Chris Gousopoulos > Recent Status Updates

Today's lessons:
"Two of them grinned despite themselves, and one, possessed of that uncanny and unsettling ability of the young to conspire with those they had tormented only moments earlier"

"Like many arrogant men, Proyas thought his insults an extension of his honesty."

People saying Bakker is humorless are so conditioned to modern bantering and witticisms.
Every passage involving any of the imperial family of the Ikureis has me smirking constantly. They are hilarious in their bizarre ways, ironies and narcissism. I cant get enough of them

"...Every time, without exception, he would already be watching her when she saw him. He would wave hesitantly, try to smile, and a pang of sorrow would strike her, sometimes so hard she would gasp aloud."

Akka and Esmi. The most painful, bittersweet, realistic relationship I have read in the genre. Its heartbreaking to read about them again.

Maithanet carried a plague whose primary symptom was certainty. How the God could be equated with the absence of hesitation was something Achamian had never understood. After all, what was the G od but the mystery that burdened them all? What was hesitation but a dwelling within this mystery?

But every act could be condemned. The same as all bloodlines could be traced to some long-dead king, all deeds could be chased to some potential catastrophe. One need only follow the forks far enough...

...He would betray Inrau for the reason innocents were always betrayed: fear.

"The trees thundered about him. The sky tugged with its emptiness. Then an arrow jutted through his shoulder and he fell to his knees, stared at the red tip protruding from his breast."

Bakker is so good at making the atmosphere of a scene palpable with his unique word choices

He killed in the hope of shutting every accusing eye. They say murderers cannot sleep. It is the other way about: those who cannot sleep become murderers. Cut off from their dreams, they translate harmless nightmare into horrible reality.

This is by far my favourite writing by Moorcock. Such a sarcastic, cosmopolitan vibrant book. So cleverly funny and interesting.

"Marya’s father had been a well-to-do beverage merchant originally situated in Yalta before moving to Moldavia. Lena’s father, she said with some disdain, was a ‘factory-owner’ in Minsk. My interest in Lena increased to the degree that I came close to proposing marriage to Marya."

I always searched for such a kind of book. A story that has the weird, captivating aesthetics of old school fiction covers. The ones that drew me in reading. Caricature iconic heroes, grand buildings lighted by bonfires, grand exotic vistas, prehistoric fauna (even the classic ape like denizens) etc all in vivid colours. It also starts with a very interesting premise and it is well written. I love it

There is this special triplet of female authors who write original, dark, yet cosy, traditional epic fantasy with beautiful prose, rich worlds, palpable atmosphere, and complex characters. Robin Hobb, Janny Wurts, and Kate Elliot. Authors who will appeal from Martin fans to William's and Donaldson's. JV Jones makes them a quartet but she also hits the sweetest spot story wise for my taste. Such a thrilling read!

The final book of the series is finished after so many years. Great timing for a reread. To my delightful surprise I did not recall how well written is this series. A visceral, full of savour and distinct colour and tone work that is standing somewhere between Song of Ice and Fire and Memory, Sorrow and Thorn in style but totally original. Totally original and nuanced. Dark but cosy. Addictive

“This you have to understand. There's only one way to hurt a man who's lost everything. Give him back something broken.”

What a great beginning. Donaldson has grown to be a very favourite author. His characterization, dialogues and powerful prose are so compelling. He is the closest to Bakker I can think of in these aslects

A fierce grin lifted the edges of Dios’ mask. “I swear to God, Angus,” he drawled trenchantly, “sometimes I’m so proud of you and Morn I almost forget to be ashamed of myself.”

Angus, Morn and Dios. Three of the best characters I have read

Strong beginning building on the first book. It gets more and more interesting and seems really well thought.

Revealing bits of the future seems to be like a curse for many first person narratives but at least in this book's case it is much wider spread and more mysterious than how crudely and annoyingly Ruocchio handles it in the Empire of Silence series I read at the same time.
I am actually enthralled by The Justice of Kings. Cant wait to see where this will go in the future.

Started on a whim and love it.

“The quickest way to learn about a new place is to know what it dreams of. I would hear of this Oz.”

Much better question than what is my job

What mattered was the thing which pushed change into the ordinary course of things and sculpted new lines in the flow of lives . . . and, perhaps, the destinies not only of those struck, but of a widening circle around them, like ripples from a stone tossed into a still pond. Who was to say that he had not sculpted the cosmos today, or might not at some future time? God, no wonder he creamed his jeans!

Because, this. This was too much to endure. For anyone.

Very good so far

Pretty disappointing towards the end. The last pages feel like one huge and detached plot hole

I am not sure I understand some of the choices of the protagonists. Seems like unnecessary dram and risk...I need a Blake Crouch AMA to question him

...and together through ages of the world we have fought the long defeat.

‘Here is the heart of Elvendom on earth,’ he said, ‘and here my heart dwells ever, unless there be a light beyond the dark roads that we still must tread, you and I. Come with me!’ And taking Frodo’s hand in his, he left the hill of Cerin Amroth and came there never again as living man.

William's style feels a bit more modern. Like he moved a bit towards Martin than Tolkien in the meantime. I like a lot the new characters. Morgan, Jarnulf, little hilarious Lillia, Nezeru are all very interesting.

I am very happy that I choose to get back to Tad Williams and Osten Ard. He is one of the very few who write traditional fantasy and I appreciate that much. This sequel series is pleasantly scratching my itch for stories that feel like the Banner Saga and Witcher 3 games! Wonderful so far

Impressively vivid, post WW 2, triumphant Germany setting. Sets the mood perfectly

Addicted.

Highly addictive

Uninspiring fantasy and science fiction lead me here. So far , so good. It has some of the Twin Peaks atmosphere I was looking for.