"Now go to sleep in chasms deep, with darkness all around you, Though rock and dread may be your bed, so sleep my baby dear."
The above is so powerful i"Now go to sleep in chasms deep, with darkness all around you, Though rock and dread may be your bed, so sleep my baby dear."
The above is so powerful in context of the book that it moves me when I think of it. I shake my head every time.
Words of Radiance is the best fantasy book I've read. Yeah, some people might wish to nitpick about the style or the prose, but not one single thing makes a fantastic book. It takes a combination of storytelling, character development, world building, prose, and plot. This book had all it needed to make the top of my list, whilst delivering little messages here and there. It gave me pain and joy, grief, redemption, fear, and bravery and much, much more. I peeked into lives, lived them, saw through eyes as if they were my own. I summoned Shardblades and leaped upon the winds and I told bad jokes with the best of them. I was there on the Shattered Plains and many other places besides.
Kaladin pissed me off at times and made me want to punch him in the face, but you know what? I loved it. Shallan turned out to be such an awesome character that I don't understand how she was so weak in Way of Kings. Adolin, Dalinar were well done, and unlike other books told from multiple point of views, not once did I want to skip one of them. Even the interludes keep me wanting more.
As a lover of magic and battles, I could not be more pleased. Some may feel there was a bit too many different types of magic in the book, but they were done so well, shown so well, that I simply wanted more and more. The religions, the politics, the expansion of this book on Sanderson's entire cosmere kept me glued.
I could go on and on, but I won't. You'd simply have to read Words of Radiance to understand the scope of this book, of this series, of this world, because,
"Now comes the storm but you'll be warm, the wind will rock your basket The crystals fine will grow sublime, And with a song you'll sleep ... my baby dear."...more
A marvelous debut novel. My rating says 5 stars but Promise of Blood was more like a 4.5 for me. I've made no bones about my love for magic and battleA marvelous debut novel. My rating says 5 stars but Promise of Blood was more like a 4.5 for me. I've made no bones about my love for magic and battles. McClellan gives me enough to sate my voracious appetite. He worldbuilds with the best of them, and the use of gunpowder in magic, and the way it's used is refreshing. At times I imagined myself taking a snort. Or two. Or three.
We're told the story from three main POVs, Adamat, Taniel, and Tamas. All three are engaging, well-developed characters that make you care for their plights. There's one side character that I need to mention. Pole. Pole is a badass is all I have to say. If you like hard-core female characters who play a different role, seeming almost forgotten, and then boom, she completely blows you away, then Pole is for you. Can I get a PoV for her? Please? Pretty please?
In the book, a kingdom falls, rebels rise, and are threatened on all sides, from without by territories that now see them as weak, from within by spies and other people with their own aspirations, and then there are the gods. They're played so well into the story that it left me wanting more of them. Twisting plots and treachery abound and the climax is everything one would want in a book that's action-packed and brisk. The prose fit the feel, world, and characters of this book. Gritty, raw at times, and real.
Ok, now that I'm done gushing, why a 4.5? Call me a nit-picker. I was moving along, hooked in, loving the book, when a hunt played an integral part. It brought up the conversation of other sports. And the one nag popped up. The character mentions polo and tennis. Although the setting was somewhat reminiscent of the Renaissance, it still threw me. In my head, I was seeing a completely different world, so maybe that's my fault that I let this little thing bother me. Anyways, I got over it rather quickly, dived back in, and enjoyed the ride. You should too....more
Loved this book. A different approach for Sanderson, but can't help but love the characters, the magic system, the plot. Loved this book. A different approach for Sanderson, but can't help but love the characters, the magic system, the plot. ...more
One of the best magic systems yet. Great characters. A short book that made me see and feel through the eyes and heart of the protagonist, Shai. It maOne of the best magic systems yet. Great characters. A short book that made me see and feel through the eyes and heart of the protagonist, Shai. It made me feel Gaotona's change. The ending was exquisitely done, if done too soon. Simply put, read this book. Robert Jordan used to be my favorite author. Then G.R.R.M. In my eyes, Sanderson has surpassed both.
My one gripe although I gave it 5 stars is that I wanted it to be long book. Hell, a full series. Now to go about linking much of this with his Cosmere....more
There isn't much to say about this book except, just sheer excellence, enjoyment, and one of the best characters there is in Harry Dresden. I was saddThere isn't much to say about this book except, just sheer excellence, enjoyment, and one of the best characters there is in Harry Dresden. I was saddened by what happened with Molly, she'd quickly become one of my favorite rooting interests. Odin has become the next character I like as much as I do Harry. As usual, the spin on some of the myths we know today were all well done and much fun.
The book brought together a lot of plot points from throughout the series, going wayyy back. That part in itself was well worth the read. As usual Harry made me smile, cry, sit and think many a time, and most of all he made me cackle. If you haven't read the Dresden Files and you're into fantasy, then you're doing yourself a disservice....more
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