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sipping_tea_with_ghosts's reviews
54 reviews
Prince of Thorns by Mark Lawrence
3.0
I'll be honest in saying the infamy of this book is what drew me to it initially, and a 400 page revenge story didn't seem like too much of a commitment for simple curiosity. Before the Grimdark genre really kicked off, this was one of the most talked about examples in my neck of the woods for "dark fantasy". Even though I'm not the biggest fan of this book, it did get me into one of my favorite series and hooked me onto a new author that has a strong style and some great worldbuilding ideas. (I even bought his other trilogies immediately after getting through this trilogy.)
Jorg Ancrath is a sadomasochist on the warpath after the death of his mother and brother, further fueled by the apathetic hands of his father. Within the first chapter, most people will know if this is someone they can tolerate as a protagonist. A constant first person POV puts us in the mind of this murderer from beginning to end, so his ramblings on philosophy, the low opinions he has of others, and the poetic justifications for bloodshed will be impossible to ignore. Oh, and he's also a brash teenager.
The world of the Broken Empire appears to be standard fantasy fare, but as time goes on, the oddities and cracks start to show. The relentless pace of the book reveals a lot about the characters and the world, so its not like the story dwells on atrocities committed by someone not even old enough to drive in our world. The infamy surrounding this book stems mostly from the introductory chapters, but Lawrence's tale isn't an edgy, over-the-top misery fest. There's plenty of humor and endearing moments between the main events, and most of its not even dark humor, its simply humans being jovial.
As much as I heap praise however, this first book does have its issues. I enjoy the first person POV but it feels a little rushed and choppy at around the halfway point of the story. Two different plans immediately emerged and changed places in one chapter, and I was left wondering "Huh? Why are we here doing this now?" It made sense later on, but the second half of the book had a few instances of jumping ahead and explaining it haphazardly.
Also, while there are interesting characters in this story, they don't get nearly enough screen time compared to later books. My main man, Makin, doesn't get enough time in the sun. Red Kent feels like a footnote in this tale compared to future elaborations.
The ending also comes and goes rather abruptly, lacking some of the impact I would've liked for a guy Jorg had been gunning for since chapter one.
Perhaps I'll enjoy this book more on a re-read, knowing what I do now about this world. I can already remember so many details in this one book that still apply in big ways for the conclusion of the series.
If you're like me however and thought this book was ok, I implore you to consider reading the sequels. Jorg's character gets so much more nuance, the world opens up, and its one of those trilogies that doesn't feel bloated to the point of filler and tedium.
Jorg Ancrath is a sadomasochist on the warpath after the death of his mother and brother, further fueled by the apathetic hands of his father. Within the first chapter, most people will know if this is someone they can tolerate as a protagonist. A constant first person POV puts us in the mind of this murderer from beginning to end, so his ramblings on philosophy, the low opinions he has of others, and the poetic justifications for bloodshed will be impossible to ignore. Oh, and he's also a brash teenager.
The world of the Broken Empire appears to be standard fantasy fare, but as time goes on, the oddities and cracks start to show. The relentless pace of the book reveals a lot about the characters and the world, so its not like the story dwells on atrocities committed by someone not even old enough to drive in our world. The infamy surrounding this book stems mostly from the introductory chapters, but Lawrence's tale isn't an edgy, over-the-top misery fest. There's plenty of humor and endearing moments between the main events, and most of its not even dark humor, its simply humans being jovial.
As much as I heap praise however, this first book does have its issues. I enjoy the first person POV but it feels a little rushed and choppy at around the halfway point of the story. Two different plans immediately emerged and changed places in one chapter, and I was left wondering "Huh? Why are we here doing this now?" It made sense later on, but the second half of the book had a few instances of jumping ahead and explaining it haphazardly.
Also, while there are interesting characters in this story, they don't get nearly enough screen time compared to later books. My main man, Makin, doesn't get enough time in the sun. Red Kent feels like a footnote in this tale compared to future elaborations.
The ending also comes and goes rather abruptly, lacking some of the impact I would've liked for a guy Jorg had been gunning for since chapter one.
Perhaps I'll enjoy this book more on a re-read, knowing what I do now about this world. I can already remember so many details in this one book that still apply in big ways for the conclusion of the series.
If you're like me however and thought this book was ok, I implore you to consider reading the sequels. Jorg's character gets so much more nuance, the world opens up, and its one of those trilogies that doesn't feel bloated to the point of filler and tedium.
Road Brothers by Mark Lawrence
4.0
After the ending of Emperor of Thorns, I debated on how soon I wanted to return to the world of the Broken Empire. Even as I delved into other books, I found myself wanting to see more of Jorg's band of misfits, which Road Brothers thankfully provides. The summary on the back implies that you can enjoy this collection of stories without reading the Broken Empire trilogy first but I disagree. Sure, you might get a small resemblance of the world through these tales but I imagine newbies will be very confused on who the Builders are and how the world is divided and run.
My edition came with 14 stories, and the only reason this isn't 5 stars is because one or two of them didn't hold my interest all the way through. These are great little asides however and give screen time to more of my favorite characters such as Makin, Red Kent and Sim.
Favorite tales would have to be Mercy, Bad Seed and No Other Troy. Least would be Select Mode and Three is The Charm. (Don't get me wrong, I like Jalan from the other series but this story kind of felt like a simple joke wrapped up in an advertisement)
My edition came with 14 stories, and the only reason this isn't 5 stars is because one or two of them didn't hold my interest all the way through. These are great little asides however and give screen time to more of my favorite characters such as Makin, Red Kent and Sim.
Favorite tales would have to be Mercy, Bad Seed and No Other Troy. Least would be Select Mode and Three is The Charm. (Don't get me wrong, I like Jalan from the other series but this story kind of felt like a simple joke wrapped up in an advertisement)
Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir
3.0
The short justification for this rating: The most ambitious Weir novel so far, but his style and ideas don't translate well to an almost 500 page epic. The good is still here though - the character, humor and lofty ideas to ponder shine through.
I wanted to like this much more than I did, because it is a neat premise and overall a good story with only a few damning flaws in my opinion. This might just not click with me however because I'm not a science geek, and a lot of the text within read over as fluff to my physics-illiterate brain. Where I will defend myself in this aspect though is the overabundance of these descriptive sequences. In many chapters, it feels as dry as an instruction manual. This style was present in The Martian and Artemis as well, but it feels much more intrusive in this novel due to the circumstances of the main character. We get flashes back and forth between what happened on Earth before the titular Project Hail Mary and the present day predicament, just like how The Martian was structured, but the main plot feels much slower without dialogue and the increased indulgence in technobabble, which became skim worthy as time went on. It does get much more interesting at around the halfway point, but the status quo returns with a bell and whistle now present.
I also believe this got exasperated for me because this book lacks world building for the most part, hardly even giving descriptions of planets and the intricacies of the ship that drives the plot past the prologue. I don't mind if a book slows down for stuff like that, but again, that's a me problem.
The ending for me didn't click at all. Felt like a kick in the face with how much it leaves uncertain, throwing its hands up in the air and saying "Who knows what happened to _____? Hehe, oh well!" I closed the book with a glare.
If you liked The Martian but want it to be a bit more high concept and out there as apocalyptic stories go, Weir will satisfy. I just didn't like it as much as I wanted, finding his old habits contributing to a glacial pace in my eyes. I'll still look forward to his next release.
I wanted to like this much more than I did, because it is a neat premise and overall a good story with only a few damning flaws in my opinion. This might just not click with me however because I'm not a science geek, and a lot of the text within read over as fluff to my physics-illiterate brain. Where I will defend myself in this aspect though is the overabundance of these descriptive sequences. In many chapters, it feels as dry as an instruction manual. This style was present in The Martian and Artemis as well, but it feels much more intrusive in this novel due to the circumstances of the main character. We get flashes back and forth between what happened on Earth before the titular Project Hail Mary and the present day predicament, just like how The Martian was structured, but the main plot feels much slower without dialogue and the increased indulgence in technobabble, which became skim worthy as time went on. It does get much more interesting at around the halfway point, but the status quo returns with a bell and whistle now present.
I also believe this got exasperated for me because this book lacks world building for the most part, hardly even giving descriptions of planets and the intricacies of the ship that drives the plot past the prologue. I don't mind if a book slows down for stuff like that, but again, that's a me problem.
The ending for me didn't click at all. Felt like a kick in the face with how much it leaves uncertain, throwing its hands up in the air and saying "Who knows what happened to _____? Hehe, oh well!"
Spoiler
Rushing the tough thoughts and possibilities aside for a contrived happy ending. And as someone who found the buildup to Project Hail Mary more interesting than the relationship between Grace and Rocky,If you liked The Martian but want it to be a bit more high concept and out there as apocalyptic stories go, Weir will satisfy. I just didn't like it as much as I wanted, finding his old habits contributing to a glacial pace in my eyes. I'll still look forward to his next release.
Morte by Robert Repino
4.0
What I expected...
What I got:
When I picked up this book, I honestly expected it to be a parody. It was being sold for $10 and even had that price be a part of the artwork itself, fashioned as a medallion that comes up in the story. Instead of a rollicking sci-fi adventure with talking animals and perhaps a goofy war story, I was given a compelling and well built post-war story about what happens after ants evolve to take over the world and orchestrate the sentience of domestic animals and wildlife. Humanity is being wiped out and the world is being slowly rebuilt and disassembled over and over, but to protagonist Mort(e), that doesn't matter, all he wants is to find his old friend who disappeared as the apocalypse began.
I do have to put a content warning when it comes to this book however. Even as an avid horror fan, there were plenty of instances of gore and creepy concepts that unnerved me at points, or prompted an exaggerated ew or two. If the mention of and the like is too much for you, then I'd probably skip this one. It doesn't come up often, but it is often detailed.
If you can get past the absurdity of the concept and troubling matters above, I'd seriously recommend this book. Mort(e) is a great protagonist and the worldbuilding is much more detailed than I expected. The beginning 50 pages is a little slow but after that mark it becomes a fast paced adventure with even some endearing moments in-between.
What I got:
When I picked up this book, I honestly expected it to be a parody. It was being sold for $10 and even had that price be a part of the artwork itself, fashioned as a medallion that comes up in the story. Instead of a rollicking sci-fi adventure with talking animals and perhaps a goofy war story, I was given a compelling and well built post-war story about what happens after ants evolve to take over the world and orchestrate the sentience of domestic animals and wildlife. Humanity is being wiped out and the world is being slowly rebuilt and disassembled over and over, but to protagonist Mort(e), that doesn't matter, all he wants is to find his old friend who disappeared as the apocalypse began.
I do have to put a content warning when it comes to this book however. Even as an avid horror fan, there were plenty of instances of gore and creepy concepts that unnerved me at points, or prompted an exaggerated ew or two. If the mention of
Spoiler
animal cruelty, suicide, body horror, dead babiesIf you can get past the absurdity of the concept and troubling matters above, I'd seriously recommend this book. Mort(e) is a great protagonist and the worldbuilding is much more detailed than I expected. The beginning 50 pages is a little slow but after that mark it becomes a fast paced adventure with even some endearing moments in-between.
The Liar's Key by Mark Lawrence
3.0
At times, I wonder how fair it is to judge a book while being enveloped in or coming out of a reading slump. My patience was likely lower than it would be during the highs of book binges, but I think I can still explain clearly why I left this installment in the Red Queen’s War conflicted.
After achieving success on their Black Fort raid, Prince Jalan and Viking Snorri are still pursuing their individual quests while being accosted by the minions of the Dead King, the localized problems of every place they visit, and their own personal demons (in more ways than one). We transition from a fairly fast paced adventure in the first novel to much more plodding and introspective road trip of a story.
Let’s clearly state the biggest problem with this nearly 500 page adventure - not a lot of importance happens for a pretty long time. Snorri, Jalan and the companions they gather along the way end up visiting many towns, getting to know the locals, dealing with minor burdens that start and end the same way multiple times, and it just contributes to a glacial pace. Hel, it doesn’t help when the event that the awesome cover is alluding to feels like a footnote compared to the rest of the walking from one end of the country to another. This is further compounded by Jalan's more verbose narration compared to Jorg, giving meticulous detail to many things that don’t matter. There are entire chapters of this novel that feel like they came out of a contemporary or an incredibly dry instruction manual with smug sarcasm put on top, and it just made for skim-worthy material. There’s some gold in the soot, such as the various times Jalan chases tail only for it to blow up in his face in unexpected ways, but it felt like we started far too many chapters reading about the hangovers everyone had.
So why did I bother finishing it if it felt like such a boring weight on my neck compared to the first? Well when it's good, it's amazing such as with the flashback sequences, the dialogue and the character building. I will maintain that Lawrence makes some of the best characters in fantasy right now, and the constant first person narration made me appreciate the admirable contradiction that Jalan Kendeth is. Contradiction would be a “damning with fine praise” term in most circumstances, but it fits the cowardly prince perfectly. The rest of the cast aren’t slouching either on this front, and I missed them whenever Jalan was by himself and had no one to bounce off of. The Red Queen finally got more time to shine and I’m really hoping that we get more of a look at the people in power as well as those shadowy figures behind the scenes. The theme of being used as a pawn for someone else’s machinations is a strong and compelling one that has its thorns in deep throughout the Broken Empire.
So while this does feel like a classic case of “middle book in a trilogy” syndrome, I did end up enjoying The Liar’s Key by the end. That won’t excuse the first half for being full of incidental cameos and diversions, but that second half does really start to prepare you for what will likely be an emotional storm in the last book. Even as I tell myself I have to read other stuff cause they’ve been ignored long enough…a part of me begs to finish this trilogy and see Snorri get closure and for Jalan to grow into a badass in his own right.
I mean we all know he’ll run for the hills if Jorg is in the same room, but he’ll find his own way to be cool and brag about it later to any lady that’ll listen - creative liberties included.
After achieving success on their Black Fort raid, Prince Jalan and Viking Snorri are still pursuing their individual quests while being accosted by the minions of the Dead King, the localized problems of every place they visit, and their own personal demons (in more ways than one). We transition from a fairly fast paced adventure in the first novel to much more plodding and introspective road trip of a story.
Let’s clearly state the biggest problem with this nearly 500 page adventure - not a lot of importance happens for a pretty long time. Snorri, Jalan and the companions they gather along the way end up visiting many towns, getting to know the locals, dealing with minor burdens that start and end the same way multiple times, and it just contributes to a glacial pace. Hel, it doesn’t help when the event that the awesome cover is alluding to feels like a footnote compared to the rest of the walking from one end of the country to another. This is further compounded by Jalan's more verbose narration compared to Jorg, giving meticulous detail to many things that don’t matter. There are entire chapters of this novel that feel like they came out of a contemporary or an incredibly dry instruction manual with smug sarcasm put on top, and it just made for skim-worthy material. There’s some gold in the soot, such as the various times Jalan chases tail only for it to blow up in his face in unexpected ways, but it felt like we started far too many chapters reading about the hangovers everyone had.
So why did I bother finishing it if it felt like such a boring weight on my neck compared to the first? Well when it's good, it's amazing such as with the flashback sequences, the dialogue and the character building. I will maintain that Lawrence makes some of the best characters in fantasy right now, and the constant first person narration made me appreciate the admirable contradiction that Jalan Kendeth is. Contradiction would be a “damning with fine praise” term in most circumstances, but it fits the cowardly prince perfectly. The rest of the cast aren’t slouching either on this front, and I missed them whenever Jalan was by himself and had no one to bounce off of. The Red Queen finally got more time to shine and I’m really hoping that we get more of a look at the people in power as well as those shadowy figures behind the scenes. The theme of being used as a pawn for someone else’s machinations is a strong and compelling one that has its thorns in deep throughout the Broken Empire.
So while this does feel like a classic case of “middle book in a trilogy” syndrome, I did end up enjoying The Liar’s Key by the end. That won’t excuse the first half for being full of incidental cameos and diversions, but that second half does really start to prepare you for what will likely be an emotional storm in the last book. Even as I tell myself I have to read other stuff cause they’ve been ignored long enough…a part of me begs to finish this trilogy and see Snorri get closure and for Jalan to grow into a badass in his own right.
I mean we all know he’ll run for the hills if Jorg is in the same room, but he’ll find his own way to be cool and brag about it later to any lady that’ll listen - creative liberties included.