Nico
Audio: Probably a 5-star book, but considering my enjoyment rating it 4. A high magic, standalone fantasy about a prospective mage and janitor who learn a secret that can break the world. Thematically probably one of the strongest books I’ve read about feminism, colonialism, classism and the cost of modernity while being original without being heavy handed.
Audio: Probably a 5-star book, but considering my enjoyment rating it 4. A high magic, standalone fantasy about a prospective mage and janitor who learn a secret that can break the world. Thematically probably one of the strongest books I’ve read about feminism, colonialism, classism and the cost of modernity while being original without being heavy handed.
Probably a 5-star book, but considering my enjoyment rating it 4. A high magic, standalone fantasy about a prospective mage and janitor who learn a secret that can break the world. Thematically probably one of the strongest books I’ve read about feminism, colonialism, classism and the cost of modernity while being original without being heavy handed.
Probably a 5-star book, but considering my enjoyment rating it 4. A high magic, standalone fantasy about a prospective mage and janitor who learn a secret that can break the world. Thematically probably one of the strongest books I’ve read about feminism, colonialism, classism and the cost of modernity while being original without being heavy handed.
Audio: A unique detective, alt-history, portal fantasy and *completely* satisfying sequel in the **Thursday Next** series with some unexpected twists this time around. Fforde is a top-tier creator of worlds that have shimmers of familiarity yet are completely absurd and fever dream, while writing interesting characters and interspersing humorous historical [and in this case literary] references and jokes that go over my head 80% of the time.
Audio: A unique detective, alt-history, portal fantasy and *completely* satisfying sequel in the **Thursday Next** series with some unexpected twists this time around. Fforde is a top-tier creator of worlds that have shimmers of familiarity yet are completely absurd and fever dream, while writing interesting characters and interspersing humorous historical [and in this case literary] references and jokes that go over my head 80% of the time.
Quit at 40%, then 56%, then tried again and finished. * A YA to new adult queer love-triangle romance with some feminist themes where a messenger finds herself on a quest across a wasteland akin to Mad Max. The city and dessert settings were the most interesting parts for me, but were unfortunately overshadowed by a plot focused on a tedious romance, characters and dialogue.
Quit at 40%, then 56%, then tried again and finished. * A YA to new adult queer love-triangle romance with some feminist themes where a messenger finds herself on a quest across a wasteland akin to Mad Max. The city and dessert settings were the most interesting parts for me, but were unfortunately overshadowed by a plot focused on a tedious romance, characters and dialogue.
Quit at 40%. (I'm unsure if hard or soft quit). I do rec people try it, I'd say it's queer Mad Max with the love triangle trope. Don't quote me on that though. I did like the magic, feminist themes and commentary, I just have a gap in caring for the characters. Eh, maybe I'll go back.
Quit at 40%. (I'm unsure if hard or soft quit). I do rec people try it, I'd say it's queer Mad Max with the love triangle trope. Don't quote me on that though. I did like the magic, feminist themes and commentary, I just have a gap in caring for the characters. Eh, maybe I'll go back.
Funny, beautiful, gut-wrenching and too real alt-history graphic novel about a world where you can buy wishes, but if you don’t wish right there are severe consequences. You follow Shokry, who sells first-class wishes at his kiosk, and his patrons who are so desperate they take the risk. This focuses mainly on three characters (but really four) in modern-day Egypt. I cried at some point during every story arc and teared up when thinking about these characters afterwards — I felt the grief and battle with depression to my core. There is a bit of ethical and religious discussion, and worldbuilding around the global and Egyptian politics and regulation of wishes as well.
Funny, beautiful, gut-wrenching and too real alt-history graphic novel about a world where you can buy wishes, but if you don’t wish right there are severe consequences. You follow Shokry, who sells first-class wishes at his kiosk, and his patrons who are so desperate they take the risk. This focuses mainly on three characters (but really four) in modern-day Egypt. I cried at some point during every story arc and teared up when thinking about these characters afterwards — I felt the grief and battle with depression to my core. There is a bit of ethical and religious discussion, and worldbuilding around the global and Egyptian politics and regulation of wishes as well.
The epic story continues, with even more politicking, battles, and heartbreak. I can see why Liu calls his books silkpunk and I wish I was smart enough to understand all of the inventions and science. Even though I didn’t often understand, I enjoyed seeing the creations. And the war scenes never bored me like in other epic fantasy. It was just fantastic.
From my memory The Grace of Kings was fast paced while still spending time with characters, but this one felt like a mix of really getting into the weeds with some characters and time stops and then moving quickly again. I loved it. It gave me the complex and nuanced character development and character relationships I desire, while being a page turner. This one book could have easily been 5 books if Liu didn’t move through time so quickly — thank you, Liu.
The epic story continues, with even more politicking, battles, and heartbreak. I can see why Liu calls his books silkpunk and I wish I was smart enough to understand all of the inventions and science. Even though I didn’t often understand, I enjoyed seeing the creations. And the war scenes never bored me like in other epic fantasy. It was just fantastic.
From my memory The Grace of Kings was fast paced while still spending time with characters, but this one felt like a mix of really getting into the weeds with some characters and time stops and then moving quickly again. I loved it. It gave me the complex and nuanced character development and character relationships I desire, while being a page turner. This one book could have easily been 5 books if Liu didn’t move through time so quickly — thank you, Liu.
A compilation of six short (and novelette length) stories, each following at least one average Joe who find themselves in horrific and unfathomable situations. It was truly bloody, often toeing the line of what I could handle. My most to least favorites were *The Book of Blood*, *The Midnight Meat Train,* The Yattering and Jack,* *In the Hills, in the Cities,* *Pig Blood Blues* and *Sex, Death and Starshine.*
A compilation of six short (and novelette length) stories, each following at least one average Joe who find themselves in horrific and unfathomable situations. It was truly bloody, often toeing the line of what I could handle. My most to least favorites were *The Book of Blood*, *The Midnight Meat Train,* The Yattering and Jack,* *In the Hills, in the Cities,* *Pig Blood Blues* and *Sex, Death and Starshine.*
The Book of Zog
An Eldritch Horror wakes up on a new world. Fed by fear, he hunts to be satiated. But he becomes curious about his worshippers and awed by the creativity of humans. Will he consume the world or try to save it?
The cover is misleading I think, it is actually more of a cozy read than a blood and guts rampage story. I loved the motley crew of beings and the MC, known as Zog by its friends. I enjoyed following Zog as it goes on a journey of self-discovery by interacting with humans, and who knew it was an artist. There was opportunity to flesh out much of the plot and the characters, but I was absolutely an enjoyable, quick read.
An Eldritch Horror wakes up on a new world. Fed by fear, he hunts to be satiated. But he becomes curious about his worshippers and awed by the creativity of humans. Will he consume the world or try to save it?
The cover is misleading I think, it is actually more of a cozy read than a blood and guts rampage story. I loved the motley crew of beings and the MC, known as Zog by its friends. I enjoyed following Zog as it goes on a journey of self-discovery by interacting with humans, and who knew it was an artist. There was opportunity to flesh out much of the plot and the characters, but I was absolutely an enjoyable, quick read.
A very satisfying conclusion to the Alamaxa Duology. While the first book focused on our two women MCs fighting for their right to use their elemental magic and the politicking in this patriarchal society, book two focused on war. It’s one of the few series that’s made me really mad, but in a good way. This was almost a 5-star book, it just had some plot convenience things and rushing that knocked it down a smidge.
I *highly* recommend this underread series, but especially for people who like diving deep into MC’s motivations, thought processes, etc, politics and revolutions, you’re looking for non-Western inspired fantasy, you like books that explore power imbalances that resemble those of the real world, or you want a short series that is fast-paced.
A very satisfying conclusion to the Alamaxa Duology. While the first book focused on our two women MCs fighting for their right to use their elemental magic and the politicking in this patriarchal society, book two focused on war. It’s one of the few series that’s made me really mad, but in a good way. This was almost a 5-star book, it just had some plot convenience things and rushing that knocked it down a smidge.
I *highly* recommend this underread series, but especially for people who like diving deep into MC’s motivations, thought processes, etc, politics and revolutions, you’re looking for non-Western inspired fantasy, you like books that explore power imbalances that resemble those of the real world, or you want a short series that is fast-paced.
It’s a world as only Jasper Fforde can imagine it: a climate-change alternative history where dreams are suppressed for those who can afford it, villains are obsessed with stamps, and “coffee” is any warm liquid that is brown — it’s probably not toxic, maybe. Charlie gets a new job in Sector Twelve and has to bite off more than he can chew or be chewed by nightwalkers. Who can Charlie trust?
I didn’t love this, but I didn’t hate it either. Since I was disappointed, my beef with this one stands out. The first 50% is a bit of a slog. Charlie is bumbling yet clever and witty, and somehow still manages to be a lackluster character outshined by others in his own story. The humor was too intellectual for me so I missed a lot of it. I never felt cold even though the setting is essentially a tundra. And last, the ending (while worth it) was a little anti-climactic.
I highly recommend Shades of Grey over this one for new readers of Fforde.
It’s a world as only Jasper Fforde can imagine it: a climate-change alternative history where dreams are suppressed for those who can afford it, villains are obsessed with stamps, and “coffee” is any warm liquid that is brown — it’s probably not toxic, maybe. Charlie gets a new job in Sector Twelve and has to bite off more than he can chew or be chewed by nightwalkers. Who can Charlie trust?
I didn’t love this, but I didn’t hate it either. Since I was disappointed, my beef with this one stands out. The first 50% is a bit of a slog. Charlie is bumbling yet clever and witty, and somehow still manages to be a lackluster character outshined by others in his own story. The humor was too intellectual for me so I missed a lot of it. I never felt cold even though the setting is essentially a tundra. And last, the ending (while worth it) was a little anti-climactic.
I highly recommend Shades of Grey over this one for new readers of Fforde.
Quit at 9%. Just wasn't feeling it.
Quit at 9%. Just wasn't feeling it.
Quit at 25%
Quit around 15%
Quit at 5% - pretty bummed.
Quit at 5% - pretty bummed.
As someone on GRs said, “no plot just vibes,” but even the vibes were a miss for me. I felt like I was kept at arms-length. It’s an interesting premise, but I never was wowed by Penny, Dallergut or the store, and - maybe because of the state of my cold, dark heart - I never felt my heartstrings pulled, even though I craved it. My favorite of the stories were about the customers addressing their trauma and the musician struggling with inspiration, but even those felt too brief and just at surface level. I just felt nothing with this one.
Penny gets a job at the Dallergut Dream Department store, a place where you can purchase dreams ranging from meeting a celebrity to seeing a family member who has passed. Told in a series of vignettes, you follow Penny as she bumbles and learns the ropes while interacting with customers.
I think fans of When the Coffee Gets Cold might enjoy this or vice versa, folks who enjoy the cozy subgenre, or *maybe* light novels (I’m pretty ignorant about these, but this somewhat reminded me of light novel The Haunted Bookstore by Shinobumaru - maybe it was just the cutsy protagonist in the vignette style, though I prefer that one).
As someone on GRs said, “no plot just vibes,” but even the vibes were a miss for me. I felt like I was kept at arms-length. It’s an interesting premise, but I never was wowed by Penny, Dallergut or the store, and - maybe because of the state of my cold, dark heart - I never felt my heartstrings pulled, even though I craved it. My favorite of the stories were about the customers addressing their trauma and the musician struggling with inspiration, but even those felt too brief and just at surface level. I just felt nothing with this one.
Penny gets a job at the Dallergut Dream Department store, a place where you can purchase dreams ranging from meeting a celebrity to seeing a family member who has passed. Told in a series of vignettes, you follow Penny as she bumbles and learns the ropes while interacting with customers.
I think fans of When the Coffee Gets Cold might enjoy this or vice versa, folks who enjoy the cozy subgenre, or *maybe* light novels (I’m pretty ignorant about these, but this somewhat reminded me of light novel The Haunted Bookstore by Shinobumaru - maybe it was just the cutsy protagonist in the vignette style, though I prefer that one).
As someone on GRs said, “no plot just vibes,” but even the vibes were a miss for me. I felt like I was kept at arms-length. It’s an interesting premise, but I never was wowed by Penny, Dallergut or the store, and - maybe because of the state of my cold, dark heart - I never felt my heartstrings pulled, even though I craved it. My favorite of the stories were about the customers addressing their trauma and the musician struggling with inspiration, but even those felt too brief and just at surface level. I just felt nothing with this one.
Penny gets a job at the Dallergut Dream Department store, a place where you can purchase dreams ranging from meeting a celebrity to seeing a family member who has passed. Told in a series of vignettes, you follow Penny as she bumbles and learns the ropes while interacting with customers.
I think fans of When the Coffee Gets Cold might enjoy this or vice versa, folks who enjoy the cozy subgenre, or *maybe* light novels (I’m pretty ignorant about these, but this somewhat reminded me of light novel The Haunted Bookstore by Shinobumaru - maybe it was just the cutsy protagonist in the vignette style, though I prefer that one).
As someone on GRs said, “no plot just vibes,” but even the vibes were a miss for me. I felt like I was kept at arms-length. It’s an interesting premise, but I never was wowed by Penny, Dallergut or the store, and - maybe because of the state of my cold, dark heart - I never felt my heartstrings pulled, even though I craved it. My favorite of the stories were about the customers addressing their trauma and the musician struggling with inspiration, but even those felt too brief and just at surface level. I just felt nothing with this one.
Penny gets a job at the Dallergut Dream Department store, a place where you can purchase dreams ranging from meeting a celebrity to seeing a family member who has passed. Told in a series of vignettes, you follow Penny as she bumbles and learns the ropes while interacting with customers.
I think fans of When the Coffee Gets Cold might enjoy this or vice versa, folks who enjoy the cozy subgenre, or *maybe* light novels (I’m pretty ignorant about these, but this somewhat reminded me of light novel The Haunted Bookstore by Shinobumaru - maybe it was just the cutsy protagonist in the vignette style, though I prefer that one).
Books 2 and 3 of the Morrigan Crow series were a light in between most of the listens I’ve been begrudgingly tackling recently and I devoured them because I just couldn’t with the others.
Wundersmith focuses on Morrigan in her first year with her cohort - sisters and brothers for life - yet it seems most everyone, cohort and teachers alike, is against her and believes she is dangerous. She is bolstered and validated by Jupiter, the staff at the Hotel Deucalion and her BFF Hawthorne. Blackmail to her cohort to keep her secret isn’t helping, people around her are going missing, and she gets multiple surprise visits from the evil Wundersmith. How will Morrigan make it through her first year?
Books 2 and 3 of the Morrigan Crow series were a light in between most of the listens I’ve been begrudgingly tackling recently and I devoured them because I just couldn’t with the others.
Wundersmith focuses on Morrigan in her first year with her cohort - sisters and brothers for life - yet it seems most everyone, cohort and teachers alike, is against her and believes she is dangerous. She is bolstered and validated by Jupiter, the staff at the Hotel Deucalion and her BFF Hawthorne. Blackmail to her cohort to keep her secret isn’t helping, people around her are going missing, and she gets multiple surprise visits from the evil Wundersmith. How will Morrigan make it through her first year?