Solid and satisfying ending to a well-thought out, alternate reality, political thriller fantasy. Some of the writing near the end felt rushed. SometiSolid and satisfying ending to a well-thought out, alternate reality, political thriller fantasy. Some of the writing near the end felt rushed. Sometimes I couldn't tell who the "he" or "she" was that a character was looking at and the previous paragraph didn't provide the right clues. Ultimately, the character and plot strength won. Great finale for Crowley's debut trilogy....more
The magically-focused political thriller continues, along with an exploration of morality, ethics, disguised identities, intentions, and more. First hThe magically-focused political thriller continues, along with an exploration of morality, ethics, disguised identities, intentions, and more. First half felt a little slow; not sure we needed to spend that much time with "Plan B." I loved the irony of the name, btw. Second half made up for it at a roaring pace, though! Very curious to see how this trilogy ends, which says a lot because I generally dislike series and sequels....more
I read this back when it was first published as a teenager, and I enjoyed it as much as I did then. Jena Gemcutter, shy and afraid of causing offense I read this back when it was first published as a teenager, and I enjoyed it as much as I did then. Jena Gemcutter, shy and afraid of causing offense or trouble, takes a surprise journey of self-discovery and magical abilities. Perhaps because I've been marginalized myself, I appreciated that the book doesn't end with her winning everything she wants, the way she wants. Jena is left with personal battles to wage and decisions to make, even while the main plot of the story has concluded. And so refreshing that her magic doesn't include romance! This is a true coming of age story, with politics and intuition playing a heavy part....more
This book was a tough read, mainly for its subject rather than production value or anything. I chose this book as research for a novella I'm working oThis book was a tough read, mainly for its subject rather than production value or anything. I chose this book as research for a novella I'm working on; I needed to know what the homefront in Ohio was like during the Civil War.
This book, a collection of speeches, articles, and letters to and from the battlefield, did just that. This book, better than any other I've found, focuses on how conflicted Ohio happened to be, despite having volunteered the most soldiers to the Union Army of any Union state. We read about fathers against Lincoln, and sons for Lincoln. We read about men who went to war supporting the Union, but not Lincoln. We read about mothers asking their sons and husbands to be safe, and then read in the footnote the recipient died before the letter got there. We read about the Great Debate of slavery, and how and why Ohioans should or shouldn't care.
By the end of the book, I felt quite anxious, actually. The book begins about a decade before the war, setting up politics and the like, and ends a decade after the war, where we read speeches that show how the American memory is already rewriting history to seem more grand, more noble in motivation, than the actual war was in living it.
All in all, a great resource that I've marked and annotated thoroughly.
I want to have brain children with Brandon Sanderson. Every single one of his books has kept me up past reasonable and unreasonable hours, turning pagI want to have brain children with Brandon Sanderson. Every single one of his books has kept me up past reasonable and unreasonable hours, turning pages feverishly wondering what is going to happen next and will I figure it out before the characters.
Mistborn is no exception, and same with its sequel, The Well of Ascension. I can't wait to pick up The Hero of Ages....more
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