240 replies to this topic

[Mara=^.^=]

 

I just finished Book 2, Starsight. It's a very, VERY different type of story. More complex, more reflective, and with some truly original ideas regarding alien physiology and culture. Learning about the galaxy is a lot more interesting than listening to Spin's inner monologue; the humor comes across better in this book as well. I'm not sure how I feel about the decision to replace pretty much the entire main cast with a completely different main cast, with only the protagonist (and M-Bot) to bridge the gap. I think it would work better if Spin herself were a more compelling viewpoint character. She's not an asshat in this book like she was in Skyward, but she cannot carry a novel. Still, the eldritch elements and the secondary cast were intriguing enough to give this book 4 stars . 

~*Mara*~ = ^.^ =

[Mara=^.^=]

OMG I legit never made the connection of Jorgen. It just never occurred to me.. but now that you say it, I can NOT unsee it.

 

Yay! Brain-worm successfully planted!
 

Also, it's so fun to see these reviews. I feel like we have quite different tastes in books, but that's what makes it fun. ((I hope you don't mind me commenting on the ones I've read too.))

I love having a little impromptu book club

 

I think Spensa's personality lands better in audio. I can see how she would be annoying on the page, but in audio there is more emotional resonance, and her humor comes through more as well. Shallan in the Stormlight Archive series seems to have this problem as well, from what I can tell. People who only read the print version don't usually like her as much as people who listen to the audiobooks.

 

The right narrator/voice actor definitely makes a difference when it comes to the impact of dialogue. On the page, she seems childish and pig-headed. A voice suffused with real anger and passion would make the character far more tolerable – or, at the very least, she wouldn't sound like episode 1 Naruto.

 

~*Mara*~ = ^.^ =

[Katia11]

I'm glad you enjoyed this one more than the first one!

 

*Also, yay for the impromptu book club!

[Mara=^.^=]

Man, this series is giving me whiplash. Did this book go through line editing? Because it does NOT feel like it went through line editing. The prose is sloppy. Very sloppy. I guess this is what happens when you're expected to crank out multiple books every year — you don't have time to clean up the text.

So, postmortem: Cytonic is like a building that's still propped up by scaffolding. The structure is there, but it isn't finished. The problems with the first book have returned in a new form. Spin's internal monologue is relentless, and while she isn't pig-headed anymore, her observations sound so childish. Like, cartoonishly childish, to the point where I feel like I'm watching a mid-tier shounen anime. I can't decide whether the fault lies with the characterization or with the quality of the writing itself. I'm inclined to believe it's the latter.

 

The plot is...linear. It's a "follow the map to the treasure" type of side-quest. Sanderson doesn't do much with this; he just sort of lists things that happen, like he's doing a book report on his own storyline. There's no artistry or sparkle to it. It plods along, like a chore. I don't think he enjoyed writing this book, and to be honest, it colored my experience. The story has some of my favorite narrative elements — pirates, a journey through a strange land, inscrutable aliens — but they feel like set pieces, squashed beneath the steamroller of Spin's endless nattering. Sanderson should've shelved this thing and come back to it when he was in a better frame of mind.

2 Stars.

~*Mara*~ = ^.^ =
P.S. I have NO idea how this novel has over 4 stars on Goodreads, when some of Frances Hardinge's best works score lower. I guess she's just not as popular.

[Katia11]

I'm sorry you didn't enjoy yourself, Mara. I couldn't put my finger on why I didn't enjoy this one as much as the others, and to be honest, I'm still not sure I can tell you why, but I think some of this comes close.

 

The entire time I could guess where the story was going, ((which doesn't always bother me, but when other things don't grab my attention or hold me, it's more likely to do so).

 

Also, it's just like the OOMPH wasn't there or something.

[Mara=^.^=]

Cytonic feels like a detour. It's so disconnected from the conflict at the heart of the last two books – there's so much padding, and it really robs the story of momentum. There was no need to put the delvers revelation behind a 400 page paywall. Get back to the action! Get back to the characters and stakes that have already been established! And for the love of all things holy, get out of Spin's head!

Considering how disjointed these books are, I have no idea what to expect from Defiant. I hope to God we don't get another new cast and another new setting.

 

~*Mara*~ = ^.^ =

[SweeneyxxTodd]

Oof it hurts to see you dislike this one so much. I've loved all three Skyward books. I'm not sure which of the three is my favorite. I think I liked all of them about the same. Think I gave them each 4 stars?

[Mara=^.^=]

Oof it hurts to see you dislike this one so much. I've loved all three Skyward books. I'm not sure which of the three is my favorite. I think I liked all of them about the same. Think I gave them each 4 stars?

 

I have weird standards when it comes to prose quality. In some ways I'd rather read a boring story told eloquently, than an interesting story that's written poorly. A book like Cytonic puts me in editor mode — I become totally preoccupied with sentence structure and word choice. I want to take a red pen to the text and fix it line by line.

 

This is some of the worst prose I've ever seen from a professional author. Maybe it has more zing when it's read aloud, but on the page, it's like a big clunky mallet bonking the reader on the head. It never engages the senses. And it goes on and on and on.

 

Also...was the Lion King cameo supposed to be funny? Putting a Disney IP in here took a wrecking ball to my immersion. Absolutely bizarre. Though it was funny seeing all the offended Catholic reviewers complaining about the Satan cameo

 

~*Mara*~ = ^.^ =
P.S. I checked Goodreads. You gave Skyward and Starsight 5 stars, and Cytonic 4 stars.

[SweeneyxxTodd]

I have high standards when it comes to prose quality. In some ways I'd rather read a boring story told eloquently, than an interesting story that's written poorly.

I think I have high standards for prose quality, but I absolutely prioritize a well-told plot and good characters over prose quality. Like I wouldn't want to read a book with terrible prose, but I don't think anyone could pay me enough money to read a boring book no matter how eloquent and beautiful the prose was. I'd get so bored and abandon the book. I got way too long a TBR to waste on a book that doesn't interest me.

That said, I do think Brandon Sanderson is a good prose writer. He doesn't waste words describing things in fluffy language, which is something I feel like a lot of writers do. I tend to get annoyed with books that make a huge point of making the prose be a prominent feature. I get so distracted by the flowery language in those books that I forget what happens with the plot and characters and have to reread all the time, which just annoys me even more. I think for most books, a simple prose style is preferable to an elaborate one.

[Mara=^.^=]

I don't like purple prose either, but Brandon Sanderson just states stuff in Cytonic, with little regard for word choice or textual flow. I think the issue stems from the fact that he focuses so heavily on Spin's internal monologue. Instead of describing an event as it happens, he lets Spin editorialize, and it quickly veers into tell-don't-show territory.

His prose is also rife with a particular sentence structure that is a MASSIVE pet peeve of mine.
 

~*Mara*~ = ^.^ =
P.S. I just barely started the Stormlight Archives — the third person perspective definitely makes a difference. Have either of you read those?

[SweeneyxxTodd]

I might have a looser definition of purple prose. Idk. In my experience, almost every time I've read a book that people rave about how beautiful the prose is, I find myself thinking of it as purple prose, even if it might not necessarily be such in the general opinion. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ I like characters first, plot second, and prose third. Which, come to think of it, may be why I'm having trouble getting through the second Avatar Yangchen book. The characters don't feel as strong as in the first book and the plot hasn't captured me yet. I'm not very far in, but Kyoshi's books both had stronger character and plot than either Yangchen book has had.

The Stormlight Archive is hands down my favorite adult fantasy, ever. I've read the first two books twice (once on my own, once with Tim), and I've read the novella Edgedancer once on my own, and Tim and I will listen to it soon together before we start the third Stormlight book.

I've read a decent chunk of Sanderson's work I think (not the majority lol threre's so much), and so far Stormlight is my favorite. I just like...connect with Kaladin so deeply. I feel so invested in his sections in particular. Love Kaladin.

I've read Elantris, Warbreaker, half of the currently available Stormlight Archive, Skyward, The Reckoners, and some of his novellas. I've tried reading the original Mistborn trilogy, which a lot of fans laud as their favorite of his work, but I couldn't get into it. I tried twice, once in print and once in audio and both times I was underwhelmed and stopped after only a couple of chapters. I really want to read Mistborn era 2 (which is like a 1940s western diesel punk type thing?) because it sounds more interesting than the original but I'm worried I won't understand enough background. I'll have to ask Miriam. She's read everything and can tell me whether I'll miss anything big if I go straight to the second series. It's set something like 300 years later, so maybe I'll be fine.

[Mara=^.^=]

The Stormlight Archive is hands down my favorite adult fantasy, ever. I've read the first two books twice (once on my own, once with Tim), and I've read the novella Edgedancer once on my own, and Tim and I will listen to it soon together before we start the third Stormlight book.

 

My friend Sarah LOVES the first two books — she's been trying to get me to read the series for months, but I ended up grabbing Skyward first because I'm lazy and it was sitting right there

I'm wondering if I should switch to audiobook, though, just to save myself the eye strain.

 

 

~*Mara*~ = ^.^ =

[SweeneyxxTodd]

The audio books are amazing. I definitely recommend them.

Edit: also, there are several novellas/novelettes that are set in the shared Cosmere universe that might be easier to tackle than Stormlight, since they're shorter. The Emperor's Soul, set in the Elantris work but pretty far removed plotwise, and Shadows for Silence in the Forests of Hell, which I feel life is appropriately poopy for an October read. And some other novellas that are unrelated that are fun, like Perfect State and Snapshot. I really like Snapshot in particular.

[Mara=^.^=]

 

WOW is this book good. Is this even the same author? Sanderson is REALLY in his element with epic fantasy. I haven't read a book that felt this big, this sweeping, since I read Lord of the Rings in middle school. The setting is wonderfully strange, and even though the plot and world-building unfurl slowly, the text never drags.

Kaladin is the platonic ideal of the underdog hero. How can you not love the man? Dalinar is great, Sadeas is a right proper piece of shit, Jasnah is fascinating...I could go on. The only reason I'm not giving it 5 stars is because Sanderson is trying way too hard with some of Shallan's quips. He's much better at sincerity and inscrutability than he is at witty repartée. It feels forced.

4.5 Stars.

P.S. Dalinar and Navani. I have never seen two 50-year-olds more consumed by lust for each other. Hilarious. I ship it
 

[Katia11]

I'm so glad you enjoyed this more! it's on my tbr. I always hear Sanderson in conversations about epic fantasy. Like always. So, I've been a little hesitant to engage. But both Mary and you obviously enjoyed this one, so maybe I'll give it a try!

 

Although the page count is a bit daunting. Oofta.

[Mara=^.^=]

But both Mary and you obviously enjoyed this one, so maybe I'll give it a try!

The friendship vetting strategy!
 

Although the page count is a bit daunting. Oofta.

 
1100 page pdf. And the next one in the series is 1300 pages. o_O

I can usually burn through a standard length novel in a single day, but these books are a commitment.
 
 
~*Mara*~ = ^.^ =

[JimmyxxCindy4EVER]

The friendship vetting strategy!
 

 
1100 page pdf. And the next one in the series is 1300 pages. o_O
 
 
~*Mara*~ = ^.^ =

Puking PLUTO!!! When I'm really invested in a book, I usually don't mind it being around a few hundred pages long or so, as long as it's done right, but wow!! Both 1100 and 1300?! Even if I was interested in trying that series, I don't know if I could stay committed to something that arduously long... No offense to any of you, though...

[SweeneyxxTodd]

Although the page count is a bit daunting. Oofta.

 

Haha yeah that's why I went audiobook for this series. I read Elantris and Warbreaker in physical form, but The Way of Kings was so large and heavy that I couldn't comfortably fit it in my purse that I took to and from work, and holding it up for long periods made my arms tired. So audiobook it was. And I definitely recommend! Such a good performance.

[SweeneyxxTodd]

 

P.S. Dalinar and Navani. I have never seen two 50-year-olds more consumed by lust for each other. Hilarious. I ship it

 

hahahaha yeah. I liked it when I first read it, but now that I myself am a mom and have been through the whole insecure-about-my-postpartum-body thing...the idea that you can be a mother AND middle-aged and still be considered beautiful and have some dude think you're the sexiest fucking thing to walk the planet is like...really inspiring? lol 

[Mara=^.^=]

Haha yeah that's why I went audiobook for this series. I read Elantris and Warbreaker in physical form, but The Way of Kings was so large and heavy that I couldn't comfortably fit it in my purse that I took to and from work, and holding it up for long periods made my arms tired. So audiobook it was. And I definitely recommend! Such a good performance.

 

I tried the audiobook first, but there were too many names, and I couldn't keep track of who was who or what was what. I'm the kind of person who needs to see a strange word spelled out to really hold it in my mind and make sense of it.

~*Mara*~ = ^.^ =