The way I wanted to tag this book under love triangles...
Because Kaladin needs Shallan to balance out his angsty sadness and Shallan needs Kaladin to The way I wanted to tag this book under love triangles...
Because Kaladin needs Shallan to balance out his angsty sadness and Shallan needs Kaladin to balance out her naive optimism...but then I also love my himbo Adolin...this is totally not the point of this book.
If I thought I loved the first book, then I am swearing myself to this book for all time and eternity. While the last one reached its stride (of making me panic consistently while reading) at about page 600, this one reached panic level excitement at page 400 (so 25% of the way through...)
And, because I can't NOT put it in here:
"Honour is dead, but I'll see what I can do."
Captain Kaladin, MY LOVE. Don't even get me started on the mic drop moment in the duel. I screamed so loudly I had to explain the entire plot of the book to my mom so she could properly understand why I was freaking out while hallucinating over dead trees. (I'm sure she appreciated it)
This book wrecked me, I'm not going to give any more coherent thoughts. Enjoy my panic xx...more
Me: Knows everyone loves this book and it changes the entire fantasy genre for them
Me: Shocked when I love this book and it changes the entire fantasyMe: Knows everyone loves this book and it changes the entire fantasy genre for them
Me: Shocked when I love this book and it changes the entire fantasy genre for me
Not to be, every other reviewer ever, but you really don't need to be intimidated by the size of this book. While this book is DENSE, with the most truly unique entire world I have ever read, Sanderson walks you through it. It also helps that you follow three different perspectives, with separate plots (at least in this first book), so it really isn't too hard to follow.
The complexity in this world is crazy. It has always upset me that fantasy worlds have two different societies, max. Roshar has detailed descriptions of the culture of SEVEN different kinds of people in this book (and a few more mentioned). Something I've been pondering is also the gender divide in this world. Men are for fighting, woman are for science and writing. And like...why didn't our world evolve like this? I mean obviously NOW it's good everyone can do both, but does this not make more sense?? Gender studies: Brandon Sanderson edition.
Kaladin is my favourite character of all time now. I could write an essay on a character study of him, and his actions. Him winning over bridge four...tears. Dalinar and Shallan were amazing too, there was no perspective that lulled at all. People who don't like Shallan? Do you want to say you are sexist or...? She is literally the only main character who can read, that is a different kind of power.
Sad a six book series (where the first 5 got 5 stars, ended with this) Author tried to do so much and it floppeddddd. If this story hadn't been put on Sad a six book series (where the first 5 got 5 stars, ended with this) Author tried to do so much and it floppeddddd. If this story hadn't been put on a god scale, everything would have been okay. Alas. One final ranking: 1)Gryphon 2)Gabe 3)Nox 4)Atlas 5)North...more
For one of the most renowned fantasy novels of all time this had a surprisingly large teenage love triangle with brothers.
I absolutely love having a cFor one of the most renowned fantasy novels of all time this had a surprisingly large teenage love triangle with brothers.
I absolutely love having a controversial opinion on books. Usually, it's me hating something beloved, but this time, I join the minority in thinking The Well of Ascension is actually better than The Final Empire. This book is for sure more political, which seems to everyone's main complaint, but I appreciated that for the tension it created throughout the story. I also disagree that this book is at all slow, this book had some great action throughout.
This book also has a lot more deep dives into characters. Elend and Vin...but then Zane? What in the teenage angst was that? (Not complaining) But also Sazed and Tindwyl? Their trauma... But also the whole crew? *sobs* Oh and the kandra? I'll admit, I saw that coming, but it still hurt! When Vin accidentally tortured him? I literally started crying in church (everyone assumed I was moved spiritually and not secretly reading a book) I really hope we see more from him in the next book.
This book worked on every level. We had the characters you loved. We had the four entire armies with all of their different motives and fighting capabilities. We also had the Well, giving this story a feeling of cosmic importance. And what the heck happens now?!...more
Me: *reads one of the most loved fantasy books of all time* Also me: *Shocked that I loved this book*
I'm very new to the adult epic fantasy space (I woMe: *reads one of the most loved fantasy books of all time* Also me: *Shocked that I loved this book*
I'm very new to the adult epic fantasy space (I woke up one day and realised I just couldn't with anymore whiny YA fantasy books) and I thought: Why not start with THE biggest adult fantasy author? Ambitious, I am.
I'll admit, I was scared to start this. Surely, a work influential to fantasy would be dense and overwhelming? LIES! This book was surprisingly approachable.
We follow Kelsier and his crew as they try to start a rebellion...against a 'god'. You instantly love all the characters (Vin and Sazed especially) and the banter between everyone helps in the beginning when all of the (very cool) magic and plans are being explained.
Despite being over 600 pages, this book never feels slow. Yes, we have 10+ page scenes of just plotting, and I found all of them fascinating. I feel a main difference between the scope of ya and adult fantasy in rebellion stories is how active a part the MC's play in the story. All of these characters have to work to achieve things, and sometimes (a lot of the time) things don't work out. Books with consequences always hit me in the feels.
Books with nuance also always hit me, and this one has that in spades. Through Vin's character ARC, we get to see that the nobles and skaa might have bigger issues than each other, and more similarities as well. You can also imagine my shock that this contained any kind of romance! Elend has my heart and Brandon Sanderson has my appreciation for showing a strong, smart female character that both likes a boy, and is not held back by him. I also appreciate the nuance of Kelsier's character. I feel Sanderson accomplished what Frank Herbert attempted with Paul Atreides, in turning his hero into an overpowered self proclaimed prophet. Still, I loved him with all my heart and his fatherly relationship with Vin...I can't. My wee heart.
My favourite small element of this book was all the religious influences. I actually share the religion of Sanderson, and was wondering if I would see any similarities in the fantasy religious of this world. I was not disappointed at all. The idea of prophets just being men, but the hope they inspire being the true foundation of religion truly awed me. I would be asking Sazed to suggest religions to me every time I got.
The steady building of this plot completely gripped me. Everything builds up into mind-blowing, betrayal and reveal filled conclusion that shocked me in its sadness. While I suppose you could be happy to leave this world after the end of this first book, I simply could not think about abandoning these characters....more
How to rate a book I seriously considered DNFing three times, but also loved at other points?
Welcome to the world of Sern, home to humans, witches andHow to rate a book I seriously considered DNFing three times, but also loved at other points?
Welcome to the world of Sern, home to humans, witches and vampiric elves; and invaded by the worm people from the sky. We follow a whole bunch of characters doing...well that still isn't clear even after finishing the book.
Hence 1st time I almost DNF'ed (25%). At the start, we are thrown well into the deep end, with nothing explained. We meet a bunch of different characters (Tor and Hest are my favourites, I love vampires in every world apparently) and by the 25% the 3 main POV's have all met. At the start, I didn't mind not knowing the direction of the story, but by a quarter in (to a 500+ page book) I feel you should know where the plot is going.
The reason I kept going was only because of the relationship dynamic between Tor and Noon. I really hesitate to drop the 'enemies to lovers' bomb, because do NOT go into this book expecting a tension filled romance, but there was definitely a smidgen with them. His race killed her's to drink their blood...she is an escaped criminal with crazy powers, you know, the good stuff. It wasn't at all a focus but it kept me going when the plot was non existent.
Now the second place I almost DNF'ed. (40%) By the 40% mark, we finally see the direction of the story. People all over the planet are having these prophetic dreams that the worm people are coming back. So, a war story? I'm down, let's do it...except then we get a plot twist and that upends the suspected reason for the dreams. I was m-a-d! We once again lost direction for the story.
What kept me going was the fact the plot twist had to do with Hestillion. She was my favourite. Yes, it meant I didn't know where the book was going, but we got more Hest time and I loved that conniving little tree-god fanatic.
After that I actually got pretty into this book. We got some action, everything was happening faster and I actually almost cried when (view spoiler)[Tor got his face burned. Yes, he didn't DIE but it was so important to his character and the foreshadowing was just so good and then Noon took care of him and...I'm rambling. (hide spoiler)]
Then came the last time I almost DNF'ed (85%) It might seem ridiculous to DNF a book so close to the end, but it occurred to me that not only did I still have almost 100 pages to go, but I STILL DIDN'T KNOW WHAT THE PLOT WAS! Over 400 pages in and we are just watching characters wonder about.
The only reason I kept going was because I'm a bit evil and was excited to see things blow up in Hest's face. It was like waiting for the third act breakup in a rom-com. And it did NOT disappoint! By the end of this book, I was SOLD! I finally know where the series is going, we have a plot set up for the next book, and the foreshadowing in this one all came together.
I think I would have enjoyed this book more if there was less of it, but now that I'm into this series, I'm invested and definitely want to keep going. Recommend if you have the perseverance of a stalker. ...more
I wonder how upset people are when they see that rating?
Now, some backstory: I had no desire to read this book. I knew it existed, and every2.75 stars
I wonder how upset people are when they see that rating?
Now, some backstory: I had no desire to read this book. I knew it existed, and everyone loved it, but I have a rule. I will read or watch anything, but NOT WW1/2 fiction. I don't know exactly why, it's just overdone and I don't feel the emotions I'm meant to feel. So why I read this? Well, I read What the River Knows by Isabel Ibañez. I hated it, btw. But while I was trudging through that disaster, I thought it seemed to be a similar book to this. Then I found out that these books are actually dedicated to each other's author and thought "Hey, I hated this one, why not read another book I'll probably hate?" Apparently I enjoy pain?
I will say, this was definitely better than WTRK. We are in third person, have a setting I can actually feel and characters who don't make me want to hop into the book and slap them. In all honestly, I can't really fault this book for anything in particular. I suppose I just don't feel any type of way about it (my issue with all world war media) I did have a few issues with the romance. Don't get me wrong, I liked the letters and hidden identities, I just felt it was all rushed so that the ending could have more impact. Obviously, it did not work for me.
I know the most common complaint of this book is why throw in magic into an obviously WW1 story, but honestly I didn't mind it too much. It reached an audience that would not have read it without it, and I never object to dragons. An issue with a trope I do have, though, is the 'enemies to lovers'. If this book was released 20 years ago, it would have been mutual pining and thinking the other person would never like you. Instead we got very lack-lustre 'enemies'...even though within like the first chapter she was offering to buy him a sandwich? Once we got over that, the romance was better, I suppose.
All in all, not a bad book, just one I don't think I will ever think of again. Maybe I'll read the sequel? ...more
This is my new fave book couple ever. Did you know your characters can still have sexual tension, while also being in a safe, secure relationship? I suThis is my new fave book couple ever. Did you know your characters can still have sexual tension, while also being in a safe, secure relationship? I sure didn't, but Nalini Singh has shown me the way. This book has all the drama, all the twists, but the whole time Elena knew her archangel would kiss it better at the end of the day.
And I swear this is the last book in this series where I will mention SJM, (it totally won't be, but my message is that these books are ABOVE all that) but I will say, if Nalini Singh had it in her heart to sue...I think she would win. But, for any readers who want something similar to that SJM hit, this is a healing journey to rival Nesta's.
Note: ignore synopsis on this book; everything described literally happens after the 85% mark, the rest of this book is healing with a little murder mystery. ...more
Dystopian treasure island retelling? HECK YEAH! This feels like a crossover of the Disney movies Treasure Planet and Atlantis, and I was here for it! Dystopian treasure island retelling? HECK YEAH! This feels like a crossover of the Disney movies Treasure Planet and Atlantis, and I was here for it! (Also recommend if you loved Tanvi Berwah's books, especially Somewhere in the Deep)
We follow our MC Jin, who follows her headstrong young sister on a quest to find treasure in the now sunk city of Vegas. We meet pirates, and giant sea monsters, and one annoyingly cute ex boyfriend along the way.
I'd say the pace was good, the plot was excellent, but the characters and writing needed a little work. I don't think the characters ages made sense. The younger sister was only 14 and pretending like she had the right to make decisions and talked like a 40 year old (I get why Jin was annoyed) Aging everyone by just three years would solve this problem. Other than that, I did actually enjoy all the different personalities. Fleshed out enough for a quest story, but not any side plots that took away from a really fun ride.
The writing will need a little more work (why the constant brackets?!) It was like breaking the fourth wall and took me out of the story for no reason. Literally all of them could either be made with a comma or just removed. I'm sure this will improve in this authors next books to come.
All in all a really fun little book, and I'll be looking out for this author's next work!...more
I know this author has a thing with her books being mind numbingly boring for a good 700 pages or so before the last 100 being The most MID SJM book?
I know this author has a thing with her books being mind numbingly boring for a good 700 pages or so before the last 100 being fantastic, but this one was actually a lil' different. For once, this book actually had action littered all the way through! (Though I will say it took me OUT of a big fight scene when a character had to use their phone flashlight to guide the way like...he he he) The problem I had with this, was actually the lack of Hugh climactic fight scene at the end of this book. Usually, a book is leading to something. Maybe a ball, a political meeting, SOMETHING. But in this book the big 'event' was something they decided to do 20 pages before. I just wasn't invested in the stakes.
And this could totally just be me, but...when the supervillain plan was revealed...was anyone else okay with it? Like, isnt that low-key what plants do to us currently?...more
You guys will not understand my excitement over finding this book. <> Last day visiting my family in America. Need to use my Barnes and Noble EEEEEEEE.
You guys will not understand my excitement over finding this book. <> Last day visiting my family in America. Need to use my Barnes and Noble voucher but only have 10 minutes in the store. Stumble upon the sequel book to my favourite read of the year before...FIVE DAYS BEFORE ITS SET RELEASE!! I don't know how this happened, how this one copy got onto the shelves early, but I GRABBED it. You can imagine how much more fun the plane ride was with this precious thing with me.
I don't think anyone sets the tone like Tanvi Berwah. Creepy cave travel? I could practically feel the water dripping above me, hear the clicking sounds of nearing monsters-AH I'M GIVING MYSELF THE HEEBIE JEEBIES! And no one writes action scenes like this author either! I will say, I think this book toned down the amount of action just a little from the first one, but it added a lot of plot. A lot of interesting plot, I might add. And don't get me started on the actually YA appropriate romance! It was just a sprinkling, but I am so so here for friends-to-lovers. I know we all love a little knife to the throat scene, but your childhood best friend diving into a suicide mission just to be with you? Hits a lil different.
I can honestly say I have no idea where this world/ series is taking me. I have a feeling the MC's from the first and second books might interact in the next one? But who knows. I am here for it alllllll....more
Sometimes I'm enjoying reading books and then read something so life changingly good that I want to go knock a star off of every other book I've read Sometimes I'm enjoying reading books and then read something so life changingly good that I want to go knock a star off of every other book I've read recently, because NOTHING could hold a candle to this. This is how I feel about All This Twisted Glory.
A quick warning: This is NOT the conclusion to a trilogy, as originally advertised. Did we really think Miss Mafi was capable of JUST writing a trilogy? Oh honey, how naive of you. But I am definitely not complaining.
This book is beautiful, period. The characters, the writing, the world. Reading this feels self indulgent in the best way. I suppose reading anything for fun is self indulgent, but this just feels special.
I'll admit, when I sat down to read this I was disappointed that I couldn't remember anything from the second book, even though I could remember the plot of the first. So I checked my review of the second book, and a quote: "Nothing happened at all in the plot but I still loved every second of it." So, my friends, it wasn't that I forgot the plot of the second, it just didn't exist.
I'd say this book has marginally more plot? But honestly, this is one of the rare cases where I don't care. I think this book is a good palette cleanser for any reader who thinks "high fantasy, low stakes" is a bit too low stakes, but can't deal with any emotional turmoil right now.
Now Cyrus? I didn't realise until it was mentioned in this book, but they didn't kiss once in the last book?! THIS IS ALL JUST YEARNING??? My heartttttt. A prime exactly that books don't have to be spicy to give the romance hit you want. And can we just give Mafi a pat on the back for not using the miscommunication trope? There was SUCH an opportunity and she avoided it! This series just keeps getting better, and even if it becomes trash, I'm trash for Cyrus so it's okay....more
Oooh my favourite one by this author yet! Officially gained an auto-buy author!
It's always daunting when you read an authors backlist and then get to Oooh my favourite one by this author yet! Officially gained an auto-buy author!
It's always daunting when you read an authors backlist and then get to their recent release. What if it sucks? What if it ruins the author? I had no need to be concerned. Farook took her tales of childhood whimsy and nature and added the threat of DROWNING (basically like Avatar 2) and made it AWESOME! Best characters, best plot, best animal, best villain. Read in one sitting and no regrets....more
I think I get to be the first person EVER to like this book LESS than the first one. Not that I need to be special or anything *hair tuck*
The unfortunI think I get to be the first person EVER to like this book LESS than the first one. Not that I need to be special or anything *hair tuck*
The unfortunate thing is that this book overcame the one thing I disliked from the first book...but I didn't like it. My thing with the last book was that it felt like the wrong place to introduce the world, because it was disconnected from the politics of the real world. This book was in the real world, but was wayyyy too slow because of it. Other than the first 100 pages and the last 50 (plus the scene in the (view spoiler)[ mines with Darrow's mom ) :( (hide spoiler)] this book was pretty slow. I saw the twist coming miles away (honestly think Darrow did too)
Still, the end was very emotionally frazzling so ofc I will read the sequel. I do like feeling special though...and I'm SO ready for the comeback!...more
Y'all. I totally just joined the Red Rising cult fandom.
This...this was wild. I have too many opinions for this to be coherent, so instead I shall l Y'all. I totally just joined the Red Rising cult fandom.
This...this was wild. I have too many opinions for this to be coherent, so instead I shall launch an attack on all the bad reviews of this book. Usually, I accept criticisms on books I personally enjoy, because everyones thoughts are valid, but... Not this time.
1. This is a Hunger Games rip off. Honestly, I wouldn't care if it was. Literature keeps getting better because there is more to build off of (suck it classics!). Everything is a copy of something. We go back far enough and we find everything was stolen from some sort of ancient holy text. And, I laugh when people use HG as the OG when Battle Royal is RIGHT THERE! But when you dig deeper, this book is still an individual plot. No one gets a monopoly on children murdering each other! And, this book was just a launch point for this series. This is the origin story for a main character I can see becoming a living legend. HG was a neat idea that got spread into three books and then 4 movies. This series has so much more to offer than a few brutal murders (though, those were really awesome too)
2. No strong female characters. *sigh* Not people showing their sexism. Can you only be strong if you can physically dominate? Because I'm pretty sure Mustang's brain could run circles around any male's. Pretty sure Antonia is more cunning than your average street criminal. Pretty sure Eo is much braver than anyone you know. A huge part of this series is that everything comes down to power, NOT strength, so, get with the program y'all.
3. Derivative caste system. Imagine saying something based on a real thing was derivative. Caste systems are still a thing today, this author just took it and added genetic enhancements!
4. Sexual assault is used too often as a plot point. Well, it's often used too much (any is too much to be clear) in real life and this whole thing is means to be a study on human nature so...
I would love to insert a gif from HIMYM here with Marshal saying LAWYERED, cause that is how you should feel.
Now, while I defend the book on all of those points, I still did have a little, teensy issue. As I said, this series has much more to offer than child murder. So while for enjoyment, writing ( a feat saying this was first person), plot and characters this was all perfect, I do think this was an odd place to start Darrow's journey. It is disconnected from the real world and doesn't further the rebellion plot. So while I'm not sure it does its job as an intro to the politics and world of this series, it is still one darn good ride.
Now join our cult fandom and experience this awesomeness!...more
Y'all I KNEW there was a reason I didn't give Tiger At Midnight 5 stars! It was close, but I KNEW. And that is because this sequel is in no way worth Y'all I KNEW there was a reason I didn't give Tiger At Midnight 5 stars! It was close, but I KNEW. And that is because this sequel is in no way worth 5 stars. *pause for confusion...don't you mean you were saving your 5 star for this one?* No, no I don't. I believe a book in a series is only 5 stars if it delivers in both enjoyment, but also execution as whatever book number in that series. TAM was awesome, but it did not expand this world quick enough for where this one went. I will say, I did still quite enjoy this. One of the few trilogies that has a proper plot and not a neat idea that was stretched into a trilogy that will eventually be stretched into 4 movies. And at no point in this book was I bored; but, it would also occur to me that, for such intense political intrigue, not much was happening? Esha and Kunal are goalsssssss! I didn't know what to expect once the enemies portion of their act was over, but it definitely wasn't open communication with well handled disagreements and open love? Is YA even allowed to do that? Though, while I loved their relationship, I hated chapters where they were together. It would just between perspectives, and while it was in 3-rd person so not as jarring, I felt like I had whiplash. Credit where it's due; the author gave them different clear writing styles, but it didn't help to jump between them. Still here for this series and can't wait for the finale, even if the twists were a little less shocking and a lot more eye roll inducing....more
The reason I read this whole series was because everyone said this book ruined the series in a way I thought sounded good. I'm not sure that makes sensThe reason I read this whole series was because everyone said this book ruined the series in a way I thought sounded good. I'm not sure that makes sense, so here we go: This book is the world expander. We go from one, first person POV to multi, third person POV (in present tense which is...a choice) and follow many side characters getting fleshed out plot lines. And I was confused why everyone was quitting this series because of that! But...errr...I might get it now. I wanna make one thing clear, though! The idea is good, gimme the full side character story arcs! But the execution was all wrong. The first TWO HUNDRED pages of this book are set up. If this book was a movie, it would have been quick flashes of all the characters doing their own thing, but because it was a book it was about 20 chapters all following a different character starting their own, individual journey's (including love triangles, forbidden romances, enemies to lovers). I wouldn't have even minded if we had returned to the characters, but instead I just kept forgetting what anyone was doing when they reappeared at page 400 (more on that later) Then we have the middle two hundred pages. We go back to first person with our main girl Elloren and basically limit the world to what it was in the first two books. I'm not sure why her chapters weren't just put in-between all the set up for other characters, because it was jarring to jump from the beginning of many stories into the meaty middle of another just in the middle of a book. And then the last two hundred pages finally circled back to the characters we followed in the first third of this book! I don't even remember who you are, let alone the intense peril you were in before the author forgot about you for another 200 pages!
I think this author is trying to expand this world through the characters, but she really needs to up the plot too. I still enjoyed her writing and all the individual stories, but I'm ready for them to all come together in a big way....more
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