Reading
You can view all the books I’ve read on StoryGraph. Below are the books that I’ve completed and written something about.
The Last Light of the Sun by Guy Gavriel Kay ★★★★☆: After reading several of Kay’s novels in a row, this one felt like the rare miss. I enjoyed the story and world building, but it didn’t feel like I built up or resolved anything. It was kind of a glimpse into the life, not really a well-unified epic story. I did enjoy the long-term impact of The Sarantine Mosaic in some side conversation of characters in the book.
Lord of Emperors (Sarantine Mosaic #2) by Guy Gavriel Kay ★★★★★: The back half of this novel really kept me on my toes; I couldn’t predict at all where we were going, and I loved it. As I’m finding more and more reading his back catalog, Kay’s ability to pull at emotional threads is unmatched; I’m sympathizing with the protagonists and antagonists alike!
Sailing to Sarantium (Sarantine Mosaic #1) by Guy Gavriel Kay ★★★★★: I’m finding the best part of the author’s writing is the room to breathe and establish ideas and inferences myself without being bashed over the head with the conclusion. From start to finish the first of this two-part series let me soak up the rich world-building and amusing characters. The time-jumps were a bit unexpected, but helped set the stage, and I can’t believe I moderately care about chariot racing.
A Song for Arbonne by Guy Gavriel Kay ★★★★★: Somehow the ending of this book made me truly feel for a side character we spent absolutely no time on. A wonderful look at decades-long cascading effects in a truly interesting setting and story.
The Culture Code by Daniel Coyle ★★☆☆☆: Full of tried-and-true retellings of the stories you’d expect, I felt like you could read Skunkworks or Creativity, Inc., and walk away with a better impression of the effective performance of some of the referenced companies.
The Darkest Road (Fionavar Tapestry #3) by Guy Gavriel Kay ★★★★★: Great resolution to the trilogy. It feels like every character got a great wrap-up, some happier than others, and the consistent threads throughout finalized wonderfully. Couldn’t put it down the last half or so.
The Wandering Fire (Fionavar Tapestry #2) by Guy Gavriel Kay ★★★★★: Getting a bit deeper into the Arthurian connections now. Definitely enjoying the series vs. book plot separation; doesn’t feel like too many intentionally broken plotlines. Love the plot twists and turns and the constant progression forward on top of the worldbuilding!
The Summer Tree (Fionavar Tapestry #1) by Guy Gavriel Kay ★★★★★: Rarely any small plot points that left me dreading their resolution; always forward momentum on the plot, even when time-jumping back to see another perspective. Fun world-building, great characters, but some really tough emotions at the end (as often in a Kay book).
A Veil of Spears (Song of Shattered Sands #3) by Bradley P. Beaulieu ★★★★☆: Consistently entertaining and unpredictable. Continuing the world building behind the Kings is interesting, and the different side-characters didn’t feel hollow. It does feel like the plot is elongated a bit too far, but I don’t mind.
System Collapse (Murderbot Diaries #7) by Martha Wells ★★★★☆: Surprisingly difficult to jump back into this series. After orienting myself, I enjoyed the pace and the action – and always the worldbuilding – but the story felt like it ended before it began. Perhaps we’ve reached the end of where Murderbot can go.