Fiction – Page 9 – Ryan's Book Blog

Skyward

May 18, 2024 by Ryan

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.

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

May 16, 2024 by Ryan

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.

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

May 14, 2024 by Ryan

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.

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

May 8, 2024 by Ryan

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.

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.

The Sword of Shannara: In The Shadow of the Warlock Lord

May 1, 2024 by Ryan

Background

Published in 1977, “The Sword of Shannara: In The Shadow of the Warlock Lord” is the first book in a series by Terry Brooks. The story is set in the Shannara universe, where the last remaining descendant of the Shannara family, Shea Ohmsford, is tasked with finding the powerful Sword of Shannara to defeat the evil Warlock Lord. With the help of his brother Flick and the wise Druid Allanon, Shea embarks on a perilous journey, facing various magical creatures and challenges.

My Thoughts

I don’t remember too much about this book but I could have sworn I’d read it before. Still, Terry Brooks is finding his feet with the characters and series in general. While I understand the need to set up heroes and villains, I feel the characters are too black and white. All good or all bad. The elves, dwarves, and so on are a little bit different than other cultural mainstays such as Tolkien. Like many series, the first book could stand on it’s own without going further, but I’m interested to see where the story goes from here.

Recommendation

Not bad, but there are better stories out there.

Steelheart

April 30, 2024 by Ryan

Background

Published in 2013, “Steelheart,” is a novel set in a dystopian world where individuals with extraordinary powers, known as Epics, rule with tyranny and oppression. The story follows David Charleston, who seeks revenge against the most powerful Epic, Steelheart, for the murder of his father. As David joins a group of rebels called the Reckoners, he delves into the mystery surrounding the Epics and their weaknesses, ultimately confronting Steelheart and his minions.

My Thoughts

I’ve been reading a great deal of Brandon Sanderson and much of it has to do with his writing style. So far, I’ve enjoyed nearly everything that he has put forward.

This book started a little more violent than his usual work and there is so much the reader is left to wonder as the world starts unfolding. That continued to the end where there are so many questions to be answered.

This is the classic hero’s tale and Sanderson didn’t push the protagonist’s abilities too far in the first installment. It was very well written and has been one of the few books that kept me wanting to read more.

Recommendation

If you are in to super powers, heroes, n’ such, this is a great book.

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

April 28, 2024 by Ryan

Background

Published in 1999, “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban” is the third book in wildly popular Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling. This book starts in the now familiar world of magic living along side the normal world of muggles in modern day England. Harry Potter is a 13 year old who keeps finding the fate of the wizarding world in his hands.

My Thoughts

When I was in grad school, I found mental rest by reading the Harry Potter series after struggling through all of the dense material of my classes. I started reading this again in a similar situation and found it a great way to wind down from the day. It has been a continual pleasure to read.

Of course, there are flaws in everything. Rowling’s writing builds upon itself and she adds more and more depth to the world of magic she created. This causes the occasional lack of consistency such as how difficult it was to produce a corporeal patronus in this book as to how easy it became later has he taught it to the D.A. members. Also, the near infinite ways magic we see used in the world could be easily applied to different situations. Still, we forgive these little issues because it’s just so fun to read.

Recommendation

A great book and a great series. And yes, it is better than the movie.

Perfect State

April 21, 2024 by Ryan

Background

Published in 2015, “Perfect State” is a science fiction novella by Brandon Sanderson set in a world where humans are little more than brains in jars. Each live in individual, tailored simulation designed to offer them rule over their own “state,” essentially becoming a god within their virtual realm. We follow the God-Emperor Kairominas, an all-powerful ruler in his own domain, adept in both sorcery and technology. However, his perfect life is disrupted when he is required to meet with a woman from another state for the purpose of procreation. This meeting is crashed by his nemesis Melhi forcing Kai to confront his own mortality.

My Thoughts

This was a fun short read. The idea itself was similar to the Matrix without much of an explanation. However, I enjoyed the general malaise Kai found himself in after centuries of ruling everything and only dealing in simulations. “The Wode”, the creator of his simulation and possibly all others, likes to mix things up when the occupants start getting bored. Sanderson leaves the reader wondering if what happened was truly his nemesis or just another simulation. The door was left wide open to build on the story.

Recommendation

A good short read which can stand on its own.

Dawnshard

April 20, 2024 by Ryan

Background

Published in 2020, “Dawnshard” is a fantasy novella by Brandon Sanderson, set in the universe of his “Stormlight Archive” series and serving as an interlude between the third and fourth main novels. The story follows Rysn Ftori, a merchant and shipowner who, after an accident left her paralyzed from the waist down, is tasked with leading an expedition to the mysterious and dangerous island of Akinah. Accompanied by the Lopen, now a Knight Radiant, Rysn embarks on a voyage that unveils secrets linked to the ancient Dawnshards—artifacts believed to be instrumental in both the creation and potential destruction of worlds.

My Thoughts

This was a very quick read and could easily stand on it’s own. That said, it didn’t really fit within the other books in the Stormlight Archive. The idea of Rysn earning her place as the owner of the ship

Recommendation

Not a bad read.

The Frugal Wizard’s Handbook for Surviving Medieval England

April 12, 2024 by Ryan

Background

Published in April of 2023, “The Frugal Wizard’s Handbook for Surviving Medieval England” by Brandon Sanderson is a futuristic fantasy novel. It unfolds in a world where a corporation offers dimensions akin to medieval England to thrill-seekers from the present day. Equipped with advanced technology, these visitors appear as wizards to the locals, but when the protagonist discovers unexpected company in his personal dimension, he finds more than he bargained for.

My Thoughts

I really needed a fun read and this fit the bill. Brandon Sanderson is a personal favorite and I hadn’t seen this book before. I enjoyed the concept and the literary device of memory loss. As a reader, we were walked through putting together who the main character is, why he is there, and was able to cheer him on as he attempted to do what is right. I can’t ask for much more than that.

Recommendation

Fun book!