Hark

A very lukewarm climax from an author who is know for his bombastic climaxes. Much like the previous book, Rhthym of War, it can feel like we're just biding our time until we get within swinging distance of the finale. Which for a thirteen-hundred page book is insane. I couldn't stop thinking about how Lord of the Rings, with only a thousand pages, gets so much done. When I had initially read the first three books in this series I believed this would be Sanderson's magnum-opus, one that could be compared to Lord of The Rings or Wheel of Time, but now I'm not so sure.

The series had always done a stellar job of keeping the reader immersed in its unique but harsh feudal setting, with dialogue and cultural differences. But again, this has become less prevalent as the series has continued. We start off with a caste system, gender roles and slavery to conversations about therapy. To clarify, I'm not against this progression but when a culture is being reformed their should be character friction.

Speaking of character friction, there is almost none in this or the previous book. We have learned that some main characters have killed the loved ones of other different characters and yet we have never seen this discussed by the characters, opting instead to just keep them separated in some cases. To over simplify, world building such as different factions of religious groups, nations or alliances are their to create friction and force character choices. Some of which Sanderson actually undercuts here.

I love Stormlight and it will always have a special place in my heart but that is also why I feel such a deep disappointment from Wind & Truth. Also because I feel Sanderson could've done better. I sincerely hope he reduces his output, if anything to give himself and his team a break, but also to hopefully focus on the quality of his entries and be less concerned with setting up future projects. The Journey was enjoyable but not the Destination.

Moorcock's Elric of Melniboné. Probably one of the most genre defining authors but certainly the least well known. Its a fact that Tolkien's shadow looms large over Fantasy literature even today with so many authors and stories standing upon the foundations he's set. That's partially why I enjoy older fantasy novels. Tolkien's legacy hadn't been fully cemented at the time and so we have authors that aren't afraid to try new and weird ideas. Thus Elric is born. The anti Conan, he's a moody introspective sorcerer prince of a morally neutral people. Although I enjoyed my time with this book, I wouldnt recommend this or any other of Moorcock's older writings to newbies of the genre. The novel is quite short and MM plays fast and loose with his ideas, each more strange and unusual than the last but never fully explored. It's almost as if he's bursting with ideas and trying to get them all out so he can move on with the next one. This novel feels like his ambitions outweigh the page count and i would say that about most of his novels. By today's standard I would give this 3 stars but alas this genre fiction book is almost 50 years old but has probably influenced your favorite fantasy author at some point.

Talents is a direct continuation of Sower, so much so I almost wish they were published together as one book. Some of the problems I had with Sower are answered here along with further, overall improvements. Gone are the paragraph long monologues of Lauren preaching. An inclusion of additional pov's serves to provide a different, more critical lens of her character. This was necessary as Lauren strayed a little to much into a masonic savior at times. She's a remarkable person no doubt, mighty goals and the remarkable force of will to make them manifest. To the point of zealotry. Butler has managed to make me both fear and dislike Lauren but also rally for her and I now find her as one of the most fascinating characters put to paper. I also have to marvel at Butler's discipline and restraint. This world has so much narrative potential, leaving so much room for additional stories and yet, in this dualogy of less than 700 pages, we're still provided with a focused lush portrait. Finishing this has been bittersweet. This series is extraordinary and it's a tragedy that it was cut short. If it were to continue, I have no doubt that this could've been Butler's magnum-opus in an already unbelievable bibliography.

A fantasy movie by Guy Ritchie but it doesn't suck.

I'm not a fan of the modern fantasy style but reading The Blacktongue Thief almost made me reconsider. Almost. At its best this novel feels similar to fantasy books of the 80's and 90's. The plots were straightforward yet filled with strange ideas at every turn leaving you unsure about where the tale would finally land. At its worst it just feels like every middle of the road fantasy novel that's come out of the last 10 years. Quick pacing and simple conflicts. That said, the wit Buehlman strategically displayed in Between Two Fires is now given plenty of room here with our lead and acolyte of mischief, Kinch, who really feels tailored to Buehlman's strengths. A sharp blacktongued rogue with a romantic's heart. I'm not sure if I'll continue the series. The ending was just satisfying enough to leave me with some doubt, despite ending abruptly. Ideally I'd like the next books to take bigger risks, have more interpersonal conflicts and be even weirder. In the modern fantasy landscape, this is a diamond in the rough.

Lastly, rest in peace Luther. I'm sure you were one cool cat.

Short, meandering, and barely delivers on its premise as Earp and Doc are hardly in the book. That withstanding, I'd be lying if I said I didn't have a smile on my face picturing an aged Kurt Russell and Val Kilmer bickering like the old married couple they are. Id say that alone was worth the price of admission.

Rest In Peace, Huckleberry