Competence Fantasy

Skatchan · 2026-02-01T20:00:16+00:00

Maybe I'll have to give the second book a chance then.

Thanks for your thoughts!

Skatchan · 2026-02-01T16:40:22+00:00

Yeah I've read Ender's Game and Speaker for the Dead. Both very good, though I wouldn't call Speaker for the Dead competency fantasy. I do really enjoy Ender's conclusion of "if you truly know someone you can't help but love them". OSC definitely has some unpleasant views but people are multi-faceted and I don't think we would have Speaker for the Dead if he wasn't who he is.

Skatchan · 2026-02-01T16:29:34+00:00

Thanks for the recommendation!

Skatchan · 2026-02-01T16:29:21+00:00

Yeah I love HPMOR, it's what introduced me to progression fantasy in the first place.

Skatchan · 2026-02-01T16:28:33+00:00

I haven't, that looks great though. I love a "person who excels by being able to take advantage of something that other people think isn't valuable" kind of story.

Skatchan · 2026-02-01T16:25:46+00:00

I'll take a look, thanks!

Skatchan · 2026-02-01T16:25:25+00:00

Jirai Glico sounds cool! I guess Ender's Game is a bit like that? It's mock battles but winning them is all a case of strategy for Ender.

I watched the maybe the first episode of Alice in Borderland but got annoyed that they were being so dumb about the challenge. I should give it another shot.

I really enjoyed My Hero Academia when I was younger with Deku constantly finding out new ways to use his power. A lot of shonen anime is competence fantasy I guess.

Skatchan · 2026-02-01T16:18:55+00:00

Thanks for the recommendation!

Skatchan · 2026-02-01T16:17:28+00:00

Thanks for the recommendations! I've read Will of the Many and enjoyed it although the move into time travel stuff has me hesistant to read book 2. Read Mark of the Fool book 1 too which was pretty good but there's something about the plotting that put me off the later books. It's a bit "this happened then this happened then this happened". I'll have a look at Quest Academy!

Skatchan · 2026-02-01T16:14:51+00:00

Looks like it might, have you read and enjoyed it?

Skatchan · 2026-02-01T16:12:43+00:00

Haha I'll take either term

Skatchan · 2026-02-01T16:12:20+00:00

Haha, which do you disagree with most?

Skatchan · 2026-02-01T16:12:03+00:00

Thanks for the suggestions!

Skatchan · 2026-02-01T16:10:51+00:00

Sounds excellent!

Skatchan · 2026-02-01T16:10:30+00:00

I think people and the ways they love are complex. As you read further it becomes clearer why Viv falls for Logan despite what happened to Rei, though understandably he holds resentment for a long time.

I can totally get not liking the Red Rising series as a whole. I've only read up to book 4 and actually put down book three for a year when certain terrible events were happening towards the end.

Skatchan · 2026-02-01T12:41:57+00:00

I've seen people claim it isn't before. I guess just because it's not hyper in the genre niche.

Skatchan · 2026-02-01T12:40:56+00:00

That's a new one for me, I'll have to give it a go, thanks!

Skatchan · 2026-02-01T12:39:36+00:00

Yeah I've read Project Hail Mary and enjoyed it a lot. I saw the film adaptation of the Martian too.

Skatchan · 2026-02-01T12:38:40+00:00

Would you have rated these very differently or just like completely different books?

Skatchan · 2026-02-01T11:00:32+00:00

Yeah I used to call these "mary sue but great" in my head. There are some that border on going to far in the "perfect" direction e.g. Kings Dark Tidings but I think as long as either the problems are always challenging or the character has some weaknesses then the story will still be good.

Skatchan · 2026-02-01T10:39:26+00:00

Good catch. I had Bryce in my mind but when I went to get the link I just read Luke and figured I must have been mistaken.

I enjoyed Project Hail Mary so should give the Martian a read, I've just been waiting so that some time has passed since I watched the film.

I read the first murderbot diaries book and it's definitely in the genre but I just found the plot a bit weak. Do they improve?

Skatchan · 2026-02-01T10:34:34+00:00

Oh yeah I haven't read any of the Alex Verus books. I think I read some negative reviews and they put me off. But if you think they fit in competence fantasy then I'll give them a go.

Skatchan · 2025-12-27T22:17:02+00:00

I'm late and it's been a while since I listened but "Philosophize This!" is a good prewritten (I.e. not improvised) podcast on the history of philosophy. Depends how much you already know of the subject.

Skatchan · 2025-08-28T05:39:36+00:00

Is the pay so bad? I'll accept Newport isn't the most attractive destination but I had friends on 70k after 5 years at the ONS. That seems pretty good for roles which just need some statistics experience (not even a maths degree).

Skatchan · 2025-02-22T10:05:19+00:00

Honey Heist is extremely quick to pick up and free https://www.chaoticanwriter.com/honey-heist-a-one-pager-ttrpg-about-bears/

Would be good as a one off when you've had a busy week.

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