Kevin

Score: 4.5/5

I cannot fathom how it has been 16 years since The Blade Itself was published, yet it hasn't been adapted into a major movie or TV series. Abercrombie assembles an incredible cast of characters in a gritty, sprawling city that feels completely alive. The book seamlessly balances sharp political intrigue, a subtle yet menacing magic system, blistering battle scenes, and visceral grimdark brutality against a backdrop of subtle but solid dark humour.

What really sets it apart is the character work; within a single book, you go from actively disliking these people to fiercely rooting for them. Plus, it features a romance that feels true to the world, not some filler sex scene but rather something that might be important later in the series. There are several massive, cinematic moments here that would have social media talking for weeks if this were on television. Finally, Steven Pacey’s audiobook narration is an absolute masterclass. I can’t wait to dive into the next installment.

4/5 StarsThe Old Man and the Sea is a short but powerful classic that beautifully captures one man's ability to endure, no matter what obstacles stand in his way. In classic Hemingway style, the prose is lean and to the point. He doesn't waste a single word, yet every sentence hits hard. There are no massive plot twists here... just an old man who takes on a massive challenge, simultaneously winning and losing, and then making his journey home. If I have one critique, it's that I wished for a bit more depth regarding the young boy who cares for him, despite his brief time in the story. The ending is abrupt, leaving you to imagine the true conclusion for the old man. I'd like to think he lived out a few more years as a local legend.

​3.5 / 5 ​This novella leaves you feeling like someone told a joke and you missed the punchline. It is well-written and establishes a fascinating concept, making you care about the journey only for it to end in an incredibly unsatisfactory way. Perhaps, in that sense, it succeeds as an allegory for life. I suspect this story will linger in my mind much longer than it took to read. I'll definitely be looking into more of the author's work.

I'd give The Bone Ships a solid 3.75/5 stars.

The worldbuilding is honestly the best part. The whole concept of a society built around ships made from the bones of extinct sea dragons is fascinating. The way their entire power structure and class system works is really unique and brutal too. It definitely makes you want to keep reading just to see more of the Hundred Isles.

I did the audiobook, and while the narrator was good, his accent was a bit of a trip. I spent the first half of the book legitimately thinking the main character's name was “Lucky Knees” before I realized it was actually Lucky Meas.

Story-wise, it has a “found family” or underdog sports movie vibe, but on a ship. You have this mess of a crew and officers finally coming together, and the main guy, Joron, really starts coming into his own. Even though it uses some familiar tropes, the setting is so weird and fresh that it does not feel cliché at all. Plus, the ship combat is super cinematic. It is really easy to picture the scale of the battles in your head.

It is a great intro to the series, though it feels like it is doing a lot of the heavy lifting to set things up. I am really hoping the second book picks up the pace and starts answering the mysteries they teased about Joron and Meas. Definitely worth a look if you want some nautical grit in your fantasy!

Rating: 3.0 / 5

This Is How You Lose the Time War functions less like a traditional narrative and more like a collection of epistolary love poems. While a broader plot exists, it takes a back seat to the writing style; whether you love or hate this book will completely depend on your appreciation for highly stylized, flowery prose.

The premise follows a temporal war between two rival factions—one cybernetic and technological, the other organic and nature-based. Two elite female soldiers from opposing sides fall in love, exchanging secret, beautifully written messages across history using incredibly unique and creative mediums.

Unfortunately, the actual time-travel plot lacks depth and feels somewhat predictable. While the audiobook narration was excellent and the concept makes for a unique, standalone sci-fi novella, I ultimately found myself unable to truly connect with the characters or the world.