My name is Jake, and I like books. mostly fantasy, with a sprinkling of Sci fi. My favorite series are The Cosmere, The Wheel of Time, Realm of the Elderlings and The Dresden Files.
I'm watching a bit of reviews about this series, because people seem passionate about it. Which interests me. Not a single soul gives a freaking synopsis about the books, Noone talks about what's in it.
Kinda tough as a series review because book 1 almost feels like a stand alone, and then books 2-4 are what the series is actually about, so if I give a synopsis for book 1 that isn't really what it is about, and the synopsis for books 2-4 kinda spoilers book 1, but if I were to try. Book 1 is basically the retelling of the fall of the Qin dynasty in a fantasy world, and is very sweeping and is about like....multiple civil wars. The rest of about the formation of a modern society from the result of this, and how that happens, the costs of that happening Oh ya, and there are cool air ship battles
The Shelf of Books has returned! What series is it that is organized by spectrum? Or are those unrelated books put in order by a color-sensitive obsessive?
It's always good to have a shelf tour. I'm looking forward to the next one when Charles De Lint has a full shelf to himself. Also I just realised it was also a propaganda video to prove you have legs. 🦵🦵
Oof! Motion sickness. Great video, though. A Monster Calls is a favorite, and the second to last book to make me cry. Not as hard as Salt to the Sea, but I definitely cried.
Chaotic and fun video Also read Urth of the New Sun (and Titus Groan)!!!! FYI The Invention of Hugo Cabret is wonderful, I read it two years ago, and I definitely need to read more from that author.
Going full old man video mode with the vertical-shaky cam direction. 🤣 Yaaaaas, for reading Titus Groan next! Don’t listen to Kile. Pronounce my name however you want! Calvin & Hobbes is amazing, agreed. Book ends would prevent Urth of the New Sun dropping. 👀 I have appreciated all of Vin’s commentary and demands throughout this video. More Vin, please! (The tail twitch was telling of Vin’s disdain.)
@@SheWasOnlyEvie i will tell "Kile" that I shall pronounce your name as well as you spell his I'm great at cinematography , all perceived flaws are actually a deliberate artistic choice
I’m seriously envious of your Folio BOTNS. Very beautiful collection of books. What’s your standard for buying a book physically vs digital, and also buying a normal copy vs a special edition?
I don't really have a standard, but generally like...if it is a book I really like, and it is a fancy edition I really like, I get it. I usually buy books physically, Vorkosigan is all ebook because I know I was going to be binging them on a vacation where I couldn't pack 8 books
Lord of the Silver Bow is fantastic, it really surprised me when I read it. Move it up your TBR! It's such a good book, and the sequel Shield of Thunder is even better.
Best interview I’ve seen with Jim. I’ve searched for his interview in the past and it’s always the same boring questions that he has the same answers for. I don’t blame him that’s what I’d do too for those interviews. 😂 So I’m mad I’m just now finding this video. Well done!
About the discussion around 1:50:00, how Rhaegar would be confused about Jon being a boy - this really reminded me about Lemongate tinfoil stuff. Daenerys is actually Rhaegar/Lyanna's daughter. Jon is the son of Ashara and either Brandon or Ned. Makes a lot of sense if the prophecy is semi-real and Rhaegar had to have two daughters and one son - additional support for Lemongate. That would mean Dany's real name is Visenya if Rhaegar really followed the original Aegon the Conqueror scheme with the naming. Real Daenerys died and was replaced with Visenya daughter of Rhaegar.
@@jakebishop7822 Been a while since I actually read it, but I was convinced by the argument about Ned remembering his broken promise to Lyanna when he is in the Black Cells. If the promise is "Protect Jon", then the promise is not broken - Jon is at the Wall, not currently in mortal danger as far as Ned knows. Dany, on the other hand, has assassins after her = broken promise. Additionally, there is this: >“You avenged Lyanna at the Trident,” Ned said, halting beside the king. Promise me, Ned, she had whispered. This comes after talking about sending assassins after Dany because she married Drogo, and while Ned isn't directly telling Bobby "Do not kill Dany" with this line, it is kind of in the general ballpark. "Do not go after Targaryens". Could also apply to Jon, I guess, but the conversation was about Dany in the beginning. But maybe I just want it to be not like the show. I ctrl-f'd through the book a bit and honestly I thought the evidence would be a bit stronger.
Everyone's asoiaf opinions are bad, but at least yours aren't quite as bad as everyone else's. I disagree with so many things that were said, but this was still really fun to watch. I like Catelyn and Bran... Stannis is not the rightful king, why does everyone always say this? Dany is the rightful Queen (and besides is a much better person and would probably be a better ruler, which is what actually matters anyway). Thank you for at least sort of kind of acknowledging this. I'd need to reread, but as a teenager, I feel that George is better at writing young people accurately to their age than most fantasy authors are. I love the Starks, and the Targaryens are really cool; those two are obviously my favorites, but I also really like the Tyrells and the Martells. The Lannisters and Greyjoys are written very well, and I also kind of like the Arryns even though that's stupid, and I generally feel pretty positive towards the Tullys, so basically Baratheon is the only major house I don't care about. Ramsay Bolton is by far the most unlikeable character in all of fiction. YES thank you for mentioning the single amazing series title drop in ASOIAF! I love that quote so much. I think Varys is legitimately trying to help the common people of Westeros like he claims in the epilogue to ADWD. The Catelyn chapter with Jaime is definitely AMAZING, I totally agree. Amazing quotes George is definitely not the most intentional author. Like not even close. He's a very good author, but there are so many people who are way more intentional with little details and who are much better at internal consistency (ex Sanderson) Two random side-notes: I think City of Last Chances is one of the best books for great one-liners ending chapters (or even paragraphs). I also saw Cordelia's Honor at a little free library a couple days ago and I picked that up, which you get full responsibility for. I will probably start it in a couple months.
@@jakebishop7822 Umm... well, here are a couple examples of my hot takes: The last two books are my favorites. That could hypothetically change on a reread but I doubt it. I don't think any of the books are too long, and I don't think anything should have been cut. I like Petyr Baelish (is that hot take, I think so). Like, it just feels like every time I watch people talk about asoiaf it seems like I disagree with a lot of what they're saying. I think I agree with the majority of Bookborns opinions, if that helps with getting an idea of what I generally think.
Always here for some First Law gushing!! Also, absolutely spot on with that little grimdark discussion. And consider me sold on De Lint's works now... the TBR is ever expanding 🥲
Hold it ! You don’t know Miles? She is better than Hobbe. Read the Vorkosigan books from the beginning. Her characters in that series develop through the series as they age and as things happen to them and they interact with their surroundings, and challenges.
Very cool. I also read Memory and Dream after it randomly caught my eye at a used book store and later that same day seeing you post about it. One of those ones that I think is objectively very good, but unfortunately just isn’t entirely my thing genre and style-wise.
@@mitch8948 i, believing myself to be the center of the universe thought my goodreads review may have caused you to read it, and I am now trying to reevaluate my existence
Like I said before God Emperor is my favorite book in the series. Pacey is the best. de Lint is on my list of authors to look out for when I'm browsing my local book store. I went to a new bookstore but Instead of de Lint I found a Canadian first edition, first printing of A Song for Arbonne 😎 I have not read A Clash of Kings in a very long time. I think I read it in 2007. I need to read the series again, someday. It looks like you had a good month!
@@JosephReadsBooks God Emperor is also my favorite, except for that it is also definitely my least favorite. Good luck in your used bookstore adventures. It twas
You’re probably the booktuber that I relate most with in terms of taste, so I really need to add your book of the month to my tbr! Also, “nothing in the blade itself, except Ardee from Jezals POV is called beautiful”. That’s actually really unintentionally romantic lol
Great update Jake! I get what you mean about grimdarkness. I think you make a good point. Grimdark is largely about atmosphere. And also imo the cynycism of the PoVs. Here's to a great July for you!
I will be reading God Emperor later this month (potentially). I am one of those Dune readers that loved Dune Messiah. I liked Children a bunch but not as much as the previous two instalments. Also will be adding Charles de List to the TBR thanks to your recommendation! Cheers!
I definitely agree with you in term of the best books showing both the horror and beauty in the world. I think your thought on these subjects were very insightful.
Yessssss The Blade Itself is so good, and Pacey is one of the GOATs for sure. Right with you on not needing much plot thrust when spending time in each POV is so engaging. Love the argument on its grimadarkness-there’s such a cynical undertone and the lack of beauty in the descriptions is a great indicator of that. You have me actually thinking I should continue with Dune after my disastrous slog with Messiah. I look forward to getting De Lint’s oeuvre broken down for me at some point!
Ooh that Charles De Lint book sounds really intriguing, will need to give it a go. Currently listening to Red Country by Pacey, and as much as I love Abercrombie, I think Pacey has me hooked. I wanted to love Ferro in FIrst Law, but I just felt like she was just there, like I liked her most in book 1 but by book 2 & 3 I was like "oh you are still here".How did you find the audio for Al-Rassan, I really enjoyed the book and the audio was very good for me however I wonder if Id read it with my eyes that I might have given it 5 stars over 4.5.
Steven Pacey’s is amazing, love his Arch Lector Salt! 😄 In June I read: «A Princess of Mars» (John Carter of Mars/Barsoom #1) by Edgar Rice Burroughs (Sword & Planet: I received a library copy from 1920, the British 4th Edition, 104 years old!) «All Tomorrow’s Parties» by William Gibson (Cyberpunk) «The Dragonbone Chair» (Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn, #1) by Tad Williams (Epic Fantasy, a key influence for George R. R. Martin's « A Song of Ice and Fire») «A Brightness Long Ago» by Guy Gavriel Kay (Fantasy: Doubt I will surprise you that it is my Book of the Month AND contender for Book of the Year so far!😄) «The Darkness That Comes Before» (The Prince of Nothing #1) by R. Scott Bakker (Grimdark/Dark Epic Fantasy inspired by the Crusades, Silmarillion & Dune) Cheers!
Very curious what you think of Prince of Nothing, and Dragonbone chair, I should be starting Darkness That Comes Before very soon. Brightness Long Ago for the win. So good. Like the rain misses the clouds
Also forgot to mention I got through 6 books and 2 comic books in June. 2 Judge Dredd comic books - The Complete Case Files 37 & 38 6 books: Kamusari Tales Told At Night - Shion Miura Last Summer Boys - Bill Rivers Memory And Dream - Charles De Lint The Shepherd’s Crown - Terry Pratchett Bridge To Terabithia - Katherine Paterson Flowers For Algernon - Daniel Keyes Book of the month for me was the re-read of Memory And Dream closely followed by Flowers For Algernon.
@@jakebishop7822 Flowers is an amazing book, but because of the subject matter it doesn't lend itself to being called an enjoyable read. It's a real emotional journey and it hits hard.
