Sons of Darkness is one of the first times that there's a grim dark vision of India written by a mainland Indian author as such it's an amazing milestone. Glad to know you loved the books! Also Mahabharata is an extremely large and complex story its like a gigantic succession drama with lots of duels fight scenes and elopement ( there's a lot of elopement) so be ready for that. Practically every community in India has some sort of story about how they connect back to the Mahabharata so we all learn different versions of the same story. It's an interesting epic saga to read by itself though I'd recommend prose because the original is in Sanskrit and the old English translation may not capture it's authentic vibe as easily. In some cases prose does
I have absolutely zero interest in reading most of the books you pick up, but I still love listening to you talk about them. Your endless passion is so ... good for my soul.
The Temeraire series is one of those that, on premise alone, feels like it should be way bigger than it is. Also, it was going to be a film series produced by Peter Jackson, and then it fell through. (cue Sting singing "what could have been")
Its Maha-Bharata. Its one of the biggest Indian Mythological epics, other being the Ramayan. A lot of Hindu values come from both. I cant wait to check out sons of darkness and start the his majesty's dragon series. Im always a little iffy with Grim Dark cause I dont want to keep reading gruesome stuff that never lets up. but now I am excited to check this book out.
I read the first 3 Temeraire books, but for some reason I can't remember, I just never returned for nr4. I think I got distracted my a stormlight release. Hope you continue reading them so that it will in turn convince me to finish it!
Hey there Merphy, glad to see you enjoyed His Majesty's Dragon and are enjoying Throne of Jade. I know I read the first one ages ago and enjoyed it, but don't remember reading the other two. Curious if you've ever read Anne MacCaffrey's DRAGONRIDERS OF PERN series. It is one of the classic series of the fantasy (sci-fi?) genre, and I have to assume was a big influence one Noivk.
I was also a bit put off/confused when I noticed so many similarities between Shakuni and Glokta. However, I have since come across a comment by the author on Goodreads in which he kindly explained how Shakuni is based on ancient Indian mythology passed on through generations. Mythology that is a lot older, as he puts it, than First Law 😅
@@merphynapierreviews To be fair I haven’t looked into it any further. Would be interesting to see how much of it is from said mythology and which parts were perhaps a bit too inspired by first law 😅
Dang it. I read book 1 years ago. I need to get back to this series :P Novik is so good. And I know you're not supposed to.... but the cover of Sons of Darkness looks so good :D
how is it nine hours since it went live and youtube still has you at 360p?? UA-cam is messing up your video rollout--I cant be the only person who prefers to watch your content at higher res. No worries, I'm still watching and enjoying, I just think youtube getting you higher res playback is too slowly.
Unfortunately Throne of Jade was TOO slow for me. I got about 60% of the way through before I DNF'ed. I don't mind a slow pace when I'm engaged with the characters, but I wasn't loving Laurence. I really enjoyed book 1, but book 2 made me think the series was heading in a direction I didn't care enough about.
Better for her to confidently say it wrong than for her to do the classic UA-camr bit of deliberately mispronouncing it wrong very slowly and multiple times, each time shrugging and saying "I think that's how it's pronounced???? Sorry if I got it wrong 🤷♂️🤷♂️🤷♂️"
You are making me want to pick up that dragon book!! Also, I picked up one piece bc of you and I'm in water 7 and I'm already crying every 10ish chapters... WHY DID YOU DO THIS TO ME MERPHY 🥲
Sons of Darkness is one of the first times that there's a grim dark vision of India written by a mainland Indian author as such it's an amazing milestone. Glad to know you loved the books! Also Mahabharata is an extremely large and complex story its like a gigantic succession drama with lots of duels fight scenes and elopement ( there's a lot of elopement) so be ready for that. Practically every community in India has some sort of story about how they connect back to the Mahabharata so we all learn different versions of the same story. It's an interesting epic saga to read by itself though I'd recommend prose because the original is in Sanskrit and the old English translation may not capture it's authentic vibe as easily. In some cases prose does
I have absolutely zero interest in reading most of the books you pick up, but I still love listening to you talk about them. Your endless passion is so ... good for my soul.
The Temeraire series is one of those that, on premise alone, feels like it should be way bigger than it is. Also, it was going to be a film series produced by Peter Jackson, and then it fell through.
(cue Sting singing "what could have been")
There's the gato, such a cute feline loaf.
I'm excited to get to Sons of Darkness so I hope the sequel gets announced soon! Sounds like one that remembering all the details will matter.
I’m with you on Sons of Darkness, it never gripped me until I got the pirate princess perspective
Mati is so amazing!
Totally enjoyed this vlog ❤❤❤
Hello! I found your channels after seeing your video about the benefits of reading. Here's to finishing my book list this year!
Can I just say how cute that kitto is ❤
Of course Merphy quickly bonds with the pirate princess 😂
Wow!!! Now thats a cover! Songs of darkness is going on the tbr
I don't really get into dragons, but you and Petrik Leo are actually leaning me towards this series.
Very excited for your thoughts on A Drop Of Venom. I’ve been looking forward to that one.
Absolutely love these videos! Thank you for always keeping me entertained
Its Maha-Bharata. Its one of the biggest Indian Mythological epics, other being the Ramayan. A lot of Hindu values come from both.
I cant wait to check out sons of darkness and start the his majesty's dragon series. Im always a little iffy with Grim Dark cause I dont want to keep reading gruesome stuff that never lets up. but now I am excited to check this book out.
thank you for helping me with the pronunciation! I looked up how to pronounce and everything and still messed it up 😫
I read the first 3 Temeraire books, but for some reason I can't remember, I just never returned for nr4. I think I got distracted my a stormlight release.
Hope you continue reading them so that it will in turn convince me to finish it!
Hey there Merphy, glad to see you enjoyed His Majesty's Dragon and are enjoying Throne of Jade. I know I read the first one ages ago and enjoyed it, but don't remember reading the other two.
Curious if you've ever read Anne MacCaffrey's DRAGONRIDERS OF PERN series. It is one of the classic series of the fantasy (sci-fi?) genre, and I have to assume was a big influence one Noivk.
I also wonder if she's read the Pit Dragon Chronicles by Jane Yolen, those are dragon classics as well
BISCUIT MAKING!!❤❤❤❤
Please read more of Naomi Novik, especially A Deadly Education!!
Awesome video 🥰🥰🥰
I was also a bit put off/confused when I noticed so many similarities between Shakuni and Glokta. However, I have since come across a comment by the author on Goodreads in which he kindly explained how Shakuni is based on ancient Indian mythology passed on through generations. Mythology that is a lot older, as he puts it, than First Law 😅
oh that's good to know, thank you for sharing that with me! That's wild that they're SO similar down to the mannerisms and internal dialogue!
@@merphynapierreviews To be fair I haven’t looked into it any further. Would be interesting to see how much of it is from said mythology and which parts were perhaps a bit too inspired by first law 😅
You are making me want to start the Novik books!
they're so good!
Dang it. I read book 1 years ago. I need to get back to this series :P Novik is so good. And I know you're not supposed to.... but the cover of Sons of Darkness looks so good :D
I'm reading book 3 in April so you have time to catch up to me!
what's up with the 360p video quality?
Awesome as always thanks
Noooo why...where is the interlude???
Always enjoy these even without the interludes lol
💕💕💕
How cold is it where Merphy lives?
Has Merphy read Spinning Silver?
🧡📚🧡📚🧡📚🧡
Sons of darkness intimidates me ahh
how is it nine hours since it went live and youtube still has you at 360p?? UA-cam is messing up your video rollout--I cant be the only person who prefers to watch your content at higher res. No worries, I'm still watching and enjoying, I just think youtube getting you higher res playback is too slowly.
it's my fault 😫 I didn't realize my export settings had gotten changed and uploaded the video in lowest quality. The next one will be back to normal!
It’s time to read this series. 👀
Will Merphy read the new Neil Gaiman book?
Umm is something wrong but why is the video so low resolution and pixelated for me?
Not first 😂
Unfortunately Throne of Jade was TOO slow for me. I got about 60% of the way through before I DNF'ed. I don't mind a slow pace when I'm engaged with the characters, but I wasn't loving Laurence. I really enjoyed book 1, but book 2 made me think the series was heading in a direction I didn't care enough about.
Merphy its the Mahabharata not the maharabata 😂😂
First
you butchered Mahabharata so bad.
that said it's pronounced as 'muh haa bhaa ruth'. where maha means great and bharat is India's real name.
I’ve always heard it as “muh haa baa ruh tuh,” or something similar. I’ve not heard of the ‘Ruth’ ending before.
Better for her to confidently say it wrong than for her to do the classic UA-camr bit of deliberately mispronouncing it wrong very slowly and multiple times, each time shrugging and saying "I think that's how it's pronounced???? Sorry if I got it wrong 🤷♂️🤷♂️🤷♂️"
Your poor cat doesn’t look happy in this video 😢
You are making me want to pick up that dragon book!! Also, I picked up one piece bc of you and I'm in water 7 and I'm already crying every 10ish chapters... WHY DID YOU DO THIS TO ME MERPHY 🥲
Welcome to the emotions, the don’t stop 😂