riley
@msbornagain.bsky.social
Scythe 3/5
Wow that sure was a YA book. Biggest complement I can give it is that I finished it in 2 days, definitely a fun time and every issue I have with it boils down to simply not being the target audience. Will prob read the sequels as palette cleaners between heavier books
Wow that sure was a YA book. Biggest complement I can give it is that I finished it in 2 days, definitely a fun time and every issue I have with it boils down to simply not being the target audience. Will prob read the sequels as palette cleaners between heavier books
January 4, 2026 at 4:39 PM
Scythe 3/5
Wow that sure was a YA book. Biggest complement I can give it is that I finished it in 2 days, definitely a fun time and every issue I have with it boils down to simply not being the target audience. Will prob read the sequels as palette cleaners between heavier books
Wow that sure was a YA book. Biggest complement I can give it is that I finished it in 2 days, definitely a fun time and every issue I have with it boils down to simply not being the target audience. Will prob read the sequels as palette cleaners between heavier books
Angeline Era
I like the story/atmosphere of Anodyne 2 more but this is so far ahead in terms of gameplay that it's easily my favorite analgesic productions game now. Highly recommended for anyone wanting to recapture the spirit of falcom games like gurumin or nayuta no kiseki
I like the story/atmosphere of Anodyne 2 more but this is so far ahead in terms of gameplay that it's easily my favorite analgesic productions game now. Highly recommended for anyone wanting to recapture the spirit of falcom games like gurumin or nayuta no kiseki
January 1, 2026 at 4:19 PM
Angeline Era
I like the story/atmosphere of Anodyne 2 more but this is so far ahead in terms of gameplay that it's easily my favorite analgesic productions game now. Highly recommended for anyone wanting to recapture the spirit of falcom games like gurumin or nayuta no kiseki
I like the story/atmosphere of Anodyne 2 more but this is so far ahead in terms of gameplay that it's easily my favorite analgesic productions game now. Highly recommended for anyone wanting to recapture the spirit of falcom games like gurumin or nayuta no kiseki
A Betrayal in Winter 4/5
Abraham is simply unmatched in character motivations and political scheming. Basically no action happens in the books it's literally only people talking and I'm starting to realize that's just the way I like it. No more 300 pages epic battle sequences in my fantasy please
Abraham is simply unmatched in character motivations and political scheming. Basically no action happens in the books it's literally only people talking and I'm starting to realize that's just the way I like it. No more 300 pages epic battle sequences in my fantasy please
December 26, 2025 at 3:56 PM
A Betrayal in Winter 4/5
Abraham is simply unmatched in character motivations and political scheming. Basically no action happens in the books it's literally only people talking and I'm starting to realize that's just the way I like it. No more 300 pages epic battle sequences in my fantasy please
Abraham is simply unmatched in character motivations and political scheming. Basically no action happens in the books it's literally only people talking and I'm starting to realize that's just the way I like it. No more 300 pages epic battle sequences in my fantasy please
Riley (Fantasy) Book Awards 2025 etc etc
December 26, 2025 at 3:40 AM
Riley (Fantasy) Book Awards 2025 etc etc
Riley Game Awards 2025 etc etc
December 26, 2025 at 12:44 AM
Riley Game Awards 2025 etc etc
Blood Over Bright Haven 2/5
Wow this was not good! Story just gets completely hijacked by the themes which are presented in the most heavy handed fashion imaginable. I had problems with the sword of kaigen but that book at least had a strong emotional core that's completely absent here, major shame
Wow this was not good! Story just gets completely hijacked by the themes which are presented in the most heavy handed fashion imaginable. I had problems with the sword of kaigen but that book at least had a strong emotional core that's completely absent here, major shame
December 15, 2025 at 10:16 PM
Blood Over Bright Haven 2/5
Wow this was not good! Story just gets completely hijacked by the themes which are presented in the most heavy handed fashion imaginable. I had problems with the sword of kaigen but that book at least had a strong emotional core that's completely absent here, major shame
Wow this was not good! Story just gets completely hijacked by the themes which are presented in the most heavy handed fashion imaginable. I had problems with the sword of kaigen but that book at least had a strong emotional core that's completely absent here, major shame
A Shadow in Summer 4/5
Have repeatedly heard this book described as a slow burn but I was completely enthralled the entire way though, only real criticism is that the ending isn't quite as explosive/interesting as I would've liked but I'm sure that's coming down the line, highly recommended
Have repeatedly heard this book described as a slow burn but I was completely enthralled the entire way though, only real criticism is that the ending isn't quite as explosive/interesting as I would've liked but I'm sure that's coming down the line, highly recommended
December 15, 2025 at 10:11 PM
A Shadow in Summer 4/5
Have repeatedly heard this book described as a slow burn but I was completely enthralled the entire way though, only real criticism is that the ending isn't quite as explosive/interesting as I would've liked but I'm sure that's coming down the line, highly recommended
Have repeatedly heard this book described as a slow burn but I was completely enthralled the entire way though, only real criticism is that the ending isn't quite as explosive/interesting as I would've liked but I'm sure that's coming down the line, highly recommended
Perdido Street Station 3.5/5
Mieville is undoubtedly an incredible writer and I was constantly wowed by all of the insanely inventive worldbuilding but imo the overall plot went in the single most uninteresting direction it could've and I was kind of checked out for the last third or so
Mieville is undoubtedly an incredible writer and I was constantly wowed by all of the insanely inventive worldbuilding but imo the overall plot went in the single most uninteresting direction it could've and I was kind of checked out for the last third or so
December 5, 2025 at 6:29 PM
Perdido Street Station 3.5/5
Mieville is undoubtedly an incredible writer and I was constantly wowed by all of the insanely inventive worldbuilding but imo the overall plot went in the single most uninteresting direction it could've and I was kind of checked out for the last third or so
Mieville is undoubtedly an incredible writer and I was constantly wowed by all of the insanely inventive worldbuilding but imo the overall plot went in the single most uninteresting direction it could've and I was kind of checked out for the last third or so
Toll the Hounds 3/5
Expectations for this were through the roof and while there's more than several flashes of brilliance here + Erikson consistently being in a league of his own in regards to prose, it just did not hit the way I wanted it to at all. Maybe my the biggest letdown of the year
Expectations for this were through the roof and while there's more than several flashes of brilliance here + Erikson consistently being in a league of his own in regards to prose, it just did not hit the way I wanted it to at all. Maybe my the biggest letdown of the year
November 12, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Toll the Hounds 3/5
Expectations for this were through the roof and while there's more than several flashes of brilliance here + Erikson consistently being in a league of his own in regards to prose, it just did not hit the way I wanted it to at all. Maybe my the biggest letdown of the year
Expectations for this were through the roof and while there's more than several flashes of brilliance here + Erikson consistently being in a league of his own in regards to prose, it just did not hit the way I wanted it to at all. Maybe my the biggest letdown of the year
King Sorrow 3/5
Not entirely sure why I picked this up since i'm not a horror guy at all but it was pretty fun, not entirely what I was expecting as it wasn't very scary but the emotional payoffs were mostly good, lot of poignant character moments near the end but definitely a bit bloated/uneven
Not entirely sure why I picked this up since i'm not a horror guy at all but it was pretty fun, not entirely what I was expecting as it wasn't very scary but the emotional payoffs were mostly good, lot of poignant character moments near the end but definitely a bit bloated/uneven
November 12, 2025 at 5:00 PM
King Sorrow 3/5
Not entirely sure why I picked this up since i'm not a horror guy at all but it was pretty fun, not entirely what I was expecting as it wasn't very scary but the emotional payoffs were mostly good, lot of poignant character moments near the end but definitely a bit bloated/uneven
Not entirely sure why I picked this up since i'm not a horror guy at all but it was pretty fun, not entirely what I was expecting as it wasn't very scary but the emotional payoffs were mostly good, lot of poignant character moments near the end but definitely a bit bloated/uneven
Reaper's Gale 4/5
Have some conflicting thoughts on how a few plot/character threads were resolved and I think the marine sections very much overstayed their welcome but this was otherwise a major return to form after finding the previous book comparatively underwhelming
Have some conflicting thoughts on how a few plot/character threads were resolved and I think the marine sections very much overstayed their welcome but this was otherwise a major return to form after finding the previous book comparatively underwhelming
September 7, 2025 at 2:33 AM
Reaper's Gale 4/5
Have some conflicting thoughts on how a few plot/character threads were resolved and I think the marine sections very much overstayed their welcome but this was otherwise a major return to form after finding the previous book comparatively underwhelming
Have some conflicting thoughts on how a few plot/character threads were resolved and I think the marine sections very much overstayed their welcome but this was otherwise a major return to form after finding the previous book comparatively underwhelming
Darien 3/5
Fairly enjoyable popcorn read, felt like a superhero origin story superimposed onto a fantasy setting which was pretty novel but definitely way too short to really get super attached to the world or characters. Wanted a palette cleanser in between malazan books so it served its purpose
Fairly enjoyable popcorn read, felt like a superhero origin story superimposed onto a fantasy setting which was pretty novel but definitely way too short to really get super attached to the world or characters. Wanted a palette cleanser in between malazan books so it served its purpose
August 13, 2025 at 1:59 AM
Darien 3/5
Fairly enjoyable popcorn read, felt like a superhero origin story superimposed onto a fantasy setting which was pretty novel but definitely way too short to really get super attached to the world or characters. Wanted a palette cleanser in between malazan books so it served its purpose
Fairly enjoyable popcorn read, felt like a superhero origin story superimposed onto a fantasy setting which was pretty novel but definitely way too short to really get super attached to the world or characters. Wanted a palette cleanser in between malazan books so it served its purpose
The Bonehunters 3.5/5
Hurts to give this a comparatively low rating when it has maybe the best singular chapter in the entire series (so far) but it was otherwise easily the most bloated and meandering book for me, a major contrast with how tight the last two were.
Hurts to give this a comparatively low rating when it has maybe the best singular chapter in the entire series (so far) but it was otherwise easily the most bloated and meandering book for me, a major contrast with how tight the last two were.
August 9, 2025 at 3:23 AM
The Bonehunters 3.5/5
Hurts to give this a comparatively low rating when it has maybe the best singular chapter in the entire series (so far) but it was otherwise easily the most bloated and meandering book for me, a major contrast with how tight the last two were.
Hurts to give this a comparatively low rating when it has maybe the best singular chapter in the entire series (so far) but it was otherwise easily the most bloated and meandering book for me, a major contrast with how tight the last two were.
Midnight Tides 4/5
Explores the most interesting themes in the series and easily had the highest amount of banger passages I screenshotted but it's held back by some inconsistent story choices and lighthearted/comedic sections which didn't land for me at all. Fucking UNBELIEVABLE climax though
Explores the most interesting themes in the series and easily had the highest amount of banger passages I screenshotted but it's held back by some inconsistent story choices and lighthearted/comedic sections which didn't land for me at all. Fucking UNBELIEVABLE climax though
July 2, 2025 at 12:11 AM
Midnight Tides 4/5
Explores the most interesting themes in the series and easily had the highest amount of banger passages I screenshotted but it's held back by some inconsistent story choices and lighthearted/comedic sections which didn't land for me at all. Fucking UNBELIEVABLE climax though
Explores the most interesting themes in the series and easily had the highest amount of banger passages I screenshotted but it's held back by some inconsistent story choices and lighthearted/comedic sections which didn't land for me at all. Fucking UNBELIEVABLE climax though
House of Chains 5/5
Easily the best one yet imo, by far the tightest narrative of all the books so far, introduces some of my favorite characters and took some I was previously lukewarm on and turned them into favorites too. Shocked this seems to be widely considered one of the weakest ones
Easily the best one yet imo, by far the tightest narrative of all the books so far, introduces some of my favorite characters and took some I was previously lukewarm on and turned them into favorites too. Shocked this seems to be widely considered one of the weakest ones
June 11, 2025 at 3:06 AM
House of Chains 5/5
Easily the best one yet imo, by far the tightest narrative of all the books so far, introduces some of my favorite characters and took some I was previously lukewarm on and turned them into favorites too. Shocked this seems to be widely considered one of the weakest ones
Easily the best one yet imo, by far the tightest narrative of all the books so far, introduces some of my favorite characters and took some I was previously lukewarm on and turned them into favorites too. Shocked this seems to be widely considered one of the weakest ones
Memories of Ice 4/5
Really where the simultaneous obtuseness and ambiguity of the storytelling started feeling like just as much of a weakness as a strength to me but the highs were unbelievable and Erikson is just completely unmatched in terms of both prose and especially world building, good shit
Really where the simultaneous obtuseness and ambiguity of the storytelling started feeling like just as much of a weakness as a strength to me but the highs were unbelievable and Erikson is just completely unmatched in terms of both prose and especially world building, good shit
May 2, 2025 at 10:33 PM
Memories of Ice 4/5
Really where the simultaneous obtuseness and ambiguity of the storytelling started feeling like just as much of a weakness as a strength to me but the highs were unbelievable and Erikson is just completely unmatched in terms of both prose and especially world building, good shit
Really where the simultaneous obtuseness and ambiguity of the storytelling started feeling like just as much of a weakness as a strength to me but the highs were unbelievable and Erikson is just completely unmatched in terms of both prose and especially world building, good shit
Deadhouse Gates 4/5
Objectively speaking this is a better book than GotM in almost every way, far, far darker and significantly more emotionally impactful but I nevertheless felt a bit burnt out by the end and don't think things were tied together quite as well so I still came out liking GotM more
Objectively speaking this is a better book than GotM in almost every way, far, far darker and significantly more emotionally impactful but I nevertheless felt a bit burnt out by the end and don't think things were tied together quite as well so I still came out liking GotM more
April 8, 2025 at 9:25 PM
Deadhouse Gates 4/5
Objectively speaking this is a better book than GotM in almost every way, far, far darker and significantly more emotionally impactful but I nevertheless felt a bit burnt out by the end and don't think things were tied together quite as well so I still came out liking GotM more
Objectively speaking this is a better book than GotM in almost every way, far, far darker and significantly more emotionally impactful but I nevertheless felt a bit burnt out by the end and don't think things were tied together quite as well so I still came out liking GotM more
A Brightness Long Ago 4.5/5
Kay does it again! Phenomenal book, wouldn't say it destroyed me to the extent the lions of al rassan did but I was profoundly moved numerous times. Ready to call him my favorite prose stylist in fantasy by a pretty wide margin and one of my favorite writers in general
Kay does it again! Phenomenal book, wouldn't say it destroyed me to the extent the lions of al rassan did but I was profoundly moved numerous times. Ready to call him my favorite prose stylist in fantasy by a pretty wide margin and one of my favorite writers in general
March 23, 2025 at 1:36 AM
A Brightness Long Ago 4.5/5
Kay does it again! Phenomenal book, wouldn't say it destroyed me to the extent the lions of al rassan did but I was profoundly moved numerous times. Ready to call him my favorite prose stylist in fantasy by a pretty wide margin and one of my favorite writers in general
Kay does it again! Phenomenal book, wouldn't say it destroyed me to the extent the lions of al rassan did but I was profoundly moved numerous times. Ready to call him my favorite prose stylist in fantasy by a pretty wide margin and one of my favorite writers in general
Kingdoms of Death 1.5/5
Dropped 3/5 in, not sure whether I'm going back or not. Wrote an incredibly long rant about what I hated and how Ruocchio refuses to play to his strengths as a writer but I'll spare you all. What an unbelievable letdown, may actually have to change my icon now
Dropped 3/5 in, not sure whether I'm going back or not. Wrote an incredibly long rant about what I hated and how Ruocchio refuses to play to his strengths as a writer but I'll spare you all. What an unbelievable letdown, may actually have to change my icon now
March 20, 2025 at 10:09 PM
Kingdoms of Death 1.5/5
Dropped 3/5 in, not sure whether I'm going back or not. Wrote an incredibly long rant about what I hated and how Ruocchio refuses to play to his strengths as a writer but I'll spare you all. What an unbelievable letdown, may actually have to change my icon now
Dropped 3/5 in, not sure whether I'm going back or not. Wrote an incredibly long rant about what I hated and how Ruocchio refuses to play to his strengths as a writer but I'll spare you all. What an unbelievable letdown, may actually have to change my icon now
Gardens of the Moon 5/5
Absolutely fucking loved this. Can totally see why the storytelling style wouldn't (and famously doesn't) work for a lot of people but I'm bewildered that so many consider it a super challenging read, anyone with even a mild interest in epic fantasy should give it a shot imo
Absolutely fucking loved this. Can totally see why the storytelling style wouldn't (and famously doesn't) work for a lot of people but I'm bewildered that so many consider it a super challenging read, anyone with even a mild interest in epic fantasy should give it a shot imo
March 9, 2025 at 4:23 AM
Gardens of the Moon 5/5
Absolutely fucking loved this. Can totally see why the storytelling style wouldn't (and famously doesn't) work for a lot of people but I'm bewildered that so many consider it a super challenging read, anyone with even a mild interest in epic fantasy should give it a shot imo
Absolutely fucking loved this. Can totally see why the storytelling style wouldn't (and famously doesn't) work for a lot of people but I'm bewildered that so many consider it a super challenging read, anyone with even a mild interest in epic fantasy should give it a shot imo
Wall of Storms 4/5
Incredible plot and character beats, wasn't bored for a second, Liu has a real talent for introducing a character and getting you to care about them almost immediately. Initially preferred the former cover but the latter definitely fits the tone of the book better it's brutal
Incredible plot and character beats, wasn't bored for a second, Liu has a real talent for introducing a character and getting you to care about them almost immediately. Initially preferred the former cover but the latter definitely fits the tone of the book better it's brutal
February 21, 2025 at 12:56 AM
Wall of Storms 4/5
Incredible plot and character beats, wasn't bored for a second, Liu has a real talent for introducing a character and getting you to care about them almost immediately. Initially preferred the former cover but the latter definitely fits the tone of the book better it's brutal
Incredible plot and character beats, wasn't bored for a second, Liu has a real talent for introducing a character and getting you to care about them almost immediately. Initially preferred the former cover but the latter definitely fits the tone of the book better it's brutal
Royal Assassin 4/5
Was actually feeling a 3/5 for the first 2/3. Had even slower pacing + I wasn't huge on a few of the relationships the book chose to prioritize. Should've known it was all setting the groundwork for a meticulously timed explosion though cause holy FUCK that last 1/3 was insane
Was actually feeling a 3/5 for the first 2/3. Had even slower pacing + I wasn't huge on a few of the relationships the book chose to prioritize. Should've known it was all setting the groundwork for a meticulously timed explosion though cause holy FUCK that last 1/3 was insane
January 25, 2025 at 11:09 PM
Royal Assassin 4/5
Was actually feeling a 3/5 for the first 2/3. Had even slower pacing + I wasn't huge on a few of the relationships the book chose to prioritize. Should've known it was all setting the groundwork for a meticulously timed explosion though cause holy FUCK that last 1/3 was insane
Was actually feeling a 3/5 for the first 2/3. Had even slower pacing + I wasn't huge on a few of the relationships the book chose to prioritize. Should've known it was all setting the groundwork for a meticulously timed explosion though cause holy FUCK that last 1/3 was insane
Assassin's Apprentice 4/5
Definitely a slow burn of a book but before I knew it it had its tendrils sunk into me and I was hooked. Absolutely loved the character dynamics and political scheming here and Hobb has a real talent for expressing the nuances and complexities of her characters' feelings
Definitely a slow burn of a book but before I knew it it had its tendrils sunk into me and I was hooked. Absolutely loved the character dynamics and political scheming here and Hobb has a real talent for expressing the nuances and complexities of her characters' feelings
January 11, 2025 at 2:33 PM
Assassin's Apprentice 4/5
Definitely a slow burn of a book but before I knew it it had its tendrils sunk into me and I was hooked. Absolutely loved the character dynamics and political scheming here and Hobb has a real talent for expressing the nuances and complexities of her characters' feelings
Definitely a slow burn of a book but before I knew it it had its tendrils sunk into me and I was hooked. Absolutely loved the character dynamics and political scheming here and Hobb has a real talent for expressing the nuances and complexities of her characters' feelings
Rhythm of War 2/5
Dropped 850 pages in and would've done so way sooner if I wasn't doing this on audio during downtime at work. Simply cannot tolerate the unbelievable amount of padding and bare, utilitarian prose anymore after reading so many much better books
Dropped 850 pages in and would've done so way sooner if I wasn't doing this on audio during downtime at work. Simply cannot tolerate the unbelievable amount of padding and bare, utilitarian prose anymore after reading so many much better books
January 3, 2025 at 5:01 PM
Rhythm of War 2/5
Dropped 850 pages in and would've done so way sooner if I wasn't doing this on audio during downtime at work. Simply cannot tolerate the unbelievable amount of padding and bare, utilitarian prose anymore after reading so many much better books
Dropped 850 pages in and would've done so way sooner if I wasn't doing this on audio during downtime at work. Simply cannot tolerate the unbelievable amount of padding and bare, utilitarian prose anymore after reading so many much better books