Ellie > Recent Status Updates

So I’m near the end and I have to say this book has been more interesting and less complicated than I expected. I think the writing style used by Asimov helped a lot, and I do enjoy books that are less ponderous and weighty.

Although the story is interesting, it’s not very deep (in a way). Hober Mallow also seems like a spiritual reincarnation of Salvor Hardin.

The time skips are interesting, but it’s also sad to say goodbye to old favourites.

Man, Salvor Hardin is so badass! Despite his seeming incompetence in the surmounting violence, he has managed to turn things around again! I love it.

So I’m at season 2 episode 2 of the tv series, and just finished chapter 1 of part 3 in the book.

I think the main story similarities ended with Part 1. There are still some character names that were retained but their actual roles have changed in the tv series.

The book is still really interesting though. There are some political shifts going on, and Asimov doesn’t over explain things (which I like).

I get that Dorwin doesn’t pronounce his r’s, but I’m hearing Donald Duck in my mind when I read his speech. I wonder how would he sound in an audiobook.

So I got curious about the book while watching the Apple TV adaptation. I’m not usually a science fiction reader, but having watched the show helped with visualising stuff.

There are rather significant differences, although the initial premise seems to follow true to the book.

Enjoying both book and tv versions so far!

So I just finished the first couple of chapters and I am FASCINATED by how sensual the sex scene was between Lin and Isaac. Like who would have thought that copulating with a bug-human could be so sexy?!

So I’m a bit past the part where Gigi revealed she was born and raised in Singapore, which is why she has a British accent. As a Singaporean, I am super distracted by this. We do not speak with a British accent. Gigi also speaks in such cliched, old-fashioned ways. I hate it.

This is my first non-fiction book in a while, and I’m a little vexed by the content. I understand the author might be very personally and emotionally attached to the project, but it’s starting to sound very self-righteous. Everyone who disagrees with him or his beloved Robin, is wrong.

Instead of focusing on Keiko, this book seems to focus on the author’s struggles instead.

I am enjoying this, but I can see the tragedies coming and I need to gird my loins.

The main story moves at a brisk pace but there are some side stories that I find boring so I skip them. There is a lot of buildup, so there’s definitely meandering.

This reminds me of the Genghis Khan historical fiction. I’m also realising that Asian names in English books are confusing to me cos they can have similar spellings.

There’s a lot of repetition in this book. Maybe that’s why it took 4 books to complete. Why the need to explain what White Sickness is again? Wasn’t it covered in Book 1 already?

Again, not really keeping themselves secret. I’m not surprised they are being ambushed everywhere because they make such little effort to conceal their presence!

The writing is starting to get a bit flat for me. There seems to be a lot of talk of what to do next, pretty descriptions of things, a lot of travelling, not much plot progress.

I have no words. The author is either deliberately setting up opportunities for C&M to be captured or is just not thinking things through. C&M are now fugitives in all the land. Yet they allow M to send a letter to H&S using her full name and indicating that she’s at Busk?? N the page after the council meeting where C&M’s presence is to be kept secret, they bring M to town for drinks?? What logic is this??

(Continued)

Finally, the two were given gifts and allowed to keep them.

If the realm was to be a secret, why even capture and bring them over in the first place? Wouldn’t it have been better to monitor and see where they were going, then let them pass without knowledge of Ardina’s realm? I know the plot was to have Ardina meet them, but this part kinda defied logic.

I am nitpicking, but I find Ardina’s rule that those who venture into her realm cannot leave to be contradictory. Firstly, the hunters were the ones who found C&M. If they hadn’t appeared before them, these two wouldn’t have known the hunters were there. Then, they were brought to the realm, which C&M didn’t even know existed!

I must admit that I enjoyed reading a female protagonist who actually had to deal with periods while on a quest. It’s so relatable! Cadvan’s encounter with Maerad when she had her first period was hilarious too. I’ve never actually come across a female protagonist who had to deal with such practical issues.

So I do kinda enjoy this book but there are some odd inconsistencies with the Weywood part I just read.

At first they don’t want to anger the forest, so they don’t make a fire but eventually they do? Then they speak quietly to not attract attention, but they still break out their lyre and sing?? Why??

I also find ALL the characters mercurial. Their moods seem to change with every sentence.

It took me a while to warm up to Part 1, and just when I finally got into the story, Part 2 began with a new group of characters. Honestly, I hate that. I don’t mind when there are new POVs in a story but it gets annoying when it happens after I grow to love a character. Am not loving Book 2 as much so far because I wanted to remain in Sabriel’s journey!

In the middle of Chapter 16. The story is still interesting and fairly easy to read. I love cats, so I’m immediately biased towards Mogget. There’s still a lot of mystery going on and not much has been revealed.

Just finished Chapter 1 and I’m enjoying it so far! The writing is not convoluted and it’s easy to follow the plot. I’m having difficulty focusing on the book because I’m still dwelling on the Twelve Kingdoms conclusion which I just completed, but that’s a me problem.

Just finished the part where Monza and Cosca faced off General Ganmark. Wow, I hadn’t expected to feel so sad from the results of that battle. Really like Friendly too. What happened to Shivers was shocking as well.

This has been enjoyable so far but I usually just skip the descriptive parts about the fighting.

So… the first few chapters were great. Jumped straight into the action from where Book 2 ended, then it started to hit a slump for me. Wynter is not charismatic at all? Also, what happened to the ice dragon? It came, caused a storm, froze things, then where did it go? I feel like there were too many things going on and the author couldn’t really tie up anything. Struggling to continue.

I find myself getting distracted easily while reading the book, as well as putting off getting back to it. At this point, the buildup is still ongoing. It’s not boring, but there’s almost not much progress although it’s clear the story is expanding. I do enjoy this book but it’s not light reading so perhaps that’s why I procrastinate.

Now that I’m more familiar with the characters, the story is easier to follow along. There were some new characters added at the start, but it wasn’t too confusing like Book 1. There seems to have been some disruption to the relationship amongst the heroes, and Oblong is now Unlikable #1.

I want to like this book, but the overload of details and constant changing POVs is very distracting. The story is also progressing very slowly and some significant background information (which I’ve already guessed) was just revealed. I’m reading a printed copy and there’s some misalignment in the text on a few pages, not a huge issue but definitely annoying when it happens.

So I’ve seen reviews about how there are so many characters and how it impedes immersion, and it’s so true! I’m just getting into a certain character’s perspective and suddenly I’m thrown into another POV. Makes for very distracted reading. The Lost Acre parts also reminded me of the Southern Reach trilogy.

Took a break from this book cos I went to spoil some of it for myself and it was heavy. The book is getting really exciting and I’m still enjoying it very much. Really glad I went with the option to “read” via audiobook.

Just passed the chapter about Lord Asriel and it gave me chills!! Love it. Again, Michael Sheen is a masterful narrator. Every line and scene is so vivid.

Listening to the ebook with Michael Sheen as narrator and I’m really enjoying it.

The book is really long and the audio narration really helps to add colour and perspective. I would have liked it even more if there were sound effects, but Michael Sheen does a fantastic job on his own too.

This is my first audiobook, and I might go audiobook all the way for the entire series. Love Malcolm’s character too.