaddeus awakens in his apartment with a massive hangover, room swimming before his eyes, a glowing summoning circle below his feet. And one thing seared into his bonce—find the Key of Lunos, wee artifact that can open a hell gate. So Thaddeus hits the streets of the Manufactory, chasing down lost contacts and visiting old haunts. He’s not exactly sure what will happen should he fail to acquire the Key, but he knows it can’t be good. Just judging by how many stupid bastards are after the bloody thing. Thugs, judicators, nobles, demons—everyone wants to get their hands on the Key, and are more than willing to kill for the opportunity. And Thaddeus is right in the middle. — Maybe she did deserve her position after all, maybe she had been compelled to put in twice the work for half the reward, merely due to her sex and her pretty face. Most likely that meant she had something to prove. It would certainly explain the stick up her arse. — The writing of this may well be the biggest turn-off, as Thaddeus (and by extension the author) doesn’t mince words. He’s a bastard, and treats everyone like the shit they are—even if they don’t necessarily deserve it. Yes, there are some niche exceptions to this rule, but more than not, everyone’s a nob. And it’s all opportunity: men, women, demons, nobles, and everyone in-between. Thaddeus doesn’t discriminate. Another possible turn-off will be the language. It’s high in British slang, coupled with big words not often seen across the pond. Now, I watch a fair amount of British panel shows and football, so I was mostly on board, but someone whose interests are less international will have a definite problem with this. Since neither of these were deal-breakers for me, let’s move on. The story… wasn’t great—I mean, the plot was pretty straightforward: here’s a thing, get it, followed by Blaklok being accosted by every demon-hungry prick in the city. For the most part, this keeps the pace rolling, as our “hero” (Thaddeus is an antihero if anything) is tossed from one crisis to the next. Enjoyable enough, but for the endless bag of tricks at Blaklok’s disposal. Every time he’s in deep, he just reaches in and pulls out something new, which (a) keeps the reader on their toes, and (b) is endemic of lazy writing—basically a “get out of jail free” card. Whenever you have an issue you can’t solve with the tools at hand—introduce something new! Billed as “lightning paced”, it’s hard to argue. This one goes quick, especially considering it’s under 300 pages. That said, it took me over a week to read, just because it’s, well… not that immersive. Unless you connect with Thaddeus—who is stoic and standoffish (sorry—“mysterious”) enough that you probably won’t, there’s no one else worth looking forward to. Blaklok’s not the only MC, see, but he’s the only constant, with everyone else just flitting in and out. And, well, everyone else is an aforementioned bastard, making them difficult to love on a hat drop. TL;DR Kultus is the first novel from eventual English mainstay Richard S. Ford, and I’d definitely call it an “embattled” debut. There’s some good and some bad here, from good world-building and fast pacing to poor characters and worse planning. Some of the most barmy slang I’ve seen in fantasy, not all of which I could wrap my bonce around. It’s not rubbish, just… niche. Not everyone’s going to like this one, but Kultus definitely has its place. That said, so far Kultus is a one-off, and while the author says he’d like to write a followup sometime in the future, safe to say that future’s a long way off. Reading on a Budget: The price is right—free on kindle unlimited, or $3 in the US (£2 in the UK), and you can probably find a discount paperback for little more (I paid just over $5 for mine). While I didn’t love the book, I’m not disappointed by my purchase. Good for a carryover or to split the time between two bricks, or maybe just to try something different and new. ...more |
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1
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May 25, 2024
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Jun 05, 2024
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Dec 24, 2022
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Paperback
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| B08DKFLT88
| 3.97
| 39
| unknown
| Jul 22, 2020
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really liked it
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None
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Notes are private!
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1
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Nov 21, 2022
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Dec 16, 2022
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Nov 21, 2022
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Kindle Edition
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| 1801108420
| 9781801108423
| 1801108420
| 3.96
| 4,943
| Dec 08, 2022
| Dec 08, 2022
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it was amazing
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9 / 10 ✪ https://arefugefromlife.wordpress.com... ” You’re a learned man. Please tell me where the word ‘negotiate’ can be found within ‘unconditional s 9 / 10 ✪ https://arefugefromlife.wordpress.com... ” You’re a learned man. Please tell me where the word ‘negotiate’ can be found within ‘unconditional surrender’. “ Adrian Tchaikovsky is one of the more frustrating authors I can think of, as I’m constantly thinking “I need to read more of his stuff”, only to go and acquire some and then give up halfway through. You see, he has an issue of letting his politics and personal beliefs bleed too heavily into his fiction. From there the book just becomes one gigantic rant—which is not something I need more of in my life. It’s not that I disagree with his opinion; it’s that I don’t need to hear it constantly justified in a supposed escapist fantasy. Enter City of Last Chances, a dark fantasy set in a city of the brink of revolution. Ilmar, some say, is the worst place in the world. A city swollen with refugees, the once-great metropolis has fallen on hard times, even before it fell to the Palleseen Empire. With the heavy-handed occupation now in its third year, the populace Ilmar, City of Long Shadows; City of Bad Decisions; City of Last Chances. An industrial city swollen with refugees, Ilmar is truly a melting pot. Or, it was—before the war. Three years prior, Ilmar fell to the Palleseen Sway. Since then, their heavy-handed occupation has begun to chafe. Religion of any kind is forbidden in the Sway, and all priests and clerics are rounded up and summarily executed. Only after their faith is decanted and used to eliminate their deities. Language is censored as well, with Palleseen officially replacing all other tongues as the staple in businesses, schools, and streets. The Pals seek perfection in all things, and under their rule all the messy differences of the world shall become one. There are two exceptions, however, problems that the Pals are desperate to snuff out. The first, is the Anchorwood: a once great forest now reduced to but a single grove. This copse holds the secret of another place, for when the moon is full and the shadow of the trees stretches to its greatest point the boscage becomes a portal to another place—an escape for those desperate, or an opportunity for those ambitious enough to take it. Somewhere, on the other side of this portal, lies a city. A realm set at the edge of the world. Or maybe, set on an entirely different world entirely. This place is the home of the Indwellers—and it’s a place the Sway will do anything to reach. Except the path is not an easy one, and is inhabited by monsters—which can only be held at bay through the use of highly specialized wards, which are both rare and expensive. When a Palleseen higher-up dies in the Anchorwood, there’s more than enough blame to go around. Specifically the whereabouts of his stolen ward and the thief that took it. Also, there is the issue of his assistant—who fled the Wood, followed by a certain kind of monster only found in nightmares. The two were last seen headed towards the Reproach: the second of Ilmar’s dirty secrets. Where the Anchorwood is a portal to another place full of monsters, the Reproach is a homegrown monstrosity. A borough of Ilmar corrupted and cursed, a place even the Pals fear enough to avoid so much as mentioning it. But now an expedition is assembled to rescue the assistant and (hopefully) retrieve the wards. Only these two acts can hope to right the ship before the city boils over. But only a fool, a wretch, or a madman would venture willingly into the Reproach. Luckily, If it’s one thing that Ilmar has a surplus of, it’s the desperate. — There has always been a darkness in Ilmar. You cannot live with those neighbors without taking something of the dark between the trees into you. — At some point in the middle of this, I had to stop and try to remember what the heck the plot was. In general, this isn’t a good thing, but in this case it was. Or rather… it wasn’t bad. Especially because I couldn’t recall and just had to go back to reading. City of Last Chances is a thoroughly immersive and enjoyable fantasy escape—no matter what’s going on. And there’s a lot. Between the impending revolution and the dead bigwig there’s actually a lot. The missing wards and the resulting search plays a large role, but there’s tension in Ilmar that has nothing to do with either. Distrust and resentment abound between the factions of the city; the factory workers, the students, the various faithful, those that have given in to the Sway, the gangs and underworld, the refugees, and more. Then there’s the Anchorwood—a nice little twist, that. That on its own makes this a great story, but when you add the Reproach—that’s a wrinkle that helps turn this from a good story to a great one. There’s just so much chaos, so much going on, so many desperate and so much desperation to go around that you never know what’s going to happen next. Indeed, it’s like that with the characters too; for a while I assumed we’d never have the same POV twice, but it’s not like that. It’s just Tchaikovsky establishing that anyone can die at anytime, so don’t get too attached to anyone. This book is so well written, and there are so many good quotes—so many! — She screamed, and Lemya was screaming too—not in pain but at him. Because this was a rescue, and if there was a Rule One of rescuing, it was not to shoot the rescuee. — While City of Last Chances is a standalone at the moment, there’s so much here that Tchaikovsky could very easily churn out a couple of sequels—either direct or set in the same world—based on the Reproach or the Anchorwood, or even the Sway and its efforts. That said, if you’re new to the author maybe don’t expect it to come to this. I mean, it might, but he writes so much standalone stuff that I wouldn’t expect it. So try to take this novel as it is: a tremendous tale set in an illustrious and darkly imagined world, full of interesting and relatable characters—…who might all perish at a moment’s notice. It’s true, there’s very little that feels certain in this novel. The characters, the setting, the events; with everything liable to change at a moment’s notice, it lends a real sense of impermanence to everything, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. While it certainly distracts from the getting invested in any one particular character’s story, what it does is provides a feeling of desperation to every action, every move. As if it were really the character’s last chance. Maybe not ideal for a fun adventure, but just the kind of thing for a dark fantasy set in a desperate city. TL;DR From its characters to its setting, its plot to its setup, its events to its darkness, to all its amazing quotes—City of Last Chances is Adrian Tchaikovsky at his best. A tense, immersive, and often political fantasy that doesn’t get too political, nor too fantastical—though it certainly has its moments, such as the copse of trees that becomes a portal when the moon is full, or the section of the city possessed by an unknown entity from the city’s past. It’s a dark, industrial fantasy done right; the right amount of fantasy, the right amount of realism, and certainly enough escapism to get truly lost in—even if you lose track of what exactly is going on. I can’t recommend this one enough, and can only hope that this signals a turn for the coming future Tchaikovsky novels. ...more |
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1
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Dec 25, 2022
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Jan 2023
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Oct 23, 2022
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Hardcover
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| B088K11GNC
| 4.13
| 47
| unknown
| May 11, 2020
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really liked it
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None
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Notes are private!
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1
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Aug 06, 2022
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Aug 17, 2022
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Aug 06, 2022
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Kindle Edition
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| 0356514595
| 9780356514598
| 0356514595
| 4.40
| 7,958
| Jun 28, 2022
| 2022
|
it was amazing
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9.0 / 10 ✪ https://arefugefromlife.wordpress.com... Devotion is inherently nonsensical Once an outlaw and vagabond, Alwyn Scribe has moved up in the worl 9.0 / 10 ✪ https://arefugefromlife.wordpress.com... Devotion is inherently nonsensical Once an outlaw and vagabond, Alwyn Scribe has moved up in the world. Former scribe of the Covenant Company, he now serves as spymaster and sworn protector of Lady Evadine Courlain, the Risen Martyr, whose visions of the apocalypse—called the Second Surge—have divided the kingdom around her. Evadine’s status as a living martyr has put her at odds with both the Crown and the Faith. Though behind her stand rank upon rank of her converts; barely fed, untrained, fanatics. The Crown and Covenant possess enough of a standing army to make a bloody fight of it, should it come to blows. Which it has not—yet—as Evadine remains a loyal subject. It seems there exists a plan to see her dead without a bloody revolution, as soon Alwyn and the company are dispatched to Alundia to quash a rebellion; a faith that sees Evadine as more of a whore and heretic than her own. Here they are set up in a ruin and commanded to raise the King’s banner, distribute a list of traitors for deliverance, and hold until the King arrives with his army. Such is basically a death-sentence and all know it. But what choice do they have? Here Alwyn finds more than just a war for the faith, a division of kingdoms. While he’s never been sure what to think of Evadine—whether she is a sycophant or insane—he knows she remains sworn to a better future. Despite their link, (or because of it) maybe that is something he can follow, to the end. — A man who isn’t truly a king stands ready to greet a woman who isn’t truly a martyr. I have often reflected upon the notion that the worst thing about having true friends is missing all of them when they’re gone. — The Pariah was one of my favorite books of 2021, an introduction to Alwyn Scribe: outlaw, pariah, prisoner, scribe, liar. The Martyr takes Alwyn in a different direction. Heck, it opens with him as a knight. Well, kind of a knight. In fact, it actually opens with him laid up with a cracked skull and a hallucination taken up residence in his head. It’s quite an up and down for old Alwyn, beginning at the outset of the Pariah, and I am happy to report that it carries on throughout the second book. Never a dull moment. A nicely paced novel cobbled together with solid world-building, fascinating characters, and an interesting premise—yeah, it ticks all the boxes for me. There is a slight pacing issue over the second half, and the story took me a good while longer to get into this time around, so I didn’t love it quite as much as its predecessor—but all in all it’s another marvel. The mystery of the Sack Witch grows to another level, as does Evadine’s status and what it means for the continent. Alwyn’s status, on the other hand, often changes chapter to chapter. Never a dull moment, as I said. And… yeah. I’m not really sure what else to say about this. It’s good. Read it? I mean, that’s pretty much my recommendation, especially if you enjoyed the previous one. And if you didn’t enjoy the previous one… why not? Read it again and enjoy it this time. Then read the Martyr. I cannot wait to see where the story goes from here! ...more |
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1
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Jun 30, 2022
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Jul 12, 2022
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Jun 30, 2022
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Hardcover
| ||||||||||||||
| 0316416576
| 9780316416573
| B07K6J175Z
| 3.84
| 334
| Jul 12, 2022
| Jul 12, 2022
|
liked it
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7 / 10 ✪ https://arefugefromlife.wordpress.com... A dark, otherworldly retelling of Beowulf takes place on a dystopian ice-world where the company owns 7 / 10 ✪ https://arefugefromlife.wordpress.com... A dark, otherworldly retelling of Beowulf takes place on a dystopian ice-world where the company owns and tells all. A tale of two brothers separated by time, space, and bad blood. Yorick hunts monsters—specifically the eyeless grey terror known as the grendel, that lurk beneath the earth on many company worlds. He left home early, after a spat with his brother that cost him his jaw. And now he’s back in the one place he hoped never to be again: the ice-world Ymir. Thello is a mystery. In Yorick’s mind, his homecoming would coincide with his brother’s apology—that or a fight to the death—but upon landing Yorick finds neither. In fact, he hasn’t seen Thello at all, instead greeted by a company man Dam Gausta, his former mentor, the woman who ushered him into the company; and a hulking red clanswoman, Fen, who clearly wants to gut him at first sight. At first Yorick thinks that she must know him—but no, he’s been gone decades, and the Butcher that Cooked the Cradle must be assumed to be well and truly dead by now. Without his brother, there is only the hunt that matters now. But this grendel is different than the mindless killing-machines Yorick has dispatched in the past. Beneath that cold, clammy skin there is definitely a very alien mind at work, but there is also something disturbingly human to it as well, something Yorick recognizes and knows all too well. Thello. — Written in the style of Takeshi Kovacs, Ymir takes a fast-paced, minimalist story designs of Richard K. Morgan and applies them to a Beowulf inspired tale, complete with nordic themes and terrifying grendels. A dark, gritty tale takes place on both sides of the ice of Ymir, even plunging deep underground in pitch-black tunnels where only those desperate or alien live. The pacing itself is strange, but it is what the story makes it. It’s the way the story is told; in glimpses—with chapters so short we might as well be visiting the story as opposed to spending a book’s length with it. We jump from action to action, spending just enough time to progress the plot—but no more. While I loved the dark, gritty feel of the ice-world Ymir, there was never enough of it to go around. When you’re only spending one to five pages in the same place, it’s hard to get a real sense of worth from it. Thus, instead of a full-body immersion, this was like a bath taken in quick dips, where you get a shock of cold that eventually builds up into a deep freeze, but only after a long period. It was an interesting way to tell a story—and not one I entirely enjoyed. I thoroughly enjoyed the narrative between the two brothers, though it didn’t last as long as I’d’ve expected, coming to a cliffhanger well before the close that felt like a foregone conclusion rather than a mystery by the time it was resolved at the end. TL;DR While there was more than enough to like about Ymir, very little about the tale wowed me. It did prove a great read and a good story besides, as well as an interesting and unique retelling/tale based heavily on the epic Beowulf. But there was just too little there: too little time spent in any one place; too little depth on any of the supporting characters; too little backstory on the company, the grendels, Ymir itself, anything of the world to make it feel real. Overall, while I enjoyed pretty much everything I saw from Ymir, I’d’ve liked to have seen more of… pretty much all of it. For what is a tale told in glimpses than no tale at all? ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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Jul 13, 2022
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Jul 27, 2022
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May 31, 2022
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Kindle Edition
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| B097W5QN6C
| 3.32
| 432
| May 12, 2022
| May 12, 2022
|
liked it
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6.5 / 10 ✪ https://arefugefromlife.wordpress.com... In a world where identity changes with the rising and setting of the sun, you can never know who to 6.5 / 10 ✪ https://arefugefromlife.wordpress.com... In a world where identity changes with the rising and setting of the sun, you can never know who to to trust, or just what anyone is hiding. With two beings within the same body, relationships between night and day have been stretched to such an extreme that they might be different worlds altogether. But when one personality changes to another—the world remains the same. Christophor Morden is a special investigator of the King of Reikova. Awoken early one night, he is called to the city prison where he’s confronted by a grisly sight. A young man has ripped their eyes out in a fit of madness—though the madness might be justified. Why? Well, because behind their eyeballs, teeth were growing. What Christophor hopes is an aberration turns out to be more common than any would like to admit. Rumors and strange tales out of the south—of witches and magic, of demons and unfaithful, of a war brewing on the kingdom’s borders. But the only thing he can substantiate are the teeth. The teeth are very much real. And they didn’t come into the boy’s eye sockets naturally. And so he is dispatched to Drekenford—a village on the southern border—to hunt down whatever’s responsible for this dark magic. But what he finds there will cost Christophor—in more ways than one. Alexander understands his night-brother’s call as a special investigator, but that doesn’t mean he likes it. A musician himself, Christophor’s day-brother often haunts the common houses, theaters, and taverns of Esteberg, where he plies his trade. Yet when Christophor is sent south, Alexander has no choice but to follow. Though what he finds there may cost Alexander more than his trade. For when his night-brother unearths the witch, Alexander will end up doing everything in his power to save her, the King’s justice be damned. — The unfaithful lose sight of themselves The sword shrivels to flakes of snow The law devours its history The stone moves on water The broken heart bleeds gold — The more time I spent in the world of Equinox, the more it grew on me. Starting out as a fairly generic city in a generic world, it instantly loses points with the recycling of various real-world subjects to cover where its own world-building breaks down. I’m really torn on this—it’s very much a love/hate relationship; there’s a really good story within and what it does well is done really well, but… well, you’ll see. Catholicism is the dominant religion of the kingdom, a fact that isn’t remotely explained despite all the questions it brings to mind. Did Christ have a night-brother? Is the whole night/day cycle mentioned in scripture? Is this actually Earth rather than a different world? None of these are answered. In fact, the author seems to go out of his way to avoid these questions, as any debate that comes to center on religion at all gets shut down quickly. The whole night/day cycle suffers the same fate—and so we never get more than the barest glimpse into why or how this system works. While it’s a fascinating concept, the lack of literally any explanation surrounding it ruin what could’ve been an innovative and unique twist. Honestly, with the amount of questions the system alone raises that are completely ignored, I feel like I could write a whole new book. While I’m assuming that’s the reason the author doesn’t address the subject at all, it just comes off as lazy. He should’ve addressed one or two of the more important points, rather than completely ignoring them all. For example: how does the body function on zero sleep? Is the day/night thing recent, or eternal? How does an unchanged Earth religion account for literally any of this? Throughout the text, the various day/night personalities complain about their counterparts. Like it’s a new thing. Like it’s not written into religion (which, if it had been around very long at all, it must’ve been). Grrrraaahhh—writing the review for this is making me rage at the dozens of unanswered questions I have about the concept. Which I’ll try not to address any further. At its heart, Equinox is a story of witchcraft and witch hunting. Chistophor lives in the shadow, but walks with the light—having arrested 34 witches over his lifetime. And yet this might be the most dangerous of the lot, as it puts he and his day-brother at odds. Despite my issues with the world, the unanswered questions, the characters, the development, the unanswered questions—I know that there is a good story somewhere in here. Even with all the issues I had bouncing around in my head, I never once thought of abandoning this. I was able to buckle down and focus on the story, and let it drink me in. And so brings the third book in as many days that I’m on the fence about. I had some issues with this book (okay, LOTS AND LOTS of issues), but I legitimately enjoyed it too. There were some parts that were a bit cringeworthy, but they were few and far between. The day/night cycle was fascinating, despite being unformed and unfounded. The world was interesting as well, despite being a bad copy of Earth. The end was good, despite the ending being a bit confusing and hectic. I love the cover, but I’m not sure it’s worth the price. If you were going to rip it off and stick it on the wall—…maybe? But as a book to display… I’d really prefer if it were better. ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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Mar 19, 2022
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Apr 10, 2022
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Mar 19, 2022
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Kindle Edition
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| 9798794586169
| B09SFDGFS5
| 4.24
| 62
| Feb 13, 2022
| Feb 13, 2022
|
really liked it
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4.0 / 5 ✪ https://arefugefromlife.wordpress.com... Just what is the price of survival? This is the very question First Officer Choi Minjun and her crew h 4.0 / 5 ✪ https://arefugefromlife.wordpress.com... Just what is the price of survival? This is the very question First Officer Choi Minjun and her crew have been trying to answer. For months they’ve been trapped in the mysterious Darkstar dimension, with its violet oceans and glowing fish, floating rocks and peculiar gravity, turtlemoths and gigantic dragon alone for company. They’ve made a kind of home for themselves with the rift’s only other human resident—Brightest, an old man who was been living in the dimension for decades—but it is a far cry from New Windward. Although… they’re not technically “trapped”. Min and the crew of the Melodious Narwhal can leave whenever they want. In fact, they’ve been doing it for months—traveling to and from the Darkstar dimension via the numerous rifts that orbit the star itself. Unfortunately, while these rifts visit upon untold worlds, none of them will return the crew to their home.That can only be reached through a particular rift, one that only comes once every few years. And until it does, the Narwhal will be staying put. But Min and the crew have been busy. There’s not enough to live on in the Darkstar dimension. Other than a few tiny islets and oceans full of tasteless, glowing fish, the place is fairly sparse. Thus the crew have been busy scavenging from other dimensions—while chronicling their experiences within. While traversing the rifts is rife with danger, it is also myriad in wonders. The best example of this is the Whalefleet: a race of interdimensional travelers sailing across the sky upon the backs of massive, luminous whales. Their passage has continued for months; a constant and aloof, untouchable by the crew despite their best efforts. But it turns out Min and her crew weren’t alone in the dimension after all. When a mysterious force reaches out and attacks the Whalefleet, the crew is faced with an impossible choice: stand-by as these peaceful travelers are wiped out, or intervene and risk the attention of the ancient horror that haunts the Darkstar—one not even the dragon is willing to face. — “He?” Min said, looking at Loom again, unable to find any… features that would suggest a particular gender. “Loom is a ‘he’?” She lowered her voice, feeling the colour rush to her cheeks. “How can you tell?” “Silly. He’s glowing green, isn’t he? Clearly a boy.” — If you haven’t read any of Benedict Patrick’s Yarnsworld before, know that his novels often have an eerie, unsettling feel, complete with dark overtones and a story that doesn’t always work out too well for anyone. It’s often not bleak enough to be grimdark, but it’s certainly not your classic “and they lived happily ever after” fantasy. It’s dark fantasy-horror, pure and simple. When Flight of the Darkstar Dragon released, it seemed as though the author might be graduating to something else. This book featured a perilous but triumphant story, with themes of hope and perseverance playing a major role. But if you took that as a sign the author was turning over a new leaf, Return of the Whalefleet has just adequately dashed these hopes. But while Book #1 seemed to be presenting the Darkstar as a temporary prison, it was one with limitless potential for adventure, exploration, and discovery. Sure, there would be danger, but also thrills, boons, and maybe even a new way home within the rifts. And if everything else failed, the crew could always escape to the (relative) safety of the Darkstar. Only the Darkstar isn’t the haven that it appeared. Sure, there’s the dragon the size of a small moon to consider, but it turns out the real horrors have always been there, lurking just out of sight the entire time. There’s definitely more of a horror vibe to Flight of the that seemed to be absent from Return of the. But again, if you’ve read the author before this series, this shouldn’t surprise you. And shouldn’t disappoint either. It’s not a huge leap, and one that returning fans should take in stride. I found that this darker overtone made the place seem like more of a challenge, more a test of survival than the adventure its predecessor depicted. It’s a little like the jump from Lord of the Flies to Pincher Martin. If you loved one, you probably loved the other; but which did you enjoy more? Both are about survival, but one has much more to distract the reader from this—and the other is much darker. But even if I were challenged, I’m not sure I could say which I enjoyed more. Yes, I know they’re unrelated story-wise, but both books are in the same vein and by the same author. Plus they relate really well to the question at hand. That being: Flight of the was inauspicious but ultimately hopeful while Return of the is much more morose albeit with the same adventure and thrill—but which is better? While I didn’t enjoy this quite as much as I did its predecessor, it wasn’t down to the darker twist to the tale. Instead, it’s how the story seems to get sidetracked from the main event, particularly by exploring the rifts themselves. And this shouldn’t be the case, particularly because there’s no reason this should be a problem. If the plot to this was simply “explore and survive” á la William Golding—I’d be down with it. But the main setup at the end of Flight of the Darkstar Dragon really implied that the Whalefleet would take center stage—something that the title itself all but confirmed. And yet, we’re too distracted to notice it for way too long. The beginning and the end focus on side issues, details that—while interesting—don’t directly connect to the tale Return of the is trying to tell. That being the return of the Whalefleet. Also I think the buildup in the previous book about the Whalefleet’s majesty and awe was a bit of a letdown, as this just didn’t wow with its description of the travelers’ procession. That said, had Flight of the not built my expectations quite so much, and the title of Return of the made me anticipate these more—I don’t think it would’ve let me down quite like it did. Just like I doubt I’d’ve noticed the off-topic distraction but for the book’s size. Yet there’s more than enough to love about Return of the Whalefleet: new allies, new enemies, new adventures, history and development of our returning cast and crew. The ancient horrors themselves were a particular favorite of mine; the entire buildup was amazing, but when they were described in detail it cast a noticeable chill up my spine. The haunting descriptions of these will stick with me, I think, more than so many one-offs in other books. Not that these are a one-off—that remains to be seen. TL;DR If you’d never read Benedict Patrick before, you might be forgiven in thinking that the Darkstar series took an abrupt 180 from its start in Flight of the Darkstar Dragon. If you had, on the other hand, the creepier, darker tone to Return of the Whalefleet shouldn’t surprise you. In fact, it might even come as a relief; a sign that the author still has it, can still tell a spine-tingling tale. Either way, this entry certainly marks a turning point for the series. But just where it’s headed exactly… I don’t know. Despite the change of tone (or perhaps because of it) this is still a great read. While held back by a slightly longer detour from the main plot than you might see in other books of its length, when the author does focus on the Whalefleet and the story surrounding it, I had no problem becoming immersed in it. The setting continues to be vibrant (albeit a wee bit more shadowy than before), the plot intriguing, and the overall adventure a thrill. While it’s not quite as good as its predecessor, I have no problem at all recommending Return of the Whalefleet! If you’re new to the series, I would definitely start with Book #1, but returning fans should be able to dive right in. Look out for Book #3—The Game of Many Worlds—hopefully releasing sometime in the next year. Can’t wait! ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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Jan 26, 2022
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Feb 06, 2022
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Jan 26, 2022
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Paperback
| |||||||||||||||
| 0316629561
| 9780316629560
| 0316629561
| 3.77
| 1,277
| Jan 18, 2022
| Jan 18, 2022
|
really liked it
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4.4 / 5 ✪ https://arefugefromlife.wordpress.com... While Torwyn was once a nation based on the will of the Wyrms—five great dragons that granted men mag 4.4 / 5 ✪ https://arefugefromlife.wordpress.com... While Torwyn was once a nation based on the will of the Wyrms—five great dragons that granted men magic and ruled the doors of life and death—it is now powered by the might of industry. And industry is booming. But industry is only as good as the people that run it—and in Torwyn, industry is run by the Guilds; chief among them the Archwind Guild, whose guildmaster now occupies the Emperor’s throne. Only a step below them sit the Hawkspur Guild, run by the Emperor’s only sibling, Rosomon. It is around Rosomon that the story resolves—her and her three children. Conall, the eldest son, is dispatched to the frontier, where he hopes to earn honor and fame through military valor. Instead he finds a desert full of enemies, be they human or demon. The sands also hide a conspiracy, one that hints of a coming revolution, one that may shake the empire to its core. Tyreta, the eldest daughter, the future Guildmaster of the Hawkspurs, is sick of duty. She’s not her brother, and constantly feels the weight of responsibility. A webwainer, she can control and wield the power of pyrestone—a geological component vital to the Empire’s burgeoning industry. When Tyreta is dispatched to visit Torwyn’s overseas colony of New Flaym, it might be just the escape she has been seeking. Or it might change everything for her, including in ways she never thought were possible. Fulren, youngest son and brightest star of the family, is a talented artificer, one that is destined to lead the Guilds into the new age of industry. If he survives to see it. After being assigned as an escort to a foreign dignitary, he soon finds himself accused and condemned of murder he didn’t commit. A crime that may just start a war. Industry drives the future of Torwyn. And the future seems bright, for now. But whispers in the Empire’s darkest corners tell of something more: of revolution, of rebirth, of the rise of an enemy long forgotten. — In many ways Engines of Empire is high fantasy at its best. A rich, immersive world, built on the backs of its strong leads, and equally strong characters. A lovely steampunk setting that blends magic with technology, and that pits the new ways against the old. A plot that plays at speculation, at fears, at rumors of revolution, and even darker whispers of unknown evil at its edges. It all comes together to tell an amazing story, one that I had absolutely no trouble tearing through once I got into it. The problem is that I didn’t get into it right away. While I appreciated that the story was driven by alternating POVs of the same one family, it was this style that somewhat dampened my enjoyment. See, in a story of technology, one that tells of discontent and possible revolution, of an industry built on the backs of the working class, it’s important to see at least some of what the working class is dealing with. The Hawkspurs are each different, each see the world their own way and each want something different for their place in it—but if there’s one thing they’re not it’s underprivileged, downtrodden, working class. I would’ve liked to see at least one POV from the commonfolk, to see what life was like out of a position of inherent power. This is my main issue with the plot, one that really kept me from getting immersed in the story sooner. That said, it’s also really my only complaint. The story is a great one—interesting, entertaining, faced-paced at times and slow-built tension at others. There’s not a lot I can say about Engines of Empire, other than you really should read it. There was a lot of hype surrounding the release of this book, and I’m happy to say it was entirely warranted. I’ve read R.S. Ford before; his first series, Steelhaven, was a bit of a mixed bag—partial world-building and mostly human characters, some combination of dark and epic fantasy that never quite figured out what it wanted to be. It’s a good story, but one that leaves something to be desired. It’s been seven years since Steelhaven finished, and it seems that Ford has spent his time since well. Engines of Empire begins a much different series, one with stronger leads, stronger world-building, and a more immersive plot. It’s not that I hated his previous works—it’s more how much I love this new universe. Can’t wait to see where the story goes from here! The Age of Uprising continues with Book #2, Engines of Chaos, presumably out 2023. ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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Dec 27, 2021
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Jan 09, 2022
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Dec 27, 2021
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Paperback
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| 1250789257
| 9781250789259
| 1250789257
| 3.86
| 39,246
| Nov 09, 2021
| Nov 09, 2021
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it was amazing
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9.5 / 10 ✪ https://arefugefromlife.wordpress.com... The Blood Moon rises. The Blood Veil falls. And the Tournament looms. Each generation the Blood Moon 9.5 / 10 ✪ https://arefugefromlife.wordpress.com... The Blood Moon rises. The Blood Veil falls. And the Tournament looms. Each generation the Blood Moon heralds the start of a new Tournament, as each of the seven families of Ilvernath compete for the ability to control the wellspring of High Magic thought to be gone from the world. Each and every tournament is distinct for one reason or another, while somehow staying the same. But this year is different. This year—thanks to a revealing new book—the entire world now knows about the tournament, thrusting the seven families (and their champions) into the spotlight. Isobel Macaslan—the first to be named, the belle of the media—hasn’t had her photo out of the press for the last year. Though the extra publicity gives an added boon before the tournament, this success doesn’t mean anything once the Blood Veil falls. Briony Thorburn has trained her entire life to be champion—it’s the only life she knows, or wants—but when a last second change threatens her plans, will she be able to deal with the shock of it? Or will her actions mean the death of them all? Carbry Darrow—the youngest of champions—isn’t expected to be much of a threat, but should he find the confidence within him, he just may surprise everyone. Elionor Payne might not be the most bloodthirsty of the bunch, but it’s a close thing. She’s out to prove herself and win her family some praise, one body at a time. Finley Blair—perfect, handsome, charming, every inch a storybook hero—might not be able to charm his way to victory, but he can get down and dirty should the need arise. And it certainly will. Alistair Lowe is the favorite. Born and bred to win the tournament, he heralds from the most famous of the families; the Lowes win the tournament every two out of three times it’s held. Everyone knows he’s the greatest monster, the one to beat—even if he does have to keep reassuring himself. Gavin Grieve rounds out the field. That’s the most that can be said about the final champion. A Grieve has never won the tournament, something everyone is keen to remind him—but Gavin aims to be the first. And not just because he doesn’t want to die yet. But as an afterthought of the competition, he is woefully equipped compared to the others. If he wants to win, he’ll have to do something stupid and desperate—though at least it’s not a difficult choice. Six will die young, but one will rise above them. Only question is—is anything worth it? — There it was. If he did this, he’d be restricting his magick usage for the rest of his life. But if he didn’t go through with it, the rest of his life would probably be a lot shorter anyway. — All of Us Villains is yet another fantasy thriller in the Battle Royale sub-genre, but this time with magic! So, teenagers battle to the death because why not. Got it. So… just from the prompt, this seemed a bit blah, but several reviewers I follow loved it, so I thought I’d give it a go. Sometimes it’s all down to timing. Other times, it’s just taste. This was a perfect combination of the two. For me, at least. It’s going to sound a bit strange, but I found the pacing to be one of the best parts of this read. It sped up and slowed down from time to time, but always managed to do so at just the right moments, so that it never felt like the story was rushing out or grinding along. It was just always… there. You know how life happens at its own pace? It was like that. There were fast moving, adrenaline-induced parts that roared along, followed by crash sections where time seemed to be inching along while the characters got over the high. There were slower sections of talking and transition which all too suddenly turned to violence in an instant. It all felt… realistic. The tournament playing out over weeks instead of in the span of “days that feel like years”—a phrase which you all know I hate seeing. The second great strength of All of Us Villains is its characters. Now, all are profoundly flawed individuals—horrible people that react in terrible ways based on the fact that they’re young and immature, born and bred to fight in tournament that will no doubt claim their lives even if they have the fortune to survive it. And as such, they do some terrible things. But they’re also capable of great compassion, understanding, and empathy. It just comes out kinda weird what with the fact that they’re simultaneously attempting to murder one another. They’re not exactly realistic per say, but… realistic in the way that one can only be when they’ve been told their entire lives that they’ll be forced to fight a bunch of their friends to the death so that their family can reap the rewards. I couldn’t honestly tell you who my favorite character was… though I consistently enjoyed both Gavin and Isobel’s POVs in a way I didn’t Briony’s. It’s not like Bri was a worse person—I’m not sure there were any “better” or “worse” characters (other than possibly Finley, who did not have his own POV)—I just found her a bit too arrogant for my tastes. Alistair kinda split the difference, showing both an unexpected empathy and a surprising cruelty just when I thought he’d turned one corner or the other. Just those four POVs: Alistair, Briony, Isobel, and Gavin. It never felt overwhelming with the POVs, or the scope, as each POV simply showed a different perspective into the tournament. The story was not without its flaws, just… these were far outweighed by its strengths. Far, far outweighed. TL;DR All of Us Villains features a cast resplendent with the villainous, the vain, the wrathful, and the bloodthirsty. They may not all be monsters, but most come close. If you’re after a story with distinct lines between good and ill—this isn’t it. This asks you to pick the best of a bad situation—and then pick again, as that person will almost surely die first. It may not feature any saints, but it does tell a lovely story with a definitely dark twist. A somewhat new (if not wholly unique) take on the Battle Royale sub-genre that has overtaken the world, All of Us Villains mostly succeeds through it being a damn good read, with excellent pacing, and believable—if horribly flawed—characters. In fact, I’d argue that their obvious flaws make them even more believable, if not relatable. While you might not love this quite as much as I did, I hope you’ll trust me when I say it’s worth a try. I’d very much recommend Part #1 of this duology, continuing in All of Our Demise, out just recently here in 2022. ...more |
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Sep 02, 2022
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Sep 03, 2022
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Dec 25, 2021
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Hardcover
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| 1250245281
| 9781250245281
| 1250245281
| 4.35
| 56,007
| Sep 07, 2021
| Sep 14, 2021
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it was amazing
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None
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Notes are private!
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Feb 17, 2022
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Sep 11, 2021
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| 3.86
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really liked it
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Nov 03, 2024
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Sep 25, 2024
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| 3.47
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really liked it
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May 24, 2024
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May 19, 2024
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| 4.26
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really liked it
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Apr 29, 2024
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Apr 25, 2024
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| 4.29
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it was amazing
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Jan 29, 2024
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Jan 18, 2024
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| 4.50
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it was amazing
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Dec 23, 2023
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Nov 04, 2023
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| 4.71
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it was amazing
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May 16, 2023
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May 05, 2023
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| 3.49
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liked it
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Apr 09, 2023
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Apr 04, 2023
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| 4.21
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it was amazing
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Feb 05, 2023
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Jan 21, 2023
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| 4.16
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really liked it
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Jan 20, 2023
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Jan 18, 2023
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| 3.27
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liked it
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Jun 05, 2024
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Dec 24, 2022
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| 3.97
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really liked it
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Dec 16, 2022
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Nov 21, 2022
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| 3.96
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it was amazing
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Jan 2023
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Oct 23, 2022
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| 4.13
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really liked it
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Aug 17, 2022
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Aug 06, 2022
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| 4.40
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it was amazing
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Jul 12, 2022
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Jun 30, 2022
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|||||
|
| 3.84
|
liked it
|
Jul 27, 2022
|
May 31, 2022
|
|||||
|
| 3.32
|
liked it
|
Apr 10, 2022
|
Mar 19, 2022
|
|||||
|
| 4.24
|
really liked it
|
Feb 06, 2022
|
Jan 26, 2022
|
|||||
|
| 3.77
|
really liked it
|
Jan 09, 2022
|
Dec 27, 2021
|
|||||
|
| 3.86
|
it was amazing
|
Sep 03, 2022
|
Dec 25, 2021
|
|||||
|
| 4.35
|
it was amazing
|
Mar 03, 2022
|
Sep 11, 2021
|
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