Reading The Twelve by Justin Cronin. Book 2 of The Passage trilogy. Around 180 or so pages in, and we are still in the past, the story is interesting, so reading about these characters, but I am still not sure if it will have any effect in the future / present, or it’s just for world building. I am now invested enough now to see where it goes though.

What about all of you? What have you been reading or listening to lately?

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  • dogslayeggs@lemmy.world
    3·
    2 months ago

    I have been trying for almost 2 years to make it through book 1. I just hate his writing style. I always pick it up after I finish another book, and then get bored of it and move to something else.

    • kat_angstrom@lemmy.world
      5·
      2 months ago

      Yeah, you ain’t gonna make it through the series then, all there is to it. Because I’m okay with his writing style and still get constantly annoyed at things. Book 2 is too depressing, with a dark ending that you see coming for 500+ pages and is entirely unsatisfying when you finally get there. Some of the battles in book 3 go on waaay too long.

      He also keeps trying to trigger his readers. I’ve never seen such a display of triggers in anything I’ve ever read, and I am getting annoyed with how often he’s trying to get a rise out of me.

      That’s not to say that the series is without it’s strengths and its charms, but it’s both the Best and Worst of modern fantasy. And don’t even get me started with characters suddenly and abruptly turning into Dragons

      • dogslayeggs@lemmy.world
        2·
        2 months ago

        Thank you for the first honest criticism of this series I’ve read. Most people stubbornly support the book and say, “just push through it and enjoy the best thing ever.”

        That said, characters randomly turning into dragons is actually a plus in my book. “Well shit, I guess I’m a dragon now.”

        • kat_angstrom@lemmy.world
          2·
          2 months ago

          Last summer I went through all 15 Wheel of Time books (late June through November), so this summer I was excited to read Malazan. To be honest it’s been more of a chore than I’d hoped.

          I love the magic system, the banter is SO good. Characters just keep dying and then coming back; it’s got a lot going for it. The many, many different races, the 300,000+ years of history in the backstory…

          It’s just a shame that it’s burdened by the issues I mentioned earlier; and more. And sooo many more.