What Are You Reading, Part 2

[Through the Living Questio he/him]

I’m trying to read Leviathan Wakes again… 

There’s so much swearing and violence and stuff that it’s honestly a bit hard to keep up with it, and the fact that I’ve just got a lot going on between my brain, school, and other things. 

So my pace on that is a lot slower than my normal one.

[Briar King]

Finished Shadows early AM before ambien time. Onwards to Bands reread.

I am still on the same pg of W&T that I was on when starting Alloy reread. I try but it ain't happening.

[Dunkum he/him]

Been on a bit of a Sci-FI kick recently. in the last couple days I read the Ender's Game series through Children of the Mind. Debating whether to try and pick up The Last Shadow to finish it up, but leaning toward not and just jumping to something else instead.

[Treamayne]

5 hours ago, Dunkum said:

Been on a bit of a Sci-FI kick recently. in the last couple days I read the Ender's Game series through Children of the Mind. Debating whether to try and pick up The Last Shadow to finish it up, but leaning toward not and just jumping to something else instead.

Did you see the post previously with the Enderverse Chronology (if it matters and is helpful)?

Did you only read from Ender's Game forward (Ender in Flight, Ender's Shadow, etc.) or did you also go back and read First Bugger War Trilogy and what we have of Second Bugger War trilogy? Short Stories like Mazer in Prison?

As for Last Shadow - I'm glad I read it once, but it was not my favorite for the series and I am unsure if I will re-read it on future re-reads. For whatever that is worth. 

Hope you enjoyed what you read. 

[Dunkum he/him]

3 hours ago, Treamayne said:

Did you see the post previously with the Enderverse Chronology (if it matters and is helpful)?

Did you only read from Ender's Game forward (Ender in Flight, Ender's Shadow, etc.) or did you also go back and read First Bugger War Trilogy and what we have of Second Bugger War trilogy? Short Stories like Mazer in Prison?

As for Last Shadow - I'm glad I read it once, but it was not my favorite for the series and I am unsure if I will re-read it on future re-reads. For whatever that is worth. 

Hope you enjoyed what you read. 

this time through it was just a reread of Ender's Game, Speaker for the Dead, Xenocide, and Children of the Mind. I have in the past also read Ender in Exile, and the Shadows series at least through Shadow Puppets. Don't remember offhand if I ever did get to Shadow of the Giant (I think so) or Shadows in flight (less sure).

I don't really have any plan to read the prequel books, to be honest, but i might at some point make it through all the Shadows books, at least to get final closure on Bean and see how the series closes out past Children of the Mind. but not this time, I'm thinking.

[Mags she/they]

GUESS WHO FINISHED WAT

uh, if you weren't already aware because this is not knew info, I've posted my actual thoughts on it elsewhere on the Shard for obvious reasons.

but!! That does mean that I will be moving onto some of the books I had started before I halted everything for Brandon's new release.

I think atm, my focus will be on The Lie Tree, Frances Hardinge, which my sister gave me for Christmas. I'll be back with my thoughts on it once I'm done.

Edited February 20, 2025 by Magi

[The Stormfather He/Him]

I just finished the Broken Earth trilogy.

It was insane.

It was amazing.

Also it was insane.

 

[Mags she/they]

Finished The Lie Tree by by Francis Hardinge last night.

It was . . . it was a book. I generally don't have much to say because above all it was just really bland. I don't think any of it's ideas were bad, but it carried them out with very little grace and sometimes the narration strayed into angsty middle schooler writing. It's a good thing that I wasn't particularly attached to the concept, otherwise maybe I'd be more disappointed and have a stronger opinion.

I want to make it clear that I didn't hate it, there wasn't anything really to hate just as much as there wasn't anything to like. I did however appreciate that the author did her best to write with a prose style that fit her historical setting. A lot of YA books are written in 21st century language even if their contents are very far removed from modern day, and I find that extremely annoying. This book actually had a unique voice, and It did feel like I was reading the thoughts of a 19th century teenager. 

In reviews of the book, a lot of people were complaining that this was one of those 'historically based' books who's main character is way too progressive for her time, and that the girl power message is unrealistic. I kind of dislike that criticism in general for certain reasons, though I understand where people are coming from. I actually felt like this book did things pretty well. While the message lacked much needed subtly and perhaps even nuance, I felt like it was realistic for the time. The main characters conclusions about women and women's rights are good first steps towards modern day ideas, not shoehorned in modern ideas that a 19th teenager would never think of. The message just comes off wrong because as I've said, it's not written very well. 

This book also chooses to tackle the topic of religion vs science and I don't know if it was handled very well. Obviously, this was a hot topic at the time and definitely an interesting topic for a YA historical story. But, as someone who has personal opinions on the subject, I felt like the topic wasn't given enough time and was reduced to a black-and-white version of the actual issue. I'm fine with reading books that may come to a different conclusion then my personal beliefs, I can completely respect that, but I felt like this book just didn't give the issue the care and attention it needed. I hate to say it, but it felt stuck in for added drama. I'd actually love to read a historical book that tackles this topic with skill and care.

I gave it 2.5/5 stars last night, not because it was worse then a 3 star (which is a typical average) but because it was just so bland that I have a hard time rating it higher. I'll probably forget about it in a few months, honestly.

(Btw, this whole time I'm using the term 'historical' pretty loosely because it takes place during the late 1800's, but there are magical elements, so I guess it strays more into magical realism).

Edited March 3, 2025 by Magi

[BenKenobi7333 He/Him/Mandalorian]

I started to read Alcatraz v. the Evil Librarians book 4. I’ve enjoyed the last few.
Finished reading Children of Dune. I enjoyed the twists. It’s a good series.
Started to reread the first of the original Thrawn series. I love that book.

[Briar King]

Literally just put Alloy 4 back on the shelf. I enjoyed it. It was not intentional at 1st but I still haven't gotten off the page of W&T I was on when I started these 4 books on 1/5/25. Now I have to attempt to dive back into the dross that SLA has become and see if i can finish this book finally. I still feel it might be the last SLA I ll read so these remaining 1.1K pgs are make or break.

[Use the Falchion]

I ended up reading most of All the Skills Book 5 on Royal Road. I usually try to save these books for their Amazon release date, so I can buy them there. (And ideally eat them with a bagel from Einsteins, and a cup of coffee.) But I was so bored on Tuesday that I just started...and I couldn't stop. And I had plans that evening to eat Korean BBQ & Shabu Shabu with a friend, so I couldn't even get a bagel like I usually would have! Alas, I'll have to wait for All the Skills 6 for that...so, probably 6-8 months from now? Or I could just build that ritual with a different book and series...

...I'm also doing the same for Unbound by Nicoli Gonnella. Don't get me wrong, in both cases, I DO have other books I could read, but I'm just not in the mood to read them yet. 

...I also did the same for Warformed: Stormweaver, about a week or so, but with the free chapters on Patreon. 

When it comes to books and series I like, when I'm ready to read them, I have NO impulse control...

[BenKenobi7333 He/Him/Mandalorian]

Finished Alcatraz four for the first time. It was good I always have enjoyed the humor Brandon brings to the books. 

Currently rereading Thrawn Heir to the Empire.

It’s good, but I started reading another novel. Dune four, God Emperor of Dune. That is one that I’m reading for the first time. I’m loving every second of it. 

I’m also reading Paul of Dune which Kevin J Anderson wrote with Brian. Franks son. That one is a page turner.

I recently got the fellowship of the ring for a steal, but I’ve already read it twice so when I finish Thrawn I am gonna read that great novel.

[Use the Falchion]

On 3/17/2025 at 1:44 PM, BenKenobi7333 said:

Currently rereading Thrawn Heir to the Empire.

Ayy, Heir to the Empire! My favorite theme song for Thrawn is "Your Father" by Joel P West, from the Shang-Chi soundtrack. It just fits his vibe so well. 

[Silver Phantom he/him]

I just finished wind and truth, so I have been catching up on some comic issues I missed, then I am going to start six of crows

[BenKenobi7333 He/Him/Mandalorian]

On 3/23/2025 at 7:04 PM, Use the Falchion said:

Ayy, Heir to the Empire! My favorite theme song for Thrawn is "Your Father" by Joel P West, from the Shang-Chi soundtrack. It just fits his vibe so well. 

Nice I will have to check that out.

this past week was good for reading. I finished three novels and started reading two more.

i finished Dune four the god emperor of dune. It was an interesting book. The more this series continues it seems like it forever changing and becoming even weirder. But I like that. Makes for good storytelling.

on the dune train I also finished Paul of Dune. Great book. Recommend it. It follows Paul right after Dune one and continues that story. I like that one.

I finished Alcatraz five and also started it. I started it on Thursday and only read twenty pages or so. Then Friday night I stayed up and read the full book.

still reading Thrawn, last week I kinda read it but this week I read eighty pages or so. Good book.

i also started dune five and a little of Alcatraz six

[Eluvianii he/him]

Finished Final Fantasy XV: The Dawn of the Future. That was way, way better than I thought it would be. When I heard the game had an alternate ending, I kind of went in expecting a small twist at the end and a straight line to the opposite conclusion. Should've figured if that was the case there wouldn't be a whole book dedicated to it.

The thing was really well written, characters that didn't have a lot of development in the game get a lot of attention here, it digs at themes that the game introduced but never explored, this is arguably a better ending than the original just based on the work put into it. I certainly believe it is.

It goes well beyond wish fulfilling and makes an effort to give actual meaning to the new conclusion, and it really succeeds.

I just wish the ending itself was longer. 3 pages does not do justice to everything that happens within them. This is Pride and Prejudice all over again. But regardless I'm glad I read this, it added more value to the experience of this game, I'm less hesitant to call it complete now.

[Briar King]

Ugh I'm not even on pg 500 yet of W&T..

I want to pick up Hamiltons Exodus book off my shelf so bad but if I do then that will make the SLA slog even longer. I just wanna be done with it. Hundreds of pgs left..

[aneonfoxtribute]

My reading for the next few months is set I'm going to be trying to read three books at a time. Warbreaker, which will become Mistborn once that's done. Rithmatist. And some combination of Berserk, Unsouled, Shadow and Bone, Assassin's Apprentice, and Gardens of the Moon. I will also probably periodically continue with ReZero and Worm when I have time

Edited March 29, 2025 by aneonfoxtribute

[Treamayne]

22 hours ago, Briar King said:

Ugh I'm not even on pg 500 yet of W&T..

I want to pick up Hamiltons Exodus book off my shelf so bad but if I do then that will make the SLA slog even longer. I just wanna be done with it. Hundreds of pgs left.. 

Well, there's always the Wind and Truth Summary (not quite done yet, but up to Ch 94 as of this post)

16 hours ago, aneonfoxtribute said:

My reading for the next few months is set I'm going to be trying to read three books at a time. Warbreaker, which will become Mistborn once that's done. Rithmatist. And some combination of Berserk, Unsouled, Shadow and Bone, Assassin's Apprentice, and Gardens of the Moon. I will also probably periodically continue with ReZero and Worm when I have time

Are any of those first readings, or all re-reads?
Nice selections. . .

[aneonfoxtribute]

9 minutes ago, Treamayne said:

Well, there's always the Wind and Truth Summary (not quite done yet, but up to Ch 94 as of this post)

Are any of those first readings, or all re-reads?
Nice selections. . .

Warbreaker/Mistborn are rereads. The rest are first time reads, though I have read Six of Crows already so I've got a bit of expectation for Shadow and Bone. 

[Treamayne]

1 minute ago, aneonfoxtribute said:

Warbreaker/Mistborn are rereads. The rest are first time reads, though I have read Six of Crows already so I've got a bit of expectation for Shadow and Bone. 

Hope you enjoy Rithmatist, just be warned (minor spoiler):

Spoiler

We've been waiting for the sequel for a long long time.

 

[aneonfoxtribute]

Just now, Treamayne said:

Hope you enjoy Rithmatist, just be warned (minor spoiler):

  Hide contents

We've been waiting for the sequel for a long long time.

 

I've been aware of that. 

[Use the Falchion]

On 3/29/2025 at 1:56 AM, aneonfoxtribute said:

My reading for the next few months is set I'm going to be trying to read three books at a time. Warbreaker, which will become Mistborn once that's done. Rithmatist. And some combination of Berserk, Unsouled, Shadow and Bone, Assassin's Apprentice, and Gardens of the Moon. I will also probably periodically continue with ReZero and Worm when I have time

Unsouled, Shadow and Bone, and Gardens of the Moon is a CRAZY combination! 

Berserk and Gardens of the Moon can go together, as both series are grimdark to varying degrees. (Gardens of the Moon was a tough read, but the next two malazan books have some of the most epic scenes I've ever read.)

I'm hesitant to say that Shadow and Bone and Assassin's Apprentice can go together, but they probably can. At least for their respective first books. 

Unsouled doesn't really fit with either, but Cradle books are short and sweet, so they can be used as nice palate cleansers. If you like Cradle, I've got a list of recommendations for you to check out!

[Briar King]

On 3/29/2025 at 3:56 AM, aneonfoxtribute said:

My reading for the next few months is set I'm going to be trying to read three books at a time. Warbreaker, which will become Mistborn once that's done. Rithmatist. And some combination of Berserk, Unsouled, Shadow and Bone, Assassin's Apprentice, and Gardens of the Moon. I will also probably periodically continue with ReZero and Worm when I have time

You ve never read Malazan? 

[aneonfoxtribute]

18 minutes ago, Briar King said:

You ve never read Malazan? 

I have not

24 minutes ago, Use the Falchion said:

Unsouled, Shadow and Bone, and Gardens of the Moon is a CRAZY combination! 

Berserk and Gardens of the Moon can go together, as both series are grimdark to varying degrees. (Gardens of the Moon was a tough read, but the next two malazan books have some of the most epic scenes I've ever read.)

I'm hesitant to say that Shadow and Bone and Assassin's Apprentice can go together, but they probably can. At least for their respective first books. 

Unsouled doesn't really fit with either, but Cradle books are short and sweet, so they can be used as nice palate cleansers. If you like Cradle, I've got a list of recommendations for you to check out!

Most of these books are for the Merphy Napier Discord bingo, which is why I've chosen the ones that I have. I need a book that's over 500 pages (that's Berserk, the first Omnibus is over 500 pages), a book with a title with 20 or more characters (Assassin's Apprentice if I could the apostrophe), a book that's part of a series with 6 books minimum (that's Unsouled), a book with 4 or more POVs (That's Malazan), a book with an animal on the cover (That's Shadow and Bone), and a book that takes place primarily in a school (that's Rithmatist)