It’s been a bit since I read the second book of this series and enjoyed it, but haven’t found time to get to this coz I don’t have an audiobook. I wenIt’s been a bit since I read the second book of this series and enjoyed it, but haven’t found time to get to this coz I don’t have an audiobook. I went into this not knowing who the characters were going to be, so it was a pleasant surprise and I had so much fun binging through this in a single sitting.
Cherry has been lonely for five years due to being kidnapped by dragon and doesn’t wanna trust a new one who proclaims that he will save her. Dante instantly knows she is his mate but also has enough decency to defer to her that she needs space and time to decide about a relationship. It was a little less instalovey than the first two books, so it was nice to see the developing bond between the two. Dante taking Cherry on an adventure trip to make her happy was sweet. There’s obviously some hot sexy times in the second half of the book. We also meet Alexis who was a nice little addition to this delightful story.
The writing in this book was as funny as expected, with its share of heartwarming, tear jerking and gory violent moments. I breezed through it very quickly, squealing when we get glimpses of the past characters. I think this is the end of the series but I feel like I wouldn’t mind if the author stays in this world and writes more romances for the rest of the side characters. Overall a very enjoyable trilogy, and definitely the kind of cozy romantasies I want to read more of in the future. ...more
A very interesting perspective of the Ramayana from a woman we hardly know anything about. The author gives great depth to all the four sisters marrieA very interesting perspective of the Ramayana from a woman we hardly know anything about. The author gives great depth to all the four sisters married to the princes of Ayodhya, making them not just names mentioned in the epic. I also enjoyed the well done audiobook narration. ...more
Megan Bannen’s debut was a book I picked up unexpectedly and had a good time of, so I was much more excited to read this sophomore novel set in the saMegan Bannen’s debut was a book I picked up unexpectedly and had a good time of, so I was much more excited to read this sophomore novel set in the same universe. Promise me dragons and a romance between middle aged characters and I was all here for it.
This book is slow paced and can get repetitive at times coz we are only following the POV of Twyla, but listening to the very sweetly narrated audiobook by Nicol Zanzarella was a quite fun experience. I really empathized with Twyla’s feelings about her marriage and kids, her dissatisfaction at not being appreciated enough, but also unable to set any boundaries because she does adore her children and grandkids. Frank on the other hand is a great friend of hers and I loved their relationship with each other, though I did wish that the realization of Twyla’s feelings for Frank had happened in a much more calmer way than like a train wreck. But this is still a well done story of my favorite trope - best friends to lovers - and I enjoyed this journey.
The supporting cast was also quite fun, especially Pen with his own relationship woes and little quips all the time. Quill was a charming guy who left an impression, though he could be thick headed at times, and I don’t think I would have minded if Twyla ended up with him either. Ofcourse the highlight for me has to be Mary Elizabeth - just so adorable and cute - pls don’t ask me more, coz you need to read the book to see her shenanigans, but I did wish she had more page time.
Overall this is a fun novel, with the right amount of cozy and angst, lovable characters (and other adorable creatures) and a bad guy I absolutely did not see coming from any angle. The epilogue was also too cute and I enjoyed finishing the book on a high note, with the right amount of warm and fuzzy feelings. Can’t wait to see if we’ll get more books set in this world. ...more
I’ve been so excited to read this book since I first saw the cover, but more so since the author gave details about the historical chaA 4.5 for sure.
I’ve been so excited to read this book since I first saw the cover, but more so since the author gave details about the historical character inspirations and I’m such a sucker for fantasies which take some inspo from Chinese history. I waited till I managed to get the audiobook, and I have to say, it was a very enjoyable experience.
I love how this book is a great combination of very easy breezy prose, all the super fun YA tropes, fast paced plot progression, a very cool world with inspirations from the rise of the Qing dynasty but with steampunk elements, well fleshed out main character who is easy to root for supported by an interesting ensemble cast, great audio narration, and an end I did not at all see coming. I particularly enjoyed listening to this while working out because despite the high stakes for our main character, it’s not too much on the angsty side, just like I prefer.
Aihui Ying is a rebel at heart, determined both on her path to find the truth behind her father’s murder as well as about exploring her true love of being a part of the engineering guild. She maybe naive and sheltered in some aspects, but mostly has a good head on her shoulders, resilient in her goals and a good friend to others. I really enjoyed following her every step of the way, learning the secrets of the guild, her father, and the High Commander’s family, right alongside her. Her story is made more enjoyable by her equations with Aogiya Yeyang, a Prince with high ambitions who is equal parts supportive and mysterious: Aogiya Yekan, another prince who comes across as arrogant and snobbish but is a secret softie who values his friendships and wants to be something other than what’s expected of him; the other apprentices who start off a bit hostile but become reluctant comrades as the trials go on; the various eccentric guild masters who range from outright vindictive to indifferent to intrigued; and her sister Nian who just wants a happy and fulfilling life.
Some may find this book a bit predictable because of the common YA fantasy tropes in it but that’s precisely why I really enjoyed it - the trials to become a member of the engineering guild, the eventual camaraderie between the apprentices, the impossible romance between characters of varying backgrounds, and a deadly secret - it was all familiar ground but in a very unique silk punk setting, making it a fresh entertaining voice in YA fantasy. I thoroughly had fun and can’t wait to see what the author does next in the sequel. ...more
It’s so much easier for me to devote time to novellas these days coz I can get the satisfaction of finishing something quicker, so naturally I had to It’s so much easier for me to devote time to novellas these days coz I can get the satisfaction of finishing something quicker, so naturally I had to read/listen to this one. It’s a well narrated audiobook, though it did take me a bit to get used to the accent.
This is a very typical old school dragon fantasy tale where the dragons have hoards, knights participate in tourneys and also become dragon hunters when called upon, with all the magic being the domain of the mages. The narrative follows our MC Sir Madileh across two timelines, mainly her quest to defeat an infamous dragon and acquire a very mythical blade. It’s fun and entertaining, with a gobsmacking twist I didn’t see coming. The story is also interspersed with older tales of knights and their encounters with dragons, and I found this part very interesting because these tales were the only world building we get here.
This book is quick and short and while maybe it could have been better if we got to know the world better or the characters were more fleshed out, it’s still pretty contained and enjoyable. It was only after I finished reading did I realize that there’s another book in this series. It releases this year, so maybe I will check it out. ...more
I’m usually always up to read Tor’s novellas because they are just the kind of stories I enjoy and I love shorter reads when I don’t have much time. BI’m usually always up to read Tor’s novellas because they are just the kind of stories I enjoy and I love shorter reads when I don’t have much time. But I seemed to have missed the release of this one last year, but when I realized that it has a sequel coming soon, I had to give it a try and woah..!!!! This was an experience…
The writing is just sublime. It’s both beautiful and direct, packing a punch in just a few words. It’s been a while since I’ve highlighted so many lines in a book. The desert atmosphere is captured in its harsh glory, so much so that you can feel the dry heat. For such a short book, the story is fast paced but developed well, with a great arc and a very satisfying ending.
Our thirteen year old young protagonist Tutu starts off hopeless and naive but determined, fueled by his love for his mama, but through the story, he learns to make friends and found family, understands some harsh truths of the world and decides his course of action to remedy it. Through Tutu, we too get to see the truths and lies that have built up the cities of the Forever Desert, the forgotten histories of the people, and what horrors the powerful can commit to maintain their hold on power and ensure that they’ll never be challenged. When Tutu realizes all this, it’s heartbreaking for him but also solidifies his purpose, leading to an epic conclusion.
I absolutely adored this novella and I’m very excited to know that there’s a sequel. With stunning and impactful writing, the author has managed to create a harsh and unforgettable world which deserves more stories, and I’m very excited to read the sequel. ...more
Another fun outing in the Singing Hills cycle and this time our favorite cleric Chih is escorting a new bride along with her family to her husband’s eAnother fun outing in the Singing Hills cycle and this time our favorite cleric Chih is escorting a new bride along with her family to her husband’s estate. Right from the beginning, there is a sense of foreboding, lots of secrets and whispers, and adding to the suspense is the issue of Chih being forgetful and maybe bewitched, missing their familiar Almost Brilliant a lot, and finding themself too attached to a teapot.
I usually like when stories are narrated to or by Chih in this series but I felt that element was missing here, except just a few glimpses of the past. So while this may not be a favorite of the series for me, it was still a fun read, albeit definitely darker than the rest of the series. Definitely looking forward to more adventures of the delightful duo. ...more
I’ve probably only read a couple of translated works by Anton Hur but I’ve followed him for a while now and know how much of a strong voice he is for I’ve probably only read a couple of translated works by Anton Hur but I’ve followed him for a while now and know how much of a strong voice he is for the translator community, so I was very excited for this debut novel. And it’s one of those rare occasions where I went into it not knowing anything, and I would recommend anyone do the same.
This book turned out to be an experience I feel unqualified to review. It may be a thrilling sci-fi dystopian adventure showing us the high technological advancements our world is hurtling towards, but more importantly it’s a treatise on what it means to be human, what it means to be an artist, what immortality does to humanity when there is no death, is anything more immortal than works of art and poetry that transcend time and lives, the impact of language and memory and art and poetry on the evolution of human consciousness when mortal flesh and blood gets replaced with technology- this book is full of thought provoking questions and pondering with no easy answers, but as it came to that stunning end, I was left tearing up while listening to the audiobook in the gym.
The writing is sublime, the journal entry format across time and generations and species a very unique way of making us feel for every pov we read through, and a full cast audiobook that makes for a truly immersive experience. And wow that end, the moment the relevance of the title hit me in the face - I’m still thinking about it days after. What a marvel of a book..!! ...more
I’m always excited for Tor’s novella debuts and this seemed even more fun because I love exploring new mythologies. AndDefinitely more of a 4.5 star.
I’m always excited for Tor’s novella debuts and this seemed even more fun because I love exploring new mythologies. And while I didn’t read this quickly because life got away from me, it’s definitely a very easy one sitting read.
The author does a marvelous job creating this world based on Yoruba mythology, making us feel like a part of it in just a few pages. Interspersed with other tales and POVs, we mainly follow the narrative through Ashake’s eyes, who is feeling a conflict with her faith but finds herself on even more shakier ground as the story goes, when revelations and twists open her eyes to the actual reality. This gives us the opportunity to learn about the world along with her, feeling immersed in an organic way and never being overwhelmed with infodumps despite the low page count.
The epilogue especially thrilled me because of its implications as it now feels like we’ll have three groups with differing motivations, unsure who’ll prevail at the end. I can’t wait to see what happens next but unfortunately it’s probably gonna be more than a year long wait. ...more
Absolutely beautiful story of love, sacrifice and belonging. Alix E. Harrow really is a master of capturing emotions in just a few pages. Hopefully I’Absolutely beautiful story of love, sacrifice and belonging. Alix E. Harrow really is a master of capturing emotions in just a few pages. Hopefully I’ll get to read more of her work in the new year. And I’m happy to end 2023 with this short story. A fitting end indeed. ...more
It’s been so long since I’ve actually sat down to write a review that I feel like I don’t know how to do it anymore. But this book has been on my radaIt’s been so long since I’ve actually sat down to write a review that I feel like I don’t know how to do it anymore. But this book has been on my radar for a while and I was very glad to receive both the eARC and the audio arc, so I am excited to have finally finished this and can’t wait to share my thoughts on it, however rustic my words might seem.
The first draw for me about this book was that gorgeous cover, with so much intricate gold detailing and then the thought of reading my first Thai folklore inspired fantasy book was very exciting. And turns out I was right to pick this up. The author creates a very vivid and lived in world full of demons and ghosts (phi in this case) who are stuck in their endless hunger due to their past sins and can’t escape the karmic cycle & the guild of phi hunters who take their job very seriously and train extensively to be able to hunt the monsters that hurt people, but are increasingly losing favor in a world which is becoming more modern and eschewing their existence as superstition. The way the phi are described in their gory detail was pretty gruesome to read about, and getting to know the details about how phi come to be and the different kinds of phi that can exist was very interesting. I was also delighted to see the crossovers between Thai folklore and Indian mythology, especially with mentions of devas and Vanaras and more. The writing is pretty easy to breeze through despite the underlying mythology being unknown to me, and despite the explicitly gory bits, the story felt much more slice of life and character exploration than a fast paced adventure.
That’s not to say the adventure isn’t present. Ex, our protagonist is the youngest phi hunter in the guild and determined to kill a true demon, which many believe is just a myth. He is young and brash and impulsive, socially awkward and pretty naive, but definitely good at his job. The author does a nice job balancing out all his characteristics, while also delving into the inherent loneliness of his vocation, and how it materializes in him really bonding with his horses and his hunting partner, the Hound.
It’s not surprising he falls for Arinya when she is beautiful and fierce in equal measure, letting him experience the kind of companionship that he never had before. Her survival instincts seem to be top notch, so it’s actually surprising why she too starts being a bit impulsive after her bonding with Ex. To be honest, their relationship was the most unconvincing part of the book because I felt we didn’t get enough time to delve into their feelings, and it was too quick to declare undying love for each other. Narissa on the other hand is a phi living while impersonating a human, hoping to achieve redemption for her sins, and it was actually so intriguing to understand her perspective in this narrative. While their interactions felt too limited, I wish we had instead gotten more time with Ex and Narissa trying to understand each other and realizing that while they are supposed to be enemies, they have too much in common as well. We only get very limited POV of the Hound but let me tell you, impressed I was.
Overall, this is an excellent fantasy book to pick up if you want to explore a new world of mythology/folklore and it will suck you in with its impressive writing and very intricate world building. While the characters may frustrate you a bit, and the payoff of the action wasn’t always worth the build up, I enjoyed my time reading this book and just wanted to know more about everything that inspired this story. I also listening to the audiobook for the most part and the narrator David Lee Huynh does a wonderful immersive job, letting me feel like a part of this world. Can’t wait to see if the author writes another story in this setting, coz I would love to know more. ...more
Another book that wasn’t on my radar but I decided to pick up coz I had the audiobook. This took me a long time to finish and while I did like the oveAnother book that wasn’t on my radar but I decided to pick up coz I had the audiobook. This took me a long time to finish and while I did like the overall experience, I don’t know if it’ll remain memorable after a while.
This is a very slow moving novel, almost like a slice of life story, which is very much in opposition to the content of it - a mother hell bent on revenge for the killing of her child, and an investigator hot on her heels. One would expect a high paced thriller with that kind of premise but the author takes her time here introducing us to every single character - especially our main protagonists Snow and Bao - we get the backstories, their fears and motivations, their loves and losses; so it’s easy for us to empathize with them and ultimately understand the actions they take and the kind of consequences that follow.
Along with the relationship dynamics between Bao and his family in childhood, his everlasting love for Tagtaa, Snow’s push and pull vibes with both Shiro and Kuro, Snow’s admiration for tai furen and the revolutionary thoughts of Bohai and his friends, we also get to see an empire in the background which is in the throes of its demise - the Qing dynasty which refuses to modernize creating dissent in the populace, contrasting with the rapid development of Japan after the Meiji restoration. I thought the author did a great job balancing the world building, relationships, unraveling the mystery of Snow’s life and the trail of breadcrumbs Bao follows, as well as the supernatural (hulijing) elements.
On the whole, this is not the kind of book you’ll not be able to put down but it’s also one you’ll want to finish and see how the journey unfolds, however long it takes. The pacing maybe languid and the plot not too complicated, but it has great characterization and I really liked the characters. The audiobook was also very well narrated by the author herself, perfectly matching the vibe of the story. This is only my second novel by this author and but I’ll definitely be looking forward to her future works. ...more
I really wished to listen to the audiobook of this one coz I loved the first but I couldn’t get my hands on iA definite 3.5 but I’m rounding up here.
I really wished to listen to the audiobook of this one coz I loved the first but I couldn’t get my hands on it, so had to make do with the ebook. I went in with the right expectations this time around and it was an overall fun experience.
Not much different from the first, this book is instalust and instalove too but I wasn’t asking for anything else. Brie, the cheese maker (what a name) is imprinted upon by the familiar cheerful werewolf from book 1 Felix, after he is hit upon by a love potion. What follows is lots of cheesy romantic lines - straight out of the shifter romances that Brie loves, some very steamy/creative intimate scenes that made me blush, a horny talking sword, a mystery of missing young women, a cult of incels, and a surprise explanation of omega verse (yes, you heard that right..!!!!). And I absolutely died laughing at the way the big bad was defeated at the end.
I had a good time reading this book, especially on a day when I was feeling sick and this gave me all the laughs and joy I needed. I’m already looking forward to the third book eagerly. ...more
Another 4.5 read this year. January has been so good.
As I only read the first Emily Wilde book at the beginning of last month, I remembered everythinAnother 4.5 read this year. January has been so good.
As I only read the first Emily Wilde book at the beginning of last month, I remembered everything well and was very excited to get to this sequel. While I wish I could have gotten my hands the audiobook, the waitlist was just too long and I didn’t wanna hold out any longer. And I’m so happy I read it already.
The author continues to maintain the same charming and cozy vibes from the first book, this time transporting us to a setting in the Austrian alps. The journey to a new place in search of more fae (or in this case faerie doors) is quite similar to the first book but this time Emily and Wendell have company in Farris Rose, Emily’s superior at the dryadology department and Ariadne, Emily’s niece and also assistant. We are introduced to more new characters in a new idyllic but also gloomy village in the alps and to my delight, we also meet an old friend. While the purpose of this trip might be slightly more personal than scholarly, the author keeps the proceedings very familiar - so despite the stakes being dangerous, we know things will be ultimately alright. We meet even more new and deadly fae - fae assassins and guardians - and while there are some truly terrifying moments, things get resolved fairly quickly.
It was nice to see Emily try to be more communicative with Wendell, though she still hasn’t given him an answer to his marriage proposal. She is very much determined to find the door to his realm, both for him to go home and for her own research - and her quite impulsive nature gets them both into and out of troubles quite a bit. I love how even when she is scared and uncertain, she remains confident in her knowledge and believes that she will be able to find a solution somehow. At the same time, she trusts Wendell too to save them from dire situations, and is on the other hand resolved to protect his life from his stepmother.
This book also gave us another side to her, by exploring her relationships with both Rose and Ariadne. Rose is an older professor, set in his ways and always questioning Emily’s methods and conclusions - so they are very argumentative with each other - we almost get a feeling that they don’t like each other but whenever the need arises, Rose is quick to give advice and help out Emily, and Emily too wants Rose to understand and approve of her research.
Ariadne on the other hand idolizes her aunt and wants to be a dryadologist just like her, but is not sure if there’s love from her aunt’s side. She is also very enthusiastic and full of questions, which kind of grates on Emily who needs her peace, but it also means Wendell loves chatting up Ariadne. But as the story progresses, we see how much Emily and Ariadne care for each other and it was refreshing to see Emily’s equation with her family.
Overall, I had a lovely time with this sequel, though there were some scares in between. The fae are tricky and dangerous, but the characters make an amazing found family, and together with the epistolary narrative style and beautiful setting, this book still firmly remains in the cozy fantasy territory. And with the way the book ended, I’m quite excited to know more about what the next and final adventure of Emily and Wendell will be and what it’ll mean for their future. ...more
I just read the first book of this duology last month and it immediately made it to my top favorites of It’s somewhere between a 4 and a 4.5 I guess.
I just read the first book of this duology last month and it immediately made it to my top favorites of 2023 list because that’s how much I loved the book. So, I was very eager to get to this sequel, especially in the audiobook format, and as expected, I finished this in just two days.
What I was surprised was how much more world building we got here, which I didn’t think would happen in this conclusion. We get to know more of the lore behind the existence of the Demon Gods, how they came to be and what their purpose is; at the same time, we also get to know the real truth of the imperial clan and how their penchant for power destroyed the many clans across the Last Kingdom - wiping not just their peoples but also their cultures and histories, forcing any remaining survivors to feel that painful disconnect with their ancestors. I thought the author does an interesting job showing how both the imperial clan and the colonizers use their powers for subjugation and not for the benefit of the common populace, ultimately one defeating the other as well.
As I loved the writing in the first book, it remains equally gorgeously descriptive and imaginative here as well, easily making up the scenes in my head. The plot though, took directions that I totally did not see coming after what happened at the end of book one. I had it in my head that this book would be much more action packed, and while everything builds up to a very explosive ending, the journey to get there is more about finding one’s truth and history and purpose, and gathering the resources for the final fight. This made it feel like the pacing was slow for almost half of the book but I didn’t mind it too much.
The author really writes yearning between our two main characters very well - which is definitely a key component of any xianxia. Lan has finally discovered one major secret about her mother and herself and has decided to fulfill the task for which her parents sacrificed their lives. At the same time, she is also reeling from the betrayal by Zen, just clinging onto her purpose so that she doesn’t let herself give into their heartbreak. Zen on the other hand is determined to save everyone he loves and the people even if he destroys himself in the process. Even though they seem like they are on opposite paths, their red string of fate keeps bringing them together time and again, giving us all the angst. Even though there was some repetition in them meeting and separating, I really liked how the author developed their characters individually as well as their relationship.
My slight disappointment though was with the other characters of the book. We get a new character introduced here (which I kinda guessed) who we have to figure out if he is a friend or a foe, but we don’t really get enough time with him to start caring about his actions. We hardly get any Shanjun or Cho Tai scenes which was sad. The only person who maybe had a bit of a presence was Dilaya and I really didn’t think I could come to like her. Our main villain from book one also kind of takes a backseat for most of the book which surprised me a lot.
Overall, I feel like this conclusion was very well written, with even better lore and world building, great main character dynamics, but slightly disappointing with the rest of the cast. But it does end in a very explosive way, all bittersweet emotions making me tear up, but also in a very satisfactory manner. That was the perfect end I could have asked for this series. ...more
After loving The Lies of the Ajungo, I just had to read this one immediately and though it’s a fundamentally different kind ofDefinitely a solid 4.5.
After loving The Lies of the Ajungo, I just had to read this one immediately and though it’s a fundamentally different kind of story, the author does a great job with the twists and turns in this one, even more than the first book.
I’ll keep this review short because I feel that this book works best if one doesn’t know what to expect from it. It did take me a while for me to start liking it though coz the protagonist Osi isn’t immediately endearing like Tutu, and it was only after finishing the book and going over his whole character arc (and especially reading the author’s note) that I realized what his character was all about.
If the first book was about what the powerful would do to hoard their power, this one is about the perils of distorted history and keeping a populace ignorant; how people believing naively in their own righteousness maybe gullible to manipulation; how realizing that one has been lied to all their life can lead to disillusionment and may have unforeseen far reaching consequences.
Overall, I’m just very glad to have read these two novellas now even though I missed the first one in 2023. But now I have to wait for probably a year for the final third and it’s gonna be long and eagerly awaited. I’m very impressed by the author’s writing and very excited to see what more surprises the author has for us in the next. And to anyone new to this series, you can start with either book first and experience this superb world and characters. ...more
I really enjoyed this author’s debut The Deep Sky, so I was very excited to get to this sophomore novel. And it makes me so happy that I probably enjoI really enjoyed this author’s debut The Deep Sky, so I was very excited to get to this sophomore novel. And it makes me so happy that I probably enjoyed this one even more than the previous one.
This is technically a space opera heist novel with species level stakes, galaxy spanning adventures, diverse groups of species inhabiting the universe and in some form of contact, and seemingly accessible space travel options - but ultimately it’s a story of friendship, even as unlikely as between different species with all its misgivings and misunderstandings and a hope for more; this is a found family story about what it means to be human, the perils of colonization even when we justify it as for the greater good, the struggle of survival while also trying stick to one’s moral principles, and amidst it all just forging bonds with each other that will last lifetimes. It is both expansive and intimate, with tense thrilling moments interspersed with quiet joyful and humorous ones; violence and gore marred by the realization that while it may be necessary, it’s never without cost; and ultimately about the hubris of advanced species who think they know better for everyone.
I have to say, I loved listening to the audiobook. Katherine Chin is amazing as always, but here she takes it a notch above with her various voices for the different characters and species, making it a truly remarkable experience. Highly recommend the format and the book, especially if you are a fan of thrilling space operas with an intimate touch. ...more
I’ve only read one Tchaikovsky before, Elder Race, which is a favorite and was very profound in its impact. So I was quite excited to read this one, eI’ve only read one Tchaikovsky before, Elder Race, which is a favorite and was very profound in its impact. So I was quite excited to read this one, especially with the comparisons to Murderbot. Unfortunately, it didn’t live up to those comps.
I think my mistake was trying this out on audio. The dispassionate, repetitive and robotic narration - both of the story and the audiobook - just made it very boring to get through, unnecessarily draggy, with nothing much interesting happening at all. While I had some hopes from the Wonk, it wasn’t enough to save me from the dreary characterization of Uncharles, who is not half as interesting as Murderbot. This slow pace and execution style really made me not want to try to understand the underlying themes of the story because my patience was over by the time I was half way through the book. Maybe if I had an ebook, I would have skim read it super fast, but going through an almost 12 hour audiobook felt like a slog.
Ultimately, this just wasn’t for me. While I like this kind of cozy quiet sci-fi, this book didn’t feel executed well. Maybe fans of Tchaikovsky will find it to their liking. I definitely don’t recommend it to anyone who is looking for a fast paced or action adventure sci-fi. ...more
Yes. I’ve already read this book. I’m not much for resisting hype anyways.
This sequel was fine. I enjoyed Probably more of a 3.5 but I’m rounding up.
Yes. I’ve already read this book. I’m not much for resisting hype anyways.
This sequel was fine. I enjoyed listening to the audiobook, just like the first one. Thankfully we got some more world building details but still the focus is on our main couple and their friends/dragons. I found the first half to be a bit draggy and repetitive but once we crossed the half way mark and part two started, there was some momentum and action, which made for good reading. While most of the book was still a bit predictable, there were a couple of surprises which was nice, and I especially didn’t see the ending coming. However, I reiterate my point that I still want a two pov book.
Will I read the next ??? I think it’ll depend on when it releases. Since there wasn’t much gap between book 1 and 2 for me, it was easy to maintain the hype but it’ll not be easy to sustain it if the third doesn’t come out for an year. But let’s leave that for 2024....more
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