The Grand Illusion
Although it’s been a while since I posted on my reading, it’s not because I haven’t been reading, but because I’ve read a greater percentage of books, in my opinion, not worth mentioning. Among the better books I’ve read over the past months are: Trail of Lightning by Rebecca Roanhorse and The Poppy War by R. F. Kuang. In this category, also, is Troy Carrol Butcher’s Lies of Descent, which I read as an advance bound manuscript that won’t be published until next August.
Books that weren’t quite as good, but that I enjoyed for various reasons included: Linesman by S. K. Dunstall; Afterwar by Lilith Saintcrow; Planetside by Michael Mammay; Ruin of Kings by Jenn Lyon [which won’t be released until next February]; and The Lost Puzzler by Eyal Kless, who is also an internationally performing classical violinist [the U.S. release is in January].
I enjoyed The Poppy War; thank you for the recommendation.
I recently finished The Poppy War, which I found both impressive and compelling. Yet as the book progressed, I reached a point where I was finding it distressing rather than enjoyable, partly because of the level of brutality, and partly because of what the protagonist was becoming…. Thank you for posting your book recommendations; I appreciate it.
What’s really distressing is that the point where the brutality kicks in is inspired by a sad chapter in actual history. (I won’t say what it is to avoid a spoiler for those that may read it.)
Just finished Of Tangible Ghosts-for the third time-can’t seem to get enough of this parallel universe. Being of Dutch descent myself, I find your descriptions of the Dutch dead on! Keep writing!
Hendrik
Jenn Lyons’ prose is brilliant. Full stop. The second novel in the series is even better than its predecessor.