List: themes:learning-the-arts

Wow. Easily my favourite book of the series so far.

Anathem

by Neal Stephenson · published 2008 · read 2019-09-20

Anathem by Neal Stephenson kept me busy. Between a bunch of conferences, the sufficient concentration was a bit hard to come by. What's worse: Now that I have read it, I can't tell you if it is a good book or not.

The Count of Monte Cristo

by Alexandre Dumas · published 1844 · read 2003-05-01

Revenge – exciting revenge from nearly beyond the grave! I loved this book to pieces when I discovered it, despite being confused by it a lot. I was nine at the time, and many concepts in there confused me. How did cheques work? What on earth was a rentier? (They were spelt the same in German, and the word has fallen completely out of use, because Rentier also means reindeer. You can understand my confusion.) And I didn't get the whole Bonaparte arc until I re-read it years later.

The Fifth Season

by N.K. Jemisin · published 2015 · read 2018-09-10

There was nothing about The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin that I didn't like. It's a bit short, but we have two more volumes to balance that.

A Succession of Bad Days

by Graydon Saunders · published 2015 · read 2021-05-17

Following The March North is not easy in any way, and yet, Saunders manages. Same world, directly after the events of the first book – but in a completely different role, keeping only side characters around. I'm very into this sort of continuity. Especially when it gives me civil engineering Hogwarts for severely overpowered magic users. Hell yes. The book sums it up best: "like a fairy-tale lost in a civil engineering manual."

Harka

by Liselotte Welskopf-Henrich · published 1962 · read 2003-07-01

This series … weirdly enough, I wouldn't say that it has had a huge influence on me, despite being one of my favourites at the time. And the first part was my favourite among the series (once I got to read it – my introduction was a shortened mashup of volumes 4-6, if I recall correctly). Seeing the young Harka encounter hardship and deal with it with strength and grace was enchanting.

Mimus

by Lilli Thal · published 2003 · last read 2021-01-21

Mimus is the wonderfully cruel tale of Prince Florin. In the struggle of two nations, the baddies use the age-old plot of suggesting peace-talks to come closer to their enemies. They capture the royal family and important court officials. Everybody is imprisoned, except Prince Florin, who is humiliatingly apprenticed to the court jester. That's the short setup. The book follows Florin in his reluctant apprenticeship to Mimus, through hardship, diplomacy, heartbreak and the realisation that life goes on.

The Martian

by Andy Weir · published 2012 · read 2015-08-06

Gods, I already knew they had chosen Matt Damon as lead role, and I can imagine him in that role so very well! Brilliant humor with hard scifi. I seriously hope they won't fuck up the movie.

Krabat

by Otfried Preußler · published 1958 · last read 2022-06-30

Krabat (English: The Satanic Mill. Yes, really) is unique and I'm having a hard time finding anything similar. The story of a poor orphan during the 30 years war, who signs up for an apprenticeship in a mill and finds himself learning the Dark Arts – it should be cheesy, or cheap, or odd. Instead it's like a deep old fairy tale, complete with violence, love, friendship, death and magic. We read the book in school and it's one of the few books that school didn't manage to ruin for me. It's just too good. The writing is excellent, the structure is awesome and slightly ritualistic. Plus, there is a rock album.

So You Want to Be a Wizard

by Diane Duane · published 1983 · read 2016-05-05

I really loved this book - it reminded me of Harry Potter, naturally, but better written and better thought-out. Magic actually has a system, people have motivations and actions have actual consequences.

Moon Over Soho

by Ben Aaronovitch · published 2011 · read 2017-12-11

More of our favourite supernatural London policeman.

Rivers of London

by Ben Aaronovitch · published 2015 · read 2014-01-01

I thought I was done with Urban Fantasy after the slot of Jim Butcher's forced-funny, forced-dark supernatural detective, but Ben Aaronovitch won me over. This series is more measured, more funny, and – admittedly – I want to read about London much more than about Chicago.

Of a Linear Circle - Part III

by Flamethrower · published 2017 · read 2021-12-27

This is where the series starts to come into its own: It provides the backstory of the protagonist, Nizar, back during the founding of Hogwarts around 980. It's extremely well-researched regarding the realities of the British Isles back then, including the multitude of languages and kingdoms, their squabbling relations, the international nature of Europe, and much more. (To be clear: this is my version of a glowing review. I live for this shit.)

The Lies of Locke Lamora

by Scott Lynch · published 2006 · read 2016-10-19

Gripping heist adventures in a unique and well-built world: Locke, Jean, Bug, the twins and Chains grew close to my heart really soon. There is a phase in the beginning where the book is going slowly and the characters don't mean anything to you, but it works well in hindsight, and it didn't feel like it was dragging on to me.

The Graveyard Book

by Neil Gaiman · published 2008 · read 2015-04-15

I would have loved this book as a child, and I still love it as a grownup (Gaiman tends to write like that). It is paced well, written wonderfully and rings true (in a very similar way American Gods does, but a bit toned-down to the way children see the world). Technically it is a coming-of-age story. I spent a long afternoon reading it and feel a lot better for the time spent.

Assassin’s Apprentice

by Robin Hobb · published 1995 · read 2016-10-11

Now this was a fantasy novel I really enjoyed. I went in with no expectations at all, randomly chose it from my Kindle, and oh boy, was I in for a ride.

A Wizard of Earthsea

by Ursula K. Le Guin · published 1968 · last read 2023-02-15

Deep wisdom, calm storytelling, and some love shining through: I love Earthsea a lot, and re-reading this book made me very happy. Apart from the near-lyrical style, I was also surprised to remember that the story is quite dense, and there as much story in this book as many others would fit in a trilogy nowadays (growing up, mastering school, mastering the antagonist, for example?).

Im Land des Windes

by Licia Troisi · published 2004 · last read 2021-01-18

Worldbuilding! I forgot about the worldbuilding of this book. For example, there are tower cities where everything is organised by the tower layers.

The Library at Mount Char

by Scott Hawkins · published 2015 · read 2019-04-09

It's always fun finding out that everything you assumed about a book is wrong – I had this pleasure with The Library at Mount Char by Scott Hawkins. It was beyond not what I expected (shame on me for having preconceived notions of what a library is), and it was a lot of fun at that. The middle parts felt a bit drab, what with the gore and blood and war, but everything came together for a really satisfying endgame, which I liked a lot. Seeing the protagonist Carolyn grow (via flashbacks and other narrative devices, but also due to the plot) from a regular girl, to a traumatised girl, to … here lie spoilers, to experiencing true character growth was wonderful. Side characters feel fleshed out instead of being reduced to a single character trait, or just propping up the protagonist. If you're not terribly touchy about violence in your books, Library of Mount Char is a great read.

Ender’s Game

by Orson Scott Card · published 1985 · last read 2020-08-01

Rereading Ender's game six years later, I found it better than I remembered it. Sure, you'll never see the twist coming the way you saw it the first time, and when I read it the first time I didn't know about OSC's personal politics. But regardless: The book sucked me in, dragged me through a story as relentlessly cruel as it was enjoyable, and then spit me out three hours later, not without delivering a last minute kick straight to the feelings.

Red Sister

by Mark Lawrence · published 2017 · read 2018-12-04

Red Sister is a beautifully written fantasy novel that switches flawlessly between intimate characterisation, lyrical prose, and gripping action, all set in a deeply fascinating world. And by fascinating I mean: the moon is a parabolic mirror that heats a liveable strip of land at night, keeping the encroaching masses of ice at bay. Yess. And no, it's not scifi, it's deeply fantasy. I loved everything about this book, including the main cast, the supporting characters, the plot, the unpredictable turns, … wow!

Sabriel

by Garth Nix · published 1995 · read 2017-01-01

I really really liked this book. It's very solid fantasy, it has its own plot, its characters are wonderful and not cliche and I very much want to read more of this. Sabriel as the new Abhorsen was a joy. One point less than perfect because … well, it does not feel quite perfect. Minor inconsistencies in language, some lazy plot points … but still. It's a really, really good fantasy book.

Akata Witch

by Nnedi Okorafor · published 2011 · read 2018-03-04

I definitely fell in love with this book. The only critique I can think of right now is that in the beginning the dialogue (and narration) was off, like it was more meant for the screen than for paper. But it's really really good regardless. This is how I like my fantasy. And also, finally somebody does four teenager teams right. Sunny and her friends are just lovely, and their whole world stands out because it is so vivid and real.

The Princess Bride

by William Goldman · published 1973 · read 2018-02-28

Well, this was just plain funny. Great storytelling, great pacing, great everything. I caught myself looking up if William Goldman really had a son. He hasn't, thank god.

The Way of Shadows

by Brent Weeks · published 2008 · read 2016-03-01

I just really enjoyed this book. It is pure and classic fantasy. Not very sophisticated, but very very enjoyable, especially since I have a thing for training stories and an out-of-the-ashes arc.

The Traitor Baru Cormorant

by Seth Dickinson · published 2015 · read 2019-05-05

I loved The Traitor Baru Cormorant by Seth Dickinson. I don't even know where to start. Our protagonist is a young girl in a "primitive" country when the story starts. Her country is annexed by the big empire next door by economic and cultural means. The Masquerade promptly sets about destroying local culture (which involves polyamory and homosexuality, which doesn't go well with the Masquerade's straight repressive culture and eugenic views). The protagonist is educated in the school, recognized as a genius, and on fast track to rise high in the professed meritocracy. Her talents are mostly in economy and related areas, and the book follows her first posting, complete with intrigue (well, mostly that), love (both homo- and heteroromantic), hate, betrayal, loyalty, some fighting, all that. The book moves very fast, which was a delight to me. Every sentence counts, and years can pass in one page, while still hinting at the important things left out. The ending is a very brutal payoff, and I was happy that I had the second book at hand.

The Ruins of Gorlan

by John Flanagan · published 2004 · last read 2020-08-08

This book goes beyond just comfort food and makes straight for "guilty pleasure": While it's simple, formulaic (if well-executed!) Fantasy, I can't help but feel good when I read it. Its plot and characters trigger all the right pleasure centres: Sympathetic but imperfect orphan boy becomes the mysterious ranger's apprentice, learns the nearly supernatural arts of tracking, hunting, espionage, and hiding in plain sight. Saves the day, keeps his friends, and one former enemy also turns into a friend. The series goes on (forever, it seems), but the book stands on its own and has a satisfying ending. It's very easy to make me happy, really.

The Physician

by Noah Gordon · published 1986 · read 2006-07-01

One of my earliest historical fiction books, and I loved it to pieces. It seemed so real, and so unflinching, and I dreamt about it a lot. Now I know that in many ways, it follows genre conventions and Gordon's research is … middling and in the service of drama. Oh well – I can't ask for more than enjoyment at the time of reading.

Night Watch

by Sergei Lukyanenko · published 1998 · read 2010-01-01

Russian Urban Fantasy. Amazing – the characters were alright, but the world building was excellent and the plot was at least above average. I enjoyed the whole series a lot, and the 90s Russia vibes were impressive.

Matilda

by Roald Dahl · published 1988 · read 2004-10-01

Possibly my favourite book by Dahl. While it is needlessly cruel (like all his books), it catered to the nerdy book-loving kid demographic relentlessly, and that was more than fine by me. And now we even have a great Tim Minchin musical, which is another point in favour of the book.

Luck in the Shadows

by Lynn Flewelling · published 1996 · read 2021-07-02

Excellent fantasy – very 90s, and I devoured it in a single Saturday. Teenage boy with no family gets helped out of prison by a mysterious stranger who accepts him as apprentice. Said stranger turns out to be a jack-of-all trades spy, a charming and capable rogue. They encounter harship and intrigue and find friends and blah blah, classic fantasy story arc in the end.

The Goblin Emperor

by Katherine Addison · published 2014 · read 2020-02-22

Fun, well-written Fantasy with very strong characters and great character development. Bit predictable, and a large cast, but still a good read – and that's saying something for a novel that may be Fantasy, but has not the least bit adventure in it, instead going for ALL the politics.

The Name of the Wind

by Patrick Rothfuss · published 2007 · read 2016-06-04

I really liked this book … at first - it hit all the sweet spots for me. Flowery language, not-too-overbearing fantasy setting, believable characters, good pacing and narration (and training in the $arts).

D’Shai

by Joel Rosenberg · published 1991 · read 2021-10-04

Hidden gem among early 90s Fantasy: In an Asian-inspired world, everybody has a kazuh: a talent, one of 52, that they discover and then hone to the point of genius, by entering a deep flow state. The protagonist, Kami, belongs to a family of acrobats, but clearly acrobatics are not his kazuh. This doesn't make him crippled or outcast or anything, he's just less good at some things than his father and his siblings.

Academ’s Fury

by Jim Butcher · published 2005 · read 2018-01-03

Still loving Tavis way in the world – learning, finding friends in the city, loads of character development, and of course he saves the world again.

Across the Nightingale Floor

by Lian Hearn · published 2002 · last read 2021-01-16

Everybody is extremely dramatic in this book. Very YA. But it stood up to a re-read surprisingly well: Young boy in faux-Japan gets his family murdered, is adopted into a clan and things escalate from there. Oh, and it turns out he's not only adopted by the rightful leader of the clan, he's also born to a long line of secret assassins and has lots of magical gifts. And everybody wants a piece of them.

A Deadly Education

by Naomi Novik · published 2020 · read 2022-08-25

You know what? I had fun. There. Yeah, it's bleak. Yeah, I can't defend why I had fun with this one and not with, say, the similarly murdery Murderbot or the also try-hard narrator of Gideon the Ninth (though that one was more obnoxious!), both of which it's fairly close to. But I did have fun, and that's that. While reading, I wrote a friend: "this is one of the things that will be lost to my memory: it's annoying while I'm reading it, but looking back I'll only remember the better parts". Yup, that did end up happening! (Not sure I had fun enough to read the entire series, mind – it is very YA, wannabe-edgy, moody broody teenager stuff. Much of the wide spectrum of minority representations felt forced in a way that reminded me of Wayward Children. But yes, still fun, and maybe it's just that I'm a sucker for magic schools.) This book is part of the 2022 Backlog Incident.

Deep Wizardry

by Diane Duane · published 1985 · read 2016-05-07

I liked the first book in the series a bit more, although Duane does a lot of nice world-building here, both regarding the deep ocean and the whales, and Nita's family (Dairine, mom, and dad).

Harry Potter and the Methods of Rationality

by Eliezer Yudkowsky · published 2015 · read 2014-11-01

HPMOR is both the best and the worst of rationalist fiction. Terrible, terrible writing, in a physically painful stilted style, and oh-so-fucking superior. There aren't even characters in this story, only symbols.

The Diamond Age: Or, A Young Lady’s Illustrated Primer

by Neal Stephenson · published 1995 · read 2020-05-31

My relationship with Neal Stephenson is marked by frustration and enjoyment alike. I liked Anathem a lot despite it's many flaws, because it hit the perfect sweet spot in subject matter for me. Diamond Age did not, so it's flaws stood out more.

Safely You Deliver

by Graydon Saunders · published 2016 · read 2021-05-20

by Jay Kristoff · published 2016 · read 2019-01-06

Nevernight

Nevernight is nice fantasy – setting-wise, it's confusingly similar to Red Sister, all about a young girl assassin going to a slightly religious assassin school, but it's different in style. I think I liked Red Sister more (seeing as it has less Chosen One and more realism), and the witty banter-y narrator of Nevernight was predictable sometimes. But the style was very Bartimaeus-esque, so this should be a book that fits many people's interests and likes.

Just One Damned Thing After Another

by Jodi Taylor · published 2013 · read 2021-07-02

Time travel comfort food! This book starts out as adult time travel Hogwarts: masking as an institute, St Mary dabbles in non-invasive time travel. Sorry, investigates major historical events in contemporary time. Our protagonist, a woman of distinctly urban fantasy heroine characteristics, is a historian and has to go through some harsh training (yay for training sequences) to join the small team retrieving information from the past.

Into the Labyrinth

by John Bierce · published 2018 · read 2020-10-20

Magic school fantasy, including a sentient library, actual magic with actual learning, and a misfit band of three friends, standing up to the bullies. It's post-Harry-Potter and it shows, but that's not necessarily a bad thing.

Blood Song

by Anthony Ryan · published 2011 · read 2018-10-12

Blood Song is the start of the Raven's Shadow series by Anthony Ryan. It was hard to make up my mind about this book – it changed a lot over the course of the story.

The Magicians

by Lev Grossman · published 2009 · read 2020-05-05

I enjoyed this one, and not just for the digs against Fillory (which is a transparently renamed Narnia). The darkly realistic magic school: good. The annoying, whiny, dickish protagonist getting his comeuppance: yeah, dig it. No magic reform arc, either. In total it was rough and not particularly fulfilling as a book, but individual parts all worked really well for me.

A Wizard’s Guide to Defensive Baking

by T. Kingfisher · published 2020 · read 2022-05-07

Mona has bread magic, including a semi-sentient sourdough starter and animated gingerbread people. But when magical people start getting persecuted and her city is in danger of being invaded, she has to turn her abilities to the salvation of everbody. This book isn't cosy-in-text – a lot of terrible things happen. But it is cosy-in-intent, in that the terror of these things is acknowledged. This is realistic, of course, but it felt like the pendulum moving too far to the other side, maybe? Or maybe it's just that I'm not the audience anymore. Anyway, cute book, good read. This book is part of the 2022 Backlog Incident.

Society for Soulless Girls

by Laura Steven · published 2022 · read 2022-07-27

Surprisingly good! As somebody who didn't like Ninth House/Locked Tomb, I'm currently expecting to not like any of the queer/lesbian YA, the more TikTok-viable the blurb, the worse. This one at least isn't Lesbian Necromancers In Space, but I saw it as "sapphic dark academia Jekyll/Hyde", and even though it's not not that, I enjoyed it much more than I thought. It has way more angsting about irrelevant stuff while there could be angsting about actual problems, but that's just YA not landing with me being an increasingly old fart. I did think the angsting was realistic and well-written, and while there were too many hints at the actual mystery's solutions, the book does well to focus on characters more than mystery, and it did the atmosphere very well. Just to compare: I'm reviewing this a year after I read it, and while I had zero memory of the highly rated and lauded "Shadow of What Was Lost", I can still easily recall this book's Tower, and setting, and even some of the plot. This book is part of the 2022 Backlog Incident.

Lexicon

by Max Barry · published 2013 · read 2020-08-21

Neat enough premise: NLP is magic, special words can persuade and coerce humans into any action. With a few well-chosen questions you can figure out any person's category (out of <1000), and then apply magic words that bypass consciousness and allow for deep manipulation and commands. These words are taught in a school that is – surprise – not exactly lawful-good.

A Traitor in Skyhold

by John Bierce · published 2019 · read 2020-10-23

Isn't it weird how fanfics often are obsessed with presents that characters give one another? It's as if the author yells "birthday o'clock motherfuckers" and has to follow up with a list of presents, and then, of course, also fit all of the presents into the future storyline. I call it Pavlov-Chekhov's Present. It's obnoxious and one of the things that makes the Mage Errant books read like fanfic, and great passages to illustrate how the writing could be so much more.

Jewel of the Endless Erg

by John Bierce · published 2019 · read 2020-10-22

More Mage Errant: Learning magic and running into catastrophes. Our plucky heroes predictably save the day at scale, and also experience personal growth and friendship and blah blah. The story isn't bad, as YA goes, and the worldbuilding is in many ways cool, but the writing is shoddy.

Knightley Academy

by Violet Haberdasher · published 2010 · read 2020-06-04

Knightly Academy is, in a sentence, a conservative Harry Potter knockoff without magic.

Ars Longa, Vita Brevis

by Scott Alexander · published 2017 · read 2019-09-20