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Horror is not usually my genre, but I like T Kingfisher. This is a really good examination of just how weird "southern" culture can be.

Very small suggestion of romance. Which mostly felt out of place because the way the narrator voiced the man was... not how I usually hear romantic interests voiced. (his voice annoyed me)

Overall, very good, despite it not being my usual fare.

This is a very interesting take on how some paranormal species came to be. It has led us to a world where the paranormals are the "celebrities" whose every moves are talked about in tabloids by the humans, whose lives are basically gifted from on high (they have to apply to have children).

And in this world of high society intrigue, there's a rebellion in the works... and lots of steamy moments. Can't forget the steamy moments.

I'm looking forward to picking up the sequel!

As with Book 1, this suffers from audiobook narration that is not terribly engaging by today's standards.

That said, it takes a really long time to figure out how in the heck this is part of Ged's story. And, understanding some time has passed since we saw him last, he doesn't at all feel like the same person. It would have almost felt more satisfying to me as something that happens in Earthsea, sure, but wasn't part of Ged's tale, because it feels so disconnected.

Like many audiobooks of its day, the narration is... sleep-inducing. This makes it difficult to appreciate just how wondrous a world Le Guin crafted, and how complex a character the protagonist is.

However, as other reviewers have mentioned, even without my issues with the narration, it is a bit of a slog. And it just sortof... ends. There is suggestion of tales to follow, but I don't really feel excited by the time I get there.

It took a bit for me to really get pulled in (I actually accidentally let my library loan expire because I found a different book more interesting, and ended up restarting), but once I was in, I was IN. Very satisfying conclusion.

As other reviewers have mentioned, the romance side plot is barely there.

Audiobook narration excellent.

Very interesting alternate universe/portal concept. Took a very very long time for the story to resolve. I was rather done with the world and decided to skip the bonus story at the end.

There's a really interesting take on magic (glamour) here that is absolutely fascinating, especially as it is considered a "women's art".

If you've read your Austen, you can see largely where the story was going, but it is absolutely still enjoyable. Especially with the more explicitly fantastical elements.

Narration by the author is lovely.

I adore the genre of twisted fairy tales, and this absolutely delivered.

As the title suggests, there’s some mistaken identity, and then hilarity ensues.

You’ve got your mistaken identity, circus performers, memory loss, fae, family feud… and it all works!

Alas, it feels very set up for a sequel but none has yet been written :(

This is one I picked up simply because I adore the narrator (Steve West) and I am certainly glad that I did!

This is a really good history of wargaming, up until it was written in 1968. What I really like is it’s an honest discussion of what wargaming is, and what it isn’t (the latter perhaps being more important).

And the last chapter? No spoilers, but wow. Just wow.

If you are at all interested in war games, this is a really good read.

Big oof

“He” being David Singer.

This reveals a couple of issues with trying to quantify all the things. First being that trying to turn documents into math is… weird. And that what you collect is not ground truth - it has been filtered, screened. Even personal diaries do not contain the whole truth.

And goes on to explain that the data collected from simulations, from war games, are not actually all that great because there’s lots of manipulation that happens to control the game environment.

Holy heck the PTSD and the red flags and the efforts to just suppress everything you are to be normal and get through this is… ooof.

Being old enough to recognize all of this makes listening physically uncomfortable/anxiety inducing, yet it’s a compelling story and I can’t turn away.

If you’re thinking “ah! I know this trope and so I know basically what the plot is!” you are probably correct.

But.

Nothing is ever quite that simple. From the particular details of what it takes to make things better, to the absolutely delicious character of the guy you instantly know is bad news, this is superb execution of the genre.

Also, I cried.

Jennifer Ikeda’s narration is excellent.