I had a sudden urge to reread this, wondering if I could reread the series before the last one comes outSECOND REREAD: 18 August 2021 - 22 August 2021
I had a sudden urge to reread this, wondering if I could reread the series before the last one comes out. Since I thought that was in September, it was fairly unlikely. Then I looked it up and that one comes out in November, my chances are better.
I really enjoyed by reread and do want to keep going.
It isn't even like I needed to find out what was going on because I've read it before and I could skip to the last fWhy did I make myself finish this?
It isn't even like I needed to find out what was going on because I've read it before and I could skip to the last few pages? Why?*
The sexual politics are horrific, the romance is so not romantic, everyone is horrible (except the horses) and the solution is uninteresting.
But mostly, the sexual attitudes, rape (at least it's not on page) and entitledness of the men are awful.
Don't read this. I don't know why I did. Twice.
*I suspect it's because I've been rereading McCaffrey from the beginning (it seemed a good idea when I started, which was when she died, but I may reconsider now) and I couldn't skip this one even though it was terrible....more
Rereading for the Lower North Island Abbey Club meeting.
ORIGINAL READ: 22 November 2018 to 23 NovemberREREAD #1: 24 March 2021 to 26 March 2021 (8/10)
Rereading for the Lower North Island Abbey Club meeting.
ORIGINAL READ: 22 November 2018 to 23 November 2018 (8/10)
I spent an inappropriate amount of time stroking the boards of this book as it is the nicest physical copies of EJO's books I have. It was a lovely physical reading experience as well as a very enjoyable story.
I was ready to be highly annoyed with Rhoda, having read so many books about Rosamund prior to this, and I was rather surprised to find I wasn't nearly as much as I had expected. She held onto her anger for far too long, but it actually kind of worked. It was also good the way her friends didn't agree with her and managed to balance befriending Rosamund themselves without abandoning Rhoda (even if she thought they were).
It was a very enjoyable read and it was also good to see the beginning of Woodend School, since I had already read New Girls at Wood End that happens later and found parts of it confusing....more
I really did enjoy this series so much. It contains an awful lot of my favourite things (as I've discuOkay, I'm a convert. I'm a fan. Give me more. :)
I really did enjoy this series so much. It contains an awful lot of my favourite things (as I've discussed in my reviews of the previous two books) and I was very happy with how it all resolved. My biggest fear was that we would solve the immediate plot and the book would end without any further look at how much the world had now either changed, or would need to change. Happily, my fears were unfounded.
I really did like the skim across the following months after the main resolution to see how everyone recovered from what had happened and started the changes that would now come.
I loved the whole story, but I also liked the way the reader was left with a feeling that a new table had been dragged into the dining room and set and now we can have as many meals/adventures as we like in this new world.
I guess this is a long winded way of saying "I want more". But readers always do when they finish something they loved. I see there's a book due out next month that is about Marcus and Phoebe, so there will be more and I will happily be reading it. Of course, having just finished Diana and Matthew's epic story, right now I want more about them and their more immediate family as well as their extended one. I'll just have to wait and see.
ORIGINAL READ: 8 August 2018 to 12 August 2018 (10/10)
After raving at REREAD #1: 21 March 2021 to 28 March 2021 (10/10)
I'm loving reading these again.
ORIGINAL READ: 8 August 2018 to 12 August 2018 (10/10)
After raving at length about how much I loved "A Discovery of Witches" and why I should have read it sooner, I don't know if I have lots more to add about this one.
I loved it too. I struggle a bit with the idea of pure historicals these days, but add in some connection to the present and I like them ever so much more. This did this is spades. So my worry about managing a book sent entirely in the past was totally unnecessary.
There were some beautiful moments here that I really don't want to spoil for other readers newly discovering this series like I am, so once again, hooray for Goodreads spoiler tags. (view spoiler)[I loved that both Matthew and Diana got to meet their fathers again, and those fathers both got to meet their child's spouse. Philippe and Stephen were such different characters and yet Diana's interactions with both of them were just delightful. (hide spoiler)]
Another lovely concept was the small changes Matthew and Diana's time in the past had on the present and the way the modern characters were looking out for and responding to those changes.
There were spots here and there where things should perhaps have felt a bit too convenient, but the way it was handled worked for me. I admit readily that these have turned out to be "books of my heart" because they bring together so many concepts and ideas that I love, so my critical filters are set pretty low. But I liked things falling into place instead of being annoyed by it.
I have moved straight on to "The Book of Life" and I'm loving that too....more
I watched season 2 of the series on TV and found myself wanting to reread the books again. This has beREREAD #1: 7 March 2021 to 14 March 2021 (10/10)
I watched season 2 of the series on TV and found myself wanting to reread the books again. This has become a comfort read. Not necessarily the height of literature, but full of people I love and want to hang out with. I'm also really enjoying the mystery aspect as that's my catnip.
ORIGINAL READ: 24 July 2018 to 4 August 2018 (9/10)
I remember there being a certain amount of hype when this first came out. I looked at the blurb and thought it sounded like something I might like and then realised it was a book about witches and vampires, and probably angsty romance. At the time, I was totally over all of those, so I never read it. (It didn't help that as the hype increased I got stubborn and determined not to read it.)
Then, this year, I discovered they were going to make a TV show of it. Again, I sort of shrugged. Witches and vampires, right? Then, I discovered a favourite actress (Alex Kingston) had been cast as Aunt Sarah (and her character sounded pretty cool, too.) Maybe I should give it a try, I thought, and continued not to do so. Then (can you see a growing chain of events), they released a trailer and, while still not convinced (witches and vampires) I did like the glimpses and promo pictures I'd seen of Alex, plus the scenery looked good.
So I looked the book up on Amazon. And there it was, available for Kindle for $2.19. Good marketing, whoever thought of that because I bought it. (Sadly, it seems to be back to full price now.)
I started reading and all my worst fears seemed to come true. It was slow and I was struggling. It was all introspection, back story and infodumping. And first person, which is not my preferred point of view (interesting, since I once wrote 100,000 words of fanfic in first person POV). Oh dear, I had been right all along.
But I kept going.
And suddenly, we got past that stodgy beginning, the story took off and it was totally and absolutely my catnip. I have to admit, egg on my face, that I ended up loving this book.
It has a mysterious, magical book and a puzzle to solve, all about origins, tied up in the past and working out what it all means. There are two leads who don't immediately start angsting about each other (even if they do start falling for each other pretty quickly). But it's a relationship/romance that does work. There are vampires who have lived long lives and a full of history and interesting stories. There's uncontrolled magic, decades old visions of the future that are starting to come true, and people learning about themselves. There's a lovely distinction between spells and magic and witches who use both. There is also the coolest witches' house I have possibly ever read, and I really, really hope they do a good job of that on TV.
I also really like that this series really is a series. Book 1 doesn't finish on a cliff-hanger, but it does leave the reader (and characters) at a point where they move straight on into book 2. This is pretty clearly a story in three volumes rather than three related stories. Since they are all published at this point, I am delighted as I can carry right on with the entire story. (Sometimes, there are advantages to dilly-dallying.) Yes, I've bought book 2, and the only reason I haven't dived straight in is because I have a couple of books to read for soon to be released podcasts. I'm sure I'll be starting it as soon as I can.
I'm kind of embarrassed that I was so determined to judge a book by things other than it's content. But at least I got there in the end.
The book loses a point for the tough beginning; otherwise it would have been a 10/10 read....more
I took a little break from New Moon, which was an excellent by slow read, to enjoy the next Abbey book. Another lovely read. These are perfect for ligI took a little break from New Moon, which was an excellent by slow read, to enjoy the next Abbey book. Another lovely read. These are perfect for light but delightful summer reads and I think there might be a lot of Oxenham over the course of my summer.
Reread: A masterclass from the author of purposefully creating a character for your readers to dislike. The poor girl doesn't stand a chance, then is unrealistically redeemed by the regular characters....more
REREAD #1 So amazing all over again. I was reading on my Kindle and making millions of highlights and plenty of notes. There is so much more to discoveREREAD #1 So amazing all over again. I was reading on my Kindle and making millions of highlights and plenty of notes. There is so much more to discover on a reread. This ticked of some many of my favourite fantasy tropes AND my favourite SF tropes. A near perfect book.
ORIGINAL READ At about 75% through this book, I was blown away by its power, its anger, its complexity and general awesomeness.
On finishing, I find myself still as amazed, but in a gentler, quieter way. I am impressed at how Jemisin can take all that furious power and calm it into an ending that leaves me feeling still and satisfied and somehow humbled, and so, so very impressed, without losing that power in the process.
I have been impressed by the ending of every one of Jemisin's books I have read. She has a skill with endings that makes them feel totally "right" even if they are not necessarily "happy" or expected. She has done it again here.
I would love to know what happens next in the Stillness. Can the fury and hatred and conflict that has existed so long take his chance for change? But I am also satisfied. I can be happy with not knowing. And that's a good kind of ending, because it leaves the reader in a good place, but also a realistic one, where humans are still humans and stories never actually end. But there a places that we can leave them be. And Jemisin has, for me anyway, a great skill and finding those leaving places and writing them beautifully.
I think this trilogy is her best work so far. It is definitely a single story and you need to start at the beginning. Don't try jumping in here - go and find The Fifth Season and read that. I truly don't think you'll regret it.
N. K. Jemisin won the Hugo Award in 2016 for The Fifth Season, and she has just won it again this year for the second book. The Obelisk Gate. I thought this book was even better than both of those and I hope she'll be nominated and win again next year. This series deserves the trifecta.
I'm looking forward to whatever she writes next - she has sold another trilogy to Tor. This is an author I have great faith in and I'm along for the ride, wherever it goes....more
Previously read single stories, now reading entire collection in 2021.
I managed to finish Stories of Your Life and Others by Ted Chiang today which maPreviously read single stories, now reading entire collection in 2021.
I managed to finish Stories of Your Life and Others by Ted Chiang today which made me happy. His stories are really good and I'm really glad and everything. I'm just sorry it took me quite as long as it did. So many of the stories, I was reading them thinking Dad would really like this. I wish I could have pushed these on Dad sooner, but it's not making me desperately miserable. It's a melancholy kind of sad that reminds you that are doors closed and nothing's going to let me reach through it again. I can't ever sit down with a Ted Chiang book and say "you'd like these, read them". I told him about some of the ones in Exhalation mostly about on Omphalos which I thought he'd find really interesting with his interest in creation. But well it's too late now. I can't read them with him, I can only read them and think of him. Great stories - 10 out of 10....more
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