The First Binding / *Spoilers* / Mod Special - Jan Feb 2024

[Shawnie]

Comments here for the first Moderator Pick of 2024. Are you planning to read it? This has been on my TBR for far too long and now is a good time to get into it.

[Audrey, Queen of the Potato People]

It is big. If I read 15 pages a day, I can finish in two months. So I'm at page 90.

[Clare]

I just picked this up from the library and even the librarian commented on the size of this brick of a book, I've read the first 100 pages and plan on trying for 50 a day. It's slow going right now but from most of the reviews it's going to be worth the time, fingers crossed.

[Shawnie]

I want to finish Dragons of Deepwood Fen which is also hefty with super small font. I'll start this right after and hope to finish by Feb. 29 for an energy cell. LOL

[Audrey, Queen of the Potato People]

When I vote in the polls, I'm starting to look at the page count before deciding.

It's definitely a labor of love. The book was written with extreme care and devotion.

[Clare]

I finished the book today and don't worry there'll be no spoilers. I can't decide if the writing was overly verbose or if it added to the world building. The book was long enough, maybe detailed descriptions of the clothing of minor characters (market vendors) wasn't totally necessary but I got through it. On the whole I enjoyed it but it felt like hard work at times. Looks like the second book is out in August and about the same length, after 800+ pages I'm probably going to need to know what happens next
:)

[Audrey, Queen of the Potato People]

I'm at page 270.

[Shawnie]

I'm reading 30 pages per day and enjoying it more than I thought I would. Aside from the (imo) overly complicated, weird banter the two mains only ask frustrating questions back and forth, I'm really liking it.

[Audrey, Queen of the Potato People]

I'm still doing 15 pages a day. Slow and steady. It's more grimdark than I normally like. I still like it but am not completely in love with it. Page 466 (chapter 55) now.

[Shawnie]

I slowed down in my reading because I was bored with it, but I am back at it this week at pg 250. I will finish it. His descriptions of women are this and men are that are so cringe.

[Audrey, Queen of the Potato People]

Yes. Some parts are pretty interesting, and then it slows down again. Starting to skim some of these descriptions.

[Shawnie]

I'm doubling down and adding audio to finish it this week. Goals!

[Shawnie]

I'm giving it up. I switched to audio and am now at 41% with over 24 hours left. I'm not enjoying it. Sorry, team!

[Audrey, Queen of the Potato People]

Yeah, it's okay. I don't think my library has the audio.

[Kate]

Shawnie wrote: "I'm giving it up. I switched to audio and am now at 41% with over 24 hours left. I'm not enjoying it. Sorry, team!"

I only finished for the energy cell. This one was not for me at all. The narrator's voice for women is AWFUL, and the main character is so unlikable. I also just couldn't get into any of the stories/myths within the story, which make up a good chunk of the book. I really expected to love it with all the 5 star reviews. Very glad I was able to get it via Libby.

[Shawnie]

Kate wrote: "Shawnie wrote: "I'm giving it up. I switched to audio and am now at 41% with over 24 hours left. I'm not enjoying it. Sorry, team!"

I only finished for the energy cell. This one was not for me at ..."

LOL I found the narration awful as well. I just couldn't continue. I hope others in the group loved it if they gave it a try.

[Audrey, Queen of the Potato People]

I am reading with my eyeballs; a hundred pages to go. Ari is not very likable, and I'm kind of bored but persevering.