I still absolutely adore this series and I don’t think I can wait for the next book to come out! I need it and I needOooooh, it’s all kicking off now!
I still absolutely adore this series and I don’t think I can wait for the next book to come out! I need it and I need it now!
I’m intrigued to see how Mo Xi is going to deal with the fact that he now knows more of the context around Gu Mang’s defection to their enemy, and how he’s going to go about trying to get to the bottom of the whole story. But at the same time I’m intrigued to see how their relationship is going to change and be affected by what happened in the Time Mirror.
I genuinely still think about these characters at least once a week so I think it’s only going to get worse now that I’ve finished this one as well! I need the next book!...more
I don’t know what it is about works from Priest, but they always seem to take me longer to read than any of the others in the danmei genre, but I genuI don’t know what it is about works from Priest, but they always seem to take me longer to read than any of the others in the danmei genre, but I genuinely could not tell you why that is.
I also don’t really know what I thought of this one. I don’t know whether it was the steampunk elements of it, or the pseudo father/son relationship between the two main characters or what but I don’t think I actually enjoyed this one as much as I have enjoyed others in the same genre.
I think the integration of the steampunk elements with the traditional Chinese world is a really interesting concept but I don’t know whether it is one for me. I will probably read the others in the series just so that I can form a proper opinion of it, but I’m not holding out a great deal of hope at this stage. ...more
Oh, god I love Natalie Haynes! I know for a fact that I’ve said this a number of times before but it bears repeating because I do genuinely love her. Oh, god I love Natalie Haynes! I know for a fact that I’ve said this a number of times before but it bears repeating because I do genuinely love her.
I knew going in that this was going to be a read that would bring up some difficult feelings for me and it definitely did bring those feelings up but it was a beautiful retelling that I thoroughly enjoyed.
Natalie has such a beautiful voice that I didn’t even speed up the audiobook for this one because I could listen to her read the back of a cereal box and be happy!
I also really appreciated that this retelling didn’t shy away from the vulnerability of Medusa when she is attacked by Perseus, the repetition of the fact that she was asleep when he cuts off her head and the focus on the grief of her sisters afterwards. It really highlights that she didn’t stand a single chance against him with the fact that he had Athene on his side.
This might have taken me a while to get through but I thoroughly enjoyed the journey. ...more
Oh god, how does a book with such a pretty cover manage to absolutely destroy me with every new chapter?! What is this sorcery!?
But seriously, I need Oh god, how does a book with such a pretty cover manage to absolutely destroy me with every new chapter?! What is this sorcery!?
But seriously, I need volume three like right now because why did it end there?! Mo Xi you say sike right now or I swear I will riot! I’m glad that Gu Mang is starting to get his memories back but hoo boy is this going to be a painful journey back for him and Mo Xi.
I’m intrigued to see where this is going to go, going forward as well. I imagine the threats to Chonghua haven’t just disappeared overnight but what is coming next?! And why did Gu Mang suddenly appear in the capital all of a sudden? I need answers people and I cannot believe that we have to wait until March to get them! I’m getting a preorder in, I don’t even care!
But definitely this is tied for first place in my favourite danmei series so far, tied with MDZS for sure! ...more
Oh my god, I can already tell that this is going to be my new favourite series! I’m always going to have a soft spot for MDZS as it was the first seriOh my god, I can already tell that this is going to be my new favourite series! I’m always going to have a soft spot for MDZS as it was the first series that I read and introduced me to the genre, but oh I’m already obsessed with these characters and this world.
I’m so intrigued by the relationship between Mo Xi and Gu Mang and I wish I could tell what had happened to Gu Mang during the time that he had defected but I assume all of that will be answered in the later books in the series.
I wish I’d had more time to actually devour this book like I wanted to but unfortunately I had to be a responsible adult and actually log on for work but now I’ve got the weekend so I can probably devour the second one! Bring it on!...more
I’ve got a serious soft spot for retellings of myths, of Welsh myths and legends, and for the writing of Owen Sheers, so as you can imagine this one mI’ve got a serious soft spot for retellings of myths, of Welsh myths and legends, and for the writing of Owen Sheers, so as you can imagine this one managed to tick all of those boxes for me in one fell swoop!
I loved the modern reimagining of this particular story from the Mabinogion, and even loved the time setting of around the outbreak of the foot and mouth disease in Wales. It lends itself really well to the feeling of desperation that the characters can feel.
I think Sheers might have ended up becoming an auto buy author for me, which is funny because I usually never want to read anything from any of the authors I studied in school or college for as long as I live.
How nice to have an exception to that rule!...more
Awwwww, I can’t believe that I’ve actually finished this series now! I kind of want to go back to the beginning and start all over again, but at the sAwwwww, I can’t believe that I’ve actually finished this series now! I kind of want to go back to the beginning and start all over again, but at the same time I want to see what the other series that MXTX has written are like!
I loved the political intrigue that this brings to a close, how the different sects try and one up each other, the betrayals and the heartbreaks are just delectable! Who would have thought that Nie Huaisang would be the mastermind behind it all? But what a revenge plot though!
I’m kind of not surprised that Jiang Cheng has ended up as a favourite character of mine from this series, but I do kind of wish that MXTX had written a scene where Wei Wuxian finds out exactly why Jiang Cheng lost his golden core. That broke me when I read that part! How Wei Wuxian saw it as repaying a debt, but Jiang Cheng did it to protect his remaining family?! Yeah, tears were shed.
And those extra scenes that were included! Aw, so cute! I’m kind of sad to leave it behind but at least I can come back to it in the future! ...more
I think it’s a testament to how much I’m loving this series that I haven’t even finished it and I’m already planning on buying physical copies of the I think it’s a testament to how much I’m loving this series that I haven’t even finished it and I’m already planning on buying physical copies of the books! I am just so surprised that I’m enjoying it as much as I actually am! Although, I don’t know why I’m so surprised by that, it’s got loads of things that I love; fantasy elements, moral dilemmas, complex characters and an absolute disaster human being as a main character.
I’m even really enjoying the way the flashback sequences are handled and how even though they can take up large portions of the story, it’s still easy to follow the general gist that MXTX is setting up. The world is such a fascinating one that I really wish there were more books in this series.
Also, can we take a minute to appreciate that the last 25% of this volume is Wei Wuxian essentially pulling a Nick Nelson and having “a full on gay crisis”! Fellas, is it gay to fall in love with the one person you’ve been utterly obsessed with over the course of two lifetimes? Probably, but we forgive him!...more
I could listen to Natalie Haynes read the phone book and I would be happy about it and give her a glowing review. I just love her voice, it’s so relaxI could listen to Natalie Haynes read the phone book and I would be happy about it and give her a glowing review. I just love her voice, it’s so relaxing and soothing whilst she’s filling my brain with mythology and points that I had never considered, and hopefully making me much smarter in the process.
This book follows a similar theme to Pandora’s Jar, in that Haynes dedicates a chapter to one particular goddess and uses that to make a deep dive into their mythology as well as their historical significance and their roles in Ancient Greek society. She gives space for the more well known goddesses such as Hera, Aphrodite and Athena but also shines a light on those not so well known such as Hestia and the Kindly Ones.
I just absolutely love these books and I cannot resist them when I see them out in the wild. They fuel my love of Greek mythology and help pass the time whilst I’m waiting for work to come in. All in all, a win win situation. ...more
This is a fun little Anglo Saxon story about the children of King Alfred of Wessex as they try to push the invading Danish forces back after their homThis is a fun little Anglo Saxon story about the children of King Alfred of Wessex as they try to push the invading Danish forces back after their home has been attacked and overrun by Danes. I had never read this particular book by Stuart Hill before, although I had read his Icemark books some years back, so I had a very vague idea of what this book might be like.
And I was pleasantly surprised. It is a good book to be read in schools I think, it’s the perfect level of history and drama that it would appeal to younger readers, whilst still managing to keep the bloodshed to a minimum, which is impressive considering the main characters end up fighting in battles.
It’s a good starting point for an interest in the Anglo Saxons and what their world might have been like. Which I also appreciate, I would have enjoyed a book like this when I was in school. ...more
This collection had a different feeling to it, which reflects the fact that it essentially takes place over like 2 days? Roughly, if time moves the saThis collection had a different feeling to it, which reflects the fact that it essentially takes place over like 2 days? Roughly, if time moves the same way in the Dreaming as it does in the waking world. But it was fascinating to see what exactly Lucifer decided to do with Hell and how that was done with the intention of screwing with Dream and the Dreaming.
I’m glad that Morpheus rescued Nada from Hell. That is a hell of a punishment for someone who essentially told Dream “no” so I’m glad that she was rescued and was able to move on to another life. Which is an interesting idea that she has been reborn in a different body now in Hong Kong.
I like the expansion of the universe that Gaiman has created here but it was a little off putting to suddenly come face to face with Thor, Loki and Odin. Although, I don’t know why particularly. It would make sense for other gods to be included. ...more
This is the second book that I have read by Christa Wolf, I think? And while I don’t really remember the first one, I have the feeling I didn’t enjoy This is the second book that I have read by Christa Wolf, I think? And while I don’t really remember the first one, I have the feeling I didn’t enjoy it as much as I was expecting to. And sadly, I had the same experience with this one.
Cassandra has the potential to be an excruciating story to read. And some authors do really well at creating that atmosphere, but then some fall a little flat and I think this one is part of the second category. I didn’t warm to Cassandra as much as I thought that I would and as a result found myself skimming over a lot of the book and having to go back and read it again to make sure o read the whole thing.
I can see why it would be one that is beloved but for me it wasn’t what I was looking for. ...more
This play had a much more somber feel to it, which is understandable considering it’s discussing the actions of Creon after the seven generals led theThis play had a much more somber feel to it, which is understandable considering it’s discussing the actions of Creon after the seven generals led their failed siege of Thebes, and it highlights the cruelty of Creon to deny them their burial rites even though it is accepted across Greece that these rites remain intact no matter who they are fighting for.
I did not know the story of this play, despite that I recognised some of the characters from it and was able to kind of place them in my mind, so it was interesting to be able to read the play for the first time and come to terms with the story myself. I did. remember that I most definitely did not like the character of Creon from when I studied the Oedipus plays in college, and now I remember exactly why.
It always feels a little odd when the plays take on a slightly more political feel to them rather than just a purely dramatic feel, it’s definitely a change of pace as far as the storytelling is concerned. And I think as a result of that, this is not one of my favourite plays that I have read recently, but that doesn’t mean it’s a bad play or anything like that. ...more
While I typically enjoy most plays written by Euripides, I think that the Oedipus stories are just stories that I do not enjoy as much as some of the While I typically enjoy most plays written by Euripides, I think that the Oedipus stories are just stories that I do not enjoy as much as some of the other myths. This one focuses on the conflict between Oedipus’ two sons, who are both competing for the ability to rule over Thebes.
There were large passages of this play that were stirring and moving but overall it isn’t my favourite play that I have read recently. ...more
I think this might take the top spot for my favourite retelling of the Orestes myth! There is so much more going on in this version, and the characterI think this might take the top spot for my favourite retelling of the Orestes myth! There is so much more going on in this version, and the characters are so much more details and drawn out compared to some of the others that it definitely feels like it’s more of a standalone story than as part of the wider Oresteia.
Orestes in particular is much more fleshed out as a character, he isn’t just told what to do and then left to suffer the consequences. We see him struggle with the knowledge of what he has done, even though we know that he was compelled to act in a way that he could not fight against.
I definitely liked that, although it would have been interesting to see more of Electra as well and see how she could have been more fleshed out. The second time she comes back on stage she is definitely more “take charge” but it would have been fun to see that potentially from the beginning. ...more
I had never heard of this play before so I managed to go into it with a completely clear idea, and actually found that it was quite an interesting plaI had never heard of this play before so I managed to go into it with a completely clear idea, and actually found that it was quite an interesting play to read.
It is an interesting look at how women reacted and behaved after being forced into having “relations” with a god and the consequences of those “relations” on the woman and those around her. And it was a good look at how those consequences can be so far reaching that they can affect the course of their lives well into the future.
I mean, Apollo doesn’t actually face any consequences for raping Creusa but we don’t always get what we want. ...more
Another Ancient Greek tragedy by probably my favourite of the great playwrights of the time! This one instead focusing on Andromache as she is being pAnother Ancient Greek tragedy by probably my favourite of the great playwrights of the time! This one instead focusing on Andromache as she is being persecuted by Hermione, daughter of Menelaus for the sheer fact that she has been forced to share the bed of her captor who happens to be Hermione’s husband.
What is quite interesting to come across from a modern perspective here, is the idea of what exactly did these women think happened when their men went off to or came back from war? And how can you take it out on a woman that has seen her husband and son butchered, and then has been forced into slavery, then been forced to share a bed with her captor and now you’re pissed off that you can’t have kids?
Pull the other one Hermione.
But Euripides still does a really good job of giving these women depth, even considering that the plays themselves aren’t that long. He manages to make you see the other side even when you start off convinced that you could never understand the other side of the argument. ...more
So, this is essentially a collection of folklore tales from Ireland which is basically two of my favourite things to read about so, as you can imagineSo, this is essentially a collection of folklore tales from Ireland which is basically two of my favourite things to read about so, as you can imagine I was very happy to come across this collection. And it was written by W.B. Yeats who happens to be my favourite poet too! Winner winner!
These are short enough that you can read more than one in one sitting, and if you’re like me and you don’t have a lot of work going on at the moment, you might even be able to read the whole thing in one day. ...more
Y’know, if there is one thing to be said of Greek tragedies, it’s that they really go all in with the revenge plots.
Essentially this is the god DionyY’know, if there is one thing to be said of Greek tragedies, it’s that they really go all in with the revenge plots.
Essentially this is the god Dionysus getting his revenge on the royal family of Thebes for denouncing his mother and denying that he himself is a god. So he gets his revenge on them by causing the death of the current ruler of Thebes during one of the Dionysian celebrations that the women go on.
I generally like the god Dionysus, he’s pretty chill compared to some of the other gods but this shows that he still has the hard, mean streak that we come to expect from the Greek gods. ...more
![天涯客 [Tiān Yá Kè] Faraway Wanderers](https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1657265561l/56938194._SX50_.jpg)
Loading...
