Sara's reading log

I am a book hoarder and reader. My main genre is SF, but I also love magic realism, fantasy and general fiction. Favorite authors are Iain M. Banks, Ursula K. LeGuin, Haruki Murakami, José Saramago, Isaac Asimov, Ben Aaronovitch and more. My rating system is based on five stars. I rate books based on my expectations and what a books aims to be. This means that the brilliant 'Fahrenheit 451' gets five stars because I thought it would be good, people said it was good, and it was good, but 'A Closed and Common Orbit' also gets five stars because in its series, in its style, I really enjoyed it and was not disappointed.

The Blade Itself by Joe Abercrombie

  • Started on: 2012-01-12
  • Finished on: 2012-01-17
  • Read in: English
  • Rating: ****-
  • Genre(s): Fantasy

This is one of those books that I have seen recommended by employees at some of the book stores I often go to. In my resolution for 2012 to start more good series, this is one, part one of the The First Law series by Joe Abercrombie.
It is the story of Logen, fighter from the North. Of Bayaz, First of the Magi. Of Jezal, lazy nobleman. Of Glokta, tortured torturer for the inquisition. All live in a world where the Union is under threat of war from the North and South, and under threat of corruption and laziness from inside the country itself. The land has known magic, but that was a long time ago, and few people believe that the stories about the First of the Magi and the Maker are more than myths. The story follows the different characters chapter by chapter, watching them all come together in the end.
The story reminded me a lot of A Song of Ice and Fire by George R. R. Martin, because of the different characters that are being followed, the political intrigue, the thread of supernatural beings, the violence… The book was clearly a part one, setting up the characters, gathering the group (I want to say fellowship here, although I am not sure about this group’s goal). When the book ends, the story continues. It is not necessarily a bad thing, but it does make me wish I already had book two on my shelves to read next. Anyway, another great fantasy story without too many fantasy (some magic, no dragons or elves) and intrigue. Four out of five stars.

  • Started on: 2012-01-12
  • Finished on: 2012-01-17
  • Read in: English
  • Rating: ****-
  • Genre(s): Fantasy

This is one of those books that I have seen recommended by employees at some of the book stores I often go to. In my resolution for 2012 to start more good series, this is one, part one of the The First Law series by Joe Abercrombie.
It is the story of Logen, fighter from the North. Of Bayaz, First of the Magi. Of Jezal, lazy nobleman. Of Glokta, tortured torturer for the inquisition. All live in a world where the Union is under threat of war from the North and South, and under threat of corruption and laziness from inside the country itself. The land has known magic, but that was a long time ago, and few people believe that the stories about the First of the Magi and the Maker are more than myths. The story follows the different characters chapter by chapter, watching them all come together in the end.
The story reminded me a lot of A Song of Ice and Fire by George R. R. Martin, because of the different characters that are being followed, the political intrigue, the thread of supernatural beings, the violence… The book was clearly a part one, setting up the characters, gathering the group (I want to say fellowship here, although I am not sure about this group’s goal). When the book ends, the story continues. It is not necessarily a bad thing, but it does make me wish I already had book two on my shelves to read next. Anyway, another great fantasy story without too many fantasy (some magic, no dragons or elves) and intrigue. Four out of five stars.