Cyriax

This is, without a doubt, my favorite series of the year. The only story that comes close for me, though it is very different, is the Sun Eater series by Christopher Ruocchio if you would like an example of my reading tastes. Both of these series have compelled me to keep reading more than any others over the last couple years. The Riverfall Chronicles is compelling from the first line of The Wickwire Watch. As the story has progressed the depth of the characters and the world has grown. These characters now feel like family to me. The world feels like a home of sorts. Jacquelyn Hagen's story has made me feel the full range of emotions. The pacing is just right. There is action but there is also time to sit with the characters and grow to understand their motivations and connections to one another. I feel, at its heart, this is primarily a tale driven by the revelations of its mysteries, both in the world and its characters. If you are looking for a new world to get lost in, you will find none better than this one. If you are an audiobook listener, the narrator is excellent. The audiobook is my preferred way to engage with this story. I will be patiently waiting for the next installment so I can return to this home away from home again.

I also recently finished Witchy Eye by DJ Butler. I’ve seen this described as Americana flintlock. Not sure about the flintlock part because the magic does not revolve around gunpowder (which has been my experience with flintlock fantasy having only read Powder Mage). This book was a well written, interesting read and I plan to continue with the series. The world is an alternate America with some fantasy creatures and magic. Several people from American History are mentioned throughout the book with unique twists on their stories. The religion is strongly Christian based. Many of the conflicts stem from the time of the Protestant Reformation if that had been an even more divisive and bloody affair.

The narrator of the Witchy Eye audiobook wields several different accents masterfully to my ears. Her male voices are also very well done. Some things like saying “bang” nearly everytime a shot is fired (also written this way so can’t fault the narrator) was a bit annoying but easy to overlook with the excellent overall performance.

This book was fascinating. On the surface this doesn’t seem like a book I would like. The Grace of Kings has been described as a history book setting up the rest of the series. I have not read the rest of the series but this feels right. There are good characters but I felt a bit distanced from them, kind of like a history book. This lack of connection to the characters would normally move me away from a book, but I was prepared for this and felt compelled to read this book. I really enjoyed the plot and the ideas being examined. The characters arcs were also very interesting. If Ken Liu can keep me interested in a history of the world he has created, I’m excited to see what he can do with the next books in the series.

This book has some of the best characters and battle scenes I have ever read. I wanted to read this book whenever I had a chance. Malazan continues to deeply explore its themes with well written characters, action, and humor. It was a joy to see the story from the previous five books start to come together. 

It was fun to be reading Kristoff again. His books are fun but there is an unexpected depth and darkness to them that make them more than just a fun romp. Gabriel is an interesting character and the supporting cast was also well realized in this one. Gabriel’s sword was unexpected. I really enjoy Kristoff’s humor but if you don’t like sarcasm or inventive curses you may have issues with it. This is a well told story with a medium to fast pace that made the pages fly by. I look forward to the sequel.