Fantasy Buddy Reads discussion

.

I'll probably join in for this read

I’m gonna try. Heard this is a good series

I'm here as promised. Hey group...✋

I hope y'all love this book as much as I did.

It looks pretty interesting and a little different than a lot of the stuff out there

How much time do we have for this read?

Hey everyone! I’m going to give this a shot. My first busy read!

Jarek "the Mistborn" wrote: "How much time do we have for this read?"

Open ended...we usually (te group protocol for BRs but there is no hard rule) have a month for each book but if we decide to keep one thread and binge read the series we can go faster....

Zaara wrote: "Jarek "the Mistborn" wrote: "How much time do we have for this read?"

Open ended...we usually (te group protocol for BRs but there is no hard rule) have a month for each book but if we decide to k..."

Sounds good:)

I'm in.

I must confess I started early today. Up to chapter 5. I don't think ive ever read anything quiet llike this:D

Debating between audio or kindle. Anyone know how the audiobook was on this?

Jarek "the Mistborn" wrote: "I must confess I started early today. Up to chapter 5. I don't think ive ever read anything quiet llike this:D"

Will start soon, still finishing another book.

I am up to ch 11. This is getting more disturbing by the chapter. Loving it:D
Not really sure who to root for at the moment though

I'm starting tonight.

Barry wrote: "I'm starting tonight."

I'll start on the start date, got a couple other BRs with earlier starts...

So Bryan have you started? What are your first impressions?

Sorry I meant Barry:D

Starting today. The prologue is certainly intriguing. First chapter in, the characters are definitely not your usual band of heroes (anti-heroes more likely). Looks promising so far.

Jarek "the Mistborn" wrote: "So Bryan have you started? What are your first impressions?"

I'm up to Ch 11. So far so good. I've begun to understand why people say it's crazy good. I agree with you, I've never read anything quite like this. The characters are insanely intriguing, literally.

Ch 10
(view spoiler)[The only thing that I'm disappointed so far was how easily Gehirsn (the crazy Flame Lady, however you spell her name) found out about what Stehlen did at the temple after consulting with the Mirrorists. I guess that's how she could know what happened ... through mirrors? But, I would've liked for the mystery to drag a little bit longer, and for Gehirn to find out through more investigative efforts, I guess.

But, damn, she's one scary lady. Burning the church soldiers sent to accompany her only because she was "dreaming". (hide spoiler)]

Barry wrote: "Jarek "the Mistborn" wrote: "So Bryan have you started? What are your first impressions?"

I'm up to Ch 11. So far so good. I've begun to understand why people say it's crazy good. I agree with you..."

Up to chapter 14

(view spoiler)[I agree that this burning woman is scary as hell. The characters are very intruiging especially i like the doppelgangers of konig. Thats some crazy stuff:) Iam really questioning whats real and whats not as i read and go deeper into this mud hole of insanity. I have a feeling that both konig and the 3 travellers are gonna be in for a surprise with morgen. Btw..wait till you meet the big ugly fat guy and see whats going on in his city. That is some seriously sick shit almost made me feel bad to my stomach... (hide spoiler)]

Barry wrote: "Jarek "the Mistborn" wrote: "So Bryan have you started? What are your first impressions?"

I'm up to Ch 11. So far so good. I've begun to understand why people say it's crazy good. I agree with you..."

Gehirn (view spoiler)[ I'm not too disappointed, in fact I loved how the whole investigation reveal just how mad and twisted their delusional world is. I'm looking forward to see how else the power of delusion actually impact this world. And Konig did say that people usually tend to drop dead around her. Now we now why. (hide spoiler)]

Up to chapter 17

Ok this is still some sick stuff but there was a little bit of character building in the last couple of chapters that give us some hints as to motivations of our trio from hell:)

(view spoiler)[Morgen seems to be godlike already without ascending. He seems to be able to use dilusions like a pro but not experience them himself. Interesting why is it so and how will this impact Konigs plan. I have to say that Bedect is the most "sane" and likeable person so far in this story. Is it real or are we in for some big surprise with him...... (hide spoiler)]

End of Ch 31

Damn this is one insane and twisted book. But what a fun read. At times darkly funny, too.

Gehirn
(view spoiler)[Yeah, I thought at first it wouldve been a short journey once she discovered Stehlen had killed those priests and the purpose. But, apparently she got sidetracked. Definitely an extremely disturbing, disgusting and twisted encounter with the fat and pitiful Slaver. Her relationship with the Slaver really made me think about people in abusive relationship. Especially if the abusive person is a sweet talker.

I do wonder if she would ever be free. Morgen did prophesied that she would kill him, which allowed him to ascend. But it seemed the Slaver was strong enough to dominate her thoughts.
(hide spoiler)].

Morgen
(view spoiler)[agree that he seems godlike already without having to ascend. I dunno what happened so that he had those godlike abilities that he showed to the Chief Scientist (and later on he demonstrated his extreme healing ability twice more).

I like how Morgen was so “innocent”; although, I doubt if he had to live with Wichtig for a month it wouldn’t affect his innocence and worldview. Furthermore, I’m also worried that his obsession with tidiness, order and cleanliness (basically ocd) would be his manifest delusions in the future. But, I also think the author is saying children are what balance your delusions. Children give adults perspective on how to live a happy life. (hide spoiler)]

Jarek "the Mistborn" wrote: "Up to chapter 17

Ok this is still some sick stuff but there was a little bit of character building in the last couple of chapters that give us some hints as to motivations of our trio from hell:)
..."

Morgen (view spoiler)[is supposed to be a god after all. Though it's a bit surprising that he is already so powerful before ascending. All power and no side effect? Definitely too overpowered. Interesting how Morgen will break the balance of power. Of course the question is, what sort of person Morgen is, is he a benevolent god? A smart and cunning one? Enough to survive against all who seek to make him their pawn? (hide spoiler)]

Bedect (view spoiler)[Is Bedect a delusionist (I can't for the life of me spell the german words)? If yes, then what is his power? He seemed to normal and sane to be able to keep company with two very insane and powerful friends. (hide spoiler)]

Started, is it just us guys then? I had kinda poked @Mayim. I like to talk about books so I hope you boys were not expecting a mostly silent thread? And 🙌😊 thanks Barry for waiting/deferring this a month for me!

Btw heads up for everyone there is an author Q&A thread in this folder for those of us who love extra spoilers and discussions!

😂😂😂 "apos to those who can actually speak German"...my dad is good at it of course but my German is worse than my French. Gimme ole John Bull anyday.

Sorry to begin with a bit of a gush 😂 but this must be the year of famtastic prologues! Mage's Blood opened with a dustbin shot (ha...like Jay Kristoff who always liked to begin NN books with the smell of sh!t) but then had this fantastic magic-filled opener with a bit of a twist in it. I totally get why they call Moontide the Eastern GoT n all but GRRM kept the series low-magic for so long, which Hair really didn't.

Now this prologue is a meld of Appointment with Samarra (for brevity and "packed a punch"ness, a bit of American Gods (but also kinda NOT) and also those old Germanic/Nirse sagas...I felt like calling for my drinking horn...😂😂😂 and also wanna meet these mindfucks (delusions) right soon!

😂😂😂 Barry almost finished and I got tangled up in too many BRs....wt hey....


(Ch) 1:
(view spoiler)[
1. I like/noticed how he (cunningly) made us uncomfortable with both Stehlen and Wichtig in different ways...Stehlen with a bit of description, the cringing dog etc and Wichtig by straight out ordering us not to like him...😂😜...in four words. Count them!


2. Initial banter seems a bit "macho" tho...all spit on the street n scratch some b@lls...wish he hadn't spoonfed us the "conclusions" to reach...he'd already nailed it without the need for....

3. See...I read the phys description and I'm generally very good at building mental pictures of chars but red hair and "dislikeable" be damned, I'm picturing the Witcher (as played by HC) whenever Wichtig is "onscreen"...haha 😂😂😝 I could help with the womam part...

(hide spoiler)]

Ch 2:
(view spoiler)[
Konig and (even the glimpse) of his plans remind me of Taravingian from Stormlight Archives, tho a much more interesting kind of madness this...

Loving this taxonomy of magic already and of course I read The List at the back of the book first...FTW!

Too early yet to say poor Aufschlag...😂 with friends like these...because they're a pair of characters, these two...
(hide spoiler)]

Ch 3:
That epigraph is such a twister I spent quite a few minutes just staring at the ipad...

Eeeeeeeeeeeewwkk Bedeck and the booger projectile.......ohk that was jezzt...and this is me having survived several books of SE & Abercrombie describing flyblown corpses and Eaters and torture n...I have built muscle 💪 for this...I'm no frilly petticoat...

Hehehe TOTALLY GROSS 😈 UNSPOILERED NONPLOT QUOTE FOR EVERYBODY:
“The ale had loosened the snot in his skull, and closing one nostril with a blunt and filthy finger, he blew a great wad of it onto the floor.”

Ch 4
(view spoiler)[Its obscene, what's been done to these kids......and 👹 frikkin KONIG doesn't trust Morgen? (hide spoiler)]

Ch 5

😂 what to say?

Zaara wrote: "Started, is it just us guys then? I had kinda poked @Mayim. I like to talk about books so I hope you boys were not expecting a mostly silent thread? And 🙌😊 thanks Barry for waiting/deferring this a..."

Finally! Someone actually asking for discussions! Barry mostly just blazes through the book and left everyone else in the dust (pokes at Barry) .

There is an author Q&A thread? I will probably head there after finishing the book then. Thanks for the info :)

I just treat all the German words as alien words, not much difference to me with my zero German sense.

Ch 1 (view spoiler)[ immediately brought me back to Abercombie. An old grisly warrior, a deadly thief, and a good looking swordsman. If that is not a description for The Blade Itself I don't know what is. It actually made me wonder which one comes first, this book or Abercombie's? (hide spoiler)]

Ch 2 (view spoiler)[ I read the book strictly from start to finish, no peeking the back of the book :P Seriously though, trying to muddle my way through all these bizarre world is half the fun. But I still have no idea what the hell a Cortadist is suppose to be, something painful probably. (hide spoiler)]

Ch 3 (view spoiler)[ This book is gross. The story is entertaining, but it still IS gross. Is the author purposefully write things as nauseating as possible? If so I'm not really impressed, even the sex scenes are disgusting too. I'm not sure whether this will eventually prove too yucky for me :( (hide spoiler)]

Ch 4 (view spoiler)[Morgen seems to me the only light in this bleak gloomy world. But looking at the tone of the book so far, I'm sure there will be no ponies and rainbows for him. I dreaded knowing his eventual fate. (hide spoiler)]

agree that the author is balancing on thin ice with the grossness. At times iam like dude...wtf...but the story is so inmersfull that it kinda evens it out.

No audiobook for this trilogy but I'm gonna try and read it. I'll cram in time somehow.

Up to chapter 23

(view spoiler)[So our God boy has been kidnapped by our 3 travelers...I have a feeling that his presence might change them in some way...or maybe its just me:) Anything is possible in this world. I do feel a little more comfortable with this trio in comparison to the beginning. Theres more to them than what you get on the outside... (hide spoiler)]

Robert wrote: "Hey everyone! I’m going to give this a shot. My first busy read!"

How are you getting on, Robert?

Soo wrote: "No audiobook for this trilogy but I'm gonna try and read it. I'll cram in time somehow."

Oh no doubt you'll leave us all in the dust, regardless...😉

Anny wrote: "Finally! Someone actually asking for discussions! Barry mostly just blazes through the book and left everyone else in the dust (pokes at Barry)"

Thru five more chapters and happy you're here too...enjoyed reading your notes, Anny!

Jeez these chars have more issues than Vogue...😂😂😂 Ch 8 (view spoiler)[ that scene with Gehirn murdering three ppl in her dream, that dreamspeak was a bit...that was kinda pushing my threshold...with the brains cooking n the cats (supposedly) roasting...and with the Jalan Kendeth memory losses...wtf! (hide spoiler)]

Haha...wonder if Fletcher will throw a stunningly normal person into the mix just to stupefy us completely! I suppose that's Bedeck altho its too early to assume he isn't the biggest whack job in all the bunch...

I'm now spending more time thinking about the author than the bool...but so far I like Wichtig best and the plotting Doppel scenes next best.

The list is very useful, glad we have that. And yeah Anny, I'm losing track of the names (esp in the epigraphs too...wonder if some of them are repeats...or chars we'll meet.

Liking it alot tho there are some unnecessary repetitions...my personal twitch........so brace for a small crib here:
Ch 9 (view spoiler)[ how many times need we be told the lack of eyebrows makes Gehirn look surprised OR the Mirrorist makes her horny OR (alluded ohk I just read the first 😂 surreal kinkysex scene where it was said outright) she's a pain slŪt amd this prolly compounds her delusions?
Sh!t I wish SirAnni were here for jezzt this chapter and the euphemisms/scene...😜😂
(hide spoiler)]
Gehirn's so smart and cunning tho...look at those lightning deductions!

Ch 10
I know we're supposed to be super impressed in this chapter by just how mad, devious and psychotically smart Konig is but I'm not hardened enough...the scene just gave me lump in the throat bcuz of that question asked by the scientist in Ch 1: "what sort of childhood must Konig have had to produce someone like this?"
Tho...I give you this...my own "Tancredi"ness is sometimes downright annoying to me.........uuuughh!!

Jarek "the Mistborn" wrote: "Up to chapter 23

[spoilers removed]"

Yup, the boy definitely going to cause some pivotal change. Look forward to it ;-)


Zaara wrote: "Robert wrote: "Hey everyone! I’m going to give this a shot. My first busy read!"

Ch8-9 (view spoiler)[Yeah, Gehirn is as bad as it gets. Not only do we got descriptions of how ugly and demented she is again and again. We get the inner descriptions of her joy of roasting cats and people (ugh), not to mention her horrifying sexual tendency too (that was painful to read). (hide spoiler)]

Ch10 (view spoiler)[I was actually less interested in Konig than at his Doppels. Their scheming and jostling is more interesting than Konig's egotism. Ausflag's experiments also interest me. Too bad we never get the actual descriptions on How to create a God from scratch. Bet that one would be pretty enlightening. (hide spoiler)]

Up to chapter 27
(view spoiler)[I think we might get a description on how Morgen was created because this issue comes up. Morgen is asked by wichtig I think who were his parents casue everyone has a mother and Morgen says that he was created through the mutual belief of the people..or so konig told him. For some reason Konig is the least interesting character so far. His dopples are so much more complex...although you could say that the dopples ARE konig...this book is fucking with my mind:D (hide spoiler)]

I'm going to try and fit this one before the end of the month!

Jarek "the Mistborn" wrote: "Up to chapter 27
[spoilers removed]"

Morgen (view spoiler)[ Nope, sadly we don't get the explanation on how Morgen was actually created. Nor on the other nine god-to-be children. It was sad how Morgen's fate was basically sealed by how he was raised by Konig and Auschflag (too damn trusting). (hide spoiler)]

Konig (view spoiler)[ Agree, I'd say now the original Konig is almost merely a plot device so the author can have fun with his Doppels and reflections. Even the mirror's reflections are more intriguing than Konig! I wish there are more explanation about the mirrorist power and what the hell is actually going on behind a mirror. (hide spoiler)]

@Navi No worries! We'll still be around :)

up to chapter 35

(view spoiler)[We got a glimpse of the afterlife with Wichtig being killed by the snake shapeshifter thing:) It doesn't look like a place to look forward to afterall . Morgen brought him back though. It kind of bothers me a little bit that morgen is this all powerfull kid but theres no real explanation why so far at least. Its like he can pretty much do anything the author wants him to do...I don't know. It doesn't take away that much from the enjoyment of this twisted story though (hide spoiler)]

Finished:) Amazing book. Really one of a kind. Twisted and disqusting and brutal and vile but it swept me in completely:)

Anny...I'm sorry...I just started too many BRs and lost track of things for a bit, had to make a couple unexpected midweek trips too...I guess you've finished by now? I have read 15 more chapters...

@Navi...still here...how're you going? i'll post a detailed update moro...

Jarek "the Mistborn" wrote: "Finished:) Amazing book. Really one of a kind. Twisted and disqusting and brutal and vile but it swept me in completely:)"

Sick and twisted but so much more....😜 i did have to stop a couple times mid-chapter because it was a bit much....but soon continued....its a compulsiom....

Apparently Black Jewels is kinda brutal too......I'm in that BR.....

Zaara wrote: "Anny...I'm sorry...I just started too many BRs and lost track of things for a bit, had to make a couple unexpected midweek trips too...I guess you've finished by now? I have read 15 more chapters....."

Yup, finished too. Agree with Jarek, it was quite twisted and brutal. My only complain maybe that the Afterdeath kinda cheapen the whole thing. (view spoiler)[Like it make no difference whether you're dead or not, just got transported the next world. Or maybe their world is a tower of hell, where every death just send you to the next lower level. (hide spoiler)]

I agree with the afterdeath completely but I have a feeling we will be seeing much more of it in the second book so very curious to seeing that:)

Yea, I'm still waiting for the 2nd book to be on sale ;-)

Anny wrote: "Zaara wrote: "Anny...I'm sorry...I just started too many BRs and lost track of things for a bit, had to make a couple unexpected midweek trips too...I guess you've finished by now? I have read 15 m..."

*sneaks in*

I'm not reading this right now but I always felt like the afterdeath thing (view spoiler)[made the book even more bleak because there is no escape from misery, not even through death. A pretty miserable thought (hide spoiler)]

Hi Bea!!

@all...I finished too.

1. Yeah the Afterdeath (view spoiler)[ seemed like a bit of a cartoony Hall of Mirrors...in fact, sometimes much more than the Mirrorist Reflections did...just another obstacle/undead army shit hits the fan to throw in Bedeckt's way, but mind...we haven't seen much of the place yet so I'm hopeful it becomes more than that. (hide spoiler)]

2. Stehlen...(view spoiler)[ y'know I thought Ferro Maljinn from First Law was a character...but Stehlen makes ole Fifi look like Doris Day watching Martha Stewart reading from Julia Child....yup the Mirrors have got me....aaaaaaaaarrrrrghhhhh!! (hide spoiler)]

3. That entire Gehirn (view spoiler)[arc tore at the heartstrings, poor kid and I felt the Slaver got away too lightly...reminded me of the Teneskhowri in Malazan, @Bea. Being vapourised is too good for that SHITE... (hide spoiler)]and yet sometimes, when he was in the throes of that petulant self-pity I wanted to...every char in this book triggered pity AND revulsion in such seesaw extremes, it made my head spin....altho this could have also been because I spent a fun twenty minutes daydreaming/crafting/imagining the most outrageous barroom conversations and knock-knock jokes between a Fregolist, an Intermetic, and a Mehrere....😂😂😂

Fregolist: Believe various people are actually the same person in disguise.

Intermetic: Believe people swap identities with each other while maintaining the same appearance.

Mehrere: Are so sure they are more than one person . . . they actually are! The various people they become can have wildly varying physical and mental traits. The truly deranged can be an entire crowd of people; either one at a time, or all at once.

4. Seriously now, the (view spoiler)[ child torture scene(ohk there were many minis) (hide spoiler)] was difficult to get thru. As well as some of the Gehirn angst.

5. Can't wait for KonigFAILURE to do something....he's not done yet, for sure!!

I got all three books so am happy to start when you guys say!

Bea wrote: "Anny wrote: "Zaara wrote: "Anny...I'm sorry...I just started too many BRs and lost track of things for a bit, had to make a couple unexpected midweek trips too...I guess you've finished by now? I h..."

@Bea That's another way of looking at it. I guess it depends on whether your preference is to be dead or stay alive no matter what >_<

@Zaara

2. Almost everyone IS a character in this book. I'd be hard pressed to name a sane normal person.

3. I want to read that conversations!!! Post it please! Now that I think of it, this book could be a comedy gold! (gosh, that sounds so wrong somehow)

Three books? Is this a trilogy?

3.

Ha Anny....sorry...didn't think to write them down....😂 just idle daydreams....

Yep. A trilogy. Here's the reading order:

https://www.goodreads.com/series/1876...

Zaara wrote: "Ha Anny....sorry...didn't think to write them down....😂 just idle daydreams....

Yep. A trilogy. Here's the reading order:

https://www.goodreads.com/series/1876..."

Oh! So swarm steel is the last book in the trilogy. Mirror's truth kindle sadly is not available yet in my region so I might have to wait for a while :/

Anny wrote: "Mirror's truth kindle sadly is not available yet in my region so I might have to wait for a while :/ "

😒 Ouuff! Its so weird + kinda irritating that they have Book 3 available and not Book 2. I really hope you are able to organise a copy and continue with the BR...I sure enjoyed your comments and analysis...
I could deffo/wouldn't mind waiting a few extra days for you, but won't be able to wait too long bcuz I'm participating in the Team Tourney and the book won't count for points unless I start it within a specific time window. Also it'll throw off all my other reads...dominos, really.