The Book Wyrms - a Magistream Book Club - OPEN

[salt]

If I didn't like The Naming of the Wind (too much of a Gary Stu, plus I just didn't like any of the flashback characters very much, the somewhat overly phoney society and sparse world building), would I like The Wise Man's Fear?

I think not, it would be probably a little too perfect for you, since *spoilers*

Spoiler

he's way better off in The Wise Man's Fear, and everything turns out to be to his favor in the end.

[Haqeem]

Read The Name of the Wind but didn't like it.

[NellaFantasia]

mild!spoilers

Spoiler

You've read past this part then, definitely, where he has the huge argument with Denna and stuff xD I never really liked Denna, she struck me as super bitchy Well, I guess that's also part of my friend's influence rubbing off on me, so yeah. But by the way, Tempi is AWESOME, man. Seriously.

I like his hair. /shot

Spoiler

I like Denna more in this book than I did in the last one, but I'm more indifferent to her than anything. I certainly wouldn't be sad if she disappeared from the story. Tempi though...Tempi is amazing. I would love to see him and Elodin have a conversation.

And I really don't think this needs to be in a spoiler, but whatever

If I didn't like The Naming of the Wind (too much of a Gary Stu, plus I just didn't like any of the flashback characters very much, the somewhat overly phoney society and sparse world building), would I like The Wise Man's Fear?

Hard to say since I'm loving it, but since you didn't like The Name of the Wind I would say let it pass.

I've been trying to read The Inbetween People for the past four months. I don't think I've ever had so much trouble with a 176 page book. First, I'd like to say, it's absolutely stunning. My delay is by no means a negative review of the book. It just has a tendency to overwhelm me every few pages. The Inbetween People by Emma McEvoy can probably be best described as a cross between The Reluctant Fundamentalist and The History of Love. Like The Reluctant Fundamentalist, it tackles real world issues (the Israeli-Palestine conflict rather than Pakistani fundamentalism) with a wonderful soft lyricism that's heavily grounded in first person narration. But in a addition to that, like The History of Love, it goes beyond just one person's story with letters and well, history. But The Inbetween People is better than both of those books because all of it feels natural and none of it seems gimmicky.

I had to go look that one up. It sounds really interesting. Is it the writing itself or the story that seems overwhelming?

[salt]

Spoiler

I like Denna more in this book than I did in the last one, but I'm more indifferent to her than anything. I certainly wouldn't be sad if she disappeared from the story. Tempi though...Tempi is amazing. I would love to see him and Elodin have a conversation.

And I really don't think this needs to be in a spoiler, but whatever

Spoiler

Spoilers because spoilered conversations are awesome.

I have to agree with Denna as being better in the second book, but yup, if anything I'm indifferent to her. And oh my god. Tempi and Elodin. That's just...*explodes* Out of curiosity, which one is your favorite Master? I always liked Elodin, but honestly if I had to pick a second favorite it would be Kilvin.

[NellaFantasia]

Spoiler

Spoilers because spoilered conversations are awesome.

I have to agree with Denna as being better in the second book, but yup, if anything I'm indifferent to her. And oh my god. Tempi and Elodin. That's just...*explodes* Out of curiosity, which one is your favorite Master? I always liked Elodin, but honestly if I had to pick a second favorite it would be Kilvin.

Spoiler for The Wise Man's Fear (so people know what's supposed to be under here...)

Spoiler

I do like Kilvin a lot. I've always liked the gruff, bear-like dudes. He'd my second choice as well.

But Elodin...Elodin is some kind of special. When he was chasing those feathered things around the room, I was waiting for something profound to happen. Where he'd catch them and talk about some life lesson and Kvothe would be mystified. Then he trips, falls and limps out of the room cursing. Tears.

[salt]

Spoiler

Spoilers because spoilered conversations are awesome.

I have to agree with Denna as being better in the second book, but yup, if anything I'm indifferent to her. And oh my god. Tempi and Elodin. That's just...*explodes* Out of curiosity, which one is your favorite Master? I always liked Elodin, but honestly if I had to pick a second favorite it would be Kilvin.

Spoiler for The Wise Man's Fear (so people know what's supposed to be under here...)

Spoiler

I do like Kilvin a lot. I've always liked the gruff, bear-like dudes. He'd my second choice as well.

But Elodin...Elodin is some kind of special. When he was chasing those feathered things around the room, I was waiting for something profound to happen. Where he'd catch them and talk about some life lesson and Kvothe would be mystified. Then he trips, falls and limps out of the room cursing. Tears.

Spoiler

Oh my god, yes. YES. The feathered thingies or whatever they were called. Oh my god, Elodin is just...amazing. But then, I can't help but love Sim and Wil as well. Those two are seriously some of the best sidekicks...and when Ambrose drugged Kvothe, I burst my guts laughing

[Selinea]

I've been trying to read The Inbetween People for the past four months. I don't think I've ever had so much trouble with a 176 page book. First, I'd like to say, it's absolutely stunning. My delay is by no means a negative review of the book. It just has a tendency to overwhelm me every few pages. The Inbetween People by Emma McEvoy can probably be best described as a cross between The Reluctant Fundamentalist and The History of Love. Like The Reluctant Fundamentalist, it tackles real world issues (the Israeli-Palestine conflict rather than Pakistani fundamentalism) with a wonderful soft lyricism that's heavily grounded in first person narration. But in a addition to that, like The History of Love, it goes beyond just one person's story with letters and well, history. But The Inbetween People is better than both of those books because all of it feels natural and none of it seems gimmicky.

I had to go look that one up. It sounds really interesting. Is it the writing itself or the story that seems overwhelming?

A bit of both, but definitely more the writing itself. There are no full page paragraphs, but all the paragraphs are a good length, and most sentences too, are sort of long. And it has this...almost seductive quality to it, like I would drown in it if I read too much at once, so I don't. Although I probably should just finish it since it's not that long of a book...

The last book I had this much trouble with was The Swan Thieves, but that probably also had to do with the sheer length of the book and the slow pacing. Oh, for people who haven't read The Swan Thieves, I would recommend it to patient readers who love beautiful descriptions and just beautiful writing in general. Like I've said many times, it's a book about art that itself is also like a piece of art. There's not a lot of action or plot, but if you're the type that likes art museums, a splash of mystery, and well developed characters, then The Swan Thieves is for you.

Because I'm super behind on my reading goal this year (still 100 books like the last two years), I need recommendations for short books. (Preferably less than 200 pages)

[NellaFantasia]

Spoiler

Oh my god, yes. YES. The feathered thingies or whatever they were called. Oh my god, Elodin is just...amazing. But then, I can't help but love Sim and Wil as well. Those two are seriously some of the best sidekicks...and when Ambrose drugged Kvothe, I burst my guts laughing

The Wise Man's Fear

Spoiler

Oh, it was hilarious. And so well done. I thought Kvothe was acting a little ridiculous, considering he was spending his money willy-nilly after making such a big fuss about needing every penny, but I never suspected anything was amiss.

"You can't go kill Ambrose."

"You sure?"

I was losing it throughout the whole thing.

A bit of both, but definitely more the writing itself. There are no full page paragraphs, but all the paragraphs are a good length, and most sentences too, are sort of long. And it has this...almost seductive quality to it, like I would drown in it if I read too much at once, so I don't. Although I probably should just finish it since it's not that long of a book...

The last book I had this much trouble with was The Swan Thieves, but that probably also had to do with the sheer length of the book and the slow pacing. Oh, for people who haven't read The Swan Thieves, I would recommend it to patient readers who love beautiful descriptions and just beautiful writing in general. Like I've said many times, it's a book about art that itself is also like a piece of art. There's not a lot of action or plot, but if you're the type that likes art museums, a splash of mystery, and well developed characters, then The Swan Thieves is for you.

Because I'm super behind on my reading goal this year (still 100 books like the last two years), I need recommendations for short books. (Preferably less than 200 pages)

I'm going to look into those. I can't help with the short book recommendations unfortunately. Most of the stories I read are 700+ pages. The only short one I've read recently was When The King Comes Home, which I think is more of a children's/young adult book. Nothing great or memorable, and certainly not fast paced, but it was a nice quick read.

[salt]

Spoiler

Oh my god, yes. YES. The feathered thingies or whatever they were called. Oh my god, Elodin is just...amazing. But then, I can't help but love Sim and Wil as well. Those two are seriously some of the best sidekicks...and when Ambrose drugged Kvothe, I burst my guts laughing

The Wise Man's Fear

Spoiler

Oh, it was hilarious. And so well done. I thought Kvothe was acting a little ridiculous, considering he was spending his money willy-nilly after making such a big fuss about needing every penny, but I never suspected anything was amiss.

"You can't go kill Ambrose."

"You sure?"

I was losing it throughout the whole thing.

Wise Man's Fear

Spoiler

I swear, that was one of the parts that I loved most. And Devi, Devi is awesome. Then again, so are several of the female characters - I thought it was a good job making them not appear weak and stuff, you know? And their prank on Ambrose, that was funny too. xD

I don't know if you've gotten to chapter 94 yet, though, so I'll refrain from adding any spoilers here just in case.

[NellaFantasia]

Wise Man's Fear

Spoiler

I swear, that was one of the parts that I loved most. And Devi, Devi is awesome. Then again, so are several of the female characters - I thought it was a good job making them not appear weak and stuff, you know? And their prank on Ambrose, that was funny too. xD

I don't know if you've gotten to chapter 94 yet, though, so I'll refrain from adding any spoilers here just in case.

The Wise Man's Fear

Spoiler

I do like Devi, and the one crazy chick...Auri or something? I'm really bad at remembering names. But yeah, I dig them.

Now I'm at the part where Kvothe runs into Felurian. It seems so...weird. Like it's out of nowhere and doesn't fit in with the rest of the story. I'm not sure what to make of it.