Cyriax

This story was captivating. The number of challenges the author had to endure was remarkable. This story includes her victories and her failures while revealing the manipulation of truth and social aspects of North Korean culture. There are also some insights into how the Chinese and other cultures treated North Koreans. It feels like you are more of an observer than a participant in this story. This is probably partially due to the author growing up in a place where you are scared of everyone. She could not let her secrets be known so she had to remain distanced for others. This is a very thought provoking journey.

This was an enjoyable book but the switch from the current time narrative to the past narrative was a bit jarring at times. Eska is a very good character. I plan to follow her story into the next book but I wouldn’t say she is a character I love. Frankly, I don’t think Eska would be surprised by that either :)

This is an excellent set of four connected fantasy stories. The authors are able to get you care about the characters quickly. The world is very interesting and has a Grimm’s fairy tale kind of feel. It was very interesting seeing how they connected each story while showing you a broader view of the world. I would highly recommend this as a quick read between bigger fantasy books.

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 was a very fun book. The characters are well written. I enjoyed the humor and was surprised by the heart of the story. The main character had excellent depth and some of the side characters were well fleshed out as well. The action was well written with a good amount of time between action sequences to get to know the characters. The narrator of the audiobook was excellent as well.

Just finished Hills of Heather and Bone by K.E. Andrews. Wow! This book slowly slipped under my skin and grabbed hold of my heart. This is not my usual type of read but I became transfixed by it after about chapter four. This book has the most realistic feeling spousal relationship I have read. The fantasy elements were also very well done as they were slowly revealed. I will be buying a copy of the hardcover to add to my collection so my wife can read it as well. This will not be the last book I read by K.E. Andrews.

This book grabs you from the first sentence:

“Had Mr. Bash known this was the night he was going to die, he would have stayed at home.”

This book just keeps getting better from there. We are given an inconspicuous introduction to the main character in the second chapter with the world and the plot being steadily revealed as the story progresses. The pacing is excellent with several action scenes followed by downtime in between to explore and deepen the characters along with the world. I don't want to spoil any of the story. Do yourself a favor and at least download the sample. Jacquelyn Hagen is a wonderful new author. Give her the chance to envelop you in her world. You won't be sorry.

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.

Excellent book that I feel is the best in the series so far, though that may be recency bias. Pierce Brown ramps the pacing back up to Golden Son level along with much needed “breathing time” to get more character interactions as well. I'm kind of sad I finished and need to wait for Red God now. Might be a good excuse for another re-read of the series before the last book comes out though. 

This was a very engaging story with wonderful character work and very even pacing. The characters are well developed. Even the side characters feel like real people with all the messiness that comes with that. Some difficult things happen but the author never wallows in it and nothing is there for shock factor. Looking back on it, everything serves the story. There is a purpose to everything that happens to the point where I plan to listen to the audiobook when it releases so I can experience it again. 

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.

Another excellent book by Jacquelyn Hagen. This book expands the world and the depth of the characters in very satisfying ways. Inkwell continues to be a complex and mysterious protagonist. I can't wait to listen to the next book so I can spend more time with these characters in this interesting world. 

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.

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. 

I find the characters interesting but I don't reallly like any of them. Spending all of one book with POV'S I did not care for and now, halfway through ADWD if find myself asking, what's the point, what are we working toward? I feel like whoever gains the iron throne won't change Westeros for the better. I'm also sick of the poor treatment of women and placing scenes of rape in the background of several scenes. Probably won't re-read this series. I'm honestly kind of sad I can't join the ASOIAF fan club, but that's how I feel right now.