This series is so addicting. Book 2 is surprisingly interesting though I didn't have much emotional attachment to the characters, which made certain hThis series is so addicting. Book 2 is surprisingly interesting though I didn't have much emotional attachment to the characters, which made certain heavier sequences fall flat for me in comparison to the first book....more
The male audiobook narrator absolutely DEVOURED! Actually made me laugh out loud in public. And of course, shoutout to Tyler because he's such a real The male audiobook narrator absolutely DEVOURED! Actually made me laugh out loud in public. And of course, shoutout to Tyler because he's such a real one and 10/10 friend....more
AND SHE STICKS THE LANDING !!! Everything came full circle in this extensive ending to one of the best urban fantasies of all time. I cried. . . a lotAND SHE STICKS THE LANDING !!! Everything came full circle in this extensive ending to one of the best urban fantasies of all time. I cried. . . a lot. . . yet I'm just left with awe and satisfaction at such a powerful conclusion. What I’d give to experience reading this for the first time again....more
For a standalone fantasy, this packs an undeniable and distinct PUNCH to the gut. The rich world of magic with typewriters and the politics of the HigFor a standalone fantasy, this packs an undeniable and distinct PUNCH to the gut. The rich world of magic with typewriters and the politics of the High Magistry were unbelievably crafted. I lived for the imperfect main characters Sciona and Thomil who were infinitely steadfast in their character yet dynamic. The ethical questioning at the forefront of the plot was on-the-nose yet at the same time, deeply unsettling. As for the ending, the plot was wrapped up in a satisfying way with some ambiguity that felt fitting to such a hefty fantasy story told in a single book. Sciona and Thomil FOREVER!!!...more
**spoiler alert** I feel like I was hit in the head twenty times. Definitely a brick of a book but there’s literally so many major events and blossomi**spoiler alert** I feel like I was hit in the head twenty times. Definitely a brick of a book but there’s literally so many major events and blossoming plot lines still- I can’t comprehend it.
The storm. Orion. The clone. The coup. The parasite. Alexander. Sefi. Lysander that motherfuckin LEECH you’re so delusional and entitled and kooky. I still don’t understand the whole Mind’s Eye thing but it’s just giving me flashbacks to Bran the Broken and GOD KNOWS I’d rather shoot myself than relive his ending on the Iron Throne and his weird ass mind games. Maybe Pierce Brown did draw too much inspo from Game of Thrones for calling the ending "the Long Night," too. But hopefully that means Darrow will live (but not suffer such an unsatisfying fate) as as Jon Snow ...more
I’m a bit conflicted about this, though objectively this was a pretty fire exposition to this second half of the series. The switch to four POVs and iI’m a bit conflicted about this, though objectively this was a pretty fire exposition to this second half of the series. The switch to four POVs and introduction of the new storylines really threw me off (lowkey bored me for awhile) but by the end, I grew really invested in each of them. Except for Lysander cuz he pisses me OFFFF.
I’ll admit I wanted to see a lot more of Darrow here (can you blame me for getting attached) though I understand that the story is bigger than him now. He lowkey was pissing me off but his moral complexity is what makes him so interesting, and I wouldn’t find it realistic if he just ended up being a normal and emotionally available after all the shit that happened in the first three books...more
OH MY GOD WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK?? It’s 2:00 am and I just had a heart attack from that ending twice over. Yet somehow the conclusion was everything I nOH MY GOD WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK?? It’s 2:00 am and I just had a heart attack from that ending twice over. Yet somehow the conclusion was everything I needed it to be (still with room for more). I was worried about the ending of this insane buildup but now I can safely say Red Rising absolutely ATE from start to finish. Pierce Brown I hope both sides of your pillow are COLD TONIGHT!!...more
This is sci-fi dystopian glory at its BEST. I blasted through this in one sitting (albeit on a long haul flight) but I was absolutely enthralled from This is sci-fi dystopian glory at its BEST. I blasted through this in one sitting (albeit on a long haul flight) but I was absolutely enthralled from start to finish. Darrow is a such a deeply complex and unpredictable character, and I appreciated how the small scope of the story was still able to capture the sense of uneasiness that permeates the plot and the weight of the intergalactic class system as a whole. All the while setting up for an all out war in the coming books. Mind. blown....more
This left me absolutely gutted, just as much if not more than the movie. Silence is a complex and deeply human study of how spirituality and physical This left me absolutely gutted, just as much if not more than the movie. Silence is a complex and deeply human study of how spirituality and physical conflict intersect. We see the flaws of human nature and challenging of moral ideals in a realistic historical setting that evokes such visceral emotion. As always, I was quite a fan of the Japanese to English translation since the prose is fairly straightforward yet sharp— just what I needed for a nuanced, heavy story such as this....more
This story had me locked IN (get it?). Being inside the mind of a self aware psychopath was immersive and hilarious. Basically Joe Goldberg but with lThis story had me locked IN (get it?). Being inside the mind of a self aware psychopath was immersive and hilarious. Basically Joe Goldberg but with less cognitive dissonance. Though the subject matter was pretty messed up and intense, I think Torre handled it quite well. Nothing was sugarcoated and the MC takes accountability for her issues. The ending did wrap up a little too neatly to be believable but it was so so so satisfying so I'll let it slide ...more