Fantasy Buddy Reads discussion

The Grim Company - Luke Scull

July 27, 2020.
Requested by Beena.

Thanks Jenna!

Beena wrote: "Thanks Jenna!"

You're welcome :)

I have this book! I may join the BR. We'll have to see. July is the month where nothing goes to plan. lol =)

I may join in as well. Been on my buddyread list for a while and just saw it was $2.99 on Amazon.

In!!

Yay more peeps! Laura said she might start this a few days earlier and I'll said I'll join when I can, just to let you guys know.

Ready when you guys are to read this :)

I'm going to try and finish up "The Core" (still have about 500 pages to go though, but it reads quickly enough) by the 27th and I'll be happy to jump in then!

Ok cool Rob, I wanna watch some series anyway, may start just a day or so early.

Just read the first couple of pages but I MUST send myself to bed!

I've started, only about 30 pages in. It's ok so far, hasn't reeled me in yet though.

I will be late several days, but I will be here◉‿◉

Agreed Beena. I'm @12% and not sucked in, but not really in a bad way. I think there's a lot of groundwork being layed down... but I hope it gets on with it!

I'm in the middle of Smoke Ceilings
(view spoiler)[ Did we really meet someone in the first chapter only to hear a few chapters later that his city was vaporized? I kind of dig that but I'm wondering if anything else will come out of that first chapter?🤔 (hide spoiler)]

Yeah, it just seems very on the surface at the moment... the Northmen are reminding me of Abercrombie's Northmen a bit

I'm in the middle of Smoke Ceilings

(view spoiler)[ Yeah, think we did, there was me thinking that first character would be one of the main ones, but apparently not lol. I doubt it tbh.. (hide spoiler)]

A lot of things are reminding me of Abercrombie...

Yeah, I've read a bit more and there's so much that's similar.

Still not completely invested but it's definitely picked up a bit at least. I'm finding little bits here and there funny. Not a lot to say spoiler-wise as the plot hasn't moved on very far yet.

Up to Hard Decisions
(view spoiler)[ The part where Cole got punched in the balls and then had that needle stuck in his bladder did make me laugh. And Jerek- reminds me of the evil one in Abercrombie's Northmen gang, can't for the life of me remember what his name is- but him getting rubbed up the wrong way by Vicard is entertaining too. I reckon that bland guy, Isaac, there'll be something more that comes out about him for him to know how to do all these things.. (hide spoiler)]

Ok, I finished my other book and am in. Read the first chapter and will read more today. (view spoiler)[God slayers and tidal waves, oh my (hide spoiler)].

Rob wrote: "Ok, I finished my other book and am in. Read the first chapter and will read more today. [spoilers removed]."

Haha!! Yes, very oh my!

I am about a quarter in now and am enjoying it well enough. There are some definite grimdark similarities to Abercrombie, but thankfully not overly so. He definitely likes his unreliable narrators (Cole and the sorceress from up north seem destined to die or end up together some how.) But doesn't do a great job of hiding the fact that they are unreliable, almost gleefully delighting in how doomed they are even though they don't know it. Not a spoiler at all just my interpretation. they could dumbly end up on top too on some bizarre manner too.

Yes Rob, those 2 narrators are foolish and amusing in equal measure. I'm leaning towards future extreme disappointment for them, but anything could happen!

Troubling times @36% (view spoiler)[

This chapter was fun and I'm feeling much more invested. I'm liking the Halfmage. I'm waiting for Cole to fall flat on his face, but maybe not 🤷, Ylandris or whatever her name is also seems to be on a collision course with disappointment. And the Supreme Augmentor? Bad guy that's good on the inside? He might be interesting.

I'm confused about one thing though. Are the Highlanders and crew headed to the same place as Cole? Highlanders are at The Rift? Where's that? And Cole is at the Wailing something... Two unrelated adventures? (hide spoiler)]

@Laura, glad you're getting into it, I can't say I'm gripped but I'm still reading lol. Got up to about 50% but I haven't had much to say.

(view spoiler)[ I like the Halfmage as well. God, Cole is so annoying with his delusions of grandeur! Literally every chapter of his is him droning on about how he's going to be a hero. I find Ylandris rather boring tbh, there's something that doesn't make sense about her, but I don't think you're up to that point yet. Agree with you about the Supreme Augmentor, he is interesting, I like him despite him doing Salazar's dirty work. I like Brodar as well.

No the Highlanders are not going to the same place as Cole, they're two separate storylines. Lol, honestly, I've just sort of let the places and a lot of the history info wash over me, I don't think Scull has set that up very well, I'm finding it hard to picture or map any of it out. (hide spoiler)]

I'm up to 66% into it and pretty pleasantly surprised by this book. I had pretty low expectations heading in. I've now gotten to the point where I am pretty invested in everyone's POVs, even if Cole is still an idiot. i enjoy the Halfmage quite a bit as well.

@Laura(view spoiler)[I had been wondering if the Supreme Augmentor was some sort of god Salazar had fooled into being his bodyguard or a baby god earlier on. I definitely agree he has 'good guy/hero potential. (hide spoiler)]

Rob wrote: "I'm up to 66% into it and pretty pleasantly surprised by this book. I had pretty low expectations heading in. I've now gotten to the point where I am pretty invested in everyone's POVs, even if Col..."

Oooooh interesting theory! I like that.

Beena wrote: "@Laura, glad you're getting into it, I can't say I'm gripped but I'm still reading lol. Got up to about 50% but I haven't had much to say.

I like the Halfmage as well. God, Cole is so annoying wi..."

Thanks for the clarification. I'm not finding the map useful and with moving house I've been seriously distracted!

@Laura, no problem! I haven't really looked at the map, I'm finding the kindle book really weird; it keeps jumping to the table of contents every time I just tap to check the time or what page I'm on so I'm a bit afraid to do anything but turn the page lol. How did the move go?

@Rob, glad you're liking it, I think you might be on to something with the Supreme Augmentor, there's been a few instances where people have pointed out that there's something different about him/ that he possesses some sort of magic but it's not visible. I think it would be interesting to see if he develops a conscience.. Ah, that reminds me, that (view spoiler)[ necklace with the crystal that belonged to Cole, which he's given to his wife; I reckon his wife will run into some sort of trouble or something will happen to her for possessing it which will cause his character to change.. (hide spoiler)]

@beena All I can say is the Supreme Augmentor's nature will be revealed in passing as you go along, quashing my little theory, but still gives him plenty of potential for greatness.

I'm at around 70% I think. I thought the (view spoiler)[The meetup of Cole and the party on the run was a tad too convenient, but it wasn't as if they didn't know where to go and I was more pleased by a reunion than the deux ex machina which does often annoy me. (hide spoiler)]

@Beena I'm reading an ebook too, and the map is sideways and small and just too much trouble to navigate to! I don't mind ereaders, except when there's a map!!!!

I'm reading on Kindle as well. Maps and readers stink, especially since its hard to flip back to them and then stare at it.

Maybe this will help!

Awesome, thank you!

The move went well but cleaning the old place was hell! The new place is exciting but I'm living in a labyrinth of boxes!!! And I haven't had much time to read and when I do I'm so distracted that I'm sure I'm not doing the book justice...

The piano movers kindly asked me to not move in a long time 😂

@Beena I'm reading an ebook too, and the map is sideways and small and just too much trouble to navigate to! I don't mind ereaders, except when there's a map!!!!

Haha!


The move went well but cleaning the old place was hell! The new place is exciting but I'm living in a labyrinth of boxes!!! And I haven't had much time to read and when I do I'm so distracted that I'm sure I'm not doing the book justice...

The piano movers kindly asked me to not move in a long time 😂

Oh no!! Hate cleaning! Well, I was actually off work for 3 days and thought I'd finish it but didn't read any of it lol. Haha, I bet getting that piano in was hard work!

Beena wrote: "@Beena I'm reading an ebook too, and the map is sideways and small and just too much trouble to navigate to! I don't mind ereaders, except when there's a map!!!!

Haha!


The move went well but cle..."

This just reminds me that I need to get our piano tuned.

I finished. Lots to discuss and digest. I am interested in reading the rest of the series to be sure!

(view spoiler)[I'm a little peeved they allowed us to get invested in Baradas and Cole via POVs for them, but keeps me on my toes going forward and kinda lets you know who the real main characters are. (hide spoiler)]

I'm glad you liked it Rob, and that you want to continue.

Farrowgate (view spoiler)[

I'm bummed that there had to be zombies...the one thing I didn't like in the Broken Empire trilogy too...

And I'm finding the similarities to Abercrombie to be a bit annoying. Kayne talks too much like Ninefingers, and he even had a berzerker moment in this chapter. And Cole is Jezal. And the Halfmage is a more innocuous version of Glotka...

(hide spoiler)]

I've been a bit distracted with the new house so I'm not reading quite as intensively as usual. That might explain it, but I'm not feeling this book. I did have high expectations too which is usually dangerous. I'm @49% and am going to try to crack out more with the rest of the book and see if I can get sucked in.

Rob wrote: "..This just reminds me that I need to get our piano tuned"

Do you play?

I played as a kid and quit, only to regret it as an adult, of course... Once I got my kids into lessons I started taking lessons too! My older kid has since quit piano but plays flute, and my younger one plays piano and French horn. I love it.

Glad you liked it too Rob, but agree Laura I'm not feeling it either. I'll probably try to finish since I'm close anyway, but it's not looking likely that'll I want to continue. I had really high expectations for it too, not very happy that all of my grimdark reads this year haven't been very successful :(

Beena we must go on a quest for some amazing grimdark that we have read yet!

Yes!!! Definitely!!

Laura Tenfingers wrote: "Beena we must go on a quest for some amazing grimdark that we have read yet!"

Uuuh! Count me in! :)

Yey @Anni!

The Cleansing Fire(view spoiler)[

Interesting that Kayne's son is King Magnar! That's bound to lead somewhere interesting. And that he's both a heartless dick and a complete douche... what does Ylandris has is store for him....

I'm not sure if I caught the significance of what the guy said about the Shaman before they burned him. It seemed some creation myth type thing? (hide spoiler)]

Grim Tidings(view spoiler)[

I thought they would make Cole kill 3-fingers, but the captain was good enough...a little predictable where his story has been going, but I am curious to see where it leads to next. (hide spoiler)]

Me three. Grimmier grimdark!

Bonds of Blood(view spoiler)[

The Manservant Isaac sounds like an android, but I'm thinking that's too sci-fi for this. But if the Grand Augmentor has an iron heart, maybe something bionic? (hide spoiler)]

RE: Isaac (view spoiler)[Clearly more than meets the eye with him and that was apparent after first meeting with him. He is like a combination of data from Star trek and the Taskmaster from marvel comics. (hide spoiler)]

Ha! Yes! (view spoiler)[I don't know Taskmaster but Data definitely! (hide spoiler)]

(view spoiler)[The Taskmaster was/is a mercenary character who can gain the physical skills of anyone just by watching. Kinda like learning by osmosis. So he could carry and use a shield like captain America and use a bow like Hawkeye, for example. (hide spoiler)]

Rob wrote: "[spoilers removed]"

0h wow! That'd be handy!!

Rob wrote: "I finished. Lots to discuss and digest. I am interested in reading the rest of the series to be sure!

[spoilers removed]"
(view spoiler)[ I'm not convinced Cole is dead. Maybe I'm delusional but... (hide spoiler)]

I finally finished!😆

Much to my surprise, I quite enjoyed it in the end. But it really took until the last 1/4 of the book to care about anybody.

End spoiler (view spoiler)[
It wasn't grimdark enough for me. Bad things happened to people in the past, but the present was pretty standard war fantasy. And good and evil seemed too clearly delineated and consistent, so good people were good and, excluding Barandas, bad was bad.

And the killing-of-Gods storyline has serious potential for grimdarkness but it never got flushed out, just mentioned that it had happened...maybe more will come of that in later books.🤞

There are lots of loose ends left dangling and, to my surprise, I might read the rest of the series at some point. (hide spoiler)]

My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...