Ymir / Overall Discussion - Mod Spec Mar-Apr 2023 / *Spoilers*

[Bana AZ]

I didn't see a discussion thread for this yet, so here it is.

Though Ymir is book 2, it can be read as a standalone. Has anyone read book 1 Annex though?

[Greg]

I'm planning on reading this one next month Ana

[Greg]

I started this ome today. I'm on chapter 8 and am not sure if I'm going to like it yet. But the story hasn't had a chance to get very far so it's too early to judge.

The narrator is gruff and detached, and there are a number of invented words as part of the world-building to catch from context. Not a problem at all, but it makes the audiobook a little slower going since I'm not sure sometimes if I'm mishearing or if the words are invented. Luckily I have a paperback to check. Once the plot takes off, I might still love the book; we'll see.

[Hayley]

I just got to chapter 22, 26% on the kindle and think I'm going to dnf it which I don't do very often. Just feel like nothing has happened and I have no idea what's going on. Nothing is really explained. I have no idea why Yorick was sent to hunt the grendal or what they or it is which by this point there should be some clue. He just seems to spend all the time wondering around drunk.

I think he's just seen his brother again but I can't be sure because after that scene he was just back in his hotel with no mention of it. I feel like it jumps around all the time which just leaves me confused.

[Greg]

Hayley wrote: "I just got to chapter 22, 26% on the kindle and think I'm going to dnf it which I don't do very often. Just feel like nothing has happened and I have no idea what's going on. Nothing is really expl..."

Well, I'm about 25% now as well, and I know what you mean. He does spend a lot of time wandering around drunk. I don't hate the book, but nothing about it has really wowed me either yet . . . plus like you say, it's a bit of extra work with the invented terminology and multiple timelines. I'm hoping the story is about to pick up more though; we'll see. It's finally getting around to some hints as to the personal & political background in recent chapters. I'm hoping for more of that soon.

[Greg]

I'm in chapter 30 now, and it's getting more interesting!

[Greg]

On chapter 52:

It's really gripping now plot-wise, and I'm quite enjoying it! Things really improved about a quarter way through.

By this point, I hate Yorick and kind of hope he dies, so there's that. But I'm enjoying it nevertheless.

One minor quibble: this should not be marketed as a retelling of the Beowulf epic. As far as I can tell so far, the only thing this book has in common with the epic is a couple names.

[Greg]

Now on chapter 77:

The second half of this book is gripping, really good! Almost done now.

[Shawnie]

I had decided to skip this one but if there's a commitment payoff for the second half, I might give it a try! :)

[Greg]

Shawnie wrote: "I had decided to skip this one but if there's a commitment payoff for the second half, I might give it a try! :)"

Just my personal opinion, but I loved it after a slow start! If you don't mind a gritty story and are willing to persist through the first quarter of the book until it gets going, I'd say go for it. It reminds me a tiny bit of the Hyperion series, though it's not steeped in literary references like Hyperion was. It does share the sci-fi grittiness, and some of its intentiveness. The second half completely immersed and compelled me, and though the characters aren't always likeable, some of their connections are deep and primal. I can see why it got the accolades that it did.

[Greg]

Just finished today. I especially loved the way he handled the (view spoiler)[the brothers' relationship in the concluding chapters - beautifully done in keeping it real while also allowing for some profound understanding between them at last, despite their past (hide spoiler)].

I would have given the last 2/3 of the book 5+ stars, but due to the slow start in the first 1/3, I've given it a still very good 4 stars instead.

Thanks for the mod choice mods! I had not heard of this book before.

Slight warning: as I said before, if you're a fan of the Beowulf epic, don't expect many references to it. This book really has nothing to do with the original epic, other than a couple names that have been lifted from it. It's a great book nevertheless.

[Hayley]

I might have to pick it back up then if it gets better. Seems I gave up just before it picks up. I did enjoy hyperion, dont really know anything about Beowulf either so that won't affect my opinion. I might give it another 50 pages and then decide! I dont mind slow starting books, it was more I had no idea what was happening.

[Greg]

Hayley wrote: "I might have to pick it back up then if it gets better. Seems I gave up just before it picks up. I did enjoy hyperion, dont really know anything about Beowulf either so that won't affect my opinion..."

You might want to give continuing a try Hayley. The plot starts moving quickly pretty soon after where you gave up.