Jingo, by Terry Pratchett
This is the fourth book in Discworld’s Watch subseries. I had only read this one once before and had forgotten a lot of it, so it was lovely to read again. The title, Jingo, pretty much tells you what this book is about—jingoism and going to war to prove that you’re the better country. This one has more political intrigue than we usually get in a Discworld novel, with the added bonus of a lot more Vetinari. We actually get to see him outside his office, getting his hands dirty. So. Tons of fun!
Fox Tales, by Tomihiko Morimi
I didn’t realize when I picked this up, but this is the same author as The Tatami Galaxy which I read in December. It is VERY similar to the novel. This book is made up of four short stories—just like Tatami Galaxy—that are not connected. Or, really, connected in a very loose sense. Each one has a supernatural element, gods and spirits. None of them were truly scary—the author’s writing is too vague—and only some of them were interesting. I felt like just when the creepy bit was revealed the story would end. The novel was better.
The Steerswoman, by Rosemary Kirstein
Rowan belongs to the order of Steerswomen, who are basically a group of women who travel to make maps and establish historical fact. She is intrigued by jewels that she’s come across and starts to investigate. With the help of a barbarian from the Outskirts, she finds that there are those who will do anything to keep her from finding the truth of their origin. Read this for book club and really got into it. So much so, that I immediately read the second book in the series. My book club all really liked this book.
The Outskirter's Secret, by Rosemary Kirstein
In the second book, Rowan and Bel—the outskirter barbarian—go into the outskirts to travel the violent dangerous veldt to find the source of the jewels that Bel wears. This book is a deep delve into the world of the outskirters—violent nomadic goat herders that make a life in a inhospitable land. While the worldbuilding is super interesting, the book didn’t do much to move the story forward from the first book. I did like it, but I’m debating whether or not to read the rest of the series as it’s not complete yet (twenty years since the last installment!!!). I don’t want to be left hanging.
Cloud Missives, by Kenzie Allen
Poetry. This one has gotten rave reviews, but I didn’t connect all that much with it. The poems about Allen’s ethnicity were the most interesting. Her poems about toxic love—there were a lot—were less interesting. Those I felt were the poet working through her own issues rather than finished poems.
The Corinthian, by Georgette Heyer
This was my first reread of this Heyer. I liked it better the second time, but it will never be one of my favorites. While a fun read, as all Heyer books are, this one didn’t quite do it for me.
The Iron Widow, by Xiran Jay Zhao
I reread (listened) to this one in anticipation for the second book in the duology. I loved it when I read it as Zetain is so full of rage, anger, and revenge that I loved following her story. But listening to it now, man, it is so violent—in all the best ways. I just love this character’s unapologetically ruthless behavior. Granted, everything she wants to change is corrupt and despicable, but the extent to which she goes to tear down the patriarchal system is just Wow.
This is the fourth book in Discworld’s Watch subseries. I had only read this one once before and had forgotten a lot of it, so it was lovely to read again. The title, Jingo, pretty much tells you what this book is about—jingoism and going to war to prove that you’re the better country. This one has more political intrigue than we usually get in a Discworld novel, with the added bonus of a lot more Vetinari. We actually get to see him outside his office, getting his hands dirty. So. Tons of fun!
Fox Tales, by Tomihiko Morimi
I didn’t realize when I picked this up, but this is the same author as The Tatami Galaxy which I read in December. It is VERY similar to the novel. This book is made up of four short stories—just like Tatami Galaxy—that are not connected. Or, really, connected in a very loose sense. Each one has a supernatural element, gods and spirits. None of them were truly scary—the author’s writing is too vague—and only some of them were interesting. I felt like just when the creepy bit was revealed the story would end. The novel was better.
The Steerswoman, by Rosemary Kirstein
Rowan belongs to the order of Steerswomen, who are basically a group of women who travel to make maps and establish historical fact. She is intrigued by jewels that she’s come across and starts to investigate. With the help of a barbarian from the Outskirts, she finds that there are those who will do anything to keep her from finding the truth of their origin. Read this for book club and really got into it. So much so, that I immediately read the second book in the series. My book club all really liked this book.
The Outskirter's Secret, by Rosemary Kirstein
In the second book, Rowan and Bel—the outskirter barbarian—go into the outskirts to travel the violent dangerous veldt to find the source of the jewels that Bel wears. This book is a deep delve into the world of the outskirters—violent nomadic goat herders that make a life in a inhospitable land. While the worldbuilding is super interesting, the book didn’t do much to move the story forward from the first book. I did like it, but I’m debating whether or not to read the rest of the series as it’s not complete yet (twenty years since the last installment!!!). I don’t want to be left hanging.
Cloud Missives, by Kenzie Allen
Poetry. This one has gotten rave reviews, but I didn’t connect all that much with it. The poems about Allen’s ethnicity were the most interesting. Her poems about toxic love—there were a lot—were less interesting. Those I felt were the poet working through her own issues rather than finished poems.
The Corinthian, by Georgette Heyer
This was my first reread of this Heyer. I liked it better the second time, but it will never be one of my favorites. While a fun read, as all Heyer books are, this one didn’t quite do it for me.
The Iron Widow, by Xiran Jay Zhao
I reread (listened) to this one in anticipation for the second book in the duology. I loved it when I read it as Zetain is so full of rage, anger, and revenge that I loved following her story. But listening to it now, man, it is so violent—in all the best ways. I just love this character’s unapologetically ruthless behavior. Granted, everything she wants to change is corrupt and despicable, but the extent to which she goes to tear down the patriarchal system is just Wow.
