Francisca

Did we all read the same book?

Revisado: 09-11-21

This book does not work. At least for me. This CHONK of a book has such an amazing cover that now only serves as a reminder that what matters is the story behind it.

This book had such potential but fell flat from bland character writing and unsatisfactory explanations for just about everything.

There was but one rule for magic in this world: It works. Until it doesn’t.

Aram and Markus act as our “chosen one” main characters and without proper training or skill they manage to defeat foes with little to no difficulty. The words ‘somehow’ and ‘for some reason’ acted as constant explanations for these instinctual talents in war tactics, fighting, dragon riding and magical abilities that these two ‘somehow’ become masters in. ‘Masters’ being a loose term since they made incompetent decisions left and right.

Massive time jumps were implemented to hurry the plot along when in fact they skipped over essential character growth and development. Connecting with the characters was impossible and the details of what happened in those jumps were only explained in passing with vague answers.

Having an autistic MC was something I was very excited to read about but the complete lack of depth made the representation dissatisfying. Villains were reduced to cartoon caricatures of themselves with underwhelming confrontations.

Spencer has a background in grimdark so I expected violence, but violence for the sake of violence doesn’t make for an impactful story. It was solely used for shock value and at odd times in the plot. It only succeeded at giving me a perpetually confused expression that continued through cringey dialogue and scattered prose.

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Phenomenal! Classic! LOTR!

Revisado: 07-29-21

Firstly let me just say that this book broke me emotionally. As a highly empathetic person I was enraptured by this story and invested in these characters as if I’d met them in person. I felt their struggles and lows as much as their triumphs and highs.
Those of you who love lotr as much as I will love this book. There are no dwarves or elves, cave trolls or Ents but the spirit of fellowship is driven hard in these characters. Wood has taken the emotional component of lotr and presented them in the fabric of each character through terrifying ordeals, lyrical coups, doubt, and traumatic pasts. The traits of Boromir and Gandalf, Frodo and Sam lives on in Cade and Aren, Garric and Vika and many more. The relationship these people have with each other drive this story forward to an emotional level I was not prepared for. The parallels with this book and oen of my favorite stories of all time sunk deep and made this book an absolute treasure to read. Wooding found new and inventive ways of reiterating a timeless tale of adventure and friendship.
The Ember Blade is a beacon to the people of Ossia, it’s parallel the blade that was remade. Cade and Aren’s friendship speaks to the unbreakable bond of Frodo and Sam. Garric’s faults and honor reflect Boromir’s dedication to do what he must for his people. Vika does all she can to direct the group with her wisdom and magic as Gandalf once did. While these characters are unique, gritty and dark with their own personalities and struggles of their own, the resemblance is unmistakable.
The intertwining plot points came together in ways that were entirely unexpected, with the emotional avalanche of an oncoming storm. There is a classic story hidden in these pages that I have completely fallen in love with. This world is hard and has no mercy for weakness or hesitation. Trauma and distrust runs rampant but hope still clings to the fire these characters ignite, a fire that burns bright for book two that I eagerly await.

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Time-Slipped into the future

Revisado: 02-05-21

I was assigned to read this by my Science Fiction Literary Professor. I am not a science fiction reader. My safe haven is fantasy however, this story had me intrigued. At first I could not stand it. All the characters are despicable. I know that was the point but they were so unlikeable because they were so real. I know a few people like these characters and so that's to be commendable. Philip K Dick takes normal everyday people and puts them into his story. There are moments that felt like I took an edible before reading. I couldn't understand what was happening and had to read the chapter a few more times before I understood. The ending is thought provoking. I'm still trying to decide whether I liked the book or not and when a writer is able to make me think about it, they're doing something right. I think it's worth the read and to decide for yourself whether the time-slip will effect you.

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Surpassed expectations

Revisado: 01-28-21

I was assigned to read this collection of short stories by my Science Fiction Literary professor. My comfort zone is Fantasy. That is where I like to live and I the experience I've had with SciFi hasn't been the best. I usually find the science jargon way too close to being set in the real world when I want to escape as far away as I can in my Fantasy novels. However, this collection has converted me. These stories are character centric that happen to be set on Mars. I was on the edge of my seat for many of them and I will be ordering myself a hard copy for my bookshelf. They are fantastic stories that beg the question of "what if". It reads like a history of Mars but through the eyes of the many people who have landed/invaded/visited/colonized/lived on the red planet. It's fantastic! A true and entertaining collection that I will be returning to for years to come.

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Great but not as good as the last 3

Revisado: 12-17-20

Let me start off my saying I am judging this book on the Sanderson scale. Which means Sanderson's books are already so far and beyond from any other fantasy series out there. I give it 4 stars because I'm critiquing it in comparison to the his last 3 books, not other books from a different series/author or fantasy genre in general. Even though this book is not as good as his previous 3 its still an amazing story to read. That being said I did enjoy it less than his previous books.

WHAT WAS GOOD
We see all of our favorite characters back in action right from the start. The whole part one is it's own sanderlanche. There is a lot of action that happens, but not quite how it's expected. Throughout the whole book people are scheming and trying to gain the upper hand. There are fight scenes to be sure but a lot of what happens is a battle of wits (not the actual Wit but LOVE him in every scene). Speaking of the actual Wit, We see him in a bit more of a human light. Can't reveal much more than that. Not even Wit is safe in this world and that's worth reading this installment in of itself. Shallan and Kaladin STRUGGLE, but then again when don't they? Just when you think there might be some relief for these characters something happens to knock them back down again. Sanderson doesn't hold back anything in this book there is definitely a cry-while-eating-ice-cream-as-you-scream-into-the-bleak-abyss feel about this book. To be completely honest when the characters wanted to give up I wanted to give up with them. I'd rack my brain for any path that would lead them to success and I just couldn't then Sanderson swoops in to make them (and me) believe in good again. Navani has a massive part in this installment and I wasn't mad. I was a bit wary of her since we haven't really gotten much perspectives from her but she holds her own. Her arc was great to watch unfold and she kicked ass. The villains are always a pleasure to read. They're not your typical villains and their stories unfold in unexpected ways as well. Trust me! There is a MASSIVE MASSIVE MASSIVE change in the story at the end of the book regarding them. HUGE! Not going to say more because it's just too good so read to find out! Shadsmar is a setting that is set throughout the book and it was so fun to see all the different kinds of spren and learn more about their world. I know the general book is supposed to be Venli and Eshoni installment but to be honest Adolin and Navani stole the show. I think this book is just as much theirs. At least the storyline I was most interested in. Adolin continues to be one of my absolute favorite characters! Such a cinnamon roll. Can't help but love him. Anyways, he really comes into his own. Attempting to get out from under the Blackthorns shadow and become his own man. He is able to accomplish this and I just loved every step of his journey. He cares so much for the people around him and it's so nice to see how much he is like his father but in the best way possible. The interludes are great in this book. We get perspectives we've never had before and I loved the change of scenery in that aspect.

WHAT WASN'T SO GOOD
This is not so much a complaint than a preference. This installment favors The Way of Kings story telling in that most of the characters are apart for almost the entire book. Even at the end some of them are still away. I have an undying love for Oathbringer. It's my absolute favorite book in this series no argument so I missed all the characters interacting with everyone. Again, this is just my own personal preference. That being said since my favorite book is Oathbringer than you can probably guess who my favorite character is, the great and terrible Blackthorn himself. Dalinar, being one of the main characters, gets the least screen time. I loved his chapters I just wish there were more. We do get more Jasnah and she is always such a fascinating read! What a complex character and just all around badass queen (even if she scares me sometimes). This book gets a bit choppy at times. The chapters are shorter and the perspectives blended together in a way that didn't work. In one scene there would be 3 perspectives and I thought it was too much. Give me the character that has the most to offer in the scene and only that character. I liked Sandersons "simplistic" (loosely said for a Cosmere novel) writing in his previous installments a lot more than when he tries to please everyone by writing everybody's favorite characters into one scene. I didn't care for Venli's or Eshoni's flashbacks. I didn't think they added much to the story. Venli is a selfish and self-centered person who has to sleep in the bed she made. We already knew that and the flashbacks just kind of reiterated it. Eshoni was the person who was deserving of being Radiant and was taken much too soon. We already knew that and the flashbacks just make that more apparent. I think you could take the flashbacks out and the story would still have the same feel. At least in my opinion. There are some who I'm sure loved the Listeners flashbacks but I'm just not one of them. It didn't give me that elation at the change that the character goes through like it did with Kaladin or Dalinar (which was the BEST). There is a lot of character growth but it kind of took a backseat to the plot that was being set up for the 5th book. Honestly this installment felt like a 50hr set up for the 5th book. Not that it's a bad thing it just wasn't as satisfying as the previous books. The battles weren't as large and the terms are set only at the end of the book. The self loathing and struggle that Kaladin and Shallan go through got tedious at times. Especially with Shallan. I got upset a few times thinking she's got to GET OVER HERSELF! Then something is revealed that makes me feel bad but still it got to a certain point where I was just over her trying to hide behind her personas. I wanted to see growth which we eventually do it just takes soooooo long. I get Sanderson is trying to make it more realistic with the mental illnesses but for heavens sake this is a fantasy world. Mental illness is stigmatized but at the same time these are fictional characters in a fantasy world. Growth HAS to happen and overcoming their mental illness isn't a curing it, it's learning to live with it in a heathy manner. Which is Shallan accepting herself and the persona's she created as herself since she is herself. Kaladin using healthy coping mechanisms to function with his depression. It just take soooooooo long to get there! I can understand "woe is me" to a certain extent but it is exasperated to 1000,000,000,000% in this installment, to the point where I was just waiting for the big character growth without any anticipation. The characters couldn't go so low without getting a massive high. The ending was great but it just took too long to get there which is saying something. This is the first installment where I was happy to have finished the book.

Still a fantastic read. I'm very excited to read the 5th book! I've no idea what's going to come next and the ending of this one is great. Not as satisfying as Oathbringer but still changes the outlook on the series, plot wise.

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Beautiful

Revisado: 09-28-20

I have been waiting YEARS for Paolini to create a new world. I was capture by the Inheritance Cycle and it continues to be my favorite fantasy series. I am not a huge fan of Syfi. They have mostly left me wanting. The ones I've read have leave the characters to fend for themselves while the science jargon takes president. This story is not that. If I could describe this book in one word it would be beautiful. That is funny to say since this book also contains elements of alien horror and starship battles but it really is beautiful. The story has a slower pace (but when it picks up boy does it pick up!) but I don't mind that because Paolini really gives us a sense of who the characters are and what they want. I'm able to connect with them and actually care what happens to them. The language that he uses really adds to the story and you can't help but connect with the characters. Paolini has grown leaps and bounds from his Inheritance Cycle days and honestly I'm so proud. His growth as a writer truly shines in this book. This may be a standalone book but by the ending you are sure this isn't the last story he has in this universe. Who knows where he will branch off to and I'm so excited to read more of it. Hale is one of the best narrators I've had the pleasure to listen to. She is even able to make machines and AI sound real. Her talent is incredible and I hope that she continues to narrate books. If this books ending were the end to a saga or years worth of book after book after book I would be disappointed, but it isn't. This book is the beginning to an expanded universe that Paolini has just begun to tell.

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Too far in to stop

Revisado: 08-31-20

I have spent over 60hrs on this series and I cannot justify stopping no matter how many times I want to. There is a quality of character development that is only achieved through certain characters while others have been left to stew in problems they've always had. Kip is the exception. He has come so far from where he was in book 1. I love his character and he is the one I find myself returning to every time. I read in some reviews that he isn't the same Kip as when we started and they were disappointed in that aspect. To that I say "Do you even read?" that's what's supposed to happen. Whether the character is progressing forward or backwards there has to be movement of some kind.
That's where I have problems with characters such as Gavin and Karis. They are the exact same people they were in book 1. Oh they've gone through turmoil but it hasn't changed anything about them. Gavin is still entitled, horny and an absent father-figure to Kip. I really want to get behind the father-son story line. I desperately to but it's impossible for me. There is no internal conflict about it. You can have a character such as Gavin to have a hard-as-stone outward expression of emotion. That fine. The beauty of books is that we get inside the characters mind. He has zero thoughts about Kip or how he feels towards him. He gets maybe one or two thoughts and that's about it. He goes back to pining Karis or how colorless he is. He didn't feel like a broken man to me in this book and I had a hard time relating to that.
Tia is a wonderfully written character. I love her journey and she is wrought with internal conflict. I can identify with her and understand why she does what she does. Whereas Karis has the same thoughts over and over.
I liked the ending of the book. I was seriously considering ending my journey at this one but the ending left me wanting more. There's quite a twist I thought was great and I'm interested to see where the characters are going to end up because I believe now Gavin might actually have some kind of movement in his character where he is left at the end. If you're wondering like me whether this series is worth moving onto the next book I'd say "You've gotten this far."

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Good follow up

Revisado: 08-10-20

This is a good second installment to The Black Prism but I’m still waiting on that wow factor. The book was by no means bad but I kept waiting for some ah ha moment where I would be strung with love for the story. I wanted more development between Gavin and Kip which just didn’t really happen. A new character was introduced and I loved her! I can’t wait to follow her through the rest of the series. I’m hoping she’s there to stay. Gavin and Karris were really overrated in my opinion. I know Weeks is selling that romance pretty hard but it’s just not resonating for me. As soon as Karris and Gavin became an item it was as if all they ever did was live for each other. That is my opinion at least. I didn’t care for the relationship and Gavin through the entire book was just a moody horny man. It made me roll my eyes more than I wanted. Kip is great. He’s going through some real character development and I’m proud of him. It isn’t until the final battle that thing really start to ramp up and the book become worth while. I’m going to continue the series because Weeks left it so that there’s no way I can’t continue. I’m just hoping for some more character growth that I can justify reading the whole series for.

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Rainbow fantasy

Revisado: 07-30-20

This is a wonderfully entertaining book. I especially like the relationships between Kip and Gavin. I’m hoping to see more of that in the next books. The fight scenes can get a bit long and there are times when I just want the plot to move along from them but it’s not so bad. Just when I start to get tired of it they end. I like the different perspectives. Especially from the prisoner. I think those were probably my favorite ones. That characters are established here and their relationships with one another. The world is built and the rules are set so there isn’t much in the way of character development. There is some but it kinda takes a back seat to the world that is being built. It's more that the characters are in a change of scene then personality. They are traveling around but without really growing a whole lot. Not to say there isn't any character development but that Weeks seems to be setting up the characters for growth in a certain setting that will take place within the next book. There are so many secrets that each character is holding. Every single one is withholding from the other and I’m excited to see it blow up in everyone’s faces. The characters aren’t good and bad per se. There are flaws in everyone and I love that about this book. It’s a great read and if you hunting for something to fill the void Brandon Sanderson left you this is a great addition to the fantasy genre.

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Love Sharon Bolton but not my favorite

Revisado: 04-29-20

Let me begin by saying that I adore Sharon Bolton. She is by far my favorite murder/mystery author and I love reading anything she has to write. I am constantly suggesting her books to any avid murder/mystery readers. If this is your first Bolton novel then I suggest starting with her other books such as Daisy in Chains and the Lacey Flint series. Those will keep you on the edge of your seat and you'll never see the ending coming. This book has its ups and downs. I saw the ending of this novel coming by chapter 5. Had I not already read so many novels with the same plot this would be a great story. Even though this book is subpar to Boltons other work it is still an entertaining read and she does a masterful job at keep an old storyline interesting. However, since I have read her other books I have no choice but to compare this with her brilliant other stories that blow this out of the water. This book is a tale as old as time that I have read in dozens of other murder/mystery books. The entire plot is a trope that I was so desperately wishing wasn't true. The "twists" were so blatantly obvious I was sure that there was going to be some other "gotcha" moment that I know Bolton is so good at but it just didn't happen. The narrator is fantastic and really brought everything to life. I do like the way the book is structured with different perspectives. Also the story is cut in parts that leave you guessing as well which made for an interesting read. I like how she uses different points in time in the novel as well. It's very clever. I also enjoyed the setting. There is a particular character perspective that plays quite a significant role in the book that I could NOT get behind. They are completely blind and have little to no idea what they are doing the entire novel. It got the point that when the "twist" happened I was yelling in my car for the character to get on with it because they were so incompetent. The character was just plain unlikable and I know some characters are meant to be unlikeable but I don't think this one was meant to be. All in all it kept me entertained for a while and I appreciate the good things about the story even if I figured it out before it even began. I am still a die hard fan of Sharon Bolton and will never stop reading whatever she has to offer. Don't let this book stop you from reading anything else she has written. This story is not a good representation of her amazing talent as a murder/mystery author. Please check out her other work. You will not be disappointed.

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