Even though I'm not familiar with the DC mythos (I don't usually read many graphic novels), this was an interesting read.Even though I'm not familiar with the DC mythos (I don't usually read many graphic novels), this was an interesting read....more
Way of Kings is one of my favorite fantasy books, one which I've read multiple times in skimming. This means, that the burden## Original review (2014)
Way of Kings is one of my favorite fantasy books, one which I've read multiple times in skimming. This means, that the burden on Book 2 (WoR) was very heavy. And yet, it manages to maintain that spirit over from WoK.
This book manages to shock you, make you laugh or cry, taking you through an emotional roller-coaster ride. Sometimes all at the same time. This is the book of Shallan, and we watch as she changes from Jasnah's frightened ward to something else (I won't say what). Kaladin, on the other hand grows as a character, taking decisions that may cost him his life.
As for the other PoVs, the interludes were amazing, especially Lift and Eshonai's (the two interludes released before the book). I really liked Adolin's point of views, and its endearing how Sanderson has managed to give him his own life, without casting him to Dalinar's shadows.
Dalinar is more of a politician in this book than a soldier. He is brilliant in the couple of fight scenes we see him in, and watching him rule the kingdom is really amazing.
The world-building reaches the high bar that Sanderson has set for himself, and then crosses far above it. We get to see a live chamsfiend, captured sprens, real Honorblades, a duel of 5 shardbearers, an everstorm, Oathgates, and lots of other spoiler-ish things. One of my favorite moments was when 2 characters are basically talking to each other over spanreed, giving the world its own version of IM. Sanderson plays to his strength in building the amazing world he craeted in WoK.
So, should you read it? Absolutely yes; but please do read WoK before attempting this one. Even though you could read it without the first book, knowing Kaladin's backstory is important to really understand the choices he makes. Plus, Roshar is not a world to be understood in just one Book. The few shortcomings in the book are so far and few in between that I can essentially neglect them (esp in a book of this size).
Can't wait for Book 3.
## Re-read thoughts (2020)
(Spoilers for Cosmere below)
Re-read this in anticipation of Rhythm of War (comes out Nov 2020). Every bit as good as I remembered it. It is nice to catch more tidbits about the heralds, Evi, spren, and actually understand them in context of the world as we know it now. The emotional roller coaster was as good as last time. Sanderson changed a scene slightly for a character after the book was published, and if you're re-reading this - you might wanna get an updated edition, or read a summary here....more
Still haven't got over the shock of this book. Years from now, the publication of this along with Secret History will be regarded as the start of the Still haven't got over the shock of this book. Years from now, the publication of this along with Secret History will be regarded as the start of the Cosmere in true terms. It also sows the seeds for the future series as well with characters wondering about things like red shift.
I recently saw the original BBC series, after having read the book a long time back (and having listened to the radio adaptation when it came out). ThI recently saw the original BBC series, after having read the book a long time back (and having listened to the radio adaptation when it came out). This adaptation differs slightly from the original material, but its still wonderful to see Neil's vision come alive across a different medium....more
I'm finally done with every novel by Brandon Sanderson, except for the Infinity Blade novellas, and some short stories. Elantris was every bit good asI'm finally done with every novel by Brandon Sanderson, except for the Infinity Blade novellas, and some short stories. Elantris was every bit good as I'd heard about it. The world-building and magic system, though excellent on their own, pale down somewhat in comparison to those in other Cosmere worlds (Mistborn, Stormlight Archive...).
Fine ending to a fine trilogy. Tamas is one of the best fictitious generals (Field Marshal!) I've ever had the pleasure of reading.Fine ending to a fine trilogy. Tamas is one of the best fictitious generals (Field Marshal!) I've ever had the pleasure of reading....more
Read this on a whim. Highly impressed with the research that must have gone into this, and deeply troubled by the findings and implications.
In a nutshRead this on a whim. Highly impressed with the research that must have gone into this, and deeply troubled by the findings and implications.
In a nutshell, it reveals the real story behind the Indian generic drug industry, and how it managed to fool regulators across the world, while having rampant corruption, shady manufacturing practices , outright fraud, and very little consequences.
Some of the undrawn parallels with the Indian software boom are interesting to ponder about: Our BPO and IT boom happened for very similar reasons: cheap labour, little oversight by regulators, and a government that protects corporate interests above everything else. However, the drug industry has a few facets that make it stand differently:
1. The blast radius for, say a IT consultancy screwing up is much lower. It will be limited to a few companies at most. Lives are rarely at stake, with very few exceptions. 2. It is easy for a small-sized change in drug quality to have a large impact down the road. This is hard to understand at first, but makes complete sense once you understand the importance of quality in the drug industry.
Drugs are the cornerstone of modern healthcare. In order for us to be able to trust the healthcare system, we need to be able to trust our drugs, and that means a high quality reliable drug manufacturing pipeline. Doctors need to be able to trust that their prescriptions will work. Even if one out of every hundred batches of a medicine is faulty, the whole system breaks down. If your clinic gets a bad batch - all your patients are screwed.
What Ranbaxy (and other indian manufacturers) did resulted in patient deaths across the globe, and doctors losing trust in the drugs themselves, such was the shoddy quality of the same. In the race to the bottom for profits, Indian Pharma puts its morals on fire and sells everything.
Another aspect that the book covers is how tied up the FDA itself is, and how badly underfunded and under prepared it was throughout the crisis. Despite having evidence going back to 2005, it took them more than half a decade to take any action at all. The Indian regulators are still on the side of the pharma companies.
By the end, I was hoping for a lifeboat of sorts, against all odds, to see some changes. Sadly, that's not the case.
The book reads like a thriller, and reminds me the most of Bad Blood in a way. Except that the impact here was so much higher, and yet there ends up being no criminal action against any of the executives. The only minor nitpick I had was regarding superfluous callbacks to people who were already well introduced.
Highly recommended, and I'm gonna go read news reports from the time, that I somehow completely missed back then. ...more
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