1Narilka
Happy 2022! Aiming for 12 books. I only got through 10 in 2021 so carrying over 14 and picking 10 new ones. Fingers crossed no reading slump this year.
8/12
Primary
1. Unsouled by Will Wight Completed Jan 8
2. Witchshadow by Susan Dennard Completed Feb 28
3. Mythos by Stephen Fry Completed Mar 4
4. The Hallowed Hunt by Lois McMaster Bujold
5. Entangled Life by Merlin Sheldrake
6. Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir Completed Aug 1
7. Thunder Dog by Michael Hingson
8. White Night by Jim Butcher Completed Aug 9
9. The World According to Bob by James Bowen Completed May 19
10. Black Powder War by Naomi Novik
Carryover from 2021
1. The Alloy of Law by Brandon Sanderson Completed Aug 27
2. Someone Like Me by M. R. Carey
3. The Poppy War by R. F. Kuang
4. Sins of Empire by Brian McClellan
5. Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harai
6. Circe by Madeline Miller
7. Never Grow Up by Jackie Chan
8. The Future of the Mind by Michio Kaku
9. Red Rising by Pierce Brown Completed July 23
10. Wool by Hugh Howey
11. Foreigner by C. J. Cherryh
12. Digital Fortress by Dan Brown
13. A Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson
14. A Cat Named Darwin by William Jordan
Note: If anyone is interested in my whole reading/reviews for the year be sure to check out my reading log over in the Green Dragon - https://www.librarything.com/topic/338328
8/12
Primary
4. The Hallowed Hunt by Lois McMaster Bujold
5. Entangled Life by Merlin Sheldrake
7. Thunder Dog by Michael Hingson
10. Black Powder War by Naomi Novik
Carryover from 2021
2. Someone Like Me by M. R. Carey
3. The Poppy War by R. F. Kuang
4. Sins of Empire by Brian McClellan
5. Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harai
6. Circe by Madeline Miller
7. Never Grow Up by Jackie Chan
8. The Future of the Mind by Michio Kaku
10. Wool by Hugh Howey
11. Foreigner by C. J. Cherryh
12. Digital Fortress by Dan Brown
13. A Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson
14. A Cat Named Darwin by William Jordan
Note: If anyone is interested in my whole reading/reviews for the year be sure to check out my reading log over in the Green Dragon - https://www.librarything.com/topic/338328
2riida
wow, i really like your lists :) it has some of my past favourites (A Short History of Nearly Everything, Circe) , and some that I'd very much like to read very soon.
happy reading :)
happy reading :)
3LittleTaiko
I'm impressed that you're carrying over some titles - you have more follow through than I do.
Good luck with your challenge!
Good luck with your challenge!
6Narilka
>5 Petroglyph: That sounds great! Though it's not in my plan for a couple months...
7Narilka
1. Unsouled by Will Wight
This is my first time reading "cultivation fantasy," a genre I'd never heard of before. According to the internet, it's a story based around "cultivating" or progressing one's soul/body/state of being, usually towards gaining immortality. That description fits Unsouled perfectly, the first in the Cradle series by Will Wight. This is a start of a classic "zero to hero" journey set in a world inspired by Eastern mythology and anime.
Lindon was born unsouled, a person with no soul energy, something that hadn't been seen in his village for as long as anyone could remember. Unsouled are forbidden to learn the sacred arts of his clan and are treated as outcasts, looked down upon by society. Flying in the face of tradition, Lindon is determined to forge his own path even though all the odds are against him.
Turns out I like an underdog story. Lindon is a likable young man, an underdog you can root for and a decent person at heart. I like how he has figured out, with a small nudge, that he has to think outside the box in order to improve himself. It's a great message that even the most unlikely of goals is achievable if you're willing to dedicate yourself to it and are resilient. He is starting at zero with what is perceived as a big handicap and no one believing in him yet has the deterioration and grit needed to see his goal through. Or at least started since this is just the first book.
The world is an interesting one. I don't read a lot of Eastern inspired books (something I should correct), nor do I read/watch anime or manga (tried and couldn't get into it), so the setting felt fresh to me. I've read that this is very similar to Naruto so if you've read this type of manga you will be more familiar with this style of story. The author does a lot to give us enough background information in the first half of the book so that when the exciting plot twist happens we're not bogged down as the story races off. Unfortunately that means the first half has some pacing issues.
This is a great foundation to a series that I look forward to continuing. I see a lot of potential for Lindon and his journey.
Rating:
This is my first time reading "cultivation fantasy," a genre I'd never heard of before. According to the internet, it's a story based around "cultivating" or progressing one's soul/body/state of being, usually towards gaining immortality. That description fits Unsouled perfectly, the first in the Cradle series by Will Wight. This is a start of a classic "zero to hero" journey set in a world inspired by Eastern mythology and anime.
Lindon was born unsouled, a person with no soul energy, something that hadn't been seen in his village for as long as anyone could remember. Unsouled are forbidden to learn the sacred arts of his clan and are treated as outcasts, looked down upon by society. Flying in the face of tradition, Lindon is determined to forge his own path even though all the odds are against him.
Turns out I like an underdog story. Lindon is a likable young man, an underdog you can root for and a decent person at heart. I like how he has figured out, with a small nudge, that he has to think outside the box in order to improve himself. It's a great message that even the most unlikely of goals is achievable if you're willing to dedicate yourself to it and are resilient. He is starting at zero with what is perceived as a big handicap and no one believing in him yet has the deterioration and grit needed to see his goal through. Or at least started since this is just the first book.
The world is an interesting one. I don't read a lot of Eastern inspired books (something I should correct), nor do I read/watch anime or manga (tried and couldn't get into it), so the setting felt fresh to me. I've read that this is very similar to Naruto so if you've read this type of manga you will be more familiar with this style of story. The author does a lot to give us enough background information in the first half of the book so that when the exciting plot twist happens we're not bogged down as the story races off. Unfortunately that means the first half has some pacing issues.
This is a great foundation to a series that I look forward to continuing. I see a lot of potential for Lindon and his journey.
Rating:
8LittleTaiko
Very intriguing review - almost makes me want to read fantasy. :) Congrats on finishing your first challenge book!
9Narilka
2. Witchshadow by Susan Dennard
Witchshadow is the fourth and penultimate book in Susan Dennard's Witchlands series. I believe the long gap between releases and not having reread the series prior to this hurt my enjoyment of the book. Even with the recaps on the author's website, I had a hard time remembering some plot points and reconnecting with the series. The scope was more vast than I was expecting, making it feel unfocused and left me lost at times. That said, the book as a whole feels like one big set up for the finale to come.
Iseult and Safi have come such a long way since the beginning of the series. Iseult's character development is incredible! She has finally accepted and embraced her powers and becomes a force to be reckoned with. Safi, considering her unique situation, is forced to grow beyond the skills she's always taken for granted and adapt to planning out a little strategy. I was left frustrated that, yet again, the two friendsdon't get to stay together as a team even after meeting up at the end. For those looking for progression in the Iseult/Aeduan romance, you will be disappointed.
I did end up enjoying the story and like some of the resolutions we were given. I have a much greater understanding of Paladins now. I think a whole series reread will be a good idea once the final book releases.
Rating:
Witchshadow is the fourth and penultimate book in Susan Dennard's Witchlands series. I believe the long gap between releases and not having reread the series prior to this hurt my enjoyment of the book. Even with the recaps on the author's website, I had a hard time remembering some plot points and reconnecting with the series. The scope was more vast than I was expecting, making it feel unfocused and left me lost at times. That said, the book as a whole feels like one big set up for the finale to come.
Iseult and Safi have come such a long way since the beginning of the series. Iseult's character development is incredible! She has finally accepted and embraced her powers and becomes a force to be reckoned with. Safi, considering her unique situation, is forced to grow beyond the skills she's always taken for granted and adapt to planning out a little strategy. I was left frustrated that, yet again, the two friends
I did end up enjoying the story and like some of the resolutions we were given. I have a much greater understanding of Paladins now. I think a whole series reread will be a good idea once the final book releases.
Rating:
10Narilka
3. Mythos by Stephen Fry
I remember discovering the Greek myths as a child, the stories of the capricious gods and all the trouble they caused mortals causing my imagination to take flight. I think I probably read a version that was simplified for children as several of the stories were a lot darker than I remembered. Mythos is Stephen Fry's modern retelling many of the Greek myths, from the creation of the world to tales of major gods, minor gods, titans, nymphs, furies, muses and more. Fry adds a dose of humor to the stories and I love how he relates each myth back to its impact on the modern world. The Greek myths live on all around us in the words we use, cities we live in and products that we buy.
The retellings also reminded me how badly I've started to mix Greek and Roman versions of the stories up at times. For example, I've managed to completely mix up Eros and Cupid, likely due to the marketing madness that comes with Valentine's Day every year.
I listened to the audio book narrated by the author. Stephen Fry's narration was a joy to listen to.
Rating:
I remember discovering the Greek myths as a child, the stories of the capricious gods and all the trouble they caused mortals causing my imagination to take flight. I think I probably read a version that was simplified for children as several of the stories were a lot darker than I remembered. Mythos is Stephen Fry's modern retelling many of the Greek myths, from the creation of the world to tales of major gods, minor gods, titans, nymphs, furies, muses and more. Fry adds a dose of humor to the stories and I love how he relates each myth back to its impact on the modern world. The Greek myths live on all around us in the words we use, cities we live in and products that we buy.
The retellings also reminded me how badly I've started to mix Greek and Roman versions of the stories up at times. For example, I've managed to completely mix up Eros and Cupid, likely due to the marketing madness that comes with Valentine's Day every year.
I listened to the audio book narrated by the author. Stephen Fry's narration was a joy to listen to.
Rating:
11Cecrow
>9 Narilka:, I'm too slow a reader to ever re-read anything, haven't the patience so I always just muddle ahead. Same trouble as what you describe, so I try waiting for whole series to be published before diving in. I've owned The Name of the Wind since "first time in paperback", still unread.
>10 Narilka:, I'm not clear on "retelling"; a reinterpretation, or just a modernized telling of the original myths? If it's the latter I'm interested, I could use a refresher.
>10 Narilka:, I'm not clear on "retelling"; a reinterpretation, or just a modernized telling of the original myths? If it's the latter I'm interested, I could use a refresher.
12Narilka
>11 Cecrow: Yeah, I understand that about only finished series. There are some authors who go so long between books that I refuse to buy until the series is finished. I would say Mythos is a modernization. He adds in some modern phrasing at times, mostly for comedy. Maybe try a sample and see if it's to your tastes before committing?
13Cecrow
>12 Narilka:, I think I'd be fine with that. I just didn't want to read it and thank him for getting the Greek myths clear in my mind, and then find out his versions don't correlate with the originals.
14LittleTaiko
>10 Narilka: - Sounds fun - I think I would enjoy a more modern retelling.
15riida
>10 Narilka: i loved this book! edith hamiton's greek mythology was one of the earliest books i've read (stealing it from my sister's desk whenever she's not looking). i was glad that fry's version is different enough in tone and that i do not really have to pick between the two :) fry's "sequels" in this project, "Heroes" and "Troy", are now in my TBR
16Narilka
>15 riida: The sequels are in my wishlist :) I'm sure I'll pick them up eventually.
17Narilka
4. The World According to Bob by James Bowen
The World According to Bob are more stories about James Bowen and his adopted street cat Bob. This was just as lovely and heartwarming as the first book. I enjoyed the adventures the pair had and even got a little teary eyed in places it was so touching. Both have come such a long way on their journey together. James and Bob's story is truly inspiring. Who rescued whom!
Rating:
The World According to Bob are more stories about James Bowen and his adopted street cat Bob. This was just as lovely and heartwarming as the first book. I enjoyed the adventures the pair had and even got a little teary eyed in places it was so touching. Both have come such a long way on their journey together. James and Bob's story is truly inspiring. Who rescued whom!
Rating:
18Cecrow
>17 Narilka:, I'm a cat lover myself, just shared this cute cover image with the cats group, https://www.librarything.com/topic/293970#unread
19riida
>17 Narilka: I love James and Bob and their wonderful, inspiring journey! A friend lent me the first book and I loved it. I need to get a copy of this book in my TBR.
20Narilka
>19 riida: I hope you enjoy it when you find a copy :)
21Narilka
5. Red Rising by Pierce Brown
This is one of those books that I can't help comparing to other things. The people calling this "Hunger Games on Mars" is fairly close. I'd also toss in a bit of "Lord of the Flies" and even "Gladiator" to an extent.
Darrow is a miner on Mars, part of the "Reds," the lowest class of a color-based caste society. The Reds have always been taught that they sacrifice so that the surface of Mars can be terraformed for the rest of humanity to settle on. That's all well and good except for one thing - it's all a lie. Darrow quickly finds himself joining the rebellion against the "Golds", the ruling class and ends up competing against the best and most brutal of the Gold's candidates in a war game. Sometimes you have to join the enemy in order to take them down.
I found this to be an uneven read as there were times when I just didn't want to pick it up. Then I'd finally get past that and couldn't put it down until I didn't want to pick it up again. It was an odd experience. I did like the story in the end. The ending is exciting and has set Darrow up well for the rest of his mission. I just wish I had a character I could really root for. Right now the only one I really like is Servo.
While I am genuinely curious to see where the story goes next, I'm in no rush to continue.
Rating:
This is one of those books that I can't help comparing to other things. The people calling this "Hunger Games on Mars" is fairly close. I'd also toss in a bit of "Lord of the Flies" and even "Gladiator" to an extent.
Darrow is a miner on Mars, part of the "Reds," the lowest class of a color-based caste society. The Reds have always been taught that they sacrifice so that the surface of Mars can be terraformed for the rest of humanity to settle on. That's all well and good except for one thing - it's all a lie. Darrow quickly finds himself joining the rebellion against the "Golds", the ruling class and ends up competing against the best and most brutal of the Gold's candidates in a war game. Sometimes you have to join the enemy in order to take them down.
I found this to be an uneven read as there were times when I just didn't want to pick it up. Then I'd finally get past that and couldn't put it down until I didn't want to pick it up again. It was an odd experience. I did like the story in the end. The ending is exciting and has set Darrow up well for the rest of his mission. I just wish I had a character I could really root for. Right now the only one I really like is Servo.
While I am genuinely curious to see where the story goes next, I'm in no rush to continue.
Rating:
22Narilka
6. Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir
I'd heard this book described as "necromancers in space." It's not really a good description. There are necromancers (and their Cavaliers) and there is space but the space travel is very minor. The majority of the story happens in a very old citadel on an island and is in the form of a locked room mystery. With necromancers!
The story starts off slow and slightly confusing as you're dropped into the middle of a very determined Gideon attempting to run away from home. It doesn't go as planned. One thing leads to another and Gideon finds herself as with her necromancer Harrow on a trip to said citadel where the Necromancer will have a chance to advance to Lyctor if she can figure out how. It takes about a third of the story for the plot to really kick in. Once the mystery starts, I was hooked. The last third of the book is so exciting that it was hard to put down.
I have very mixed feelings about the cast. They are both wonderful and horrible at the same time. Necromancers aren't exactly the most likable people considering their line of work and their Cavaliers put up with a lot of crap. I can have trouble with books where I don't have a character to root for. In this instance though I think it worked out well and added to the overall mystery and tone of the story. I did genuinely come to like Gideon and Harrow by the end as well as a couple of the supporting characters. Once the secret to becoming a Lyctor was shared, I had a feeling on how it would end. It is bittersweet.
Even with the mystery solved, I have a lot of questions. I'm hoping some of these are addressed in the next book.
Rating:
I'd heard this book described as "necromancers in space." It's not really a good description. There are necromancers (and their Cavaliers) and there is space but the space travel is very minor. The majority of the story happens in a very old citadel on an island and is in the form of a locked room mystery. With necromancers!
The story starts off slow and slightly confusing as you're dropped into the middle of a very determined Gideon attempting to run away from home. It doesn't go as planned. One thing leads to another and Gideon finds herself as with her necromancer Harrow on a trip to said citadel where the Necromancer will have a chance to advance to Lyctor if she can figure out how. It takes about a third of the story for the plot to really kick in. Once the mystery starts, I was hooked. The last third of the book is so exciting that it was hard to put down.
I have very mixed feelings about the cast. They are both wonderful and horrible at the same time. Necromancers aren't exactly the most likable people considering their line of work and their Cavaliers put up with a lot of crap. I can have trouble with books where I don't have a character to root for. In this instance though I think it worked out well and added to the overall mystery and tone of the story. I did genuinely come to like Gideon and Harrow by the end as well as a couple of the supporting characters. Once the secret to becoming a Lyctor was shared, I had a feeling on how it would end. It is bittersweet.
Even with the mystery solved, I have a lot of questions. I'm hoping some of these are addressed in the next book.
Rating:
23Cecrow
Sounds like two instances of novels featuring anti-heroes, with a good and a bad example of how to feature them well.
24Narilka
Hmm. Darrow is an anti-hero. I'd call Gideon a reluctant hero more than anti though it could go either way.
25riida
>21 Narilka: i felt the same way about this book. a lot of it was too gratuitous, i thought, and kinda put me off the whole dystopian YA genre...i think i will also keep reading the series, but also not in a rush
26Narilka
7. White Night by Jim Butcher
White Night is the ninth book in The Dresden Files by Jim Butcher. In this week's episode... There's a supernatural serial killer loose in Chicago that is targeting weaker members of the city, ones who don't have enough power to become full-fledged wizards. Harry's investigation turns up evidence pointing to the one suspect he cannot believe is guilty: his half-brother Thomas. Harry teams up with his old flame Elaine to solve the crimes and clear his brother's name.
I'm going to sum this up with a quote:
White Night is another solid entry into the series. I really should not take so long between reading books. I forgot how these books hit that one spot and then it's off to the races. Around chapter 10 the pace on this one picks up and doesn't let go. It's obvious that Thomas is being set up but it's quite a mystery for Harry and team to solve that takes some interesting turns. The plot on this moves several story threads that have been building throughout the series along nicely.
I'm highly impressed with how complex and nuanced the characters are becoming.Dear lord Molly needs to grow up. I definitely agree with Harry in needing to scare her straight before she gets them both killed. Murphy noticing Harry's "unexplained" anger issues that are the result of the gordian knot that is Lasciel is quite insightful.
And that ending!I am very curious to see how what Lash did plays out. I'm not entirely sure she's gone and it's great Harry is no longer tied to Lasciel. I'm also hoping that these events have bought Lara's alliance for a little while and gives the White Council some breathing room in the war. The solution for Thomas's unique problem is absolutely perfect!
Rating:
White Night is the ninth book in The Dresden Files by Jim Butcher. In this week's episode... There's a supernatural serial killer loose in Chicago that is targeting weaker members of the city, ones who don't have enough power to become full-fledged wizards. Harry's investigation turns up evidence pointing to the one suspect he cannot believe is guilty: his half-brother Thomas. Harry teams up with his old flame Elaine to solve the crimes and clear his brother's name.
I'm going to sum this up with a quote:
"Get your head in the game Harry...Defeat the whole damn White Court now. Worry about taking on Hell later."
White Night is another solid entry into the series. I really should not take so long between reading books. I forgot how these books hit that one spot and then it's off to the races. Around chapter 10 the pace on this one picks up and doesn't let go. It's obvious that Thomas is being set up but it's quite a mystery for Harry and team to solve that takes some interesting turns. The plot on this moves several story threads that have been building throughout the series along nicely.
I'm highly impressed with how complex and nuanced the characters are becoming.
And that ending!
Rating:
27Narilka
8. The Alloy of Law by Brandon Sanderson
Even though I was warned that Era 2 is quite different, it took me a while to adjust to just how different the world has Scadrial has become. Once I did, the story was a lot of fun.
I am impressed with what Sanderson has achieved with The Alloy of Law. Most fantasy worlds end up in a sort of stasis and remain relatively unchanged for any series set there no matter how much time has passed between them. This one, though, has advanced, similar to how we on Earth have advanced through the ages. It was fascinating reading how events from Era 1 have become myths and legends now that roughly 300 years have passed. Even the magic system has evolved to an extent. I absolutely love how Allomancy and Feruchemy mix and augment each other now too!
The Alloy of Law is an enjoyable buddy cop story set a Wild West version of Scadrial, with gun slinging lawmen and mustache twirling bad guys. There is a mystery to solve and it takes a few twists and turns along the way with a lot of metal-burning action. I enjoyed getting to know the new cast of characters. Wax is a good straight man with strong morals and a need to uphold the law. Wayne is hilarious, even if some of his actions are fairly dubious, and quite a mastery of accents. Marasi is fascinating with her knowledge of the law and the players involved. They each have interesting Allomancy and/or Feruchemy abilities. I'm curious to see how Steris will add in to the mix in the future.
Rating:
Even though I was warned that Era 2 is quite different, it took me a while to adjust to just how different the world has Scadrial has become. Once I did, the story was a lot of fun.
I am impressed with what Sanderson has achieved with The Alloy of Law. Most fantasy worlds end up in a sort of stasis and remain relatively unchanged for any series set there no matter how much time has passed between them. This one, though, has advanced, similar to how we on Earth have advanced through the ages. It was fascinating reading how events from Era 1 have become myths and legends now that roughly 300 years have passed. Even the magic system has evolved to an extent. I absolutely love how Allomancy and Feruchemy mix and augment each other now too!
The Alloy of Law is an enjoyable buddy cop story set a Wild West version of Scadrial, with gun slinging lawmen and mustache twirling bad guys. There is a mystery to solve and it takes a few twists and turns along the way with a lot of metal-burning action. I enjoyed getting to know the new cast of characters. Wax is a good straight man with strong morals and a need to uphold the law. Wayne is hilarious, even if some of his actions are fairly dubious, and quite a mastery of accents. Marasi is fascinating with her knowledge of the law and the players involved. They each have interesting Allomancy and/or Feruchemy abilities. I'm curious to see how Steris will add in to the mix in the future.
Rating:
28Cecrow
>26 Narilka:, always hearing good things about the Dresden series, impressive considering how long it is.
>27 Narilka:, original trilogy was strong, I never followed up despite that interesting premise about the technology jump. I've had Warbreaker on the TBR pile for about ten years, I should probably read that first before trying any other Sanderson, lol.
>27 Narilka:, original trilogy was strong, I never followed up despite that interesting premise about the technology jump. I've had Warbreaker on the TBR pile for about ten years, I should probably read that first before trying any other Sanderson, lol.
29Narilka
>28 Cecrow: Sounds like a good candidate for next year's TBR challenge :D 10 years is a while lol
30riida
>26 Narilka: This is good motivation for me to finally tackle the series :) I do have the first four books but havent gotten around to them yet...
31Cecrow
>29 Narilka:, good point, but next year's list is mapped out and I've no room leftover. I almost read it on the side this month, but went with The Lies of Locke Lamora instead which I've had for just about as long.
32riida
>31 Cecrow: omg...i have so many books from sanderson and the lamora series too that i have not touched beyond the first books in the series!! in spite of having 5 star experiences with both authors, i dont know why i feel so intimidated by the rest of their books :p
33Narilka
>32 riida: hehe some tough choices for you ;) Though I felt the Gentlemen Bastards series went downhill after book 1, Mistborn has stayed fairly high throughout.
