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This set of shelves was not terrible, but I knew going in that it was dominated by two specific series, and they were likely gonna slow me down immensely. And I was right! I technically haven't even finished rereading one of them! But I do know my opinion on it already so I decided I might as well get this up before my vacation.
Once again, spoilers for most every book discussed. Without further ado -
Not a ton of space gained, but ngl, wasnt expecting much.
Dragon Slippers by Jessica Day George: TOSS
This was a nostalgia book. I loved the idea of dragons having hoards that were not gold (i think this was the first media I encountered with that idea, actually), but instead things like shoes, glass, and books. And its a decent little plot with slowly growing stakes. I also really likely that our main female character's strength and skill lies in an art that is very 'feminine' - embroidery - but that is actually a major driver of the plot. But ive definitely grown out of the age bracket for it, and I also found myself grimacing a bit at one specific thing: Larkin. Larkin is another apprentice at the shop Creel finds a job at, noted for her dark looks and her crippled leg. Larkin ends up stealing from and betraying Creel in the course of the story. I find it really, really distasteful that the one handicapped character is the 'bad' one, especially when George went out of her way to make it clear that the other apprentice, a fashion forward, able bodied blonde, wasnt a mean girl stereotype, but actually a nice person with hopes and dreams. It just. Was not good. So I decided im not gonna reread this any time soon, so it should go.
Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett: TOSS
I dont even really know what to say here. I DNFed, not because its a bad story or the thing with Gaiman, but it just. Did not hook me on reread. I felt. Kinda bored? Which feels like sacrilege but. There we are. And since i DNFed rules say away it must go.
Crown Duel by Sherwood Smith: KEEP
Crown Duel is fucking great. You got battles, political intrigue, a squeeze of romance, and a main character who is so stubborn and headstrong and opinionated that she is the most unreliable narrator ever and yet we still root for her. Plus a world that feels so lush and alive in a way that some series dont seem to really accomplish. I love it so much I have two copies, one of which is now falling apart, so definite keep.
The Bar Code Tattoo/ The Bar Code Rebellion by Suzanne Weyn: TOSS
Rereading this made me realize that, while they are good stories, ya dystopian novels are just not my cup of tea. Which is why im letting them go. That aside, however, these are really good dystopians and I do recommend them as they do feel very relevant. The science is. Not the soundest and book two definitely gets a bit weird with the genetics, but you could easily see a world where your genetic code dictates the job you can get, the insurance you can get, if you are even allowed to buy gas and drive, becoming reality. Plus the us president is also the head of a business empire so. Thats not out there at all (unfortunately).
Harper Hall series by Anne McCaffrey: TOSS
McCaffrey has never been a favorite of mine- i didn't grow up reading her work. So Harper Hall was unusual in that when I was gifted the trilogy, I actually really enjoyed it. However, like Bar Code and Dragon Slippers, it was not as good on reread. I liked the fire-lizards, but how our main character was treated for much of book 1 by her family and friends was. Honestly awful. They literally said it was for her own good that she had a debilitating injury and nearly died of infection! It just made it a rather unpleasant read until the final chapters where she arrives at the wyre. So bye bye it goes.
The Forbidden Forest Chronicles by Patricia C Wrede: STORE
I loved this set as a kid. I used to have a audiobook of Dealing with Dragons that I fell asleep to forrrrrr 4? 5? Years straight. And it was just as i remembered on reread. But. I've definitely grown out of the age for it. However, with how much the series meant to me, I can't in good conscious toss them straight out. So, like Dragon Rider, they're going into storage and will be reconsidered at a later date.
Chalice by Robin McKinley: KEEP
I love how unique this book is. It takes place in a single county/duchy/township/whatever you want to call it, and yet has the same epic majesty of much bigger world ending fantasies. And the stakes feel just as high! Because they are for the characters! If the returning heir is unable to take over, and an outblood heir comes in, there's a chance the land will die. And our main character with it. It also has such a good romance. Most i can take or leave, but this one really sits perfectly within the overarching plot. And also there's bees. Anyways please read this its so good.
The Hero and the Crown/The Blue Sword by Robin McKinley: TOSS/KEEP
I really like the Blue Sword. Yes, it falls into the white Savior trope a bit, but i love how realistic Harry's struggles were as she tried to adapt to Hill life, from learning the language, to riding, to fighting. The romance i can take or leave, but i dont hate it. Now. The hero and the crown. I just. *sighhhhhh* it feels like Aerin gets to be. Everything. Shes the reason they are horse people, shes the reason they ride the tiny saddles, shes the reason the Hill people know Luthe and the water of Sight. She fights the dragon, she defeats the demigod, shes the reason they country becomes a desert. Its just. So much. Like damn girl why not share the spotlight at least a little? Also I hate both romances so I really could not bring myself to keep it.
Green Rider by Kristen Britain: STORE
Gods im really torn over Green Rider. I really enjoyed the first few books, but when I found out the plot for Mirrorsight I just. Could not bring myself to read it. So now im stuck in this quandry of. Do I keep the series, knowing I'll never actually finish it. Or do I let it go, and risk not having access to them again. So for now they'll go in a box and in a few months we'll see if I really missed them.
Cry of the Icemark by Stuart Hill: TOSS
This book is a fucking ride and gods damn im so sad that it no longer slaps like it once did. You got vikings vs romans, with probably the most interesting take on werewolves, vampires, MOTHERFUCKING THARAMAN THAR THE TALKING GIANT SNOW LEOPARD. Thirrin is an absolutely feral child who's bloodlust is only tempered by her love for her people and the responsibility she feels upon becoming a ruler at 14. Anddd thats the stickler. Shes 14. This is definitely a power fantasy for preteens/YA readers. Which isn't bad!! Its just. Im not one of those anymore. :( so I let it go. But if you want an absolutely nuts time I do recommend.
A Series of Unfortunate Events/The Unauthorized Autobiography/The Beatrice Letters by Lemony Snicket: STORE
Another major sticking point for me. Asoue has been a major book series in my life for years. I've always loved how it shows that people arent good or bad, how you never get all the answers, and how sometimes the only choice you have is to walk away and free yourself from the cycle of abuse/neglect/trauma, even if it means leaving everything else behind. Oh and also how your author/narrator can be biased af and have secrets of his own that impact the story. However I dont know I'd ever reread them. I enjoy them, they are good books, but in a way, my memory of them has outpaced the actual reality. It did hurt to remove them from the shelf, but we'll see how i feel with some time separated.
Redwall series by Brian Jacques: KEEP
I love Redwall. They are such engaging fantasy books and really do have everything. Plots, schemes, riddles, puzzles, fighting, questing, love, loss, heros, villains, normal animals rising to the challenge, and of course, lots of glorious food. Im in the middle of doing a publishing order reread (which is why they are rearranged, no books have left), and i already know the series is staying. I dont even have to finish to know that they are that good and worth the shelf space.
Immortal Rain by Kaori Ozaki: KEEP
The day these leave my shelves is the day I die. Maybe not even then. Immortal Rain is an incredible manga, and I didn't even seek it out- I literally stumbled upon it and promptly got smacked in the face with its meditation on love, grief, sacrifice, and forgiveness, and who is worthy of it. Like asoue, there's no truly evil characters (except Fulk, fuck that guy) simply people who happen to be on opposite sides. For being a story centered on immortality and 'angels', its a remarkably human story. The fact only 8 of the 11 volumes were publishing in English is a travesty. This story, simply, changed my life. And thats why i can't let it go.
Plus it'd be so hard to get it back Manga scalpers are fucking brutal man.
And thats shelves 5 and 6! I knew going in Redwall and ASOUE were gonna dominate my time, and they really did. I wasn't expecting to let so many of the paperbacks go though- those rose tinted nostalgia lenses weren't as strong for this batch as previous ones I guess. Anyways, shelves 7 and 8 are actually mostly complete, due to being favorite books from after I started really reading again. My plan is, read more redwall while on vacation, finish redwall when I get back, and then read just the books im uncertain about keeping from shelves 7 and 8, with the goal of finishing sometime in November. Given my current reading rate I dont think ill get to the oversized or stored books this year, but by Gods they will get done.
Thanks for reading, hope you enjoyed and that maybe you found a new read.
Anya is live and ready to show you everything. Watch her strip, dance, and perform exclusive shows just for you. Interact in real-time and make your fantasies come true.
✓ Live Streaming✓ Interactive Chat✓ Private Shows✓ HD Quality✓ Free Actions
Free to watch • No registration required • HD streaming
Now that several of us are collectively going down the kids’ and YA fantasy wormhole with the Eragon news, does anyone else still remember Thirrin Freer Strong-in-the-Arm Lindenshield throwing a biscuit at Oskan’s head in the middle of a banquet because he wasn’t paying enough attention to her?
The Cry of the Icemark by Stuart Hill rocks in this way where a bratty preteen gets a sword and kills some soldiers, cries about it, then keeps killing soldiers because it's them or her and she's got a kingdom to suddenly run and that invasion is getting to be a real hassle.
The ghosts and spirits-of-place were pleased with events. The Queen had returned, and some of the people, and the rest of the folk would one day come back and they could slip back into their minds, becoming the warp and weft of legend and stories. Becoming the fireside companions of long winter nights, living their lives for a while in the minds of the breathing, in the blood that still flowed, in the feelings that still thrilled to nerves that still sensed.
For a night and a night, the ghosts flowed through the streets, being careful not to frighten these soldiers of the land and their allies. For a night and a night, the guards on the walls were aware only of a light now and then, or a sound like laughter caught on the wind. But then the ghosts settled back into their shadows, and waited again in the dark of the city, in the cellars and attics and lost secret rooms. Waited for their people to return and give back the strength to their legends.
