Legion: Lies of the Beholder

This feels like the very rushed ending to a tv show. When, after years of taking their time, the writers need to wrap everything up in a couple of episodes. So everything goes down really fast.
Is it a good ending though? Not really. It becomes a metaphor on writing, but it wasn't earned. It might have been good, given enough time and space.

Winter 2020 (January);
Sanderson Syspean Challenge

(I'm playing catchup on around 20-30 books since January started, so this morning's books will likely be a bit of an overview looking back on series from two months ago.)

The Legion novella series was a very interested, and very very different genre, to bounce through during the beginning of January (which sets me up as ready to read the 4th book in the series being published this year!!). I am always blown out of the water by how very different Sanderson series worlds are, and yet how each of them is so fully formed and fleshed out in every unique direction within them.

I am entranced and enchanted by the set of this world, and Leeds himself, as well as all his shadows around him. I love show more how different knowledge is compartmentalized and humanized, how varied the cultures, appearances, languages, backgrounds they present as. I'm very curious about where he will continue to take this story as he hadn't originally planned for it to go beyond this last story so far as I knew, until The State of the Sanderson at the end 2021.

Adding on to this one -- I carried so much heartbreak through this last piece of the original trilogy, feeling each unexpected loss as a physical weight, and hoping beyond hope for returns or replacements or true answers for how and why. I felt so deeply how much it is Sanderson gets me involved in, and loving, his worlds without be realizing it until something emotionally jeopardizes it within its own borders. show less

“Who cares?” I said. “Yes, it’s all in my head. But pain is ‘all in my head’ too. Love is ‘all in my head.’ All the things that matter in life are the things you can’t measure! The things our brains make up! Being made-up doesn’t make them unimportant.”

It's been a few years since I last read [b:Legion|13452375|Legion (Legion, #1)|Brandon Sanderson|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1338512017s/13452375.jpg|18978261] and [b:Skin Deep|20886354|Skin Deep (Legion, #2)|Brandon Sanderson|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1404932663s/20886354.jpg|40227944], so when I saw a there was a new (and apparently last) part out, I had to give it a try. This time around, I listened to all three on audiobook and that, I can show more highly recommend. It's a solid production and each aspect having their own voice helps that little bit more.

Overall, it's an interesting expansion of the world, somewhat darker in tone and with a few more answers for things that had always been hinted at before (Sandra and the aspects they don't talk about any more) while at the same time raising more questions. It works decently as another chapter to the story... but as an ending it was weak. I'm not sure what answers to Sandra/dead aspects would have sufficed, but I just feel like it could have been better.

That being said, the idea of Legion remains absolutely fantastic and I really do love the characters, both real and (especially) imaginary. I know Sanderson doesn't plan to, but perhaps some day we'll see them again... show less

The hero's tragic flaw comes to light. The first two books set up a high functioning lunatic / genius person with an ingenious way to cope with his problems, and it is fascinating to see how that plays out. Now we see what happens when the system starts breaking down...

What's the exact opposite of breaking the fourth wall? I don't mean suspending disbelief - this series has been about a good-guy millionaire (is that an oxymoron?) who interacts with his delusions and hallucinations in the most extrodinarily supernatural way and he made a living out of it. Stephen Leeds really is nothing without his aspects. And as such, let me bid them adieu directly.

Meeting in the White Room now please. Yes thank you:

LUA! What is the Samoan word for hero? You are steadfast, a much needed "spirit" guide on a deserted island. What a welcome surprise. BIG LOVE to you dude.

Audrey Audrey Audrey, you gave Stephen that weird sensation that he was interacting with an aspect that was highly self-aware. A reflection of his show more break in sanity but not a nightmare. It was, strangely reassuring.

Kaylani Mr Stephen clearly relies on you to gather up the troops and gather the troops you did even if you "gathered" up your own husband while you were at it.

Arnaud- merci monseuir, the camera worked and took us 4 hours back to see that lying sneaky no-good Sandra who...okay I digress. The camera worked.

Torquiose - hey my dude, your artistic skills are mad rad. Catch a wave sometime and enjoy the vibes.

Chin, well what can we say - you came through with a solid assist. Pat on the back to you.

Ngozidarling, sometimes you just need to take your shoes and socks off, stick your feet in the mud and then dive in. It'll do you some good.

JC- ever the protector. I do a sweep of my surroundings whenever I go out now and never sit with my back facing the exit. You'd be proud.

Ivy - Might I suggest a curse word every once in a while? It really is liberating. For all the little nudges and nods of approval through Stephens social interactions, you've remained a class act.

TOBIAS - would you be surprised to hear that even I can hear your voice melodically recounting some interesting tidbit of information. A salve for the mind. I will miss your calming presence.


And the rest of the gang, all 50 of you. Be good, take frequent walks, get some fresh air, look at some art. Be nice to Barbara the new chaueffer. And above all else, keep Stephen Leeds secret and safe. Oh and all of you were right which means Stephen was right - Sandra is trouble. What kind of mind pulls from the shadows to create aspects but then sits at the pier with dead bodies at her feet? Trouble that's what it is...unbridled trouble. show less

I found plot more engaging than Skin Deep, but I’m undecided about whether the resolution was satisfying. It’s tidy in some ways and disappointing in others.

The second book was the best. The first was good but the adventure too fantastical for me.

This one was just weird, bittersweet, sad, confusing, and a little tiresome.