The Etched City by KJ Bishop
Finished this now. Afterwards read a review that also did call it 'decadent'. For about 25% or so near the end it turned into an actual story. Not enough of a story though. Bishop's first novel. I would move onto others even if it wasn't though.
Now reading Paul Park. His depiction of the antinomials is the best I think I've ever seen of an alternate sentient species. One wonders if they're neanderthals, or some alternate universe where neanderthals didn't die out, but we don't know, and it's good not to. Are vegetarians a sort of just normal man? Or are they like dwarves? Not enough info to know and that's good. But extreme depth of antinomials different way of thinking/perceiving.
Showing posts with label Bishop (KJ). Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bishop (KJ). Show all posts
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
The Etched City by KJ Bishop
55% in and I'm not quite sure what the plot is really. It's Gwynn and Raule, whom aren't really even having anything to do with each other and both are just living. No particular goal in mind. No particular task that must be accomplished. Gwynn is just enjoying life. Works for the slave trade, enjoying his gf, the red haired painter. Raule is an underpaid doctor, takes care of the poor in this brutal city.
I like it though. Like the detail. I wouldn't mind at all though if it started actually going somewhere in particular instead of seeming so random. I suppose the lack of a plot and all the detail makes it really decadent, which is good. I guess you could say it's a real, the world is over, hooray! kind of book.
55% in and I'm not quite sure what the plot is really. It's Gwynn and Raule, whom aren't really even having anything to do with each other and both are just living. No particular goal in mind. No particular task that must be accomplished. Gwynn is just enjoying life. Works for the slave trade, enjoying his gf, the red haired painter. Raule is an underpaid doctor, takes care of the poor in this brutal city.
I like it though. Like the detail. I wouldn't mind at all though if it started actually going somewhere in particular instead of seeming so random. I suppose the lack of a plot and all the detail makes it really decadent, which is good. I guess you could say it's a real, the world is over, hooray! kind of book.
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Mageborn: The Blacksmith's Son by Michael Manning
They all just run together after a while. They really REALLY do.
His parents are killed when he's just a baby. He's basically the last wizard. His love interest is a tad stupid. The book is quite short. The bad guy doesn't last very long. Seemed cut too short. There is a book two, which I might never read. Lack of setting detail. Lack of character depth. But decent. Lack of injustice.
I felt emotion when Dorian is attacking the bad guy whom just almost killed the hero.
Comparing to Daniel Abraham, it's got less character depth and setting detail. But at least the hero has an ace up his sleeve. Not enough injustice in this book. Basically except for finding out his real parents were murdered shortly after he was born and he's actually a wizard, not much really happens here. The bad guy is quite thin and thrown in. Perhaps like Rothfuss book two might be better. But moving on to other books. Now reading The Etched City which has more setting detail than I've read in a very long time, and just simply big words. Hooray for big words. Supposedly the plot wanders aimlessly. But thinking back to Gormenghast, I'd consider that a good thing right now. In fact Etched City is compared to Gormenghast, though it doesn't seem quite at that level.
Gormenghast has really improved in my memory. Interesting how I've managed to completely forget some books I've recently read, yet I didn't evn bother to read the third book of Gormenghast, and still the first two books have stuck with me (and in a "positive" way) so well.
They all just run together after a while. They really REALLY do.
His parents are killed when he's just a baby. He's basically the last wizard. His love interest is a tad stupid. The book is quite short. The bad guy doesn't last very long. Seemed cut too short. There is a book two, which I might never read. Lack of setting detail. Lack of character depth. But decent. Lack of injustice.
I felt emotion when Dorian is attacking the bad guy whom just almost killed the hero.
Comparing to Daniel Abraham, it's got less character depth and setting detail. But at least the hero has an ace up his sleeve. Not enough injustice in this book. Basically except for finding out his real parents were murdered shortly after he was born and he's actually a wizard, not much really happens here. The bad guy is quite thin and thrown in. Perhaps like Rothfuss book two might be better. But moving on to other books. Now reading The Etched City which has more setting detail than I've read in a very long time, and just simply big words. Hooray for big words. Supposedly the plot wanders aimlessly. But thinking back to Gormenghast, I'd consider that a good thing right now. In fact Etched City is compared to Gormenghast, though it doesn't seem quite at that level.
Gormenghast has really improved in my memory. Interesting how I've managed to completely forget some books I've recently read, yet I didn't evn bother to read the third book of Gormenghast, and still the first two books have stuck with me (and in a "positive" way) so well.
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