Currently Reading

Magebane – by Stephen Aryan (Age of Dread #3)
Magic is bad. That’s pretty much the tune of this series, if you haven’t been keeping up. The Age of Dread trilogy comes at the end of the Age of Darkness one, so essentially we’ve had six books leading up to this point. I have to give it too Steven Aryan—this one’s been hella entertaining and I can’t wait to see how it all comes out. This may not be grimdark, but it’s certainly more than a bit dark, and definitely a good enough series for me to recommend.
Top TBR for August
At the moment, Crownbreaker will be the next physical book on my plate, as finishing up series is starting to be a priority for me. I’ll definitely miss Kellen and Reichis, but if there’s ever a pair that could use an ending—happy or otherwise—it’s these two. Now, I had to stop Vengeful when my library loan kinda broke, so Havenfall looks like my next audiobook. I’m hoping this YA adventure will prove an interesting diversion from life (somewhat realistic as I’ve heard, but not much). Another series summary is Where Gods Fear to Go by Angus Watson, which features such lures as telekinetic sasquatch, annoying but entertaining Vikings, and well, other things. I’ve enjoyed the series thus far, and am certainly looking forward to the conclusion. I could probably put Blood of Empire on every single TBR for the year as I’m both excited to read it and frustrated that I haven’t gotten to it yet. The Autumn Republic is one of my favorite books ever, so I’m hoping that BoE will live up to its unreasonable standards.
TBR Finished Since Last
• They Mostly Come Out at Night – by Benedict Patrick (Yarnsworld #1)
• Age of Empyre – by Michael J. Sullivan (Legends of the First Empire #6)
• Network Effect – by Martha Wells (Murderbot Chronicles #5)
Of the three books I’ve finished off my TBR in the last month, Age of Empyre was the one that felt most satisfying. Though I probably enjoyed Network Effect more, there was just something about finishing off a series—especially one that spanned six books—that felt more special than continuing one other and starting a third. I start a heck of a lot more series than I ever finish, so when I’m able to go beginning to end on something that entertains me throughout, it’s quite the feeling of accomplishment. While there were some ups and downs, the Legends of the First Empire had a lasting appeal to see me through to the end, along with enough twists and turns to keep me guessing. Unrelated: If you’re wondering where my thoughts on Network Effect are, I um, haven’t gotten to them yet. It was good, though. That enough?
In other news, my gaming burnout continues, as I’ve unsuccessfully chucked a bunch of titles at it without anything sticking. I’m also sleeping a lot. Like, 10 hours a day a lot. Now, most people might have a problem with wasting their lives or something, but sleep is elusive enough for me that I don’t mind it at all. In fact, if I had another hour in the day, I’d probably try to spend it asleep. Plus with work (supposedly) starting again soon, I’m sure I’ll be losing it sooner or later.
Read anything off this month’s TBR? Thoughts, opinions, complaints? Anyone like sleep as much as I do? Hope y’all are doing well!
Sleeping is yet another form of „escape from reality“, so you should be good 😁
I had a burnout early this year (still recovering) and that involved lots of sleeping as a symptom.
Concerning the titles here: I guess Sullivan is just not my preferred author. Clellan hugs my tbr and I‘m scared of those doorstoppers.
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The best doorstops I’ve found are the Wheel of Time books. They’re big, heavy, and not a bad read if you ever need distracting. And even when you take one, there’re always more!
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I read them mostly on vacation and never as dead tree edition.
My new WoT series is way of kings, and I’m eager waiting for the next volume this autumn.
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I prefer ‘altered tree’, and the Stormlight books are way too good to use as doorstops.
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I keep saying I’m going to start the Angus Watson series but ugh it never happens! One of these days…
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I say that kinda thing a lot too 😂
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I need to catch up with both the McClellan and Angus Watson series…but maybe when I’m feel more up to epic fantasy again 🙂
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Burnout?
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Blood of Empire is as good as the other McClellan novels, so have no fear: you will certainly enjoy it 🙂
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Thanks for the encouragement! 😁
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