[Aptorian]

Chapter 40.

Well here I am complaining about Kinch and then

Spoiler

He gets fucking told by the tattooed assassin. Damn right. Back on track.

This post has been edited by Aptorian: 13 January 2022 - 05:39 PM

[Aptorian]

Ending of chapter 47.

Spoiler

Well that was a stupid way to die. Poor Malk.

Though, there was no body or corpse, so he could be alive for story reasons.

[JPK]

Aptorian, on 13 January 2022 - 04:44 PM, said:

Spoiler

Goblins seem cool though.

Chapter 39:

Spoiler

Goblins seem terrifying. I think the opening of chapter 39 highlights just how bad they are. "Sure they ate a disgusting old man and almost ate you but if you tell anyone we're gonna disappear you in particularly nasty ways..." I like the political world-building behind that.

I do agree that the story has meandered a bit, but I think it was the better way to deal with him "running out of luck" instead of having it just randomly come up mid-battle.

[Tiste Simeon]

Oh man that tug of war scene was nasty haha

[Aptorian]

Chapter 54!

Giants! I love giants!

[JPK]

I finished this morning. I'm in for book 2.

Spoiler

The magicians in this are scary as fuck. I could have done without the "I am your father... maybe" plotline though. I like Kinch enough without him having to be a super special descendant. It's going to be interesting seeing how this develops in the future now that's he's gone and royally pissed off the Takers.

I also agree with you Apt, that was not the ending I expected for Malk and with no body, I expect he'll be back.

I think the best parts of this were the non-human races.

[Aptorian]

JPK, on 14 January 2022 - 07:27 PM, said:

I finished this morning. I'm in for book 2.

Spoiler

The magicians in this are scary as fuck. I could have done without the "I am your father... maybe" plotline though. I like Kinch enough without him having to be a super special descendant. It's going to be interesting seeing how this develops in the future now that's he's gone and royally pissed off the Takers.

I also agree with you Apt, that was not the ending I expected for Malk and with no body, I expect he'll be back.

I think the best parts of this were the non-human races.

Finished the book last night.

Is it weird to say that I liked the book a lot despite not liking the overall story? I feel like the story consists far too much of chapters and scenes I'd describe as "this happened and then this happened but then this happened" instead of feeling like reading an adventure building towards a climax, a clear through line, it all felt happenstance.

Like the last chapters is just:

Spoiler

The thief found out the Queen was in Takers hideout, but then they moved her and they followed them and found the baddies dead in a cave and stuff was discovered that was the end of the beginning.

Not very satisfying for my tastes.

I'd also argue that in terms of character evolution and story set-up, I think the pay off of Kinch "betraying" his evil guild would have been more engrossing if there'd been a prior book where there's a more established relationship with the Taker's Guild and a host of shady characters.

Like, I didn't know this Yellow Robed Full Shadow leader of the Taker's Guild. I have no measurement of the characters power or importance beyond hints by a low level thief.

But still a really cool book lots of great characters, unique takes on traditional fantasy elements, love the way magic works, like JPK states the others races and creatures are awesome.

I'll definitely be buying book two assuming the series is successful.

Also:

Spoiler

That dude clearly fucked Kinch for the information.

This post has been edited by Aptorian: 15 January 2022 - 09:34 AM

[Tiste Simeon]

Finished today. What a refreshing, hilarious and engrossing book. Kinch is one of my favourite characters in recent times and his sardonic observations made me chuckle lots.

Spoiler

I really liked how powerful and evil and pervasive the Takers turned out to be. Like this whole thing about horses all the way through and a major reason to hate the goblins. And now it's likely that the Takers did it? Great set up for the next one!

[Aptorian]

Spoiler

Not only did the Taker's probably now about and use the plague. As I understand it they have a piggy bank of horses, that they tattooed on to that giant. Meaning they could restart the Horse population if they wanted to.

[Tiste Simeon]

Aptorian, on 17 January 2022 - 08:24 PM, said:

Spoiler

Not only did the Taker's probably now about and use the plague. As I understand it they have a piggy bank of horses, that they tattooed on to that giant. Meaning they could restart the Horse population if they wanted to.

Yes that's what it seemed they could do.

Spoiler

Incidentally I LOVE the idea of using tattoos for written magic (e.g. like glyphs) and the murder alphabet is a fantastic idea!

[Abyss]

Ch 58...

Spoiler

"...and... I still can't believe it... we charged the fuckin' giants."


YES

[Abyss]

Done.
Loved it.

Here's why:

Spoiler

Great lead - Kinch is a fantastic 'charming rogue', confident in his skills, knows his weaknesses, yet very very human. He opens the story in a vulnerable place, desperate to pay back a debt to his guild and having no way to do so despite his skills.

Great supporting cast - Havra was just a treat to read... her skills, her honor, the weird rules she followed sometimes, the MASSIVE UNDEAD PREDATORY CROW SHE KEPT IN HER BODY. The stallion staff was just a bonus and also a great magic item. The rest of the cast were fun, vulnerable, and again engaging and human all at once and notably, changed thru the story. Even Kinch's childhood bully Malc became likeable and then lunch and then a fascinating voice in his head. Even minimal characters like the port mistress or Kinch's former fellow bandits got great little moments.

The writing. Honestly, this was just brilliant....

Quote

“Shall we journey East together?"
She considered me. "What will you do for me?"
"It's what we'll do for each other."
"So tell me."

"I'll watch while you sleep. Sleep while you watch. I'll lie to you when it doesn't matter, but I'll also lie for you when it does. If you let me do the talking, I'll make sure you miss the penny-cock with the pizzle-itch and get the best wine in the merchant's barrel. You'll never again meet a door you can't get through nor a wall you can't get eyes over. I need your arms, yes, but you need my nose. If you do the worst of the fighting, I'll make sure you know where your foes are coming from and cull the weak ones. I won't be your dog, but if you are half the wolf I think you are, you've found a fox to run with.”

The action was very well written, visceral and fast and fun when it needed to be. Kinch jumping the balista bolt was hysterical, the team charging the giants was riveting, etc.

The world... i liked the setting, the aftermath of the Goblin wars, minimal men, no horses, kingdoms desperate to hold onto peace. Even the magic, nicely weird, not a total deus ex.

So yah, great book, will absolutely grab the next one.

[Macros]

70 odd pages in, I both like and dislike it.

Fun dialogue and interesting world etc
Really dislike the money and constant comparing of different coins and what they're worth, I don't care, and never do, just give them gold and silver.


I'd say he's definitely a DnD man, character generation sheets and all

[Macros]

Finished it.

Liked it despite not liking it.

I think, dare I say it, I'm on a similar page to apt, a lot of the book felt frustrating, but also a lot was awesome.
Great characters, weak plot in places but a nice solid payoff.

Will probably read book 2

Loved the personal note at the very end about Luther the cat

[Aptorian]

Mods can move this thread to the Book Club subforum when they want.

[Gwynn ap Nudd]

Finished this today, well after the book club, but thought I would put my thoughts here instead of the reading at the moment thread. As others have said above, I liked it and didn't like. I will most likely read the next book.

I liked Kinch, Galva and Norrigan as characters, and the world building in general. I do agree that the Takers seem over strong. Enjoyed most of the humour. The dialogue was one of the books main strengths, but the frequency of dialogue and interaction between characters in general fell off later in the book which was too bad.

Spoiler

For example, after the pull I don't think Yorbez was even mentioned again until breakfast just before leaving the dude with the amped up Baba Yoga's hut, even though she was travelling with them the entire time. Her death was kind of a meh moment, whereas if there were more interactions with the main characters it may have meant something.

This post has been edited by Gwynn ap Nudd: 27 August 2022 - 05:19 AM