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antisnotabug's Reviews (113)
I've really been struggling with writing lately, and this is a book that understands that struggle. It faces the writer's mind, the banging-head-against-the-wall frustration, with humor, honesty, and and reckless glee. This is the first writer's companion piece I had fun reading, and it made me want to write. I can't give it higher praise than that.
The setting of the book, a Renassaince-period fantasy land very Italy adjacent, makes for a great backdrop. But this is, first and foremost, a heist story that veers into a fantasy/gangster hybrid. This is for people who love Guy Ritchie and Quentin Tarantino but can also appreciate a good period piece. I happen to be exactly that kind of person, so this was a real treat. The characters are designed to be people whose stories you want to follow, with real heart and just enough mystery and cool factor. The setting description could go on for a bit, and at times our main hero can be a little too cool for school, but the good definitely outweighs the less than good. I'm coming back for the sequel without a doubt.
I'll be honest, I was disappointed with this book. The charm of both The Lies of Locke Lamora and Red Seas Under Red Skies is that it involves ordinary people pulling extraordinary cons. The Republic of Thieves engineers twists and turns that take away that element, and in my opinion the series loses something for it. I hope book 4 goes back to its roots, although it doesn't seem to be going that way.
So the premise of the book isn't a bad one. Wake up earlier, do you for an hour or so, then go about your day feeling better. That's been something I've been motivating myself to do for a while now, and I thought the book might inspire me to follow through. Boy did it... not do that at all. One of the first things author Hal mentions is that he was a salesman for a living. That becomes painfully obvious as the book goes on. Every shlocky technique is thrown at you and it makes for a tedious read. I found myself skipping ahead to more concrete tips, which were nothing revolutionary. Also, the author seems to know nothing about how the body works. "You only need as much sleep as you THINK you need!" Parts like that made me feel like I was reading a satire of the whole idea of a guru.
That said, still not a bad premise. If you don't mind being relentlessly pitched something, this might be worthwhile for you. Me, I just felt like I was being condescended to the whole two hours it took me to read it.
That said, still not a bad premise. If you don't mind being relentlessly pitched something, this might be worthwhile for you. Me, I just felt like I was being condescended to the whole two hours it took me to read it.
A compelling true story. The author does an amazing job at making the deaf experience accessible to those who do not have any knowledge about it. The writing is simple but thorough and communicates ideas and history excellently. Highly recommend it to hearing individuals who have deaf family members especially.
