jaylee > Recent Status Updates

Still not loving the second-person narration but happily it’s only in one of the 3 POVs we’ve gotten so far. Really took a much darker turn in the last 80 pages or so and it’s super uncomfortable - which is great, well done to the author. I like that we seem to have a POV at every age/stage: one in hiding, one young child new recruit, one mid-career looking to move up but just now realizing the horror of it all

The second-person narration is throwing me off a bit, but I’m intrigued enough by the world to get passed that. I’m also a bit confused about the world and the magic at this point though. I also feel like this book needs a glossary.

Finally the plot has begun plotting in the last 80-100 pages or so. Which to me begs the question, were the first 400+ pages of this book really necessary? Anyway, hopefully things keep picking up from here bc this book has been incredibly slow-paced and I wasn’t really vibing with that

Simultaneously liking and disliking this one. It’s interesting and the writing is good but it’s really slow-paced, nothing is happening and everything is taking forever. Like in the Obiteum storyline, Vis left Caeror almost 200 pages ago but has made basically no progress. The Luceum storyline up to now has been 100% unnecessary. In Res, it all just seems like filler. Half of the book so far could’ve been cut.

We’re finally getting more explanation of the magic system which I love bc that was one of my biggest gripes with the first book. But I’m a bit annoyed that more than 200 pages in we still don’t have a lot of answers to the mysteries of the first book, like how has it been 2 months and Vis still hasn’t spoken to Veridius? Why hasn’t Vis asked Caeror about Lanistia or about Caeror’s journey/death/suicide??

The priest seemingly being in love with our young-teenage FMC is very off-putting. I also could have done without the beating of children but hey maybe that’s just me

Idk about this one. I can see why people would love it, but I don’t love it. It’s atmospheric, it’s cozy, and the writing is quite pretty although I’m not loving the writing style either. Mainly I feel like nothing is actually happening, and I think I tend to like my books be plot-forward (as opposed to character- or atmosphere- or theme-forward)

Honestly not sure what to make of this so far. It feels kinda like an oral tradition fairy tale type of story, which IMO makes for a kinda weird writing style, but I also think that’s kinda what the author was going for so I guess well done? It’s a bit slow, or maybe it’s just the style (and set-up) that’s making me feel that way, idk? I kinda feel like I’m reading a children’s story

Oh boy is this ever an intriguing world! But also why is the font size in this book so incredibly tiny

Some very heavy topics in this book but the overall vibe and writing style is quite humorous and funny, I’ve found myself giggling aloud a few times for sure

Full of wise, pithy, quotable lines that are kind of brilliantly wise - or at least brilliantly relatable - in their simple truth. But written in a way that feels totally honest and accessible instead of overwhelming or cliche or patronizing. Surprised to be loving the stream of consciousness style

Damn this is good! Probably the first novel I’ve ever wanted to annotate

A strong start. Beautiful writing with several very pithy, quotable lines. Not laugh out loud funny, but definitely humorous. Wasn’t expecting the stream of consciousness esque style but I’m liking it!

Off to a slow start tbh. The story is interesting, but not nearly as exciting as I’ve come to expect from Pierce. I’m halfway into the book but I still don’t have any sense of the plot - where is this story going? Everyone is getting along great, there hasn’t been any real conflict. This just feels like a basic school story about 3 young friends whose lives are filled with sunshine and rainbows. A bit boring.