It is winter in Area X. A new team embarks across the border on a …
Whew, there's a lot to unpack and process with this one. I don't know if I liked them, but I don't know in a good way. I think the titles of each book can serve as a lens to look back on them, even though Authority is the most unclear to me with that approach.
Whew, there's a lot to unpack and process with this one. I don't know if I liked them, but I don't know in a good way. I think the titles of each book can serve as a lens to look back on them, even though Authority is the most unclear to me with that approach.
It is winter in Area X. A new team embarks across the border on a …
Content warning
chapter 14
OK there seems be some literalisation of certain images the people in area X have. The biologist and Control both speak of a "brightness" inside of them. Those are the exact words Saul Evans uses when he talks about people (before area X becomes a thing), that they all have a brightness inside of them that they direct towards each other, as a metaphor for how people interact with each other.
The director likens the influence of area X as "a silouhette writhing against a dull white screen". That really reminds me of the wall Control touches just before area X expands when the director returns.
Perhaps I too am searching for patterns that aren't there.
"Stylish and action-packed, full of ambitious families and guilt-ridden loves, Jade City is an epic …
The mobster-wuxia hybrid I never knew I needed (spoilers)
5 stars
I'm not usually all that excited about either really martial fantasy or mob stories, because both tend to rely on either very flatly good/evil dichotomies, or just telling the reader that one set of characters are the good ones and should be sympathised with.
At first, this book felt like it was going down that road, since our introduction to some of the core characters is them dispensing a lot of violence for profit, against some thieves who I found myself sympathising with. But by about 1/4 of the way I was getting reeled in by the Kauls' charm even as I was never convinced by their goodness. I think that ambiguity is one of the great strengths of Lee's writing. She could so easily have brought the world another set of Atreides/Skywalkers/Gandalf-and-the-hobbits, and instead we got some much more interesting, real and complex characters fighting a much smaller …
I'm not usually all that excited about either really martial fantasy or mob stories, because both tend to rely on either very flatly good/evil dichotomies, or just telling the reader that one set of characters are the good ones and should be sympathised with.
At first, this book felt like it was going down that road, since our introduction to some of the core characters is them dispensing a lot of violence for profit, against some thieves who I found myself sympathising with. But by about 1/4 of the way I was getting reeled in by the Kauls' charm even as I was never convinced by their goodness. I think that ambiguity is one of the great strengths of Lee's writing. She could so easily have brought the world another set of Atreides/Skywalkers/Gandalf-and-the-hobbits, and instead we got some much more interesting, real and complex characters fighting a much smaller war.
Along with that, Janloon feels like a living breathing city, the combination magic/technology/martial arts system strikes a good balance between epic powers and finite, human limitations, and the geopolitical background adds a little grounding without intruding too much.
Some criticisms: aesthetically I don't like magic systems being described as discrete Abilities--that can make a fight feel a bit like narration of a video game--and some of the world-building is a bit front-loaded. But overall I loved this book and I'm looking forward to the rest of the series.
I can see why people aren't a fan of them, they're not the most straight forward books out there. I put the series down after the first book the first time, but decided to pick it up again after seeing Hello Future Me talk about it. Not regretting it!
I can see why people aren't a fan of them, they're not the most straight forward books out there. I put the series down after the first book the first time, but decided to pick it up again after seeing Hello Future Me talk about it. Not regretting it!
It is winter in Area X. A new team embarks across the border on a …
The second part of this Book is called "Fixed light". A pretty interesting title since "fixed" could either mean "repaired" or "stationery"/" unmoving". I have no idea which it is beforehand.
The second part of this Book is called "Fixed light". A pretty interesting title since "fixed" could either mean "repaired" or "stationery"/" unmoving". I have no idea which it is beforehand.
For thirty years, a secret agency called the Southern Reach has monitored expeditions into Area …
Whew, that was a ride! I don't think I can skip the last book now.
There's still a lot of things I don't understand, but one thing that has become clearer to me is that the author is really good to use style to convey mood. The first book is from a very detached point of view, and it shows in the dryness of the book. This book is more emotional and the prose changes style well accordingly, especially during times of high stress or unfocused delirium.
Whew, that was a ride! I don't think I can skip the last book now.
There's still a lot of things I don't understand, but one thing that has become clearer to me is that the author is really good to use style to convey mood. The first book is from a very detached point of view, and it shows in the dryness of the book. This book is more emotional and the prose changes style well accordingly, especially during times of high stress or unfocused delirium.
I'm getting the feeling that there's a lot of subtext going on in Area X since a lot of things seem to be very deliberate, but I don't really understand it. The vibes are enough for it to be enjoyable though!
I'm getting the feeling that there's a lot of subtext going on in Area X since a lot of things seem to be very deliberate, but I don't really understand it. The vibes are enough for it to be enjoyable though!
@Orlion Ooh, this is probably the first time on this site I see someone commenting on a book by an author I've read! I'm currently on the second book of the Southern Reach trilogy. How is Veniss Underground so far? Is it as weird as his other books?
@Orlion Ooh, this is probably the first time on this site I see someone commenting on a book by an author I've read! I'm currently on the second book of the Southern Reach trilogy. How is Veniss Underground so far? Is it as weird as his other books?
For thirty years, a secret agency called the Southern Reach has monitored expeditions into Area …
Content warning
Chapter 8
"[stuff about how names carry associations such as facts or identity among the named and those who know that name] Whereas 'biologist' --- that's a function, a subset of a full identity". Not if you did it right, like Ghost Bird, and you were totally and wholly your job to begin with. "If you can be your function, then the theory is that these associations narrow or close down, and that closes down the pathways into personality. Perhaps.
Hm, this looks important. The biologist seems like the only one that this applies to.
Control is doing something similar to himself. He is only allowing himself to become Josh (?) when he's at home. He's function is to be in control, but he doesn't seem to be doing too good on that front.
