Vagabond Treehouse (2023) [Beware of Chicken 3 - December 4th] Showing 2,551-2,600 of 5,829

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

HUZZAH...

Paladin's Hope is finally coming to audio, at the end of the month... then I can read the Saint of Steel trilogy... the 4th to 6th books set in T. Kingfisher's Temple of the White Rat world...

I was led to T. Kingfisher's books last summer, with The Hollow Places, and have been working my way through everything they've written, ever since... but have been waiting for the audio releases to catch up to the ebook releases, on the Saint of Steel trilogy...

I still have several standalones to read, as well... The Twisted Ones, Nettle & Bone, A Wizard’s Guide to Defensive Baking, The Seventh Bride, Minor Mage, Bryony and Roses, and the forthcoming What Moves the Dead

She doesn't write the longest books... most are 6-10hrs on audio...

[Choko]

What are they like? Are they Fantasy? Do you think I would like them?

[Narilka]

They are fantasy and usually fairly unique. Wizard's Guide is about a bread wizard and how she saves her city with baking magic. I think you'd like them Choko :)

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

She tells a variety of stories... from fun to kinda scary to emotional?... some have queer characters...

I haven't read The Twisted Ones (or A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness), but I was going to compare them for exploring death of loved ones?...

We should definitely Buddy Read some of the standalones... I have the Defensive Baking one floating around waiting to be read, I think...

[Choko]

Well, I am going to read them then. Thank you, Narilka!:))

Iain, what should I read in order to read the next ones with you?

Speaking of, I plan on reading Marla Mason #3 today:))))

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Choko wrote: "Well, I am going to read them then. Thank you, Narilka!:))

Iain, what should I read in order to read the next ones with you?

Speaking of, I plan on reading Marla Mason #3 today:))))"

Sounds good... I was going to read Marla Mason #3 soon, too...

Re: Kingfisher: for World of the White Rat, there's Clockwork Boys & The Wonder Engine (a duology), then Swordheart, then you're ready for Paladin's Grace, Paladin's Strength, and Paladin's Hope next month...

Everything else is standalone, altho based on the covers, I think Minor Mage & Defensive Baking are connected...

I think I've only read The Hollow Places & the 3 White Rat books, so far... the audio releases delayed Saint of Steel, and I kept getting sidetracked from the other standalones (and mildly hoping to read more with Narilka, after starting with Hollow Places last summer?)...

Anyway... Marla Mason, next... number 3 is one with pretty big implications for the series as a whole...

[Choko]

Awesome! I will read those before the next release so we can read it together:)))

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

We have so many BRs semi-planned... and you BR a similar amount with others, too... I got burnt out on that, awhile ago...

[Choko]

You know, last year, not being physically able to read, was a horrible year... I think I am still trying to reassure myself that I am back, and I just can't get enough... I know I will slow down, but I am not done ravelling in my joy of reading again yet:))) I missed this, the books and talking books with you guys, so much, I really have no words to express it... At this point, this group and what we read are precious to me, and I am so grateful!!!

[Narilka]

Read as much as you can :D It's healing.

I enjoyed our BR of The Hollow Places. If you guys wanted to do The Twisted Ones I'd be up for it. I have too many series in progress to want to start another one and that is a stand alone.

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Most of the T. Kingfisher stuff is standalone... except the White Rat stuff, and that's barely connected... just set in the same world is all... and wasn't expecting to turn that into a BR...

I can probably do Twisted One later this month, if that's fine with you guys... about a year since we did Hollow Places...

[Choko]

I will join you whenever:)))

Marla Mason #3... Up to Ch. 3 (view spoiler)[ As always, this started with some fun banter between Marla and Rondo :))) They are perfect with each other. I didn't expect that type of friendship to evolve between them, particularly after the way they met...

That necromancer dude is kind of horrible, in a weird, kind of regular crazy way... I don't know how to explain it. And the dude he extorted into giving him the mummy of John W. Booth, was an interesting case. The conversation and our first meeting with Death was something! I can't believe he sent Death right after Marla for her knife. She got lucky this first fight with him, but I have a feeling things will get much worse...

Her new valet is adorable! I feel sorry for him a bit, since this is his first time getting outside of his master's property... He is an interesting character. I hope we don't lose him, the way we did Ted in the last book...

Booth is such an ass!!! He is so annoying and is kind of a perfect fit for the Necromancer:) (hide spoiler)]

[Narilka]

I was thinking June for the Twisted Ones. How does that sound?

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Fine with me...

[Choko]

Marla Mason #3... Finished it... (view spoiler)[ So, The new Death, the Walking Death, took over the city and banished her. She decided she is going to return the favor and take over his realm, which I thought was a great idea. She was lucky she knew somebody who knew how to do that. I love Pelly, he is my new favorite character:) He is so innately innocent and loyal, my heart was breaking for him in the airport bathroom... She did good with him and his anxiety attack. For being known as a heartless bitch, she sure does care about her people.

The rode through her hell was interesting and reminded us where she started from. I liked that the undead Necromancer with the birds was so happy to be there, where he could live however he wanted. The other old necromancer, who started everything rolling in this book, I know he deserves what he got, but I actually felt sorry for him, because the only thing he truly desired was to be the greatest necromancer ever, and the crazy Sitting Death took that away from him... Harsh...

The fact that Marla could think rationally when she was in her situation and the crazy Sitting Death offered her marriage, enough to see that there are advantages in the bargain, was very impressive. She didn't overreact and told him to go ... himself, which I thought she would do, but stopped and thought about it. Good for her!

Rondo keeping faith in her without even wavering, warmed my heart. Marla is right, that he is very good at finding new and creative ways to screw up though:) But he tried, g-d bless him...

I was glad to see some of the other magicians and apprentices standing up for her too. The Bay Witch is so out there, she barely fits in this world... I like her, but I am also a bit scared of her.

At the end, what she did with the magic sword to cut out the bad parts of his personality, was interesting. I don't know how I feel about him offering her marriage, since up to that point he was f@#$ing everything in sight, and now he wants Marla, whom he hated, for a bride? I don't know...

I am also a little wistful about her giving him the sword at the end and he just giving her a small, less effective knife than she had before...

The creature that is her cloak is disgusting! I don't know if I could ever put it back on now that we know what it looks like and what it does... I am guessing if she ever used it again, it has to be a very dire situation...

Saying goodbye to Pelly was sad, but she is right to give him time to get to know real life and become his own person. I am so happy he didn't get killed!!! (hide spoiler)]

I am going to have to read #4 soon, because her brother showing up doesn't bode well for anyone...

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

I love that you're getting way into this... I'll be reading #3 tomorrow... read Innkeeper Chronicles today...

The book that explores the depths of the cloak, once and for all, is book 5 I think... we'll soon see...

[Choko]

Awesome! I am reading another book and it will take me couple of days, but I will be ready whenever you are for #4

[Nirkatze]

Twisted Ones looks cool! I'm down for June. Thank you all for introducing so many new cool books!

[Choko]

June it is for the Twisted Ones:)

[Nirkatze]

Hey Choko, if you're down for it, I think I'll start Amber Spyglass today...

[Choko]

I started Cradle #5 today, but I can do Spyglass tomorrow:))

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Did you guys read the 3rd Constance Verity book?... I think we were supposed to do it late March, and I never did... that's also around when I threw out my BR pile, so...

I finished Marla Mason #3 today... I knew how it ended, but forgot most of how she got there, so it was a good/great re-read...

The Cole/Bowman stuff felt like a course correction, since Pratt didn't know this was going to be a series when he wrote the first book and left Bowman in LA... and Pelly is definitely around for the long-haul... no more disposable assistants...

Re: Rondo/Rondeau: this character has changed so much, between the short stories and the main series... and for the better... their relationship was in no way a thing in the short stories... and the cloak was less of a parasitic entity, I think... in the short stories it's malevolence was more blended with Marla, instead of overpowering, I think?...

I'll be ready for #4, when you have time... sounds like you're busy for the next 48hrs...

I finished my Pride re-read, and realized I needed to continue into Honey Badger Chronicles to see Shen Wu mated... so I'm doing that... also, I still haven't read the newest entry (#4)... otherwise, I was going to start a Dragon Kin re-read... I've been really enjoying my Shelly Laurenston re-reads... I kinda just cycle between Shelly Laurenston, Marla Mason, and something like Innkeeper Chronicles...

[Choko]

When you start the Dragon Kin re-read, I am with you 100%... It is a comfort read for me...

[Nirkatze]

I've been waiting to do Constance Verity #3 until someone else said they were going to do it!

I'm full up on Audio next week though, but I'd be down for week after.

I might try to join y'all for some Dragon Kin too. I really liked the Blacksmith Queen etc books. Is it the same narrator?

I think I'll start Spyglass a little early then Choko--you know you'll zoooooom past me very quickly!

[Choko]

Nirkatze, I think it's the same narrator... Don't remember, because I didn't the actual books on those. Have them in the little bookcase right next to my bed:))))

[Nirkatze]

LOL yay for real books!

Amber Spyglass Chapter 1 (view spoiler)[Well, we know who kidnapped Lyra, but no idea how. Another opening that brings more questions! (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 2 (view spoiler)[Go Will! Don't let them push you around! Go get Lyra first!

Interesting little Schroedinger's Cat dilemma there.

It seems like there are multiple groups of "angels" too--the ones wanting Will to go to Asriel, and the ones behind the Alethiometer.

The aristocratic angel is annoying, but it's sweet how the two angels care for each other--gay angels! I wonder if this was the first book I read with gay characters, albeit subtle side ones. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 4 (view spoiler)[I really hope nothing bad happens to the little girl... (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 7 (view spoiler)[The wheeling creatures sound cute! I like the idea of first contact starting with a good laugh. (hide spoiler)]

[Tonari no Emily]

I love T Kingfisher! I've read The Hollow Places and The Twisted Ones and that last one gave me nightmares haha. Both very good! I need to read more of her stuff.

I still haven't read Constance Verity #3.. Probably would need a couple weeks for that though.

And I'm 100% down for the Dragon Kin. Loved the two Scarred Earth books.

[Julian]

It took me a couple weeks to catch up but I'm finally almost finished with Evershore.

So far the book has had a few surprises and mysteries (view spoiler)[particularly what appears to be gran-gran losing her cytonic powers and people from the nowhere calling to Jorgen for help that we've not heard of in Cytonic. Im wondering if it is the superiority trying to implement some kind of trap for Jorgen similar to how Brade tried several times in Cytonic. I have a hard time beliving that the delvers would be the ones asking for help in the nowhere given their state... (hide spoiler)]

Also I went thrift store shopping this past weekend and came out with 6 new books, with each one being between $0.50 to $0.75! The past month my collection of physical books has increased by quite a good amount and this year I've rediscovered the joy of reading physical media again.

[Choko]

Julian, I am glad you are back to the series! I really enjoyed every book and novella in it!

[Julian]

I've been reading it this entire time. I'm just slower when it comes to finishing physical books rather than kindle/audiobooks lol

[Choko]

His Dark Materials #3 - The Amber Spyglass... Halfway through... (view spoiler)[ Mrs. Coulter at once found love for her daughter??? I don't believe it even for a second! And if you love someone and want to keep them safe, you drug them into oblivion? And don't let them have any life? Wow!

I love The King of Bears! I felt so sorry for him one because of trying to find a habitat where his people can live, and two for having to fix the knife, despite all of his doubts and fears... He is such a good and brave bear!!!

I am enjoying meeting the wheel crystalline people, but I am not sure where we are going with this branch of the story. At least the little Gallivantians are spies on the side of Lord Asriel. I like them too... I am so afraid Lyra and Will will get them killed... :(((

Mrs. Coulter is such a great liar and manipulator, I am absolutely terrified by her. That whole time she was in the meeting with Lord Asriel's council, I was thinking he is the only one who truly understands her evil nature... And she knows his pridfefullness and played him like a fiddle... The two deserve each other.

Lyra, Will and the Gallivantians just got to the world of the Dead and she had to say goodbye to her deamon... It broke my heart... I know it is a metaphor for a ton of things, but it's sad in all of them, no matter how much part of life they are... And all the kids missing and remembering their own daemons, and just wanting a touch of reality... That was I think the strongest moment of the series so far...

I was pissed at the adult who is a "true believer" and despite knowing the nature of this place and what the harpies are tasked with, called it a gift from G-d and a Paradise! WTF??? People would do anything to keep the status quo... (hide spoiler)]

I was on the road all day and had plenty of time to listen to the book:)))

[Choko]

Julian, I love physical books, but there is definitely something to say about the audio books, particularly when you are on the road as much as I am. I am a humongous supporter of the audio books ever since I found them in 2014... It was a gift for me, I feel, tailored to my mobile needs:))))

[Choko]

I know it is Galavespians, I just prefer Galavanting Galavantians:)))

[Julian]

I just finished the expanse series and am feeling that void from when you finish a good, long book series. Next up will be slowly watching the TV show and comparing it to the books.

I finally have the availability to jump into BRs again now that I don't know what super long series (aside from the Faithful and the Fallen and the wandering inn) to dive into.

[Julian]

@Choko I love audiobooks too! I never really listened to one until last year but they are a game changer. I have two dogs that whenever I'm walking or throwing frisbees to outside I'll pop an audiobook to listen to. I probably get a good 1-2 hours of audiobook listening per day just from that alone

[Choko]

I really need to finish The Expanse series... I was on track with them until book 5, and then I wasn't able to follow when the new ones are coming out... and just kind of forgot about it... Do you know if that was the last book, so I can dive in and read the finished thing, finally?

[Tonari no Emily]

Audiobooks are definitely the best! I have no attention span for text, I think social media and school broke my brain LOL
It sucks because I do love collecting physical books, but right now they are decoration haha

From what I know, Leviathan Falls should be the last one! I think I'm on Book 7 now... Love that series :)

[Nirkatze]

Amber Spyglass
Chapter 10 (view spoiler)[Ugh, nasty birds. Why they have to poop in the village? That's just mean. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 12 (view spoiler)[I'm anticipating that at some point Mrs. Coulter is going to make another monkey-daemon grab--but Will doesn't have a daemon, rather the angel, so it won't work. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 16 (view spoiler)[Mrs. Coulter v. Lord Asriel--it's so interesting to see the two of them arguing about Lyra. She initially seems the more horrible person, driven purely by personal ambition, but her love--and admiration--for Lyra almost redeems her. Lord Asriel on the other hand seems cold throughout. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 22--introduced somewhat earlier though.,. (view spoiler)[I like the idea of one's Death existing in kindness and love with you. It's also interesting that the Deaths are the opposite gender, just like the daemons. Though if it was a choice between a daemon and a Death, I'd rather have a furry cuddly daemon.

At my local book club, my coworkers decided my daemon would be an arctic fox. (hide spoiler)]

Ended up blasting through most of the book, only a little left now...

@Choko, re: spoilers All the Iorek love! All scenes are better with Iorek.

Also agree that Mrs. Coulter & Asriel are the only ones who really see each other--and "deserve" each other. (view spoiler)[They totally play each other all the time--when she steals the flyer, she sees herself as manipulating him so she could escape, he sees himself as letting her think she manipulated him so he could send a spy into the other camp.... (hide spoiler)]

Love your Gallivanting Gallivantians. :) They were an interesting addition.

[Julian]

Leviathan Falls is the last main book in the series. There's one more novella that recently got released in March that I haven't read yet but the novellas are just small side stories.

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Yea... #9 is the end... only one I haven't read... need a recap before I start it... been putting it off for months... audiobook has been on my ipod since it released in December...

I've also been ignoring any and all new releases since March... so I'm probably way behind on that... finally reading Quantum of Nightmares, the new New Management book that's been loaded up for months, too... fun stuff...

Altho, I honestly barely know what's going on... the characters from the first book are dealing with the aftermath of winning... and there's these 2 new characters... a fake nanny planning to kidnap the kids of superheroes... and a grocery store manager at a place that 3D prints meat... and these weird little objects that keep bleeding when nobody is paying attention... and the blurb says everything is going to come together, somehow...

[Choko]

I just finished the Amber Spyglass. This is so difficult for me to express, but I actually liked the story and the thematic material, while I felt PP wrote it poorly... Does that make sense? He chose to use a style of prose to be easily read by kids even in second or third grade, while the themes are the biggest themes of Philosophy and Theology. I get he was trying to do it in the most accessible way for the biggest audience, but it made it feel as if I was being condescended to, instead of, if I was a young reader, uplifted to new knowledge. We just read the Cerulean Sea, right? That book did the same thing, only it did it right. I didn't come out of it feeling like I was being led somewhere without my consent. It was still very young and obvious in its lessons, but it didn't feel like a bludgeon. This one did. Which kind of sucks, because I really liked the ideas, the final destination of it, even the final couple of chapters were perfect, in my opinion. It was the getting there that suffered from the authors' inability to decide on who he wanted his audience to be, and just meandered between Proust and Eric Carle ... I love the worlds he has created and I really like some of the characters! I just wish he had done a better job in the presentation... And I also thought he killed off some characters only as a lesson about loss and having to move on, which I didn't find necessary in all of the instances...

Sorry for getting so wordy, but it is such a complex feeling... I am still very glad we read it, and I am even going to read the next short story. I wonder if it would be easier or harder for him to write about them when the kids are more grown up...

[Narilka]

Oh dear. Audible is having a 2 for 1 sale :)

[Choko]

Narilka, why???? Why do you do that to us?!?!

[Julian]

Maybe Soo will come back if there is a 2 for 1 sale going on

[Choko]

We all miss her... I really hope she is OK...

[Narilka]

Agreed. Miss you lots Soo!!

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

After all that talk about setting up something on Discord to stay in contact, she disappears...

I hope it's just other hobbies... considering all her pandemic-hermit fears...

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

I picked up Jake's Magical Market (a LitRPG Card Battler) and The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August (sounds interesting, timey-wimey)

Both have super-positive reviews... didn't check everything, so I'll see what you guys pick and skim again, later... been awhile since I checked a sale, and this one didn't technically cost me anything but a credit... I've been a bit more money-conscious lately, with gas prices and general inflation...

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

I really need to get you guys to read the Laundry Files & spinoff with me sometime... I'll even do a re-read...

The first book is a bit dry, but 2+ quickly get fun & ridiculous...

[Narilka]

I sent Soo a GR's message. Hope she sees it.

I have The Lathe of Heaven selected. Still deciding on my second book. The Harry August book does look interesting.