NWil > Recent Status Updates

I need this book to end. I'm tired!

Why is there a random romance being infused into the plot??

This horny traipsing has to lead to something fast. I'm getting bored.

I’m tired. I need this book to end.

Wait. So now Teixcalaan isn’t the bad guy?

Somebody in Lsel had to be in on this shit.

“What did Yskandr promise you?”
“The schematics to Lsel’s imago-machines,” the Emperor said, quite easily, like he was discussing the prices for electrical power, “and several for immediate Teixcalaanli use. In exchange for which I would guarantee the independent sovereignty of Lsel Station for as long as my dynasty holds the Empire”

Excerpt From
A Memory Called Empire
Arkady Martine

Theory confirmed!

Plot point 1: the reason why everybody and their grandmother in teixcalaan knows about the imago is because Yskandr has been using it as bargaining chip to restrain empire’s expansion into Lsel. I’m inclined to think empire killed him to test his theory that imago is immortality. However, they’re also pushing forward with colonial war toward Lsel. So…

The plot is weak and slow moving. The book intends to rest on its social critiques but that demands too much from a fiction reader. The entirety of the plot so far has been “who can Mahit trust?” But that’s a question that arises in Mahit’s thoughts more than in the prose. The prose is bogged down with descriptions of locations, people, dressing, speaking style and dancing. The plot is weak.

This book reads like a sociopolitical and sociocultural study of the Teixcalaan world. If this was non fiction about a real people or something from history, I would be intrigued. But this is fiction. Fiction demands more than world building or understanding the intricacies between different cultures. It requires propulsive plot through which these issues are examined.

These two have just been rolling around in a haze of horniness for the first 1/3 of the book. I hope we get some plot movement as we enter the second 1/3. This is becoming monotonous.

A hard won 5*.

I like that Josh is being a dick about them being together. Yes they found love in each other but they found it at his expense. Kennedy treats the reader like adults in showing that the family/ twin dynamic has been broken by Amy & Celeste getting together. This was always going to be the case. I appreciate that.

I mean of course Sarasota broke her. It was the scene of her grief. Jesus.

I can’t reread this book. The dark portions are so dark. I feel like I’ve been carrying a heavy load on my chest since 70% in. When we got a glimmer of light with the Glasgow holiday, it was quickly snuffed out in Sarasota. I’m so miserable. 😭

Kennedy is depicting a state of deep depression and despair. I can’t feel it physically. Que horror.

lol as usual, Amy is full of shit. How convenient to blame Celeste. You never held your own against her. You still aren’t. Own up to your own complicity.

This book is still breaking my heart. Kennedy writes Amy’s grief so well. How horrible. 😭

Colin providing some much needed comic relief.

This book is heart wrenching sha. My heart is sufficiently wrenched.

Oh shit. Aw fuck. Fucking hell. Not the kids. Not Maggie. This is a painful twist.

It did end up being a romance. Sigh. Sorry to them.

Ma’am. This line of inquiry with your brother’s wife might not be the best course of action. Okay. Maybe the fucking is miles worse. 😒

The mutual self deceit is wonderful. I wish them all the best in their endeavors.

I have to respect Celeste’s doggedness. This that tenacity they talk about in aspire to perspire. She a chaser! I’m sorry to you Amy.

lol. Celeste is courting her! Mad woman!!

Yo Amy is capitulating under the weight of this affair. I don’t know how long she can hold this on. And it’s barely an affair!

Omo this is the worst affair ever. I’m beginning to feel the dread. They need to break up for my sanity abeg.