fasz > Recent Status Updates

First book done. The ending is a bit meh, very nothing.
The magic in the book is basically 0, but then we have a dwarf who hollowed out a whole tower of stone perfectly enough to make it a fine tuned death trap AND dug down into the bedrock, in 1.5 years. That is a bit far fetched for me.

This is actually a very positive disappointment. The guy takes the "super professional guys" formula, and doesn't really twist it, but executes it in a palatable manner, not overdoing it like some heist books, but not playing it down either. Also, I caught myself several times thinking "oh, I would definitely ask this next" and then the characters ask that. Sullivan must be a smart guy like me!

So far, it feels like a lamer version of the Genlemen Bastards thing, forced coolness. But I still have hope it will disappoint me in the positive direction.

The writing is weird, it lacks rhyme or reason. Things happen with no connective tissue or even clear timelines.
The base idea is somewhat intriguing though.
The extra spicy halflings are funny too.

Barely at the beginning, but I start to question Novik's ability to imagine humans. The way the Dragon switches from furiously angry to silky smooth is just unnatural, and not in the magical way. Might have to DNF this one.

The Baron's big glamour scene had me in fits, so masterfully executed, from the pov of our clueless everyman.
And Sunny's pov is great, you really feel the always observer contemplative mood.

It took me a while to get warmed up to this suicide squad concept, and especially Alex's character, but it happened, and Abercrombie is still a genius at writing.
His action is really great, not mechanical but still conveys what happens. Especially Jakob's musings about swordplay were great.
And he is a master of characterization through dialogue and inner thoughts, made me laugh several times.

Lots of performative socjus themes crammed in.
Tons of thinly disguised explanatory text.
Shallan acting like a stereotypical "fag hag".

Got the gays: okay, unnecessary, but nothing outrageous.
Got the trans people: sounds hamfisted, mixing up the highly advanced Azish with the primitive tribes feeling.
But the worst offender is Jasnah and her bitching and moaning about progressive issues, including slavery, governance, women's rights.
At least Lift became slightly more bearable over the years. That was my biggest surprise.

So far quite a lot of nothing happening, except some cringe, the highlight being Lift mentioned. I was hoping we can avoid the kender, but she does not give me respite. Syl being cringe is a known quantity, why make it worse with Lift? I know the sword was never a serious character, but still.

**
Iosan mage hunter with a cringe story, badly written characterization, mediocre action, but proper ending. So at least there's that.

I'm such a professional sniper and assassin, I'm the best, and very edgy, and hoo and haaa. I hate stories like this, with artsy inlets of basic bitch philosophical musings. *

The story of Arlan Strangewayes, the arcane mechanic is a fascinating one. Good plotting, good detective work, good characters. The action was a bit stilted, but overall really good vibes. ****

She stops at 10 paces. He steps forward and takes her hand. Holy shit that was either a giant step or one of them has a really long arm.
The book is full of action scenes like this, which is weird, because the author seems to have some knowledge about swordfighting.

Terrible fighting scenes.

Elara is written somewhat inconsistently, but I like the religious aspect of the assassin training.

Aiakos' story is not about becoming a warcaster, that is a tertiary thing in this. Which I really don't like.

Andrei Malakov *** is a fucking asshole at fist, but the author manages to give him depth, which is admirable. Khadoran training sounds very intriguing, but it takes back seat to the conspiracy plot sadly.

Lieutenant Allison Jakes ****
Great description of a young officer among veterans, delivers the feeling of a Cygnaran warcaster really well through action in both training and battle, gives character to both Sturgis and Jakes.

Tristan Durant ***
Different but also good description of warcaster training with the faithful. No turn of faith which I appreciate. Action is sometimes a bit lame.

When the old druid, who DEFINITELY knows wolf anatomy relatively well, thinks that wolves have knees that bend backwards... well, then you know the author is really damn ignorant.

The Sigillite ***
It's always a joy to get more of the old dude, but other than that it was not particularly engaging. It's more of a lore dump than a story.

The Purge ****
Really good story. It's the longest part of this thing, so it has a lot of breathing room to establish itself.
The jumping around on the timeline was not very well executed, but otherwise good characterization of a Word Bearer, and overall well led.

Iron Corpses **

It's not exactly badly written, but even considering 40k's ridiculousness it's a giant stretch that a Warsmith, not even a techmarine can rewire a Titan to such a degree. Nah, not taking it. Also, killing viruses with radiation, what the hell.

The Eagle's Talon ****

Good Fists drama. Duty, service, sacrifice. Good action. Good dialogue. Lots of destruction.

Herald of Sanguinius *

What did I even listen to. 0, nothing.

Sins of the Father ***

Quite an unorthodox way of showing off the Angel's foresight and philosophical stances. Good read.

Stratagem **

Long winded, very unnecessary dialogue between Gorillaman and the first redhead.

Master of the First ***

Decent conspiracy drama about Caliban.

Red-Marked ***

Decent action, decent dialogue, but as usual, some characters have to act way dumber than is justifiable.

Ironfire, not Iron Fire