Litsy

The Witness for the Dead | Katherine Addison

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The Witness for the Dead (Cemeteries of Amalo 1), by Katherine Addison (2021)
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Premise: A cleric with the ability to communicate with the dead is brought into several mysteries upon his arrival in a remote region of his world.

Review: I was intrigued to read this spin-off from The Goblin Emperor, which follows one of that book‘s most compelling characters in his new adventures. ⬇️

Mattsbookaday While it‘s well done and I was glad to be back in that world, a bit more focus in the plot would have been appreciated.

Bookish Pair: Shutter, by Ramona Emerson (2022), for a similar premise of an investigator who can communicate with the dead 2d

10 likes1 comment

underground_bks

Nine Goblins | T. Kingfisher

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One thing about me: I love a T. Kingfisher novella—and this delightful, warm-hearted, and downright disgusting romp of a fantasy captured my heart!

24 likes1 stack add

peaKnit

The Elf on the Shelf: A Christmas Tradition | Carol V. Aebersold, Chanda A. Bell

Did anyone else have elf on the shelf for their kids? If you know you know. He was lots of work. My reward for the “Pete years” now that my kids are adults is snark until Christmas.

lil1inblue 😂 Love it. We have an elf on the shelf at work. Our staff comes up with the cutest ideas. 1w

Ruthiella 😆😆😆 1w

25 likes2 comments

SkeletonKey

Complete Elfquest Volume 1 | Wendy Pini, Richard Pini

Attending a zoom with Wendy and Richard Pini, creators of Elfquest. Sooooo inspiring for other creators, follow their newsletter for other events and neat things if you‘re a comic fan.

#elfquest #graphicnovels

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Mattsbookaday

The Goblin Emperor | Katherine Addison

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The Goblin Emperor, by Katherine Addison (2014)
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Premise: Long exiled to a remote backwater and abused by his guardian, a young halfling is suddenly thrust onto the imperial throne and must quickly learn the byzantine politics of the court.

Review: This is a brilliant piece of light fantasy set in a lightly steampunk world. ⬇️

Mattsbookaday The fantasy elements really aren‘t important; it‘s primarily a story of character and politics, and on this front it‘s both realistic and heartwarming. Note: I read this on audio and while the production is excellent, I‘d recommend against this format due to the large and confusing cast of characters. 2w

12 likes1 comment

Robotswithpersonality

Lords and Ladies | Terry Pratchett

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Had a splendid time with this reread. Definitely one of my favourite of the witch books in the Discworld, for a number of reasons.
The concise manner in which the elves are portrayed as menacing by their very indifference to life (even outside the evil cat metaphor), Pratchett is able to make you creeped out and concerned in a few sentences. 1/?

Robotswithpersonality 2/? Magrat's journey from putative witch to a soon-to-be-queen in her very own style feels even better the second time 'round, but this is definitely Esme's story. 2mo

Robotswithpersonality 3/? The insight into Granny Weatherwax, as she deals with upstarts from the possible next generation of witches, the influence of a thousand alternate world minds grazing hers, the road-not-taken narrative from a nostalgic wizard/almost beau, the outsized threat that is the Queen of the Fairies/Elves and a community that has to go from congenial disbelief to fear while fighting enchantment. It gives you bits of vulnerability, even humility, 2mo

Robotswithpersonality 4/? in a character with a traditionally granite self-confidence, while also showing the efforts she goes to to protect, to do right.
You have Nanny Ogg there as stalwart friend to Weatherwax, clapping back and backing up as necessary, but you also have her as an irrepressible personality, pursued by Casanunda, the dwarf purported to be the second greatest lover in the world. (edited) 2mo

Robotswithpersonality 5/? For all the cheerful ribaldry that comes with Nanny's dialogue, it's sweet to see a swain court her so ardently, and refreshing to see Nanny not modify herself one jot for the purposes of appealing to the suitor.
I forgot the Librarian joined the wizards who visit Lancre for the upcoming nuptials and much like Nanny, it's always a good time when he's on the page. 2mo

Robotswithpersonality 6/6 Likewise, speaking of evil cats, Greebo in all his viciousness, is a welcome addition for the chaos and destruction he offers, giving the elves some of their own back. 😏
Wish me luck in my ongoing reread of the witch books, because I don't remember having the most favourable impression of the next in the subseries, Maskerade, when I first read it. 🤞🏻 (edited) 2mo

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