Bryan Stevenson > Recent Status Updates

Great start so far. The stage is set perfectly. There are two main POVs and both are engaging.

Whimsically beautiful.

I'm enjoying the style and perspective. A refreshing, light-hearted change of pace compared to Stormlight.

I discovered Martha Wells through the Murderbot series. This is the first series she wrote, and it is more of a flintlock fantasy. The writing style is completely different. It's got a large cast of characters that I've just grown accustomed to. From the opening, the story feels out of control for the protagonist, and by extension the reader. I like it.

How I feel about politics:

"All of it, the words, the posturing. It's pointless."

"But I am not pointless. My life. People's lives. The meaning comes from us."

The fantasy elements are fantastic. The world-building, action, magic, religion, etc. The inner dialog of every ... single ... character, is getting old.

It's a grand epic told over 10 days. I was excited when Sanderson introduced mental health earlier in the series, but now it's stifling the plot as every character deals with inner demons.

I've prepared myself for the journey this book and series requires. Here we go!

So far, this is the best Jim Butcher book I've read. Loving it!

Love it.

I'm skeptical of so-called "epic" fantasy because it tends to be bloated and overwrought. Not so for this one. I'm loving it.

Maybe it's because I've read some things I didn't love recently, but this journey has been amazing so far. The world is interesting. The characters are flawed and real. I'm invested.

It's good, but it hasn't gripped me yet.

I don't care how historically perfect this novel is. There is truth here. And the fact that human beings were treated this way is nearly incomprehensible.

I love the way this book started. Things are very dire in Alera.