"This is the tale of Blatant Barm, the Unwashed Bandit. Baddest, meanest, stinkiest bandit."
How do I ma
It’s a good day to get punched.
"This is the tale of Blatant Barm, the Unwashed Bandit. Baddest, meanest, stinkiest bandit."
How do I make a spoiler-free review of this while holding back everything I feel right now? It would be a daunting task for every reader of The Lost Metal, especially if you’d fallen in love with these amazing characters…
"Wait. Who is Trell and who is Autonomy and who is that on the steps?"
The 5-star rating says a lot but it doesn’t say it all. For one thing, though I gave both five stars, The Lost Metal easily replaced The Bands of Mourning as the best entry of Era 2, and possibly the best of the entire Mistborn series. While Hero of the Ages had a more complex and thrilling plot, I had come to love the characters of the new era a lot more. They all shared a perfect combination of habitability, believability and complexity.
”I’m a bastion of useful information, I am.”
Just to make the review complete, I’ll repeat this line once more, but without much elaboration to keep the review concise: this is world building, character development, magical systems, mystery and adventure at their best, while also nicely complemented by humor and suspense. Once you’ve read The Lost Metal, it would not be surprising to find most other books lacking in at least one of these elements.
Kim: "What do you add to the team?" Wayne: ”Comic relief. Maybe a little whimsy. Improvisation. Vision.” Kim: ”You have a broad imagination, then?” Wayne: ”There are broads in my imagination almost all the time.”
It may have not been that clear going from one entry to the next, but looking all the way back at The Final Empire, Sanderson’s character development has come a long way. True, it was amazing even at that first Mistborn book, but he kept outdoing himself with each book, setting new standards for what is accepted as perfect.
”It’s hard to know what you want. We never have all the information. We merely have to do what we can with what we have.”
Making an ending realistic always comes with the conundrum of dishing out a balanced amount of happiness and disappointment. Though I wanted to say I hated the way few things ended, it would not have left such a profound impact had it been handled differently. I’ll stop at saying that the author gave us a beautiful ending.
”It was hard to tell with Wayne. At times he seemed deeply insightful. He inevitably ruined that. ”
As I mentioned before, this was a tough review to write… It was a shocking ending, which took me quite a bit of time to recover and get my thoughts in order. So, I’m keeping this review as a work in progress, and hoping to give it a much better revision during a future re-read.
"You are whatever you want to be, Wayne. You’re the wind. You’re the stars. You are all endless things."
And so ends what had been a remarkable Era 2… It is obviously heartbreaking, having to say goodbye to all these wonderful characters, but the prospect of anticipating an even better era 3 makes up for it, at least a little.
Farewell, my friend. You incredible rusting man. Thank you.
With that, he stretched into another palace, into another time. He stretched into the wind. And also into the stars. And all endless things.
The Richest Man in Babylon is one of those books that has been on my TBR forever. The only reason I"Wealth that comes quickly goeth the same way."
The Richest Man in Babylon is one of those books that has been on my TBR forever. The only reason I finally picked this up was to catchup with my non-fiction reading goals. Turns out, this is actually a fantastic read!
"No man's family can fully enjoy life unless they do have a plot of ground wherein children can play in the clean earth."
The Riches Man in Babylon is of those books like Alchemist: A simple story is being narrated with the aim of delivering a strong underlying idea (but unlike Alchemist, there's no multiple interpretations here). And that underlying concept here is the basic financial management. While it might seem too simple to warrant writing an entire book about it, I think this would be a nice eye-opener for many.
The core principle moves around each person paying himself/ herself at least one tenth of monthly earnings as a means to ensure future happiness. Again, though it might seem trivial, the author's subtle way of drawing the reader's attention towards the importance and methodologies are very effective in my opinion.
"Thy desires must be strong and definite. General desires are but weak longings."
This is a very short book. And give how short it is, I cannot help but recommend that this should be read by everyone, irrespective of the reading preferences. The little time you invest will leave you with some messages worth remembering throughout entire life!
"Opportunity waits for no man. Today it is here; soon it is gone. Therefore, delay not!"...more
Wow! I did hope for the hype to be real with Six of Crows but this is incredible! Everything about this book was awesome: p"The deal is the deal."
Wow! I did hope for the hype to be real with Six of Crows but this is incredible! Everything about this book was awesome: plot, characters, world-building, writing. I'm having a hard time imagining Six of Crows ever getting a critical review from a reader of any taste. The never ending scheming of Kaz Brekker, supported by the most unique crew imaginable, unfolds one of the most entertaining and original stories I've ever read.
"Kaz Brekker didn't need a reason."
The plot begins in a somewhat confusing manner (at least for me, as I haven't read S&B Trilogy), and it does take a couple of chapters to put everything in place. But once beyond that, there aren't any more slow-moving parts in this 'well-oiled-machine'. The exhilarating story is full of suspense and mind-numbing plot twists right till the end. There's also a nice bit of magic, complemented with a little darker atmosphere to make things even more entertaining. The set of characters consists of some of the best I've ever come across, each contributing their own diverse and interesting fictional traits to help move along the plot. Irrespective of their shady morals, you are going to love all of them.
"Pride is a perilous thing."
Bardugo's world building is delightful. I didn't know that Shadow and Bone series shared the same world (which probably would've helped make an even more complete world), but it didn't feel like I'm missing out on anything. Everything's put in place using a seemingly simple but thoroughly enjoyable manner. It's the simple, yet quite impactful narrative that helps visualize everything beautifully.
"That's what he wants, not what he needs. Leverage is all about knowing the difference."
And the writing... It is so good... Rowling good... Took me only a couple of pages to fall in love with the smooth narrative and I devoured every sentence. The intentional gaps in narrative are anxiety-causing at times, but things did fall in to place in a most satisfying way later on. The use of humor is subtle most of the time, but well handled overall to complement the setting of the plot. However, it was a bit cruel to leave things off with that ending cliffhanger but I hope everything will come together in the second book.
"You have to know where you want to go before you get there."
I'm no longer surprised that this being an all-time-favorite of so many readers. It certainly made it to mine. Cannot wait to start Crooked Kingdom...
"Jer molle pe oonet. Enel mörd je nej agva trohem verretn" "No mourners" - "No funerals"
How refreshing is it to be back on fantasy... especially after a fe"Ooh, fairy floss."
WELCOME TO NEVERMOOR!
"Don't be alarmed. I'm ginger."
How refreshing is it to be back on fantasy... especially after a few months of complete non-fiction. Nevermoor paved the way perfectly to what would hopefully be my mid-year fantasy streak. This is the kind of story that makes a reader compelled to read the entire book in one sitting. Thank you, Miche for the recommendation.
"Good morning, ladies, gentlemen, and Wunimals."
The curiosity-invoking beginning of the book is going to ensure that most of the readers would be hooked from page one, which was creatively oriented by the author using a couple of quick time jumps to enliven us. Then it was followed by a completely unexpected turn of events, which facilitated the recital of an amazing storyline. The character development is fantastic in my opinion, which I was not expecting from a book chiefly aimed at children. The 11-year-old protagonist, Morrigan Crow is a nicely balanced character, the kind that has much potential to grow in a myriad of ways depending on the author's imagination in future. But what's even better is the rest of the cast: it was not too many nor too few, but like the perfect amount for a first book of a series.
"I didn't make my first proper enemy until I was twelve."
Jessica Townsend's writing is quite captivating. It feels like driving on a smooth road without any bumps or potholes irrespective of the twists and turns you encounter all over (in fact, it was so good that as I'm writing this review, I'm already finished with book two!), while further enhancing it all with a perfect amount of humor. You get everything you expect from a first book in a series, in the same time having the assurance of knowing there are plenty of promising ways to take things forward.
"My own dragon? Are you mental? Whose parents can afford to buy them a dragon?"
Now, it may be not fair to make any comparisons (or notice similarities) between Nevermoor and Harry Potter, but if you're an HP fan, you're going to have to do it whether you like it or not: Both protagonists being the same age (11 years) when the story begins, despised by own family members, getting introduced to a magical world they didn't used to know of before, a 'magical school' where each learn new stuff while getting acquainted with the remainder of the society, and a legendary villain who is tied to the protagonist from the very beginning are all going to cause many comparisons. Usually, these kinds of similarities would've bothered me (at least to some extent), but, surprisingly, I have not had any such issues here. If anything, it just made me engaged more with all the characters and events.
"First impressions are important."
And sure enough, Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow made an excellent first impression! Can't recommend enough!!
"Family. Belonging. Friendships to last a lifetime."...more
I don't know how this book ended up in my TBR, or what tempted me to pick it up out of nowhere, but this turned out to be "I've been King a week."
I don't know how this book ended up in my TBR, or what tempted me to pick it up out of nowhere, but this turned out to be one of the best fantasy stories I've read lately.
"Speak on; say what you will! I can think three thoughts at once."
It is through Suldrun of Lyonesse that we first delve into the story, the daughter of King Casmir, ruler of one of the ten 'sub-kingdoms' in Elder Isles. This beginning must have been one of the most complex starts to a fantasy series I've ever seen: I've lost count as to how many characters Vance had introduced in the first quarter alone, and the plot seemed to be all over the place. It took a considerable effort in getting used to the different regions and the key players, while staying sane with a myriad of sub-plots each complex on their own. It would be an understatement to say that this was an overwhelming start. I could easily picture many a reader abandoning the book after a couple of chapters. However, believe me when I tell you, that would be a huge mistake. What comes after is going to make up for everything! Around a third in to the book, the pieces will start to fall in to place, creating one of the most immersive reading experiences one could have!
"The fairy sense of humor never amuses its victim."
For me, the style of writing took a bit getting used to. It's not the modern, easy to read fantasy I've been lately (and frequently) acquainted with, but more of a Tolkien like prose, with a highly descriptive narrative. I've lost count the number of times I had to refer the dictionary, even across a single chapter. But it was strangely fulfilling, and now that I'm done, I wouldn't've preferred any other way. Vance definitely has a masterful way of handling the words. And the humor: again the author is a master and the book is full of little things to keep you smiling. Still, it never interrupts the ever building suspense, nor the fast pace of the story, but complements perfectly when required. It is that expert blend of suspense, adventure, humor, character development, and world building that we love to see in a single book.
"At sea as on the battlefield, respect does not come automatically. It must be earned. You will be judged by your competence rather than your birth."
You are going to encounter some incredible world building in Lyonesse. Although this being more of a low-fantasy story, the reader is going to forget that for the most part: the fictional kingdom of Elder Isles is developed in such an intriguing way, making it feel much closer to high-fantasy rather than anything else. I loved the geographical arrangement of the sub-kingdoms and how the author intelligently used it to steer the overall direction of the story, while also allowing politics to play a major role. There is no end to scheming by each leader in their plans to conquer neighboring kingdoms and you're going to love how thing are going to play out here. Another area Vance seems to have a knack for is describing meals: the description of each meal, irrespective of the size or worth or location felt quite appetizing, and got to be one of my favorite elements of the book.
"Brevity is the essence of wisdom."
"Extraordinary that those who command the perquisites of place are those most ready to ignore them!"
As for the character department, as I've mentioned before, the main complaint from majority of the readers could be the sheer amount of cast. It's easy to forget who's who, especially at the start, and it takes considerable effort even to keep track of the kings. But, in time, you get used to it. So, don't give up on the account of this difficulty. Characters themselves are quite complex, with distinct and intriguing personalities (and a few with multiple personalities), and it is hard not to fall in love with them. The apparent lack of a single protagonist was interesting to see as well, with it being more like a role that gets handed over around the mid point of the books to a second character. Anyway, I'm sure that most readers are going to love both of them.
"Good music always defeats bad luck, and never forget it!"
The ending was really really really good! Considering how some of the key characters got killed out of nowhere, I was a little apprehensive as the ending approached: There were too many ways Vance could've delivered a huge blow towards the end by killing off a few. Luckily, he gave a super satisfying ending with this first book, and hoping to see the same from next ones as well. Highly recommended to all fantasy lovers. But remember: Pace yourself during the first third of the book! (oh, and feel free to skip the prolog... it's mind numbingly tedious. If you must, read it after you're done with the book)
"Now, miss, my hat, and then you shall have your kiss."...more
"Earthfires and rustbuckets." "I sleep like an earthshake"
I haven't read a ton of award-winning books, but out of the handful I've read, one ra"Earthfires and rustbuckets." "I sleep like an earthshake"
I haven't read a ton of award-winning books, but out of the handful I've read, one rarely lives up to the expectations. Maybe it's because of the hype, or the above average expectations, but the result is almost always the same. So, imagine my surprise when The Fifth Season made it beyond my wildest expectations: a books worthy of all the hype, second person present tense narrative notwithstanding.
"Winder, Spring, Summer, Fall; Death is fifth, and master of all." "The earth is good at healing itself."
Jemisin is amazing. She creates Stillness, a fascinating new world that is dark, intriguing, immersive and mysterious, with a seemingly effortless manner. Everything about the world building feels very original, and that alone is deserving of all the stars I could give. There's just something about her writing that makes it easily relatable. This is going to be my benchmark for measuring world-building in future books, until I come across something better.
"But human beings, too, are ephemeral things in the planetary scale. The number of things that they do not notice are literally astronomical."
Given that this is the first installment of a trilogy, priority has been given to world-building to establish a strong foundation for the rest of the series. Usually, one would expect, such a book to be a rather slow-paced one, however this is anything but that. Jemisin proves her originality is not limited world-building but also capable of managing plotlines. She uses three immersive storylines, and expertly converges them to a single thread by the end of this first book. I loved all three protagonists, but Essun is my clear favorite. There's also a whole lot of supporting characters, who are equally unique and interesting. But the most striking thing about the narrative is, in my opinion, the second person present tense point of view used for Essun. Usually, present tense narratives drive me crazy, but for once, it has worked out well. I kept wondering if it was really necessary, but once you made it to the end, it becomes clear that any other way would've destroyed the harmonious convergence of the plotlines.
"Much of history is unwritten. Remember this." "But pain is what shapes us, after all."
The Fifth Season doesn't really need a lot of pointers for those who haven't read the book yet, other than giving the highest recommendation possible for an adult fantasy book. However, for those select few who thrive on action along, it would be better to remember that this is a prologue to what is a most fascinating journey. So, take your time to place a solid foundation before moving to the real story from second book.
"History is always relevant." "Accuracy is sacrificed in the name of better poetry."
It's been a while since I've stopped blaming myself for not picking up a book, given the size of my ever-expanding TBR. But books like these make it really difficult to do so: I think majority of the readers are going to be disappointed for not reading this sooner. Again, highly recommended to adult fantasy fans.
"Neither myths nor mysteries can hold a candle to the most infinitesimal spark of hope."
"But this is the way the world ends. This is the way the world ends. This is the way the world ends. For the last time."...more
"A face of grievances unspoken, burdens gone unprotested, a destiny submitted to and endured."
This must have been the longest time I had waited to"A face of grievances unspoken, burdens gone unprotested, a destiny submitted to and endured."
This must have been the longest time I had waited to review a fiction after finishing the book. Even after a week, I still haven't fully recuperated from the emotional blow of A Thousand Splendid Suns... Painful, heartbreaking, but quite beautiful in a very sad way. Hosseini has improved upon what he did with Kite Runner, if that's even possible, in every conceivable way imaginable to give the reader another masterpiece! I loved every little thing about this book.
"Learn this now and learn it well, my daughter: Like a compass needle that points north, a man's accusing finger always finds a woman."
When I finished Kite Runner before, it became clear how impactful Hosseini's story telling is: It was tragic yet beautiful in a unique way. I had thought I was prepared to pretty much anything the author could throw at me after that. But A Thousand Splendid Suns, for me, was a far more difficult read. Unlike in Kite Runner, Hosseini does not hold back when it comes to unfolding Mariam and Laila's story. Saying that reading through the abuse and other privations of the two protagonists was shocking would be a huge understatement. Everything felt too real to be consoled otherwise. In the Afterwards section, I did come across about Hosseini's work in UNHCR, and maybe it's his firsthand experience that made the portrayal this authentic.
"It's our lot in life, Mariam. Women like us. We endure. It's all we have."
The author continues to use his simple, and straightforward writing style which suits perfectly to the atmosphere he creates in these stories. But, even if one finds the writing style to be lacking in flavor, when the story telling is this good, most would never be bothered by anything else. And when you add Hosseini's flawless character development, it's impossible not to fall in love with this book. But where I saw the most significant improvement is in the plot, which stole the spotlight away from character department. The life story of the two protagonists -Mariam and Laila- allows the reader to peak in to a couple of lives heavily affected not only by war, but their journey amidst various domestic difficulties, providing the reader with another unique opportunity to empathize with Afghan people, and specifically from a woman's point of view this time. Instead of coming across hateful stories about Taliban and terrorism in general, it's enlightening to see the events from a perspective like this, which enables any reader to understand the bitter reality, along with the fact that countless thousands of people are experiencing worse circumstances in such countries. Even though it is fiction, I think it's commendable, and remarkable, what Hosseini does with these stories, as they help shift any reader's opinion about the people who are affected by wars in such countries.
"People, she believed now, shouldn't be allowed to have new children if they'd already given away all their love to their old ones. It wasn't fair."
Everything else that was good about Kite Runner is still here, from pace, flow of events, and handling of emotions to the ending. Oh, that ending! I rarely admire a sad ending, but Hosseini is definitely the exception. During the middle part of the book, even though I loved everything, I didn't see myself giving a rating higher than 4-stars, but the concluding chapters broke me down and changed everything. Now I feel like there aren't enough starts to do justice.
"As she closed her eyes, it was not regret any longer but a sensation of abundant peace that washed over her." "One last time, Mariam did as she was told."
It's not every day that I get to shelf two consecutive books from the same author as all-time-favorites. Honestly, I was not expecting this to be better than the first, and thought there might even be some repetitiveness. This is anything but that! If you loved Kite Runner, it is most likely that you will have an even better reading experience with this ATSS. However, be warned that the emotional impact this delivers is far more profound, leaving one with tears for quite a while. Unlike with Kite Runner, the luxury of hiding the despicable actions of villains, which left many horrific events to readers' imagination, is gone. But at the end of the day, just like with Kite Runner, it's worth every second... it's worth the heartbreak... it's worth evert tear... Another must-read-for-all from Hosseini.
"A young Mariam is sitting at the table making a doll by the glow of an oil lamp. She's humming something. Her face is smooth and youthful, her hair washed, combed back. She has all her teeth."
"The little girl looks up. Puts down the doll. Smiles. Laila jo?"
"I pride myself on my cheery, optimistic attitude."
… back to Mistborn… and fast-forward 300 years…
Wayne: "I suggest that you never ask her to p"I pride myself on my cheery, optimistic attitude."
… back to Mistborn… and fast-forward 300 years…
Wayne: "I suggest that you never ask her to pass the milk. As she seems likely to throw a cow at you, just to be certain the job is done thoroughly."
Mistborn Era 1 got to be the fantasy series of the year for me. It was perfect in every possible way, from world building to character development to magical system… I had zero complaints! But when I was picking up The Alloy of Law, I was yet again injected with a not so little dose of anxiety: would it ruin the perfect record of Mistborn? However, there was a ‘300-year’ safety net this time around! If this doesn’t work out, I could always consider it a separate series. That and this fourth novel was said to be a ‘short-story’ by some. This was basically my mindset starting Era 2.
Wax: "Doesn’t this seem a little… stiff to you?" Steris: "Stiff?" Wax: "I mean, shouldn’t there be room for romance?" Steris: "There is. Page thirteen. Upon marriage, there shall be no more than three conjugal encounters per week and no fewer than one until a suitable heir is provided. After that, the same numbers apply to a two-week span." Wax: "Ah, of course. Page thirteen."
Well, it turns out no safety net was necessary. While not quite reaching the awesomeness that was the Era 1, Sanderson begins the new sub-series here with a light, relatively short and an action-packed intro to the new timeline, the modified setting, and the new characters. And most importantly, this is loads of fun! The plot might have gotten simpler from the days of Final Empire, but the characters have become much better (and funnier). I think Wax & Wayne could even end up being my overall favorites, replacing Kelsier and Vin.
Wayne: ”That’s different. She was a woman. Good at lying, they are. The God Beyond made’m that way.” Marasi: ”I’m not certain how I should take that.” Wax: ”With a pinch of copper. And a healthy dose of skepticism. Just like anything Wayne says.”
Sanderson has also found a clever way to scale the original magical system from the days of Kel and Vin. We now have ‘Twinborns,’ who are able to use both Allomanantic and Feruchemical abilities. This allows some cool new possibilities, making the magical system even more interesting. While it is a bit sad to see that there will no longer be any real mistborn running around, the possibilities and limitations of the new systems seems more intriguing.
Wax: "I once shot the tail off a dog by mistake. It’s kind of a funny story." Steris: "Shooting dogs is hardly appropriate dinner conversation." Wax: "I know. Particularly since I was aiming for its balls."
As I understand it, the Mistborn is planned as a trilogy of trilogies, and The Alloy of Law is not part of any of these trilogies. So I guess I shouldn’t be surprised by how short this was (compared to the first three). But, in my opinion, this book did a wonderful job of whetting the reader’s, and preparing them for the journey to come.
Wayne: "It’s a pretty good book. You should try it. It’s about bunnies. They talk. Damnedest thing ever." ...more
When I usually begin a book, no matter what kind it is, I crank my expectations up to the maximum level possible"I don't know a lot about kandra."
When I usually begin a book, no matter what kind it is, I crank my expectations up to the maximum level possible. Obviously this habit, more often than not, ends up a monumentally stupid one since it is a guaranteed way to be disappointed when you are believing all that hype diving in. To be fair, I do a fair amount of background research before start reading, but with opinions on books being almost always highly subjective, it not easy to pick the correct ones. My journey in to Brandon Sanderson's work started exactly this way: full of positive expectations but still apprehensive about the 'mysterious mists' swirling around. I was so nervous about starting this, or not having my taste in Epic Fantasy good enough to truly appreciate the work, or even where to begin it all. Well, it looks like all the worrying was for nothing! And all the hype is well deserved!!
"It always pays to stay near the Smoker."
To the uninitiated, like me, Cosmere could appear quite overwhelming, especially if you're a 'completionist' kind of reader hoping to get everything right. However, I was lucky enough to have two super-fans of Sanderson among my GR friends, who were very kind to help me not with just where to start, but with a few alternative ways to continue the entire journey depending on how I enjoyed the books. So Mel and Anna, thank you again for everything! And if anyone is looking to start Sanderson, look no further than the second comment here where you'll find the best possible path.
"Pure knowledge is not the equivalent of skill."
So moving on to the actual review... The only time I've been this happy with the world building of an Epic Fantasy was when I was reading Bardugo's Six of Crows where I enjoyed every little detail about Ketterdam. The Final Empire brings a massive, vivid, and detailed world which captivated me effortlessly from page one. Honestly, the world building alone could tempt most readers to give a perfect rating to the book, for, as dark and gloomy as it is, this is a place where one could fictionally reside indefinitely. In my opinion, it's somewhat rare for the modern fantasy to have such imaginative, but at the same time logical, believable and fictionally habitable world building. I shouldn't be surprised given how much Sanderson is known for 'epic' epic world building, but I still am.
"When you get to be my age, you have to be very careful where you waste your energy. Some battles just aren't worth fighting."
Then there were the characters. Had there ever been a better gang of characters having intriguing and contrasting traits but at the same sharing a strange harmony between them to make them complement each other? I know I haven't read a ton of fantasy yet to consider myself an expert, but the only time I could recall having enjoy such a band was with Tolkien's work. Planning and scheming wasn't that mind-blowing to be honest, but it was the characters that made the difference. I was a little shocked at the end from something that happened out of nowhere, but I guess it was a sacrifice made for the sake of preserving realism. It also helped Sanderson came up with a cunning way to make the plot more diabolical while partially appeasing the reader.
"Men rarely see their own actions as unjustified."
Moving on to the plot and magical system. I'm not saying either of world building, character development, plot, or magical system is clearly ahead of the rest, for everything seemed up to the same standard. Nonetheless, if I had to pick a winner, it would be the magical system (and the plot). I know those are two things, but for me, they were closely woven together, probably due to the fact that this was my first Sanderson book: understanding bits and pieces of the magical system felt like a major part of the story... though this might change during a future re-read. As I'm a bit of a geek when it comes to those detailed sci-fi stuff, I really enjoyed the Allomantic theory parts and how the author came up with different concepts to build different connections. I hope I haven't seen the last of the system being augmented.
"I can't believe people read books this big."
Looking at the length of the book, I had initially assumed the story would be having a moderate or a slow pace. Thankfully, that was not the case. Book was divided in to several main parts, sometimes making relatively long time jumps from one to another, allowing certain events to take place in the background. This in turn made the pace much higher than it would've been otherwise. Hard to believe how the author had managed to come up with this many non-stop sequences of events for a book this long. It was so immersive that I've completely forgotten how long this was while reading. And I loved those teaser bits at the beginning of each chapter too. They added another dimension of mystery to the flow from a completely different time line, not to mention Sanderson managing to bring the two together towards the end masterfully.
"That's a stunning dress. It's almost as beautiful as you are."
Now for the complaints... well, there aren't any, major or minor, perhaps with one tiny little thing I would've been happier to see handled differently: the romance bits of Vin with, well I'll stop at saying another character I'd refrain from naming to make this spoiler free. I didn't like the way how Vin's character suddenly switched from completely logical and safe to obvious kind of romantic. But then again, considering that's how it is usually with love, may be I shouldn't be too critical.
"The trick is never to stop looking. There's always another secret."
Like I mentioned before, The Final Empire marks my starting point to Sanderson journey. Obviously it's too early to compare with other books as alternative entry points, but I'm really glad I got the recommendation to start here: I'm completely hooked after one book, and cannot wait to see where Cosmere would take me, with an immediate jump to Well of Ascension.
"New tastes are like new ideas, young man - the older you get, the more difficult they are for you to stomach."
"You still have some things to learn about friendship, Vin. I hope someday you realize what they are."
"I became what I am today at the age of twelve, on a frigid overcast day in the winter of 1975."
There are
Sad stories make good books.
"I became what I am today at the age of twelve, on a frigid overcast day in the winter of 1975."
There are two types of books, usually, that makes one feel like there are no words to describe the experience: They are either unbelievably detrimental, or exceptionally (and positively) impactful. Given the overall high rating, it is redundant to tell, to which category does The Kite Runner belong. I don't think there are that many books, especially fiction, that could leave such a profound effect on a reader's mind.
"People say that eyes are windows to the soul." "Time can be a greedy thing - sometimes it steals all the details for itself."
What I loved the most about this book is the set of characters. Hosseini has done an amazing job developing them, which increases the emotional impact of the plot tenfold. Especially, it's remarkable how well he handled the first person protagonist, Amir. The traditional 'do wrong, then atone, conclude with happy ending' is not the way with The Kite Runner, but utilizes an attempt to direct Amir towards a path of atonement, while sticking to a more realistic ending. Had it not been for Hosseini's unique narrative, Amir's character could have turned far more contemptible. Luckily, for me, it was never the case. Many would probably love the secondary characters more, but it is important to remember that it was the protagonist's undistorted, self-criticizing account of the events that made it that way. It's not a perspective you see everyday, but I loved it.
"It always hurts more to have and lose than not have in the first place."
I was perfectly satisfied with the pace of the story, including the intermittent jumps in time Hosseini used to separate the book in to a few main parts. Each of these parts had their own theme going on, while introducing an occasional twist to keep things interesting. The only minor complaint I have is about the attempt at creating a villain. Even though it introduced a tiny bit of mystery to the plot, that particular part felt a little out of harmony with the rest.
"That's the real Afghanistan, Agha sahib. That's the Afghanistan I know. You? You've always been a tourist here, you just didn't know it."
The writing style is somewhat simple, but I believe most readers would be too absorbed in the plot to notice it. If anything, it felt more appropriate, reducing distractions from the flow of the story. But the plot, and the characters make up perfectly for any other shortcoming in my opinion. I wouldn't call this an emotional rollercoaster, for, the majority of the emotions include regret, disappointment, sadness, fear, anger, privation but very little happy ones. But all this helped the book become more moving. I usually don't enjoy books with sad endings but this one was definitely an exception, and worth all the heartbreak.
"Better to get hurt by the truth than comforted with a lie."
Before starting the book, based on almost all the reviews, I knew this was a sad story. But with fiction, if and when things get too depressing, a reader could always be consoled by the fact that this is, after all, fiction. It's easier attributing everything to being not real, and proceed from that safe spot. You're no going to find that solace here. If anything, unless we are fooling ourselves, the severity of reality has been lessened to make it more bearable. But I guess that's the whole point. That's what makes this deliver a profound reading experience. It enables all readers to understand, to empathize, and be considerate towards others. Kite Runner easily made it to my All-time-favorites and I believe this should be read by everyone.
'For you, a thousand times over!' he said. Then he smiled his Hassan smile and disappeared around the corner.
"I once spent the better part of a year inside of a large stomach, being digested."
Partly explains how it is turning out me this year so far.. I'm"I once spent the better part of a year inside of a large stomach, being digested."
Partly explains how it is turning out me this year so far.. I'm inside Roshar, way behind my reading challenge with Sanderson's 1000+ page books, but not regretting one single bit! Stormlight Archive re-defined what I knew to be book-addiction to a whole new level.
I thought Way of the Kings was going to an all-time-fav for me, but Words of Radiance blows everything else out of the water! I'm going to forget about the challenge and keep going: this is too good to pause.
Review to come.
PS: There's a nice little surprise at the end, which will only make sense if you finished Warbreaker before.. So, thanks again, Mel! :D .. Your list has been invaluable!!
"We all see the world by some kind of light personal to us, and that light changes our perception. I don't see clearly. I want to, but I don't know if I ever truly can." ...more
"Good afternoon, good people. Your lives are about to change in a fundamental way."
"Be good or the Grande Dame will get you"
Even with all the "Good afternoon, good people. Your lives are about to change in a fundamental way."
"Be good or the Grande Dame will get you"
Even with all the hype behind this book, which is further supported by a very high rating, I was not expecting a lot from Scythe. The description of the book says, that it is about a future world, where humanity has conquered everything, including death, which didn't appear particularly original, nor intriguing, for, I feel like these concepts have already been thoroughly explored by many authors. This book is anything but that! I loved almost everything about Scythe.
Citra was well know for her temper. It often arrived before reason, and left only after the damage was done.
Let's start with the characters. I liked them all. Most of the main characters were interesting, vivid, and had a nice range of personalities. It would have been even better if the villain, Goddard, had some more complexity to his character, but he served his purpose as far as the plot was concerned. However, if I had to select a weakness in this book, it would have been the characters. They were not bad by any means, but do fall behind compared to other aspects, as everything else was near perfect. That being said, considering the way things ended, there is a lot of potential for some of the characters to develop in next books.
"Human nature is both predictable and mysterious; prone to great and sudden advances, yet still mired in despicable self interest.
But, what stood out the most in Scythe was the plot-line. It felt original, and used a very fascinating concept to move along. I'm certain, that most readers are going to be absorbed after the first couple of pages. Shusterman's writing style is quite good. From the outset, it was evident that he has got his plot figured out perfectly, considering how the events unfolded in a smooth flow. The author never rushed anything, nor lingered more than necessary, to give a nice pace to the story.
"People believe what they want to believe."
Though the underlying concept could have been expanded in a myriad directions, he has chosen his paths carefully, to make everything seems more realistic, and not too overwhelming. There were plenty of twists - including two or three major ones that I really loved - to make sure nothing was predictable. Building up of suspense until the end was well managed, leading to a very satisfying end. I was surprised not to see any cliffhangers at finish, but even without that, most of the readers will probably jump to the next immediately. There is a lot of unexplored territory to investigate! Base on this first promising book, I'm expecting many great things from this series.
Wow! Just wow! Here, I was thinking it couldn't get better than Six of Crows. I mean, you wouldn't expect "Better terrible truths than kind lies."
Wow! Just wow! Here, I was thinking it couldn't get better than Six of Crows. I mean, you wouldn't expect it to, after the flawless SoC, and boy was I wrong! This is the best sequel of all time. This is incredible. Magnificent. Phenomenal. There aren't enough words. This is the kind of book that makes you feel like there aren't enough stars to give a proper rating.
"Bad situations happen to be my area of expertise."
The main plot is as thrilling and dramatic as ever, with never ending twists keeping the reader immersed in a sea of suspense. One cannot guess how something is going to turn out the next moment, but nothing ever feels unrealistic no matter how it does turn out at the end. Story is much longer, complex and rich in details than first, with many little side quests paving the way to the big ending. Bardugo outperforms herself with Cooked Kingdom, improving upon the perfect writing style that made SoC special, and introducing every bit of flavor one could hope for.
"But of course, nothing was sacred to Kaz Brekker."
The setting of Kerch (and Ketterdam) is amazing. The atmosphere is maintained in such a way that reader will feel addicted to the plot. The inevitable chaos reigns over everything else, but it's a chaos that one would easily fall in love with. Even the heartbreaking events feel very much in harmony with the flow, intensifying everything. It's difficult to describe what makes it so, but for, me, Bardugo's world building is nothing short of perfect.
"Never underestimate the public's desire to get something for nothing."
The author effortlessly makes one feel right at home with our beloved gang, again, who are getting ready to write the wrongs that came with the ending Six of Crows. If you thought the characters were great before, wait till you're done with this, for Crooked Kingdom will help each one of them make it to your hall of fame. Kaz's scheming capabilities reach a whole new level - a level where you'd be clueless throughout the most part of the book - with all other characters getting further refined. We get to be more personal this time around, especially understanding the emotional side of each one, allowing the reader to empathize on a deeper level. SoC might've inclined me a little towards Kaz, Inej and Nina as my favorites, but I no longer have a preference among them. Author makes sure each character gets ample opportunity to prove each one deserves the best spot in their own way.
"To be fair, Matthias, you don't like much."
It's hard to resist sharing particulars of the plot, but doing so would spoil it for future readers. So I'm gonna stop at saying that everyone should give this series a try. And if you're any kind of fantasy fan, this duology is a must read. You are not going to find many books that will surpass Six of Crows, which has become a yardstick to measure future fantasy books for me. Though most of the things did end in a satisfying way, I do hope there will be a third book (at least) for this series. With the seemingly unimportant loose ends that Bardugo has left behind, it won't be difficult. But again, how can one top this?
"Matthias was dreaming again. Dreaming of her. The storm raged around him, drowning out Nina's voice. And yet his heart was easy. Somehow he knew that she would be safe, she would find shelter from the cold. He was on the ice once more, and somewhere he could hear the wolves howling. But this time, he knew they were welcoming home."
I wasn't always the most ardent fantasy reader, but even since reading The Hobbit and the LOTR trilogy, t"Nitwit! Blubber! Oddment! Tweak! Thank you!"
I wasn't always the most ardent fantasy reader, but even since reading The Hobbit and the LOTR trilogy, that quickly changed. And figured what better way to continue the journey than Harry Potter. I'm very glad I did so. Had I really known how fun and thrilling Harry Potter is, I would've read all books many times over by now. But better late than never I guess.
"Don't worry, the Weasleys are more than a match for the Bludgers - I mean, they're like a pair of human Bludgers themselves."
Right off from the beginning, what stood out to me most was, how easy it is to read everything. May be it is because the author moves mainly along building characters - which are much quickly understood - instead of building a detailed fantasy world. Unlike in a Tolkien novel, where we are given every minuscule detail of the world, Harry Potter is far more character focused, and has been done amazingly. I never dreamed I'll this fascinated by a children's book.
"There are some things you can't share without ending up liking each other, and knocking out a twelve-foot mountain troll is one of them."
Now that I'm finished with the first book, I cannot help regretting why didn't I read this before. This is far far better than watching the movie - and considering how enjoyable the movies are, that's saying a lot. Definitely going to re-visit this one, many times hopefully. Cannot wait to start reading the next one.
" 'Ah, music' he said, wiping his eyes. 'A magic beyond all we do here!' "...more
"Hail, mortal." "Day upon patient day, you must throw out your errors and begin again."
'PERFECT' is the word I would've used if I had to say how I felt"Hail, mortal." "Day upon patient day, you must throw out your errors and begin again."
'PERFECT' is the word I would've used if I had to say how I felt about Circe in one word. As luck would have it, I'm fortunate to share a little more than that. Still, I find myself being overly cautious when reviewing a Madeline Miller's book, as I can't bring myself to spoil this captivating book in the tiniest possible way for future readers.
"Watching Zeus and Helios negotiate is always good entertainment. Like two volcanoes trying to decide if they should blow."
With Circe, Miller selects another unique character - just like she did with TSoA - who isn't usually portrayed as a main character. True, she's a lot more popular than Patroclus in Greek Mythology, but until now, I only came across Circe as a villain, normally during a small part or a subplot of other stories. But I assure you, after finishing Circe, she will be one of your all time favorites characters. The story begins with the onset of Circe's life, and then flows through her different life stages using the author's mesmerizing narrative, allowing us to live through all her experiences. Events are described so delicately, and intricately, but never making reader feel the least bit bored. Everything is beautifully written, and you'll feel like being under a spell, fully immersed and devouring every word.
"They never listened. The truth is, men make terrible pigs." "It is youth's gift not to feel its debts."
The book is divided between major events of Circe's life, each stage getting more interesting than the one before. However, even with all of them been quite interesting on their own, what made me fall in love with this book the most is not the plot itself, but the way Miller narrates everything. It's hard to explain, but there's just something about her style of writing, hooking the reader from very beginning, which has gotten even better than TSoA. You simply can't stop once started. A lot of the times, I found myself reading unusually slow, for I wanted to make sure I'm not missing even the smallest of details.
"That is one thing gods and mortals share. When we are young, we thing ourselves the first to have each feeling in the world." "War has always seemed to me a foolish choice for men. Whatever they win from it, they will have only a handful of years to enjoy before they die."
For readers who are already familiar with Greek Mythology, portrayal of the Greek gods in Circe is going to be a little shocking. Some of the favorites gods are not going to have their usually interpretation from the viewpoint of Circe. I think it's only fair, as Circe never was a favorite when the stories were about the Greek Gods. On the contrary, I believe it makes things far more interesting.
"Of all the mortals on the earth, there are only a few the gods will ever hear of. Consider the practicalities. By the time we learn their names, they are dead."
And finally, I believe we have to give the author credit for selecting these amazing vantage points, to view parts of Greek mythology in very original ways. When comparing with TSoA, for me, Circe felt far better, and improved in everyway. So even if you weren't a fan of TSoA, don't miss reading Circe: you're missing out on a lot!. This unforgettable 'autobiography' now has a spot on my all time favorites. And I hope they'll keep on coming the author...
"In a solitary life, there are rare moments when another soul dips near yours, as stars once a year brush the earth. Such a constellation was he to me."
"I felt that pleasure the bards sing of so often: homecoming." ...more
"There is hardly any personal defect which an agreeable manner might not gradually reconcile one to."
Wow, this is an amazing read - I'm not sure how i"There is hardly any personal defect which an agreeable manner might not gradually reconcile one to."
Wow, this is an amazing read - I'm not sure how it could get any better. I never imagined any of Austen's books coming any closer to the place I hold Pride and Prejudice, but Persuasion made me make more space in that place for one more book. I found, Persuasion to be just as good, if not better in almost all aspects. I loved every little bit of it and haven't skipped one word.
"To be claimed as a good, though in an improper style, is at least better than being rejected as no good at all;"
The striking difference, I found, while reading Persuasion - compared to author's other books - is that it seemed a lot more real. Persuasion's way of empathizing with the protagonist felt to be in a much deeper level, while most experiences of Anne Elliot are easily relatable for the reader - fore those were a lot real and less fictional. However, the majority of other characters does share the characteristics of pride, vanity and prejudice which all other books did have in common.
"It is the worst evil of too yielding and indecisive a character, that no influence over it can be depended on."
As for how well written everything is: it is incredibly fulfilling. I don't understand how it was possible for the author to do so, but everything is narrated perfectly. In retrospect, had I disliked any part or even most of the story, even then, I sure would've loved this book, for, the way each sentence is written is amazing, and it will keep the reader immersed thoroughly. Now add it to the fact the story itself being great, and it is not a surprise that we have one of the best books of all time.
"My idea of good company, Mr. Elliot, is the company of clever, well-informed people, who have a great deal of conversation;"
"There are so many who forget to think seriously till it is almost too late."...more
Given how well received this book is (and the entire series), I was looking forward to continue my fantasy to-read list "You need to study war, punk."
Given how well received this book is (and the entire series), I was looking forward to continue my fantasy to-read list with Percy Jackson and the Olympians for a while now. I know it's children's book, but when has that ever stopped me.. But still, one cannot help but be somewhat anxious while starting a new series, for things could go either way. And when things turn out better than expected - like it did with Lightening Thief - life is beautiful. This is a wonderful little story, and hopefully the first of many, of an interesting series.
"Remarkable, really, the lengths to which humans will go to fit things into their version of reality."
Being a children's story, it's understandable that character building plays the bigger role compared to setting up the environment. Still, I think the environs were adequately defined. The main characters - including the first person protagonist - were interesting, fun and delightful to observe. However, for me, the secondary characters appeared a little too funny, even when they were supposed to be threatening. It took away some of the suspense/ thrill that could've been there in my opinion. And also, if the set of main characters were a little older, may be things would appear a little more realistic (relatively). But as the plot itself is great, it's easy to forget those shortcomings, and enjoy the story. Obviously, none of these would matter to kids at all, who will find the entire thing to be quite entertaining. Sequence of events is very well thought out, and laid out in a way that will make you want to read the entire thing in one go, which is not difficult to do actually, as the book is not very long. Everything is well written, and well capable of intriguing one to continue with the rest of the series (which I'll be doing shortly).
"The truth is not always clear until events come to pass." ...more
"If you feel like it, come with me. I will tell you a story."
I should stop fooling myself thinking that there's ever getting better at bracing thr"If you feel like it, come with me. I will tell you a story."
I should stop fooling myself thinking that there's ever getting better at bracing through these WWII stories... or any war stories for that matter, whether they are based on real events or completely fictional. But then, they are some of the most important books anyone can ever read, capable change one's whole belief systems and priorities in life while improving the reader's ability to empathize tremendously. For me, The Book Thief turned out to be one such exceptional story.
"Like most misery, it started with apparent happiness."
When it comes to enjoying a story, different readers obviously look for different things from plot to style of writing, complex/ interesting characters, world building, the flow, and many more. What's strange about The Book Thief is, while it has nothing special going on in terms of aforementioned characteristics (may be with the exception of the beautiful writing), the book affects the reader in a most profound way. I believe it's because of the undistorted nature of the underlying story, leading up to a heartbreaking, yet perfectly realistic ending. When you realize the events are not further from the truth, it's quite easy to become overwhelmed with emotions here. But I believe that's the whole point of a story like this.
"The human child - so much cannier at times than the stupefying ponderous adult."
"A DEFINITION NOT FOUND IN THE DICTIONARY - Not leaving: an act of trust and love, often deciphered by children."
But that doesn't mean the story is lacking in anyway when it comes to characters or storytelling. Though Zusak is not attempting to go out of the way to create and outstanding main character, the realistic development of Liesel Meminger is absolutely beautiful; it's hard not to fall in love with her. The secondary characters are equally wonderful, though that ending makes it all the more difficult to brace against, having being acquainted with them that well.
"Presents#1-#13: A smashed ball. One ribbon. One pinecone. One button. One stone. One feather. Two newspapers. A candy wrapper. A cloud. One toy soldier. One miraculous leaf. A finished whistler. A slab of grief."
One thing I might not be in the majority here is the narrator, the Death. I didn't hate it by any means, but for me, it didn't seem completely necessary to use such point of view, though I understand the author's intention to introduce a unique perspective. But on the plus side, the reader do get some advance warnings about certain disappointment down the line. It was a little strange at times, coming across those 'spoiler' type warnings, like the ones related to Rudy. At first, I had assumed may be it was the author being considerate, allowing the readers to brace themselves. But the actual ending came with an unbelievable shock, making the warnings about Rudy - though still quite painful - becoming only a fraction of the disappointment. It was an unforgiving , yet very realistic ending.
"If I beat you, I get to kiss you."
This is the kind of book, which makes one feel like there's not enough stars to do justice. Like I said before, for me, it's not about literary devices when it comes to a book like this. It's all about authentic nature of the story, and the ability to affect the reader in a profound way. The satisfies both of these things perfectly. The Book Thief easily made it to my all-time-favorites and I believe this should be read by everyone. As far as the emotions go, this not an easy read, especially towards the end, but it's worth the effort.
'That's my papa's accordion.' Again. 'That's my papa's accordion.'
But sometimes, when you come across something like above, no matter how hard you try, there's no alternative but to cry... you wouldn't be able find solace in knowing that this is fiction.
"I have hated the words and I have loved them, and I hope I have made them right."...more
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