Hello, Internet! Been a very read-ey week. Spent most of it plowing through the Codex Alera by Jim Butcher, and I'm going to be selfish and just try to speed through this post so I can get back to finishing the last book. Reading As just mentioned, I've been plowing through the Codex Alera. I'm inclined to … Continue reading Weekly Update – 9/6/17
Hello, Internet! My week's been swell. Got an absolute boatload of reading done (some of it not exactly on purpose), so it's obviously been a good time. I managed to get through both of my goals from last week - although they weren't particularly strenuous - and I heard back and was accepted to an … Continue reading Weekly Update – 8/30/17
Hello, Internet! I feel I've been middlingly productive this week. I've been delayed or distracted by some outside factors (such as applying for online courses, and a friend visiting from out of town), but I'm still pleased with the work I've done. So, haven't been super productive on my writing, but I think that some … Continue reading Weekly Update – 8/23/17
Hello, Internet! Just finished up my writing goal from last week, so I figured I really ought to get going on my weekly post for this week. One of the main reasons I do this each week is for accountability - and I've gotta say, this week? It worked. Let's get to it! Reading This … Continue reading Weekly Update – 8/9/17
Hello, Internet! It's been a good week. Got some good work done on Rule, and I'm starting to feel pretty optimistic again about revising the blasted thing. Reading So I may have gone ahead and just finished re-reading The Shadow of What Was Lost over the past week. As I commented last week (regarding Percy Jackson & the … Continue reading Weekly Update – 8/2/17
Hello, Internet! This week's been pretty productive! In addition to wrapping up & publishing my review of Milo Yiannopolis' Dangerous, I got some good work done on my maps & setting for The Rule of Iron. Well, let's get to it, shall we? Reading I completely blew through Percy Jackson & the Olympians. I think I read the … Continue reading Weekly Update – 7/26/17
Hello, Internet! First off, I've got to say - I love my family. They know quite well that I'm a recluse by nature. This past weekend was a family reunion, and for me it's wonderful that they're willing to let me skulk in the corner with a book for large portions of the day. … Continue reading Weekly Update – 7/19/17
Hello, Internet! I'm very, very, very happy to say that I've got a second draft done of "act one" of The Rule of Iron! This currently works out to be the first five chapters, but I wouldn't be surprised if chapter divisions change up at some point in the future. Calling this segment "act one" isn't to … Continue reading Weekly Update – 5/18/17
James Islington's debut novel, The Shadow of What Was Lost, begins as a deceptively stereotypical coming-of-age fantasy. However, it doesn't take long for the story to develop, and breathe fresh life into well-used tropes of the genre. Even with a slightly unsatisfying climax, I deeply enjoyed this book as a whole. It's a good fantasy, and a great adventure. 8/10.
Trial of Intentions (Book Two of the Vault of Heaven) is a long, complicated novel. There is a lot to enjoy, but also may be a lot which frustrates some readers. The villains are very well written, and the setting is excellent, but I found that the heroes often felt lackluster. Trial of Intentions is a fantasy in the grand saga style, but which is likely to only interest readers of its own genre. 6/10.
