3.5. I'm enjoying this series despite the audio medium not being ideal for me. 3.5. I'm enjoying this series despite the audio medium not being ideal for me. ...more
Read via audible and I enjoyed it. The various voices the narrator used helped a lot with the immersion via audio. Zorian, as the main character, starRead via audible and I enjoyed it. The various voices the narrator used helped a lot with the immersion via audio. Zorian, as the main character, starts out a bit insufferable but the advantage of time loops is that you get a lot of time to learn not only how to get better at magic but also how to grow as a person. Still, I would have probably liked to see a bit more of the psychological toll the time loop would have on those caught on it, which is basically a non issue here....more
3.5 stars. Listened via Audible. I have realized I am not a good target for audio because any distractions make me lose track of some details, harder 3.5 stars. Listened via Audible. I have realized I am not a good target for audio because any distractions make me lose track of some details, harder to catch up or concentrate on what I'm listening to. I'm enjoying Lindon's story and the growing scope of his surrounding environment, but would have probably enjoyed it more if I'd read it instead of listened to it. Then again, progression stories have always been more enjoyable to me in visual form (anime, donghua's) than in writing. ...more
Just as amazing and poignant a short tale as the first, but it hits much harder at the end. Also, the inevitable cycle of death and violence and the pJust as amazing and poignant a short tale as the first, but it hits much harder at the end. Also, the inevitable cycle of death and violence and the pursuit of more and more power, truth and lies. This has been an incredible series that packs such a punch in so few words. ...more
4.5ish. I absolutely loved this fun, deranged romp with a chaotic main character that was so much fun to read. I loved so many characters here, there 4.5ish. I absolutely loved this fun, deranged romp with a chaotic main character that was so much fun to read. I loved so many characters here, there were events and situations that made laugh out loud and sadden me, so I ran the gamut of the emotional rollercoaster (but mostly it was just so damn funny).
A couple of points down just because of the sheer exhaustion of the entire thing. There was just so much information I kept having to refer to the map and calendar, and it all came from a frankly stream of consciousness 100 miles an hour protagonist's POV, so it did make the reading a bit hard sometimes.
But, man, this was such a delightful and truly chaotic adventure, with so many moments that made me sit up and chuckle. I am looking forward to more in this series. ...more
Surprisingly, this was my first Veronica Roth book. I never did read the Divergent books, so this was my first experience with the author, which I assSurprisingly, this was my first Veronica Roth book. I never did read the Divergent books, so this was my first experience with the author, which I assume to be very different to how she was writing during the Divergent series times. I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed this evocative, dark and yet lovely novella that managed to introduce three characters I ended up caring about in so short a time. The novella format worked for the story but it does leave you with that feeling that you wish it'd been longer just so you could stay in this world a bit more, and learn about the characters and this rich background further. I really would love a continuation, be in the form of more novellas or a full length novel. ...more
4.75. This series just keeps getting better and better. The political intrigue, the machinations, the eldricth horrors just behind the curtain, the va4.75. This series just keeps getting better and better. The political intrigue, the machinations, the eldricth horrors just behind the curtain, the various characters we follow along, especially our narrator Helena, all of these contribute for an intricately and wonderfully written story about ambition, unbridled power, the meaning of justice and the bonds that keep us moving through it all. There is heartbreak, there is exhiliration, there is hope and despair and frustration. You can see some things coming and want to yell at characters "why can't you see this?" while at the same time understanding they have other things, justifiably, on their minds that may make them miss the clues we readers can discern.
The character development is stellar, especially our narrator, Helena, who started the first novel as a young and naive young girl who didn't know what she wanted, and developed into someone who found her courage, saw a lot of her idealistic ideas confronted with reality, found her courage in the face of horrifying danger and in the end, grows and evolves, even when her beliefs in people and their character are knocked asunder.
There are better reviews out there that can convey my feelings much better, but let me just say though the book seems to have a section that seems to slow down the important overreaching threat that started with the first book, it all ends up connecting and ending in spectacular ways, though I can't say they're particularly hopeful. To be fair, I'm not particularly attached to the Empire that's in danger of collapsing, especially as it seems its foundations were extremely fragile, but I am attached to our protagonists and their survival (*cries*).
The only reason this doesn't get a full 5-stars is because of the romantic angle in the relationship between Helena and Vonvalt. I understand how realistic is can be for a young girl, who is taken in by an older man whom she grows to admire, to develop a crush, and especially to consider it more and more after experiencing and losing a first love. I also understand why Vonvalt might find the affection of a young, beautiful protege appealing, because he's not exactly a most virtous man, and as much as I appreciate his attempts at not encouraging it earlier, he doesn't really root it out entirely and in the end he does express his desire as well.
But I cannot really enjoy the prospect of the romance, not only because of the age difference, though it plays a big part, but also because of the power imbalance, even if Helena becomes more self-sufficient and grows more into herself. However, Vonvalt is falliblly human and not always particularly honorable, Helena has had precious little experience with love that didn't end with death, and despite events in this volume that lead to her dissilusionment with her idea of Vonvalt as a paragorn of justice and law, I am not quite sure in what way the author will resolve this particularly plot. It may or may not taint my perception of the third novel, depending on the path it takes. We shall see, when I pick up the third novel soon....more
3.5 stars. I felt like I was watching a progression donghua or anime, which I guess is the point and to be expected, given the genre of book it is. I 3.5 stars. I felt like I was watching a progression donghua or anime, which I guess is the point and to be expected, given the genre of book it is. I enjoyed it, though, and am curious enough to want to continue through this series eventually.
Also, I realize I am not very good with the audio format as the information retention isn't as complete, but gotta use those free Audible months, so the rating is a bit reflective of the experience as well. The narrator was good, though, it's more of a me issue....more
This will probably be my favorite book of the year. It's so beautifully written and I loved everything about it. Highly recommend it. This will probably be my favorite book of the year. It's so beautifully written and I loved everything about it. Highly recommend it. ...more
Deeply disturbing. This actually reminds I never read the Edgar Allan Poe original, so I'll have to give that a go some time.Deeply disturbing. This actually reminds I never read the Edgar Allan Poe original, so I'll have to give that a go some time....more
The first half of the novel is a completely different beast to the second half. And it would have been a much better novel if it had stopped around thThe first half of the novel is a completely different beast to the second half. And it would have been a much better novel if it had stopped around that midpoint. ...more
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