The Wise Man’s Fear

Background

Published in March 2011, “The Wise Man’s Fear,” by Patrick Rothfuss, is the second book in the epic fantasy series “The Kingkiller Chronicle.” Continuing the journey of Kvothe, a gifted young man with a mysterious past, the story delves deeper into his adventures and trials. Kvothe pursues knowledge at the University, seeking answers about the mysterious Chandrian who killed his parents. His journey takes him through encounters with powerful beings, political intrigue, and romantic entanglements, all while honing his skills in magic, music, and combat.

The Wise Man's Fear
The Wise Man’s Fear

My Thoughts

I really enjoyed the writing and the book pulled me in. However, I didn’t really care for the sex and the whole philosophy surrounding it with the Adem people. Fortunately, there wasn’t much through the book and it didn’t have much bearing on the plot. Kvothe is still young and bumbling, but it is becoming very powerful very quickly. This doesn’t bode too well for the following books. However, the fact the reader is shown Kvothe in the present day as a simple innkeeper runs an interesting counterpoint to his younger days. I’m interested to see where it goes.

Recommendation

This one was a LONG book, but I just kept going back to the well.

Yellowface

Background

Published in May of 2023, “Yellowface,” by R.F. Kuang, is a novel delving into issues of cultural appropriation, identity, and the cutthroat world of publishing. The story follows June Hayward, a struggling writer who seizes an unexpected opportunity after the sudden death of her more successful friend, Athena Liu. June decides to publish Athena’s unpublished manuscript under her own name, assuming a new identity and navigating the complexities of literary fame. As she gains success, June faces mounting pressure and guilt, exposing the darker side of the literary industry and the consequences of erasing and exploiting another’s voice.

Yellowface
Yellowface

My Thoughts

I honestly don’t remember where I heard about his book or who recommended it to me. I had it on hold for months and was surprised when it finally popped up in my inbox. That said, I really didn’t like at first. Juniper was self entitled narcissistic piece of garbage who couldn’t get over the fact that her friend was successful. I didn’t know what the book was about and it took me a minute to figure out that I wasn’t supposed to like the protagonist. And she didn’t get any better…

I was pulled in. I loved the commentary on social media and the internet as a whole. How shallow and fickle people can be and how ridiculous cancel culture can be. The book made me think about how unsafe the internet really is and how petty people can be. This book is sad commentary on a society so focused on themselves that they’ve lost an reason to exist. On people who have to find connection with others who are just as vapid and small as themselves. Tearing down each other to make themselves feel better. For most of us, that was middle school or junior high. Unfortunately, some never really evolved past it.

Fortunately, the book eventually ended. It was too much pettiness to keep watching and was getting more and more painful. It was well written and was a compelling story, yet if people are really like that, I feel terrible for them. I’m glad that I know many people who have grown up and are simply good humans.

Recommendation

It became better as it went on. However, I won’t be reading it again.

Mitosis

Background

Published on November 2013, “Mitosis,” by Brandon Sanderson, is a novella set in the Reckoners universe, bridging the gap between “Steelheart” and “Firefight.” The story follows David Charleston and the Reckoners as they continue their fight against the superpowered Epics in the dystopian city of Newcago. When a new Epic named Mitosis arrives, possessing the ability to create deadly clones of himself, David and his team must confront this new threat. The novella explores themes of heroism, sacrifice, and the ongoing struggle against tyranny in a world where extraordinary powers often lead to extraordinary corruption.

Mitosis
Mitosis

My Thoughts

A fun and very quick read of the first Epic to come looking for “Steelslayer.” It was a bit of nostalgia to read of an earlier time when “Prof” hadn’t turned and David needed to start acting on his own. I found this book fit very well between the first two books of the Reckoners series.

Recommendation

Not needed for the larger story but still fun.

Starsight

Background

Published in November of 2019, “Starsight,” by Brandon Sanderson, is the sequel to “Skyward,” continuing the story of Spensa Nightshade as she strives to uncover the secrets of her world and her own mysterious heritage. In this installment, Spensa infiltrates the alien Superiority, a coalition of alien races that oppresses humanity. Posing as an alien pilot, she navigates through a complex web of political intrigue, battles, and alliances, all while grappling with her own identity and the immense power within her.

Starsight
Starsight

My Thoughts

This story seemed to fly by as it easy to read and a fun story. Much like Dr. Seuss’s, “Stars Upon Thars” the lesson we learn is we are all people despite our differences. This concept hits the protagonist hard as she never thought the people oppressing her could be people as well. At the end, this very concept saves the day with the delver. It was a little heavy handed at times and delved into the who “They, Them” pronoun stuff, but still a good time.

Recommendation

I liked it.

The Name of the Wind

Background

Published in 2007, “The Name of the Wind” is a fantasy novel by Patrick Rothfuss, first published in March 2007. It is the first book in the Kingkiller Chronicle series, which narrates the story of Kvothe, an adventurer and musician recounting his life’s story to a chronicler over three days. In this first installment, Kvothe shares his early childhood in a troupe of traveling players, his years spent as a near-feral orphan in a crime-riddled city, and his daring acceptance into a legendary school of magic. The novel is known for its deep character development, detailed world-building, and the intricate interplay of truth and myth as Kvothe describes his transformation from a precocious youth into a figure of mythic renown.

The Name of the Wind
The Name of the Wind

My Thoughts

It took me a while to get into the book, but it was worth it. Rothfuss created an interesting world where technology is edging out magic. Where normal people are trying to live with their superstitions and understandable anxieties when the unexplainable occurs. Moreover, he created a character that a reader can both root for and identify with. There is much more story to go and I’m excited for the next book in the series.

Recommendation

Hold on through the first part. It gets better once the innkeeper’s life story begins.

Calamity: Heroes will Rise

Background

Published in Feb 2016, “Calamity: Heroes Will Rise,” is the conclusion to Brandon Sanderson’s Reckoners trilogy. The story follows David Charleston and the Reckoners as they continue their fight against the oppressive Epics, superhumans with extraordinary powers and corrupt intentions. In a desperate bid to bring down the ultimate Epic, Calamity, David grapples with new revelations about the source of the Epics’ powers and the possibility of redemption for those consumed by them.

Calamity: Heroes will Rise
Calamity: Heroes will Rise

My Thoughts

This book was a fitting conclusion to the series and was just as good as the rest. Sanderson does a great job of keeping the reader on edge and still manages to give a surprise ending. There are still a number of unanswered questions regarding the Epics and the door is wide open to continue on with the series. However, we are now several years later on and it doesn’t look like there will be much more work on it.

Recommendation

Great book

Skyward

Background

Published in November of 2018, “Skyward” by Brandon Sanderson, follows the journey of Spensa, a young girl living on the planet Detritus, who dreams of becoming a pilot like her father. Her world is under constant attack by mysterious aliens known as the Krell, causing the people to live under military rule just to survive. Despite societal prejudices against her family due to her father and her own personal challenges, Spensa strives to prove her worth and uncover the truth about her father’s past.

Skyward
Skyward

My Thoughts

Another book by Sanderson that took a minuted to get going, but I really enjoyed it. I was home sick while I was reading this book and loved that I could just devour it. It kept my full attention for hours and I’m looking forward to the sequel.

That said, “Spin” is a little overpowered and somewhat reminiscent of “Bella” Swan from Twilight. We don’t get much of a description of her other that she was small with brown hair (and eats rats). However, just like “Bella”, she has some unexplained secret powers that save the day in the end. Regardless, her character was much less brooding and more fun than Twilight. She went through the standard hero’s journey and actually grew through the story. Her spunk and resilience were tempered with her eventual acceptance of her humanity and finding comradery.

Recommendation

Great book.

Firefight

Background

Published in Jan of 2015, “Firefight” “Firefight” is a science fiction novel by Brandon Sanderson and is the second book in the Reckoners series. We follow the protagonist David Charleston as he continues his battle against the Epics, superpowered individuals who have subjugated Earth. In this installment, David travels to the city of Babilar (formerly Manhattan) to confront a powerful Epic named Regalia. As he delves deeper into the mysterious workings of the Epics’ powers, David grapples with his feelings for Megan, an Epic whose abilities and intentions remain unclear. “Firefight” blends action, mystery, and romance, expanding the Reckoners’ universe and exploring themes of power, redemption, and identity.

Firefight
Firefight

My Thoughts

Extremely readable and a great sequel. It had all the trimmings; more character development, a continuing story, the same tone and pacing, inside jokes from the first novel, and (of course), exposition. Much like producer Joss Whedon, Sanderson isn’t afraid to break a few eggs in his characters as well. Scattered through the book are some pretty expected graphic deaths of people the reader has learned to know and love. Honestly, I had a hard time putting this one down.

Recommendation

Great book. I’m excited to get to the next one in the series.

Yumi Painter

Background

Published in 2023, “Yumi and the Nightmare Painter,” is a fantasy novel by Brandon Sanderson. Set on the planet Komashi, the story follows Yumi, a spirit-calling yoki-hijo, and Nikaro, a nightmare painter. The duo must work together after swapping bodies to uncover the secrets behind a world controlled by a memory-erasing Father Machine. Narrated by Hoid, this third book in the Cosmere universe’s “Secret Projects” campaign blends mystery, adventure, and magic.

Yumi and the Nightmare Painter
Yumi and the Nightmare Painter

My Thoughts

The start was a little rough as the reader bounces back and forth from Yumi to the Nightmare Painter. Both worlds follow different sets of issues and seemly even basic physics and it took a while to parse it out since they were so foreign to our own concepts. However, the story pulls together and just keeps getting better and better. I loved the ending.

Recommendation

Great book.

New Spring

Background

Published in 2004, “New Spring” is a fantasy novel by Robert Jordan serving as a prequel to his acclaimed Wheel of Time series. The book explores the early years of two central characters, Lan Mandragoran and Moiraine Damodred, starting with the events of the Aiel War and leading up to Moiraine becoming an Aes Sedai. The story kicks off with a prophecy about the birth of the Dragon Reborn and follows Moiraine and her friend Siuan as they begin their dangerous quest to locate the newborn dragon.

New Spring
New Spring

My Thoughts

I enjoyed the Wheel of Time series and have been interested in this book for a bit. Particularly, since the the release of the Wheel of Time series on Netflix. I was very bothered by a few things in the series which I took as gratuitous or without precedence. This continued to needle at me, in particular the sexual relationship between Moiraine and Siuan.

However, the build up between Lan and Moiraine was fun. To see Moiraine as both childish and petty was enjoyable and was well within the character arc. However, Lan continued to be Lan, just as hard as he ever was. It’s difficult not to like the guy, but I was hoping for more of a glimpse of his youthful imperfections. Perhaps his woman troubles will have to do.

Recommendation

A fun book. However, I would recommend you read the series before this prequel. I don’t know I would be a fan of some of the characters without having the rest of the story already in my mind.