Hark
A deep fried crime novel played to the tune of Nine Inch Nails
Frank Bill, who has the power of two first names, has managed to pen the greatest 80's genre film that never existed. The plot itself is straightforward however the large cast with intersecting storylines, In conjunction with Bill's almost nihilistic prose, elevates the novel into becoming truly noteworthy among modern southern gothic literature.
He's managed to work in enough world building that you could extrapolate a whole season of premium tv, all without bogging down the narrative or feel like he's smashing you over the head with a beer bottle. Kung fu assassins, prophets, inbred bastards and mind blowing sex, all with a bare knuckle free for all at the center of the universe. Truly what more could a sick fuck ask for?
Naturally with the Donnybrook at the center we gotta have a few exceptional fighters in the mix. Its very apparent that Bill did his homework on Muay Thai and Boxing before including them in his backwoods myth. At times though, he gets a bit wordy, getting bogged down in the technical details and halting a good rhythm.
I was wildly impressed with Donnybrook and will definitely be checking out his follow up to it, The Savage. If piss and vinegar could be beaten into a pulp and made into paper this surely would be the result.
A deep fried crime novel played to the tune of Nine Inch Nails
Frank Bill, who has the power of two first names, has managed to pen the greatest 80's genre film that never existed. The plot itself is straightforward however the large cast with intersecting storylines, In conjunction with Bill's almost nihilistic prose, elevates the novel into becoming truly noteworthy among modern southern gothic literature.
He's managed to work in enough world building that you could extrapolate a whole season of premium tv, all without bogging down the narrative or feel like he's smashing you over the head with a beer bottle. Kung fu assassins, prophets, inbred bastards and mind blowing sex, all with a bare knuckle free for all at the center of the universe. Truly what more could a sick fuck ask for?
Naturally with the Donnybrook at the center we gotta have a few exceptional fighters in the mix. Its very apparent that Bill did his homework on Muay Thai and Boxing before including them in his backwoods myth. At times though, he gets a bit wordy, getting bogged down in the technical details and halting a good rhythm.
I was wildly impressed with Donnybrook and will definitely be checking out his follow up to it, The Savage. If piss and vinegar could be beaten into a pulp and made into paper this surely would be the result.
Short, meandering, and barely delivers on its premise as Earp and Doc are hardly in the book. That withstanding, I'd be lying if I said I didn't have a smile on my face picturing an aged Kurt Russell and Val Kilmer bickering like the old married couple they are. Id say that alone was worth the price of admission.
Rest In Peace, Huckleberry
Short, meandering, and barely delivers on its premise as Earp and Doc are hardly in the book. That withstanding, I'd be lying if I said I didn't have a smile on my face picturing an aged Kurt Russell and Val Kilmer bickering like the old married couple they are. Id say that alone was worth the price of admission.
Rest In Peace, Huckleberry
Talents is a direct continuation of Sower, so much so I almost wish they were published together as one book. Some of the problems I had with Sower are answered here along with further, overall improvements. Gone are the paragraph long monologues of Lauren preaching. An inclusion of additional pov's serves to provide a different, more critical lens of her character. This was necessary as Lauren strayed a little to much into a masonic savior at times. She's a remarkable person no doubt, mighty goals and the remarkable force of will to make them manifest. To the point of zealotry. Butler has managed to make me both fear and dislike Lauren but also rally for her and I now find her as one of the most fascinating characters put to paper. I also have to marvel at Butler's discipline and restraint. This world has so much narrative potential, leaving so much room for additional stories and yet, in this dualogy of less than 700 pages, we're still provided with a focused lush portrait. Finishing this has been bittersweet. This series is extraordinary and it's a tragedy that it was cut short. If it were to continue, I have no doubt that this could've been Butler's magnum-opus in an already unbelievable bibliography.
Talents is a direct continuation of Sower, so much so I almost wish they were published together as one book. Some of the problems I had with Sower are answered here along with further, overall improvements. Gone are the paragraph long monologues of Lauren preaching. An inclusion of additional pov's serves to provide a different, more critical lens of her character. This was necessary as Lauren strayed a little to much into a masonic savior at times. She's a remarkable person no doubt, mighty goals and the remarkable force of will to make them manifest. To the point of zealotry. Butler has managed to make me both fear and dislike Lauren but also rally for her and I now find her as one of the most fascinating characters put to paper. I also have to marvel at Butler's discipline and restraint. This world has so much narrative potential, leaving so much room for additional stories and yet, in this dualogy of less than 700 pages, we're still provided with a focused lush portrait. Finishing this has been bittersweet. This series is extraordinary and it's a tragedy that it was cut short. If it were to continue, I have no doubt that this could've been Butler's magnum-opus in an already unbelievable bibliography.
Talents is a direct continuation of Sower, so much so I almost wish they were published together as one book. Some of the problems I had with Sower are answered here along with further, overall improvements. Gone are the paragraph long monologues of Lauren preaching. An inclusion of additional pov's serves to provide a different, more critical lens of her character. This was necessary as Lauren strayed a little to much into a masonic savior at times. She's a remarkable person no doubt, mighty goals and the remarkable force of will to make them manifest. To the point of zealotry. Butler has managed to make me both fear and dislike Lauren but also rally for her and I now find her as one of the most fascinating characters put to paper. I also have to marvel at Butler's discipline and restraint. This world has so much narrative potential, leaving so much room for additional stories and yet, in this dualogy of less than 700 pages, we're still provided with a focused lush portrait. Finishing this has been bittersweet. This series is extraordinary and it's a tragedy that it was cut short. If it were to continue, I have no doubt that this could've been Butler's magnum-opus in an already unbelievable bibliography.
Talents is a direct continuation of Sower, so much so I almost wish they were published together as one book. Some of the problems I had with Sower are answered here along with further, overall improvements. Gone are the paragraph long monologues of Lauren preaching. An inclusion of additional pov's serves to provide a different, more critical lens of her character. This was necessary as Lauren strayed a little to much into a masonic savior at times. She's a remarkable person no doubt, mighty goals and the remarkable force of will to make them manifest. To the point of zealotry. Butler has managed to make me both fear and dislike Lauren but also rally for her and I now find her as one of the most fascinating characters put to paper. I also have to marvel at Butler's discipline and restraint. This world has so much narrative potential, leaving so much room for additional stories and yet, in this dualogy of less than 700 pages, we're still provided with a focused lush portrait. Finishing this has been bittersweet. This series is extraordinary and it's a tragedy that it was cut short. If it were to continue, I have no doubt that this could've been Butler's magnum-opus in an already unbelievable bibliography.
A fantasy movie by Guy Ritchie but it doesn't suck.
I'm not a fan of the modern fantasy style but reading The Blacktongue Thief almost made me reconsider. Almost. At its best this novel feels similar to fantasy books of the 80's and 90's. The plots were straightforward yet filled with strange ideas at every turn leaving you unsure about where the tale would finally land. At its worst it just feels like every middle of the road fantasy novel that's come out of the last 10 years. Quick pacing and simple conflicts. That said, the wit Buehlman strategically displayed in Between Two Fires is now given plenty of room here with our lead and acolyte of mischief, Kinch, who really feels tailored to Buehlman's strengths. A sharp blacktongued rogue with a romantic's heart. I'm not sure if I'll continue the series. The ending was just satisfying enough to leave me with some doubt, despite ending abruptly. Ideally I'd like the next books to take bigger risks, have more interpersonal conflicts and be even weirder. In the modern fantasy landscape, this is a diamond in the rough.
Lastly, rest in peace Luther. I'm sure you were one cool cat.
A fantasy movie by Guy Ritchie but it doesn't suck.
I'm not a fan of the modern fantasy style but reading The Blacktongue Thief almost made me reconsider. Almost. At its best this novel feels similar to fantasy books of the 80's and 90's. The plots were straightforward yet filled with strange ideas at every turn leaving you unsure about where the tale would finally land. At its worst it just feels like every middle of the road fantasy novel that's come out of the last 10 years. Quick pacing and simple conflicts. That said, the wit Buehlman strategically displayed in Between Two Fires is now given plenty of room here with our lead and acolyte of mischief, Kinch, who really feels tailored to Buehlman's strengths. A sharp blacktongued rogue with a romantic's heart. I'm not sure if I'll continue the series. The ending was just satisfying enough to leave me with some doubt, despite ending abruptly. Ideally I'd like the next books to take bigger risks, have more interpersonal conflicts and be even weirder. In the modern fantasy landscape, this is a diamond in the rough.
Lastly, rest in peace Luther. I'm sure you were one cool cat.
Sadly this book has become more relevant than ever and it's not for the initial reasons you might think.
Most people talk about the book burning in this novel when in reality it's simply a by product of the sedation by overstimulation present within this society.
People, whether they're aware of it or not, all feel this deep unhappiness because they feel as if they're lives are pointless and lack meaning.
Thomas Ligotti, in his book The Conspiracy Against The Human Race, pointed out that the frequently prescribed antidote for this horror of our pointless existence is engaging in some mental gymnastics to simply not think about or to divert ourselves from this fact. This also aligns with a section in Dr. Victor Frankl's book Mans Search For Meaning. Within, Frankl states that once we are aware of this void of meaning some will look for outward stimulation in an attempt to fill or otherwise distract from it, instead of looking within and engaging in introspection, something which Faber alludes to.
How many times have we had a problem that we didn't want to think about? Then we whip out our pocket computer and begin scrolling on our preferred feed. We've all done this at some point and if I could take anything away from re-reading this classic, it would that we all need to un-plug a bit more. Sit with our thoughts, engage in some critical thinking and maybe even talk to someone we normally don't. Maybe then we would see the world for the millions of diverse human lives and ideas that make it up.
Sadly this book has become more relevant than ever and it's not for the initial reasons you might think.
Most people talk about the book burning in this novel when in reality it's simply a by product of the sedation by overstimulation present within this society.
People, whether they're aware of it or not, all feel this deep unhappiness because they feel as if they're lives are pointless and lack meaning.
Thomas Ligotti, in his book The Conspiracy Against The Human Race, pointed out that the frequently prescribed antidote for this horror of our pointless existence is engaging in some mental gymnastics to simply not think about or to divert ourselves from this fact. This also aligns with a section in Dr. Victor Frankl's book Mans Search For Meaning. Within, Frankl states that once we are aware of this void of meaning some will look for outward stimulation in an attempt to fill or otherwise distract from it, instead of looking within and engaging in introspection, something which Faber alludes to.
How many times have we had a problem that we didn't want to think about? Then we whip out our pocket computer and begin scrolling on our preferred feed. We've all done this at some point and if I could take anything away from re-reading this classic, it would that we all need to un-plug a bit more. Sit with our thoughts, engage in some critical thinking and maybe even talk to someone we normally don't. Maybe then we would see the world for the millions of diverse human lives and ideas that make it up.
Science fiction often aims to speak broadly about mankind, either where we come from or where we're going. Usually this leads to novels that feel impersonal. Not the case with Butler. In all her works, that I've read so far, she's always displayed the nuanced tapestry of human emotion. She understands that rarely is something absolute. If we hate someone we don't just hate them. We can pity, envy and even love them all at the same time. Though at times it's hard not to feel as though our narrator isn't a sheltered 18 year old girl speaking but Butler herself in all her wisdom. On one hand she often speaks broadly of the world with a deep philosophy on life, adding another layer to this already interesting character, on the other it's slightly jarring having someone speak so deeply about the world who has yet to fully experience it.
Butler expertly manages to maintain both intrugue and tension throughout the first half of the novel but drops the ball in the second half where stakes should be at there highest. We meet character after character with little to no fanfare or fireworks and each hurdle is overcome without much difficulty or sacrifice. Similar to Kindred this book doesn't really have a climax, more the story just reaches its natural conclusion and simply ends.
Science fiction often aims to speak broadly about mankind, either where we come from or where we're going. Usually this leads to novels that feel impersonal. Not the case with Butler. In all her works, that I've read so far, she's always displayed the nuanced tapestry of human emotion. She understands that rarely is something absolute. If we hate someone we don't just hate them. We can pity, envy and even love them all at the same time. Though at times it's hard not to feel as though our narrator isn't a sheltered 18 year old girl speaking but Butler herself in all her wisdom. On one hand she often speaks broadly of the world with a deep philosophy on life, adding another layer to this already interesting character, on the other it's slightly jarring having someone speak so deeply about the world who has yet to fully experience it.
Butler expertly manages to maintain both intrugue and tension throughout the first half of the novel but drops the ball in the second half where stakes should be at there highest. We meet character after character with little to no fanfare or fireworks and each hurdle is overcome without much difficulty or sacrifice. Similar to Kindred this book doesn't really have a climax, more the story just reaches its natural conclusion and simply ends.
Science fiction often aims to speak broadly about mankind, either where we come from or where we're going. Usually this leads to novels that feel impersonal. Not the case with Butler. In all her works, that I've read so far, she's always displayed the nuanced tapestry of human emotion. She understands that rarely is something absolute. If we hate someone we don't just hate them. We can pity, envy and even love them all at the same time. Though at times it's hard not to feel as though our narrator isn't a sheltered 18 year old girl speaking but Butler herself in all her wisdom. On one hand she often speaks broadly of the world with a deep philosophy on life, adding another layer to this already interesting character, on the other it's slightly jarring having someone speak so deeply about the world who has yet to fully experience it.
Butler expertly manages to maintain both intrugue and tension throughout the first half of the novel but drops the ball in the second half where stakes should be at there highest. We meet character after character with little to no fanfare or fireworks and each hurdle is overcome without much difficulty or sacrifice. Similar to Kindred this book doesn't really have a climax, more the story just reaches its natural conclusion and simply ends.
Science fiction often aims to speak broadly about mankind, either where we come from or where we're going. Usually this leads to novels that feel impersonal. Not the case with Butler. In all her works, that I've read so far, she's always displayed the nuanced tapestry of human emotion. She understands that rarely is something absolute. If we hate someone we don't just hate them. We can pity, envy and even love them all at the same time. Though at times it's hard not to feel as though our narrator isn't a sheltered 18 year old girl speaking but Butler herself in all her wisdom. On one hand she often speaks broadly of the world with a deep philosophy on life, adding another layer to this already interesting character, on the other it's slightly jarring having someone speak so deeply about the world who has yet to fully experience it.
Butler expertly manages to maintain both intrugue and tension throughout the first half of the novel but drops the ball in the second half where stakes should be at there highest. We meet character after character with little to no fanfare or fireworks and each hurdle is overcome without much difficulty or sacrifice. Similar to Kindred this book doesn't really have a climax, more the story just reaches its natural conclusion and simply ends.
A very lukewarm climax from an author who is know for his bombastic climaxes. Much like the previous book, Rhthym of War, it can feel like we're just biding our time until we get within swinging distance of the finale. Which for a thirteen-hundred page book is insane. I couldn't stop thinking about how Lord of the Rings, with only a thousand pages, gets so much done. When I had initially read the first three books in this series I believed this would be Sanderson's magnum-opus, one that could be compared to Lord of The Rings or Wheel of Time, but now I'm not so sure.
The series had always done a stellar job of keeping the reader immersed in its unique but harsh feudal setting, with dialogue and cultural differences. But again, this has become less prevalent as the series has continued. We start off with a caste system, gender roles and slavery to conversations about therapy. To clarify, I'm not against this progression but when a culture is being reformed their should be character friction.
Speaking of character friction, there is almost none in this or the previous book. We have learned that some main characters have killed the loved ones of other different characters and yet we have never seen this discussed by the characters, opting instead to just keep them separated in some cases. To over simplify, world building such as different factions of religious groups, nations or alliances are their to create friction and force character choices. Some of which Sanderson actually undercuts here.
I love Stormlight and it will always have a special place in my heart but that is also why I feel such a deep disappointment from Wind & Truth. Also because I feel Sanderson could've done better. I sincerely hope he reduces his output, if anything to give himself and his team a break, but also to hopefully focus on the quality of his entries and be less concerned with setting up future projects. The Journey was enjoyable but not the Destination.
A very lukewarm climax from an author who is know for his bombastic climaxes. Much like the previous book, Rhthym of War, it can feel like we're just biding our time until we get within swinging distance of the finale. Which for a thirteen-hundred page book is insane. I couldn't stop thinking about how Lord of the Rings, with only a thousand pages, gets so much done. When I had initially read the first three books in this series I believed this would be Sanderson's magnum-opus, one that could be compared to Lord of The Rings or Wheel of Time, but now I'm not so sure.
The series had always done a stellar job of keeping the reader immersed in its unique but harsh feudal setting, with dialogue and cultural differences. But again, this has become less prevalent as the series has continued. We start off with a caste system, gender roles and slavery to conversations about therapy. To clarify, I'm not against this progression but when a culture is being reformed their should be character friction.
Speaking of character friction, there is almost none in this or the previous book. We have learned that some main characters have killed the loved ones of other different characters and yet we have never seen this discussed by the characters, opting instead to just keep them separated in some cases. To over simplify, world building such as different factions of religious groups, nations or alliances are their to create friction and force character choices. Some of which Sanderson actually undercuts here.
I love Stormlight and it will always have a special place in my heart but that is also why I feel such a deep disappointment from Wind & Truth. Also because I feel Sanderson could've done better. I sincerely hope he reduces his output, if anything to give himself and his team a break, but also to hopefully focus on the quality of his entries and be less concerned with setting up future projects. The Journey was enjoyable but not the Destination.
A very lukewarm climax from an author who is know for his bombastic climaxes. Much like the previous book, Rhthym of War, it can feel like we're just biding our time until we get within swinging distance of the finale. Which for a thirteen-hundred page book is insane. I couldn't stop thinking about how Lord of the Rings, with only a thousand pages, gets so much done. When I had initially read the first three books in this series I believed this would be Sanderson's magnum-opus, one that could be compared to Lord of The Rings or Wheel of Time, but now I'm not so sure.
The series had always done a stellar job of keeping the reader immersed in its unique but harsh feudal setting, with dialogue and cultural differences. But again, this has become less prevalent as the series has continued. We start off with a caste system, gender roles and slavery to conversations about therapy. To clarify, I'm not against this progression but when a culture is being reformed their should be character friction.
Speaking of character friction, there is almost none in this or the previous book. We have learned that some main characters have killed the loved ones of other different characters and yet we have never seen this discussed by the characters, opting instead to just keep them separated in some cases. To over simplify, world building such as different factions of religious groups, nations or alliances are their to create friction and drive the story forward. Otherwise, what is the point?
I love Stormlight and it will always have a special place in my heart but that is also why I feel such a deep disappointment from Wind & Truth. Also because I feel Sanderson could've done better. I sincerely hope he reduces his output, if anything to give himself and his team a break, but also to hopefully focus on the quality of his entries and be less concerned with setting up future projects. The Journey was enjoyable but not the Destination.
A very lukewarm climax from an author who is know for his bombastic climaxes. Much like the previous book, Rhthym of War, it can feel like we're just biding our time until we get within swinging distance of the finale. Which for a thirteen-hundred page book is insane. I couldn't stop thinking about how Lord of the Rings, with only a thousand pages, gets so much done. When I had initially read the first three books in this series I believed this would be Sanderson's magnum-opus, one that could be compared to Lord of The Rings or Wheel of Time, but now I'm not so sure.
The series had always done a stellar job of keeping the reader immersed in its unique but harsh feudal setting, with dialogue and cultural differences. But again, this has become less prevalent as the series has continued. We start off with a caste system, gender roles and slavery to conversations about therapy. To clarify, I'm not against this progression but when a culture is being reformed their should be character friction.
Speaking of character friction, there is almost none in this or the previous book. We have learned that some main characters have killed the loved ones of other different characters and yet we have never seen this discussed by the characters, opting instead to just keep them separated in some cases. To over simplify, world building such as different factions of religious groups, nations or alliances are their to create friction and drive the story forward. Otherwise, what is the point?
I love Stormlight and it will always have a special place in my heart but that is also why I feel such a deep disappointment from Wind & Truth. Also because I feel Sanderson could've done better. I sincerely hope he reduces his output, if anything to give himself and his team a break, but also to hopefully focus on the quality of his entries and be less concerned with setting up future projects. The Journey was enjoyable but not the Destination.