I'm definitely digging this trilogy so far. Both this book, and the one before it (Mistborn: The Final Empire) were good self-contained books on theirI'm definitely digging this trilogy so far. Both this book, and the one before it (Mistborn: The Final Empire) were good self-contained books on their own, but the progression has been really fun to listen to, too....more
Entertaining. Found at least one item, though, that wasn't correct. Still a nice diversion.Entertaining. Found at least one item, though, that wasn't correct. Still a nice diversion....more
Entertaining, quick read about some misconceptions in history. After reading this, I should have some useful knowledge up my sleeve on the off chance Entertaining, quick read about some misconceptions in history. After reading this, I should have some useful knowledge up my sleeve on the off chance I ever get on Jeopardy....more
You'll note that I didn't put this book down as science fiction even though I suppose it has some strong sci-fi elements. This book was just OK. I surYou'll note that I didn't put this book down as science fiction even though I suppose it has some strong sci-fi elements. This book was just OK. I surely wouldn't recommend that anybody actually waste their time reading it, ESPECIALLY if they're expecting it to be science fiction. It's more like a study of the human condition (from the perspective of a person who seems to have daddy issues...he should probably see somebody about that) with some sci-fi words thrown in.
Seriously, this was a letdown. It's like Yu looked up some stuff on quantum mechanics and time travel, then took the most sciency-sounding words and strung them together. The actual plot didn't start until I was about 46% through (according to my Kindle). Prior to that, it was emo back story. Then, the last 5% of the book or so was more emo crapola.
I don't think I would have been so disappointed if I'd realized this wasn't really a science fiction novel. Alas. Don't waste your time unless you want to read something that borders more on psychological/reflective fiction....more
Not a bad book. Sometimes, especially early in the book, Woz comes off fairly arrogant. At first, I thought it was irritating. But now, having read thNot a bad book. Sometimes, especially early in the book, Woz comes off fairly arrogant. At first, I thought it was irritating. But now, having read the entire book, it feels like it was less arrogance and more trying to set the record straight. Yes, there's some arrogance there still. Arrogance, to be honest, I didn't expect, having heard many interviews with him and such. But still an interesting read. The last chapter, while a bit hokey, offers some great advice. This is a book about a man doing what he loves to do. In the end, we should all be so lucky....more
Original Review I'm still processing how I feel about this book. On the one hand, it was very Perrin-centric, and he's probably one of my least favOriginal Review I'm still processing how I feel about this book. On the one hand, it was very Perrin-centric, and he's probably one of my least favorite characters. On the other, some things I've been looking forward to happened in this book and were pretty freaking good.
Either way, this was another great job by Sanderson, rejuvenating the series that Jordan left behind, and I'm eagerly anticipating the final tome.
2013 Re-read I decided to re-read The Gathering Storm and this one before the release of A Memory of Light as a way of reminding me where the series left off without having to re-read everything (that's planned for later this year or in 2014). In my original review, I rated it 4 stars; on the re-read, I rated it 3. While this was certainly better than I seem to remember the later Jordan-only tomes in the series to be (Winter's Heart, Crossroads of Twilight, Knife of Dreams...), it didn't feel as strong as The Gathering Storm. I think a lot of that is because the "biggest" thing I remembered from this book didn't happen until the end (you know the scene I mean, the one with Tom and Mat going on a quest...). I somehow had deluded myself into thinking that the quest was a much larger portion of the book than it was. I apparently blocked out most of the Perrin storyline as well as the Elayne storyline. Perrin's scenes tend to feel drawn out to me. Elayne's, while I typically like them more, were less interesting in this book. It was too much "politics," not enough cool ter'angreal making or her being a badass.
I really enjoyed most of this book. This probably isn't a surprise, since The Princess Bride is one of my favorite movies. While I didn't mind the autI really enjoyed most of this book. This probably isn't a surprise, since The Princess Bride is one of my favorite movies. While I didn't mind the author's asides in the text itself, I didn't particularly care for the introduction (it was too long). I also could have done without the ending part, the part he includes where the movie leaves off. ...more
I mostly enjoyed 4/5 of this book. I listened to it on audio from Audible.com, which included (in 3 "books") The Sword in the Stone, The Witch in the I mostly enjoyed 4/5 of this book. I listened to it on audio from Audible.com, which included (in 3 "books") The Sword in the Stone, The Witch in the Wood, The Ill-Made Knight, The Candle in the Wind, and The Book of Merlyn. Apparently, I've learned that The Book of Merlyn wasn't a part of the original book and was published posthumously. I did not care for The Book of Merlyn.
Other than that, though, I enjoyed reading this. I haven't read much Arthurian legend before, and this was an entertaining introduction. It was interesting to see the differences between this book and Mists of Avalon; I definitely preferred The Once and Future King. I also really enjoyed hearing references made in other books--notably, the Wheel of Time series (which I've been reading). It's cool to see how other books have used the Arthur legends in spinning their yarns....more
It was entertaining enough, a nice diversion from what had been a fantasy-heavy rotation of books. It's what you'd expect. Probably works better in prIt was entertaining enough, a nice diversion from what had been a fantasy-heavy rotation of books. It's what you'd expect. Probably works better in print, but the tongue-in-cheek humor is still there....more
This was an alright book. I was weary of reading it at first, since I've actually met one of the "super cavers" that this book is about a number of tiThis was an alright book. I was weary of reading it at first, since I've actually met one of the "super cavers" that this book is about a number of times (Bill Stone), and I find him to be an utter twat. I really didn't want to read a book that glorified this man in any way, shape, or form.
Sadly, this book did just that. Even though the cave that Stone was exploring is NOT the deepest cave in the world, more than 3/4 of the book was devoted to him. It may as well have been a biography of Stone, and if I'd know that, I wouldn't have read it (why bother reading so much about a man I find disgusting?).
One crazy "small world" experience happened in this book. It turns out that my former physical therapist, Pat Stone, is Bill Stone's ex-wife. Who knew?
I think if I did not know Stone, I might have enjoyed this book more. It certainly does do a good job of describing the joys and frustrations of caving in general, and seems to do a good job of describing expedition caving (which I have never done, though in a past life I did enjoy going underground and was involved in a local grotto, vertical work, and rescue work). Alas....more
I really enjoyed this book. Though some of the reviews on Amazon imply that the book is largely false, it doesn't matter. The story is well-told and cI really enjoyed this book. Though some of the reviews on Amazon imply that the book is largely false, it doesn't matter. The story is well-told and completely engaging. As a diver, I also appreciated discussions of the underwater world. It's the story of divers finding a World War II U-boat about 60 miles off the coast of New Jersey, and the subsequent challenges they had in identifying the sub....more
This book might better be called, "Whine, Reminisce, Lecture." The only redeeming value of this book is that it re-piqued my interest in taking yoga cThis book might better be called, "Whine, Reminisce, Lecture." The only redeeming value of this book is that it re-piqued my interest in taking yoga classes. Pseudo-spiritualism at its worst....more
It was alright. It wasn't as good as the Andy Carpenter books, but still entertaining.It was alright. It wasn't as good as the Andy Carpenter books, but still entertaining....more
An entertaining read about a "ghost," a ghost-writer helping write the memoirs of a former British PM. During the course of his work, the ghost uncoveAn entertaining read about a "ghost," a ghost-writer helping write the memoirs of a former British PM. During the course of his work, the ghost uncovers more than he bargained for (with predictable results). If I had one complaint, though, it would be that the book left more questions at the end, so the end was somewhat satisfying. Written in the first person, you're left to think that the narrator never uncovered all of the details of secrets, but at the same time, I was intrigued and wanted more. This book is set in modern times and I think may reflect some of the author's feelings about ex-PM Gordon Brown (though how much the truth extends beyond that is anybody's guess)....more
Not what I expected, but now, about a week after I finished it, I can't remember much about the book, so I'm guessing it didn't hit me as much as I thNot what I expected, but now, about a week after I finished it, I can't remember much about the book, so I'm guessing it didn't hit me as much as I thought it did....more
I suppose I should start by saying that I didn't have high hopes for this book before I started to read it. I read Stranger in a Strange Land a few yeI suppose I should start by saying that I didn't have high hopes for this book before I started to read it. I read Stranger in a Strange Land a few years ago and thought it was just OK. I also wasn't sold on the dialect of the book's narrator early on--it took some getting used to.
In the end, I enjoyed the story of those who brought a revolution to the moon. In some places, it was too wordy--too much description and not enough action. However, upon reflection, this may have been Heinlein's subtle commentary on the nature of starting a revolution--and on TALKING of starting a revolution.
I have to think that this book, with its fairly lofty ideals, is one better enjoyed when younger (I'm 30 now, and just tipping over the edge of being too jaded to enjoy it I think). I think I'd feel differently about it if I read it 10 years from now....more
terpkristin
>
Books:
2010
(47)
Loading...
