As my mom's health continues to deteriorate, I visit her every chance I get. Which means that, even though I wanted to resume reviewing all the books I read in 2021, I simply don't have the time or the energy to do so these days. Hence, once again I have to resort to posting these mini reviews.
I feel bad because some of these novels truly deserved more in-depth reviews. And yet, I just can't find it in me to write them. The treatments gave my mother two to three months to live, so I figure that it will remain the case until she sadly passes away.
All I can say is that I'm sorry and that I hope you understand. . .
- The Girl and the Mountain by Mark Lawrence (Canada, USA, Europe): 8.5/10
This sequel begins right where its predecessor ended and Lawrence wastes no time in getting back on track. The pace gets a little bogged down in the middle portion of the novel, as the tale becomes a somewhat long travelogue. But then the author kicks you in the balls with revelations that all of his series are related. In the past, without such confirmation, though there were lots of clues and no small amount of coincidences, they could have all been easter eggs. But in this one, Lawrence spills the beans and makes it official. Makes me want to reread everything just so I can see all that I've missed over the years. My only gripe with The Girl and the Mountain is that it ends with another major cliffhanger. Still, definitely one of the SFF books to read this year!
This sequel begins right where its predecessor ended and Lawrence wastes no time in getting back on track. The pace gets a little bogged down in the middle portion of the novel, as the tale becomes a somewhat long travelogue. But then the author kicks you in the balls with revelations that all of his series are related. In the past, without such confirmation, though there were lots of clues and no small amount of coincidences, they could have all been easter eggs. But in this one, Lawrence spills the beans and makes it official. Makes me want to reread everything just so I can see all that I've missed over the years. My only gripe with The Girl and the Mountain is that it ends with another major cliffhanger. Still, definitely one of the SFF books to read this year!
- A Deadly Education by Naomi Novik (Canada, USA, Europe): 7/10
To be honest, I had absolutely no desire to read this one. But then the whole race fiasco happened and I was glad to have saved my ARC. Given everything that was said about Novik's latest, I wanted to read the "dirty" version. And not surprisingly, I didn't find it that bad and still wonder why it raised such an online fuss. The fact that the author had to apologize publicly on her website and promised that a "sensitivity read" would henceforth be done before galleys are sent out shows that the terrorists have won, so to speak. If this was for a work published by Baen, I would understand. But Naomi Novik has never been considered an insensitive right-wing fucktard, so I'm at a loss to explain why some people were that hard on her. The story itself is all right, but the main protagonist is terribly annoying and impossible to root for. Not sure I'll give the sequel a shot.
To be honest, I had absolutely no desire to read this one. But then the whole race fiasco happened and I was glad to have saved my ARC. Given everything that was said about Novik's latest, I wanted to read the "dirty" version. And not surprisingly, I didn't find it that bad and still wonder why it raised such an online fuss. The fact that the author had to apologize publicly on her website and promised that a "sensitivity read" would henceforth be done before galleys are sent out shows that the terrorists have won, so to speak. If this was for a work published by Baen, I would understand. But Naomi Novik has never been considered an insensitive right-wing fucktard, so I'm at a loss to explain why some people were that hard on her. The story itself is all right, but the main protagonist is terribly annoying and impossible to root for. Not sure I'll give the sequel a shot.
- When Jackals Storm the Walls by Bradley P. Beaulieu (Canada, USA, Europe): 8/10
After a disappointing first volume, this series seems to get better and better with each new installment. The books that came before paved the way for the characters and their storylines and many of these threads come together in this one. To a certain extent, this fifth volume often read like the series' finale and I was wondering how Beaulieu would close the show and leave enough doors open for the last installment. He did so with panache, even if a number of plotlines were resolved a little too quickly for my taste. Having said that, it's the best one yet.
I'm currently reading the final Harry Potter book, as well as Tamsyn Muir's Gideon the Ninth. About halfway through and it's definitely a fun romp of a novel. I just don't see (yet) how or why it garnered so much love. . .
After a disappointing first volume, this series seems to get better and better with each new installment. The books that came before paved the way for the characters and their storylines and many of these threads come together in this one. To a certain extent, this fifth volume often read like the series' finale and I was wondering how Beaulieu would close the show and leave enough doors open for the last installment. He did so with panache, even if a number of plotlines were resolved a little too quickly for my taste. Having said that, it's the best one yet.
I'm currently reading the final Harry Potter book, as well as Tamsyn Muir's Gideon the Ninth. About halfway through and it's definitely a fun romp of a novel. I just don't see (yet) how or why it garnered so much love. . .
8 commentaires:
Pat-
None of this stuff matters right now. You need to focus on being there for your Mom. All the best to you and your Mom, from those of us who read your blog regularly.
Matt
Pat,
You don't need to apologize for anything. You shouldn't feel like you have an obligation to post book reviews right now. I've followed you for over a decade and I'll still be here when you feel like returning. Family comes first.
Pat,
you shouldn't worry about writing reviews. Take all the time you need and spend it with your family. I wish you all the best!
Pat,
Very similar to the post above, I have been following your blog for a long time. Health and Family comes first. Take care.
Hi Pat - I wish I could say something wise or something to cheer you up, but all of that fails me. I can only hope things are peaceful for your Mum and you'll pull through in the end.
Thank you Pat. I wish you much time with your mother.
Thank you Pat. I wish you much time with your mother.
Thank you Pat and take care of those who matter.
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