Logan > Recent Status Updates

Pretty amazing, fully colored art . Gu Yiliang looks so nice <3

Very glad we very quickly know that the romance interest is indeed interested, and while I suppose the protagonist's feelings start a little more complicated/weird, they're also the whole point of the comedy. Which is a little wacky, especially since in universe, these are real people being shipped. Interested to see where it goes though.

Oops I got a little off track from a bunch of anime, but I should still be able to finish by the end of the year at a casual pace.

I'm predicting/hoping that they're going to find a way to use stormlight better, since their technology, food, and powers rely on it. Their fantasy weather doesn't seem to be reliably recharging it enough.

Oh and I just remembered about Lift. I feel like she could show up sometime soon.

I get so nervous whenever Shallan goes out. Are her disguises not at risk of disappearing at a moment's notice if she loses focus?

Also, not sure how much I care about the identity crisis arc. I mean, obviously I care and am worried about her, but it is a little angsty, and I'm also worried it's going to lead to some unsatisfying developments in her relationship with other characters.

Despite this book's clear attempts to make Dalinar seem based, I remained unconvinced. I mean, obviously the things he's written to say about society are right, but it just sounds so unbelievable/frustrating coming from someone who has been so complicit/active in insane cruelty. And he *continues* to be weird about his position, and treatment of his ex-slaves who still must serve him. I'm supposed to love this guy??

Well much like Oathbringer, I am lamenting that our girl is surely going to end up with the serious guy she has drama with, rather than the guy who's cute and actually nice to her. Because otherwise we wouldn't have a book, I guess... okay no we could totally have an enjoyable book featuring a caring and loving boyfriend, I don't know why it always has to be the edgy one :(

Team Dain.

I love that Kaladin and Dalinar's chapters have been written so seriously and formal, and then suddenly Shallan gets this like, YA-esc chapter.

Leaning into the YA-ness though- awww that was so cute. But I'm so sad that Shallan is surely going to end up not with this guy, but the other one. Who I like as a character but not as a romantic interest for Shallan, who I find the most compelling and care most about.

Yet another first person jumpscare haha.

First impressions, I'm not sure I completely vibe with the names & writing style. I mean, it's fine. Not really sure how to put it into words. I guess maybe it's weird that there's a line break every couple sentences, and most sentences are broken up by some new weird-ish name. Don't feel like I'm like, following a super well-flowing narrative? Maybe I'll get used to it.

I cannot believe that we got rid of (SPOILER) last book, just to have to put up with him again in Dalinar's flashbacks. And speaking of, I realize that Dalinar isn't just getting a one-time flashback chapter, but this is going to be a series of flashbacks spread throughout the book. And... I think I'm going to start skimming these chapters. No need to aggravate myself more than necessary. This stupid guy.

Adolin I love you but you've got to act calmer, this is not how you avoid suspicion. But also like, lol the dramatic irony here is incredibly obvious.

The punch was a good start. But I'm going to need more retribution for these evil people, who still don't think they've done anything wrong. And the audacity to be like "aww but you're *too* nice and resisted when I ruined everyone's lives" as if that justifies anything. It's so sad they're only listening to Kaladin now because of his new status, and not because they learned anything. These losers.

I am so certain we are supposed to think Dalinar is a Deep and Complex character, but I really do not like this man. He's just an evil military guy that now gets to be like "aw but I'm weally sowwy...", and then will be glorified for his epic contributions as the DIVING FORCE for creating world peace. Also, one of the few strong female characters is made to be all over him, while he's just a stupid Tough Guy. Grrr

Similar thoughts to the anime, with the first set of stories being pretty interesting to read, especially when they deal with the palace politics and Maomao's courtesan's background, and even more especially when the two connect. But then some mysteries are kind of random, and make it feel a little funny that Maomao is put into these detective situations, while also being the only one who can figure them out.

I like getting short bits of different perspectives, it's been nice to see how other characters view Maomao and the palace ongoings. But to me, the light novel isn't quite able to capture Maomao's excited and quirky energy over medicinal things as much as the anime. Which is kind of important for liking her because the 'twist' is that she's not actually deeply upset, making me not as emotionally invested.

Wow Goodreads really caps you at 420 words for updates. Here I am ready to type out a mini-essay about my thoughts as I read, but I guess you really have to wait until a book review for anything meaningfully lengthy (which will show up for anyone look at the book, and not just your friends). Grrrr.

So they make a point multiple times to show that other characters are super nice to Maomao because they think she was abused, before being kidnapped and made a poison tester. But she actually wasn't abused, and I don't know what to take from this subversion. It could be interesting if she had some other drama going on instead, but she just overall seems not upset about anything, despite having much to be upset about.

I appreciate getting short bits of perspectives from other characters in this telling of the story. Well, it doesn't help my confusion with Jinshi, but seeing how other characters view Maomao is cool

I felt the anime could express Maomao's excitement over medicinal stuff better though. Something else came to mind from hearing from other perspectives, but I don't have room here and will write on like a general update

I am still surprised at some details of how everything played out, but overall, sure, that played out in a satisfying way. I do wish the side characters got to do more though. And I of course was kind of annoyed with Xio's chapters and their whole arc for most of the book.

I'm a little baffled by how exactly things are playing out in the end, but like as a whole I think things are progressing well enough.

If someone gives you a 'conspiratorial squeeze' and instructs you to 'oversee the human labor force'... you *definitely* should not be thinking you're with the good guys.

GET OVER YOURSELF ALREADY

"At least it will be different" referring to the end of the world, as someone trying to argue that they're one of the good guys, is crazy

This village seems very idealistic, but maybe I'm just being cynical, or maybe I should put aside my doubts here and enjoy imagining a good version of society. Regardless, the rainy vibes are not really for me and I'm looking forward to moving on- oh wait next chapter is another Xio chapter, great...

I did not really have a great mental image of that last monster, but oh well. Also, more of "yay they're getting romantic moments" ending up being more like "yeah they better be getting romantic moments". Still, cute.

This is fine. Not as interested in the current Teo squad plot, and Xio was a bit more tolerable. I think Teo squad will get more interesting as they move on to a more exciting location and have more romance moments?

Oh joy another chapter where I just complain about how ridiculous Xio is. Like I'm sorry society was not great to you, but that doesn't mean you get to just be evil and be 10x worse to everyone else. I get you just need time to angst, but like, write in a journal, vent on social media, or take up a sport/exercise, like an actual person. Don't just cause the end of the world like a maniac.

Okay now that the adventure has started and we aren't just getting basic setup, Teo complaining, and Xio POV I'm starting to enjoy the story. Teo and Aurelio's romantic moments are cute, though it's like, well obviously something has to happen between the two after all of Teo's inner dialogue about Aurelio. So instead of being like "oh cute they're cuddling", I'm like, "oh thank goodness they're finally cuddling"

The birds talking to Teo and getting all excited is pretty cute.

Maybe one of the more obvious storytelling moments, with Izutsumi literally being like "this path is shorter... but it looks tough so I'll take the other one". I feel like dealing with eating monsters did a good enough job conveying the message, but sure I guess we can have it laid out very literally haha.

"Gender/10"

Okay actually it was pretty cute, and sort of clever and interesting. I think it's still taking the approach of "frequently having the characters talk about the main theme", but I suppose that's fine. And there are some moments where I can just enjoy the characters interacting with each other in various situations, and then infer my own meaning. Maybe, I think.