Andrew > Recent Status Updates

I've been looking for a LitRPG that really captured my interest as I'm writing my own, and Ramon Meija from LitRPG Podcast recommended this as not just a good LitRPG, but a good book in general. Excited to see how this pans out!

I really wasn't interested in some YA, but everyone 1 starred this without reading it because of alleged racism, sexism, and ableism, so I just HAD to read it to see what's up.

I've never read a Tom Clancy before, and decided to try Rainbow Six because I currently really enjoy the game Rainbow Six: Siege, so hey, why not.
This isn't really what I was expecting. I was braced for something more along the lines of the Jack Reacher series.
This is also SUCH a tome that I may take a break from it. It's not scratching the itch I thought it would :/

I always enjoy Scalzi, but I've got to say, this one is irking me a bit.
Firstly, one oft he view points, Kiva Lagos, is an incredibly annoying character. I don't know if she's supposed to be, or if we're supposed to like how free spirited she is regarding sex and swearing, but she's a bore to read and I'd appreciate less scenes with her.
And secondly... I have no space to write more, so hey ho!

This took a pretty dark turn. Almost too much for the tone of the rest of the story. I mean, if it hadn't gone that dark, then I wouldn't have cared as much and sympathised with the MC, but still... anyway, I'm through that now and back to gallivanting around.

Little bit up and down. Really enjoying some aspects of the book, being bored by others. But generally more good than bad. Will see how it all pans out.

Listening to the audiobook. Narrator is great and I'd highly recommend her for the performance. The book itself? I honestly don't know why I chose to listen to this one now. It's so not what I want.

I could NOT get into this. I'm really hesitant to put it down, but I wasn't feeling it. I'll keep it around for a bit, but I might DNF it.

I've been told it's an award winning novel (bad sign - I like trash, and hipster trash is best) that is basically Sherlock Holmes with magic.

Thing is, I'm not in the mood for that! Why am I starting this now?!

I'm listening to the audiobook from Audible. I have NEVER heard such a mismatched narrator for a book.
He's got a good voice, but I'm listening to a gruff, smoke scratched, old man's voice read out a bunch of 16 year old's dialogue.

It's genuinely making this book hard to get into. Totally wrong for the book.

Good, fun, light reading so far. I've just gotten to the point where we see what the plot is actually going to be. Until now it's all been about an arranged marriage. Totally okay with the 4th wall breaking.

So, I think that as this is a self pubbed book, my review will consist of 2 parts. One will be the narrative and the story and the writing etc. and the other will be the editing and the formatting. Primarily because as a fellow self pubber, that side interests me!

This is my first Jemisin book, and I'd heard such great things not only from readers, but also from other authors, and... I don't think this is anything special. I'm not sure yet though, and I'm going to reserve judgement till the end.
Side note: this book has a second person perspective, and that's fun to read as it's different.

Not much to say in this update. I'm enjoying it. The writing style is a refreshing break from the norm still. Stuff's happening, we're learning etc. I'm enjoying the read!

Okay, so... I'm feeling really neutral towards this right now :/ There was just a fight with another mistborn, and Vin was facing him without any Atium, and... such a flaky, semi, pseudo, philosophy for beginners way of getting around it. Meh

Vin and Eland are still NOT in a relationship at all, and from the scenes so far, they seem about as close to each other as they do to anyone else.
Sanderson has explained very well how they feel about each other, but apparently forgot to show it :/

Also, power levels. They seem completely off from the first book.
There's a new mistborn per page.

I figured out what I'm not liking here. Vin and Eland. Right now, as the two people they currently are, they should not be in love with each other.
I liked their romance in the first book, but in this one they make no sense for each other. They have given zero validity to their relationship than boring, dumb, blind "Because I love her, that's why!" and I do not approve.
SO FAR. Let's see how things change!

Good read so far. The style is a nice change from the norm. I have an instant dislike of the over-used caste system trope, but not a big deal.

This is such a weird one for me. I'm not really liking any of the characters, and I don't like the magic system, but I want to know what HAPPENS, you know? Story and plot is great, characters and magic system dragging me down :/

It's been about a year since I read Final Empire and... Vin is seeming a bit like a Mary Sue so far. Also, I don't really like the magic system. All this pushing and pulling and burning and flaring. I don't know. It's not sitting well with me. Eland is okay though, and it's easy enough to follow!

It's nice fun reading, but I'm still waiting for the hammer to drop. I THINK it will soon. If Bardugo can pull off an awesome twist or SOMETHING, then this could be a great book. Let's see what happens!

Wait... did she literally just say that the idea of being raped by the beast excited her? I'll admit, this is my first NA book, but okay, shit's taken a turn!

"A man fell in the snow. He was tall and well formed"
Ahh yes. All of these WELL FORMED men. That's how I often describe my fellow human beings.

Looking forward to finding out what all this hype is about!

I've noticed that several times the author will say something is indescribable and then proceed to describe it. Just kind of amusing!

The reveal of who Clary's father is this far in, but the reader has known since about the 4th chapter... bit mistimed!

Still good, still fun. I'm enjoying aspects of Kaz the most. Matthias and Nina are good and their relationship is fun. The other Jesper, Wylan, and Inej seem rather neglected and aren't adding much so far. Good for adding banter, yes, but they don't have their own thing going yet.

Not as thouroughly enjoyable as the first book, and I'm putting that down to there being less Artemis :(
Still a good romp though.

Story still chugging along! I'm on the boat, and getting lots of exposition and back story about all the characters. Good so far! Can I think of room for improvement...? I guess I'll have to when I actually finish this and need to write a review!