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thevintagechronicles's review against another edition
4.0
Libby/audio
I went into this book with trepidation, as I hadn’t heard good things about it from the readers i follow online. Imagine my surprise that i found this not only NOT boring, but also hilarious. Not quite Terry Pratchett hilarious, but let’s face it, who is? Yes, humor is obviously subjective, and as i have stated many times, i am simple, haha. I do however, think that the audiobook helps the impression of humor exponentially, IMO. So, if you are one of the unfortunate people who didn’t like this book, might i suggest giving the audiobook a chance.
That said, it always takes me a minute to warm up to this narrator. I have this issue with deep voices. But once i get used to him, he is awesome. Though a couple caveats in this particular case: the over the top 40’s style mafia accents were, while entertaining, a little ridiculous, and sadly his old english/anglo Saxon accents were a bit rough, IMHO. Im probably 100% wrong here, i have certain standards when it comes to certain accents and I’m kind of a snob about them. In the way only an old person who grew up watching PBS British dramas in this day and age can be. Yes, every time someone pronounces Trebuchet with a t at the end, instead of an Ay, i get irritated. It’s a sickness, i guess.
I loved the main character and his journey of discovering his past, his future, and his present. The journey was fun. The world was fun. It was nice to see him make friends, and to see him figure things out. The live action role-play type of world was a goofy silly way to learn about history. The ‘love story’ was a bit wobbly, but thats ok. It was a very very minor plot point. I thoroughly enjoyed this Mr. Sanderson. I thank you, good sir!
I went into this book with trepidation, as I hadn’t heard good things about it from the readers i follow online. Imagine my surprise that i found this not only NOT boring, but also hilarious. Not quite Terry Pratchett hilarious, but let’s face it, who is? Yes, humor is obviously subjective, and as i have stated many times, i am simple, haha. I do however, think that the audiobook helps the impression of humor exponentially, IMO. So, if you are one of the unfortunate people who didn’t like this book, might i suggest giving the audiobook a chance.
That said, it always takes me a minute to warm up to this narrator. I have this issue with deep voices. But once i get used to him, he is awesome. Though a couple caveats in this particular case: the over the top 40’s style mafia accents were, while entertaining, a little ridiculous, and sadly his old english/anglo Saxon accents were a bit rough, IMHO. Im probably 100% wrong here, i have certain standards when it comes to certain accents and I’m kind of a snob about them. In the way only an old person who grew up watching PBS British dramas in this day and age can be. Yes, every time someone pronounces Trebuchet with a t at the end, instead of an Ay, i get irritated. It’s a sickness, i guess.
I loved the main character and his journey of discovering his past, his future, and his present. The journey was fun. The world was fun. It was nice to see him make friends, and to see him figure things out. The live action role-play type of world was a goofy silly way to learn about history. The ‘love story’ was a bit wobbly, but thats ok. It was a very very minor plot point. I thoroughly enjoyed this Mr. Sanderson. I thank you, good sir!
cassidoo's review against another edition
4.0
I had a lot of fun reading this! It was light and silly and entertaining. I loved the visuals and the snark, and that it didn't go deeper than it needed to.
devineirony18's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
daredeviling's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
I'm actually surprised by the general rating on this book, given that I think his other works are generally much higher rated, and who doesn't like a good time travel/plucked out of time story? I was a little apprehensive that the lower rating meant that I would not enjoy it, but I found it to be the opposite!
While I didn't fall in love with the main character, I still enjoyed his antics well enough. It was fun to go on the journey with him in regards to figure out what was going on, since both him and the reader start out in exactly the same place knowledge-wise of the world that he is in. I adored a lot of the side characters though, especially Ealstan, and I really enjoyed how they helped the main character realize that he had worth and that his friends from his past life were shit lol. So basically lots of good character development, which is my main book kink. But I never fully connected with him either; he felt more like a blank slate that I could project myself onto in some ways (which makes sense since he couldn't remember anything to start with).
What I particularly liked about this book was the fact that it touches on stuff that anyone today would probably have to deal with if traveling back in time that we don't really think about. For example, the main character was trying to think about how to demonstrate that he was a "wizard" (aka from the future), but realized that he had no idea how to actually do that. It's not like any of us know how to build a fridge or a phone or any of that, so without that infrastructure already in place, we would all be fucked in the past. Also, the main character was expecting castles and shit, but had landed during a time before any of that was even a thing, and at least for me, when I think about going back to medieval times, I would have expected castles and would be so confused if I ended up in a time before that.
I was a little bit hmm about the sci-fi/fantasy genre mix. I didn't hate it, but I didn't love it either, though I don't know that I could explain why I didn't love it. I think it just was really jarring and ended up pulling me out of the story every time all the portals and dimensional travel stuff came up, especially because I was mainly enjoying this story for all the complications related to time travel. I did really like bits of the Handbook that was shown, but I basically just had to handwave the "science" because...yeah, idk what is going on with any of that. The weird sci-fi/fantasy mash-up is what took off some of a star for me, because otherwise I would have probably given it at least 4.75.
I know this author is a big name in fantasy, so I'm excited to read his other ~pure fantasy books (aka Mistborn: The Final Empire to see if that will also jive with me.
While I didn't fall in love with the main character, I still enjoyed his antics well enough. It was fun to go on the journey with him in regards to figure out what was going on, since both him and the reader start out in exactly the same place knowledge-wise of the world that he is in. I adored a lot of the side characters though, especially Ealstan, and I really enjoyed how they helped the main character realize that he had worth and that his friends from his past life were shit lol. So basically lots of good character development, which is my main book kink. But I never fully connected with him either; he felt more like a blank slate that I could project myself onto in some ways (which makes sense since he couldn't remember anything to start with).
What I particularly liked about this book was the fact that it touches on stuff that anyone today would probably have to deal with if traveling back in time that we don't really think about. For example, the main character was trying to think about how to demonstrate that he was a "wizard" (aka from the future), but realized that he had no idea how to actually do that. It's not like any of us know how to build a fridge or a phone or any of that, so without that infrastructure already in place, we would all be fucked in the past. Also, the main character was expecting castles and shit, but had landed during a time before any of that was even a thing, and at least for me, when I think about going back to medieval times, I would have expected castles and would be so confused if I ended up in a time before that.
I was a little bit hmm about the sci-fi/fantasy genre mix. I didn't hate it, but I didn't love it either, though I don't know that I could explain why I didn't love it. I think it just was really jarring and ended up pulling me out of the story every time all the portals and dimensional travel stuff came up, especially because I was mainly enjoying this story for all the complications related to time travel. I did really like bits of the Handbook that was shown, but I basically just had to handwave the "science" because...yeah, idk what is going on with any of that. The weird sci-fi/fantasy mash-up is what took off some of a star for me, because otherwise I would have probably given it at least 4.75.
I know this author is a big name in fantasy, so I'm excited to read his other ~pure fantasy books (aka Mistborn: The Final Empire to see if that will also jive with me.
lijadora's review against another edition
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Fairly light reading, slightly tropey, but definitely entertaining.
taylorcoonelly's review against another edition
5.0
I WISH I could give this book a 6 star rating, I am in awe of how amazing it is.
While I haven't read any of Brandon Sanderson's series in the Cosmere, I have read Tress of the Emerald Sea and this book, and I am convinced of Brandon Sanderson's greatness.
This book is set in an alternate timeline in a medieval Anglo-Saxon landscape, where our main character wakes up in a strange land with no memory of who he is or how he got there (it's giving Project Hail Mary - which Sanderson notes in the end notes as his inspo). All he has scattered around him are the pages of a book entitled 'The Frugal Wizard's Handbook for Surving Medieval England.As our main character learns more about himself and his story, he is confronted with some of my new favorite characters whose personalities are distinct and instantly likeable. He is tasked with trying to survive this new world which differs from what he remembers of Medieval England (though history was never his strong suit), and stop someone from his past from destroying this dimension and him in the process.
This book's setting was whimsical and atmospheric, and had me wanting to take a vacation to this dimension myself. I love how Sanderson intertwines the story with "parts" of the Frugal Wizard's guide, not only giving the reader backstory of the technology and the world this book is a part of, but also insight into the journey the story will take. I really liked our main character John and his redemption arc during the story, but I fell in LOVE with Ealston, Thokk, and Sefawynn.
If this book had been longer, I STILL would have asked for more. A must read!!
Pg. 222, 281, 294
While I haven't read any of Brandon Sanderson's series in the Cosmere, I have read Tress of the Emerald Sea and this book, and I am convinced of Brandon Sanderson's greatness.
This book is set in an alternate timeline in a medieval Anglo-Saxon landscape, where our main character wakes up in a strange land with no memory of who he is or how he got there (it's giving Project Hail Mary - which Sanderson notes in the end notes as his inspo). All he has scattered around him are the pages of a book entitled 'The Frugal Wizard's Handbook for Surving Medieval England.As our main character learns more about himself and his story, he is confronted with some of my new favorite characters whose personalities are distinct and instantly likeable. He is tasked with trying to survive this new world which differs from what he remembers of Medieval England (though history was never his strong suit), and stop someone from his past from destroying this dimension and him in the process.
This book's setting was whimsical and atmospheric, and had me wanting to take a vacation to this dimension myself. I love how Sanderson intertwines the story with "parts" of the Frugal Wizard's guide, not only giving the reader backstory of the technology and the world this book is a part of, but also insight into the journey the story will take. I really liked our main character John and his redemption arc during the story, but I fell in LOVE with Ealston, Thokk, and Sefawynn.
If this book had been longer, I STILL would have asked for more. A must read!!
Pg. 222, 281, 294
rileyreadsbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
gamz's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
sydmcgrath's review against another edition
3.0
This felt like a too-hard attempt at being quirky.
I liked certain parts of it a ton though.
I liked certain parts of it a ton though.
dtekavec's review against another edition
5.0
An amazing book to start my year with! It is a genuinely fun and incredible book that had me laughing my aers off!
(You’ll understand that through obvious context clues, or you read the book like me. Great job! 5 stars!)
Gods do I hope we get more books in this setting. Sci-fantasy may be my new favorite genre, and Brandon is the master!
(Oooooh! THAT’S why people are saying “let’s go Brandon” They’re Sanderson fans. Fandersons…?)
Anyways, this book reminds me so much of D. Adams’ hitchhikers guide to the galaxy; A whacky fantastical romp through the unknown and mystical with a clueless hero?
Don’t forget to bring a towel!
Or a handful of berries!! (Again if you read the book…)
(You’ll understand that through obvious context clues, or you read the book like me. Great job! 5 stars!)
Gods do I hope we get more books in this setting. Sci-fantasy may be my new favorite genre, and Brandon is the master!
(Oooooh! THAT’S why people are saying “let’s go Brandon” They’re Sanderson fans. Fandersons…?)
Anyways, this book reminds me so much of D. Adams’ hitchhikers guide to the galaxy; A whacky fantastical romp through the unknown and mystical with a clueless hero?
Don’t forget to bring a towel!
Or a handful of berries!! (Again if you read the book…)