Finished Code Name Verity. Am weepy mess. But sooo good. Looking forward to re-reading, though not right away, as I think the library will want it back.

Someone just quoted parts of the wikipedia entry on the tenth Wheel Of Time book, which is like a how-not-to for pacing. Check these verbs:

[Character A] continues trying to rescue [stuff]. In addition, [A] is approached with the suggestion of [stuff], at least on a temporary basis, to defeat [stuff].

[Character B] continues trying to escape [stuff].

[Character C] continues trying to solidify [stuff]. Also it is revealed that [stuff], but the identity of [stuff] is kept secret from others.

[Character D] rests after the ordeal of [stuff]. He sends [stuff] to negotiate [stuff]. They return at the end of the book to tell him that [stuff], but [stuff].

[Character E] leads the [stuff] in maintaining the [stuff]. At the end of the book, [stuff].

It's good that a fan can summarise with such a dispassionate air, really.

Finished Code Name Verity. Am weepy mess. But sooo good.

I need to reread it, I think. It's been enough time now, not that it'll keep me from being a weepy mess on second reading, though.

Finished the last Montmaray book last night, and I miss them all already. The FitzOsbornes at War gave me so much more insight into what living through the Blitz, and the war itself, must have been like, and that's that after reading a lot of other WWII-set novels. I think part of it was the immediacy of Sophie's emotions and reactions, as well as the fact that the author never made her less than a real girl, who was horrified at the atrocities but also weary of not being able to buy stockings, or chocolate.

This is a trilogy I will read over and over again, I know.

This is a trilogy I will read over and over again, I know.

Me, too. It's already become comfort-reading for me, somehow. Despite all the trauma (and the drama), there's something weirdly cozy and domestic about it for me.

I pre-ordered Wein's next one, which is apparently sort of a sequel to CNV.

In other news, I finished Bee Ridgway's River of No Return on Friday, and read Cold Steel by Kate Elliott yesterday.

I liked the Ridgway, although I found it a bit predictable in spots. And I think it's going to be a much stronger draw in the romance community than the SFF community, because the romance is such a big part of the plot, but I didn't find it, well, all that unique or nuanced.

That said, it's a fun setup with a lot of great visuals and a plot driven by people being realistically people, and not by being evil. So far, anyway.

I liked the Elliott rather more: she's structured a universe in which the best science and creativity is coming from the Caribbean to Europe instead of the other way around, which I really enjoy. These characters, too, are mostly human (or, well, people, since many aren't human at all), all with their own agendas.

Consuela - I have Cold Steel on my TBR, after I finish Bee's book. Not reading your write up just yet.

Took a detour to read Max Barry's Lexicon on a recommendation. It's good! I liked it a lot better than Jennifer Government. Some places where I muttered 'oh please don't go there' but then he turned it around enough so I didn't wall the book.

I'm looking interestedly at that Cold Magic series, Consuela--I have a question--is the same character on the front of all three books?

I did impulse buy The Gone-Away World by Nick Harkaway last week. Saw someone blog about it casually, and before I knew it, I was downloading.

Anyone here read it?

I have a question--is the same character on the front of all three books?

Not sure, since I got the 2nd & 3rd on my Kindle. Lemme look. And the answer is... maybe? There are two female leads, Cat and her sister Bee. They're supposed to be "Phoenician", but the standard ethnicities don't apply. Cat is described as having black hair and amber eyes, though.

I suspect the publisher whitewashed her a bit, although she's never described as dark skinned (unlike the male lead, who is partly of African descent).

Despite all the trauma (and the drama), there's something weirdly cozy and domestic about it for me.

Oh, I agree. And I think the epilogue really helped, too, as well as the family tree in the back. Plus, I was really impressed that she had Simon living with Julia and Toby, and Julia's first baby his . That's a fairly bold move for a YA book, even if she didn't explain any of it in much detail.

I think that's the other thing that I really liked -- she balanced it so well, especially with Sophie, who dreamed of a white dress and a church wedding but was also very honestly straightforward about not regretting her night with Simon, or having any problem with her brother's and Simon's fluid sexuality, while still acknowledging how difficult it could make things.

Cat and her sister Bee

Cousin?

The woman on the first two covers looks darker skinned than the third, but the review I read said the epic was written in close pov of just one person, so it seemed to fit that it would be her on all the covers.

The first book was on sale for $1.99, and it doesn't really take up space per se, and insert standard excuses here:

Cousin?

Yes, cousin, but raised as sisters. One thing I really like is that the relationship between the women is as important as the romantic relationship between the two romantic leads.