No complaints at all. I totally admit I'm a sucker for honey-sweet fish-catching CALM life.
I guess there's only so much grimdark one can take before tNo complaints at all. I totally admit I'm a sucker for honey-sweet fish-catching CALM life.
I guess there's only so much grimdark one can take before the call of kindness, being good, having devoted friends becomes something of an ultimate goal. Fortunately, this fantasy is delivering on that particularly glorious type of fantasy.
More people are becoming cultivators here, and now the dangers are the old standby of fearful ignorance and belligerent idiocy. What else is new, right? Those who want to live a good life just want to live a good life, after all.
This novel's synesthesia effects are particularly strong. It's a fish paradise that doubles as a foodie paradise, and it sets my nose alight.
Personal note: If anyone reading my reviews might be interested in reading my own SF, I'm going to be open to requests. Just direct message me in goodreads or email me on my site. I'd love to get some eyes on my novels.
Put simply? A fantasy-setting romance. A Paladin whose god has died, and a perfume maker down on her luck.
Light-hearted, a few funny moments, but realPut simply? A fantasy-setting romance. A Paladin whose god has died, and a perfume maker down on her luck.
Light-hearted, a few funny moments, but really, it's mostly just a very horny book.
I won't say it blew me away, but I would recommend it to anyone wanting a little bit of fantasy setting with their heavy-breathing.
My synesthesia went a bit haywire with this one, but between all the sweets and the fresh pie, it's safe to assume that diabetics need not apply.
Personal note: If anyone reading my reviews might be interested in reading my own SF, I'm going to be open to requests. Just direct message me in goodreads or email me on my site. I'd love to get some eyes on my novels.
I want to say that I liked this even more than the first Sworn Soldier Novella, but alas, no. The first had slightly more wry humor and the true horroI want to say that I liked this even more than the first Sworn Soldier Novella, but alas, no. The first had slightly more wry humor and the true horror aspect was superior.
The COVER for this novella, however, had me expecting a LOT more. So yeah, you might say that I may have judged this book by its cover. *sigh*
That being said, it IS a very solid, short horror with compelling characters and a very historical setting, complete with war flashbacks, modern sensibilities, and rampant superstition.
Not that we'd have ANYTHING like that NOW, of course. Oh, no.
Either way, it's worth the read and I'll be excited to read more when they come out.
A very sausage-flavored synesthesia for this work. Good in moderation, but quite heavy on the mental palate.
Personal note: If anyone reading my reviews might be interested in reading my own SF, I'm going to be open to requests. Just direct message me in goodreads or email me on my site. I'd love to get some eyes on my novels.
Well, now. This might be my favorite Kingfisher. At least, so far.
I immediately loved the twisted Usher retelling--the creepy Poe story--with a greatWell, now. This might be my favorite Kingfisher. At least, so far.
I immediately loved the twisted Usher retelling--the creepy Poe story--with a great fungal core. It sucked me in and got me invested and the payoff was truly immense. What can I say? It was a great story.
My synesthesia feels makes this book feel like a block of ice, chilling me to the bone.
Personal note: If anyone reading my reviews might be interested in reading my own SF, I'm going to be open to requests. Just direct message me in goodreads or email me on my site. I'd love to get some eyes on my novels.
My only complaint is that this series can't already be written and waiting for me to read it forever.
I'm very invested in ALL of these wide-ranging plMy only complaint is that this series can't already be written and waiting for me to read it forever.
I'm very invested in ALL of these wide-ranging places and peoples. Even the King of Destruction has got me chomping at the bit--such a charismatic leader, feeding on loyalty and justice and perception--and I'm even feeling jingoistic. This is, despite how generally anti-war I am, I'm cautiously gracious about him even as every warning bell in my heart goes off.
As for Erin, I'm rocking to her changes. It's going in a very interesting direction.
As for Pallass, the huge battle against the wyverns was epic. And Riverfarm is continuing to get extremely interesting. I cannot WAIT for a particular door to be opened.
All told, I loved every second. I'm hooked.
My synesthesia is almost always eating cake while forever being able to have it--at least while I could still be reading it. So delicious. So decadent.
Personal note: If anyone reading my reviews might be interested in reading my own SF, I'm going to be open to requests. Just direct message me in goodreads or email me on my site. I'd love to get some eyes on my novels.
This Inn-verse book featuring Cora, the singer, the undead singer, pop-star, really got to introduce us to some great characters. It's very grounded aThis Inn-verse book featuring Cora, the singer, the undead singer, pop-star, really got to introduce us to some great characters. It's very grounded and has moments of comfort and progression, of course, but I was here for the whole package. Action, excitement, pumping up the audience--OR a group of noob hunters in WAY over their head--had me enjoying it even more.
This next book is just proving to me that I can't get enough.
I'm getting superstar-van-helsing vibes. :)
My synesthesia sees nothing but zombie moth-bears and pink hair. Cool, right?
Personal note: If anyone reading my reviews might be interested in reading my own SF, I'm going to be open to requests. Just direct message me in goodreads or email me on my site. I'd love to get some eyes on my novels.
Oh lordy, this is really hitting the spot for me. Pirateaba has been reliably hitting it out of the park with everything. The balance between comfort-Oh lordy, this is really hitting the spot for me. Pirateaba has been reliably hitting it out of the park with everything. The balance between comfort-emotions, overcoming odds, dealing with issues, and beautiful worldbuilding that sets up some pretty awesome foils--AND heart-wrenching action on a huge scale, as if the former wasn't enough, is just doing it all for my poor old heart.
The balance, here, is just as good as the later Wandering Inn books, and indeed, we are in the same world and hear some interesting, familiar names. But this one is special all on its own.
A song, whether it comes from an actress or a struggling earther thrust into a fantasy world that behaves by leveling-up rules, can still have enormous power.
It's just a bit more interesting when the song in question has THIS much power.
Really great stuff.
My synesthesia smells not grave-dirt or zombie rats, but comfort-tea and honey, together with a mouth watering biscuit and warm company.
Personal note: If anyone reading my reviews might be interested in reading my own SF, I'm going to be open to requests. Just direct message me in goodreads or email me on my site. I'd love to get some eyes on my novels.
This war-centered Fantasy continues to deliver with the war-flavor. If you've gotten this far in the story, you're really here for the gritty ambianceThis war-centered Fantasy continues to deliver with the war-flavor. If you've gotten this far in the story, you're really here for the gritty ambiance, the female-led gun-heroes, and a little bit of romance to go with the rare appearances of demon-infused carriers of the Names.
Honestly? I loved the end. I loved a little of the romance. The battles, when they happened, were fascinating.
But the rest--it was kinda a glide. I was there for a bunch of normal stuff written in a normal way. Every day life between battles. I'm sure others will get more out of that than me. I admit to being a bit bored during these much-longer sequences.
But overall, it was still solid--so no harm or foul.
My synesthesia really smelled a lot of airborne ash throughout the read.
Personal note: If anyone reading my reviews might be interested in reading my own SF, I'm going to be open to requests. Just direct message me in goodreads or email me on my site. I'd love to get some eyes on my novels.
Despite the pretty epic confrontation with the old village he founded, with plenty of surprises in store, or the overall re-focus on Earth and Earth'sDespite the pretty epic confrontation with the old village he founded, with plenty of surprises in store, or the overall re-focus on Earth and Earth's image of itself to grow and protect itself from the coming cataclysms, the whole novel has a serious introspective mood to it. Reflection and a sharpening of focus.
I think it's pretty awesome--like a self-therapy session that ultimately builds a brand new foundation for your soul.
Of course, this has happened multiple times in the series, but it really stands out as something that tackles much bigger "state of the universe, of existence," questions.
I'm a sucker for this stuff in OTHER literature. So the fact we're getting it taken seriously in a LitRPG where it OUGHT to be forbidden or laughed out of existence, I'm very pleasantly surprised to get a hefty dose of self-improvement alongside massive magics, cataclysms, and large-scale bloodshed.
I likey.
My synesthesia is getting the sensation of paper under my fingers, of a chocolate smell.
Personal note: If anyone reading my reviews might be interested in reading my own SF, I'm going to be open to requests. Just direct message me in goodreads or email me on my site. I'd love to get some eyes on my novels.
Any book that can keep me up all night wanting to know what happens next is obviously going to be a cherished one. And that's what happened to me withAny book that can keep me up all night wanting to know what happens next is obviously going to be a cherished one. And that's what happened to me with this.
I really enjoyed the progression and the whole "as above, so below" structure to this one. The soul skill, indeed, a whole world-building AS a narrative conceit and source of character power is pretty awesome to behold. And not only do we get to visit as a god, but all changes work both ways, changing yourself.
If that wasn't enough, the full, bright story of the world of Tellus comes to a head, complete with the Calamity and resolution. Nobody comes out of it unscathed.
Very neat novel. Humble beginnings for the series, but this one really made it stand out.
My synesthesia tasted a wholesome ham on rye with really spicy mustard, oddly enough--with a dose of blood in the air.
Personal note: If anyone reading my reviews might be interested in reading my own SF, I'm going to be open to requests. Just direct message me in goodreads or email me on my site. I'd love to get some eyes on my novels.
Solid work. If you've come this far in the series, you know you'll have to challenge your current limits with every volume, so it should come as no suSolid work. If you've come this far in the series, you know you'll have to challenge your current limits with every volume, so it should come as no surprise that Randidly must face some demons and get pounded before arising to the top again.
In this volume, we return to the world of spears. Stronger, a little wiser, and now a bit more smug than is healthy, he turns to ash and cold and mass annihilation to get the respect of his peers. He's living the dream.
Honestly, I'm having as much fun as I generally do with these, which is to say, I'm quite amused and invested. It's all action and leveling and finding all new ways to level. In this case, imagery. And what monstrous power it is.
My synesthesia tastes yet more ash, but this time it's not a hot wind, but a cold one. Kinda perfect for the setting.
Personal note: If anyone reading my reviews might be interested in reading my own SF, I'm going to be open to requests. Just direct message me in goodreads or email me on my site. I'd love to get some eyes on my novels.
What's weird: novel structure. Some of the characterizations.
I'll explain. Randidly builds his own class at the end of the last novel, and now jumps into a high-level dungeon with a few friends to flesh it out. It's all cool. His old, pre-apocalyptic friends are kinda ass-hats. And upon leaving that dungeon, which takes up what I thought was a big deal of the novel, Randidly up and skips town and levels up in a time jump to an all new place and PoV which builds a nice little western/cyberpunk city that feels like a completely different novel.
Ok, no problem, except, for the most part, we're generally always focused on Randidly. It does go back to him, and he's kinda aimless again, but I enjoyed watching him grind through new skillsets, so the original purpose of the novels was served.
Weird? Perhaps. But still enjoyable in the end.
My synesthesia smells gunpowder and a forge.
Personal note: If anyone reading my reviews might be interested in reading my own SF, I'm going to be open to requests. Just direct message me in goodreads or email me on my site. I'd love to get some eyes on my novels.
You know your life is getting strange if, within two weeks, you read two books with intelligent parasites learning to live and love their potential hoYou know your life is getting strange if, within two weeks, you read two books with intelligent parasites learning to live and love their potential hosts. Hell, it's even more odd to see these parasites suffering from social anxiety or just plain anxiety, feeling needy and pathetic like an ACTUAL parasite.
Too funny. This isn't Leech, however. The other was a doctor. This one was just lovestruck in a framework story that was all pretty awesome horror. Or dark supernatural fantasy, if you like.
Enjoyable, either way. Nommed for '25 Nebula.
I guess I kinda expected this to be richer, more imaginative. The premise was delicious. My synesthesia tastes good gore. Exactly what the parasite ordered.
Personal note: If anyone reading my reviews might be interested in reading my own SF, I'm going to be open to requests. Just direct message me in goodreads or email me on my site. I'd love to get some eyes on my novels.
Unfortunately for me, this book was kinda a slog. Other people's mileage might vary, of course.
I've read quite a few books like it--just imagine a buUnfortunately for me, this book was kinda a slog. Other people's mileage might vary, of course.
I've read quite a few books like it--just imagine a bunch of young idiots, have them die, come back, have magic they need to control, but underneath it all, they're all pretty self-absorbed and thoroughly NORMAL in how they mess up their lives, love-lives, etc.
Sure, it's magical realism, and that's unfortunate, because realism when it comes to young idiots is all too commonplace and... frankly... dull.
But what about the fantasy elements? Wasn't that good, Brad?
Yeah, well, it was okay as far as it goes. On par with Locke and Key or any number of UFs, just so long as you imagine a goodly solid handful of main characters all circling each other on the peripheral, bound by the same aegis, and eventually requiring themselves to do SOMETHING (that something taking a LONG time to get to in the plot) while messing around with their after-life afterlife. Or rather, love-life.
Honestly--it was rather annoying. If you are looking for loving with a little fantasy, with all the miscommunications and ennui it involves, then this one is okay.
I don't really understand why it was nommed for the '25 Nebula.
My synesthesia smelled very little but wet fur and dust. It was familiar, but not in a good way.
Personal note: If anyone reading my reviews might be interested in reading my own SF, I'm going to be open to requests. Just direct message me in goodreads or email me on my site. I'd love to get some eyes on my novels.
The author has been getting quite a bit of notoriety for her fantasies for the last few years, sticking close to fairy-tNebula award nominee for '25.
The author has been getting quite a bit of notoriety for her fantasies for the last few years, sticking close to fairy-tale retellings and generally feel-good light fantasy that manages to satisfy that comfort-food craving we all seem to get these days.
As I was reading it, I thought it might have started a bit heavy-handed, but I REALLY loved the whole Miss Marple meets a good old fashioned Regency novel feel. The sorcery, mischief, and murder was quite fun.
My synesthesia tastes bread and marmalade. Yes, seriously. Marmalade. And it's good.
Personal note: If anyone reading my reviews might be interested in reading my own SF, I'm going to be open to requests. Just direct message me in goodreads or email me on my site. I'd love to get some eyes on my novels.
Getting really fun now. The LitRPG brought Randidly back to Earth, way overpowered, but still managed to give him a little space to grow and tend his Getting really fun now. The LitRPG brought Randidly back to Earth, way overpowered, but still managed to give him a little space to grow and tend his garden. How nice!
(And for those who actually KNOW how it turns out: yes, I'm being wildly droll.)
What a seed to grow at the end of that novel, right?
Can't wait to get back in and see what this first class will do to him.
My synesthesia smells wet fur, sweat, and a hint of sulfur--and not unpleasantly so.
Personal note: If anyone reading my reviews might be interested in reading my own SF, I'm going to be open to requests. Just direct message me in goodreads or email me on my site. I'd love to get some eyes on my novels.
Well, I admit this one hit all my sweet spots. Actual story gets laid down, progressed. But even more than that, we get a full-on exciting tournament Well, I admit this one hit all my sweet spots. Actual story gets laid down, progressed. But even more than that, we get a full-on exciting tournament with lots of setbacks and breakthroughs and even more sideways-progressions that make it all feel worthwhile.
I love this sweet spot of LitRPG complexity, further developments of skills, transcendence. It's why I keep coming back, why I keep chasing these highs. :)
It's safe to say that I think this has found its stride.
My synesthesia believes it smells peanut butter cookies. Rich, fattening, and fresh out of the oven.
Personal note: If anyone reading my reviews might be interested in reading my own SF, I'm going to be open to requests. Just direct message me in goodreads or email me on my site. I'd love to get some eyes on my novels.
Two times in this book, I found myself curled in a blanket, tears in my eyes, clutching onto reality for dear life as either the best What can I say?
Two times in this book, I found myself curled in a blanket, tears in my eyes, clutching onto reality for dear life as either the best thing--or the worst thing--came to pass.
Any book that can rip such an emotional reaction out of me, heedless of anything, gets absolute full marks.
There's plenty I could say about the new Hell's Wardens, or the showdown with the other mages, but all of that was completely outstripped by what came out of the blood fields. And the aftermath? We've had Toren's (skeletal worker) epic arc develop across all these books, only to have a brief, and utterly shattering reunion with his old boss. This, I should say, nearly shattered ME.
There's a reason why this series has been widely, widely praised, and I'm completely on-board. Vast adventure, wonderful characters of all kinds, and extremely imaginative fantasy. And best of all, it's balanced in all things. Humor, comfort, earth-shattering tragedies, violence, friends, sympathetic villains, even stories surrounded by miscommunication AND (oddly enough) GOOD communication. It's so refreshing.
Anyway, I'm shook. Shaking. This book has me reeling.
My synesthesia makes me feel like I'm stroking cold steel, with the scent of magnolias on the air.
Personal note: If anyone reading my reviews might be interested in reading my own SF, I'm going to be open to requests. Just direct message me in goodreads or email me on my site. I'd love to get some eyes on my novels.
Five stars for consistent, great entertainment. Characters and real character progression take the font seat here, as elsewhere, but especially here.
PFive stars for consistent, great entertainment. Characters and real character progression take the font seat here, as elsewhere, but especially here.
Pisces evolution, or rather, his unearthing, has been especially sharp and painful. I can't believe I once kinda rather disliked him.
As for all the rest, I'm still fascinated by the King of Destruction and how smart he is to use EVERY tool at his disposal, including the kids and our world's tech. He's so damn charismatic. But isn't that the true danger? A cult of personality has always been our single most dangerous opponent. *stares pointedly out into the distance*
Either way, the climax of this one was rather low-scale but it seems to be long-term with potential for massive grief on a huge scale, later, assuming certain people don't throw away Pisces like they had thrown away goblins. Of course, him being a necromancer probably means exactly that in the end. *rages*
My synesthesia smells nothing but clean, clean soap. I suppose that's for the best.
Personal note: If anyone reading my reviews might be interested in reading my own SF, I'm going to be open to requests. Just direct message me in goodreads or email me on my site. I'd love to get some eyes on my novels.
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