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1.01k reviews by:
eliotts_library
3.5⭐️
This was my first Sanderson book and it’s not at all what I was expecting! This was weird and witty and hilarious, but also very tender and sweet. I loved the world and how strange it was, the found family element with the crew, and all the incredible imagery of the settings. The narration style and general wackiness of the story reminded me a lot of The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, so I think if you like that series you would like this book! Overall it wasn’t my favourite thing, but it was an enjoyable read and an interesting introduction to the Cosmere
This was my first Sanderson book and it’s not at all what I was expecting! This was weird and witty and hilarious, but also very tender and sweet. I loved the world and how strange it was, the found family element with the crew, and all the incredible imagery of the settings. The narration style and general wackiness of the story reminded me a lot of The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, so I think if you like that series you would like this book! Overall it wasn’t my favourite thing, but it was an enjoyable read and an interesting introduction to the Cosmere
Second read, 2023:
While my disappointed with the climax of this story is still true, I nonetheless loved The Hobbit even more on my second read of it. It’s such a comforting book, filled with so many relatable characters, perilous adventures, and surprising humour that make reading it an immense joy. This will undoubtably be a book that I revisit time and time again
First read, 2016:
I remember absolutely hating this book in my grade 9 English class, so much that I actually abandoned it and turned to Sparknotes to get my project done. 5 years later in a university English class, I was assigned to read this yet again. But this time, starting from the very first page, I absolutely loved it. Many of the characters, especially Bilbo, Beorn, and Smaug, are so interesting! I really liked Bilbo, I found him to be relatble and watching this adventure unfold from his eyes was really wonderful; the story definitely would have lost something it was told from any other perspective.
The one thing I didn't particularly like was the last arc of the journey. The whole novel I was waiting to see how they would deal with the dragon since, as Biblo pointed out, that had always been the weak point in their plan. I was kind of disappointed and found it to be anticlimactic. I also wish we had gotten to know Smaug's character more, since he was so interesting. And I personally found the Battle of the Five Armies to be a little boring at times, especially with what happened to Biblo.
But despite my disappointment with the climax of the story, I still really enjoyed it and fell in love with this world. I can't wait to read the Lord of the Rings series (whenever I actually have time to read for fun again...)
While my disappointed with the climax of this story is still true, I nonetheless loved The Hobbit even more on my second read of it. It’s such a comforting book, filled with so many relatable characters, perilous adventures, and surprising humour that make reading it an immense joy. This will undoubtably be a book that I revisit time and time again
First read, 2016:
I remember absolutely hating this book in my grade 9 English class, so much that I actually abandoned it and turned to Sparknotes to get my project done. 5 years later in a university English class, I was assigned to read this yet again. But this time, starting from the very first page, I absolutely loved it. Many of the characters, especially Bilbo, Beorn, and Smaug, are so interesting! I really liked Bilbo, I found him to be relatble and watching this adventure unfold from his eyes was really wonderful; the story definitely would have lost something it was told from any other perspective.
The one thing I didn't particularly like was the last arc of the journey. The whole novel I was waiting to see how they would deal with the dragon since, as Biblo pointed out, that had always been the weak point in their plan. I was kind of disappointed and found it to be anticlimactic. I also wish we had gotten to know Smaug's character more, since he was so interesting. And I personally found the Battle of the Five Armies to be a little boring at times, especially with what happened to Biblo.
But despite my disappointment with the climax of the story, I still really enjoyed it and fell in love with this world. I can't wait to read the Lord of the Rings series (whenever I actually have time to read for fun again...)
A Darker Shade of Magic: ★★★★★
A Gathering of Shadows:
A Conjuring of Light:
Y'all
Y'all
This was fucking good
I'm so glad that I finally read this, wow. I'm so in love with this book. Portal fantasy is my favourite thing in the entire world, so I knew I was going to like A Darker Shade of Magic. I was not anticipating that I would love it as much as I do.
The magic system is so fantastic! I think that's probably my favourite part of it (aside from the fact that it's portal fantasy, since we've already established my undying love for the genre as a whole). It's so interesting the way the magic was done and I really hope it's explained more throughout the rest of the series, I'm desperate to learn more about it!
I'm also madly in love with Red London; Lila's first time seeing it and the descriptions of the festivities had my heart racing with excitement, I can't even explain how much I adore this entire world(s). I like White London a lot too, I'm really intrigued by the absolute madness of that London and hope to see more of it later, but Red London completely stole my heart. Which is actually my only gripe with this book: I wish the descriptions were a bit more drawn out. I feel like Lila didn't really get to be excited about being in a different world because they had to get right to all the action. And don't get me wrong, I love the action, but I wish there was just a bit more time spent with Lila marvelling in the splendour of Red London. But otherwise, this book was fucking incredible and I will be getting to the next books as soon as I possibly can. There's so much potential for where this series could go and I'm beyond excited to find out what happens next!
(Ok but how cool would it be if Lila became some kind of pirate villain and she and Kell had to fight to the death in the finale? Fuck I'd be so down for that. Why do I always want main characters to become villains? Something is wrong with me lmfao I'm not mad about it though)
A Gathering of Shadows:
A Conjuring of Light:
Y'all
Y'all
This was fucking good
I'm so glad that I finally read this, wow. I'm so in love with this book. Portal fantasy is my favourite thing in the entire world, so I knew I was going to like A Darker Shade of Magic. I was not anticipating that I would love it as much as I do.
The magic system is so fantastic! I think that's probably my favourite part of it (aside from the fact that it's portal fantasy, since we've already established my undying love for the genre as a whole). It's so interesting the way the magic was done and I really hope it's explained more throughout the rest of the series, I'm desperate to learn more about it!
I'm also madly in love with Red London; Lila's first time seeing it and the descriptions of the festivities had my heart racing with excitement, I can't even explain how much I adore this entire world(s). I like White London a lot too, I'm really intrigued by the absolute madness of that London and hope to see more of it later, but Red London completely stole my heart. Which is actually my only gripe with this book: I wish the descriptions were a bit more drawn out. I feel like Lila didn't really get to be excited about being in a different world because they had to get right to all the action. And don't get me wrong, I love the action, but I wish there was just a bit more time spent with Lila marvelling in the splendour of Red London. But otherwise, this book was fucking incredible and I will be getting to the next books as soon as I possibly can. There's so much potential for where this series could go and I'm beyond excited to find out what happens next!
(Ok but how cool would it be if Lila became some kind of pirate villain and she and Kell had to fight to the death in the finale? Fuck I'd be so down for that. Why do I always want main characters to become villains? Something is wrong with me lmfao I'm not mad about it though)