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josiah17's reviews
246 reviews
Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry
challenging
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Well, that's finally done. Unfortunately a very lackluster reading experience as a whole due to several factors, including this tiresome book. But it is still solid. McMurtry's writing is nice and the characters are good, albeit extremely irritatingly sexist and racist thanks to 19th century Texas. Clara—the only respectfully written female character—in particular felt like the saving grace of this book as it admittedly became more grueling to read. But the last 150 pages was quite enjoyable and wraps up things nicely. I really liked Newt too and the banter between Gus and Call was great.
On a reread, perhaps I would like this book more when I'm not in a slump. But I'm extremely doubtful I'll ever try a reread. Altogether, a good book, but SEVERELY overhyped and frustrating.
On a reread, perhaps I would like this book more when I'm not in a slump. But I'm extremely doubtful I'll ever try a reread. Altogether, a good book, but SEVERELY overhyped and frustrating.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexual content, Violence, and Blood
All Systems Red by Martha Wells
Me too Murderbot, me too.
Murderbot truly is the extremely introverted and socially-awkward killing robot everyone says it is. So relatable on several levels. The plot didn't really do anything for me but it was fun nonetheless and I'll continue the series.
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
"I liked the imaginary people on the entertainment feed way more than I liked real ones, but you can’t have one without the other."
Me too Murderbot, me too.
Murderbot truly is the extremely introverted and socially-awkward killing robot everyone says it is. So relatable on several levels. The plot didn't really do anything for me but it was fun nonetheless and I'll continue the series.
Hyperion by Dan Simmons
challenging
dark
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Well, I was really hoping I'd love this book, but I didn't. I did come to like it in the end, but it was still mostly a mixed bag for me.
Dan Simmons has good prose, but the execution of his writing ultimately lacked something that couldn't allow me to feel immersed enough throughout portions of the book. Part of that is his lack of description when it comes to the super futuristic technology and terminology he's created.
The book is also structured in a way that I didn't expect. It's essentially broken into 6 different tales with an overarching narrative that sorta pulls them together.
In order, The Priest's Tale kicked things off in a fascinating manner. The beginning of the tal added to my sense of confusion from the beginning of the novel where the overarching plot is introduced. But the end of the story left me wanting to explore more of this intriguing religion and the world of Hyperion.
The second tale was The Soldier's Tale. This one followed a military soldier of Palestinian descent (awesome!!!) who falls in love with a mysterious woman he meats during a training simulation. A lot of the futuristic technology and weaponry is present in this tale, so I unfortunately the tale suffered from a lack of imagery and detail to me. But it has a really solid twist at the end which had me quite shocked.
Next was The Poet's Tale, which was somewhat interesting and presented more intrigue regarding Hyperion and the Shrike. Just solid altogether, with a good ending especially.
Now, the following tale was truly exceptional. The Scholar's Tale was such a a brilliant stretch of writing. Completely emotionally gut-wrenching. I thought it was perfect, and almost makes this book reading just to experience that story.
The fifth story was The Detective's Story. Nothing outstanding. And actually pretty weird. A woman falling in love with an AI inhabiting the body of a human. Or at least I think that's what was going on. Pretty forgettable.
The final story was The Consul's Tale. A decent look at some of the oppression by the Hegemony, and another love story in a sense. The story ultimately provided a better look at the working factions of this fictional universe and the motivations and intentions of said factions. Or at least that's my perception. If you can't tell already, this book was definitely confusing and overwhelming.
I'm still glad I read this book even if it didn't live up to the hype. Perhaps I could've set better expectations for myself had I know the structure of the book. Anyways, decent read. I can see why people like it, but I won't be reading more of the Hyperion series.
Dan Simmons has good prose, but the execution of his writing ultimately lacked something that couldn't allow me to feel immersed enough throughout portions of the book. Part of that is his lack of description when it comes to the super futuristic technology and terminology he's created.
The book is also structured in a way that I didn't expect. It's essentially broken into 6 different tales with an overarching narrative that sorta pulls them together.
In order, The Priest's Tale kicked things off in a fascinating manner. The beginning of the tal added to my sense of confusion from the beginning of the novel where the overarching plot is introduced. But the end of the story left me wanting to explore more of this intriguing religion and the world of Hyperion.
The second tale was The Soldier's Tale. This one followed a military soldier of Palestinian descent (awesome!!!) who falls in love with a mysterious woman he meats during a training simulation. A lot of the futuristic technology and weaponry is present in this tale, so I unfortunately the tale suffered from a lack of imagery and detail to me. But it has a really solid twist at the end which had me quite shocked.
Next was The Poet's Tale, which was somewhat interesting and presented more intrigue regarding Hyperion and the Shrike. Just solid altogether, with a good ending especially.
Now, the following tale was truly exceptional. The Scholar's Tale was such a a brilliant stretch of writing. Completely emotionally gut-wrenching. I thought it was perfect, and almost makes this book reading just to experience that story.
The fifth story was The Detective's Story. Nothing outstanding. And actually pretty weird. A woman falling in love with an AI inhabiting the body of a human. Or at least I think that's what was going on. Pretty forgettable.
The final story was The Consul's Tale. A decent look at some of the oppression by the Hegemony, and another love story in a sense. The story ultimately provided a better look at the working factions of this fictional universe and the motivations and intentions of said factions. Or at least that's my perception. If you can't tell already, this book was definitely confusing and overwhelming.
I'm still glad I read this book even if it didn't live up to the hype. Perhaps I could've set better expectations for myself had I know the structure of the book. Anyways, decent read. I can see why people like it, but I won't be reading more of the Hyperion series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Sexual content, and Violence
Moderate: Body horror
Priest of Crowns by Peter McLean
Great conclusion to a well-written grimdark fantasy series. In the moment of reading the final 50 pages or so, I had thought Tomas's schemes were coming together perhaps too easily. And I partially maintain that perspective. However, in reflection, this book is simply more about spotlighting who Tomas Piety is revealed to be at his core. It's really about what people are willing to do for authority and power, and the cost of that. He's a very well-written, incredibly flawed character.
I had a great time with Tomas's memoirs. The final page wrapped the series up in such a beautifully tragic manner. I'm really going to miss McLean's vivid atmosphere and his perfected, distinct narrative voice for Tomas Piety. Fantastic stuff.
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
"An uncomfortable truth is an unwelcome one, by and large, and most people will choose comfort every time."
Great conclusion to a well-written grimdark fantasy series. In the moment of reading the final 50 pages or so, I had thought Tomas's schemes were coming together perhaps too easily. And I partially maintain that perspective. However, in reflection, this book is simply more about spotlighting who Tomas Piety is revealed to be at his core. It's really about what people are willing to do for authority and power, and the cost of that. He's a very well-written, incredibly flawed character.
"I was on the way to getting everything I wanted, but at what cost?"
I had a great time with Tomas's memoirs. The final page wrapped the series up in such a beautifully tragic manner. I'm really going to miss McLean's vivid atmosphere and his perfected, distinct narrative voice for Tomas Piety. Fantastic stuff.
"Look at me, Ma.
Please, look at me."
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Gore, Torture, and Blood
Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, Deluxe Edition 2 by Hayao Miyazaki
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
What an incredible story. Encompasses so many highs and lows, hope and despair. It especially doesn't shy away from death and humanity's faults. Nausicaä's qualities of resilience, compassion, and selflessness are even more admirable and impactful because of this. Miyazaki truly is a master of storytelling.
This being my first manga means I don't exactly have a basis of comparison regarding writing quality and whatnot within the medium. But I'm certain it's going to be hard to top this extraordinary tale. Breathtaking art too. I love Nausicaä so much. One of the most insirpational characters I've come across in fiction. I'm gonna revisit this manga many times in the future.
This being my first manga means I don't exactly have a basis of comparison regarding writing quality and whatnot within the medium. But I'm certain it's going to be hard to top this extraordinary tale. Breathtaking art too. I love Nausicaä so much. One of the most insirpational characters I've come across in fiction. I'm gonna revisit this manga many times in the future.
"Let us depart. No matter how difficult it is...we must live."
Priest of Gallows by Peter McLean
Another good read with this penultimate installment in the series setting the playing field for the final book. New levels of grimdark were explored here. Extreme treachery, hidden motivations, ruthless means, and tense politics. All of this carried over from the last book, and maybe executed a little better. I really like McLean's clear and consice style of writing. There's no fluff, he just gives you the important stuff and focuses on the moments and buildup to where things go down. It's just so immersive and atmospheric too. He captures this violent and unsteady environment perfectly with his tone and words.
I'm unsure how I feel about a part of the ending, but otherwise I'm pretty satisfied with the way this story has progressed. Stakes are quite high now, and Tomas Piety will do anything to prevent another Abingon.
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
"People may revere the idea of heroic veterans, but they very seldom have the time or charity for the broken, battle-shocked men and women that are the reality of what war produces."
Another good read with this penultimate installment in the series setting the playing field for the final book. New levels of grimdark were explored here. Extreme treachery, hidden motivations, ruthless means, and tense politics. All of this carried over from the last book, and maybe executed a little better. I really like McLean's clear and consice style of writing. There's no fluff, he just gives you the important stuff and focuses on the moments and buildup to where things go down. It's just so immersive and atmospheric too. He captures this violent and unsteady environment perfectly with his tone and words.
I'm unsure how I feel about a part of the ending, but otherwise I'm pretty satisfied with the way this story has progressed. Stakes are quite high now, and Tomas Piety will do anything to prevent another Abingon.
"Here comes the boggart to snip off your head,
Here comes a Queen's Man,
And you're better off dead"
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Torture, Violence, Blood, and Murder
Dynasty of Evil by Drew Karpyshyn
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.5
Took me 5 days to read this because I simply didn't want to. As soon as I read the first two chapters and could immediately tell this was going to be the worst of this already mid trilogy. I would've dnf'd if this wasn't the final book in the series. But I plowed through.
Ironically, this has a legitimate attempt at some nuance to characters by Karpyshyn. Except he can't execute it whatsoever because the writing remains superficial and it's paired with such a clunky, shallow and unimaginative plot.
And for whatever reason, Karpyshyn just decides to write third-person omniscient a few times when the entire series has been third-person limited? It was super jarring, seemed unnecessary, and just felt like another example of the poor writing quality throughout these books.
Simply not a good read whatsoever, capping off this underwhelming trilogy with further disappointment. A Sith like Darth Bane deserved better.
Ironically, this has a legitimate attempt at some nuance to characters by Karpyshyn. Except he can't execute it whatsoever because the writing remains superficial and it's paired with such a clunky, shallow and unimaginative plot.
And for whatever reason, Karpyshyn just decides to write third-person omniscient a few times when the entire series has been third-person limited? It was super jarring, seemed unnecessary, and just felt like another example of the poor writing quality throughout these books.
Simply not a good read whatsoever, capping off this underwhelming trilogy with further disappointment. A Sith like Darth Bane deserved better.
Priest of Lies by Peter McLean
Great sequel to Priest of Bones in almost every way, even though it's more of the same. The plot maintains a sense of the same repetition from the first book with Tomas Piety managing his gang. Almost slice of life kinda stuff, but simply very bleak and violent. However there's a good chunk that explores a different city and delivers some fantastic political intrigue. Lots of different variables introduced in this book throughout and the plot clearly begins to head in a grander direction.
I also felt the side characters were better written here. Particularly the primary side characters in Bloody Anne, Ailsa, Luka, and Billy. Especially Ailsa who Tomas spends majority of his time with. She's really a fascinating and incredibly intelligent individual. Billy is also simply fascinating with his gift of the cunning. And I must express how much I love Tomas Piety's narrative voice. I said it in my review of Priesr of Bones: he has such a distinct tone and execution of his perspective on the world. It feels so well-realized by McLean. He's a fantastic, and harrowing, main character.
I think really the writing as a whole was slightly improved. McLean has a way with describing the ambience of an environment and conniving motivations, partially due to how well he's set up the grim reality of this world. Although the prose remains a little repetitive in some cases with certain phrases and whatnot.
Ultimately a very enjoyable read. The scheming in this series is simply entertaining to read. Could bump this to a 4.5 in time. Really looking forward to seeing how the last two books play out.
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
"Vengeance is mine, sayeth Our Lady, and I am Her priest."
Great sequel to Priest of Bones in almost every way, even though it's more of the same. The plot maintains a sense of the same repetition from the first book with Tomas Piety managing his gang. Almost slice of life kinda stuff, but simply very bleak and violent. However there's a good chunk that explores a different city and delivers some fantastic political intrigue. Lots of different variables introduced in this book throughout and the plot clearly begins to head in a grander direction.
I also felt the side characters were better written here. Particularly the primary side characters in Bloody Anne, Ailsa, Luka, and Billy. Especially Ailsa who Tomas spends majority of his time with. She's really a fascinating and incredibly intelligent individual. Billy is also simply fascinating with his gift of the cunning. And I must express how much I love Tomas Piety's narrative voice. I said it in my review of Priesr of Bones: he has such a distinct tone and execution of his perspective on the world. It feels so well-realized by McLean. He's a fantastic, and harrowing, main character.
I think really the writing as a whole was slightly improved. McLean has a way with describing the ambience of an environment and conniving motivations, partially due to how well he's set up the grim reality of this world. Although the prose remains a little repetitive in some cases with certain phrases and whatnot.
Ultimately a very enjoyable read. The scheming in this series is simply entertaining to read. Could bump this to a 4.5 in time. Really looking forward to seeing how the last two books play out.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Violence, and Blood
Minor: Body horror
Rule of Two by Drew Karpyshyn
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
A smidge better than the first book perhaps? Still collecting my thoughts. Ultimately it's more of the same from the first book. Predictable, although less so with the ending which was actually pretty decent. The side characters are a little better here, probably because they receive some more POV's dedicated to introducing them and trying to flesh them out enough for their role in the narrative. But even then, this series still has almost no nuance to it. Character motivations are expressed so one-dimensionsal to me and Karpyshyn's writing once again feels very readable, but superficial.
Darth Zannah is a decent character I think, and she takes more of the spotlight here as Bane shapes her into his apprentice. But I thought she turned to the dark side wayyyyyy too easily regardless of being a child. It felt like her naivety was turned up several notches.
I do admit I was glad to visit Tython for a little bit, and there was a pretty solid battle that takes place there. I also appreciated more of the exploration with Sith Holocrons as Bane tries to learn how to create one himself and ensure the Sith are preserved for generations.
Altogether, this book is just fine I think. I still really wish this series was better written and had some more depth to it. It's unfortunate, but whatever.
Darth Zannah is a decent character I think, and she takes more of the spotlight here as Bane shapes her into his apprentice. But I thought she turned to the dark side wayyyyyy too easily regardless of being a child. It felt like her naivety was turned up several notches.
I do admit I was glad to visit Tython for a little bit, and there was a pretty solid battle that takes place there. I also appreciated more of the exploration with Sith Holocrons as Bane tries to learn how to create one himself and ensure the Sith are preserved for generations.
Altogether, this book is just fine I think. I still really wish this series was better written and had some more depth to it. It's unfortunate, but whatever.
Priest of Bones by Peter McLean
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
"When people have run out of food and hope and places to hide, do not be surprised if they have also run out of mercy."
Gang wars in a fantasy setting from the perspective of the boss, Tomas Piety. This is a solid book one to a series. It's certainly a setup book, and there's some monotony in the reconstruction of Piety's gang. But I enjoyed this enough and I will definitely continue the series.
The actual prose is decent overall, but the writing and structure as a whole makes this book so incredibly readable. I read it at such a quick pace while still digesting and retaining everything that was occurring. McLean also gives Tomas Piety such a distinctive narrative voice which I quite enjoyed. He's seen some stuff, and that's reflected through his view of the world and how he controls his gang. However, one downside to McLean's writing in first person, at least so far, is most of the side characters don't feel as fleshed out as they could be. Bloody Anne, Luka, and Ailsa were definitely the best written, and Jochan receives a bit of a backstory that makes you feel for him. I'm interested in Billy too, and his ability with the cunning (which is an intriguing and mysterious soft magic system). Otherwise there's not much to any of the other characters. It doesn't feel like it's awful writing, but just not as good as it could be. Although I do like the way Tomas interacts with his gang from his POV regardless of the their lack of development.
As for the world, it's grimdark alright. There's some nasty stuff Tomas encounters and discusses. There's the recent war of Abingon which Tomas and his gang are returning from, and it eternally resides in the back of Tomas's mind. It's clear how utterly horrifying the war was based on Tomas's own recounts of his friends actions and the PTSD (battle shock as its referred to) becoming visible in some of those who he served with. The gang violence itself is brutal too. Tomas doesn't hold back when taking back what's his, and he especially doesn't hold back if you cross him.
Overall, a good read. It's a very bleak and gritty book, but also extremely readable. I'm excited to check out the rest of the series because I believe it only gets better from here.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Gore, Rape, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail