(no subject)

[bjornwilde]

Almost done with Sergei Lukyanenko's The New Watch, book 05 in his Night Watch series. The book is feeling like the last in the series but according to the wiki article I linked, there's one more to come, Sixth Watch (which is out and translated). I am enjoying it, but Sergei does love to pontificate...a lot. Likely going to wait to get the Sixth Watch for a bit because of this.

I do see that Audible is having a 50% off sale and the Vlad Talos books are included in the sale. Evil! I wish my bank could handle me buying more than two of the books as they're only about $10 each, but I've been spending like a Republican this past week. Still, I'll be reading Dzur tomorrow!

I think I need to reread Last First Snow as Elayne has been stirring in my head again. I wish it was in audiobook format so I could listen while driving.

In mortal matters, I've regained some small bits of weight I had lost, which I am not happy with but that's what happens when I eat poorly. I'm also taking part in a 30 days of Yoga challenge and have only missed one day so far. I'm likely how i feel after but am having trouble finding the time each day to do it.

Now to get to work so that I may play and, hopefully draw later today.

Comments

[hamsterwoman]

First of all, yay Dzur! :D

Second of all, you read Lukyanenko's Watch books, cool! I wouldn't exactly call myself a fan, because the authorial voice bugs me on occasion as well, but I do find the world interesting, and like several of the characters a lot (Arina and Semyon, mostly). But The New Watch is one of my favorites (maybe even the favorite -- it's between that and Twilight Watch). Book 6 was also not bad, but not quite at the same level. But I do think it's a good idea to space out those books. They're definitely not binge-reading material for me (although part of that is probably also that I read them in Russian, and tend to prefer spacing that out in general).

[bjornwilde]

I am looking forward to Dzur and Vlad's voice so much! I just hope the narration is equal to the task.

I do love the world of the Night Watch and the characters, but you are right about the author's voice. It gets in the way of the story a lot of times. I think i liked Final Watch (I just love little Nadia) and Twilight Watch (still sad about Tiger Cub).

ETA: Wait, Tiger Cub died in

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I am looking forward to Dzur and Vlad's voice so much! I just hope the narration is equal to the task.

I do love the world of the Night Watch and the characters, but you are right about the author's voice. It gets in the way of the story a lot of times. I think i liked <i>Final Watch</i> (I just love little Nadia) and <i>Twilight Watch</i> (still sad about Tiger Cub).

ETA: Wait, Tiger Cub died in <iDay Watch</i> didn't she?

I came across the books because some peeps in an online RPG I do played Olga and Tiger Cub and I love non-UK centric myths. I even ended up playing Anton for a little bit but his early borderline nihilism (or is it dour-ism?) got too much for me.

[hamsterwoman]

I think Tiger Cub died in Day Watch, yeah (which is probably my least favorite of the books)

I'd definitely get sick of action out the stuff in Anton's head pretty quick! Just reading his POV gets annoying enough after a while!

I like little Nadia a lot, too, but also enjoy seeing the young woman she grew into in the later books.

[bjornwilde]

I have to laugh at Anton's reaction to her in his vision, when she's all punk/goth'd out. I thought she sounded cool but he was all grumpy. ; p

I liked the idea of the Mirror, but not much else stuck with me from that book.

[hamsterwoman]

Yes, I liked the idea of the Mirror, too, but that's about it. Actually, part of that book is written by a different guy than Lukyanenko (or maybe it's just idea credit? not sure...) OK, having checked the Russian Wiki, 'cos I got curious, apparently the idea of the Mirror belongs to the co-author, and that guy also wrote most of the stuff from the POV of the Dark Ones. So, he wrote the middle part completely on his own, and the third part is mixed.

[bjornwilde]

Finished last night and that climax was worth the exposition/pontifications. Although I do feel like Anton should've guessed Arina's game. He's been craftier in previous books, but I'll allow that maybe he had an off day or gotten soft with being a higher other and not having to use his wits to solve things.

Also started Dzur this morning and it didn't even take me 10 mins to get hooked. Holy shit, Mario!!!! And Cawti is back. \o/

[hamsterwoman]

I'm good with the explanation of Anton going soft with time/position :) And I think this is probably the book in the series with the climax I like best. There is always some kind of twist, but whether they work well for me or don't tends to vary. This one does.

Yep, Mario! That was very unexpected! Vlad family stuff actually didn't get as far as I wanted in this book, but it's setting up for the next couple (in-universe chronologically), and at least at this point they're already published.

[bjornwilde]

That was very unexpected! Vlad family stuff actually didn't get as far as I wanted in this book, but it's setting up for the next couple (in-universe chronologically), and at least at this point they're already published.

Oh good. I do already have Jhegaala due to the book sale at Audible. I wish I had the funds to buy the next three as their only about $10 each, but alas. Maybe if the sale continues to next week.

[hamsterwoman]

Jhegaala actually jumps back in time to Vlad's travels in the East (so, set between Phoenix and Athyra), so sadly doesn't advance the Dzur plot forward. But the four novels after that all take place after Dzur, at least in part.

Are you limited to audiobooks? I have Iorich, Tiassa, Hawk, and Vallista in e-book form, and I think I've successfully lent them to people in the past, if you'd like to give that a shot. Let me know -- it would be a pleasure to enable a fellow Dragaera fan :)

[bjornwilde]

Most of my reading nowadays happens during my commute and since I drive, audiobook is my main source.

I'll get there. = ]

Good to know that I'll find out about that missing finger at least. = )

[hamsterwoman]

Good to know that I'll find out about that missing finger at least. = )

You will indeed :)

And gotcha. Commute is my main book time as well, although I'm lucky that with the train I do have more flexibility in formats. In that case, I hope the Audible sale lasts!

[bjornwilde]

I'm doing San Jose to Alameda, which has few public transit options. I know there's the Amtrack commuter train which I keep meaning to check out. A friend who used to do the opposite commute gave me what's left of his train pass, so i just need to figure out where it leaves me at the Oakland colosseum and how to get to work from there.