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This is my 4th go at the Wheel of Time. I’ve never finished, despite enjoying these first novels quite a bit. 2026 shall be my year to get past book 4. I am reading ~3/4 via audio on this one with Pike’s narration and ~1/4 physically or on Kindle. This first book is nostalgic, albeit sometimes needlessly slow and derivative.

This has proven a thrilling, hulking novel hence far, full of some of what I remember in verbiage and narration from Dumas’ *Musketeers*, which I loved as a child. While some side plots have meandered a bit, the consummation Dantès is moving toward is a worthy one.

Quite good so far. Great dynamic of academia ribbing and featuring a well-matched duo. Contains a number of technical errors. The magic system is very Babel-like but branches to any academic domain by requiring the incongruity be a lot stronger. Babel’s system was amazing. This one might be a better variant.

A lot funnier than I expected, although I’ve just gotten to the first scene that properly ruptures that ambiance.

An apparently flawless first chapter. Such rhythm, interleaving narratives effortlessly and contrasting nuggets of information or intrigue with measured but descriptive passages that offer passage to the heart of the setting and its characters.

I’m loving this. I didn’t expect it to be such a fun combination of jest, wit, reference and critique. Humanism’s folly turns even the stuffiest, most learned scholar into an entertaining author, and there’s much to learn besides.

Atwood writes with wit and tact. I’m thoroughly impressed. Metaphors can be layered, ambiguously applying in multiple ways (e.g. the rodent likened to the “Aunt”). Freely flowing from inner thoughts to observation to dialogue to flashback, the structure works well to slowly reveal this world and Offred’s battle. Atwood has a keen sense for the details of everyday things.

Qué raro es esto, aunque me gusta como una comedia de costumbres. La vida mexica debe haber sido tan extraña ya que la muerte brutal siempre estuvo presente.

El enfrentamiento entre estos dos conquistadores es divertido.

It’s an interesting contrast drawn, that between the relation with Greco-Roman style gods vs the Christian God with respect to knowledge. I’m not wowed by this book, but it’s very good so far.

Part one met expectations. It’s been quite thoughtful and mostly based in classical tradition thus far. The foundation’s been set: why we desire ignorance (of self and of the world) has been illustrated and set into four modes of discourse: folk, religious, psychoanalytical and philosophical. I’m interested to see what comes next.

The premise is promising. I'll have to see how it plays out.

Apenas he leído nada de esto, pero parece que será bueno cuando encuentre el ritmo. Tengo que acostumbrarme a los nombres indígenas.

This book strikes an odd balance between clearly derivative, even a bit tiring and incredibly silly, acutely informative. It's an odd one for sure.