Ryan Skinner > Recent Status Updates

Yep, this 200 page prologue is coming back to me - I did it once already, in the hospital when my son was born! Here we go again. Suian and Leanne are still challenging, Elayne is still awesome, Nynaeve still hates Marigan (Moghedien, even if I love her). I’ve missed the Wheel of Time!

It has been too long! I think there is a reasonable chance that by the time I finish my goal of reading the top 10 fantasy series of all time, as voted on by Reddit users - the Wheel of Time will stand above the rest as my favorite. There's just so much variety and impressive world-building in this series, that I find myself genuinely missing it, and its memorable characters. Can't wait to return to this series!

Ok, NOW we’re talking! After being pretty underwhelmed with the first half of Dust, which should in theory be a really cool resolution to the Silo series, I’m happy to say that the last six or so chapters have been a thrill ride. The whole sequence of events in 18 was horrifying and also something we really needed to see, and Charlotte‘s one woman mission has been pretty great as well.

Yikes. The Thaw Man has returned, and Donny is reaping the consequences. That sucks - whatever he may have been able to do, he can’t now, and Juliette is escalating things even further with the revelation about the argon. I remain really curious where Howey is going with all of this.

And we're back to Luceum! A whole lot is happening, and it's all fairly confusing. An escape attempt into hopefully safe territory proved false - and Cian's death was definitely the most shocking one so far to me. Ruarc's men really want Vis dead. I like that in this world though, Vis has had some agency in dealing with his problems - he saved 3/4 of a family, and I wonder how he escapes his burning predicament.

Well, I've spent a bit more time in Obiteum, and the plot continues to thicken! This book is definitely more disjointed than The Will of the Many, but still well-written, and I suspect it'll all make sense in time. The Gleaners are super cool, unique enemies, and I feel bad for Djedef's fate. I also appreciate that we seem to be pulling back the veil a bit - seemingly, Ka, a Synchronous man seen as a God, must die.

Whew, ok, there's a lot to keep track of in this book! Three separate worlds, three completely unique scenarios tied together only by the main character. In one, we're to kill a God in a desolate wasteland. In another, we're captives of a seafaring people in a remote village, needing to escape before others arrive. Finally, we're home - with all sorts of political landscapes to navigate. I'm ready to tackle it all!

Read some more of this one last night - Juliette and Kyle's reunion up top, some debate over the Gods, and Charlotte uncovering Don's desire to go outside. To me, this notion that only one Silo can survive seems crazy. I'll need to refresh my memory as to why they believe this to be the case.

This is the third time I've attempted to listen to this Audiobook! Loved the first book in the series, my favorite book I read last year - but due to the nature of the twist, this one starts out all sorts of confusing! I don't have a firm handle on the world and threat itself - but Obiteum is a scary place, and I question where Vis's journey through it will lead. Same with Luceum (what's different?) and Res.

I feel like I'll need to chew on my overall feelings on this story for a while - but on the whole, I'm pretty confident this is one of the greatest books I've ever read. It is simultaneously epic in scope, with great magic and battles, and yet, a deep character study into a small family working to be better than the world around them. It's beautiful.

I was told, prior to reading this one, that the climax happens midway through the book - I definitely see it being difficult to top what has already happened, and wonder if the remainder of this is all falling action. The Empire has arrived, and there are questions to be answered - I also wonder what dynamic the two main characters at this point will have by the end of it all.

Wow. I'm really at a loss for words. I don't want to spoil the book, but the events and deaths that transpire midway through it shocked me. Especially the way in which the biggest of them was written. This book is a fascinating study in family dynamics, nationalism, and history (even told through fiction). I'm absolutely loving it, and saddened by it - and am wondering where Wang will take it now.

Damn... if the Sword of Kaigen continues delivering like this through the first 7 chapters - there is a strong chance it'll be among my favorite books of all time. Everything about it is so character-focused, beautiful and this relationship between Mamoru and Misaki is at the heart of it all - I loved their moment on the mountainside, reflecting on the choices we make to become who we desire to be. Amazing start.

Wow. People say Fool Moon is one of the weakest Dresden books - if that's true - I'm a huge fan of this series, because everything, from the hilarious leadup with Tera, to MacFinn rampaging through the PD, to Carmichael's bravery and Snoopy doll - it all just worked. This book, in some ways, is much darker than the first - the death toll certainly higher - but hard to deny Dresden's a hero at this point.

The plot thickens! Kinda enjoying the idea of a teen wolf story going on here. Nice seeing Bob again as well. I hope to make a big dent on this one this week - maybe even finish it, if time permits, given the size!

Mamoru’s world is falling apart, only three chapters in, due to Kwaang’s outside views. It’s pretty fascinating seeing that change in him - everything from history, to his warrior culture, to the Emperor’s censorship. It feels a little unrealistic that with the latter, Kwaang would ever be allowed to learn in Kaigen - but I suppose it’s like real world censorship we see in other countries today.

The setup for this one is super promising - everything from the cool setting, to the exploration of the Matsuda family and friends, is excellent so far. That we seem to be honing in on young promising fighter Mamoru, and his docile, repressed mother Misaki, seems like this will be a character-first story - and I already feel for her plight and lack of self. One chapter in - I'm very interested where this is going.

The whole second sequence's most memorable bits were the Barbarian who would protect Rincewind and Twoflower if they took heroic pictures of him, as well as how hard Rincy tried to avoid saying the number that is the sides of a square x 2, lol. That camera is coming in handy. Also loved the Lady winning her board game, upsetting the rest of the Gods. And Death continuing to be disappointed.

Guessing I'm about a third of the way through the first Discworld book - my head is spinning, lol. I think I'm going to come to really enjoy this series. An inept wizard who spats gobbledygook before kicking a guard in the nuts, Death offering help for killing, a fat tourist teaching e-co-noh-mics and in-sure-ants - all on the top of a flying turtle heading maybe to another for the Big Bang. Fantasy absurdist fun!

I'm guessing, with 1.5 hours left in my Audiobook, that this is where I stand with Assassin's Apprentice - and it's kinda sad that it feels more like a chore to finish, then something I'm actively excited for. I'll likely wrap it up this week - if I can be bothered to do so.

As I start Fool Moon, it already feels like a breath of fresh air. In a world of so many fantasy epics I'm attempting to read - having something smaller, more fun in nature, and a mystery - I'm greatly looking forward to this, and already appreciate the nods to Storm Front.

Clearly I have the wrong copy of the book I'm tracking here, since I'm still like 300 pages away from finishing it - however - we're in the endgame now, I think. All the main players are once again on the Shattered Plains, in theory, looking for a crysalis for Shallan - in actually, this is now drawn out through two chapters I believe - it feels like something big is about to go down. Sanderlanche! Sanderlanche!

Rough page count since the book isn't in front of me - basically - honor is dead, but Kaladin is a badass, and has given me another epic scene to remember. Renarin as well. I'm a bit disappointed in Dalinar - between making Amaram a Radiant, and enforcing Elhokar's prison sentence. Also, Eldueschkar is my new name for that stupid King.

Brief peak into the life of Solo - in which, nothing is really happening, beyond him waiting and bonding with Elise. It reminds me of why I wasn't as high on Wool as others were - but it's early, and likely to get better.

This is the first Audiobook I've listened to in the past three years in which I can honestly say I'm not giving it a fair shake. I'll finish it, to be sure - but the finer details of what's happening in this story are getting lost to me, and it's not because of the writing, but rather, how fragmented life is right now. Last I recall, Fitz was training with Galen, the weapon master - and the Raiders are coming.

I'm guestimating my progress but that should be pretty close to accurate - and I thoroughly enjoyed this last chapter. Watching Shallan infiltrate Amaram's room, to discover (from left field!) that Helaran was killed by Amaram... well, I suppose she and Kaladin now have something in common. Meanwhile, Kaladin, not flying but totally flying ("wind running") was amazing. We're nearing the endgame!

I'm a little past the halfway mark of the book, and it is enjoyable, but I do find myself wanting Sanderson to "get to the point." That said, I know how highly reviewed this book is, which makes me think the Sanderlanche will be next level - and I LOVED the ending of The Way of Kings. Here - Shallan has just met Kaladin a second time, and is about to confront Dalinar - looking forward to seeing how that pans out!

One chapter in, to say it will be a culture shock going from Dungeon Crawler Carl, to this, is a massive understatement! I find myself wanting to cozy up with a blanket in front of a fire, say darling, and drink tea. Fitz’s story thus far seems a sad one - abandoned as he was.

I'll finish it today - having listened to the book through chapter 24 so far. I'm confident in saying I've enjoyed this one quite a bit more than the first Carl book, perhaps going so far as a 4-star review. It's just crazy, fun entertainment, but with some deeper things going on too - Heather, Manasa, GumGum, Hekla and Baustista... I'm interested to see how it all plays out!

Just finished chapter 52 of 59. Yeah... I believe this book is earning an out-of-respect-for-an-insane-third-act, 5 stars. We'll see how these closing chapters play out - but everything with Bayaz, Yoru, Jezal, Logen, Ferro (worried about her), and Glokta and Ardee? It's all super satisfying to see the pieces fall together like this - I'm highly impressed.