December'21 Wrap up!!
The Master and Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov: I haven't finished this yet, but it's already one of my favorite books of all time! It's perfect. The Russian names get a bit confusing, especially because you have to know their first names, last names, and possibly another name, it gets more difficult when you're listening to it. All the absurd, unthinkable things happen so naturally, that one would think it was totally normal. The Pontius Pilate storyline is my favorite yet. I'll finish it in 2022.
- Magical Women: This book is doing wonders for my TBR, I've found so many great Indian authors because of it. Also, I don't know why I stopped reading short stories. Pairing them with epic fantasy series is so so great. It's given me so much more perspective on contemporary literature and folktales. About the book, it's a very strong anthology. There we one or two misses but except that almost every story was so wonderful. My favourite is The Carnival at the Edge of the World by Shveta Thakrar it is a retelling of ‘Nala and Damayanti’.
- The Stone of Farewell by Tad Williams: The dragonbone chair was so good, I don't know how is it possible to write a sequel that's a thousand times better, well maybe coz Simon is less whiny now. It's like I got everything I wished for and more!! Miramelle is one of the best female characters I've read. I got to know more about Binabik's story, and it was awesome. All the other characters are so so so good (even Cadrach)! Also, why are Maegwin and Eolair such a slow burn!!! The whole world-building is so cool, and I was so not ready for the twist! (if you know you know!). Truly I never saw it coming. There are so many reunions that you'll be crying for all through the book. Also, I can't stop thinking about the parallels between this and ASOIAF. I guess just like The Two towers and return of the King, I would always be confused about which one I like the most (Yes!!!!! I'm about to finish to Green Angel Tower!! Finally!!! Well actually about 200 pages are left but we'll get there). The end was great, I could see this parallel of someone pledging to protect someone and then not being able to protect them, and it scares me. I do have two criticisms. Firstly what is it with Joshua's love story, it has some good moments but it's just very iffy to me. And it also makes me like him less. Secondly Elias and Pyrartes (God! I hate him!) What are they doing? Why are they doing this, it just does not make much sense to me.
- To Green Angel Tower by Tad Williams: I have started the second part of the second part, and it's awesome!!!
- The great hunt by Robert Jordan: It's much better than the eye of the world, but I don't know what happens to the ending. All I'd say is it's not one of the best. And we don't even get much exposition :/ which is just bad. And I feel exhausted when the characters travel.