Reading Recap, Week 44
Dipping in and out
Audiobooks
ASHLORDS by Steve Reintgen. There’s a cool story in there and I found parts of it, but it got lost in the overt similarities to better works. There are three perspectives and one of them is written in second person…very annoying. But the idea of phoenix horses that constantly respawn is pretty cool. There’s potential for solidification in future installments so I won’t rule out reading a sequel. For now, I give it 5/10.
I also re-read the first Cirque du Freak novel, which was another 5/10 effort. I’m too old for the target audience and it didn’t transcend that for me, so YMMV.
The rest of the time I picked at different books and started a longer one, which I’ll wait until I’m finished to report on. This week I need to wrap up whatever Halloween books I plan to get to, because on Friday, it’s Pilgrim time babyyyyyy.
Print and Comics
Had a great week with VOID RIVALS #13 (the series is picking up speed again), ABSOLUTE WONDER WOMAN #1 (another strong start for an Absolute title) and ROOK EXODUS #6 (what a freaking awesome series).
I discovered one of my favorite tropes in the end of ROOK EXODUS, where a hero starts out reluctant but eventually gets connected to a larger cause. He resists the pull to join, but then undergoes experiences and trials and losses that push him toward the right path. By the end he’s beat up and low on resources, running on pure screw-you energy, and he wins the day, though it’s hard.
I love when that idea is done well and sticks the landing. This book’s new territory is in its setting and aesthetics. The story’s skeleton is familiar enough and awesome and I want to see them go somewhere even cooler from here.
Next Week
I’m pretty sure ABSOLUTE SUPERMAN #1 is up next, along with REDCOAT #7. I’ll read HERETIC’S GAME by Kroese, and finish PROJECT MAYFLOWER by Stone. I really need to start a different print book so that’s why. I’ve also got a book on Lincoln that expires soon and it should be a short read. That’ll do it for now.