Fantasy Reads discussion

Hi ;) Me and Ashi started buddy reading "the blade itself", you're welcome to join if you want (*no spoiler please*)

The morning ritual (chapter 5 or 6) (view spoiler)[ I really love this book so far! There isn't much of a story or a world yet but just the characters! On the paper Jesal, Logen and Glokta are really unlikable AND YET. Can't explain it, I just already fell in love with them (especially Glokta, followed closely by Jesal, and then Logen, oh and Quai and Ardee : love them!!). We've seen so little of them, and clearly not their best sides but I just wan't to keep reading about them. And it's really funny!! not all the time of course but a lot of little comments here and there just kill me. Like :
- Oh my god the stairs scene with Glokta, just so good!!
- and with Logen and quai : "-are they bandits? -you're the fucking seer." God...
- and when Jesal is listening to the door before meeting Ardee and imagines she's fat, peevish, etc. My, my...
And it's exactly the kind of romance I LOVE, one scene between Jesal and Ardee and I'm already shipping them and asking for more.
Conclusion : can't wait to read what comes next!
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An offer and a gift (chapter 12) (view spoiler)[ I really like this book :) Even though nothing has happened yet. I love the three main characters and I want to see more of them. And I'm quite curious of where this is all going and when and how the three storylines will merge :) Who are your favorite characters so far ? My order hasn't changed yet : 1) Glokta (my sweetie) 2 Jesal (really close) 3 Logen (starting to catch up with the others)
And I find this book so funny : I love their irony and sarcasms.
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The course of love (chapter 16) (view spoiler)[
God I love so much every scene with Jesal and Ardee !! And I want Glokta and Jesal to become friends !! (even though right now we seem a LOOONG way from it).
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I've read till the introductory chapter of Jazel, and I must say, I love all three characters. Distinct, yet connectable.
And I'm really sorry, I haven't been an enthusiastic Buddy Read partner, I wa a little busy with school stuff...

Ashi✿TheAvidReader wrote: "I've read till the introductory chapter of Jazel, and I must say, I love all three characters. Distinct, yet connectable.
And I'm really sorry, I haven't been an enthusiastic Buddy Read partner, I ..."
I'm so happy you like them as well (they're really not likeable so I was a bit nervous you wouldn't) !!
No problem at all! I started before you and it's normal to be busy (and this book is great but really long) !! Besides, you're always the one waiting for me, it's a nice change ;)

Oh and I did my comments for these chapters but don't hesitate to comment whenever you want, even if I already read this part, I'll love exchanging about it with you (no spoiler)

And on a completely unrelated matter : what do you think about "an ember in the ashes" series ? I'm asking because I know you read it and I'm currently reading volume two and I'm not into it at all. I liked but didn't love the first one (the characters and the romance weren't as good as I hoped) and so far volume two does everything I hated in volume one and not much of what I liked... Do know that I was sure I was gonna love this series and thus was quite disappointed but I'm still hoping it gets way better after : does it ?

El wrote: "Ashi✿TheAvidReader wrote: "I've read till the introductory chapter of Jazel, and I must say, I love all three characters. Distinct, yet connectable.
And I'm really sorry, I haven't been an enthusia..."

Their unlikable-ness is the reason I loved them.
Especially Glakton. Normally, I would hate pessimist, depressing character, but the author wrote him with such a mix of sarcasm and dark humor that it's impossible to not like him.

El wrote: "And on a completely unrelated matter : what do you think about "an ember in the ashes" series ? I'm asking because I know you read it and I'm currently reading volume two and I'm not into it at all..."

I think it went down-hill from the first. I liked the first, tolerated the second, and DNFed the third...But, I'm not sure if you'll feel the same. If you could perhaps elaborate what exactly you didn't like in 1st and 2nd book, I could tell you...

I completely agree with you :) (Glokta is my favorite character ;) (followed closely by Jezal and Logen :) ) How can you not love him after you've seen his battle with the stairs ;) ?!

What I really didn't like was the two love triangles : and how it made Laya (who was great beside that) look really stupid (always dreaming about boys and kisses and constantly thinking about their physics and insta-loving both of them when she hardly said more that ten words to each...) same for elias (although it made him look less stupid but made his relationship with Laya seem really shallow (as helene seems objectively way better for him, and the author did nothing to create a connection between Laya and elias that would change that)

El wrote: "I completely agree with you :) (Glokta is my favorite character ;) (followed closely by Jezal and Logen :) ) How can you not love him after you've seen his battle with the stairs ;) ?!"

I have two healthy, working legs, yet I hate stairs. I totally agree with him...(In our school, all 12th classes are on the top floor, and elevators are only allowed for faculty members, so I have similar burning hatred for stairs....)

Same ;)!! So many stairs to climb all my life, especially at school, I can totally relate ;)!!

El wrote: "What I really didn't like was the two love triangles : and how it made Laya (who was great beside that) look really stupid (always dreaming about boys and kisses and constantly thinking about their..."

The love triangle is a big of the plot for 2nd book. But it will resolve clearly till the end. The chemistry between Laya and Elias would improve in the second book. Helen's character development is quite good......Honestly, I don't remember much, except for the fact that I didn't like the series enough to continue😅.
Sorry, I know I'm not being really helpful...

No, thanks for your answer ;), you helped me not feel guilty about not loving this series as much as everyone else. I think I'll go on a bit (read till 60% maybe) and dnf it if I really don't feel more drawn to it.

Is it bad that Tueful(Master of Mints) confession scence makes me like Glokta more?

Alright, I have a new favorite character now, and I don't think anyone can top Ardee...

This book is soo damn funny. I had read in all reviews etc that it is, but I still wasn't expecting it to be genuinely hilarious.....Even in sad or frightening scences, there'll be a line or a comment that'll make me chuckle.

Right ?! I can't explain it but I keep adoring Glokta no matter what he does !!
I love Ardee so much !!! My only regret : that we don't see her all the time ;) !! And my god, her scenes with Jezal ;) !!
SO FUNNY !! I take notes and put bookmarks just to be able to find again the best scenes and quotes later. Take notes as well so we can go over the best ones after we've finished it ;). And there are hilarious bit in the three characters stories, not only one. You're so right there are funny lines all the time, when you least expect it and it doesn't ruin the scene or the atmosphere at all (you just end up laughing when you really shouldn't).
Stricktly nothing happens, I still don't know where this is going and yet I LOVE this book : on a high way for a five star review.

OK! I hadn't been marking scenes and quotes but I will, from now on...It'll be amusing to go back to them when we finish the book...

Again, on a vaguely related note, isn't it interesting how our moral priorities changes when reading a book, like, I can fall in love with a character who tortures people, but I draw line at misogyny... Or "Character assassinated someone? No big deal!" But sexual assault? BURN IN HELL!

You're so right! I think it's because they don't live in our world and that in theirs murders and torture aren't such a big deal, the characters can't escape it if they want to survive. Also I think these ARE things we enjoy seeing in their world precisely because we can't do them in ours : there are so many pigs out there who deserve to die but we don't kill them because law and moral and it's really frustrating. In their world, seeing our dear characters killing the garbage bags without any remorse is quite cathartic. So murder and torture are okay, because the characters deserve it, maybe not so much the first guy Glokta tortured (he only stole money) but Glokta didn't do him much in the end, just a good beating. I think I still draw the line at torturing and killing really nice and innocent people and children (but I trust my Glokta and the author not to do that).
And yeah, misoginy and sexual assault : I'll give those bastards to Glokta ant tell him to have fun ;)

What freedom looks like (chapter 1 of part 2) (view spoiler)[ A new perspective!! And it's a girl!! Youhou!! I want to know more!!
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An offer and A Gift (view spoiler)[I love it when a cowerdly character makes heroic sarcastic comment to defuse tense situations. (hide spoiler)]

I've read till 'King of the Northmen' and I don't get Bayaz. What does he want? What are his motives? His end gole?

So many things to say, I love this book !!
the theatrical outfitter's
(view spoiler)[ They actually had to rent costumes to look the part!! couldn't stop laughing.
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barbarians at the gate (view spoiler)[ Jezal and Logen finally met!! And it was so anti-climatic I was laughing the entire time (god if you weren't in Logen's head 1/3 of the time and only had Jezal's point of view, you would never know Logen's important to the story. And the scene with the fountain!! my god!! Logen is so cute, not knowing anything about anything! And Jezal killed me calling him "the primitive" and "witless man" ;)!!
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Betten than death (view spoiler)[ We haven't seen enough of her but I love Ferro. I can't wait to know more about her (and what happened with the emperor for everyone to hunt her) and about Yulwei (what's his agenda ?). She's going to Adua!! Can't wait for her to meet the others. My dream : seing all four of them (+ Ardee) all working together!! I'd do anything to get that!! But we're still a long way ;)
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Sore thumb (view spoiler)[ that's it, I love Glokta, Jezal and Logen just as much, no favorite anymore, there are all my precious darlings. My darling Logen (I was laughing almost the entire chapter) and he met Ardee !! So now Ardee has met all of them ;) and I love that they all like her (not in a romantic way (except Jezal), just in a great nice girl way). Logen and his jar!! My god!!
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Questions (view spoiler)[ You want to scream at Glokta that they're telling the truth but my, it was so funny (another battle with the stairs (well done Glokta) and my, I almost pissed myself with every thought of Glokta! And he met Logen !! So anti-climatic!! Now they all know each other and it's like they don't even do (it's both frustrating and so funny). On a totally unrelated matter : is it so wrong of me that I desperately want Glokta and Logen to end up with someone : of course, that is partly because of the romantic in me who wants to ship every character, but unlike for other books, it's not because I want more romantic stuff (although the author knows his subject so I wouldn't say no ;)) but because I want my two lonely darlings to be loved by someone and be happy : don't you feel the same ?
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Nobility (view spoiler)[
Ardee and Jezal!! My babies!! I usually don't like when characters kiss so early in a book, but (although I would have preferred it if the author had waited a bit longer) it was great ;)!! Especially because there are still a long way from getting together ;)
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Read part 1 and Whoa! Bayaz is POWERFUL! (Only Jazel is kinda 'naive', both Glokta and Logen are fed up with life. Only, Glokta's dry humor makes it funny, Logen's tired and regretful thoughts just make me sad....And I'm now hoping for a major development in Jazel's character, after all that with Glokta then ADREE! )
I still have no idea where this story is going, but I've never loved a book this muchhh before.....

Thank god I'm buddy reading this book with you Ashi! I would have gone mad if I hadn't been able to talk about this book with someone!!

Ashi✿TheAvidReader wrote: "I've read till 'King of the Northmen' and I don't get Bayaz. What does he want? What are his motives? His end gole?"
(I'm gonna act as if I were at the same moment in the story, I can't tell you if you know more or not after) Yeah, we have no clue! No even why he wanted to meet Logen!! And Logen doesn't even ask!

What Freedom Looks Like (view spoiler)[ Oh! A girl POV! That's good...The only problem I have with the book so far is Adree is the only remotely important female character. ONLY ONE‽ I do hope the author at least tries to even out male:female ratio in this book, because right now it isn't good. (hide spoiler)]

No thanks I don't want any spoilers, I was just thinking about his possible motives and so I asked....

Where are you rn anyways?

Ashi✿TheAvidReader wrote: "What Freedom Looks Like [spoilers removed]"
Yeah, I agree ! And I don't think it's going to change... But it doesn't bother too much as it is a sexist society (so it makes sense) but not a sexist author ( not possible with two awsome female characters like that)

I just finished "words and dust", I have no idea what this chapter's number but it's a bit before the half of the second part. I can wait for you if you want.

Yeah....but Ardee isn't that much of an independent character, she seems more like a device to furthur Jazel's development, and Ferro is mentioned in just one chapter, so it is bothering me a little. I mean, GOT world is so damn sexist, and still there are tonns of important female characters.... But so far, this is only flaw (albeit minor) in this book, I think

No you don't need to wait. Maybe you could slow your pace? I'm comparatively free, so I'll try to catch up, but you can always finish before me, it won't matter...

and I read 'Next' and (view spoiler)[Whoa! Sult knew all along! That Arch Lector Sult is too smart, I don't trust him at all.... (hide spoiler)]

The Remarkable Tale of Brother Longfoot (view spoiler)[Just when I thought the book had reached it's quota of hilarious characters
"Do you smell that? Do you smell that, Master Ninefingers? It smells like...mystery! Adventure!" Smelled like shit to Logen🤣 (hide spoiler)]

The House Of The Makers (view spoiler)[This chaptere was creepy, I don't trust Bayaz, he seems too suspicious. Logen is stupid for not asking him any questions.... (hide spoiler)]

Nobody's Dog (view spoiler)[Holy Fuck! I liked West, I genuinely thought he was a proper likable character....Of course he turns out to be a fucking savage.... I'm so shocked! BETRAYED EVEN! I never imagined he could do such a thing, especially when he was placing himself in Ferro's place, and all that, then he turns out to be a pile of dogshit! (hide spoiler)]

Back to the Mud (view spoiler)[ Joe Abicrombie's writting is so damn emotion evoking. I hardly knew The Weakest, yet his funeral made my eyes sting.
I'm so looking for to the group's reunion with Logen.. (hide spoiler)]

Finished it! (view spoiler)[Say one thing for 'The Blade Itself', say it's an awesome book. LOVED IT!
In retrospect the plot dragged to slowly. I'm not saying I was bored. Not even for a second, every sentence was a delight. Just that hardly anything happens. It's more like a setup for the 2nd book. And soo many unanswered questions. I can't wait to start the second book. (hide spoiler)]

Hey El! If you like me one tiny bit, please do finish this book soon, for my sake and yours. I'm bursting to talk about it. And I'm dying to start the next book. Apparently, it's better than the 1st and I simply can't comprehend the that level of awesomeness. So, yeah, I wanna start soon....

I just finished it!!! Thank the gods we buddy read this one! I can't wait to talk about it! This was INCREDIBLE!! And I already bought volume 2 (like two seconds ago) ;) !!

Right!? Wasn't this just the best book ever in the whole wide world!?
The best thing were all those catchphrases, like Glokta's Why do I do this? Why
Or Logen's "Say one thing about The First of Magi, say that he's a cheating bastard!" etc
I grinned whenever I read one of these catchphrases

And I'm presuming we are Buddy Reading Book 2. We should start it soon, because I can't wait or I'll die.... So I'm ready when you are.

Ashi✿TheAvidReader wrote: "Right!? Wasn't this just the best book ever in the whole wide world!?
The best thing were all those catchphrases, like Glokta's Why do I do this? Why
Or Logen's "Say one thing about The First of Ma..."
One of the best books of all time!!
My favorite catchphrase so far : "You have to be realistic about these things" ;)

Of course we are ;)! I can start today ;)! Can't wait to read volume 2!!
And after all this build up, I'm SOOO freacking happy that Ferro, Jezal, Logen, Longfoot, Bayaz and Quai travel together!! I want to see it. The diner with the nobility chapter at the end where you switch between POVs was so marvellous, I want more!! The way they think of each other is just killing me!
My only regret : Glokta doesn't go with them!! WHY ?!!! I want him with the group!! (even though I have to admit he's less than suited to travel and battle ennemis...)

I was actually looking forward to Dogman n group' reunion with Logen. But now they are coming South, but he's going west :(

I know, right ?! Thought the same, but I still prefer to see him with Jezal and Ferro.

You weren't sad Glokta didn't go with them ??

And I'm so looking forward to seeing Glokta as a Superior. But yeah, It would have been awesome if he went with them. Unrealistic, but awesome.
And I wonder why is Bayaz so damn intrested in Luthar! I love him, but he's nothing special (as we know till now)
Today works for me. Perfect!