Jacob P > Recent Status Updates

Old mate seeing the numbers reminds me of parts of the show but I don't remember it well. Curious. The 'video game' with its chaotic eras and characters is super confusing lol. It's just so abstract, it's engaging but I need to pay attention the whole time to keep on top of what's happening, if I don't it's so random it's easy to get lost.

The pre-time skip is a bit confusing but having seen the show and that part I know it's kind of meant to be and ties in later. The post time skip section is very interesting raising concepts about physics which would change the composition of everything humanity knows or basis itself on. It's a cool concept and explained very well. The names are going to be hard to keep up with in audio format given the translation

Picking this up knowing full well I will run out of Spotify hours this month before getting close to finishing it, but alas I want to make use of the hours and this seems interesting (I gave the show a go way back when but didn't get into it so hopefully the audiobook is more engaging). I will likely get 5ish hours out of the 14-15 of this so will then need to pick it back up in December. Detailed notes/update needed

Oh yeah we so back. Audible had it on sale so couldn't resist waiting for my next credit. The recap first chapter is such a welcome addition to these books given so much happens on the previous floors. The prologue in this one boy oh boy did Mr. Dinniman deliver right out of the gate. So much lore just dumped on us regarding the crawl, the AIs, the inner system and macro AI development. Phenomenal start/continuation

This will take some time to get through (more due to personal life stuff occupying my time) - I want to/need to dedicate time and brain power to reading this as it's very dense. So far a hunter seeker was sent to kill Paul but he demonstrated his swift abilities and killed it first. It's interesting prose and writing style where I get glimpses of characters thoughts and inner monologues - cool and different

Final thoughts: last story is average. Overall it's classic, nothing spectacular about the stories but they paved the way for sci-fi as we know it today. A lot of the concepts and different scenarios feel a bit repetitive but offer up slightly different more unique circumstances to consider with the introduction of robotics and AI into the world.

What more can I say that I haven't already. The short story format doesn't really allow character development to the same degree as longer form stories - but it's strong enough within the short stories. The world building is where Asimov really shines through these - although they all have the same flavour of problem i.e how robots keep skirting the 3 laws in ways humans didn't foresee. Easy to listen and get through

This last story 'Liar' was good but the one before that was average. The three laws are sound although they don't account for some grey areas which these stories extrapolate on which is good

Easy listen. I didn't realize that this was a culmination of short stories (which is on me for not reading the blurb). The first one was good, second one average and third is okay. It's going to be hard to rate overall but if they keep maintaining this type of writing style, pacing and scenario testing then i think it will be good. Very quick and easy to pick up and get through.

Strong finish with emotional rollercoaster and some depression. There is a lot of mystery around the labyrinth and I suspect it leads to other dimensions/clones. The stakes got elevated and plot thickens heaps. Sets up the next couple books well because there are so many questions and the world building has been solid. Keen for the next one. Annoyed that Vis started off so strong though feels like a miss for his dev.

The last third of this book has been much more entertaining in nearly every way. The pacing feels better, the character interactions aren't flat but rather dynamic and showing context behind each person's history (wants, needs, desires), the plot be thickening and overall has been enjoying and engaging. I suspect a cliffhanger ending coming up which is fine as the next book is out soon but still many more to come

Trying to find time to read this is tough given it takes some actual focus due to the jargon and dense writing for its world building. Enjoying it so far, more than I thought I would. There is intrigue in all areas mentioned, religion, political landscape, conspiratorial groups of power controlling things with plans in motion set well in the past. The actual plot lines are blurred for me but Its still early days

It's really grown on me, maintaining momentum and releasing my expectations/gripes with the (sometimes) lazy tropes employed makes this a really enjoyable listen. The whole sequence back in Vis's home was great followed by the board game competition with Belli was phenomenal. Didn't think he wouldn't honor the draw but big respect for not doing so as she betrayed his friend. Invested in where this will go from here

Vis is growing on me, I see the semblan of Darrow which I think is why I am liking him more and more. Far too much comes easy to him though so a lot of his trials and tribulations feel trivial. The mystery around religion and the reason why the labyrinth is so hard trained is engaging and paced well. The plot twists are consistent and not fully predictable which makes it feel fresh. Naming conventions = annoying

Pacing picked up and stayed healthy level post the 50% mark which is good. I'm actually interested in the academy and it's characters + Vis's relationships with them. The plot twist of his adopted mum was unexpected but the overarching plan she had devised I had predicted way back when. The plot line regarding his uncle's 'suicide' is increasingly more complex. Its engaging me now; naming conventions still suck

... What he says as truth. So when he says he's a good actor then for the sake of the story it's easier to accept it. The relationship with his classmates especially the 'bully' Eidhin are allowing Vis as a character to develop a little bit. Although since he is a bit of a Mary Sue it's hard for him to go anywhere from the top. It's entertaining with some intriguing plot lines so far. Hopefully the pace picks up

What has finally been made clear (at the 50% mark no less) is the story centers on a power struggle between several factions within the hierarchy system: the three branches of the Catenan Republic's government (Religion, Military, and Governance), an underground rebel group, and the internal politics of the elite academy. It's gotten better but I also had to reduce my expectations of the main character and take...

...hierarchy also, but in a way that Vis doesnt agree with (killing innocents). That said, the story is complex simply for the way that it is told, there are far too many characters to keep up with especially becuase they all have ancient greek sounding names. The magic system is still being fleshed out but i think it is cool and unique. Vis is still a mary sue but his backstory helps it slightly. Entertaining listen

Alright so Vis is now in the academy and he is slighly more likable. The story feels a bit more cohesive with the goal being Vis to get up the ranks to investigate his adopted fathers brothers 'suicide', all while Vis is trying to get back at the Hierarchy for his own parents' demise (which apparently they were royal and he a prince) and also playing nice with a rebellion faction which wants to stick it to the...

I suspect old mate killed himself to make Vis look good and get him in good standing to help the movement. I have to say that there are some crotches that the author uses too often for my liking in this book. 1. Vis seemingly passes out and wakes up between places too often, 2. Vis recognizing good acting or whether someone is lying as if it is gospel. These two things have been consistently leaned on so much.

So far its okay. There are similarities to red rising but they're not directly related. I think this is much slower and less clear in its direction. The protagonist (Vis) also isn't as likable Darrow imo. Vis just attended the gala event and Estaban killed a bunch of people then for some reason killed himself? Not sure why. The world building needs some work, the hierarchy or it's caste system isn't explained (yet)

... fighting, acting and deceiving skills which sort of feel unearnt - this might just be due to them not exploring more of his actual backstory but still. I like the magic system, it has some parallels with Warbreaker but has different rules governing it which makes it fresh. The hierarchy and system feels like the red rising oppressive government/system but reskinned as a hierarchy their motto "stronger together"

Now that the world is a bit more established (i.e they explained what the hierarchy is, the academy and some of the political landscape) it's more entertaining. I find the names of characters harder to follow as they are all very Greek ancient sounding and kind of blend together (could be an audiobook only issue though). The main character feels a bit Mary sueish where he has great deductive reasoning skills...

The hook is only now really starting to show itself. I found the first 10ish % tough to get through. There is a lot of unexplained things in the world which only now is starting to click and make sense (mostly put together through context). I am finding the narrator to not grab me either, It is still early days though. The magic system, the use of will which can be given or seeded to others reminds me of warbreaker

So as far as I can gather from this first chapter/section - Vis the protagonist is undercover in a prison? He reminds me a bit of Darrow but it is very early on. The prose so far has been quite descriptive and the story a bit confusing with some specific words which gives indication of the world - feeding the worldbuilding well. Curious to what it all means.

A struggle to start this one. Not only cause of life and lack of time but also because it is extremely jargon heavy with terms, names, places, religions and all sorts which made it very hard to maintain my attention while reading. There have been glimmers of explanations for a lot of it through characters who are learning so I hope for more of that otherwise this is gonna be a slog. Let's find out shall we

Final thoughts: Overall a good listen. I enjoyed the final sequence with the Kwen escaping; came full circle with where the story began but now I understood the world and mechanics. The whole schtick of Sciona being a savant but being a woman in a man's world was too on the nose when complaining to someone from basically a slave class man who had even less. It felt a bit preachy at times. Sword of K did it better.

Very close to the end. The final sequence was quick, action packed and punchy. Spoilers: I loved the revenge and irony of blight being set up on the mages after Sciona drank the poison after her verdict. Thomil and Sciona kissing before that was odd to me though and I think would've been more impactful if they didn't especially given she was sexually assaulted not long before this - felt misplaced.

... Indicate that she wouldn't have minded the source of their magic, hence her mentor advocating for her and pushing her up the ranks. Feels like a hole in the narrative but I guess a necessary one for the plot to exist/progress. History is dictated by those in power and/or the victor so I'm curious as to how sconia will ensure this isn't buried and her made out to be the villain of the story.

Spoilers: and boom the plan put in place is executed and all is revealed to the masses. Although Sconia showed everyone where their magic comes from (killing living things outside of Tiran) it didn't result in what she thought, instead Thomil was right there were riots and the lower classes paid for it. There has been a lot of crying in this book and Sconia's character prior to her gaining consciousness seems to...