Title: Crossroads of Twilight
Author: Robert Jordan
Series: The Wheel of Time #10
Narrator: Michael Kramer and Kate Reading
Genre: Fantasy
Length: 26 hours 4 minutes
Published: 2017, MacMillan Audio (originally published 2003)
My Grade: 3 out of 5
Review Summary: Crossroads of Twilight is a slower-paced, but still extremely detailed instalment in The Wheel of Time series, focusing heavily on political maneuvering and the aftermath of earlier events.
Title: Shadows of Self
Author: Brandon Sanderson
Series: Mistborn #5, Wax & Wayne #2
Genre: Fantasy
Pages: 383
Published: 2015, Tor Books
My Grade: 5 out of 5
Review Summary: Shadow of Self mixes Era 1 nostalgia with Era 2 freshness in a twist-filled story with a heartbreaking ending.
Title: The Alloy of Law
Author: Brandon Sanderson
Series: Mistborn #4, Wax & Wayne #1
Genre: Fantasy
Pages: 332
Published: 2011, Tor Books
My Grade: 3.5 out of 5
GOODREADS’ DESCRIPTION
Three hundred years after the events of the Mistborn trilogy, Scadrial is now on the verge of modernity, with railroads to supplement the canals, electric lighting in the streets and the homes of the wealthy, and the first steel-framed skyscrapers racing for the clouds.
Kelsier, Vin, Elend, Sazed, Spook, and the rest are now part of history—or religion. Yet even as science and technology are reaching new heights, the old magics of Allomancy and Feruchemy continue to play a role in this reborn world. Out in the frontier lands known as the Roughs, they are crucial tools for the brave men and women attempting to establish order and justice.
One such is Waxillium Ladrian, a rare Twinborn who can Push on metals with his Allomancy and use Feruchemy to become lighter or heavier at will.
After twenty years in the Roughs, Wax has been forced by family tragedy to return to the metropolis of Elendel. Now he must reluctantly put away his guns and assume the duties and dignity incumbent upon the head of a noble house. Or so he thinks, until he learns the hard way that the mansions and elegant tree-lined streets of the city can be even more dangerous than the dusty plains of the Roughs.
MY REVIEW
As far as Sanderson goes, I have to admit that this was not up there with Elantris and Mistborn Era 1. But I would say that has more to do with the setting than anything else. The old West is not really what I am into and I would say that that is the main reason why this one didn’t get a 5, which I almost counted on.
I knew that the story took place 300 years after Era 1 which of course made me interested since the ending of Era 1 was so unexpected and drastic and world-changing. But I honestly think it would have been cooler to know what happened straight after. 300 years later, and there are lots of things that developed, they are referencing to the old days and titles of people back then, but you as a reader don’t really know who they are referring to yet. Which is both a captivating thing, because you want to continue to read to be able to understand what they mean, but also a little bit frustrating that you don’t already know. Even if “you were there” when it happened in Era 1.
The familiarity with Sanderson’s work is definitely there though and that is a comfort. The story is progressing a little bit slower than I would like. The full book only covers a short amount of time, even though it doesn’t feel like it due to so many events keep coming.
I also found the character Wayne to be too much. At least in the beginning, but he definitely grew on me.
All in all, a great read! But I wasn’t as excited to pick it up to continue the story as I was with Era 1. And I would say that is because of the setting. It is fantasy, the allomancy is there, but still wasn’t as magical as The Final Empire. I will continue to read, if I know anything about Sanderson at this point, is that it will most definitely pick up. 3.5 out of 5.
Title: The Emperor’s Soul
Author: Brandon Sanderson
Collection: Arcanum Unbounded: The Cosmere Collection
Genre: Fantasy
Pages: 136 of 831
Published: 2016, Tor Books (originally published 2012)
My Grade: 5 out of 5
GOODREADS’ DESCRIPTION
A heretic thief is the empire’s only hope in this fascinating tale that inhabits the same world as the popular novel, Elantris.
Shai is a Forger, a foreigner who can flawlessly copy and re-create any item by rewriting its history with skillful magic. Condemned to death after trying to steal the emperor’s scepter, she is given one opportunity to save herself. Though her skill as a Forger is considered an abomination by her captors, Shai will attempt to create a new soul for the emperor, who is almost dead.
Probing deeply into his life, she discovers Emperor Ashravan’s truest nature—and the opportunity to exploit it. Her only possible ally is one who is truly loyal to the emperor, but councilor Gaotona must overcome his prejudices to understand that Shai’s forgery is as much artistry as it is deception.
Brimming with magic and political intrigue, this deftly woven fantasy delves into the essence of a living spirit.
MY REVIEW
It doesn’t matter what I pick up from Sanderson, I know I will love it! I found a list online on reading order for the Cosmere books. This was not a book though, but a “short” 130-page novella set on the planet of Sel, the same as Elantris. I try to pay attention to details in books, but I’m not sure I will be able to catch everything Sanderson intended for his readers on the first read. But I went for this one before continuing with Mistbord era 2.
There were definitely things I recognized from Elantris, still my favorite of Sanderson’s books. But I don’t think there were any exceptional easter eggs yet. But like I said, I am new to the Cosmere in terms of re-reads.
The story is really captivating but a little complex. Well, not the story itself, but the magic system. I think I understood it at the end, but I wouldn’t be surprised if I was completely wrong as well. I wouldn’t have minded a deeper story about Shai.
Since it is taking place on the same world as Elantris, it did make me wonder how that was all connected? Time-wise? Magic-wise?
Easy read that was over too quick! Still well thought-through and complicated but written very well for that format. 5 out of 5.
Title: Silverstrupen (~Silver Throat)
Author: Siri Pettersen
Translator (Swedish): Ylva Kempe
Series: Vardari #2
Genre: Fantasy
Pages: 425
Published: 2023 (translated 2024), B. Wahlströms
My Grade: 5 out of 5
GOODREADS’ DESCRIPTION
Imagine having stolen the devil from those in power. Robbed them of their source of everlasting life. And started a war, so fuelled by fear and disdain, that you are forced to become what you are hunting.
Juva is scarred for life by the man she liberated. The devil himself, whose blood sustained the eternal lives of the vardari. Now, she is battling unintended consequences: a flood of wolf-sick, a wavering city council and vardari´s desperate feud for the last drops.
Consumed by grief and fury, she is forced to side with dark, fanatical forces. Juva is fighting for everything she holds dear, but soon finds herself on a knife’s edge when she realises that the scar from Gríf cuts far deeper than she had imagined…
Náklav’s foundation is cracking under a flood of wolf-sick.
Divine images miraculously reveal the true faces of evil.
The elite who ran the world are crawling out from the shadows.
A vardari awaiting death finds a reason to live.
A fanatical priest opens the doors Drukna
MY REVIEW
Haha, wow, no wonder I couldn’t remember too much about The Iron Wolf before starting this second instalment in Siri Pettersen’s second trilogy, Vardari. It was released 2021 in Swedish which, with my bad reading memory, equals like two decades. It was delayed for almost two years also.
Whenever I grade a book, I always do it with my gut. Sometimes I honestly think that I am not very good at reviewing books because of this. But at the same time, I also believe that the general feeling after reading a book tells you more than if you look at very specific things that might speak differently to different readers. For instance, I love Siri’s world building. For me to love a setting like this, it doesn’t have to be original (even though this definitely is with its Norse roots), it’s all about how it is presented. Sometimes, I get a bit annoyed when the author is trying too much to describe the world by putting new words and things in the story without even a small description of what it means. Some might like that, but I don’t overly much. Siri builds her worlds very detailed but doesn’t do it in an overcomplicated way. It just makes sense, even if it was a bit hard getting into the story again after such a long time waiting (and reading other types of fantasy in between).
The story progresses nicely, it’s hard to put the book down (like with the first one). Things are constantly happening and you always want to continue to find out where this is going. And the ending. I feel that I am repeating myself a little bit after my review of The Iron Wolf, but the ending here was so similar. Not story-wise, but feeling-wise. It was an ending. A really good ending. And on the second to last page, I wasn’t sure what the third book could possibly be about. But then came the last page. Yep, there will definitely be a third book and I am so excited for it to, first of all, be revealed, and secondly be released. Hopefully in 2025 according to her website. But I also totally respect the writing process. Writing is hard and takes time. But please, Siri, hurry up with the final piece in this trilogy 😊.
I think Siri Pettersen could write anything and I would read it as soon as it is released. She is definitely one of my favorite authors! Do I even need to print the grade out in words?
Yeah, FIVE out of five possible!
Title: The Hero of Ages
Author: Brandon Sanderson
Series: Mistborn #3
Genre: Fantasy
Pages: 556
Published: 2008, Tor Books
My Grade: 5 out of 5
GOODREADS’ DESCRIPTION
“Description contains spoilers for previous book in the series”
Who is the Hero of Ages?
To end the Final Empire and restore freedom, Vin killed the Lord Ruler. But as a result, the Deepness—the lethal form of the ubiquitous mists—is back, along with increasingly heavy ashfalls and ever more powerful earthquakes. Humanity appears to be doomed.
Having escaped death at the climax of The Well of Ascension only by becoming a Mistborn himself, Emperor Elend Venture hopes to find clues left behind by the Lord Ruler that will allow him to save the world. Vin is consumed with guilt at having been tricked into releasing the mystic force known as Ruin from the Well. Ruin wants to end the world, and its near omniscience and ability to warp reality make stopping it seem impossible. Vin can’t even discuss it with Elend lest Ruin learn their plans!
MY REVIEW
It’s impressive that Brandon Sanderson manages to write a trilogy where all the books are so completely different, yet still hang together and continues the story flawlessly. Where the first one introduces this world of the Final Empire in a very captivating way, the second offers a story that takes a 180 turn when it comes to content and the third is just miserable and hopeless all the way through. Like how will Vin and Elend fix this?? I was prepared for a sad ending. And it kinda was. But I also felt satisfied with it. And it was a happy ending. I don’t think I was very excited to start the next trilogy that takes place 300 years later, but now I am. I want to know what will happen in the future.
I can’t really write anything without spoiling and I’m trying to keep all my reviews spoiling. At the end of book one, you think there shouldn’t be any more books. At the end of book two, you rethink the whole series so far. And at the end of book three you understand the whole picture and want to know what happens next.
I did find it a bit confusing with two very similar story arcs going parallel. But that was about it.
Sanderson is great at revealing things after a while without you having any clue about what will come. You get surprised all the time, because information comes from nowhere but it totally makes sense once you get it. It’s really a delight! 5 out of 5, highly recommend! 😊
Title: Winter’s Heart
Author: Robert Jordan
Series: Wheel of Time #9
Narrator: Michael Kramer and Kate Reading
Genre: Fantasy
Length: 24 hours 12 minutes
Published: 20011, MacMillan Audio (originally published 2000)
My Grade: 2.5 out of 5
GOODREADS’ DESCRIPTION
Rand is on the run with Min, and in Cairhein, Cadsuane is trying to figure out where he is headed. Rand’s destination is, in fact, one she has never considered.
Mazrim Taim, leader of the Black Tower, is revealed to be a liar. But what is he up to?
Faile, with the Aiel Maidens, Bain and Chiad, and her companions, Queen Alliandre and Morgase, is prisoner of Savanna’s sept.
Perrin is desperately searching for Faile. With Elyas Machera, Berelain, the Prophet and a very mixed “army” of disparate forces, he is moving through country rife with bandits and roving Seanchan. The Forsaken are ever more present, and united, and the man called Slayer stalks Tel’aran’rhiod and the wolfdream.
In Ebou Dar, the Seanchan princess known as Daughter of the Nine Moons arrives–and Mat, who had been recuperating in the Tarasin Palace, is introduced to her. Will the marriage that has been foretold come about?
There are neither beginnings or endings to the turning of the Wheel of Time. But it is a beginning….
MY REVIEW
Taking a break from Wheel of Time didn’t really help me get my motivation back. When will this flat story get some action going? It feels like it’s not going anywhere and Jordan gets so little done in so many words. Time-wise, I’m not sure during how long this full book takes place. It felt like years, but probably weren’t more than a few weeks or so.
What is good though, is that Winter’s Heart only follows a few characters so it’s much easier to get into the story. Although, when there is one chapter or one part of a chapter that has a brand new character and we don’t know who that is, it’s impossible to guess. The world just feels too big.
I’m keeping my hopes up though, it will get better! And even if it is flat and very easy to zone out, the 10% at the end are super eventful! It also does feel very real. The writing is amazing. I just have a hard time with this dragged out story. Does it really have to be 15 books? Oh well. It did end on a very very exciting note though. That’s basically what all of them did so far. 2.5 out of 5. Not bad, not amazing.
Title: The Return of the King
Author: J.R.R. Tolkien
Series: The Lord of the Rings #2
Narrator: Andy Serkis
Genre: Fantasy
Length: 21 hours 52 minutes
Published: 2021, HarperCollins (originally published 1955)
My Grade: 5 out of 5
GOODREADS’ DESCRIPTION
As the Shadow of Mordor grows across the land, the Companions of the Ring have become involved in separate adventures. Aragorn, revealed as the hidden heir of the ancient Kings of the West, has joined with the Riders of Rohan against the forces of Isengard, and takes part in the desperate victory of the Hornburg. Merry and Pippin, captured by Orcs, escape into Fangorn Forest and there encounter the Ents. Gandalf has miraculously returned and defeated the evil wizard, Saruman. Sam has left his master for dead after a battle with the giant spider, Shelob; but Frodo is still alive — now in the foul hands of the Orcs.
And all the while the armies of the Dark Lord are massing as the One Ring draws ever nearer to the Cracks of Doom.
MY REVIEW
This trilogy was over so fast! Even with 20 hours per book, they were over in no time. Andy Serkis was amazing. I honestly think he could pull off any book. The story is great, but he takes it to higher levels, for sure!
Even though Serkis is doing a wonderful job of narrating, it is still fairly easy to zone out every now and then. For example during the description of Minas Tirith. Especially (unfortunately, I think I have to say), since I “know” what it looks like from the movies. Another thing about that scene: the great battle at Minas Tirith was over in no time, very uneventful and was over after only 30% of the book. I am actually happy about battles not taking over the story like it can in more modern books. I find it hard to follow along. So this works out perfect for me. The focus of Tolkien is definitely on dialogue and world building rather than action packed battle scenes.
Book 5 only follows Aragorn and that part of the story and book 6 follows Frodo and Sam. I do think that I like it that way. The story becomes whole in a different way. Even if the timeline is not being followed by the minute.
The ending is different! Both compared to the movie but it also has another feeling compared to the rest of the book. It’s almost a bit comical. And perhaps a bit out of time and place?
I am glad I finally got to finish this trilogy. When I was 10 or 12 or something, I was too young and barely got through the first two. I should have continued though since The Two Towers was the slowest one. The ending gets a strong 5 out of five possible.
Title: The Two Towers
Author: J.R.R. Tolkien
Series: The Lord of the Rings #2
Narrator: Andy Serkis
Genre: Fantasy
Length: 20 hours 47 minutes
Published: 2021, HarperCollins (originally published 1954)
My Grade: 5 out of 5
GOODREADS’ DESCRIPTION
One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them, One Ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them.
Frodo and his Companions of the Ring have been beset by danger during their quest to prevent the Ruling Ring from falling into the hands of the Dark Lord by destroying it in the Cracks of Doom. They have lost the wizard, Gandalf, in a battle in the Mines of Moria. And Boromir, seduced by the power of the Ring, tried to seize it by force. While Frodo and Sam made their escape, the rest of the company was attacked by Orcs. Now they continue the journey alone down the great River Anduin—alone, that is, save for the mysterious creeping figure that follows wherever they go.
MY REVIEW
The Two Towers is as good as The Fellowship of the Ring. The story goes on seamlessly and focuses mainly on Merry/Pippin and Legolas/Aragorn/Gimli in the “fourth” book and only on Frodo and Sam in the fifth. I like that it was so separated. It made it easier to follow along in the story instead of focusing on trying to figure out which character this chapter is following.
The writing, worldbuilding and general feeling of the bok is the same. It feels real with descriptions and dialogue. And I was surprised at the humor. Gimli’s and Legolas counting contest at Helm’s Deep was in the book. Merry and Pippin greeting the rest of the company after the battle of Isengard an Gimli’s funny responses. That surprised me a lot.
This is the second book of a trilogy, which makes it the transport story. And it definitely is. But not for the reasons I remembered from when I was 12. The Ent Moot is not what is dragging this story out. The Council of Elrond is. I think that was at least four hours of the whole book. I kind of wish I would have paid more attention though, because a lot of ancient history was told there. But in general, things are constantly happening, even if the might be a little flat. Or perhaps even is a better word? Andy Serkis is so very passionate when he is narrating and it’s super intense at the fight with Shelob, but it’s over so fast. The same with the battle at Helm’s Deep. It’s over in no time. These battle scenes seems like a neccessity for the story and not something extraordinary that is visually beautiful as it was portrayed in the movies.
And when it comes to comparing the movie with the book, which is impossible when reading the book 20 years after the successful movie came out, the scenes described in the book gives so much more background. It puts perspective unto scenes in the movie that I wasn’t aware of before. It is also scary how accurate and exact some scenes are. It’s almost ridiculous. I wonder what people thought when reading this before Peter Jackson came into the picture. One major difference though is Frodo’s acting towards Gollum. He is not being nice and understanding at all towards the creature and is not as naive as he is portrayed in the film.
It is a transport book, for sure, but still so excellently written and narrated. 5 out of 5 possible!
Title: The Well of Ascension
Author: Brandon Sanderson
Series: Mistborn #2
Genre: Fantasy
Pages: 578
Published: 2007, Tor Books
My Grade: 5 out of 5
GOODREADS’ DESCRIPTION
“Description contains spoilers for previous book in the series”
The impossible has been accomplished. The Lord Ruler—the man who claimed to be god incarnate and brutally ruled the world for a thousand years—has been vanquished. But Kelsier, the hero who masterminded that triumph, is dead too, and now the awesome task of building a new world has been left to his young protégé, Vin, the former street urchin who is now the most powerful Mistborn in the land, and to the idealistic young nobleman she loves.
As Kelsier’s protégé and slayer of the Lord Ruler she is now venerated by a budding new religion, a distinction that makes her intensely uncomfortable. Even more worrying, the mists have begun behaving strangely since the Lord Ruler died, and seem to harbor a strange vaporous entity that haunts her.
Stopping assassins may keep Vin’s Mistborn skills sharp, but it’s the least of her problems. Luthadel, the largest city of the former empire, doesn’t run itself, and Vin and the other members of Kelsier’s crew, who lead the revolution, must learn a whole new set of practical and political skills to help. It certainly won’t get easier with three armies – one of them composed of ferocious giants – now vying to conquer the city, and no sign of the Lord Ruler’s hidden cache of atium, the rarest and most powerful allomantic metal.
As the siege of Luthadel tightens, an ancient legend seems to offer a glimmer of hope. But even if it really exists, no one knows where to find the Well of Ascension or what manner of power it bestows.
MY REVIEW
The Well of Ascension was different in so many ways from The Final Empire. Well, not in writing really, it is the amazing same, not when it comes to world building either. But content-wise, focus of the story and pace differ a lot.
After finishing The Final Empire and that incredible ending, I just had to know what happened next. Yes, you learned what happened next, them trying to figure out how to rule a kingdom while being under siege from not one, not two, but three armies. What disappointed me a little bit honestly, was that we didn’t get to learn anything of the lord ruler. The first 90% of the book was all about politics, not much action. Things still happened, the story went on, it was easy to follow (not like some other fantasy that focuses on politics, George RR Martin for example). It was captivating and on a good enough level of complicated. One thing Sanderson managed to keep interesting was situations where you as a reader could be certain of the outcome, but somehow he managed to make the opposite and super u likely outcome seem logical. It’s like he’s manipulating us with his writing. It’s amazing!
Sure, war is something happening, but as soon as that 90% part of the story was over, it was like a new book. Those last pages and how it all ended. It was even worse than the ending of The Final Empire. The ending made you rethink the whole first book. That’s a feat!
I cannot say anything else than that Sanderson is my new favorite author. This was the second book of a trilogy, the pace is supposed to be naturally slower. But it builds up suspense, you never know which direction the story is going which the ending clearly show. For a “journey” mid book, it’s good. It’s really good! Easy 5 out of 5. Please read this series if you haven’t already! It kind of feels like I’m the last one to find out about this amazing author, haha!
Bemm 