i absolutely loved the book but what held me back from loving it more was the way everything kept working out for vis so it felt like the stakes weren't really there. it made me impatient whenever he was doing something important because I wasn't worried
@@clarencebarker2763 the stakes were pretty high! Everyone did not work out "well"! The way that he was good at things was not a style that lessens the stakes! If you just really hate the trope that's on you! This book completely broke expectations more than once
Vis is a Gary Stu.. and yeah I wanted more magic! I agree with your critiques it’s good but idk why people act like it’s amazing. I love flowery descriptions though
I agree completely. It is a solid book but I have no idea why it's getting hyped as one of the best books ever. The ending was interesting, I want to see what happens next, but why this has been chosen as everyone's favorite book ever I have no idea. MC accomplishes everything way too easily, it has a lot of vibes similar to the first Red Rising so it doesn't feel that fresh, and I never really felt emotionally connected to Vis ever.
Yes to all these things! I especially wanted more depth regarding villains and side characters. The world is pretty unique, but as you said besides that it's a pretty familiar story. I so agree this book is overhyped.
Also feel the book is way too long. It could have used a lot more editing. Just a lot of dead space where nothing happened. Re the ending I agree it was kind of sudden and all. And doesn't make much sense yet, but I do feel it could go somewhere in the next book!
I loved this one- it wasn't perfect, but I had so much fun. Listening to the audiobook helped, the narration was great and helped Vis have more character than he probably did on page. I did pick up on hints about the ending and guessed part of it, also possibly because I was listening- when I have a chonky book and read it physically I tend to skim.
I just found your channel tonight, and this is already the third video I’ve watched. I like your taste in books and appreciate the thoughtful commentary.
I’m currently reading on Kindle and I’m so glad to know how small the font is cause I’m like… it’s taking me AGES to get very far compared to how long it typically takes me to read pages.
Thank you for this review, the world building was really bad 😂😂. I thought I was loosing my mind booktok was gaslighting me as this is the best book ever
Im intrigued by the Roman setting. If you want to read a good historical novel set in this era, you should check out Colleen McCullough's "First Man in Rome" novels. Caesar's Women is book #4 but it's my favorite and I think, it stands on its own.
The author doesn’t explicitly state what “will” is but he does describe the effects of ceding it to the people higher up in the hierarchy. There was a scene early on in the book where he described how the children in the orphanage who were ceding their will were lethargic after it was taken from them. I believe it also shortens the lifespan of those in the bottom tier who don’t receive any will but only cede it. So in its most basic form “will” is your life force. Literally your will to live. It’s one of the reasons Vis is desperately trying to avoid ceding his will and why he thinks the practice is so repugnant. This is the way I interpreted the concept of “will” in the book. How the empire gathers the will using ancient technology is not fully explained and I’m looking forward to finding that out in future installments. I read the Licaneus Trilogy and loved it. The first book had a slow start but truly takes off at the midway point. The second book was my favorite.
this just reminded me that I made it 40% into this and did a soft dnf/did not have enough dedicated time to give it the attention it deserved. Not the books fault but I think I’ll pick it back up !
I think the fact that they just tell and not show the magic system honestly probably not have me wanting to read the book. Because while I do like the play of magic theory and all that, I kinda prefer it being a bit more "soft" in defention where you see it happen than really talked about in the same sense. Don't get me wrong, I do enjoy "hard magic" if it's done right but.... if you're this confused still after reading a 600 page book with probably what look to be 8pt font (correct me if I'm wrong, I was trying to gadge from the font sizes I've experienced over the years personally which is between 8 and 10, as I know that's not 12pt font)... makes me think that I wouldn't enjoy it as much. (And this is coming from a person who enjoy reading text books for the fun of it.)
@@JessOwens Then I suggest that if you decide to read any of the fantasy books published in the 90s, to try to get either the ebook form or a newer print of them because a lot of the older books, while lovely to carry around, woud be around that font size. (10 is what most of them be with a few maybe being 11). Deerskin is one of those that is in the 8 font because it's 80,000 words, but it's 38 chapters and 1995 binding is only 309 pages long. I guess I'm more used to the smaller print because I grew up with those older books and the 90s had it normal to have books between 10-8 font.
This and Blighted Stars were def my fav books of 2023. I loved it. Was way better than Licanius. I liked it from the start, but the "human mist" incident during the Naumachia blew my mind and I flew through it in a day once I got to that part
I rated it 3/5. I liked some bits and I am curious enough to buy get the sequel maybe from the library or when it is on sale when it eventually comes out. But also I am trying to decide if I am too dumb for the book or I missed things but from your review and others I’m glad to know it isn’t just me being confused by some of the things in this book.
*** Spoilers kind of so I would avoid if you haven’t read it****. I actually agree with a lot of your sentiments. I did give it a higher rating because it was so much better than a lot of the books I read that year. I feel like the book should have been split into two or three books and fleshed out. So the first book should have ended right as he entered the school and the second book should have ended either after visiting the ruins or before they started the competition (maybe slightly after they visit his old kingdom. The third book should have been the competition fleshed out with maybe flashbacks that revealed the planning of the situations that took place at the end 👀👀👀 if you catch my drift.
I read James Islington's other book, The Shadow of what was lost (I had to look that title up), and I didn't really like it (there as time travel, I don't like time travel in books). But this one sounds like something I'd enjoy more. Side thing, I've heard people call this book "the MLM book" Because the magic works like a pyramid scheme.
This was an interesting one. Also a solid 4 star for me. I didn’t salivate over this book but I did like it and enjoyed reading it. It even got me excited for the sequel and to read other books like it (I immediately picked up red rising for the first time after finishing this). So it definitely left me feeling better than most books I read. I do think it should be YA rather than adult but it was a fun ride either way. I don’t think about this much since I read it, but when I do think about it I get excited for the sequel and chasing the fun I had reading it. So very successful but still not a 5 star.
Oh and I totally had to switch to the library ebook as well. Lmao. It was too big and the font too small. I mean, why is it so small?! It’s like mass market paperback font but in full sized hardback.
I don't know who can read that tiny font, but it wasn't me!! i've read many reviews where people also say it could be YA, bc Vis is very much a child and acts his age often. But you know, he's male character written by a man, so of course it's adult 🥴
I dnf this book at 17%. I didn’t like the fighting scene at the beginning and I didn’t like the plot armor of the event on the way to school. It didn’t made me feel safe in the hands of the author. I struggled with the writing and the decisions the author made. Not for me and might not ever pick up another book from this author. There is plenty to read elsewhere.
And yeah Will is capitalism lmao. I found it pretty well explained when he was in class. It was interesting. Also Catena is Latin for chains, so it's the chained empire. Catenan is pronounced "cat N in".
I rated it 3/5. I liked some bits and I am curious enough to buy get the sequel maybe from the library or when it is on sale when it eventually comes out. But also I am trying to decide if I am too dumb for the book or I missed things but from your review and others I’m glad to know it isn’t just me being confused by some of the things in this book.
![YA GIRL IS BACK| JANUARY '24 READING WRAP UP [CC]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/tbTVV_joMko/mqdefault.jpg)
![YA GIRL IS BACK| JANUARY '24 READING WRAP UP [CC]](/img/tr.png)
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I know none of these books but you're so damn engaging, i'd listen to you reading the paper
Same!
Wow, thank you 🥰
Same!
i absolutely loved the book but what held me back from loving it more was the way everything kept working out for vis so it felt like the stakes weren't really there. it made me impatient whenever he was doing something important because I wasn't worried
@@clarencebarker2763 the stakes were pretty high! Everyone did not work out "well"! The way that he was good at things was not a style that lessens the stakes! If you just really hate the trope that's on you! This book completely broke expectations more than once
Vis is a Gary Stu.. and yeah I wanted more magic! I agree with your critiques it’s good but idk why people act like it’s amazing. I love flowery descriptions though
I agree completely. It is a solid book but I have no idea why it's getting hyped as one of the best books ever. The ending was interesting, I want to see what happens next, but why this has been chosen as everyone's favorite book ever I have no idea. MC accomplishes everything way too easily, it has a lot of vibes similar to the first Red Rising so it doesn't feel that fresh, and I never really felt emotionally connected to Vis ever.
Yes!! I have no emotional investment in Vis. I have the same feelings, very interested in the next one but favorite book???
Maybe bec. so many hyped books recently have been terrible, that once we get one, that does the bare minimum, it impresses us?
19:02 "you can tell a man wrote this" just summerized PERFECTLY my thoughts on this book lmaooo
I DNFed. I don't understand the hype
it is PAINFULLY OBVIOUS lololol
i felt like i read a different book afterwards. everyone loooooved it and i was like oh.
I loved this book. AND the ending came so out of the blue for me that I read it twice - like do my eyes deceive me 👀
I had to reread the ending because I almost thought it was a sneak peek at another book or something LOL
Absolutely had to too!
Yes to all these things! I especially wanted more depth regarding villains and side characters. The world is pretty unique, but as you said besides that it's a pretty familiar story. I so agree this book is overhyped.
Also feel the book is way too long. It could have used a lot more editing. Just a lot of dead space where nothing happened.
Re the ending I agree it was kind of sudden and all. And doesn't make much sense yet, but I do feel it could go somewhere in the next book!
I loved this one- it wasn't perfect, but I had so much fun. Listening to the audiobook helped, the narration was great and helped Vis have more character than he probably did on page. I did pick up on hints about the ending and guessed part of it, also possibly because I was listening- when I have a chonky book and read it physically I tend to skim.
I wanted the audio so bad but I didn’t get it
I just found your channel tonight, and this is already the third video I’ve watched. I like your taste in books and appreciate the thoughtful commentary.
I’m currently reading on Kindle and I’m so glad to know how small the font is cause I’m like… it’s taking me AGES to get very far compared to how long it typically takes me to read pages.
There’s so many words 😫 I felt like I’d never finish lol
My favorite book from 2023. I've already reread it. Like it almost as much as stormlight archive. Much, much easier to get into than the way of kings
Thank you for this review, the world building was really bad 😂😂. I thought I was loosing my mind booktok was gaslighting me as this is the best book ever
Congrats on having "the will" to push through despite it not being what you thought it would be.
LOLOLOL
Im intrigued by the Roman setting. If you want to read a good historical novel set in this era, you should check out Colleen McCullough's "First Man in Rome" novels. Caesar's Women is book #4 but it's my favorite and I think, it stands on its own.
The author doesn’t explicitly state what “will” is but he does describe the effects of ceding it to the people higher up in the hierarchy. There was a scene early on in the book where he described how the children in the orphanage who were ceding their will were lethargic after it was taken from them. I believe it also shortens the lifespan of those in the bottom tier who don’t receive any will but only cede it. So in its most basic form “will” is your life force. Literally your will to live. It’s one of the reasons Vis is desperately trying to avoid ceding his will and why he thinks the practice is so repugnant. This is the way I interpreted the concept of “will” in the book.
How the empire gathers the will using ancient technology is not fully explained and I’m looking forward to finding that out in future installments. I read the Licaneus Trilogy and loved it. The first book had a slow start but truly takes off at the midway point. The second book was my favorite.
this just reminded me that I made it 40% into this and did a soft dnf/did not have enough dedicated time to give it the attention it deserved. Not the books fault but I think I’ll pick it back up !
I'm not on TikTok, so I haven't heard about this book. 🤔 Always thankful for your information!
I think the fact that they just tell and not show the magic system honestly probably not have me wanting to read the book. Because while I do like the play of magic theory and all that, I kinda prefer it being a bit more "soft" in defention where you see it happen than really talked about in the same sense. Don't get me wrong, I do enjoy "hard magic" if it's done right but.... if you're this confused still after reading a 600 page book with probably what look to be 8pt font (correct me if I'm wrong, I was trying to gadge from the font sizes I've experienced over the years personally which is between 8 and 10, as I know that's not 12pt font)... makes me think that I wouldn't enjoy it as much. (And this is coming from a person who enjoy reading text books for the fun of it.)
The font is for sure between 8-10, it was painful to read!
@@JessOwens Then I suggest that if you decide to read any of the fantasy books published in the 90s, to try to get either the ebook form or a newer print of them because a lot of the older books, while lovely to carry around, woud be around that font size. (10 is what most of them be with a few maybe being 11). Deerskin is one of those that is in the 8 font because it's 80,000 words, but it's 38 chapters and 1995 binding is only 309 pages long. I guess I'm more used to the smaller print because I grew up with those older books and the 90s had it normal to have books between 10-8 font.
@@MerdragoonHonestly a solid choice, because this book was way too long for what we learnt and what happened in these 640 pages.
19:15 “you can tell a man wrote this” 😂 nah lemme take this off my TBR
Also, have you read the priory of the orange tree?
hahahahaha. I haven't read Priory yet, I should!
This and Blighted Stars were def my fav books of 2023. I loved it. Was way better than Licanius. I liked it from the start, but the "human mist" incident during the Naumachia blew my mind and I flew through it in a day once I got to that part
Thanks for reminding me I still need to finish Oathbringer and finally get into Rhythm of War☺
I rated it 3/5. I liked some bits and I am curious enough to buy get the sequel maybe from the library or when it is on sale when it eventually comes out. But also I am trying to decide if I am too dumb for the book or I missed things but from your review and others I’m glad to know it isn’t just me being confused by some of the things in this book.
It sounds like a magical pyramid scheme. 😂
🤣🤣
I read this book and i loved it!! Im surprised and sad that you didnt.i felt like it did so many things right! I cant wait for the next one.
You must try romance novel Mates by Sobers Rodrigues. It's so amazing.
I have this on hold, but when you turned it sideways.... I did not realize it was that long lol...
And first person pov.. and an audiobook I can't access... Hmmm I may delay the hold a few times before I finally decide to try it haha
LOL I delayed the hold for months…
*** Spoilers kind of so I would avoid if you haven’t read it****.
I actually agree with a lot of your sentiments. I did give it a higher rating because it was so much better than a lot of the books I read that year.
I feel like the book should have been split into two or three books and fleshed out. So the first book should have ended right as he entered the school and the second book should have ended either after visiting the ruins or before they started the competition (maybe slightly after they visit his old kingdom. The third book should have been the competition fleshed out with maybe flashbacks that revealed the planning of the situations that took place at the end 👀👀👀 if you catch my drift.
I read James Islington's other book, The Shadow of what was lost (I had to look that title up), and I didn't really like it (there as time travel, I don't like time travel in books). But this one sounds like something I'd enjoy more.
Side thing, I've heard people call this book "the MLM book" Because the magic works like a pyramid scheme.
The MLM book 🤣🤣🤣 is perfect
This is on my TBR!
This was an interesting one. Also a solid 4 star for me. I didn’t salivate over this book but I did like it and enjoyed reading it. It even got me excited for the sequel and to read other books like it (I immediately picked up red rising for the first time after finishing this).
So it definitely left me feeling better than most books I read.
I do think it should be YA rather than adult but it was a fun ride either way.
I don’t think about this much since I read it, but when I do think about it I get excited for the sequel and chasing the fun I had reading it. So very successful but still not a 5 star.
Oh and I totally had to switch to the library ebook as well. Lmao. It was too big and the font too small. I mean, why is it so small?! It’s like mass market paperback font but in full sized hardback.
I don't know who can read that tiny font, but it wasn't me!! i've read many reviews where people also say it could be YA, bc Vis is very much a child and acts his age often. But you know, he's male character written by a man, so of course it's adult 🥴
Yeah if this was written by a woman it’ll be YA. Just cuz it’s a man.
GIRL I just finished the book and came here bc WTF was the ending... Can we chat about it!? I am sooo lost lol
I dnf this book at 17%. I didn’t like the fighting scene at the beginning and I didn’t like the plot armor of the event on the way to school. It didn’t made me feel safe in the hands of the author. I struggled with the writing and the decisions the author made. Not for me and might not ever pick up another book from this author. There is plenty to read elsewhere.
There is so much else to read. Good on you for DNFing 👏🏾
You and I are going to have a serious discussion at THE NIGEL this evening... just saying.
👀👀👀 ruhroh
Why do these rankings make this society sound like they a pyramid scheme?
It is. The hierarchy is depicted as a pyramid in the front matter of the book.
it is, because life is LOL
And yeah Will is capitalism lmao. I found it pretty well explained when he was in class. It was interesting.
Also Catena is Latin for chains, so it's the chained empire.
Catenan is pronounced "cat N in".
Ahhh that’s clever! Thanks for the explanation
❤❤
First person POV sucks but this one is not bad
Not the worst lol
Its okay to be wrong sometimes ❤
😆😆😆😆
I DNF’d this one. I was just so bored and dreaded picking it up. Life is too short for all that 🤷🏻♀️
I loved this book! I explained will to myself as a kombi of life force and the force from star wars? With a sprinkle of magic 😂
I rated it 3/5. I liked some bits and I am curious enough to buy get the sequel maybe from the library or when it is on sale when it eventually comes out. But also I am trying to decide if I am too dumb for the book or I missed things but from your review and others I’m glad to know it isn’t just me being confused by some of the things in this book.