Beth Morrison
“The world is indeed full of peril, and in it there are many dark places; but still there is much that is fair, and though in all lands love is now mingled with grief, it grows perhaps the greater.”
“The world is indeed full of peril, and in it there are many dark places; but still there is much that is fair, and though in all lands love is now mingled with grief, it grows perhaps the greater.”
It was so much fun continuing this! I didn't enjoy it as much as I did book 1, BUT I think a lot was set up here to take us further into the dungeon. We got hit with some big feelings and more going on “behind the scenes,” and I can't wait to see where book 3 takes us.
It was so much fun continuing this! I didn't enjoy it as much as I did book 1, BUT I think a lot was set up here to take us further into the dungeon. We got hit with some big feelings and more going on “behind the scenes,” and I can't wait to see where book 3 takes us.
“War must be, while we defend our lives against a destroyer who would devour all; but I do not love the bright sword for its sharpness, nor the arrow for its swiftness, nor the warrior for his glory. I love only that which they defend.”
This book is an absolute BANGER!!! I am obsessed with the ents and Faramir. Also, so much lore dropped in this one that I cannot wait to finish and get to the Silmarillion.
“War must be, while we defend our lives against a destroyer who would devour all; but I do not love the bright sword for its sharpness, nor the arrow for its swiftness, nor the warrior for his glory. I love only that which they defend.”
This book is an absolute BANGER!!! I am obsessed with the ents and Faramir. Also, so much lore dropped in this one that I cannot wait to finish and get to the Silmarillion.
3.5 rounded up.
This was my first King book as an adult reader. It's probably a weird one to pick, but I figured I'd try something on the lighter side, and I'd heard a few positive reviews. I enjoyed the audio and found myself wanting to keep going, but I didnt think it was anything super special. I enjoyed it, so I rated it above average because that's what I felt like it was. I'm going to continue reading some of his work, and definitely want to give 11/22/63 a try before diving into his extensive backlog, but if you want to drop your favorites by S.K. I'd appreciate it for the future.
3.5 rounded up.
This was my first King book as an adult reader. It's probably a weird one to pick, but I figured I'd try something on the lighter side, and I'd heard a few positive reviews. I enjoyed the audio and found myself wanting to keep going, but I didnt think it was anything super special. I enjoyed it, so I rated it above average because that's what I felt like it was. I'm going to continue reading some of his work, and definitely want to give 11/22/63 a try before diving into his extensive backlog, but if you want to drop your favorites by S.K. I'd appreciate it for the future.
Added to listAll Time Favoriteswith 29 books.
4.5 stars
3.75 stars. not my favorite, but still a lot of fun.
3.75 stars. not my favorite, but still a lot of fun.
Added to listRead Aloud Bookswith 2 books.
Added to listPhysical Tbrwith 72 books.
Nothing needs to be said. Tolkien is the best there ever was. The audio with Andy Serkis is EVERYTHING!
Nothing needs to be said. Tolkien is the best there ever was. The audio with Andy Serkis is EVERYTHING!
Added to listMFF with 4 books.
"And the drop of corruption that lies within every society shall always persist."
A fantastic sequel that is deeper, darker, and more intense. This novel perfectly fuses dark fantasy with classical detection, starting with an intricate locked-room mystery that quickly expands into a sharp critique of the entire Empire and its corruption.
Rating Breakdown:
Setting: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Characters: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Plot: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Themes: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Emotional Impact: ⭐⭐
Personal Enjoyment: ⭐⭐⭐
Overall: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
World & Setting
Bennett expands the world beautifully, moving from the political center to the gritty, chaotic port of Yarrowdale. This shift highlights the stark political tensions within the Empire. We also get a disturbing look into the source of the Empire's power: the industrial exploitation of the captured leviathans that fuel all the organic augmentations. It’s inventive, immersive biopunk fantasy.
Characters: Ana & Din
The partnership between Din Kol and Ana Dolabra remains the heart of the story. Din faces significant internal struggle, dealing with personal debt and the ethics of his job. Ana, the genius detective, is truly tested by a seemingly impossible crime and a challenging adversary. Their dynamic is compelling because it's so realistic, shifting between genuine understanding and frustrated clashes during the intense investigation.
Plot & Pacing
The narrative is impeccably structured and relentless. Bennett crafts a masterful locked-room mystery where the plot is constantly evolving. Every answer immediately opens the door to deeper complications, ensuring the tension never drops. The pacing is superb, making the complex investigation a thrilling page-turner.
Themes
At its core, the book powerfully explores systemic corruption and moral decay within the Empire. The mystery serves as a mirror reflecting the exploitation and high cost required to sustain such a regime. Bennett's prose is sharp and evocative, balancing technical detail with a clear, engaging narrative.
Final Verdict: A Drop of Corruption is a superior sequel - bigger, darker, and an utterly satisfying mystery. Highly recommended for fans of smart, character-driven fantasy
"And the drop of corruption that lies within every society shall always persist."
A fantastic sequel that is deeper, darker, and more intense. This novel perfectly fuses dark fantasy with classical detection, starting with an intricate locked-room mystery that quickly expands into a sharp critique of the entire Empire and its corruption.
Rating Breakdown:
Setting: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Characters: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Plot: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Themes: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Emotional Impact: ⭐⭐
Personal Enjoyment: ⭐⭐⭐
Overall: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
World & Setting
Bennett expands the world beautifully, moving from the political center to the gritty, chaotic port of Yarrowdale. This shift highlights the stark political tensions within the Empire. We also get a disturbing look into the source of the Empire's power: the industrial exploitation of the captured leviathans that fuel all the organic augmentations. It’s inventive, immersive biopunk fantasy.
Characters: Ana & Din
The partnership between Din Kol and Ana Dolabra remains the heart of the story. Din faces significant internal struggle, dealing with personal debt and the ethics of his job. Ana, the genius detective, is truly tested by a seemingly impossible crime and a challenging adversary. Their dynamic is compelling because it's so realistic, shifting between genuine understanding and frustrated clashes during the intense investigation.
Plot & Pacing
The narrative is impeccably structured and relentless. Bennett crafts a masterful locked-room mystery where the plot is constantly evolving. Every answer immediately opens the door to deeper complications, ensuring the tension never drops. The pacing is superb, making the complex investigation a thrilling page-turner.
Themes
At its core, the book powerfully explores systemic corruption and moral decay within the Empire. The mystery serves as a mirror reflecting the exploitation and high cost required to sustain such a regime. Bennett's prose is sharp and evocative, balancing technical detail with a clear, engaging narrative.
Final Verdict: A Drop of Corruption is a superior sequel - bigger, darker, and an utterly satisfying mystery. Highly recommended for fans of smart, character-driven fantasy
A Christmas Carol... That I Couldn't Finish (DNF @ 75%) This book was my December book club pick, an unfortunate necessity for an attempt to read outside my comfort zone.
While I usually refuse to rate a book I haven't completed, this story proved so utterly terrible and predictable that I felt justified in abandoning it at 75%—and felt compelled to share exactly why.
❌The Fatal Flaws❌ •The Insulting Narration: The most grating element was the narrator's constant intrusion, which literally spoke to the reader as if we were too dense to follow the story. If the narrator wasn't addressing us, they were addressing the main character, Max/Atlas (whichever you prefer, apparently?), treating the audience like a collection of children who need their hands held through a simple story. •The Man-Child Protagonist: Max/Atlas is clearly intended to be a man in his 30s with the charming, innocent dramatic flair of Kevin from Home Alone. It worked for Kevin because he was a child. For a grown man, this behavior was simply annoying. •Cringe-Worthy Interactions: The writing failed spectacularly in its attempt to create "awkwardly funny" love interest conversations. Instead of humor, the dialogue produced genuine discomfort and constant cringing. This, combined with terrible explicit scenes and the overall teenage-level behavior of the characters, repeatedly grated on my nerves.
🎄 A Few Fleeting Positives I will give credit where it is due: The Setting: I genuinely enjoyed the perpetual Christmas village of Kringle. It was adorable and successfully created a perfect Christmasy feel. The References: The Home Alone references (apart from the protagonist's personality) consistently made me smile when they appeared. Garth/Gary: The character—Garth, or was it Gary?—who appeared in only one scene, was probably the only character who never irritated me.
A Christmas Carol... That I Couldn't Finish (DNF @ 75%) This book was my December book club pick, an unfortunate necessity for an attempt to read outside my comfort zone.
While I usually refuse to rate a book I haven't completed, this story proved so utterly terrible and predictable that I felt justified in abandoning it at 75%—and felt compelled to share exactly why.
❌The Fatal Flaws❌ •The Insulting Narration: The most grating element was the narrator's constant intrusion, which literally spoke to the reader as if we were too dense to follow the story. If the narrator wasn't addressing us, they were addressing the main character, Max/Atlas (whichever you prefer, apparently?), treating the audience like a collection of children who need their hands held through a simple story. •The Man-Child Protagonist: Max/Atlas is clearly intended to be a man in his 30s with the charming, innocent dramatic flair of Kevin from Home Alone. It worked for Kevin because he was a child. For a grown man, this behavior was simply annoying. •Cringe-Worthy Interactions: The writing failed spectacularly in its attempt to create "awkwardly funny" love interest conversations. Instead of humor, the dialogue produced genuine discomfort and constant cringing. This, combined with terrible explicit scenes and the overall teenage-level behavior of the characters, repeatedly grated on my nerves.
🎄 A Few Fleeting Positives I will give credit where it is due: The Setting: I genuinely enjoyed the perpetual Christmas village of Kringle. It was adorable and successfully created a perfect Christmasy feel. The References: The Home Alone references (apart from the protagonist's personality) consistently made me smile when they appeared. Garth/Gary: The character—Garth, or was it Gary?—who appeared in only one scene, was probably the only character who never irritated me.
