Michael Sands > Recent Status Updates

I'm so in.

This book has the strangest pacing. Every time there are dire consequences Hadrian is removed to some other locale where he can delay/dodge judgment. I still like it but I feel like he, and I, are just caught in a strong current with little agency.

Trying to explain to my daughter why Bad kings that murdered for succession exist and why they would do that. Its not making sense to her lol.

There is a mouse with a sword on the cover. What more do you want!?

Ok you got me. Its still way slower than I expected in a very strange way. Maybe not slow, but not moving where I wanted to go. We are still very stuck but im starting to warm to the humid mess of a situation Hardian is always in. I am also starting to vibe more with the world building. Nothing entirely new yet, but I like the set pieces and see potential.

I'm enjoying this mostly but part of me is also annoyed at the slowdown forced on Hadrian. I keep hoping the next chapter we finally get moving again as I dont feel the emotional weight I think I'm supposed to be feeling in this harsh time for his character's relative infancy. Its reminding me of name of the wind but without all the wonder and sense of purpose built into that story from the very start. Or the prose.

I kind of love this book. I find the analysis of what makes the left less appealing on a broad scale to be fascinating. Also the idea that tools of war helped us evolve to be more conciliatory and cooperative.

Nothing feels particularly new to the genre and the writing isn't beautiful, but it is thoughtful and deliberate. Enjoying it so far and the stage is being set so ill reserve any judgement for now. Getting Gene Wolfe vibes (not by writing style but perspective) which automatically makes me distrust the narrator but he seems more self aware than Severian.

Very compelling still. Algernon is best boy.

The 5 year old mind really hates tragedy, even when I've given seemingly adequate warning in advance. Luckily the next chapter was an instant remedy.

Very dune-like so far with a splash of red rising perhaps. I like that the author felt the need to explain why technology isn't as pervasive as it would be in a future human civilization like this without similar constraints. Feels like it's going to go to hell soon lol

Maybe spoilers but i don't remember Santa being in this.

Ey lyek it sow faur.

I had a few moments where I had to double take on my reading % because it felt like the end of the book. Lots of stuff happening with seemingly dire consequences. Good so far but kinda ready for it to be done too.

So far so good but the beginning of this kinda broke my heart.

I like the flawed protagonist approach they are doing so far. Could branch into something very interesting but not sure yet. I'm looking at my reading challenge in despair as I have not been motivated to return to this often. Probably not the book's fault. Probably.

The writing is pretty hamfisted but its not terrible. I think i hate how men usually write the thoughts of a teenage girl. The format feels kinda fun though and reminds me of World War Z in that its a mix of editorializing and fictional "first hand accounts". I'll finish it but im not holding my breath for the plot or characters at all.

Enjoying this but I don't know why I keep stalling progress. It's like its missing something - maybe I'm not invested enough in those who are in peril, or maybe the peril doesn't feel dangerous enough. Either way some interesting concepts explored for the tower's technology but at the same time it's so obfuscated in mystery its hard to really follow any implications. Hopefully by the end there will be a few 'Ah-ha's!

I dont think I need to say anything more on this. I love this series and am fully invested.

Lots of overlap with previous reading but good to hear a measured take on the longevity debate. Music to my ears so far debunking fads and health nuts.

More fun than the last full length book so far but I think the novelty of the series is wearing thin for me. Hope this one surprises me.

I simply HAD to start reading once I finally finished watching the final season of the show. Already loving it but I'm clearly biased.

Some things I didn't expect and yet somehow im wholly dissatisfied. Rin is still a terrible person, which can be interesting, but she is really not entertaining at all. The world is well built but there is a lot that could have been done with the gods/shamans that is just wasted or not developed enough. This series is such a strange mixture of decent and mediocre.

I'm not hating this but I'm still not liking the protagonist. She's actually wack.

Ok let's see if we can make up for the last one. So far I still dislike the main character but I get the feeling I'm supposed to. She's basically Hitler.

Not hooked yet but looks to be providing at least further character development and details about life in Preservation. Hope the snarky wit finds full force again soon.