Tim O'neill > Recent Status Updates

Have to return it to the library for a little bit, but I find the author/reader's passion infectious—even if I weren't a fan of "In the Heights," her writing justifies the "why should I want to know about this person's life?" question. As I pause for a bit, she's just finding her passion in writing and connecting this with her mother's Santeria.
Ch. 19, 5:36.30

Continues to add fascinating depth to the characters I know from the adaptation. I so wish I’d read this first!

Same tone as the adaptation (which I foolishly watched first), while providing much deeper characterization. Particularly enjoying getting to know John Brown's sons in a more-than-superficial way.

The one part I had trouble with at the beginning—distinguishing the various project partners and assistants—has gotten better. I hope when he mentions the different owls by their locations, I'm just supposed to be thinking "other important owl" because I'm not keeping track of those names very well.

So many interesting (horrifying, in this case) anecdotes. Her structure is so hook-based that it's not always clear to me what each section's goal is. The only weak section so far is when she says she doesn't do politics, and then attempts a political analysis amid her strong caste-based analysis of Obama, Clinton, and Tr**p.

Made it thru what I hope is the roughest part of the book, not that there's not plenty more tragic history to go thru. In the audio version, it can be a little hard to follow the organization scheme, but it does make sense. The reader is excellent, but I do think this would benefit from reading with eyes instead of ears.

So engrossing, and so sad/enraging. I think The New Jim Crow would've been clearer if I'd read that second.

I liked this shifting perspective in the first two thirds of the book. Is it a bad sign that the third section is not narrated by Phyllis OR by Tamara? Like mebbe one or both won't survive? Otherwise, it really seems like Tammy would be narrating this part.

Nassun's story is finally as interesting as Essun's! Still not really connecting with the Syl Anagist parts.

Still engrossing and exciting!

Loving Essun's story, liking Nassun's, and tolerating whatever's going on in Syl Anagist. I don't always like those parts of post-apocalyptic fiction where they describe something familiar to us in exotic terms and we're supposed to figure out what it is. I tend to be unable to figure the out and feel inadequate as a result.

Surprised by the extent to which this was a sequel and not a standalone adventure that would eventually connect therewith. Almost halfway thru and the title character has spoken maybe four words? I had forgotten about Katherine and even Ombric's name'd slipped my mind.

Finally got to the color photos. And the amazing tale of the man lost at sea. (Including the bureaucra-sea!)

"River Lex" was the most accessible to me; reminded me of Gaiman stories I've like. "Storyteller's Replacement" too.
"Elevator Dancer" & "The Evaluators" seemed to be trying to do things I couldn't quite grasp—personally, I like things a little more spelled out.
"Narcomancer" was accessible, but ended abruptly. Interested to read more about this world elsewhere
"Walking Awake" was reliable anti-authoritarian sci-fi

I found the Upsate section easier to follow than the City section, tho in both there was a lot going on. Eager to see what happens next.

Action packed!

Still not quite sure where things are going in this one. I remember a casual approach to rising action being a feature of the previous volume.

JCON2 sez, "I bet those board games are just a coincidence—I don't think they have to do anything with the plot." (I don't remember the board games.)

"The Effluent Engine," an alternate history steampunk, ranks among my favorite short stories ever
"The Trojan Girl" was a novel cyberpunk take
"Red Dirt Witch" and "L'Alchimista" were interesting old-fashioned fantasy stories. Definitely helped me understand Gaiman's interest in Jemisin, since these works remind me of his
"The Ones Who Say and Fight" seemed weakest to me: like a conservative parody of Leftist fiction

Loving taking the time too confront post-colonial realities.

A little trouble getting into the world still, buy definitely digging the mood.

Totally into it so far.

He's finally underground!

Good right now t'have a new series to connect to where a young person learns their connexion to a magical world. It'll be interesting to see how that world gœs beyond her immediäte family, whether in this book or in the series that follows...

I'm with Delphine stuck with what's the right move with the rally, and glad she now has a friend to talk to.