Majkia's Big 'Uns

I'm shooting for about 30 Tomes.

1. The Book That Wouldn't Burn - Mark Lawrence - 576 pages
2. A Clash of Kings - George RR Martin - 768 pages
3. Shards of the Earth - Adrian Tchaikovsky - 560 pages
4. Eyes of the Void - Adrian Tchaikovsky - 608 pages
5. Believing the Lie - Elizabeth George - 624 pages
6. Fallen Dragon - Peter F Hamilton - 832 pages
7. Babel - R F Kuang - 560 pages
8. Heaven's River - Dennis E Taylor - 640 pages
9. Abaddon's Gate - James S A Corey - 566 Pages
10. The Rift - Walter Jon Williams - 944 pages
11. A Storm of Swords - GRRM - 1216 pages
12. Blood Gospel - James Rollins - 732 pages
13. A Feast for Crows - GRRM - 784 pages
14. Just One Evil Act - Elizabeth George - 723 pages
15. Cibola Burn - James S A Corey
16. Persephone Station - Stine Leicht - 512 pages
17. Consider Phlebas - Ian M Banks - 545 pp
18. The Blighted Stars - Megan E. O'Keefe
19. A Dance with Dragons - GRRM - 1008
20. To Sleep in a Sea of Stars - Christopher Paolini - 880 pages
21. The Art of Prophecy - Wesley chu- 512 pp
22. A Banquet of Consequences - Elizabeth George - 784 pages
23. Event - David L Golemon - 512 pages
24. Babylon's Ashes - James S A Corey - 608 pages
25. Daughter of the Moon Goddess - Sue Lynn Tan - 528 pages
26. Deep Black - Miles Cameron - 576 pages

>1 majkia:, Hi Jean, that is a great target to aim for my dear.

>1 majkia: I love the ambition, Jean! All the best for 2024 and happy reading!

Phew, that is a lot! Good luck!

Happy New Year Jean and good luck with your 30 or more big books!

1.

The Book That Wouldn't Burn - Mark Lawrence
Series: The Book That Wouldn't Burn #1
Pages: 576
Challeges: TBR, BingoDOG

CAWPILE Rating:

1. Character: 7
   
2. Atmosphere/Setting: 8
   
3. Writing Style: 8
   
4. Plot: 8
   
5. Intrigue:9
   
6. Logic/Relationships: 7
   
7. Enjoyment: 9
   
8. Rating: 4
   
   
   
   Imaginative, very nicely written, with some jaw-dropping plot twists. World-building is terrific and the characters are deeply drawn and those you can come to really care about. Lots to say about conflict and enemies and prejudices and assumptions.
   
   I did find things confusing at first, which dropped my rating of the book a little.
   
   I look forward to the rest of the series, but will have to re-read this one when I get all the books.
   
   I listened to the audiobook read by Jessica Wittaker who did a great job.

>6 majkia: I have this one out from the library at the moment. Had no idea what it was about - grabbed it simply because of the title. Glad to hear you enjoyed it.

>6 majkia: That's a gorgeous cover, too. Taking a note of this.

2.

A Clash of Kings - George R R Martin
Series: Song of Ice and Fire #2
768 pages

CAWPILE Rating:

1. Character: 8
   
2. Atmosphere/Setting: 8
   
3. Writing Style: 9
   
4. Plot: 8
   
5. Intrigue: 9
   
6. Logic/Relationships: 8
   
7. Enjoyment: 9
   
8. Rating: 4 💙
   
   
   
   This is a Re-Read. I listened to the audiobook read by Roy Dotrice who did a wonderful job.
   
   So complex with so many interlocking moving parts, it is amazing to me it all comes together. War, and horror and bravery and craven critters. Not for the faint of heart, but well worth the read if you enjoy epic sword and sorcery.

>6 majkia: We have that on my RL-bookclub as one of the two-montly possibilities. I think my vote will go to this book after your rating, Jean. Thanks for that. It makes choosing easier.

>10 connie53: It should generate some interesting discussion for you. Hope you enjoy.

duplicate

>9 majkia: Another series that is on my 'must get to that huge series one day' pile! A friend and I have been discussing whether we want to wait for the last book before starting - but we may be waiting forever!

>13 JayneCM: yeah. Sady, probably forever.

Shards of the Earth - Adrian Tchaikovsky - 560 pages
Series: The Final Architecture #1
Audiobook: Read by: Sophie Aldred

Challenges:
ROOT
Focus SciFI
Jan Doublespin
BFB

CAWPILE Rating:
• Character: 9 Complex characterization, with various aliens and altered humans.
• Atmosphere/Setting: 8 Strange unkown aliens attacking human worlds for no known reason. A few humans have been altered to 'fight' them. Only a few survived when humanity drove off the aliens. But they didn't win. Just - the aliens left.
• Writing Style: 9 Nicely written, very complex and he did a good job clarifying as much as possible.
• Plot: 8 - A lot is unkown so we follow those who are attempting to make sense of what is going on.
• Intrigue: 8 - I love that the attacking aliens are so, uhm, alien. No one understands why the are killing planets and anyone on them.
• Logic/Relationships: 8 - Folks coming together to fight the threat, and yet, of course, others making things more difficult because of political reasons
• Enjoyment: 9 - Really interesting, and intriguing book.
Rating: 4.25 💙

Eyes of the Void - Adrian Tchaikovsky
Series: Final Architecture #2
Audiobook - Reader : Sophie Aldred
Pages: 608
Challenges:

CAWPILE Rating:
• Character: 9
• Atmosphere/Setting: 8
• Writing Style: 9
• Plot: 8
• Intrigue: 8
• Logic/Relationships: 8
• Enjoyment: 9
Rating: 4 💙

Second book in the Final Architect trilogy. Aliens abound, odd altered humans, tech advances, all converge to try to understand aliens who destroy human worlds and convert them into art, incidentally killing everyone and the planets. Why?

Believing the Lie - Elizabeth George - 624 pages

Challenges:
ROOT
BFB
Focus Mystery
Bookspin

CAWPILE Rating:
• Character: 9
• Atmosphere/Setting: 9
• Writing Style: 9
• Plot: 8
• Intrigue: 8
• Logic/Relationships: 8
• Enjoyment: 9
Rating: 4.5 💙

Another intriguing and confusing addition to the series. Confusing, in a good way, as you're never sure what will happen next. Lots of character development for Lynly and Havers as well.

Fallen Dragon - Peter F Hamilton

Number, Title, Author, Series,
Audio - Reader: John Lee
Pages:832
Challenges: ROOT, BFB, SFFKIT

CAWPILE Rating:
• Character: 7
• Atmosphere/Setting: 7
• Writing Style: 8
• Plot: 7
• Intrigue: 8
• Logic/Relationships: 8
• Enjoyment: 7
Rating: 3.5 💙

Not my favorite Hamilton but a good read nonetheless. Aliens!

Babel - R F kuang
Audiobook read by: Hoi/Fulford-Brown
Pages:560

Challenges:
AlphaKIT
TBR
BFB

CAWPILE Rating:
• Character: 9
• Atmosphere/Setting: 8
• Writing Style: 8
• Plot: 7
• Intrigue: 8
• Logic/Relationships: 7
• Enjoyment: 7
Rating: 3.5 💙

I enjoyed this at times, got frustrated with it at times, but persevered to the end. Imaginative, but heavy handed at certain points.

Heaven's River - Dennis E Taylor
Audio - Reader: Ray Porter
Pages: 640
Challenges:
AlphaKIT, BFB, ROOT

CAWPILE Rating:
• Character: 8
• Atmosphere/Setting:8
• Writing Style:8
• Plot:8
• Intrigue:7
• Logic/Relationships: 7
• Enjoyment: 8
Rating: 4 💙

I love the characters of the Bobiverse. This book seemed to drag a bit as our heroes traveled through a huge structure, but the comedic element was, as usual for these books, front and center. And geeky and nerdy to the max.

Abaddon's Gate - James S A Corey
Audio - Reader: Jefferson Mays
Pages: 566
Challenges: BFB, ROOT, Focus SciFi

CAWPILE Rating:
• Character: 9
• Atmosphere/Setting: 9
• Writing Style: 9
• Plot: 9
• Intrigue: 9
• Logic/Relationships: 9
• Enjoyment: 9
Rating: 5 💙

Just as compelling as the first time I read it. I did find the differences between the TV version and the book interesting. The changes made sense, especially Drummer for Bull. Great series, great book.

The Rift - Walter Jon Williams - 944 pages
Audio - Reader: Kevin Kenerly
Pages: 944
Challenges: Roll100, BFB

CAWPILE Rating: 8
• Character: 9
• Atmosphere/Setting: 8
• Writing Style: 8
• Plot: 8
• Intrigue: 8
• Logic/Relationships: 9
• Enjoyment: 8
Rating: 4.0 💙

Wow. Quite the tale. Sadly all to possible in the south, especially given the current political climate here.

>22 majkia: The blurb sounds horrible. That must have been quit a story, Jean.

A Storm of Swords - George R R Martin
Series: A Song of Ice and Fire #3
Audio- Reader: Roy Dotrice
Pages: 1216

Challenges: ROOT, Reading Westeros, BFB

As entertaining as the first time I read it. Intricate, surprising, complex and terrific characters.

The Lords of Uncreation - Adrian Tchaikovsky
Series: The Final Architecture - Book 3 final
PAges: 625

Challenges: Focus SciFi, ROOT, BFB, Bookspin

Wow. Good wrap up for the series. The VUlture God crew is on the run from the Architects and from the creature(alien, whatever) that is making them attack and alter planets with intelligent life forms. What do they want? What can stop them?

I love the characters, who are exceedingly diverse. The story is imaginative, full of humor even in the face of terror. Brightly written, with great visuals throughout.

Blood Gospel - James Rollins - 732 pages
Series #1 Blood of the Sanguines

Okay, but not as good as the Sigma Series.

A Feast for Crows - George R R Martin
A Song of Ice and Fire #4

Still awed at this series. Although truth be told this is my least favorite of the series because there is so little on the Wall.

Just One Evil Act - Elizabeth George
Lynley and Havers #18
pages: 723

Havers gets herself into so much trouble - okay, as usual. Lynely does his best to help but since Barbara's friends are involved she's far off the rails.

Cibola Burn - James S A Corey
Series: The Expanse #4

Excellent, even on re-read. I am just blown away by this series.

Consider Phlebas - Ian M Banks

This is a re-read (well first listen) so I can revisit the series. I love the drones.

Nemesis Games - James S A Corey
Series: The Expanse #5
544 pages

Best one so far. Such a great series.

The Blighted Stars - Megan E. O'Keefe
Series: Devoured Worlds #1
Audio edition.

Some truly amazing ideas in this book, (one, 'printing your consciousness into a new body when needed' ) with a great plot and complex characters who you aren't sure are the good guys or the bad guys. Turns out, maybe they aren't who they think they are, or at least their minds might not be their own.

A Dance with Dragons - George R R Martin
Series: A Song of Ice and Fire 5

I'd forgotten now different the ending of this book was from the HBO series. Other differences as well, but the worst cliffhangers. Sigh... Never gonna get the rest.

To Sleep in a Sea of Stars - Christopher Paolini
Series: Fractalverse #1

Immersive, beautifully written, complex space opera. Imaginative world building makes it more than mere space opera. Looking forward to book 2.

The Art of Prophecy - Wesley Chu
Series: War Arts 1

Sword and sorcery fantasy which turns prophecy on its head. Interesting but I probably won't continue the series.

A Banquet of Consequences - Elizabeth George
Series: Lynley/Havers #19

As usual, complex with deep character studies of all suspects. Lynley and Havers growing and changing too. That's why I so enjoy this series. Consequences indeed.

Event - David L Golemon
Series: Event Group #1

Another version of the 1947 event at Roswell, NM. Aliens return and things get crazy. First half of book is fairly slow but interesting. If you like action, that starts about half way through, once we learn the specifics of the group, their competition and the aliens.

Babylon's Ashes - James S A Corey
Series: The Expanse #6
Probably my favorite of the series. Lots of space action, lots of impressive ideas and science, great characters.

Thank you John. Wishing you a wonderful new year and happy holidays.

Deep Black - Miles Cameron
Series: Arcana Imperii 2

Complex and exciting series about great ships plying trade among the stars. A conspiracy must be exposed and defeated.

Strong characterization, twisty plot, fascinating aliens and a magnificent AI.