Shams's Updates en-US Sat, 03 May 2025 01:34:34 -0700 60 Shams's Updates 144 41 /images/layout/goodreads_logo_144.jpg UserStatus1056319672 Sat, 03 May 2025 01:34:34 -0700 <![CDATA[ Shams is 75% done with House of Chains ]]> House of Chains by Steven Erikson Shams Kafka is 75% done with <a href="/book/show/55398.House_of_Chains">House of Chains</a>. ]]> UserStatus1054718904 Wed, 30 Apr 2025 02:01:42 -0700 <![CDATA[ Shams is 57% done with House of Chains ]]> House of Chains by Steven Erikson Shams Kafka is 57% done with <a href="/book/show/55398.House_of_Chains">House of Chains</a>. ]]> Rating852253198 Mon, 28 Apr 2025 23:59:33 -0700 <![CDATA[Shams Kafka liked a review]]> /
The Dreams of Ghosts and Indians by Preston Jacobs
"Quite funny, chock full of astute observations about the world’s cultures and religions."
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Rating852253193 Mon, 28 Apr 2025 23:59:31 -0700 <![CDATA[Shams Kafka liked a review]]> /
The Dreams of Ghosts and Indians by Preston Jacobs
"The moment I listened to the sample chapter but even before when I found out that Preston was writting his own book I couldn't wait to have it, read it along and now wait for the audiobook that I really hope he will read himself.
A story that I can't get out of my head and soon will give it a second read to even dig deeper.
Bravo Mr. Jacobs, 👏"
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Rating852253176 Mon, 28 Apr 2025 23:59:22 -0700 <![CDATA[Shams Kafka liked a review]]> /
The Dreams of Ghosts and Indians by Preston Jacobs
"I don't as a rule just buy a book because a YouTuber I like writes one, but Jacobs in particular has spent years reviewing and analyzing sci-fi and fantasy lit (most notably some incredibly in depth analysis on A Song of Ice and Fire) so I figured this had prepared him more than most to put together a good narrative. This was a really solid first work with a good central hook, well researched and executed competently. I did feel it dragged a bit at points, and it could have used a bit more flair as well as a bit more build up for its climax, but enjoyable nonetheless."
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Review7474544462 Mon, 28 Apr 2025 23:53:38 -0700 <![CDATA[Shams added 'The Dreams of Ghosts and Indians']]> /review/show/7474544462 The Dreams of Ghosts and Indians by Preston Jacobs Shams gave 4 stars to The Dreams of Ghosts and Indians (Paperback) by Preston Jacobs
I really enjoyed this!

A deeply meditative read. I liked the way that the breadcrumbs for the ending where sprinkled throughout seamlessly. I caught the sea-people connection immediately though, a very interesting piece of history and how it was used in the text was very nice, connecting to the central idea well. Native American history is something I don't know much about, so there may have possibly been a score of references I missed.

I've been anticipating this book for at least 6 years, so finally getting it was surreal, this is the second book I ever read fully on my phone.

There's a lot of great quotes here and nice insights. At worst I'd say it may be a bit long, like a chapter could've been cut, but I really enjoyed the atmosphere and the characters, so personally i'd take more chapters and countries.

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Review7476595637 Thu, 24 Apr 2025 01:48:19 -0700 <![CDATA[Shams added 'The Hero']]> /review/show/7476595637 The Hero by George R.R. Martin Shams gave 3 stars to The Hero (Paperback) by George R.R. Martin
Going to go through some George shorts and novellas to pad out my stats.

This was a fine read, 10 pages. ]]>
ReadStatus9326030079 Sat, 19 Apr 2025 01:28:22 -0700 <![CDATA[Shams wants to read 'Midnight Tides']]> /review/show/7500457997 Midnight Tides by Steven Erikson Shams wants to read Midnight Tides by Steven Erikson
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ReadStatus9326029587 Sat, 19 Apr 2025 01:27:59 -0700 <![CDATA[Shams started reading 'House of Chains']]> /review/show/7358029664 House of Chains by Steven Erikson Shams started reading House of Chains by Steven Erikson
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Review7447188265 Sat, 19 Apr 2025 01:21:36 -0700 <![CDATA[Shams added 'A Desolation Called Peace']]> /review/show/7447188265 A Desolation Called Peace by Arkady Martine Shams gave 4 stars to A Desolation Called Peace (Teixcalaan, #2) by Arkady Martine
I really enjoyed this :)

It was a nice continuation/finalization of the Texicalaan series, a nice duology of books that harken back to old sci-fi ala Enders Game or Dune.

Mahit & 3 Seagrass' character progression was really beautiful, I was blushing furiously reading that one scene! I really loved how they continued.

The ideas of we and language and history was really nice. I loved the expansion of the POVs here.

Burned through this.

Onto Malazan next! ]]>