Is there some sort of twist that makes it more fun further in? Got halfway through the first Gentleman Bastard and had to give up because I just couldn’t care less.
I didn’t loathe it like I did with the Kingslayer Chronicle (also DNF), but it’s one of a select trio of books that I just couldn’t finish, out of some 200 books I’ve read the post 4 years (Jo Nesbø’s “The Bat” being the third).
Brought up by unfriendly, ossifying nuns, ancient retainers, and countless skeletons, Gideon is ready to abandon a life of servitude and an afterlife as a reanimated corpse. She packs up her sword, her shoes, and her dirty magazines, and prepares to launch her daring escape. But her childhood nemesis won’t set her free without a service.
Harrowhark Nonagesimus, Reverend Daughter of the Ninth House and bone witch extraordinaire, has been summoned into action. The Emperor has invited the heirs to each of his loyal Houses to a deadly trial of wits and skill. If Harrowhark succeeds she will be become an immortal, all-powerful servant of the Resurrection, but no necromancer can ascend without their cavalier. Without Gideon’s sword, Harrow will fail, and the Ninth House will die.
I must admit that Charles Stross’ pitch is what got me to pick up the book in the first place, it’s just too funny:
“Lesbian necromancers explore a haunted gothic palace in space!” —Charles Stross
I just re-watched all the first 14 Bond movies, and there are apparently satellites that can track all the subs, so we’re good 😊👌 Also, you can just reprogram the missiles to blow up the other subs — just steal the launch codes, easy peasy 👍 Check mate, Kim! 💥🚀
Side note: many (or, indeed, most) of the films did not age well 😣 I’m not proud of how little of the misogyny, borderline rape-y, no-consent, belittling of women stuff I failed to notice as a kid (patents’ fault) and adolescent (my fault); it starts to get a bit better around the end of the Moore era, and I’m now getting ready for the Dalton era. It will be interesting to see the newer films with this fresh context of the old ones, and I’ve never seen the two newest ones, which I think were supposed to address all of these issues.
Secondary side note: so far, the best ones (IMHO, YMMV) have been For Your Eyes Only, Octopussy, A View To A Kill.
I’m sure he just wanted to test all (all) the food first to make sure his population doesn’t get poisoned; very commendable, really. Not everyone is a villain, you know!
They will tell us that they are just athletes chasing or hitting balls, but by agreeing to do so in exchange for the huge amounts of money paid to them by Saudi Arabia, they are becoming political actors in a regime that spreads its anti-democratic values throughout the world....
Help me find a book series like The Witcher or Assassin's Appentice, I need to forget this world right now! Go to town with recommendations!
North Korea ramps up preparations for war with US (www.newsweek.com)
Sold to Salafism: The millions for which Golf-pro Jon Rahm sold himself to Saudi Arabia hide tortured citizens, executed minors, women sentenced to perpetual confinement, and enslaved foreign workers (english.elpais.com)
They will tell us that they are just athletes chasing or hitting balls, but by agreeing to do so in exchange for the huge amounts of money paid to them by Saudi Arabia, they are becoming political actors in a regime that spreads its anti-democratic values throughout the world....
‘Zombie deer disease’ epidemic spreads in Yellowstone as scientists raise fears it may jump to humans (www.theguardian.com)
Ukraine's SBU killed fugitive Ukrainian lawmaker in Russia - source (www.reuters.com)