Fantasy Buddy Reads discussion

may 25

Thanks Margaret 😊😊😊

Enjoy! I love this book!

I'll join you, since I bought the Old Kingdom Collection a while ago. I started before I saw this BR, so I am already in chapter 8. However, I think this won't be a problem.

Not a problem at all.

I might join too. This book has been on my shelf forever.

I really liked this book too. And for those considering the audiobook, Tim Curry is the narrator.

I ordered this book randomly without being aware there is a buddy read. It arrived today and I just saw this buddy read. Good timing! ;)
So I guess I'll be in.

I’ll join in if y’all continue with the series.

Well, I finished chapter 8 now and I am a bit ambivalent up till now. The book is not a pageturner for me, although the world seems original and interesting for me.
But I am missing some Awesomeness...

(view spoiler)[
Maybe that is because there is no real Antagonist untill now and there was very little interaction with other characters. Maybe Mogget has potential, but I compare him to Bob (Dresden) and then Bob is a way cooler trapped spirit.
I liked the border guard, though and I liked that a main character is allowed to have a loving father.

(hide spoiler)]

I admit I read a few chapters ages ago but I am gonna start reading it tomorrow and see where I get to

Sebastian wrote: "Well, I finished chapter 8 now and I am a bit ambivalent up till now. The book is not a pageturner for me, although the world seems original and interesting for me.
But I am missing some Awesomenes..."

I'm the same Sebastian. I finished up to chapter 9 and it hasn't really grabbed me yet. Nothing really exciting going on imo. I'm hoping it picks up.

I'm going to try and read a little tonight. Hopefully I have better luck than you guys with the beginning. I know nothing about the series, but for some reason I've always been a bit wary. So we shall see.

I`m almost done (I had a lot of free time yesterday and it`s a pretty quick read anyways) and I like it but I don`t love it.
The world is interesting although I would have liked a few more background informations and details every now and then.
Maybe the problem is that I`m usually reading adult fantasy that is a lot more complex than this book so YA is feeling to bland for me. Does anybody else feel that way?

Up to chapter 8/9 (hope the spoiler-thing is working): (view spoiler)[I liked Mogget and the border guard as well. And the concept of the necromancers entering the sphere of death with those gates is pretty cool.
Did anyone else get AsoIaF-vibes from the magically enforced wall that forms the border to a wintery land beyond were dead people are running around? (hide spoiler)]

I've only read the prologue, but so far I'm intrigued.

I do go through phases where certain genres/age categories don't work as well for me, Bea. So that's understandable.

Bea wrote: "I`m almost done (I had a lot of free time yesterday and it`s a pretty quick read anyways) and I like it but I don`t love it.
The world is interesting although I would have liked a few more backgro..."

Yes, I get the bland feeling from this book so far Bea, I haven't gotten any further yet, hopefully tonight.

As for your spoilers (up to chapter 10)(view spoiler)[I like the concept of Mogget but so far I'm feeling indifferent to him as an actual character.
The concept of the necromancers is cool, but so far we've only seen it from Sabriel's point of view (and briefly Abhorsen at the beginning) but I'd like to know more about other necromancers and definitely a lot more about what Abhorsen does/did. So I'm hoping it gets into that more.
One thing I found particularly interesting is that Sabriel didn't actually know her father's real name. Abhorsen seems to be more of a title.
Regarding the wall, I didn't at first to be honest but now that you mention it I totally see it and don't know how I missed it!! Good call. (hide spoiler)]

I just finished chapter 3. I'm a bit behind -- I was obsessively playing the last of us. Now that I'm done with the game, I can get back to my regularly scheduled reading times :D

I am liking the book so far. Sabriel seems like a great character, and I love the fact that seems so strong/independent.

@Emily: (view spoiler)[Basically my first thought when I looked at the map was "Hm, this kinda reminds me of Westeros" :) But I think it`s a coincidence since the books were published only a year apart.
Considering her father´s name: I found that weird as well. And yes, you`re right that it`s more of a title. I don`t want to say to much since I don`t know how far into the book you are, but I feel like Abhorsen missed to tell Sabriel a lot of things he should have told her. (hide spoiler)]

Since I`m done now, here are a few of my general thoughts on the book. There are no explicit plot spoilers but if you want to read on with an unsullied opinion, maybe don`t open it :)
(view spoiler)[Overall, I think the book was OK, I rated it 2.5 (3) stars since it was a nice, quick in-between-read, but it definitely didn`t blow my mind.
I did like the characters (maybe with the exception of Touchstone) and the magic. The plot was ok.
As I already said, it felt relatively bland and simple.
One particular thing that annoyed me was that Abhorsen didn`t tell Sabriel anything about her fate/task. I cannot belief he had time to teach her all these things about necromancy but never told her who the Abhorsens are and what they are supposed to do, so she went into her task a lot more unprepaired than all of her predecessors. For me this screams "let`s add additional difficulties for the heroine so she has to overcome additional odds which creates more suspense".
Also I felt like the "main villain" could have been introduced better.
And the "romance", I wasn`t a fan of that either. Besides it being basically insta-love, it also felt kind off forced to me because Sabriel didn´t strike me as a female character who needs a boyfriend by any means.
I liked the world in general, but more details on how life in the old kingdom actually is, especially for "normal people" would have been interesting. But maybe this happens in the later books.

(hide spoiler)]

I'm really struggling with this one guys. I'm at 49% and it still hasn't really grabbed me. I have another buddy read starting tomorrow so I may put this one aside until I finish that buddy read, but I will try to make it to the end.

I still haven't read past the first couple of chapters. I need to get more read. Interested to see if I struggle with it how all of you seem to be.

C.P. wrote: "I still haven't read past the first couple of chapters. I need to get more read. Interested to see if I struggle with it how all of you seem to be."

Bea seemed to get through it pretty quickly, but I haven't heard much from everyone else, lol. It will be interesting to see how you go C.P.

I've been super slow with everything, so me not being around isn't a surprise. What I've read I've found interesting. So I guess we'll see. I've heard great things.

I'm liking it quite a bit so far. I'm around 160 I think. I've misplaced my book though, so no reading tonight :(

Well, I finished. I could not read much this week, because I was watching Deadpool 2 and Solo (which were both fun!) and, you know, I had to work and stuff. But yesterday I finished. So, here is my opinion:
The short (hidden to leave you your own opinion, no spoilers): (view spoiler)[ I did't like it much and it is shame because I feel it is full of great ideas. In general, I agree with almost everything Bea said about the book. (hide spoiler)]
The slightly longer (real spoilers ahead)(view spoiler)[

The book feels strangely sterile and I could not connect to the world or the characters at all. This is something, that I seem to share with the main character, since she seem to be untouched by unleashing a torrent of water that devasted the landscape, killing scores of enslaved people in that wake, killing a possed human, allowing child sacrifices and wittnessing her best friend dying next to her. All would be great opportunity to show emotions and for self reflexion, but that never happens. The most emotional scene is, when she sits in the bathtub and thinks that Touchstone is in the next room with the maid. In addition the book is strangely devoid of any humor; I did not laugh or grin once.
Then there is the world, which is cool and intersisting, but I felt was not explained very well. Ok, the Dead come in different strength, but what are their characteristcs? What makes them strong? Are they resistant to magic, to blades, what are their powers? The same is true for the magic system. What is a great feat of Charter magic? The things Sabriel did, were they hard to achieve or is that something every mage can do? And what makes them difficult or easy? Is it a matter of training, raw power, force of will...?
The story felt kind generic and did not have any twists, that suprised me. I never thought: "This is cool!"
The only thing I do disagree with Bea, is that I think the story really needed Sabriel to have a boyfriend, because it would allow to show another side of her. But, then again, emotions are never really explored in this book. So, I kind of agree with Bea again, the book did not need this relationship, which feeld kind of forced anyway.

Well, that was kind of harsher then I expected and I would like to have written something different, since I think most of the ideas were great. I hope that those of you who liked the book are not cross with me. This is only my opinion and it is totally OK, if you think I am wrong.
(hide spoiler)]

@Sebastian: (view spoiler)[I totally agree on the lack of emotion and the (missing) descriptions of the dead. They are just kind of "there". Considering the relationship: You could probably see Touchstone as a new confidant for Sabriel after her father's death, so yes, her having a new person to rely on and care for does show a "softer" side. Is that how you meant it? (hide spoiler)]

@Bea: (view spoiler)[ Yes, but I think that was also an opportunity missed here. The relationship could have added to the character, but it was also just "there" (I think it fits, how you described it). In my mind a real relationship and the struggle between duty and emotions, the feeling of beeing betrayed (because Touchstone did not reveal his identity) or even just realizing her own feeling, could have added some depth to the character, which I think Sabriel lacked.
In the end that didn't have to end with Sabriel actually getting a boyfriend (in that regard I think you are right, that she is not someone who is reliant on him, if that is what you meant), but it is an I interesting point for her development. The way the romance played out though added relative little to both of them.

Does that make any sense (I am afraid, English is not my native tounge...)? (hide spoiler)]

@Sebastian (view spoiler)[Yes, I get what you mean. And again, I agree, their relationship and interpersonal issues in general could have been handled way better!

Ot: Haha, don't worry, I'm not a native speaker as well, but I try my best and hope that my english isn't to awful. You are from Germany, aren't you? So am I :) (hide spoiler)]

@Bea: Ja, bin ich ;)

I'm around 7 chapters in, I believe. It's interesting, but I don't feel like anything with much substance has happened yet.

@ Bea and @ Sebastian

I read your comments because I don't feel like I'm invested enough in the story and characters to be disappointed by spoilers. Neither one of you has said anything I disagree with up to this point, and I'm kind of sorry to hear that it doesn't sound like it gets a whole lot better (at least for me, not speaking for what anyone else might think), lol. Most definitely not upset with your opinion Sebastian. Thanks for the insights. Hopefully I'll manage to finish this one eventually. As I said, just started another buddy read that I'm enjoying a lot more (because of the book itself, not the company, you guys are great :-) )

FYI you both write English very well, I'm fairly certain I understood everything that you were trying to say.

On a side note, I hope to visit Germany someday, my husband LOVES it there, he has been 5 times so far.

I want to visit Germany as well! I want to visit most places in the world.

Yes I agree C.P. There are very few places in the world I would turn down a visit to.

@Sebastian: Es ist immer schön zu wissen, dass es noch andere Leute gibt, die gern englische (Fantasy-) Bücher lesen :) (= it´s always nice to know there are other (german) people who like to read english fantasy books)

@Emily: I`m sorry to hear you are struggling with the book so much, but if you don`t enjoy a certain book there`s nothing you can do, Yeah, I agree it probably won`t get any better for you if you`re not enjoying it up to now.
And thank you, I`m trying my best :)

Travelling: (view spoiler)[Yes, Germany has a lot of cool places to visit (it`s easy to forget that when you`re used to it). I love Ireland and the UK (and not just because of the opportunity to buy waaay to many english books lol) (hide spoiler)]

Thank you very much, Emily. I read and listen to English quite a bit, but is always different, if you trying to write something. It has been a while since I wrote my opinion on a book in English, since lately it was all work related.

Strangely, I have never been to the UK or Ireland for a longer stay (more than a week), but I was lucky enough to study in the US for a term. Nowadays, with my son beeing 3 years old, I do not travel as much as I like anymore, but overall there are still a lot places left I like to go.

On the book: To my mind it got a bit better around the middle, when some travel companions are met (I think this does not qualify as spoiler?), but this did not change my overall opinion on the book.

I'm about 72% in and I'm liking it but also feeling a bit underwhelmed. Not sure how best to describe it. (view spoiler)[I like Mogget the best. Very curious about who/what he really is. There have been some cool things, and I can understand how it would appeal to a lot of people, it's just not grabbing me as much as I had hoped. (hide spoiler)]

Hoping to finish tomorrow.

Just finished. I liked this well enough, but never found myself fully invested. Not sure that I will continue with the series.

Sorry guys. I'm DNFing this one for the time being.

Also DNFing at approximately chapter 2. I can't get into it rn.

That's understandable.

I took my rating down to 2 stars because retrospectively it was just to unmemorable for a 3-star read.
So I understand the dnfs.