Currently Reading: The Broken Tower by Kelly Braffet...

...and a few words about me as a reader

I've been complaining in my recent reviews that the characters feel non-relatable. Once I finished Nyphron Rising (Riyria Revelations Book Three), I wondered whether the problem is in me rather than the books. To find that out, I picked The Broken Tower (The Barrier Lands 2) by Kelly Braffet as my next read, and now that I'm halfway through the story, I can safely say it's definitely me. 

I remember listening to the first book of The Barrier Lands, The Unwilling, as if it were yesterday, because it aroused such potent emotions in me -abhorrence and grief, mainly. I felt the characters' pain and desperation as if they were my own. The Broken Tower does not have the same effect on me, but the book isn't to blame. I've been binge-reading it, enjoying every word, but I feel nothing. The characters are as fantastic as in The Unwilling, the plot as gripping and haunting, but I could as well be reading the day's weather forecast for what emotions any of it arouses in me. 

As a child and teenager, I was so sensitive that I was afraid of the Orcs for years after I saw the Lord of the Rings movies. When I had to go out after dark, I was terrified because I was convinced there was a patrol of orcs hiding in the hayloft of our barn. Even as an adult, I have pinched my eyes shut if a scene in a movie or an episode has started to seem too suspenseful or violent. I've never been a keen reader of detective stories, let alone horror novels, because the thrill's been too much for me.  

It seems I'm not that person anymore, and the change saddens me. Even though life isn't easy for a susceptible and empathetic person, I'd rather have remained that way than become this calloused shell of a human I am today. It is what it is, however, and what changed me cannot be undone. 

Let's return to the book I'm currently reading for a bit, though. I haven't finished it yet, but I can already recommend it as a magnificent work of fantasy. The Broken Tower is categorized as young adult fantasy, but it's definitely a go-to for adults, too. I'm halfway through the book, would've finished it by now had I not returned to working on my own series, and I can scarcely wait to find out how it ends.

Short Book Reviews // Rise of Empire by Michael J. Sullivan (Part One)

I finished reading Book Three of Riyria Revelations, Nyphron Rising, by Michael J. Sullivan, and though these books come in packs of two, I saw it best to write the review on this one before starting Book Four, because -and I am a tad ashamed to admit this- I don't think I'll remember much of Nyphron Rising once I've finished the fourth book. I mentioned in my review of Theft of Swords (which contains the first two books of Riyria Revelations) that this series, despite being intriguing, isn't one to linger in my head for long. If you want to know more about the series, visit this page, because my Short Book Reviews don't include information about what happens in the books.

I enjoyed Theft of Swords, and Nyphron Rising turned out to be even more captivating. I struggled to put my tablet down at times (I'm reading the series as eBooks). Since the first page, the story anticipated a major plot twist, and on the last page, it was finally provided. Between the beginning and the end, a lot was going on. Theft of Swords is, in my opinion, a fast-paced book, but Nyphron Rising rolls on at a breakneck speed. Still, it manages to provide a few brief moments of quiet, much needed to balance out the avalanche of twists and turns the story takes. 

Regardless of keeping me hooked, Nyphron Rising failed to move me. Just like Theft of Swords, it's gripping and entertaining (and written better than the first two books), but doesn't provoke emotions. There are good characters, but no Joffrey Baratheons and Tyrion Lannisters. Despite many of them suffering greatly, I cannot feel their pain, nor can I rejoice for their victories. The sad truth is that even among the main characters, anyone could die, and I wouldn't mourn for them. I suspect I'd even remember them once I turned the page. I am starting to wonder whether I should read something else before continuing to Book Four, to make sure the fault isn't in me, rather than the characters, for they are all well-written with full backgrounds and everything else needed to make a parade of excellent book characters, they just lack that something that makes an imaginary person relatable. 

Nonetheless, Nyphron Rising is a quick and entertaining read that should provide enough action even to the less patient readers. I'll rate it four stars and look forward to reading The Emerald Storm, Book Four of Riyria Revelations.