2018 Reviews Week 4
January 22nd- 28th, 2018
Book 12: Seventh Decimate (The Great God's War #1)
by Stephen R. Donaldson
Read by Scott Brick
Listened to January 20th- 22nd
📚📚📚
What made this story better for me was the audio reading of it by Scott Brick. The world that Stephen R. Donaldson created in this book was quite interesting and it made me want to keep listening to it. There could have been so much more though especially with descriptions. I never once had a clear vision of what I assumed was a rich world from what little we got. This book could have benefited with more visuals, details on the actual world, and better fleshed out characters. Basically, the world building is subpar and never fully drew me into this story or world.
With Scott Brick's powerful narration, he carries the tale of Prince Bifalt. The realms of Belleger and Amika have been at war for centuries. Sorcerers on both sides are leading the battles with the use of Decimates, natural substances that enhance their power. The prince was chosen to go on a quest to find the book of the seventh Decimate to save his father’s land.
With Scott Brick's powerful narration, he carries the tale of Prince Bifalt. The realms of Belleger and Amika have been at war for centuries. Sorcerers on both sides are leading the battles with the use of Decimates, natural substances that enhance their power. The prince was chosen to go on a quest to find the book of the seventh Decimate to save his father’s land.
Brick creates a distinct voice for each character, with the prince having the most development. He not only reflects every fault of the prince but also his overall agency. I just wish that I could have related to one character or was able to know more about them. Each is quite bland with Bifalt being the only one with any depth. Not much of one though. It just does not feel like this book was fleshed out as much as it could have been. Brick does a great job narrating what he was given to read.
The first half of the book is very slow and the second half picks up. I believe that this book had a great premise and an interesting enough delivery. Really, I just wanted so much more from this than what I got.
* I received this for free for an honest review *
Book 13: Soulwind by Scott Morse
Will be published February 6th, 2018
Read January 24th
📚📚📚📚📚
~ A Short Synopsis ~
A complex tale going between the story of a young boy who is transported across the universe trying to get the legendary sword Soulwind, an old woman who is somehow connected to him trying to figure out what has happened to her son, and another young boy who somehow is given the sword. One sword connects each story together. With a mixture of ancient myths, classic fairy tales, and a futuristic adventure throughout the universe, each part combines to create a very unique and intriguing tale. It will keep the reader guessing what will happen next.
~ Writing Style
This was one of the most interestingly laid out stories that I have ever read in a graphic novel. There are three main pieces of this story that I mentioned above. Throughout the entire plot, the story jumps back and forth between each of these elements. At first, this feels a bit disjointed but as you continue to get more and more pieces to the story, they flow together flawlessly. It takes some time to figure out what is actually going on in this story but once you do it really comes together so well. This helps the mystery continue on throughout a good portion of the plot with the reader able to use each piece. The way that the author has combined both fantastical elements along with the science fiction fits perfectly with the story.
~ The Art, Lettering, and Coloring ~
The art fits along perfectly with the style of the writing and also the plot. Each of the different subplots is illustrated in a different way that fits the story that is being told along with them. Also, the black and white illustrations keep it subtle and simplistic. The style changes a bit for each of the parts but still feels like it connects so well together as a whole. We start in a monastery with a little boy trying to figure out why the monks don’t like him having objects. He eventually finds a sword in the water. For these sections, there is a very minimalist style. Then we get pulled to another story with cartoony animals, primates, robots, and a boy who are all searching for a sword. Then there are the scenes with the older woman that seem to have both a whimsical style but also somewhat of a minimalistic style. Each of these gets switched between by page or by groups of pages. You never know where or how the story is going to go but that adds to the story as a whole.
~ Final Thoughts ~
Overall, I felt like this was a creative tale that stood out with its intricate plot, beautiful illustrations, fascinating characters, and a great mixture of fantasy and science fiction. If you like books with the chosen one but are much more complex than that you would probably be interested in this. Scott Morse created a story that resembles an ancient myth but that also feels modern in its storytelling. I highly recommend this.
* I received this for free for an honest review *
Book 14: Pyramids by Terry Pratchett
Read January 26th- 27th
📚📚📚📚📚
The seventh novel and the first individual story in the Discworld series that is not part of a subseries. You can read this book on its own if you would like. I do recommend reading the rest of the series because you may miss out on the jokes. I have done reviews for the other Discworld books and will link them below for you to look at if you would like. I recommend this series to anyone.
Terry Pratchett's Discworld
Synopsis
It focuses on the prince and then king, Teppic of the kingdom of Djelibeybi, basically the Discworld's equivalent of Ancient Egypt. Teppic spends the novel trying to figure out how to be the next pharaoh, though he has some problems because he was trained in Ankh-Morpork's assassins' school. The first task of his is to make the most suitable resting place for his father, the largest pyramid ever. Even though their country is penniless. Then he has to deal with an insane priest who has been pulling the strings behind the kings for a long time.
Characters
Teppic:
At the age of twelve, Teppic is taken to the famed Assassins' Guild to be trained by the best. The god-to-be was excited when he was first sent there for seven years of his education. He also was having a lot of fun in his classes and learning from everything around him in the city of Ankh-Morpork. That was until he was actually expected to kill someone. Before he can even do the deed, he finds out from a dream that his father has died. He is then summoned home to take over as the ruler of his kingdom and to make the sun rise and stuff like that.
Teppic is one of my favorite of Terry Pratchett's characters so far. He's the first pharaoh in a line of over one thousand to ever question Dios at all, which sounds very absurd (but that's the point). I really liked the dynamic of him being taught outside of the kingdom and learning about modern advances, such as plumbing. It really is a cultural shock for him when he goes to the Assassin's Guild because of just how backward the kingdom actually is. That's all because of dear old Dios, the high priest. A lot of his interactions as a pharaoh with his citizens are forced and contrived by Dios to make him seem more god-like. I thought it was quite a clever way of playing around with the ancient myths and these beliefs. Everyone in their kingdom believes the pharaohs to be doing these acts but in all reality, there is a sincere really old man behind them.
Dios:
:origin()/pre00/5e4f/th/pre/i/2012/002/f/b/dios_by_osmatar-d4f6879.jpg)
The high priest who has been "interpreting" everything for the kings that have been ruling for thousands of years. He never ages and is always there not letting any of the laws or anything else change along the way. Basically, he is the ruler. He has created this facade for the kings to make them seem like they are gods when really it's all in his own mind. Dios is quite insane in his actions.
Probably one of the most annoying, unlikeable, and humorous characters from the series. Dios has kept the kingdom of Djelibeybi backward for thousands of years. I enjoyed watching his conniving nature and what he actually pulled throughout this entire book. It was quite comical. Teppic would say something and then he would "translate" what he was saying. Every time it was the exact opposite thing.
Favorite Parts
Ending Thoughts
I really loved the world that Terry created in this book and I hope that we will see this kingdom again in another one of the books. It would be interesting to see what happens after the ending, which I thought was perfect. All in all, this was another favorite in the series. I love the absurd humor that flows throughout this entire book and the rest of the Discworld series. It has become one of my favorite examples of British humor in Literature. I can't get enough of this series and cannot recommend it enough.
Book 13: Soulwind by Scott Morse
Will be published February 6th, 2018
Read January 24th
📚📚📚📚📚
~ A Short Synopsis ~
A complex tale going between the story of a young boy who is transported across the universe trying to get the legendary sword Soulwind, an old woman who is somehow connected to him trying to figure out what has happened to her son, and another young boy who somehow is given the sword. One sword connects each story together. With a mixture of ancient myths, classic fairy tales, and a futuristic adventure throughout the universe, each part combines to create a very unique and intriguing tale. It will keep the reader guessing what will happen next.
~ Writing Style
This was one of the most interestingly laid out stories that I have ever read in a graphic novel. There are three main pieces of this story that I mentioned above. Throughout the entire plot, the story jumps back and forth between each of these elements. At first, this feels a bit disjointed but as you continue to get more and more pieces to the story, they flow together flawlessly. It takes some time to figure out what is actually going on in this story but once you do it really comes together so well. This helps the mystery continue on throughout a good portion of the plot with the reader able to use each piece. The way that the author has combined both fantastical elements along with the science fiction fits perfectly with the story.
~ The Art, Lettering, and Coloring ~
The art fits along perfectly with the style of the writing and also the plot. Each of the different subplots is illustrated in a different way that fits the story that is being told along with them. Also, the black and white illustrations keep it subtle and simplistic. The style changes a bit for each of the parts but still feels like it connects so well together as a whole. We start in a monastery with a little boy trying to figure out why the monks don’t like him having objects. He eventually finds a sword in the water. For these sections, there is a very minimalist style. Then we get pulled to another story with cartoony animals, primates, robots, and a boy who are all searching for a sword. Then there are the scenes with the older woman that seem to have both a whimsical style but also somewhat of a minimalistic style. Each of these gets switched between by page or by groups of pages. You never know where or how the story is going to go but that adds to the story as a whole.
~ Final Thoughts ~
Overall, I felt like this was a creative tale that stood out with its intricate plot, beautiful illustrations, fascinating characters, and a great mixture of fantasy and science fiction. If you like books with the chosen one but are much more complex than that you would probably be interested in this. Scott Morse created a story that resembles an ancient myth but that also feels modern in its storytelling. I highly recommend this.
* I received this for free for an honest review *
Book 14: Pyramids by Terry Pratchett
Read January 26th- 27th
📚📚📚📚📚
The seventh novel and the first individual story in the Discworld series that is not part of a subseries. You can read this book on its own if you would like. I do recommend reading the rest of the series because you may miss out on the jokes. I have done reviews for the other Discworld books and will link them below for you to look at if you would like. I recommend this series to anyone.
Terry Pratchett's Discworld
Synopsis
It focuses on the prince and then king, Teppic of the kingdom of Djelibeybi, basically the Discworld's equivalent of Ancient Egypt. Teppic spends the novel trying to figure out how to be the next pharaoh, though he has some problems because he was trained in Ankh-Morpork's assassins' school. The first task of his is to make the most suitable resting place for his father, the largest pyramid ever. Even though their country is penniless. Then he has to deal with an insane priest who has been pulling the strings behind the kings for a long time.
Characters
Teppic:
At the age of twelve, Teppic is taken to the famed Assassins' Guild to be trained by the best. The god-to-be was excited when he was first sent there for seven years of his education. He also was having a lot of fun in his classes and learning from everything around him in the city of Ankh-Morpork. That was until he was actually expected to kill someone. Before he can even do the deed, he finds out from a dream that his father has died. He is then summoned home to take over as the ruler of his kingdom and to make the sun rise and stuff like that.
Teppic is one of my favorite of Terry Pratchett's characters so far. He's the first pharaoh in a line of over one thousand to ever question Dios at all, which sounds very absurd (but that's the point). I really liked the dynamic of him being taught outside of the kingdom and learning about modern advances, such as plumbing. It really is a cultural shock for him when he goes to the Assassin's Guild because of just how backward the kingdom actually is. That's all because of dear old Dios, the high priest. A lot of his interactions as a pharaoh with his citizens are forced and contrived by Dios to make him seem more god-like. I thought it was quite a clever way of playing around with the ancient myths and these beliefs. Everyone in their kingdom believes the pharaohs to be doing these acts but in all reality, there is a sincere really old man behind them.
Dios:
The high priest who has been "interpreting" everything for the kings that have been ruling for thousands of years. He never ages and is always there not letting any of the laws or anything else change along the way. Basically, he is the ruler. He has created this facade for the kings to make them seem like they are gods when really it's all in his own mind. Dios is quite insane in his actions.
Probably one of the most annoying, unlikeable, and humorous characters from the series. Dios has kept the kingdom of Djelibeybi backward for thousands of years. I enjoyed watching his conniving nature and what he actually pulled throughout this entire book. It was quite comical. Teppic would say something and then he would "translate" what he was saying. Every time it was the exact opposite thing.
Favorite Parts
1. The camel name You Bastard: Each of the camels mentioned in the book had a name similar to this, basically named after a phrase that humans use for them. In You Bastard's case, get going you bastard. You Bastard is a genius camel and the greatest mathematician on the disc (Discworld). Actually, all camels are vastly intelligent animals (at least in the Discworld) but are thought of to be stupid because they take too long to do things. The camel was doing Quantum mechanics in his head during many scenes. This was one of the most absurd and most entertaining scenes that I have ever read in my entire life.
“The fact is that camels are far more intelligent than dolphins. They are so much brighter that they soon realised that the most prudent thing any intelligent animal can do, if it would prefer its descendants not to spend a lot of time on a slab with electrodes clamped to their brains or sticking mines on the bottom of ships or being patronized rigid by zoologists, is to make bloody certain humans don't find out about it. So they long ago plumped for a lifestyle that, in return for a certain amount of porterage and being prodded with sticks, allowed them adequate food and grooming and the chance to spit in a human's eye and get away with it.”
― Terry Pratchett, Pyramids (This quote made me think of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams).
2. The long title that Dios recites every single time he mentions the pharaohs: During any time he mentions Teppic, Dios recites the same long title that I have quoted below. Each time it gets funnier especially with Teppic's reactions to it.
“His Greatness the King Teppicymon XXVIII, Lord of the Heavens, Charioteer of the Wagon of the Sun, Steersman of the Barque of the Sun, Guardian of the Secret Knowledge, Lord of the Horizon, Keeper of the Way, the Flail of Mercy, the High Born One, the Never-Dying King.”- Terry Pratchett, Pyramids
3. The Ghost of Teppicamon XVII (Teppic's father): Teppic's father is probably my favorite character in this book right below Teppic and You Bastard. I really enjoyed watching him complain about the pyramid and him trying to get everyone to listen to him. It was quite enjoyable.
4. The play on the Sphinx riddle: One final part that I really enjoyed from this book was Teppic and the Sphinx's scene. I won't spoil the genius of this scene here but it is one of the best in this book and any of Terry Pratchett's books. Loved it.
Ending Thoughts
I really loved the world that Terry created in this book and I hope that we will see this kingdom again in another one of the books. It would be interesting to see what happens after the ending, which I thought was perfect. All in all, this was another favorite in the series. I love the absurd humor that flows throughout this entire book and the rest of the Discworld series. It has become one of my favorite examples of British humor in Literature. I can't get enough of this series and cannot recommend it enough.
No comments:
Post a Comment