The Literature Thread

[sickwithsin]

I (thankfully) finished reading Daisy Jones & the Six.

So. Over. Hyped.

- The writing style was choppy and made it hard to connect to the characters.
- The plot, what little there was to be had, was cliche and predictable. I managed to predict everything that happened.
- The writing itself was dull, repetitive and drowning in Mary Sue tropeyness. Daisy and Billy are without a doubt the most narcissistic characters I've ever come across.

 

[wiz109]

have any of u guys read jade city by fonda lee? its an urban fantasy planned trilogy with a completely asian cast of characters and with a hong-kongesque 1960ish setting. its on the rise right now and the sequel actually comes out next month and im kinda thirsty for it, i would totally recommend it

Adding to the first post, it looks very interesting and the reviews are good.

Does anyone here know Skullduggery Pleasant? I just finished the 12th book called Bedlam today

Not I, but looking at the premise this is something that looks weird enough to actually entice my cousins who are allergic to reading.

There's nothing wrong with being 30+ and reading fantasy! There's a problem with my patience

I started with the mistborns + warbreaker, and then stormlight

Elantris is good too, and the short stories in Arcanum Unbounded.

 

[Calipso]

I recommend anything writted by Banana Yoshimoto honestly, I also enjoy Salman Rushdie a lot

 

[wiz109]

I recommend anything writted by Banana Yoshimoto honestly, I also enjoy Salman Rushdie a lot

Added to our recs in the first post

 

[Pandaa]

I'm adding Senlin Ascends to the first post of recs, and to my want to read list it looks good

You might have to wait a while for that then, it's going to be a long series

Have guys checked any other books set in the Cosmere?

I know but after wheel of time, game of thrones, and a name of the wind - I am wary of starting long, unfinished fantasy series

Anyway exams are over so I wanna read at least 4 books over 4 week vacation

 

[wiz109]

I know but after wheel of time, game of thrones, and a name of the wind - I am wary of starting long, unfinished fantasy series

Anyway exams are over so I wanna read at least 4 books over 4 week vacation

Lol but at least WoT had a valid excuse, I mean dying does take a toll on a person. And he even had notes and outlines so that Brandon Sanderson could complete the series.

Can't say the same for those other two, they just seem to be enjoying fame

 

[Carnation]

If anyone likes thriller/mystery novels, I'd recommend 'Last seen alive' by Clare Douglas. I read it recently and it's delightfully twisty.

 

[peach]

I‘m currently reading Sorcery of Thornes by Margaret Rogerson and I really like it so far. It gives me Howl‘s Moving Castle vibes.

I (thankfully) finished reading Daisy Jones & the Six.

So. Over. Hyped.

- The writing style was choppy and made it hard to connect to the characters.
- The plot, what little there was to be had, was cliche and predictable. I managed to predict everything that happened.
- The writing itself was dull, repetitive and drowning in Mary Sue tropeyness. Daisy and Billy are without a doubt the most narcissistic characters I've ever come across.

omg, I thought I was the only one who didn‘t really enjoy it. It wasn‘t a bad book, but after all the positive comments, I expected way more.

 

[wiz109]

If anyone likes thriller/mystery novels, I'd recommend 'Last seen alive' by Clare Douglas. I read it recently and it's delightfully twisty.

Adding to the first post

 

[sickwithsin]

I'm about halfway through We Hunt the Flame right now ... and it took two weeks to get there. The world-building is great and well thought out but it took forever to get through.

 

[wiz109]

I'm about halfway through We Hunt the Flame right now ... and it took two weeks to get there. The world-building is great and well thought out but it took forever to get through.

Hmmmm...I want to read this for the setting alone. Let me know how it goes.

 

[sickwithsin]

Hmmmm...I want to read this for the setting alone. Let me know how it goes.

I'll try to post a review when I finish.

 

[wiz109]

Woot wooooot!!!

 

[Belkiss]

I am currently reading the second book in the Mistrborn trilogy. I just can't contain myself anymore. This trilogy is the definition of what I love to find in books and why I chose reading in first place. I am a mess right now

 

[wiz109]

I am currently reading the second book in the Mistrborn trilogy. I just can't contain myself anymore. This trilogy is the definition of what I love to find in books and why I chose reading in first place. I am a mess right now

Can't wait for your mind fuck in Book 3

 

[Belkiss]

Can't wait for your mind fuck in Book 3

I just finished the second book. I have no words, I am shaking . The graphic audio book with all the voice actors and sound effects made me sink even more in the book. I am scared to even touch the third one now. I need help

 

[wiz109]

I just finished the second book. I have no words, I am shaking . The graphic audio book with all the voice actors and sound effects made me sink even more in the book. I am scared to even touch the third one now. I need help

You are going to need a tissue box for the third one, be warned, what I loved about the books were that each one had a different feel to them. It was the same series but the atmosphere was different each time.

 

[sickwithsin]

A review of We Hunt the Flame (The Sands of Arawiya #1) by Hafsah Faizal

Rating: /5

Spoiler

Here is Goodreads' summary since I suck at writing them.

People lived because she killed.
People died because he lived.

Zafira is the Hunter, disguising herself as a man when she braves the cursed forest of the Arz to feed her people. Nasir is the Prince of Death, assassinating those foolish enough to defy his autocratic father, the king. If Zafira was exposed as a girl, all of her achievements would be rejected; if Nasir displayed his compassion, his father would punish him in the most brutal of ways.

Both are legends in the kingdom of Arawiya—but neither wants to be.

War is brewing, and the Arz sweeps closer with each passing day, engulfing the land in shadow. When Zafira embarks on a quest to uncover a lost artifact that can restore magic to her suffering world and stop the Arz, Nasir is sent by the king on a similar mission: retrieve the artifact and kill the Hunter. But an ancient evil stirs as their journey unfolds—and the prize they seek may pose a threat greater than either can imagine.

Set in a richly detailed world inspired by ancient Arabia, We Hunt the Flame is a gripping debut of discovery, conquering fear, and taking identity into your own hands.

I had hoped that this one would set my heart on fire but, alas, it did not. We Hunt the Flame was solidly middle-of-the-road. I liked the world-building and Faizal clearly has a knack for writing descriptions. But those two things alone do not make a novel.

The plot and the pacing were both super slow. All of the twists are crammed in the last ~50 pages. Which I wouldn't have minded except that a good portion of the book, due to the bizarre pacing, ended up being filled with a very forced romance subplot. Ehhhhhh. This is more my problem than the book. I have little patience for romance. ?

The main characters, while interesting at the outset, didn't progress much beyond basic characteristics. Now, this may have been intentional since The Sands of Arawiya is intended to be a series ... Or it may be unintentional given that this is Faizal's first novel. Either way, you know you have a problem when the comic relief character outshines you hero(ine).

I am intrigued enough by the story (outside of the romance) and the culture that I will probably read the next installment, but I am definitely not going to rush to get it. I think Faizal could have a great future as a fantasy writer if she learns how to balance purple prose with characterization, plotting, and pacing.

And a minor nitpick: I would have liked to have the glossary printed in the book. I tend to be neurotic with fantasy novels. I want to be sure that I'm pronouncing everything correctly.

 

[Polaris_Tae]

oof, just finished reading the entire Injustice: Gods Among Us - which is around 100 single issues - prequel comics in under a day with evil Superman, it was like Marvel's Civil War event but so much more brutal. I especially liked the characterisation of Harley Quinn in this and her friendship with Black Canary. Now I just need to get my hands on the games ^^

 

[Belkiss]

You are going to need a tissue box for the third one, be warned, what I loved about the books were that each one had a different feel to them. It was the same series but the atmosphere was different each time.

I can feel that I'm going to cry a lot especially if something happens to my faves (Mainly Elend, tensoon (I fucking love the relationship between the kandra and Vin, Breeze and Vin ofc)

OFC somthing will happen, but not Elend please, NO!
Right now my head is full of questions but I heard that Brandon wrapped up everything perfectly so I am ready!
I just love how there's no plot hole or a thing left unexplained so far, Sanderson knows what he was doing!
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Speaking of thrillers, I highly highly recommend Sadie and especially the audiobook! The book format itself works perfectly with audiobooks (Podcast) and the voice actors did an amazing job. Plus, the story itself is amazing!