"Mad enough to wish for what she was not mad enough to grasp—now there was a singularly useless lunacy."
I rather wish I'd read this one on paper inste"Mad enough to wish for what she was not mad enough to grasp—now there was a singularly useless lunacy."
I rather wish I'd read this one on paper instead of listening to it, since I don't absorb nearly as much information through the old ear holes, but I still enjoyed it immensely. It's not every day you get to read a fantasy story about a middle-aged woman with a history of emotional trauma and mental illness! I did rather have my hopes up for a lady in armor given the word "paladin" in the title, but that's my own fault and honestly I'm not that disappointed. Love the magic/religion system, love the characters. The story does take its time, like Curse, but Act 3 is a stunner and absolutely worth it.
I hadn't actually finished Curse of Chalion when I started (overlapping availability windows from the library being what they are) and only missed out on a little. I would recommend reading Curse first, but that's just because I'm really into Bujold's world building in these two books....more
I really enjoyed this one-- the only reason it took so long is that I'm still getting used to remembering to listen to audiobooks while I'm doing otheI really enjoyed this one-- the only reason it took so long is that I'm still getting used to remembering to listen to audiobooks while I'm doing other things, and then I'd have to get back in the queue to check it out again! Anyway, I loved the world building-- the religious system is fantastic, one of my favorites ever-- and the characters are all well rounded and memorable. It shouldn't be too surprising that Bujold knows what she's doing, but it is gratifying to get such... organization? Basically, the details are all relevant one way or another and I love how they all get woven into the plot and tied together at the end. I will have to revisit this one on paper at some point, but then again I have a whole lot of Bujold to read too, so.......more
Really enjoyed this one, which isn't honestly that surprising since I'm a sucker for worldbuilding. And the world here is very cool. It was fun to staReally enjoyed this one, which isn't honestly that surprising since I'm a sucker for worldbuilding. And the world here is very cool. It was fun to start with a character actually rejecting her "yer a wizard, Harry" moment. The story has as similar feel to Shadowshaper, but I actually think I liked Labyrinth Lost better-- the family dynamics were more compelling, I think.
It definitely helps that I speak fair Spanish, so I could translate most of the names and bits of cantos at the tops of chapters, but I don't think it's necessary to enjoy the book....more
Halfway through I had to look up reviews because I had no idea what was going on-- I knew there were shenanigans between volumes 3 and 4 but I didn't Halfway through I had to look up reviews because I had no idea what was going on-- I knew there were shenanigans between volumes 3 and 4 but I didn't realize it was a soft reboot (I know it's word-of-god supposed to tie back but as a self-contained volume it doesn't have anything to do with volume 3). Especially with the... surprisingly chipper characters (so much smiling)... I was sure it was some sort of "For the Man Who Has Everything" dream sequence and kept waiting for Hannah to wake up in the void prison.
I love volumes 1-2. 3 set up some interesting stuff (and I really liked Tess Fowler's art) but never really got around to dealing with it. Volume 4 is much more a chain of gags without real connection. Why did the cat kings bring the Queens to the mountain? Why did the Kings run off after finding the temple? What was with the full page of centaur guys? The art is very hit or miss with some really stunning panels and some... not so much.
Basically, it's been a fun ride but I think in the absence of some glowing reviews for volume 5 I'm probably done with the Queens. We'll always have the early volumes!...more
4 stars bumped to 4.5 by the climax which was amazing and wonderful and [insert current internet expression for wholesome i.e. "my crops are watered" 4 stars bumped to 4.5 by the climax which was amazing and wonderful and [insert current internet expression for wholesome i.e. "my crops are watered" etc].
I am all about this series and hope to see the characters again soon. It all just makes me so happy....more
I very much enjoyed this book. I spent a big chunk of my youth (and beyond, ahem) reading the usual European-inspired fantasy, so Adeyemi's world is aI very much enjoyed this book. I spent a big chunk of my youth (and beyond, ahem) reading the usual European-inspired fantasy, so Adeyemi's world is a wonderful breath of fresh air. The magic system is intriguing, the worldbuilding is fantastic, and I cannot wait to see more of Orisha. My only complaint is that I wish the three different narrators had a little more distinction between their voices, given how different they are as people. Still highly recommended... but only if you don't mind reading in-progress series because this one has a hell of a cliffhanger!...more
Listening to Discworld is a very different experience than reading it! For me at least-- I'm rather weak in the auditory-absorption department, but I'Listening to Discworld is a very different experience than reading it! For me at least-- I'm rather weak in the auditory-absorption department, but I'm working on it. I really enjoyed the geopolitics in this one, and the development of troll society in particular. And of course, the scenes from Watchladies' Night Out should not be missed.
As always, Lady Sybill is sublime.
(sidenote: it's actually a little strange to read/listen to this one, since I've been reading "Where's My Cow" to my kids for months-- I didn't realize it was actually first referenced in Thud! So much more epic now.)...more
This book ruined my life and I am so grateful for it.
I can't say much more without risking spoilers. I will say that I had no idea that I would so thoThis book ruined my life and I am so grateful for it.
I can't say much more without risking spoilers. I will say that I had no idea that I would so thoroughly enjoy a Watch book with hardly any Detritus, Cheery, Carrot, or Angua. Beyond that, seriously, this book was amazing just read it.
And then give yourself some extra time to reread the first 10-25% after you finish because *damn*....more
Just incredible. I just finished this book after a three day binge and I'm rather without words at the moment. But yeah. wow.Just incredible. I just finished this book after a three day binge and I'm rather without words at the moment. But yeah. wow....more
Really more like 2.5 stars but I couldn't bring myself to 2-star this one for old time's sake. And hey, maybe if and when I actually get to see it perReally more like 2.5 stars but I couldn't bring myself to 2-star this one for old time's sake. And hey, maybe if and when I actually get to see it performed I'll feel differently.
My problem is two-fold. First, because this is a script and not a book, we don't get any of the feeling of reading books 1-7. There's no description, nothing that isn't dialog. I can't think of a better way to say that this just feels... different and strange. It doesn't feel like Rowling.
The other issue I have is that this story really does not want to be a play. The scenes are short and choppy, characters say things that no human being would verbalize because if it isn't in the dialog then the audience might not get it. There are so many characters for a play!
So if this story isn't suited to be a play, and the play format causes the magic (no pun intended) to be lost.... why is it a play? Why not a book, or a movie?
That all seems very negative, but I am glad I ran out and got it on day 1 and read through it in one sitting. The excitement to be back in that world is not insignificant. But, like our intrepid trio, I'm older now than I used to be. Maybe I expected too much? I didn't think I had any expectations at all, to be honest, but who knows. There are some great lines. Some that snuck up on me like a a gut-punch. And Scorpio is a really great character. Plus, I am truly curious as to how any of this works on a stage, so if only as an advert for the real show, this script book works....more
Probably more like a 3.5. I gave volume 2 four stars, and I liked this one slightly less.
More talking and less action in this volume. The lit-lover inProbably more like a 3.5. I gave volume 2 four stars, and I liked this one slightly less.
More talking and less action in this volume. The lit-lover in me was excited, but the D&D tank player was a little disappointed. There was the sideplot with Violet, Betty, and the dragon that was amusing but ultimately not super relevant. Basically: Hannah fans will like this one more than Violet fans like me did.
That all being said, this is the first RQ volume I read as it came out in single issues, and as I learned the hard way with watching Battlestar Galactica, mainlining a series in a weekend is a very different experience than having to wait a week or more between installments. I may give this book a revisit in a couple weeks and binge it all at once to see if that changes my feelings about it....more
I really enjoyed this one. The Watch is definitely my favorite arm of the Discworld narrative, and it's always fun to come back to them after some timI really enjoyed this one. The Watch is definitely my favorite arm of the Discworld narrative, and it's always fun to come back to them after some time away.
I particularly liked some of the philosophical musings in this installment, and getting to see more of the Disc was fun as well.
There's so much going on in this story. I started reading it in November, and between NaNo and then (ironically) all the December holiday stuff I founThere's so much going on in this story. I started reading it in November, and between NaNo and then (ironically) all the December holiday stuff I found it a bit of a challenge to keep up with the plot. That being said, it all ties together beautifully and I can definitely see myself rereading it annually. Death is great, Susan is great, Ponder Stibbons is the best wizard, special cameo by Nobby Nobbs, and DIVIDE BY CUCUMBER ERROR....more
This installment hit a few more of my personal squicks, so it was a slightly more uncomfortable read. I know it's sSomewhere between 3.75 and 4 stars.
This installment hit a few more of my personal squicks, so it was a slightly more uncomfortable read. I know it's silly to be fine with all the blood and whatnot and be upset about some relatively minor bullying, but I never said I was reasonable.
However, some really great character development (Walther is seriously the best), new environments (hooray Voodoo Donuts, even if it's not mentioned by name, that was totally the donut shop they go to), and some cool developments to Toby Daye's magical world.
Also: crap, now I'm caught up with this series. Now what?...more
Somewhere between 4 and 4.5 stars, depending on how frustrated I'm feeling about the questions left unanswered, balanced with how excited I am about tSomewhere between 4 and 4.5 stars, depending on how frustrated I'm feeling about the questions left unanswered, balanced with how excited I am about the questions that *were* answered after all this time.
And also I now need to go back and read the first book again. So there's that as well....more
I think this has been my favorite Toby Daye book so far. Some great new characters, stakes like you wouldn't believe, new information about longstandiI think this has been my favorite Toby Daye book so far. Some great new characters, stakes like you wouldn't believe, new information about longstanding characters, and tantalizing hints of what's to come (ohhhhh so tantalizing... I just hope we get more than hints relatively soon...)....more
After the high stakes of the previous couple of Daye books I was a little concerned that this one seemed like small potatoes (huh, I only noticed thisAfter the high stakes of the previous couple of Daye books I was a little concerned that this one seemed like small potatoes (huh, I only noticed this after I finished the review. Apparently I'm hungry?). However, 1) that wouldn't have been a bad thing, 2) there was (as I should have anticipated) more going on than the first few chapters let on, and 3) there were several great little details that elevated the story. Side characters casually revealed to be queer! A female lead not spending entire books moping about her tragic love life! Characters growing and changing!
I enjoyed this one. Could have used more Ludiaeg though for my taste, she's the best....more