I really got inspired by skullsworn to reread this series, and damn I finished this one sooner than I thought.
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Mostly reading fantasy and science fiction books, reading while commuting is genius :D
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Øyvind's books
2024 Reading Goal
54% complete! Øyvind has read 13 of 24 books.
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Øyvind finished reading Emperors Blades by Brian Staveley
Øyvind started reading Emperors Blades by Brian Staveley
Øyvind finished reading Skullsworn by Brian Staveley
Skullsworn by Brian Staveley
Pyrre Lakatur doesn't like the word skullsworn. It fails to capture the faith and grace, the peace and beauty of …
Øyvind reviewed Skullsworn by Brian Staveley
A story about love, death, and a delta
5 stars
I have been told that all stories are about, love death and the ocean. In this book are we following Pyrre a priestess to be of death or Ananshael as the God of Death is known in the universe of the Unhewn Throne. One of Pyrre's tasks are to find her true love and kill him or her. And it all happens in a city built in a river delta. So for once the formula more or less holds true.
The writing is really good, and it is sometimes really poetic. In some way's I wish we could have seen more of the Annurian empire, but the story keeps us primarily to a small corner of that well fleshed out world. If you want more read some of Brians other books. The story is short and it has a few interesting twists along the way, there is some character development …
I have been told that all stories are about, love death and the ocean. In this book are we following Pyrre a priestess to be of death or Ananshael as the God of Death is known in the universe of the Unhewn Throne. One of Pyrre's tasks are to find her true love and kill him or her. And it all happens in a city built in a river delta. So for once the formula more or less holds true.
The writing is really good, and it is sometimes really poetic. In some way's I wish we could have seen more of the Annurian empire, but the story keeps us primarily to a small corner of that well fleshed out world. If you want more read some of Brians other books. The story is short and it has a few interesting twists along the way, there is some character development but it's limited scopes makes it understandable that there is not much of it. I won't hesitate to recommend this book to most people. And if you have enjoyed Brian Staveley other works then this is a nobrainer to read.
Øyvind quoted Skullsworn by Brian Staveley
Death resists all comparison and simile. This is something I learned in my first year at Rassambur. To say death is like a land beyond the sea or like an endless scream is to miss the point. Death is not like anything. There is no craft analogous to Ananshael's work. The truest response to his mystery and majesty is silence. On the other hand, to remain silent is to encourage the fantasies of the uninitiate—skulls brimming with blood, graveyard orgies, infants dangling like impractical chandeliers from the ceilings of candlelit caverns—and so maybe an imperfect analogy is better than none at all. Take a grape. The purple skin is muted, as if by mist or fog. Polish it, or not then pop it into your mouth. The flesh is firm beneath the cool, smooth skin. If you find yourself becoming aroused, stop. Start imagining over. The grape is a grape. Imagine it properly, or this will not work. Now. What does the grape taste like? A grape tastes like a grape? Of course not. Until you bite the grape, it has no taste. It might as well be a stone lifted from the cold current of some river in autumn: a smooth, chill orb, reticent, flavorless. You could hold it trapped between your palate and tongue forever, with only the faintest hint of juice at the tiny breach where it was plucked from the stem. You are like that grape—plump with slick, rich sweetness, with wet purple life. The truth of life is the grape's truth: only when jaws bite down, when the skin splits, when the sun-cold flesh explodes onto the tongue does it matter. Without the moment of its own destruction, the grape is just a smooth, colorful stone. Without the foreknowledge of the woman who holds it in her hand, her anticipation, before it even passes her lips, of the mangled skin and the sweet life draining over the tongue, the grape would hold no savor.
— Skullsworn by Brian Staveley (Page 5 - 6)
This is so well written, not to mention it such a weird comparison as well.
Øyvind started reading Skullsworn by Brian Staveley
Skullsworn by Brian Staveley
Pyrre Lakatur doesn't like the word skullsworn. It fails to capture the faith and grace, the peace and beauty of …
Øyvind finished reading The Martyr by Anthony Ryan (Covenant of Steel, #2)
The Martyr by Anthony Ryan (Covenant of Steel, #2)
Øyvind reviewed The Martyr by Anthony Ryan (Covenant of Steel, #2)
Alwyn Scribes adventures continues
4 stars
Where the first book did a great job introducing us to the world is first in this book that we get to see the greater mysteries of the world. Like who is the Sack witch, which role does Alwyn Scribe and Lady Evadine Courlain have in everything that happens. The story is well told, but dark and gritty. I like it better as I felt like Alwyn was more in charge of it here then in the first book the Pariah, and the world has grown on me. If you liked the first book definitively read this one, if you hated it skip this one, and if you're on the fence I'd say give this one a try I think it will surprise you.
Øyvind quoted The Martyr by Anthony Ryan (Covenant of Steel, #2)
Content warning Slight spoilers on a meeting
Wilhulm's reluctance was plain as he cast a dubious eye over the Alundian ranks. "The Duke is not known for his welcoming nature, Evie," he said. "At least let me bring the guard across ..." "There'll be no fighting, Wil," she cut in, kicking her charger into motion. "The day is just too fine for blood."
— The Martyr by Anthony Ryan (Covenant of Steel, #2) (Page 92)
I hope most day's are too fine for blood.
Øyvind started reading The Martyr by Anthony Ryan (Covenant of Steel, #2)
The Martyr by Anthony Ryan (Covenant of Steel, #2)
Øyvind reviewed Hell Bent by Leigh Bardugo (Ninth House Trilogy, #2)
Alex Stern is trying to save her friend
4 stars
I like this book more than the first one. The story is as good as in the first one, and the way it's told I think flows way better in this one, largely because it doesn't split the story and setting in two the same way which the first book did. Where Ninth House introduced us to many aspects of the world of Lethe is Hell Bent more focused, the collage and collage societies takes more of a back seat in this book, and works beautiful as a setting for the story. While we focus on what's important for Alex Stern, which is to rescue Darlington.
Øyvind reviewed Hunger of the Gods by John Gwynne (Bloodsworn Saga, #2)
The Gods Hunger for ...
4 stars
The second book in the Bloodsworn Saga is beautifully paced, well written and it has a good story. While the story is somewhat predictable does it have it's moments that might surprise you. It's all together a book well worth reading.
Øyvind finished reading Hunger of the Gods by John Gwynne (Bloodsworn Saga, #2)
Øyvind quoted Hunger of the Gods by John Gwynne (Bloodsworn Saga, #2)
"What's your name, little vaesen?" Storolf asked the tennúr. "Tannbursta," the tennúr said.
— Hunger of the Gods by John Gwynne (Bloodsworn Saga, #2) (Page 392)
So we got a bi character basically named "tooth brush" :D