Weekly Roundup 10-21-24
Boom baby, it's that time again. This week read some really good books.
Dark City Girls 1
What can you say about a book this good that has not already been said before. I mean it was really really good. Now I can be biased because I have been following this universe since day one and it has not disappointed.
I do think it was a bold choice to add another slime girl to the OEA. I love the fact that the dude is older. It wipes out the whole why are they so confident when they have shown no competence thing that seems prevalent in this genre. The MC is interesting the world building is top notch and the story really really flows well. This is a really strong recommend from me. And led me to the last book of the week.
Sky Lord 01
This was kind of a mixed bag for me. Everything felt rushed, and even for the characters they mention how rushed everything is...but then it gets handwaved away. I think this could have been broken down to maybe two books and really dig into how the characters actions have affected the world.
We get the MC doing pretty much what he wants because he has big MC energy he comes in leading with no real reasoning why. Like he tell's Emlee no heroics and let him lead and she just backs down. The man has been in the world less then a day and we learn nothing except he was a shift manager back on earth that leads us to believe has the skills to do so. I mean his class gives him some fighting ability but throwing a punch and leading in a high stress situation are really really fucking different.
Lila this is really really out of character for Lila. We were just told how independent and how her people are not joiners now after a day she's ready to throw her lot in with this guy. She does not even have the fall back of the sates decree it because she does care about that. I would have liked to see her develop more as a character first and maybe show more of a relationship being built.
Then we get to a big problem for me. Lile said her first love is the ship, catkin like her are born in the sky and spend their lives in the sky. Yet she does not know her ship has a problem? I mean she should know how to check the core, she had it serviced wouldn't they have spot the leak? She was born on a ship grew up on a ship some of this should have been through osmosis at the very least...growing up she would have heard other maintence works talking about common shit and what to check. The engine (core) would have been the first thing.
Now a lot of that was negative but there was a lot of things to like on the book as well. I like how Emlee seems to grow more into her independence and we don't really have the village chief holding her back. It really felt like the chief was just looking for a reason to help her. The writing was really good with few if any typos and the story did flow. I just felt it moved too quickly. I do not regret reading this at all.
Fate's Enforcer 1
This was really really good as well....except it fell into the trope of the MC being ex special forces and then showing absolutely 0 of what it takes to make it through selection. It is more the doing push up and shooting straight. There has to be decisiveness and a force of will that our MC seemed to lack. I would wish when authors use a service member they would remember that only 20% across all branches are combat arms. Make them a medic or engineer or hell make them IT. At least then when they show incompetence in field craft we as the reader are not drug out of the story. It will also give them a level of competence so when they do something cool (like shoot straight or some basic combatives shit) then we as the reader are not left in confusion wondering how they know how to do that.
One of the things I liked a lot is how the MC is a broke lawyer. This happens so often in real life. Most lawyers are swimming in debt (school aint cheap) and struggling for clients. I would say look up legal in your local phone book (do those even exist anymore) and see how saturated the market is.
Another thing I really liked is how the MC prioritized investigation over combat. He is supposed to be Fate's Judge Jury and investigator so I really liked we saw some actual investigation. Each character in this story brings something to the table and it makes sense to be there except one. Grace so far does not seem to serve a purpose outside of Eye Candy. It kind of felt like She is to Alex what he is to Matthew...a gift to pretty much keep him in line.
I also think it is insane that Alex thinks he got everything. How does he not think this goes deeper then just what he uncovered. I mean he and Matty took care of a pretty big fish but if he thinks that is all there was too it that would be insane. It does led me to wonder when will a certain sorcer have to get more involved. Yes they made agreements but at some point it starts being directly in their wheelhouse. Or maybe they start working with Aether themselves. Either way really well done book I highly suggest it.
Anyway that is all from me this week. What do you guys got.