The resolution of the tournament arc. It's interesting that you get a fantasy tournament over multiple books, but that's not unprecedented. So there iThe resolution of the tournament arc. It's interesting that you get a fantasy tournament over multiple books, but that's not unprecedented. So there is some innovative tournament trials, and multiple non-tournament training trials (because to relax between trials, you do more trials). The duo/trio has several interesting encounters, and all that makes for an interesting background to weird things related to Keras's past.
It gives you the right balance of straight out combat, ultra-complicated plots, weird shit, and high-end villainy that makes the series so interesting....more
The second volume of the first trilogy of the series brings the usual tropes of The Contest. Rather than the more single-person focused Tournament altThe second volume of the first trilogy of the series brings the usual tropes of The Contest. Rather than the more single-person focused Tournament alternate version of contest, this allows one to spend more time to build team dynamics. Jason completes his powerset, grows skills, faces complexities with his usual disdain, and generally does Jason things, which could be well the motto of the series.
The third volume of the book starts in a train, and ends in a train going the other way. That's an appropriate framing, given that the heroes get mostThe third volume of the book starts in a train, and ends in a train going the other way. That's an appropriate framing, given that the heroes get most of what they were going for, figure out what they didn't know they had to go for, and generally solve a lot of their problems, while getting new tools for the new ones.
At least partially. But you can't escape the feeling that "The King's Man" book title is an obvious allusion to tThe title IS a spoiler for the story.
At least partially. But you can't escape the feeling that "The King's Man" book title is an obvious allusion to the "Kingsman" movie. Both feature spy organizations devoted to maintaining peace and order for the kingdom, a new recruit full of potential undergoing training spy-stuff training, unexpected shenanigans that drop him and his sidekick - and potential paramour - in hot waters and stuff.
Still, this is magical world rather than fake James Bond, so the details are different. But the overall feeling is absolutely the same. And that is rather good.
The Zero Enigma series shape up as a very specific and different kind of series, as, beyond the original trilogy, each book goes into a completely different aspect and set of characters of the same common setting of Shallot (a name that fills me with mirth everytime I see it used)....more
As the author has promised an ending to the series in book 23, the various subplots and elements are starting to wrap upAs always, the series deliver.
As the author has promised an ending to the series in book 23, the various subplots and elements are starting to wrap up. So, this time, you have Emily vs 3 necromancers. But, as one knows, necromancers don't work well together, so it's more like two Emily vs one and a half necromancer. It is also good to see at last Aurelius the death viper to see some use.
And now, of course, she will be blamed for succeeding, as Void says. Because nobody likes having to face someone who can do what you could not....more
As good as usual, just leaving you mite hungry for more.
This books finally concluded the pending mystery that had been foreshadowed for multiple booksAs good as usual, just leaving you mite hungry for more.
This books finally concluded the pending mystery that had been foreshadowed for multiple books. It's also featuring multiple returning enemies (dead ones, even, and for good reasons), Fae-and-library fueled magical A.I. and lots of drama.
My biggest peeve is that it's more of a reactive than a proactive book. But not every book in the series can be about Irene and her team going into heists, daring missions and the advanced stuff. Sometimes, they have to stay closer to home.
Oh, and kudos to Mz Cogman for the insane Great Technological Exhibition. Who, according to Inspector Singh, shouldn't be allowed anywhere south of the North Pole, and he seems to be a mite right on that one....more
Politics, murder mysteries, and high-end sorcery, what could go wrong?
As you may guess, plenty. Emily was forewarned by Lady Barb; Void believes the ePolitics, murder mysteries, and high-end sorcery, what could go wrong?
As you may guess, plenty. Emily was forewarned by Lady Barb; Void believes the end justifies the means. In this case, he believes in trial by fire for his new apprentice, and so dunks her into a complicated situation following the untimely death of a King.
This newest entry in the series keeps on shifting the focus from the old format of magical school into the one of the rising star of Lady Emily, Baroness Cockatrice, Necromancer's Bane and Child of Destiny - yes that's the full official title. As usual for the course, it mixes two different sub-plots, one of exploration of magical stuff, with Emily untangling the hints gleaned from her counterpart in the previous volume, and one of politics. And politics in the Nameless World usually means death, mayhem, and a shitton of problems.
And a slightly surprising re-use of previous plot devices. I'll leave this at that, because you expect her to do "something", but you don't see it coming.
Which, in the end, summarizes why this series remains one of the best long-running fantasy series for something that started as "female harry potter, lol?" for some....more
I read it as the webseries rather than ebook form, but the feeling remains the same. It's an insanely good story ofGigantic opus of fantastic fantasy.
I read it as the webseries rather than ebook form, but the feeling remains the same. It's an insanely good story of groundhog-month (rather than day). A timeloop, its problems, and its necessary growth to escape, set to the high fantasy world of sorcery.
It's also the first time I've heard about Chekov's Armory. It's the Chekov's Gun rule (if you're shown a gun in act 1, it has to be used before the end), applied to nearly everything.
This is a series that should stand along the bestsellers of the fantasy genre....more
A glorious return to the universe of the Divine Dungeon.
While the Dungeon in question appears - peripherally - only in a handful of stories, it's stilA glorious return to the universe of the Divine Dungeon.
While the Dungeon in question appears - peripherally - only in a handful of stories, it's still good. All the various authors brought in for this anthology made their own very good takes on the world. Some stories are more contrived than others, but overall, this is top quality for the fans of the series.
And if you've never read the Divine Dungeon, don't start with this book. You'll be baffled by some of the concepts. It is assumed you are familiar with the various progression/cultivation/leveling mechanics involved....more
It's hard to review, because every review I'm writing includes horrible spoiling.
So, it starts as the usual mystery unraveling formula, mixed with higIt's hard to review, because every review I'm writing includes horrible spoiling.
So, it starts as the usual mystery unraveling formula, mixed with high-level politics, since the major magician powers find the prospect of the uncontrollable and unpredictable Necromancer's Bane controlling a school and Nexus Point very, very dangerous indeed. Then, you have the (censored) references appear, and shit become real. Faeries, ancient extinct enemies, and worse abound, in a very good wild ride that ends with the biggest showdown you could make.
Plus it makes Queen Alassa even more badass than she was shown before. Thumbs up for the series....more
The book wraps the original storyline, providing some closure and conclusion. Of course, they pass their secondTrilogy end, but not end of the series.
The book wraps the original storyline, providing some closure and conclusion. Of course, they pass their second year exam, so there's also that milestone. Character development occurs, but not as much as you could like - the main characters are relatively well known.
What's interesting here is a lot more worldbuilding. Or rather multiverse building. That, and politics. Lots of politics - most of the book is basically politically-driven maneuvering, with our band of misfits mages used as pawns. Powerful and unpredictable pawns, but pawns still.
5/5, will read the next as soon as permit (publication and book queue size)....more
The second volume follows the adventure of a would-be mage using a game interface to master "classic maA good, solid, if not entirely original sequel.
The second volume follows the adventure of a would-be mage using a game interface to master "classic magic". The title is slightly misleading as you somehow expect the book to have the Templar character introduced in the previous book as MC. While she's a part major part of the story, it keeps the same perspective around our gamer nerd. Which is kind of disappointing as she is the one whose story progress more during the book.
Outside of this, there's no real surprise coming from the book. While I was ranking the first one as close to 5, this one is a solid 4, but no more.
The series is currently on hiatus, but Wong's promised a book "soon", so I'll be waiting for it....more
What happens when you introduce a djinn stuck in its magical container for six decades to online ARPGs because it's picked by aA very atypical litrpg.
What happens when you introduce a djinn stuck in its magical container for six decades to online ARPGs because it's picked by a gamer? This book.
The idea of an all-powerful (but bound) djinn using a game interface to teach a mundane to navigate "real" magic is perfectly executed, and highly original. It lets you make a blend of complete classic urban fantasy and modern litrpg in a way that's different from what the genre's convention would let you expect. There's probably a few progress to be made in term of characterization (the Templar squire is a bit too much), but it could be almost 5 stars....more
The book 6 in the series is yet another non-Cat story, even though she features in it. It's an exploration in the liveA non-Cat episode in the series.
The book 6 in the series is yet another non-Cat story, even though she features in it. It's an exploration in the lives of the aristocracy of that world, and the weight of expectations that come with inheritance in noble families. Oh, and a stark reminder that all those magical boarding schools are absolute bonkers deathtraps for students.
I hope we get back to more Cat-oriented storylines. But I have to assume the search for another Zero will probably be first....more
The book, unsurprisingly, revolves around family, inheritance, love (familial and romantic). And a second God interested in Opal (thMore Opal is good!
The book, unsurprisingly, revolves around family, inheritance, love (familial and romantic). And a second God interested in Opal (the DFZ herself). The idea of a dragon curse colliding with the worldwide stock market is an interesting one that I haven't seen before, which is very innovative in a genre where it's difficult to find thematic variations. Kudos to Ms Aaron....more
Loading...
