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yourlocalbimexican · 3 months

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I Expect You To Die 2 thoughts

context: I bought a Meta Quest 2 at Best Buy two weeks ago and I finally came in yesterday. One of the games I knew I wanted to play was the I Expect You To Die trilogy (I’m a huge sucker for escape rooms, puzzles, and spy movies) I finished the second game recently so here are my thoughts!

SPOILERS FOR IEYTD 2

This game is sooo gooood. Like, WOW I wasn’t expecting this. IMO the first one was pretty okay, nothing extraordinary but entertaining and it taught me what to expect in future titles. Going into the sequel was a whole different experience however.

The opening credits had me hooked from the get go. The va for John Juniper did a wonderful job. John made the game for me. Honestly. The soundtrack was phenomenal as well, which only helped the game. Anyways let’s get into the missions one by one.

(also I will be giving an overall score for each mission, with 10/10 meaning the mission’s puzzles felt complete and compelling, the mission fit what it was supposed to do, and my PERSONAL enjoyment of it. If you disagree, then tell me the comments as to why. I would love to hear your thoughts!)

-Stage Fright-

a simplistic but entertaining mission. Not the best out of the sequel but better than the first mission in the first game. The switch you need to do with the two cans was pretty smart and made good work of the pov depth that VR provides. It did take me a couple of tries when it came to the crossbow shooting but (mostly because I didn’t realize you could pick up the Zoraxis’ agents bolts)Overall: 6/10

-Jet Set-

okay, I’m gonna be honest here. Jet Set is the worst in the sequel. Now that doesn’t mean it’s a bad mission, but it’s the worst puzzle mission out of all the others in the sequel. Most of the puzzles in the mission didn’t feel connected at all. That is what bums me the most. It felt like this mission was a lot of cool ideas combined into a plane mission. The puzzles were fun, but they didn’t make sense when put into a mission. The next mission will better demonstrate what I mean. Overall: 5/10

-Eaves Drop-

This. Mission. Rocks. From the first laser puzzle, to the various desk puzzles. This mission feels so put together compared to Jet Set. It’s begins with you descending into The Fabricator’s workshop, in order to investigate John Juniper, Zoraxis, and any plans the three of them might have. The thing that really makes this mission feel so put together compared to Jet Set is that everything, and I do mean, everything, has a purpose. From the wheels on the board being used to crank open the Mimic Mask, to the manual that describes how to use the bear trap (which comes in handy when the guard shows up near the end). Everything in the puzzle has a purpose towards the mission or lore. I get that not every mission can expand the story of the game (otherwise the games would be over very quickly) but that doesn’t mean that missions have to be completely irrelevant.

Anyways, this part is getting long so I’ll wrap it up. In short, the mission makes full use of its environment to provide multiple fun and engaging puzzles that further the story of the game in a meaningful manner. Overall: 10/10

-Party Crashers-

Come off the trails of Eaves Drop, Party Crashers takes a turn in mission direction. We start off by impersonating Gibson (John’s wine guy) at the wine cellar. Sending John the right wine took more tries than I care to admit. Retrieving the Mimic Mask was clever. Looking into the hat for clues on the Keg puzzle was a nice touch. Eliminating the guards with the gas was neat and the callback to the tutorial mission was just the cherry on top for this mission. Party Crashers was the mission that took me the most time to figure out, but when I finally did figure it out, it was satisfying. Overall: 8/10

-Safe and Sound-

I think this is the shortest mission in the entire sequel. It definitely feels like it is. That isn’t a bad thing per se, but it just makes the mission feel…weird. The speed run timer is 1:30 which is incredibly fast. Considering the mission after this one is so monumental (and the final mission) and the previous mission being the head-scratcher it was, makes Safe and Sound seem small and easy. The most difficult part of the mission was the mirror puzzle even that was fairly easy to solve. I do understand why this mission is this way. It makes the finale seem so much bigger and gives the player a needed brain break from Party Crashers, but maybe Safe and Sound could’ve been a bit more difficult. Just a tiny bit. Overall: 6/10

-Rising Phoenix-

OKAY here we are. At the finale, and I gotta say. It doesn’t disappoint. Compared to the Death Machine mission from the first game, Rising Phoenix makes its goals simple and clear. The math to get there? Not so simple nor clear. My biggest fear for this mission was that it would be too convoluted or not long enough. However, neither fears game to fruition and this mission really shows what the devs can do. My personal favorite puzzles were the battery ones and the final briefcase puzzles.

also, John Juniper’s death was out of left field for me. I didn’t think he would die. I thought we would be able to arrest him or he would fly away on some jet but no. He dies. He died because his ego got in the way of his role and his use quickly left him. A interesting end to a interesting character.

Recently I re-watched Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery (highly recommend the Knives Out movies if you love who-dunnits). Anyways, during the beginning of the movie, all the disruptors are mailed a box that has a series of puzzles in it that eventually reveal a card with an invitation to a private get-away on a Greek island. The briefcase puzzle in Rising Phoenix is basically the box from Glass Onion. Multiple different puzzles granting access to one thing. In the movie it’s a invite, in IEYTD 2, it’s the abort button to stop the rocket* from launching. Mind you, the entire briefcase puzzle is on a timer. So when you finally unlock the abort button, what happens? Well in a cruel twist of fate, Doc. Zoe turns off the power and the button no longer works. Worry not however! Remember the battery from early? Well we can use that to provide the briefcase the power and abort the rocket! Sadly the facility will blow either way, but the world will be saved.

this is the type of missions I love. When everything comes together, the reuse of old tools to progress through new puzzles, the clever solutions to sticky situations. This is what makes IEYTD 2 such a good sequel. From the get go there is a pressure to beat Zoraxis and defeat John Juniper and in turn, save the world. The final mission of the first game was lacking the build up, which made it seem very…sudden when it ended. Here? The finale is well expected. We now we are in the third act, and that this mission is do or die. Its just phenomenal. Overall: 10/10

-closing thoughts!-

I do believe that I Expect You To Die 2 is a wonderful sequel and is definitely worth the price. Jet Set (as much as I have said about it) isn’t a horrible level. Its has issues but maybe it’s just not my cup of tea. Eaves Drop’s atmosphere and classic spy elements makes it (IMO) the best level outside of the finale. Party Crashers is a fun, head-scratching follow up, and Rising Phoenix manages to deliver on everything the other missions were building towards. Overall: 9/10. I highly recommend you play it.

#i expect you to die #ieytd2 #john juniper #thoughts #review #agent phoenix #virtual reality #gaming #video games #spy game

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lee-jinkis-ponytail · 2 years

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Thx for the tag, @ihavesomanynotes ! ^_^

Favorite color: Aside from pearl aqua? :p I like purple and silver and light sort of earthy-toned pastel green.

Currently reading: The Sweet Far Thing by Libba Bray, from the Gemma Doyle trilogy.

Last song I listened to: Atlantis by SHINee!

Last series I watched: Just finished Extraordinary Attorney Woo. Andrew and I are making our way through Good Omens and the new season of What We Do in the Shadows. I’m also sloooooowly making my way through Descendants of the Sun for Onew, but military stuff is not only morally reprehensible to me, but also just boring to watch, plus I hate BOTH main couples, so. It’s a trudge. T_T

Last movie I watched: I thiiiink........ The Lighthouse? Or Werewolves Within? One of those two.

Sweet/Spicy/Savory: Savory! Anything with mushrooms. Lately I’m a big fan of some spice too even though I have the world’s worst stomach. Yopokki brand tteokbokki with jjajang sauce is my favorite lunch, it’s a good blend of spicy and savory!

Currently working on: Oh gosh. Uhh. Okay, buckle up: For writing, I’m working on 3 original manuscripts (5 if you consider one is a first book in a trilogy) -- One YA coming of age which I’ll be posting on Wattpad for free eventually, then two projects I hope to get professionally published: a dark fantasy Robin Hood-retelling with lots of anarchist philosophy thrown in called Death & Taxes (that’s the trilogy), and a horror novella called Parasocial which is about a band dealing with a super-fan stalker. I’m also shopping around a completed dark fantasy novella with horror elements, currently waiting on a small press to make their decision on whether they want to buy it or not. As for non-writing projects, I’m working on the third in a four-set of seasonal cross stitch patterns. Not sketching anything right now, but the next thing I plan on drawing is either the MinKey Allure photoshoot, or Yotsuba&! + Spy x Family + Kotaro Lives Alone crossover fan art. Oh and I’m also learning Korean!!

Okay, soooo, who to tag, hmm. Obviously please don’t feel obligated to fill this out, I know a lot of people on Tumblr like the anonymity! Just gonna tag some of the mutuals I interact with the most + some writer friends from the Discord!: @theweirdsenpai, @halfbloodlycan, @emilyelizabethfowl, @erithe, @mercifulbb, @gpmtshawol, @onewkeys, @tlbodine

#tag games #about me

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sadbookworm · 1 year

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Book Review: The Secret Wisdom of Nature

The Secret Wisdom of Nature: Trees, Animals, and the Extraordinary Balance of All Living Things - Stories from Science and Observation by Peter Wohlleben

Cover and description from Goodreads

“The final book in The Mysteries of Nature trilogy by the New York Times bestselling author of The Hidden Life of Trees, Peter Wohlleben. Nature is full of surprises: deciduous trees affect the rotation of the Earth, cranes sabotage the production of Iberian ham, and coniferous forests can make it rain. But what are the processes that drive these incredible phenomena? And why do they matter? In The Secret Wisdom of Nature, master storyteller and international sensation Peter Wohlleben takes readers on a thought-provoking exploration of the vast natural systems that make life on Earth possible. In this tour of an almost unfathomable world, Wohlleben describes the fascinating interplay between animals and plants and answers such questions as: How do they influence each other? Do lifeforms communicate across species boundaries? And what happens when this finely tuned system gets out of sync? By introducing us to the latest scientific discoveries and recounting his own insights from decades of observing nature, one of the world’s most famous foresters shows us how to recapture our sense of awe so we can see the world around us with completely new eyes.”

My Review:

The subtitle "The Extraordinary Balance of All Living Things" is more fitting for the content. As forests are Peter Wohlleben's specialty, much more of the book is about forests and the animals that live in them compared to other biomes. The chapters are episodic and only loosely connected. However, episodes usually have short narratives that end with a conclusion, and that is not the case for these chapters. They stop in what would be the middle of story without giving a resolution. Perhaps the author's reason for this is because the real world work of conservation always ongoing, but the effect in book form is a let down. The big message of the book is: Even with everything scientists and conservationists have learned about the planet, we really cannot understand all the effects any action taken in the name of conservation will have. Because nature is good at adapting and regulating itself, if slowly, in 99.9% of cases the best method of conservation is to stop all human interference with wilderness areas. Get humans out of the way and let what happens happen. This "look, but don't touch" philosophy of "humans are the problem" is a tough pill to swallow if you take it. And I'm not sure that I do buy into it. Last year I read Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer and a take away from that book is "How we relate to and interact with the land is a problem, but those are ideas and practices we can change." This message is hard in different ways, because it asks readers to put in a lot more work than "leave it alone." I did learn about the difficulties being faced by forests in Europe, conservation efforts over there, and different aspects of climate change. As for "wisdom from nature," I didn't get much on that count, but I am glad that I have added Wohlleben's perspective to my understanding of forests and conservation. I may read more of his books in the future, but the writing was not good enough for me to prioritize them. 3/5 stars

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yourneighborhoodbibliophile · 3 years

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🌻 Book Tag 🌻

@arywizm threw out invitations to this party, so I stole an invitation in order to pretend I was invited to it. I am late to the party, as I am to all parties— late and uninvited, but I’ll pretend I’m the fashionable type of late, not the oblivious type of late.

1. How many books are too many books in a series?

I prefer to read duologies and trilogies (since I can only commit to two to three books at a time), but I’ll read multiple duologies/trilogies set in the same world. For example, the Shadow and Bone trilogy, Six of Crows duology, and King of Scars duology by Leigh Bardugo or The Raven Cycle and The Dreamer trilogy by Maggie Stiefvater (though technically The Raven Cycle is four books, not two to three books).

2. How do you feel about cliffhangers?

I prefer books that finish with enough closure that I don’t need to read the sequel, but with enough of a cliffhanger that I want to read the sequel. (Again, I am allergic to commitment.)

3. Hardback or Paperback?

I don’t prefer one or the other, but I do prefer physical copies to electronic copies.

4. Least favorite book?

Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer.

5. Love triangles, yes or no?

An enthusiastic, emphatic no.

6. The most recent book you just couldn’t finish?

Majesty, the sequel to American Royals, by Katharine McGee. Both American Royals and Majesty were physically painful to read. There is no justification for American Royals to be a book, let alone a 464 page book, let alone a 464 page book with a 384 page sequel.

7. A book you’re currently reading?

I’m currently reading The Foxhole Court, the first book of the All for the Game trilogy, by Nora Sakavic. I don’t typically read sports fiction/romance, but it was compared to Six of Crows and The Raven Cycle (both of which I fell in love with), so I had to read it.

8. Last book you recommended to someone?

The Extraordinaries by T.J. Klune. I adored The Extraordinaries. I had read (and also adored) The House in the Cerulean Sea, but it was The Extraordinaries that cemented T.J. Klune as a auto-read author of mine. I can’t wait to read the third and final book in the Extraordinaries trilogy (and I can’t wait to read Under the Whispering Door).

9. Oldest book you’ve read?

I have no idea.

10. Newest book you’ve read?

Any Way the Wind Blows, the third and final book in the Simon Snow trilogy, by Rainbow Rowell and Flash Fire, the second book in the Extraordinaries trilogy, by T.J. Klune.

11. Favorite author?

I don’t have favorite authors/books; I have all-consuming obsessions/fixations.

12. Buying books or borrowing books?

I only buy books if I’ve already read them and loved them (or if I’ve read other books by the author and loved them). Otherwise, I borrow books.

13. A book you dislike that everyone else seems to love?

Percy Jackson and the Olympians by Rick Riordan. I only read The Lightening Thief, but I didn’t like it enough to finish the series. However, I did read The Heroes of Olympus and the Kane Chronicles, and liked them enough to finish both series.

14. Bookmarks or dog-ears?

Bookmarks. I am too cowardly to dog-ear or otherwise fold the pages of a book.

15. A book you can always reread?

Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell and Carry On by Rainbow Rowell, both of which I’ve read countless times.

16. Can you read while listening to music?

No, I am incapable of reading with any noise, whether it's music, television, or otherwise.

17. One POV or multiples POVs?

I prefer multiple POVs (if it’s well written), but I won’t read a book for the multiple POV (or not read a book because of the single POV).

18. Do you read a book in one sitting or over multiple days?

Both. If it’s a shorter book (up to 400 pages), I’ll read it in a single sitting. If it’s a longer book (over 400 pages), I’ll read it over multiple sittings. I tend to read books in a single sitting over the summer, but read books in multiple sittings the rest of the year.

19. Who do you tag?

I’ll pass on an invitation to whoever else is fashionably late to this party.

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codenamebooks · 2 years

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What I’ve Bought Recently (August-November)

I hadn’t posted a book haul in a while because, for some reason, I thought I hadn’t accumulated as many books as I have. Purchasing from Book of the Month with available credits and visiting local Columbus book stores adds up quicker than you think.

And I Darken (The Conquerer’s Saga #1) by Kierstan White | Goodreads

This and the next three books I got from a dear friend back home. It was basically a reward for unhauling some books that did not need to be on my shelf anymore. This one I was particularly excited about because I’ve heard so many good things about it and had an opportunity to get it for free many years before and didn’t so I’m happy to have it now.

Lady Midnight (The Dark Artificies #1) by Cassandra Clare | Goodreads

I started reading The Mortal Instruments series this year (and hopefully will finish it by the end) and so my friend handed me this book as well. I’m no where near getting to this point in the world but hopefully will eventually.

Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Maas | Goodreads

I have already read the first book of this series and man oh man is it delicious. After being caught up to ACOTAR, I figured it was only right to read more of SJM’s writing to confirm that she is my favorite author.

People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry | Goodreads

I bought this one from Book of the Month from the staff picks for the month right after my friend told me that she adored it. I’m excited to read what is hopefully a really good, exciting, (sexy), romance.

Bringing Down the Duke (A League of Extraordinary Women #1) by Evie Dunmore | Goodreads

Of course I heard great things about this book from Regan from PeruseProject on YouTube with her big love for renaissance romances so when I had a free credit with BoTM I got it with People We Meet on Vacation.

Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children (#1) by Ransom Riggs | Goodreads

But in hardcover! I already do own this book but I’ve been wanting to find it in hardcover for a very long time so that the trilogy (well, original trilogy) would match and I finally did at I don’t even remember where and had to grab it.

A Map of Days (MPHfPC #4) by Ransom Riggs | Goodreads

To pair with my new first book hardcover, I decided to get the 4th book that until I saw it in the store I had no idea it existed. A 4th and 5th book?! I’m okay with it because it gives me an excuse to reread this series I loved in high school.

(Going on Goodreads to get the link for this book, I just found out there’s a 6th book... Where have I been?)

White Magic by Elissa Washuta | Goodreads

This one is special to me because this is a professor in the creative writing department at my university (Ohio State) that I hope to take workshop with next year. Apparently she’s an amazing author and can’t wait to see what that is.

The City We Became (Great Cities #1) by N. K. Jemisin | Goodreads

This is another book that I heard so much about from PeruseProject. I’m really excited to read a fantasy story about New York written by a Black woman. It’s very heartwarming to me that she receives so much love in the fantasy genre.

Cinder (The Lunar Chronicles #1) by Marissa Meyer | Goodreads

I found this and the next book at Ohio Thrift––thrift stores are one of my most favorite places to buy used books. I’ve been wanting to read the Cinder series for a long time so buying it cheap is the perfect option for me!

Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) by Marissa Meyer | Goodreads

I know that this may seem odd because I just said I haven’t read it but they were both there and this edition is so beautiful––I’ve linked the one I got in Goodreads––and it’ll encourage me to buy the middle books when I read them.

A Darker Shade of Magic (Shades of Magic #1) by V. E. Schwab | Goodreads

I bought this one at the amazing The Book Loft in in Columbus. I decided that since I loved The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue I should continue to read more of V. E. Scwab’s writing and I’ve heard many good things about this series.

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beautifulpaxielreads · 2 years

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November Wrap-Up

Books Completed (ratings out of five stars)

The library book by Susan Orlean (begun in October, ★★★★)

The inheritance games (The inheritance games #1) by Jennifer Lynn Barnes (begun in October, ★★★1/2)

Defy the night (Defy the night #1) by Brigid Kemmerer (begun in October, ★★★★)

Songs in Ursa Major by Emma Brodie (begun in October, ★★★1/2)

Henry Hamlet’s heart by Rhiannon Wilde* (★★★★)

Malibu rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid (★★★1/2)

The other side of beautiful by Kim Lock* (★★★★)

Books currently in progress

Lives between the lines: a journey in search of the lost Levant by Michael Vatikiotis

Esther: the extraordinary true story of the First Fleet girl who became First Lady of the colony by Jessica North*

The count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas, with an introduction by Patricia C. Wrede

The winter duke by Claire Eliza Bartlett

*Australian author/s

Reflections on November and Goals for December

Let’s get the big news out of the way first. *clears throat* As some of you would know. I achieved my goal of reading 65 books in 2021. *does happy dance* So I think I’m entitled to give myself a pat on the back because clearly I’m awesome.

I also finished seven, count ‘em, seven books in November! Okay, I did start reading four of them in October. But I’m still counting them!

As you might be aware (hehe), I’m very happy with the quantity of books I read in November, I’m also VERY happy with the quality of books I read too. Normally you’d expect there to be one or two complete duds in a month’s worth of reading, but even though I enjoyed some better than others, there was no book that I absolutely loathed, and I count that as a good thing. I did have some DNFs though - I’m getting better at giving up books that I’m not enjoying.

The quality of books I read this month means that I can’t pick just one favourite – in fact, I’m struggling between four – The library book by Susan Orlean (non-fiction, strongly recommended for library lovers), Defy the night by Brigid Kemmerer (fiction, first in a trilogy, inspired by Robin Hood, and, as the author herself has said, NOT a “pandemic novel”), Henry Hamlet’s heart by Rhiannon Wilde (glorious Aussie YA fiction set in the city of Brisbane in 2008), and The other side of beautiful by Kim Lock (Aussie fiction, about a thirtysomething woman with severe anxiety who goes on a road trip from Adelaide to Darwin after her house burns down). If I was pushed, however, I probably would say Henry Hamlet’s heart. I loved that book so much.

My goals this month are to finish the books I’m currently reading, as well as continue to make my way through the books I own on my TBR, which somehow keeps growing (funny that). I also broke my no-book-buying rule yesterday, but that ban was only for November, and I bought the book in December, so I think I’m off the hook there.

I have a couple of big reading-related decisions I need to make before 2021 ends. First, whether to increase or decrease the number of books I want to read in 2022. I want to increase the number of books I read (from 65 to 70) because I’m slightly competitive in that way and I want to see if I can do it, but at the same time I want to decrease (from 65 to 60) to ease the pressure and allow myself more time for reading.

Second, is whether to continue these monthly wrap-ups. Reason one - I doubt many people read them anyway, and reason two – I want to do a little bit of self-exploration in terms of my reading, and I would prefer to keep that private. I would appreciate your thoughts on all these matters, which is why all of this has not been put under the cut as I’ve been doing for a little while now.

That’s it for this month. Stay safe and well, and I’ll see you all in January for my December wrap-up, which may be the last of its kind.

Happy reading!

#beautifulpaxiel reads #monthly wrap ups #my reading #november

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gizkalord · 3 years

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2020 Book Reviews

I just thought I’d do quick reviews of the books I read this year, because in 2020, I read the most books for fun since my high school days! I categorized by new books, books I reread, and unfinished books.

And if your situation allows for it, and you’re interested in any of these books, I encourage you to purchase from local bookstores and/or support your local libraries, instead of buying from large corporate vendors like Amazon!

New Books I Read

Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi — historical fiction

Homegoing is a sprawling, multigenerational story of two diverging branches of a single family—one branch remains in Africa, while the other branch is enslaved and brought to the United States via the Trans-Atlantic slave trade. It’s such an emotional and intimate look at family, heritage, and history. Every vignette about both families leaves such a deep impression, and the ending left me in tears. 10/10 Highly recommend, my favorite book I read this year.

Parable of a Sower by Octavia E. Butler — dystopian/science fiction

Parable of a Sower follows a young African-American girl as she tries to find meaning and purpose in a future dystopian, 2020s (oof) America rife with anarchy, violence, social inequality, and racism. What really impressed me with this book was how relevant its commentary was to the current state of the US—I got through the entire book thinking it had been written in last few years, only to find out it was published almost 30 years ago in 1993. While I thought the plot was a little weaker in the last third or so, it’s an incredibly unflinching and raw story about people and society, and it really left me thinking by the end.

The Martian Chronicles by Ray Bradbury — science fiction

The Martian Chronicles is a collection of loosely connected short stories about the colonization of Mars by humans, featuring themes of colonialism, racism, anti-war sentiment, censorship, and more. I’ve always been a huge fan of Ray Bradbury, and I’m glad I got the time to read more of his short stories. His writing style is so imaginative, surreal, and at times even unsettling, and the social commentary, while it may seem a little basic to some considering it was published in 1950, is nonetheless still relevant and poignant.

The Last Samurai by Helen Dewitt — fiction

Not to be confused with the 2003 movie starring Tom Cruise (though this book is arguably just as bad in a completely different way), The Last Samurai tells the story of a genius mother and her equally genius and precocious son, stuck in the rhythm of mundane society. I think the book has interesting and things to say about how we as a society discourage ourselves from achieving our full potential by seeing some things as beyond our innate ability to learn, and how we squash down those with extraordinary or atypical abilities and favor utilitarian learning over “learning for the sake of learning”. However, the message is couched in such a pretentious and experimental writing style that made me want to rip my eyes out, and I really couldn’t help but feel that the author must have a highly self-inflated view of herself. Can’t believe it was so well reviewed, but then again, it appeals to a brand of intellectualism that reviewers probably love to eat up.

Gun Island by Amitav Ghosh — fiction

Gun Island ties together modern events with Bengali myths and legends through the eyes of an Indian-American academic, covering topics like environmentalism and refugee/migrant crises. While the summary sounded promising, I thought it was actually a very clumsily written book, laden with painfully heavy-handed symbolism, stock characters, and obvious plot contrivances. A lot of things happened and not very much was said. I spent an hour roasting this book with my friends over Trader Joe’s snacks.

Books I Reread This Year

His Dark Materials trilogy by Phillip Pullman — fantasy

I hadn’t read this series since I was a kid (and at the time, most of the religious themes went completely over my head), so it was a cool experience to read these books again with older and more knowledgeable eyes. Though I think some of the characterization isn’t as fleshed out as I hoped, I still think it’s a wonderfully imaginative and magical world that tackles daring themes about the nature of religion and humanity.

Ahsoka by E.K. Johnston —fantasy/sci-fi

I revisited this book after The Clone Wars finale, and phewww it’s even sadder with full context. While the prose can be a little bare at times, I think Johnston really nails down Ahsoka’s character as the lost, hurt, and traumatized teenaged girl that she is after Order 66, but reminds us of the steely grit and heroism that makes up the core of Ahsoka. Out of the few SW books I’ve read, I think it remains my favorite. DLF, please hire EK to write more Ahsoka books!!!

In-Progress Books

Dune by Frank Herbert - science fiction

Dune is an epic sci-fi story following young Paul Atreides as he navigates life on the desert planet Arrakis in the middle of a massive interstellar political feud. So far, I really like the depth of Dune’s world and the themes of environmentalism, colonization, politics, and exploitation that it’s setting up. I wish the character writing was stronger though, as I’m roughly halfway through and still feel zero emotional connection to Paul.

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot - non-fiction

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks tells the narrative of Henrietta Lacks and her family, as well as the ethical and moral controversy surrounding her treatment by the medical and scientific community. Lacks was a Black woman treated at Johns Hopkins for cervical cancer, whose cancer cells were sampled and collected without her consent or knowledge in 1951. Lacks died from cancer, but her cells lived on as the HeLa cell line, the first human immortal cell line that has become a crucial staple of biomedical research, playing a significant role in discoveries like the polio and HPV vaccines. While I’ve read quite a bit about her before in news articles, I was excited to finally read the book, and so far it doesn’t disappoint.

To-Read List (for 2021??)

Minor Feelings by Cathy Park Hong

The Tradition by Jericho Brown

The Emperor of All Maladies by Siddhartha Mukherjee

idk.... maybe some star wars books too lmao

#mags.txt #book recs #book recommendations

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gerec · 3 years

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unpopular opinion: The star wars prequels are just as good as the original movies. The original trilogy isn’t extraordinary you’re just not allowed to say that because older men dominate the public opinion

Personally I think the prequels are good (and much better than the new movies because you know, the former had a coherent plot) but the scope of it ended up overwhelming the characters’ arcs. I am also of the opinion that a large failing of the prequel movies is that I don’t buy Anakin and Padme’s relationship in the slightest, and that’s a lot to do with the actors’ lack of chemistry. BUT I definitely think they get a bad wrap overall, and especially (to your point) from toxic fandom gatekeeping that says nothing is better than the OT and will never be (which is total bull).

See I’m of the generation that fell in love with the OT, and there’s a lot of fondness and nostalgia that I’m aware goes into my rosy view of those movies. If you ask my son though, who is every bit as much a SW fan as me, he will tell you that he loves the prequels and Anakin more than any of the OT characters lol. I guess what I’m saying is that when you watch them (i.e. in your formative years vs later in life) probably has a huge impact on the importance of those kinds of cultural milestones, so different people will have different opinions about which movies are ‘better’.

(Except Kylo Ben, because he’s a waste of space as a character and is 100 times worse than Jar Jar Binks could ever hope to be yes I said it you can’t change my fucking mind.)

Send Unpopular Opinions!

#gerec rambles #unpopular opinions #thank you Anon #I really appreciate your ask!#Anonymous

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sassysnowperson · 4 years

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I really want to know about First Date to Book Signing with a Smidge of Kidnapping and/or I Do Crime Now

This is an ask from @tobermoriansass - noted in case tumblr is still messing up the way asks are formatted.

I will happily yell about BOTH!

First Date to Book Signing with a Smidge of Kidnapping

This was my favorite title, so I'm chuffed you asked about it. So! Forever ago I wrote a fluffy little Luke/Bodhi story where Luke was a very famous astronaut and Bodhi was a washed out Astronaut Candidate. They hooked up, once, and then when Luke became and astronaut and Bodhi didn't, Bodhi kinda sorta ran away forever.

Oops.

It worked out, they reunited when Luke write a bestselling “My Life as an Astronaut” sort of thing. It was a cute little fic and, miracle of miracles, short. But short and I don't always get along, so I outlined and noodled with a sequel, pretty much shooting for goofy rom-com vibe with my love of space and flying shot through it:

Luke and Bodhi go on a nice date where they are awkward dorks but eventually realize they have grown up and are probably more compatible now. No more running away after sex, we promise.

They have sex

That night, Bodhi gets pulled onto an emergency flight and Luke gets pissy because they *just said* they weren't going to run away after sex anymore.

Bodhi is like, okay, fine, put your pants on and lets go.

They are halfway to the airport before Bodhi realizes he never actually told Luke he was getting pulled into an emergency flight, and Luke realizes he is being a little bit kidnapped for an International Adventure.

They have a very nice date, which is only slightly marred by Bodhi’s occasional panic that he has kidnapped NASA’s rising star.

Epilogue happens at Luke’s European Tour book signing - Bodhi is in town and crashes the party to tease Luke. In the spirit of things, he buys a copy of the book and takes it for Luke to sign. Luke scribbles something quickly and hands it back to Bodhi, blushing furiously. Bodhi is expecting something very raunchy and instead he opens the book to find:

Bodhi, there is a moment, before the launch, that is full of fear and breathtaking possibility. You are waiting for something to go wrong but certain that if it goes right you are going to have an experience so extraordinary it will define your life

...Here's to our launch

-Luke Lars

I haven’t managed to get the thing written, but I still love that line.

I Do Crime Now

Sooo, you know that whole thing where the sequel trilogy gave their Latino star a history of drug smuggling? (the longest, most drawn out sigh)

Well, I took one look at that and went "Oh, he was undercover."

So, this is the fic where I play with that.

Poe is on Kijimi because their kids are being stolen by the First Order - but of course, its not the nice upper class families' kids that are getting stolen, but the families that are too poor or too criminal to get the wider galaxy to take them seriously.

So Poe has to integrate with Kijimi's underbelly to find out what's happening to the kids. He uses the very real excuse of his desertion and subsequent bounty to justify his turn to the underworld. He gets to chew through the emotions of suddenly not having the respect of the universe, and while he's utterly sure he's doing the right thing, he's also dealing with the dark morality of doing something he hates for a greater good.

In the middle of all this, in walks Luke Skywalker, totally unaware that his sister has put Poe undercover on Kijimi, and genuinely thinks that Poe is a Lost Soul that has Thrown His Life Away.

Kinda. Turns out, at least as far as Luke is concerned, Poe is a terrible liar.

"You think I don't know that the main industry on Kijimi is spice running?" Luke said, his voice a low rumble.

Poe stuck his chin out, quirked his rogue's smile, and said, "I didn't think you were stupid, but there are some things you don't say in crowded bars."

"Does your father know—"

"Seriously, Luke?" Poe cut him off. "You're trying to bring my dad into this? Don't be that guy."

"You are drug running and you expect me to not mention your father?"

"I am an adult," Poe snapped in response, which he recognized as the words came out was probably the worst thing he could have said at the moment.

"You're—"

"Your best friend did the same job," Poe hissed, in a desperate attempt to pivot the conversation.

"If you're trying to use Han Solo's career as an example—" Luke stopped, his eyes flicking over Poe.

Poe had to fight the urge to flinch, as Luke's eyes lingered on Poe's hands, firmly in his pockets, then up to the hunch of his shoulders.

"You're lying," Luke said, leaning back a little, and raising an eyebrow.

Poe forced himself to relax, and then realized that was the most suspicious thing he could have possibly done in the moment. He was normally a much better spy than this. Luke was just very good at catching him off his guard.

"What are you really doing here, Poe?" Luke asked again, his voice a little softer.

I’ve actually got about 12k of this one written - it’s got a better shot than most of seeing the light of day, eventually :D

#ask games #wip ask game #I Do Crime Now #NASA!Verse #Bodhi/Luke #Luke/Poe #yes the I Do Crime Now fic does turn into a horribly ill-advised affair #I got to chew through some delicious angst of Luke being an outer rim kid himself #and watching Poe fight for the world Luke abandoned #and being Filled with Feelings about it #tobermoriansass

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bookmoth · 4 years

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“Let’s start with the end of the world, why don’t we? Get it over with and move on to more interesting things.”

The Fifth Season is a fascinating post-apocalyptic sci fi adventure of mystery, wonder, and that peculiar feeling of peering out at a world that stares right back. This book is intense and strange and, most of all, chilling. The narrator will give you chills. The characters will give you chills. Even the setting itself will drop ice down your spine as you learn more about this somehow still inhabited wasteland that Jemisin has masterfully created.

If you find yourself starving for more varied representation in your sci fi and fantasy, this novel has plenty of that, both in its characters and interpersonal connections. Though the book covers dark themes and traumatic circumstances, it does so thoughtfully and respectfully, encouraging the reader to do the same. However, amidst the solemn hardships the characters face, there are many bright points to the story, including the bickering friendship between two of the main characters that continues to be a spitfire of amusement throughout the book.

“For all those that have to fight for the respect that everyone else is given without question.”

I think I have found a new favorite author and can’t wait to devour the rest of this trilogy... and then get my hands on everything else Jemisin has written 😊

(Warnings for rape, death, murder) Feel free to message me if you want clarification/specifics about these warnings.

If you like my post, feel free to follow for more book reviews and recommendations. Also, if you have some favorite books you want to talk about, I would be thrilled to get a message from you! I’m always looking for new friends and the next book to fall in love with 💕

Here’s my affiliate link to bookshop.org, where you can buy a copy of this fantastic book and also support me as well as local bookshops!

#books #book review #book recommendation #the fifth season #N.K.Jemisin #fantasy #sci fi #adventure #woc author #woc main character #lgbtq+#gay characters #queer main character #dark fantasy #trigger warning: rape #death #murder

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aion-rsa · 4 years

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Top New Fantasy Books July 2020

The Book of Dragons: An Anthology by Jonathan Strahan

Type: Anthology Publisher: Harper Voyager Release date: July 7

Den of Geek says: I’m always looking for a good book about dragons, and this incredible list of authors promises adventurous and unique stories. Anne Leckie, Zen Cho, Seanan Maguire, J.Y. Yang, Patricia A McKillip, Brooke Bolander … it’s an astounding, literary-flavored list of people qualified to write cool creatures.

Publisher’s summary: Here there be dragons . . .

From China to Europe, Africa to North America, dragons have long captured our imagination in myth and legend. Whether they are rampaging beasts awaiting a brave hero to slay or benevolent sages who have much to teach humanity, dragons are intrinsically connected to stories of creation, adventure, and struggle beloved for generations.

Bringing together nearly thirty stories and poems from some of the greatest science fiction and fantasy writers working today— Garth Nix, Scott Lynch, R.F. Kuang, Ann Leckie & Rachel Swirsky, Daniel Abraham, Peter S. Beagle, Beth Cato, Zen Cho, C. S. E Cooney, Aliette de Bodard, Amal El-Mohtar, Kate Elliott, Theodora Goss, Ellen Klages, Ken Liu, Seanan Maguire, Patricia A McKillip, K. J. Parker, Kelly Robson, Michael Swanwick, Jo Walton, Elle Katharine White, Jane Yolen, Kelly Barnhill, Brooke Bolander, Sarah Gailey, and J. Y. Yang—and illustrated by award-nominated artist Rovina Cai with black-and-white line drawings specific to each entry throughout, this extraordinary collection vividly breathes fire and life into one of our most captivating and feared magical creatures as never before and is sure to become a treasured keepsake for fans of fantasy, science fiction, and fairy tales.

Buy The Book of Dragons by Jonathan Strahan on Amazon

Or What You Will by Joe Walton

Type: Novel Publisher: Tor Books Release date: July 7

Den of Geek says: Jo Walton is a writer’s writer, highly praised but still generally skating under the radar. I found her 2014 My Real Children to not nearly live up to its very high concept, but she’s one of those authors with technical prowess who is at least worth checking out for context for women’s science fiction. The metafiction plot sounds fun.

Publisher’s summary: He has been too many things to count. He has been a dragon with a boy on his back. He has been a scholar, a warrior, a lover, and a thief. He has been dream and dreamer. He has been a god.

But “he” is in fact nothing more than a spark of idea, a character in the mind of Sylvia Harrison, 73, award-winning author of thirty novels over forty years. He has played a part in most of those novels, and in the recesses of her mind, Sylvia has conversed with him for years.

But Sylvia won’t live forever, any more than any human does. And he’s trapped inside her cave of bone, her hollow of skull. When she dies, so will he.

Now Sylvia is starting a new novel, a fantasy for adult readers, set in Thalia, the Florence-resembling imaginary city that was the setting for a successful YA trilogy she published decades before. Of course he’s got a part in it. But he also has a notion. He thinks he knows how he and Sylvia can step off the wheel of mortality altogether. All he has to do is convince her.

Buy Or What You Will by Jo Walton on Amazon

The Adventure Zone: Petals to the Metal

Type: Graphic Novel Publisher: First Second Release date: July 14

Den of Geek says: The Adventure Zone is a wildly popular humorous fantasy podcast. It’s part of the big 2010s wave of Dungeons & Dragons coming back into the geek space. Especially for someone who might not want to listen to hundreds of episodes of a podcast, the illustrated version does a good job of smoothing out the story into a graphic novel format without removing the goofy chaos of the original podcast.

Publisher’s summary: START YOUR ENGINES, friends, Clint McElroy and sons Griffin, Justin, and Travis hit the road again with Taako, Magnus and Merle, the beloved agents of chaos from the #1 New York Times bestselling graphic novels illustrated by Carey Pietsch, The Adventure Zone: Here There Be Gerblins and The Adventure Zone: Murder on the Rockport Limited.

Our boys have gone full-time at the Bureau of Balance, and their next assignment is a real thorny one: apprehending The Raven, a master thief who’s tapped into the power of a Grand Relic to ransack the city of Goldcliff. Local life-saver Lieutenant Hurley pulls them out of the woods, only to throw them headlong into the world of battle wagon racing, Goldcliff’s favorite high-stakes low-legality sport and The Raven’s chosen battlefield. Will the boys and Hurley be able to reclaim the Relic and pull The Raven back from the brink, or will they get lost in the weeds?

Based on the beloved blockbuster podcast where three brothers and their dad play a tabletop RPG in real time, The Adventure Zone: Petals to the Metal has it all: blossoming new friendships, pining for outlaw lovers, and a rollicking race you can root for!

Buy The Adventure Zone: Petals to the Metal

The post Top New Fantasy Books in August 2020 appeared first on Den of Geek.

from Den of Geek https://ift.tt/30f7KEw

#aion-rsa #Den of Geek

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maddie-grove · 4 years

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Get to Know the Romance Reader tag

Tagged by @cramzydays!

1. What is your romance origin story? (How you came to read your first romance novel)

Back in 2008/2009 (my senior year of high school...), I was reading TV Tropes and learned about the site Smart Bitches, Trashy Books. Their reviews were so funny and they made the genre sound interesting. @erotiamat had already given me a copy of Jane Feather’s Vice for my seventeenth birthday, so I read that first. It was not great, but I tried Johanna Lindsay’s Gentle Rogue that summer (ugh) and Julia London’s A Courtesan’s Scandal that fall (yay!).

2. If you could be the heroine in a romance novel, who would be the author and what’s one trope you’d insist be in the story?

I’d pick Sabrina Jeffries--her romances are so fun and her heroines tend to have a good time! I want a fake engagement and, if possible, a masked ball. Plus some random historical references.

3. What is a romance you’ve read this year, that you want more people to read?

An Unconditional Freedom by Alyssa Cole. Her entire Loyal League trilogy (about Union spies during the Civil War) is amazing, both as romance and as historical fiction.

5. Who is one of your auto-buy romance authors?

Mary Balogh. Her Dark Angel was what really solidified my love for romance, and I’ve read like fifty of her books over the past ten years.

6. How do you typically find romance recommendations? (Goodreads, Youtube, Podcasts, Instagram..)

I look at a few romance blogs, plus I’ve picked up some suggestions from Tumblr (especially for queer romance).

7. What is an upcoming romance release you’re excited for?

I have such a big backlog of romances to read that I had to search a bit to answer this one and, in the process, I found out about Alyssa Cole’s To Catch a Queen. The Njaza part of A Prince on Paper was fascinating, so I’m looking forward to a romance about its king and queen.

8. What is one misconception about romance you would like to lay to rest?

Maybe this is cheating, but I’d like people to realize that it’s a genre like any other--it can be well-written or poorly written, progressive or regressive, an intelligent examination of serious issues or pure fluff (not that there’s anything wrong with that). It has many different sub-genres, and it’s changed dramatically over time. There’s nothing wrong with criticizing an individual book or noting troubling trends, but I’m irritated by blanket statements (i.e., ”romance novels are sexist” or “romance novel heroes aren’t developed characters”) that most people wouldn’t make about sci-fi or fantasy or YA or literary fiction or fanfiction.

(At least, people don’t usually make these statements 100% in earnest--I see posts about all fantasy being full of sexual violence, or YA being all about love triangles in the time of dystopia, or literary fiction being all about professors having extramarital affairs, but I think on some level people get that these are exaggerations made for laughs or to illustrate a point.)

9. Who is the most recent romance reading content creator you came across that you’d like to shoutout?

I’m honestly kind of out of the loop on this one!

10. If someone had never read a romance before and asked you to recommend the first 3 romances that come to mind as places to start, what would those recommendations be?

An Extraordinary Union by Alyssa Cole (terrific historical/spy/war novel as well as an awesome romance).

Trade Me by Courtney Milan (it’s funny, it’s heartfelt, and--a big hurdle I face with contemporary romance--it doesn’t feel like the protagonists are a generation older than they’re supposed to be).

For My Lady’s Heart by Laura Kinsale (this may seem counter-intuitive, given the use of Middle English and the daring-for-1993-but-hardly-woke-for-2019 politics, but if you’re a fan of historical fiction or politics-heavy fantasy, I think it’s a good fit).

My brain is too fired for me to tag people right now, but if this looks interesting to you please do it!

#romance novels #cramzydays #meme

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ginnyzero · 5 years

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Books that Stand Out in my mind.

When you read a lot of books like I do, it takes quite a bit for something to stand out from the shelves and stick in your mind. A lot of books start to blur together after a while. Now, of course the books that influenced my writing stood out in my mind. If they hadn’t stood out to me, they wouldn’t be an influence now would they? But they aren’t the only books that have stayed in my head. While these books have stayed with me, they don’t necessarily correlate with what I like to write, but at the same time, taught me some extraordinary lessons about writing.

If I tried to summarize the Journey of the Catechist trilogy by Alan Dean Foster, you would probably think it is the most boring and most worn out story in existence. A noble savage is asked by a dying man to rescue a fair princess from the lair of a monster halfway across the world and bring her back to her family. Armed with his few weapons and gifts from his family and tribe, the noble savage sets out on a long and perilous journey to fulfill the man’s dying wish, with the certain knowledge that he shall die at the end of it.

Bah. How boring and tired is this plot?

See, it wasn’t the plot that had me go out and buy the rest of the books in the series. It wasn’t the plot that kept me reading. It was the world building and the adventures and what in the noble savages pack is going to get them out of their dire straits this time? The book would have been utterly boring and predictable if the setting hadn’t been so engaging and inventive.

I can be very forgiving of a predictable plot, as long as the setting and characters are interesting and fresh along the way.

I can’t remember if I bought the Angelwalk trilogy by Roger Elwood or if it was given to me. It was the second book in the trilogy, Fallen Angel that stuck with me. Fallen Angel is the story of Observer, the Chronicler of Lucifer. Observer is obsessed with seeing everything and writing it down. Lucifer encourages this because it keeps Observer by his side. Throughout the book Observer questions the rightness and morality of what Lucifer and the others are doing, but as he doesn’t participate he doesn’t fully feel he can cast judgement. (Now, I say Observer doesn’t participate, however, this is Lucifer we’re talking about and yes, Observer is called upon to take part. He just doesn’t do so under the name of Observer.) Observer is given multiple chances to repent and return to the Angels. Each time, he refuses because of his writing and in the end shares the fate of the rest of the Fallen Angels. And it is brought home that even though he was simply observing and claiming not to take a side, by doing nothing, he had chosen a side, Lucifer’s side.

The imagery in this book is not for the faint of heart. Fallen Angel is the observation of the world through the eyes of a demon. There is a point in the book where Observer has a vision or a dream depending on whether or not you believe demons sleep, about where all the victims of abortion come to him across the plains and ask Observer why he didn’t help them. Why didn’t he stop the practice? If I remember correctly, an angel (Steadfast, I think) comes and tells Observer the possibilities behind each of the babies and takes them to Heaven after giving Observer another chance to return.

The imagery of this book was very compelling, sometimes horrifying, but always compelling. In the guise of Observer, Roger Elwood had a very simple way with description and imagery that kept me turning pages. The words were clear, simple and direct but always exactly the right words needed to paint the picture Observer was seeing and stuck in my head. (I wish I had that way with words.) Perhaps, there is some irony of a writer liking a book about a writer.

The next set of books that stayed with me were written by Timothy Zahn. Now, Timothy Zahn was actually one of the few writers that I trusted in the Star Wars EU. And when it came to going through my books and keeping and getting rid of them, he was one of the author’s I kept. However, I hadn’t and still haven’t read a lot of his writing outside of Star Wars. I picked up the first book of his Conqueror’s Trilogy second hand and had to spend some time to find copies of the second and third book. (And then on my last move, I accidentally left them behind, drat. Note to self: Never, ever, ever, assume a box is empty. Ever.)

Science fiction is one of those genres that can be really hard to get into. The Conqueror’s trilogy straddled the line between “soft” science fiction and “hard” science fiction in a way that was more approachable for the moderately educated reader. They didn’t require the reader to have a degree in physics or biology to understand what was going on.

A lot of science fiction assumes that most aliens have advanced technology far beyond human’s that is usually completely mechanical and relies upon computer interfaces with binary similar to the way our technology works. This is, of course, completely and utterly ridiculous, but everyone has run with it from Isaac Asimov on down because well, it seemed the thing to do? Timothy Zahn decided to toss this idea out the window and wrote a book speculating about what would happen in humans met an alien race that used technology so completely opposite to ours that our technology actually caused their technology pain. This inability to communicate whatsoever sparks a war of misunderstanding, while the scientists on both sides of the lines scramble to figure out what the hell is going on with the other side’s technology and are mutually horrified by what they are finding.

I’ll admit that this wasn’t an easy read. I had to work to finish these books. I am more of a ‘soft’ scifi reader. Star Wars is an excellent example of the scifi I prefer, Heinlein, Asimov in moderation, the very early Frank Herbert, the non-political portions of David Weber and the satirical Robert Asprin. A lot of scifi is either far too technical (which is fine if you enjoy that type of thing) or not character driven enough to be interesting to me. The only reason I finished these books was because the concept was intriguing and interesting enough that I wanted to see how it would all turn out and if the two species could figure out how to settle their differences (which were more along the lines of, ‘hey, your technology is killing our technology’) and come to a mutual peace. Plus, there were mind meld pilots in the mix too to keep me entertained.

That is the power of a good concept. The premise of those books captured my attention and made me remember them.

The last series I want to talk about is once again by Anne Bishop. She is coming up a lot when I talk about books. This time probably not for the reason that you think. No matter how you look at it, there is a certain set way of writing. When you write a book, you have a main character (or two, or three, or half a dozen) and usually the story is told through the viewpoint(s) of them. They are the most important character(s) in the story and the reader gets to intimately (depending on point of view) know their opinions, likes, dislikes and general thoughts about the world around them. Not so in the Black Jewels trilogy by Anne Bishop.

Throughout the entire series of books set in the Black Jewels universe, not once, are we treated to the viewpoint and thoughts of the main female character the entire story revolves around, Janelle D’Angelline. We see Janelle through the lens of her father figure, her brother figure and lover. We see her through her friends and through her parents, family and her enemies, but not once are we treated to the inside of Janelle’s mind and thoughts. A lot of these viewpoints are male, which may be something of a weakness with this trilogy, giving such a strong female figure as the lead and then never using her thoughts. It is a very interesting stylistic choice. One I feel there might be two reasons for, but these are my opinions and possibly hold no weight. Either, Bishop thought that Janelle being Witch, Dreams Made Flesh of all the different races in her universe, that Janelle’s thoughts would be too alien for the reader to be able to sympathize with or, Bishop in her wisdom felt that the topics she was addressing would be way too shocking coming from the victim and decided to add a layer of “insulation” if you will for the reader. Thus, the reader would be horrified and disgusted, but not have the immediacy of the events through Janelle’s eyes.

There are other very strong female characters that Anne Bishop uses later to tell stories through. However, in her first, and major trilogy, she declines. In her later books, Anne Bishop does use a more ‘traditional’ story method, where the main central character to the story is the character we get the primary point of view from. The Black Jewels trilogy stood out in my mind simply because she declined to do so. The books, in my opinion, do not suffer because of this choice! Though sometimes I am very interested in knowing what in hell is Janelle thinking to end up with the conclusion that this has to happen. Other times, I'm extremely grateful not to be in her mind.

So, what makes an outstanding book in my mind can be almost any part of the story making process. It can be an intricate and imaginative world. It can be clear and concise imagery in word choice that sticks in the mind rather than slipping through it. It can be a compelling concept that stands apart from others. Or it can be an interesting style choice on behalf of the writer. These books are clear example of each of these ideas. Now, if there were books that managed to combine these, then we’d be closer to genius I guess.

#books #not really book recs #Fallen Angel needs content warnings #So does Anne Bishop

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elenafisher · 5 years

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spent some more time playing “mass effect: andromeda”

as i am now midway through the story, i feel like i’ve reached a place where i can now talk more confidently about what a hot mess this game really is.

there’s just so much that’s... wrong. alec ryder and his heavily romanticized andromeda initiative was what first made me uneasy, and that feeling hasn’t left. each character had lofty dreams about what they expected this new galaxy to be like, but it seems as if nobody had prepared for anything bad to happen.

it also rubs me the wrong way that the colonization of other planets is painted as some romantic gesture. thankfully, only the angaran and the kett occupy this vast, vast galaxy, and we do not step on any toes in the process. but still! what if there had been other life on these planets? what if none of our golden worlds panned out at all? what would the initiative had done then? as they said, this is a “one-way trip” (for whatever reason). would they have just... given up and died in space?

of course, none of these things actually happened, and we almost immediately acquired eos and established a colony there. but it bothers me that seemingly no one thought this through. somebody should’ve thought about these things! you’re abandoning your native galaxy in favor of another one (which, i still don’t understand why they did that in the first place, since it appears the initiative was still ignorant to the threat of the collectors and the reapers at the time of their departure). you need to have back-up plans for your back-up plans. you need to think about the worst case scenario, too! to me, it appears that the milky way’s best and brightest (as the initiative claims to consist of) are anything but.

another glaring problem is the character of ryder.

i think that whatever talents ryder does possess are overshadowed by SAM. it’s SAM that allows ryder to access the remnant vaults; it’s SAM that saves ryder’s life; it’s SAM that provides mission objectives. technically, anyone can integrate themselves with the SAM interface and do what ryder does. the character is not special (this is especially apparent when, no matter which sibling you choose to play as, the same events occur). whatever their background is, it does not actually relate to the role of pathfinder, and is rendered meaningless.

commander shepard was special because they had extraordinary leadership capabilities and a will of solid steel. they were one of the most talented soldiers earth had ever produced. and it was shepard who gave the team the orders, the objectives, the goals. it was because of shepard that saren was defeated, the collector base was ignited, and the reapers were brought to their knees.

if you took away shepard, you wouldn’t have the mass effect series we know and love today. but if you took away ryder, i feel like anyone could take their place and achieve the same results, primarily because they’d have SAM to assist in the same capacity.

it’s pretty disappointing, really. i wanted to like ryder. i spent a hell of a lot of time customizing my ryder. but she has made no spark, no lasting impression on me. in fact, i’m annoyed with her most of the time, because her sense of humor (or lack thereof) is absolutely grating. the dialogue is agony. i won’t go too much in that, because that horse has already been beaten several times to death, but i will say that it makes interactions a pain and engagement impossible.

the last thing i’ll complain about is how the story is clearly re-using some of the better aspects of the mass effect trilogy in the hope that it will inspire the same kind of love and respect in the players that are playing andromeda.

for example: liam insisting we all watch a movie together. this crew literally just assembled and we’re already all at the hip? i hadn’t even spoken to every new team member yet before he suggested doing such a thing. we had just colonized eos. there was still so much work to be done! why would we drop everything to watch a movie together?

y’know? it’s things like that. it just screams to me, “REMEMBER THE CITADEL DLC? DO YOU?”

the problem with these friendships is that they’re not earned, they’re automatically gained when you acquire the team member. they already believe in you, and trust you, and are ready to die for you.

which makes no sense! ryder did not want to be the pathfinder and only took on the responsibility because their father willed it to them. nothing in their background suggests they’re suitable for such a position, or that they even wanted it. but everybody believes in you, anyway. why?

y’all, i’m just so disappointed by this game. i’ve never regretted buying a video game before, but i’ve reached that point with andromeda. i’m still going to finish it, and probably earn more trophies (because i’m like that), but i doubt i’ll complete this game with any special memories. it’s a mess.

#chelsea.txt #chelsea plays me:a #lots and lots of text underneath the cut #but god what a tragedy this game is turning out to be

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bicycles-bees-bisexuals · 5 years

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50 Question Book Tag For World Book Day

My darling pal @thebestoftimes tagged me in this and who am I to refuse, though i am a lame loser who hasn’t read very much since high school. I read so much in elementary and middle school that I think I read enough for a whole lifetime. Also I’m a verbose asshole so enjoy my essays on books I read 13 years ago.

Who or what sparked your love of literature?

My mom used to read to me when I was really little and my sister despised being read to so my mom stopped. It made me sad so I started reading to myself and I just kept reading and reading and reading all throughout elementary and onward.

Do you have an ‘odd’ book habit? (page sniffing/never leaving the house with a book)

If I really really really love a book I use it to press flowers, so you’ll know which book is my favorite when you open it and it’s full of flowers

Do you have a book that you think has changed your life? How?

Shit I dunno man, I feel like Tolkien shaped my creativity and his characters are characters that I truly hold dear. But Pride and Prejudice really impacted me, which I know is weird, but it was my first foray into literature written by women for women and I just loved the dynamic of the characters, the spunkiness of Elizabeth Bennet, and the style of writing.

Which book have you reread most frequently?

Pride and Prejudice because I’m a huge freakin’ nerd and whenever I’m sad P&P is my comfort book. This is closely followed by the Lord of the Rings/the Hobbit

You can meet any author and ask one question. What author would you chose and what question would you ask?

Oh shit.....ummmmmm..... Ummmmmmmmmmmm.....I would ask Jane Austen her opinion on the Lizzie Bennet Diaries(after showing her the whole series)

Best book published this year so far?

(I haven’t read any books published this year I am so sorry)

Imagine you’ve started a book and don’t like it. Do you see the experience through to the bitter end?

I am a sinner of the highest caliber and I read the end to see if it’s interesting enough to warrant suffering through the rest

What book is top of your wish list/TBR pile?

Any of Holly Blacks books tbh, I hear such good things about her work and I just haven’t gotten around to reading it yet and I really want to

Favourite place to read?

On the porch in my beach chair with a mug of tea and a blanket

If you buy books, do you lend them out? Ever had a bad experience?

I lend books out all the time. I recently had a person I considered my friend abscond to Russia with several of my books and I am not happy about it

What fictional character do you ship yourself with?

There are so many badass ladies that if I lived in their world I would flirt so hard with them and I can’t decide. Definitely Annabeth and Rachel for Percy Jackson, Hermione/Ginny/Luna from Harry Potter... Brett Ashley from The Sun Also Rises....Arwen from LOTR but also Aragorn and also Eowyn....I just love hot ladies who get in fights alright

Weirdest thing you’ve used as a bookmark.

A whole sock, it was the nearest object to me and I was in a hurry, but at least it was clean

Favorite quality/qualities in a protagonist and antagonist

I love a flawed character who experiences character growth in the story, be they protagonist or antagonist. Not even in a ‘bad guy becomes good guy’ way, character growth is just so sexy man I wish writers used it more

Favorite genre and favorite book from that genre.

Why must you hurt me in this way, making me decide. I must say Fantasy is my genre of choice, and my favorite is actually The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader

Best/worst movie adaptation in your eyes

Dragon is by far the worst movie adaptation I have ever seen, I remember being so utterly disappointed and gutted when I watched it, I love those books so much and that movie let me down so hard(the effects were really good for the time though I must give them that)

Do you prefer reading your own books, or library books?

I am poor so library books all the way

How do you choose your next book to read?

I read descriptions until something strikes my interest. Or Jess recommends something to me.

Your favorite word.

Flourish

Book that got you hooked on reading/how you got hooked.

Mrs Peregrins Home for Peculiar Children, which isn’t a book I didn’t expect to like and didn’t have much interest in but the opening line of “I had just come to accept my life would be ordinary when extraordinary things began to happen” it was an interesting enough hook to draw me in. I was not disappointed, it’s a pretty great book

Opinion on dog-earing, margin writing, ect.

I dog ear books and write all over them. I love books and I love the stories they contain but I don’t think the pages of each individual book are sacred. My books look loved because they are loved. Unless I’m borrowing them then I don’t dog ear or write in them because that’s rude