Jay Szpirs > Recent Status Updates

A tightly controlled point-of-view with a plot that isn't afraid to chill out while Tennant defines Dennis who, so far, is exactly what the jacket promises - a charming misanthrope that we can (guiltily) root for. The references got a chuckle out of me (they we all Begbie) and the whole down-the-rabbit-hole journey is Gaiman-esque with the magical wierdness in an escalating drip-feed.

Ch1 - well presented outline of the inability of Newtonian science to describe the synergy of natural systems and call-to-action to integrate traditional, sustainable thinking with science as a counteragent against consumerism.

Feeling trapped and panicked by the figures - this book is from the mid-90s and consumption has continued to ramp up since its publication. Not feeling a tonne of hope right now.

Rothfuss reinvents his prose AGAIN in Ademic...Still feel like Pat balances Kvothe's victories and setbacks well..not buying the Mary-Sue chaeges at all.

ch 91 is a masterclass in tension. Must reread and study it.

I just read it but I still don't know how, in three chapters, I went from not knowing Dedan, Hespe, Marten, and Tempi to feeling like they've been there all along. Pat must be using some kind of psychic writing short cut. Obviously.

Also, the fight with Denna was naturally pitch perfect.

I don't know if I've ever read as good a book in any genre.

One of the authors loves the idea of giant turtles. They get two Jurassic Park level intros. Kinda indulgent when you only have 300 pages or so. Pages could've been better used on: more cat & mouse bw Anaya and Voltorno, more dev of intrigue in negotiation scenes, more nuanced characterization of Hermathya & Tamanier?, better lore (fertile time??? Not Pon Far or smthn?), some view from the commoners....

Voltorno: good level of threat...memorable personality...
-experienced and savvy vs well-trained and genuine.
- inner geek calls b/s on using an enchant/charm spell on an elf (ten percent chance but still...)
- clearly a bit of a dbag...no problems stealing or slaving
- embodies the racist leanings of Silvanost...just as sithas reinforces them in b plot
-efficient: planting doubt in K to bloom as Qualinesti

Superbly efficient introduction. in 20 pages or so, it has defined the main characters, painted a vivid picture of Silvanesti - not only in terms of description but socio-politically as well- and introduced the central conflict: freedom of spirit vs rigid tradition personified in the twin brothers Kith-Kanan and Sithas. Strong start.