BiblioTheory
The Rise of Endymion was a great conclusion to the Hyperion Cantos. Action packed adventure with multiple POVs that provide unique context and perspective on the events occurring in the galaxy.
Loved how the original pilgrims in the first Hyperion Cantos entry still had a presence in the continuation of this story.
RoE had moments of expansive space battles, national treasure type crypt discoveries, robot AI hand to hand fights, and mysteries upon mysteries spread throughout the whole Cantos where you actually get answers to questions from all the books.
Great series that I recommend to anyone who even slightly enjoys the sci-fi genre.
“Choose again”
HANDS DOWN one of the best prologues I've ever read!
The Sealed Empire not only has a visually striking cover but also a very compelling story that really had me guessing to the very end.
I loved the completely unexpected combination of fantasy and sci-fi elements.
Pros
1. Action packed
2. Gripping prologue
3. Interwoven elements of fantasy and sci-fi
4. Mystery, the end was mind bending
5. Cyber leviathan monsters!
Also, I am pretty sure Zsivicz loves the letter “E” because so many character names began with “E” that it got slightly confusing. However, after finishing the book I am pretty sure it was on purpose.. I think.
Overall, a very fun read and I am excited to read more stories within the Sealed Empire universe.
3.3 ⭐s!!
Ambitious Potential!
I really enjoyed my read through of Empty Palace and saw a ton of redeeming qualities with a few issues that held it back for me.
For my full video review, check it out here
https://youtu.be/Kx85PtU1G_I
4.5 ⭐s!
This book is filled to the brim with Cyberpunk 2077 goodness. Fast paced story with a compelling plot that keeps you interested from beginning to end.
For my full video review, check it out here.
https://youtu.be/lYUxDpSD8NA
I really enjoyed the Great Gatsby movie so I wanted to check out the book and read Fitzgerald for the first time.
I can now see that the movie did a great job adapting this less than 200 page book. The story was very atmospheric and descriptive. Fitzgerald continually makes you question the idea of the American Dream and if it's truly attainable.
We're all reaching out for our green light at the end of the dock.
From John Wick to the Terminator, this story is full of adventure and mystery while building on the original pilgrims stories from 270 years in the past.
Really enjoyed this book and am excited to dive into the final Hyperion chapter.
A Song of Ice and Fire continues to be an epic story of politics, action, and mystery.
In this book, I really enjoyed getting closer into the minds of Jaime and Cersei.
Only thing that holds this book down slightly is the absence of big POVs that I know will be covered in the next book.
I also loved getting deeper into the world of the Iron Isles with the Kingsmoot.
“How much can a crown be worth, when a crow can dine upon a king?”
I enjoyed some of the ideas and concepts presented in this book but I could not connect with the characters or story.
Might have to try this one out again at a later time as I loved Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep.
Vampires, ghosts, and demons all wrapped up into a fun and exhilarating story. Always a blast diving into the wizarding world of a different Harry.
I came into this book right after finishing the Apple TV adaptation as the show was compelling, mysterious, intense and had a unique story.
I found many of these same qualities in Wool but ultimately enjoyed the show more even though only half the book was covered.
The book came across as less intense and mysterious at least in the first half of what the show covered.
Overall though, I really enjoyed my read and want to continue with the series.
Positives
1. Prose - really great descriptions of events and ideas that read very well
2. Mystery - why the heck was this Silo built??
3. Multiple POVs - loved being in the mind of multiple characters, especially Bernard
Also, the people in this Silo gotta be fit with all the stairs right?
Way of Kings re-read was a 5 ⭐ experience.
Amazing character development, interesting & compelling plot, and exciting action scenes that keeps you on the edge of your seat.
The destination of the Stormlight Archives series might be unknown but I'm certainly enjoying the journey.
Fractal Noise was 3.5 ⭐s for me. Loved diving back into the world of the Fractalverse.
This story gave me a sense of dread and anxiety about the story's past and unknown of the future for our characters.
The inner dialogue of the main character was hard to read in a good way as it dealt with real world issues of deep loss and existential pain.
THUD
4.4 ⭐s!!
Where the Crawdads Sing is a fantastic book about the struggles and survival of being abandoned with a touch of murder mystery.
For my full review, check it out at
https://youtu.be/vaGVYG2ovm8
This series just continued to be better and better. Action packed with characters you become fully invested in. Twists and turns all the way to the last couple chapters.
One of the best fantasy books I've read.
ASoS is full of twists and turns while continually building out each character where you are fully invested into their story.
Even though I watched the HBO show first, GRRM had me guessing at what was to come next.
An intense 86 pages that quickly brings you into the world of The Bound and the Broken.
Ready to dive into the first novel! Also, where can I get my own Soulblade?
4.5⭐s. The Will of the Many was a fantastic start to the Hierarchy series.
I really enjoyed the world building, academy setting, and magic system. Fun action scenes with humor and mystery intermixed within plots upon plots upon plots.
From my previous read of the Licanious Trilogy, I know Islington is preparing us for some mind bending twists down the line. I'm here for it and ready for the next installment.
Stronger Together
Really enjoyed this introduction into the world of Epheria. Fast paced action alongside slow burn world building.
I feel like we barely touched the surface of this world as there is so much more to explore.
Will definitely be continuing the series.
2023 re-read 5⭐s!
One of the best fantasy books ever written.
Words of Radiance continues to build on the already great first entry of the Stormlight Archives.
Action, politics, humor, drama. This book has all these elements and more.
Even with this book being 1000+ pages, it reads so quickly as you do not want to stop.
Ready to dive into the next book for another re-read.
“Words are where most change begins.”
4 ⭐s! Elder Race was short but overall a fun read packed with elements of fantasy, sci-fi, and existentialism.
I really enjoyed the differing POVs on how language and said words are interpreted based on the varying levels of understanding.
I went into this book thinking it would be more sci-fi focused but was happily surprised by the quick blend of both fantasy and science.
To anyone who doesn't fully understand technology, it can be easily perceived as magic.
With this being my first Tchaikovsky read, I will definitely be diving into more of his work.
“This is nothing but a tower, and I am nothing but a scientist of sufficiently advanced technology, which is to say a magician.”