tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5518791629286178662.comments2023-06-16T09:58:50.486-06:00Elitist Book ReviewsVanessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04260091806667958196noreply@blogger.comBlogger1186125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5518791629286178662.post-60918821595804314852014-08-20T11:31:22.193-06:002014-08-20T11:31:22.193-06:00MRK won! yay!MRK won! yay!Vanessahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04260091806667958196noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5518791629286178662.post-76633396966770414372014-08-04T11:11:51.100-06:002014-08-04T11:11:51.100-06:00I can vouch for Steve's lack of misogyny. He&#...I can vouch for Steve's lack of misogyny. He's supported everything I've done here at EBR. And he's pretty awesome in real life. But you already knew that ;) I also happen to agree with what he says here.Vanessahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04260091806667958196noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5518791629286178662.post-53600751411816496032014-08-01T15:44:57.706-06:002014-08-01T15:44:57.706-06:00Thank you so much for that reply, Steve. I apprec...Thank you so much for that reply, Steve. I appreciate your clarity and frankness, especially when confronted with a challenge in the face of which I'd understand if you felt defensive. I'm sorry for the punch-in-the-face feeling, but I'm glad to have my own confusion as to the nature of the situation resolved. Again, thank you, and good luck.Max Gladstonehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12083700739011581189noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5518791629286178662.post-66802962121709078172014-08-01T15:03:03.292-06:002014-08-01T15:03:03.292-06:00Part 2:
Why I Don’t Support Racism: Because it su...Part 2:<br /><br />Why I Don’t Support Racism: Because it sucks. Once upon a time, I lived in Mexico. I was there for a year doing religious stuff. I’m a religious person. While I was there I experienced racism first hand, directly squarely at me. Because I was a white dude in a place that wasn’t totally fond of white dudes. People can laugh this off and dismiss it because it’s “impossible” for racism to apply to a white kid. Whatever. People who were in positions of authority above me went out of their way to make me feel unimportant due to my heritage. I was a 19 year-old kid at the time. Do you know how true racism feels when it’s directed at you? Horrible. It isn’t just that it’s unfair. It isn’t just that others are treated better than you for the color of their skin. It’s the self-doubt that wiggles its way into your mind. If you are told you are worthless and useless enough times, especially when you are just a kid living in a foreign county, you start to wonder if it isn’t, in fact, true. Your self-esteem starts dipping. You become harder on yourself than you should be. You get angry at the world, but also at yourself. It’s insidious. People can laugh off racist comments as if they were a joke or said in the heat of the moment. Well too bad. The words were said. I also don’t think that responding with hatred back towards those that have been vile towards you makes anything better.<br /><br />So no. After just a year (and plenty of people have been subjected to it for far longer than I) of being subjected to racism, I have no pity or support to give people who make racist comments.<br /><br />Why I Don’t Support Misogyny: Because I’m a husband and a father. My wife and kids are the best things in my life. I believe that women have the right and capacity to be and do whatever they want. I complain about my work day sometimes, and then I come home to a wife that has worked 10 times as hard as I have to make sure our kids grow up to be people the world can be proud of. If I supported the kind of thinking that this Vox Day seems to support, my wife would have shot me a long time ago. I have a little girl. I want her to grow up in a world where she can make her own choices. I want her to be free of the hatred and the opinions that women aren’t strong and amazing individuals.<br /><br />So no. Being a father to my little angel of a daughter and a husband to my amazing wife has made it so I have no pity or support to give to people who make misogynistic comments.<br /><br />Does that answer the question, Max? I sincerely hope so. A simple “No” might have sufficed, but I felt you deserved a longer answer. I’m grateful that I’m nominated for a Hugo Award again this year. I’m grateful that my friends think enough of EBR and my reviewers here to nominate us. I don’t need, or want, to agree on everything with everyone. Variety keeps us all honest. But I don’t support hate of any kind, regardless of your political leaning or religious persuasion.<br /><br />These are my views and opinions. They don’t necessarily encompass those of my fellow reviewers in exactness, but I know them all personally, and I know that none of them support racism or misogyny. Or I would have fired them. Period.<br /><br />So yeah. There you have it. The end.Steve the Bookstore Guyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02237292117795968540noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5518791629286178662.post-69265450178692385172014-08-01T15:02:48.690-06:002014-08-01T15:02:48.690-06:00Max -
(My response got a little long, so here it...Max - <br /><br />(My response got a little long, so here it is in two parts)<br />Part 1: <br /><br />Huh. I had no idea until you brought it up that this Beale guy and Vox Day were the same person. As you can see up in the body of my post, I hadn’t even heard of Vox Day before the Hugo Nominations were announced. I had no clue he had recommended me for anything. The short answer is no, I didn’t know this guy pushed me. While he can vote for who he wants, I personally don’t support his views.<br /><br />Now, I knew I was being pushed by Larry Correia. And I’m pretty thrilled that Larry likes my blog enough to nominate it—it’s no secret that Larry and I are friends, in fact I’d say he’s one of my better friends in this life. I’m glad he nominated me. I'm glad his fans seem to like EBR. I’m also super thrilled that I was on a nomination push with guys like Dan Wells & Vincent Chong. And Writing Excuses. I’m also super pleased that that same list has Toni Weisskopf (I’ve worked very briefly with her, and was super impressed).<br /><br />First, let me say this: I don’t really like politics. I’m not really a confrontational person. I’d much rather sit around and chat about things that are awesome rather than find reasons to argue about everything under the sun.<br /><br />That said, your question, Max, kinda hit me in the face. Not because it seems inappropriate. It seems a very fair question indeed. No, it hit me because I had to wonder how many people HADN’T asked the question and just assumed I was a horrible person. And that the staff here at EBR is full of horrible people.<br /><br />When everything went down with the nominations those many moons ago, I looked up this Vox Day character. I wasn’t super thrilled. While I believe people say stupid things on the internet all the time, and in the heat of arguments even worse things are said, I still think we are each responsible for our own actions and words. Some of those actions Day/Beale took and things he said really do bother me. I’m not going to pretend that I scoured the internet in search of everything he said, or that I read into every exchange it see if there was fault on both sides. I just don’t like surrounding myself with that kind of negativity. My life is stressful enough. So no, I don’t care for Beale’s/Day’s comments. I never support comments and views of racism and misogyny. <br /><br />I usually don’t pull the curtain back on my personal beliefs—because there isn’t a whole lot of tolerance these days—but I’ll give you the rundown. Essentially, I come to the old scripture, “By their fruits ye shall know them.”<br /><br />To be Continued...Steve the Bookstore Guyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02237292117795968540noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5518791629286178662.post-4032068582032847012014-07-29T10:01:44.566-06:002014-07-29T10:01:44.566-06:00I should point out that right now, the book is &qu...I should point out that right now, the book is "pay what you want". Anything from 0$ to 100$. It's well worth 5$. Alanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16217742963624929597noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5518791629286178662.post-49848764288436725022014-07-11T16:39:06.391-06:002014-07-11T16:39:06.391-06:00Have to agree, even though I enjoyed Changes, Cold...Have to agree, even though I enjoyed Changes, Cold Day, and even Turn Coat more than you did, that this is an absolute tour-de-force by Butcher and the best Dresden Files since the Dead Beat through Small Favors era. Everything about Dresden that made the series, IMHO, The Best Fantasy on the Market, is here in full force, and yet nothing that happened since Changes is diminished or trivialized. It's all confronted head on, and the heartbreak and choices *matter.* <br /><br />No handwaves, resets, or cheap forgiveness. And it all sets up for an exciting final act of the "Files" section of the series. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5518791629286178662.post-42726244403076793422014-07-11T09:15:13.541-06:002014-07-11T09:15:13.541-06:00Sweet. I really gotta get this one.Sweet. I really gotta get this one.Alanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16217742963624929597noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5518791629286178662.post-33493492842057085022014-05-04T02:11:05.736-06:002014-05-04T02:11:05.736-06:00The whole character of Franks ruins this for me. ...The whole character of Franks ruins this for me. Owen points a gun to his head, belatedly realizes this isn't a good idea, then gets his ass kicked for like the 30th time by this one guy. Really, who wants to read about a second rate hero. If Franks is the strongest guy, please let me read about him and kill Owen off. I'm tired of reading how Franks kicks Owen's ass yet again.<br /><br />It appears obvious where I am that Grant is the traitor, but haven't gotten there yet. Nobody suspects the guy who quit after losing his girlfriend?? They're all super paranoid, but not that suspicious??<br /><br />Deus ex machina = lazy writing = not that awesome.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13729961495619908053noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5518791629286178662.post-58716785952676518332014-04-30T13:22:32.702-06:002014-04-30T13:22:32.702-06:00I read bubblegum wrappers when there is nothing el...I read bubblegum wrappers when there is nothing else to read, so that should tell you that I read EVERYTHING! I vote based on what I like, not on any political agenda. Thank you for your honesty.Scotthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12426484902336461792noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5518791629286178662.post-52093657932559730072014-04-30T09:29:51.994-06:002014-04-30T09:29:51.994-06:00Congrats
Congrats <br />toriAhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09741067497892161867noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5518791629286178662.post-74865134318052764032014-04-30T09:28:50.558-06:002014-04-30T09:28:50.558-06:00CongratsCongratstoriAhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09741067497892161867noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5518791629286178662.post-45352022622265761052014-04-29T23:19:04.462-06:002014-04-29T23:19:04.462-06:00Well said, and Congratulations on the much deserve...Well said, and Congratulations on the much deserved nomination.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08751974523367332483noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5518791629286178662.post-88751994141024081982014-04-29T15:03:49.558-06:002014-04-29T15:03:49.558-06:00Hear hear!Hear hear!Alanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16217742963624929597noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5518791629286178662.post-85653441045125779172014-04-28T12:25:03.794-06:002014-04-28T12:25:03.794-06:00This novel was absolutely stunning in every way. ...This novel was absolutely stunning in every way. I think the review, glowing as it is, fails to do this story justice. It may very well be my favorite fantasy novel of all time (not the series mind you, but stand alone novel). Lynch is a master writer. He blows everyone else out of the water. If you mixed Tolkein and Hemingway with the funniest/wittiest comedian of our age, you would get Lynch. Literally, his words are as evocative and beautiful as a poem but infinitely more accessible. <br /><br />And no fantasy I have ever read made me laugh out loud as consistently as this, yet I was surprised every time I did. The dialogue is beyond good, I literally want to hang out with these Bastards and trade some barbs, upon which I would be thoroughly impaled. <br /><br />This one is my favorite of the series. I didn't think he would be able to top Lies, but he did, big time. The political games in the present time were excellent, funny, clever etc. Obviously not overly complicated stuff, but the parallels to modern dirty politics kept the antics fresh and funny (I wish RNC and DNC would have their headquarters filled up with [I won't spoil it here]!). Further, it was so nice to see how awesome Locke and Jean can be even when constantly on the defensive from Sabetha, clearly the smartest of the group. In any case, my biggest qualm with the last novel was that what could have been an incredibly cool part of the story (robbing the casino) ended up being completely derailed and unimportant to the greater novel. I felt like the political battle was much more fleshed out here than the casino heist in Red. <br /><br />As for the flashbacks, simply brilliant. How Lynch can retain the tension in the story even though you know everyone makes it out ok is beyond me. I was engrossed, it was an awesome setup and really seemed like it would be impossible to get out of, but of course Bastards always win. Also, it was amazing that much of the time something that happens in the flashback directly informs something happening in the present in the chapter immediately following that flashback. It was a great way to illuminate why characters act or think the way they do without spelling it out in a ham handed way. Nothing in this novel was remotely awkward. <br /><br />This should have been on the Best of 2013 list. I have read five of the books/series listed in the Best of and I can say without a shadow of a doubt that this book is more "fun" than any of them, even if not as deep/interesting/provocative/informative as some of them (Lawrence, Tregellis and Pinborough for example). However, one book that most certainly should not have beaten this one on the list is Graveyard Child. I really don't understand EBR's fascination with the Black Sun Daughter series. It is entertaining for sure, but the writing is elementary, the story and action OK - mildly satisfying when something is actually happening - but awfully thin when compared with some of the other fiction on that list, and the supporting cast is pretty damn boring (Ex hella sux). And the dialogue, OMG! Comparing the dialogue in Graveyard to Emperor is like comparing Sean Hannity to Bill Moyers, or a mildly mentally retarded eight year old's talent show stand up routine with Bill Hicks or George Carlin at their finest. <br /><br />Anyway, thanks EBR for bringing this (and many other) series to my attention in the first place. Keep up the good work!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Facehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00567241110500589304noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5518791629286178662.post-29502760846214002362014-04-22T13:02:26.484-06:002014-04-22T13:02:26.484-06:00Just discovered your site and your last two review...Just discovered your site and your last two reviews are by 2 of my favourites. Joe Abercrombie and my all time favourite Robert McCammon. It as if we are the same person (or something far less creepy). <br /><br />Been waiting for this book for ages. Rick is the reason I started writing.Working From Home Heraldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00537521492156131432noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5518791629286178662.post-84755421862471133572014-03-28T14:18:56.690-06:002014-03-28T14:18:56.690-06:00Great book overall. I agree the ending was definit...Great book overall. I agree the ending was definitely epic. I couldn't stop reading until Kaladin made is grand entrance at the end. <br /><br />However, many of the Kaladin scenes pretty much sucked compared to the first book. The whole thing about the guy that "needed" to be killed for the good of all was totally out of character for Kaladin. It just wasn't believable in any way that Kaladin would act that way. Also, he just kind of wanders around much of the time being pensive, but unfortunately doesn't seem to have more than three or four different thoughts repeating scene after scene. Bridge Four proves itself to be awesome all around, but no comparison with the Bridgeburners from Erickson's world. <br /><br />Shallan was excellent. Definitely the best POV of the series because she did unexpected things that actually made sense and also was funny. Plus her powers are fun.<br /><br />Also, Adolin at the very end. He is now a bad ass character. <br /><br />Unfortunately, the story just lagged a lot of the time. It is clear that these two books are really just the setup for the main conflict which will unfold. I can't wait for the good guys to be pit against not only the voidbringers, but the other faction(s?) trying to "save" the world. I wish that Kaladin's scenes had been reduced and we got to see more from Jasnah. <br />Facehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00567241110500589304noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5518791629286178662.post-46359919435948700522014-03-28T14:17:31.901-06:002014-03-28T14:17:31.901-06:00Great book overall. I agree the ending was definit...Great book overall. I agree the ending was definitely epic. I couldn't stop reading until Kaladin made is grand entrance at the end. <br /><br />However, many of the Kaladin scenes pretty much sucked compared to the first book. The whole thing about the guy that "needed" to be killed for the good of all was totally out of character for Kaladin. It just wasn't believable in any way that Kaladin would act that way. Also, he just kind of wanders around much of the time being pensive, but unfortunately doesn't seem to have more than three or four different thoughts repeating scene after scene. Bridge Four proves itself to be awesome all around, but no comparison with the Bridgeburners from Erickson's world. <br /><br />Shallan was excellent. Definitely the best POV of the series because she did unexpected things that actually made sense and also was funny. Plus her powers are fun.<br /><br />Also, Adolin at the very end. He is now a bad ass character. <br /><br />Unfortunately, the story just lagged a lot of the time. It is clear that these two books are really just the setup for the main conflict which will unfold. I can't wait for the good guys to be pit against not only the voidbringers, but the other faction(s?) trying to "save" the world. I wish that Kaladin's scenes had been reduced and we got to see more from Jasnah. <br />Facehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00567241110500589304noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5518791629286178662.post-46628827683319191002014-03-11T10:56:56.718-06:002014-03-11T10:56:56.718-06:00@guessingo: If you've had no issues with his o...@guessingo: If you've had no issues with his other audiobooks, this should be just fine for you. If you liked The Way of Kings on audio book, you'll be fine.<br /><br />@Mike: I actually read the eReader copy for this, but I did buy the hardcover when it came out. As I said, I dislike the cover, but otherwise, it's a very pretty book. The interior illustrations are excellent.Alanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16217742963624929597noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5518791629286178662.post-62359627229084579112014-03-08T20:42:37.640-07:002014-03-08T20:42:37.640-07:00I love Sanderson. I still have a few of his to ...I love Sanderson. I still have a few of his to read. Elantris, Steelheart, & Way of Kings (And Words now.) <br /><br />I love his novella Legion, wish it was a full length novel. Anyways, did you read the HC of this book? I'm curious if it's as pretty as the first one.<br /><br />Thanks!Mikehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14880298916426357358noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5518791629286178662.post-42974839286981168882014-03-08T10:21:19.637-07:002014-03-08T10:21:19.637-07:00I am planning to get the audio for this since with...I am planning to get the audio for this since with the weather getting nicer i want to listen while i take walks and not sit on the couch. Brandons books are usually good for audio due to the pacing with long series i often find i need to reference maps and look in the glossary to keep track of characters.<br /><br />How do you think this one would work as an audio. His books tend to be good audios due to the pacing. However, you said the pace had issues.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5518791629286178662.post-3719392400533257422014-03-07T11:44:11.632-07:002014-03-07T11:44:11.632-07:00Sanderson just gets better at his personal style o...Sanderson just gets better at his personal style of writing with every book. He's never done grey and gritty, and i hope he never tries because he is the best there is right now at writing true heroes. Syl, i love Syl. A childlike small piece of a god. You may worship her now.<br /><br />It's not perfect, but nothing is. Some of the fat could have been trimmed, but only a little. The cover art while it looks great is another overview of the shattered plains too similar to the first book. Renarin's ending felt pushed in. It was not given enough attention to be put in imo and should have been left for book 3.<br /><br />The one thing that's gnawing at me about such a great last hundred pages was the lack of a final Parshendi chapter, i'm sure there will be more in future books i felt it needed to be in this one.<br /><br />Great book. Spot on review.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01870292119371294888noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5518791629286178662.post-28867720693163733812014-02-18T17:47:45.051-07:002014-02-18T17:47:45.051-07:00Great book, great series. Love the relationship be...Great book, great series. Love the relationship between Wester and Kit, and the meeting between Yardem and Wester was priceless.<br />I'm not sold on Clara yet. She was a surprisingly large aspect of this book and i am still unsure why, she added little to the plot of this book and i can't see how she would need such a setup for the next books. At least i can say i wasn't clawing at my eyes when i saw her name at the top of the chapter the way Martin made me do with Cersai.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01870292119371294888noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5518791629286178662.post-24794019547553653362014-02-18T08:36:40.231-07:002014-02-18T08:36:40.231-07:00I only have one issue with the Last Book and that ...I only have one issue with the Last Book and that was Padan Fain's character . His demise at the end seemed VERY hollow to me. You build him up from Book 1 through Book 15, this character with so much dimension,so much character, then you just have Mat kill him as if he was nothing. I personally thought over the first 3-5 books he would be a pivotal piece at the end regarding Defeating the Dark One withRand in some way. The plot was driving you to think nothing but that. To me, introducing the Dark One's"character" in the very last book and not through all 15 books seemed like a missed opportunity. It made me not really care about the dialogue between the Rand and the Dark One in the cave very much. And yes, I get that Robert Jordan was probably copying the Gollum character in the LOTR way too much. The progression of the Fain character and his abrupt end tells me Robert Jordan realized he made a grave mistake with this character. So he suddenly did a 180 on him. So in his notes to Sanderson he told him to just kill him off with no fanfare or plot device that obviously had been in place , hoping no one would notice this error in writing. Just one man's opinion take it our leave it...:)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17124052902450621989noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5518791629286178662.post-71242867586954950172014-01-31T22:07:52.086-07:002014-01-31T22:07:52.086-07:00Mayhem was my first Sarah Pinborough book. I now w...Mayhem was my first Sarah Pinborough book. I now want to read everything she has written. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com