A few too many scenes that are clearly just in the book so we can ooh and ah over allomantic abilities, kind of like gratuitous car chase scenes or exA few too many scenes that are clearly just in the book so we can ooh and ah over allomantic abilities, kind of like gratuitous car chase scenes or explosions in a summer blockbuster movie. But I like the new focus on Sazed as he's one of my favorite characters....more
3.5 stars I always enjoy Brandon Sanderson's writing, and the mystery element in this book makes for a nice, tight plot with some interesting twists. 3.5 stars I always enjoy Brandon Sanderson's writing, and the mystery element in this book makes for a nice, tight plot with some interesting twists. And as always, his world building is top notch. I found the dialogue a little stilted at times, but nothing that effected my enjoyment of the book. Although I did kind of wish that Melody were the main character instead of Joel :)...more
Who knew Joe Abercrombie, author of the very bleak and dark The First Law series could also write rather YA feeling coming of age stories featuring raWho knew Joe Abercrombie, author of the very bleak and dark The First Law series could also write rather YA feeling coming of age stories featuring rather YA feeling romantic side stories? Of course, this series is a bit more complicated than your typical YA fantasy, and I enjoy it for that reason. This book was particularly intriguing because of the "girl with sword" main character, which is right up my alley. But I like how Abercrombie always surprises me with his plot. He takes the book past where you think it should end, where it would conventionally end, and keeps going until he arrives at a better, more surprising ending. Can't wait to read the third one. ...more
Really enjoyed this book. It's my favorite Abercrombie by far. It's much less bleak than The Blade Itself, which I couldn't finish because I need at lReally enjoyed this book. It's my favorite Abercrombie by far. It's much less bleak than The Blade Itself, which I couldn't finish because I need at least some hope in my stories. Plus, this one is a coming of age story, which is much more in my wheel house. Can't wait to see where he takes the rest of the series since everything felt pretty wrapped up at the end of this one. (Thank goodness for no cliffhangers!)...more
Not as good as the first because there's nothing quite like the school/arena setting to create a tense plot but still really good. Can't wait to find Not as good as the first because there's nothing quite like the school/arena setting to create a tense plot but still really good. Can't wait to find out what happens in the end!...more
This would be considered chick lit if it were written by a woman or with a female main character. What's the male equivalent of stories that focus on This would be considered chick lit if it were written by a woman or with a female main character. What's the male equivalent of stories that focus on relationships and love? I couldn't put it in my "literary fiction" category because that just felt wrong. It was a fine read, but I found some of the characters a bit tiresome. The main character in turns annoyed me and got my sympathy, which I guess was the point, but I didn't totally feel like I connected with any of them. If you liked The Rosie Project (which I also was ambivalent about) then you will definitely like this book. It's the same conceit: a romance told from the perspective of a nerdy, practical thinking scientist. Maybe it's a new sub-genre....more
While I'm not sure I understood everything the author wanted me to take away from this book, I couldn't help but be kind of hypnotized by its tone andWhile I'm not sure I understood everything the author wanted me to take away from this book, I couldn't help but be kind of hypnotized by its tone and voice, the circular motion of its story. My favorite parts about this book are, of course, those that touch on imagine worlds and how and why those can become more real for us than reality. I love the idea of Trace Italian the game and why someone might invent such a place and what kind of people might play in it, what kind of people might get lost in it. I was intrigued by the effect of the Conan stories on the young narrator and their effect on his "accident," but I'm not sure I fully understand the climax of the book when we finally learned what happened that night, or rather why. It really is a well written, thinky book that I will now proceed to think more about....more
4.5 stars I really enjoyed this book. It felt so unique and unpredictable. I never had any idea what was going to happen next, and that was very excit4.5 stars I really enjoyed this book. It felt so unique and unpredictable. I never had any idea what was going to happen next, and that was very exciting in a genre that's starting to seem a little...predictable. Plus, it was kind of like if Harry had been Voldemort's son and then had been persecuted for that. I can't wait to read what happens next. That's really my only complaint, that I have to wait for the next one to come out!...more
Loved the meta of this book. As a book person, I always love when a book can discuss its bookishness while telling a story, and this one did it reallyLoved the meta of this book. As a book person, I always love when a book can discuss its bookishness while telling a story, and this one did it really well, with a bit of tongue and cheek thrown in there for good measure. Also loved the story. Interesting, short, and sweet. Plus, it has a blurb from Philip Pullman on the back. How could I not love a book that Pullman loved?...more
