Jason Waltz > Recent Status Updates

It is astounding how Erikson can weave such tenderness and introspection amidst the carnage and death and sorrow of his world. I don't always fully grasp everything, every layer, but I can honestly say I think there is no other story that moves my being as his does.

This tale has taken some most interesting turns, not unexpected in an Erickson Malazan book and yet... leading in curious directions. Anticipation abounds.

Quite a surprising thing has occurred. The return from death of a particular character and in a memorable place, accompanied by a wonderful new (I think) character. This is cool and exciting.

End of Book 2. Very, very interesting. Mute was too powerful, too much, but I did expect his tale to continue. So many layers, laid and delved and hinted. And as usual, numerous excellent observations on humanity.

It is good to be again reimmersed within the Malazan world and story. Although this story, even with its typical Malazan marines humor, is a somber one. Whereas the first book of this Witness trilogy sunk its talons (yes, I did it, and I chose that word over claws) deep into my feels and gave me a singular character to invest in, this book has done neither, though I must admit to a fondness for a certain High Fist.

This is an absolute blast! Great art, some really subtle facials and nice battles! Fun and funny dialogue. Really entertaining storytelling and nice additions via Steel and Toro. Very fun chapter 4!

This has been an excellent section on understanding the other side of any negotiation and playing accordingly. It's a great maxim too, to not follow the Golden Rule when negotiating.

Last 2 pages have been strong advice on using 'calibrated questions' starting with how or what. This is terrific advice that works just as well in difficult relationships as it does in negotiations.

Some serious self and relationship examination here. Some stupid online gibberish too that I mostly skim or skip.

270-284 is some of the best ever written 'everything keeps getting worse and holy cow how can it keep doing that?!' I've read!

Ok, the Eames one-shot opens hilariously!

"Hell to Pay" was a blast. Probably not as addictive as the first, the introduction to Owen and Axe, but a great continuation. Nice twists, fun antics, compelling and complimentary art.

Axe is such a bitch! Hilarious, but geez.

Chpt 4! All sorts of new issues arise in Chpt 3, let's see how they're dealt with next. Oh, and lots of blood.

Nice introspective bit on destiny. And blood, of course.

Wow, what a touching description of a person in the midst of all the nonsense in this story. Very astute and sorrowful.

Diamond opens with a fun foreword, introducing us to the oncoming horrors.

Stanfill, "The Gingerbread Man Massacre": definitely glitched and definitely grim. Very nicely bloody to kick things off with a delightful witch.

Wowzers. When I couldn't think he could get any lower he dug deeper. King Sorrow chose his pickers well.

Lotta the fun has gone outta reading this. Evilness abounds and everything fractures. The unexpected happened, or at least happened far earlier than I anticipated. And from that moment on this story has grown much, much darker. Instead of camaraderie and loyalty we get deeper and deadlier betrayal.

Book 3 has finally been the bomb. Starts with a bang of lightning that ignites a slow fuse burning ever onward, upward, forward to a super cool climactic raging point. Essentially dedicated to the twins, this has been a spectacularly tense and rewarding section. But there's 300 some pages ahead, so what's going to go wrong?

Been doing lots of reading and there's still lots more ahead. The horror of this story is not the cool ass dragon but the deterioration of 6, well, 5 individuals. Colin is still the coolest and hasn't fallen apart yet.

I do find it very interesting that a character who seems prominent to me is rarely ever to be found, especially in his own house and with his own inquisitive nephew.

On another note, really enjoying the King Sorrow interludes.

Colin is my favorite so far. Arthur is alright. Way more sedate pace than I'm used to. Took about 9 chapters to get beyond foundations and efforts to invest me in the characters. Now we're getting really dangerous.

What an outstanding story of courage and compassion from so many people.

Gods, this story is infuriating. Whoever thinks anything positive of the Biden administration is an idiot. The world, indeed, needed and still needs some more good warriors.

Fun as usual and expected. Soren may carry Axe now, but Owen is still the star and still having fun...even in hell. Soren and Axe make an enjoyable team, though like Axe says, Mr. Mopes-a-lot is a painful burden. Good storytelling with mystery, danger, subterfuge, oh, and lots of blood.

HATHAWAY: finally hit a dud. Took it as long as I could, as it did begin funny and engaging ... until it didn't stop. Never stopped. I find inanity unappealing.

NETHERY, "WITH FRIENDS LIKE THESE": gawd damn, Nick, you brought a tear to my eye. Great, great story. Great mercs, great plot, great premise, great threat, great characters, great climax, great denouement. Well done, sir.

STONE, "THE TOMB OF MAMMON": My favorite story! Has everything I enjoy: magic, mystery, a hodgepodge group put together, luck, battle, loyalty. I was starting to dislike our narrator and then he proved me wrong, which actually means the author proved me wrong and set the stage extremely well. Great challenge and great comeuppance!

SLEMP, "MIND AND MACHINE": solo mech merc is pretty badass. Good story and I like her and her partner.