The Thousand Names

[Dan]

Jonathan wrote: "I just started part 3, and I am impressed with the pace of the book. Over two-thirds done, and I'm not really sure how it all will come together (or will it!); really looking forward to seeing wher..."

Well, yeah, I came out of this book really liking Marcus, and i thought he was a bit boring in the beginning!

It's indeed a really fast-paced book, I like that about it. I'm glad you're reading it too!

[Dan]

Eli wrote: "Janus does strike an interesting figure. I'm looking forward to learn more about him!"

He's just plain old awesome.

How goes your reading?

[Jenna, I'd be free if not for Temper & Edgewalker]

I'm not sure it will ever be possible to totally know Janus, unless there is actually a POV from Janus' view, but I think Wexler is not giving him one to keep that air of mystery around him.

[Scott , Karsa Orlong]

Janus is my favorite character.

[Eli]

Dan wrote: "Eli wrote: "Janus does strike an interesting figure. I'm looking forward to learn more about him!"

He's just plain old awesome.

How goes your reading?"

I am just about halfway through! Still loving Winter, still waiting for Marcus to really grow on me, and getting increasingly more fascinated by Janus.

I am going to shut down my computer now and get back to it ;)

[Eli]

Dan wrote: "2. Finally got my first real glimpse at magic and I gotta say I'm hyped! I'm always very interested in the magic systems of the fantasy books i read and I can't wait to get more details from it!

3. Jen Alhundt's appearance at the end of chapter 14 is(view spoiler)"

I just finished this chapter. So excited about that! And I had the same thought about Jen. (view spoiler)[I am also very expectant of this new trio of Winter, Bobby and Feor. I hope to see some awesome things happening around those three! (hide spoiler)]

[Dan]

Eli wrote: "Dan wrote: "2. Finally got my first real glimpse at magic and I gotta say I'm hyped! I'm always very interested in the magic systems of the fantasy books i read and I can't wait to get more details..."

Sorry I coudln't reply to this earlier but I had a busy couple of days!

(view spoiler)[I really enjoy Bobby's character, I hope she becomes a bigger character in he future, which she probably will... What chapter are you on now? (hide spoiler)]

[Eli]

I just finished! That was a bit of an ending though. It really makes me sad that I don't have the next book already. I want to see more magic and much more awesomeness from all my favourite characters!

(view spoiler)[Also, I was really delighted that Jen managed to surprise me despite the fact that I already expected her to be the sorceress.

And I just loved how Wexler managed to keep the Thousand Names a mystery right to the very end of the book. Until then I had no idea what it really was, though of course I expected it to be something awesome. (hide spoiler)]

[Scott , Karsa Orlong]

It was an awesome ending.

[Jenna, I'd be free if not for Temper & Edgewalker]

Eli wrote: "I just finished! That was a bit of an ending though. It really makes me sad that I don't have the next book already. I want to see more magic and much more awesomeness from all my favourite charact..."

Yeah, I thought that too. For all the obvious plot twists, there were a couple mysteries and one or two surprises.

[Solseit]

Although it is a bit late, I am starting the book now - and I am enjoying it!
Through Chapter 1
(view spoiler)[ The prologue was quite scary I have to admit!
I am loving Winter so far, a bit of Mulan and a bit of Harleen Queen.
I am also enjoying the north African/Middle Eastern vibe of the book! (hide spoiler)]

[Scott , Karsa Orlong]

I loved the setting as well. Jenna didn't love the prologue, shocker :), but I thought it was quite pretentious and ominous.

[Solseit]

Scott wrote: "I loved the setting as well. Jenna didn't love the prologue, shocker :), but I thought it was quite pretentious and ominous."

I wonder if Jenna has ever loved a prologue (I guess besides the Malazan Book of the Fallen)... :D

[Scott , Karsa Orlong]

Aristea wrote: "I wonder if Jenna has ever loved a prologue (I guess besides the Malazan Book of the Fallen)... :D ."

Midnight Tides which is the best prologue ever she begrudgingly admits its OK. :)

[Jenna, I'd be free if not for Temper & Edgewalker]

Haha if prologues are written like normal chapters, I tend to be a little more accepting of them. If they are just full of ominous shit that I don't understand, I don't like it. It happens that most prologues go for the second option.

[Scott , Karsa Orlong]

Now, now. :)

Prologue can be ominous and be great or shitty. Thousand Names I just put into the awesome category. It gave the Thousand Names that Deck of Dragons mystical feel. A book I love The Way of Kings I remember reading that prologue and thinking OK all that sounds really cool but I'm fricking lost already.

[Solseit]

I am through chapter six.
(view spoiler)[ Oh my, how spectacular was the description of Winter's first battle? My heart was pounding and I was worried for her soldiers! She kept her cool though - in a very realistic way. I think the vast majority of people would be cold yet desperately scared of what is happening around them. I found this chapter fantastic! (hide spoiler)]

[Scott , Karsa Orlong]

I thought the battle scenes in this book were terrific as well. Exciting and not over the top. The dessert setting which is less common in fantasy added to it greatly.

[Dani]

I'm with you, Jenna. When a prologue is just one big WTF are they talking about? exercise, I hate them.

[Solseit]

Oh my, in Chapter 14 there is a genuine surprise about Bobby. I wonder if I should have understood it but I do not think there was any indication - besides the hand holding some 100 pages before!

[Jenna, I'd be free if not for Temper & Edgewalker]

Dani wrote: "I'm with you, Jenna. When a prologue is just one big WTF are they talking about? exercise, I hate them."

Finally! Someone who understands me <3

[Solseit]

I am starting to like Marcus a lot more.
Fitz is actually one of my favorite characters - despite being a bit remote from the story telling. Janus is absolutely magnetic and I want to be in the field with him really.

(view spoiler)[ I am also loving the girls' squad, Bobby - for Roberta -, Feor - and I am looking forward to see how much she will be interacting in the future installments - and Winter!
I am curious to see how much the magic system will impact in the story.
Also, what are these thousand names really? What do they unlock? I am absolutely hyped! (hide spoiler)]

[Jenna, I'd be free if not for Temper & Edgewalker]

Aristea wrote: "I am starting to like Marcus a lot more.
Fitz is actually one of my favorite characters - despite being a bit remote from the story telling. Janus is absolutely magnetic and I want to be in the fi..."

I wish I could tell you, but it's best if you just read and find out :)

[Scott , Karsa Orlong]

So Aristea you're in the middle of a flintlock free-for-all between this and Promise of Blood. Which do like better?

[Solseit]

That is very difficult to say; I think Powder Mage is "easier" to read - the focus is mostly on the action, fewer description; yet it beings a lot more novelty to the genre with the magic systems. Also it has a bit more humor which is always good!

The shadow campaigns shows off in making the book come to life; the fantasy piece has been pushed a bit to the end.
I think I ended up giving .5 star more to The Thousand Names - primarily because of the ability of Wexler in making me almost participate in all. But it is difficult one - I am curious to see how it develops. I am also ready to change my opinion each book I read!

[Scott , Karsa Orlong]

I gave Promise of Blood 4.5 stars and The Thousand Names 5*'s solely based on the latter having a more tense ending. I think other than that, for me, they were about equal.

Books two and three in this series I gave 4*'s. They were good but simply dragged down a bit in different details. Then book four was the best of the series and by a good margin.

Obviously I haven't read books two and three in Powder Mage yet.