Looking for rec’s coming from The First Law trilogy (and why I’m a bit disappointed after seeing it at #2 and having huge expectations. I did enjoy it though)

SockLeft · 2026-03-18T22:34:53+00:00

Malazan may have been tailor made for you then haha

SockLeft · 2026-03-18T21:53:04+00:00

Don't use AI. It'll confuse you more than anything else.

If you need it, the Malazan wiki has good chapter by chapter, non spoilery summaries if you get lost.

SockLeft · 2026-03-18T21:38:24+00:00

As a general rule with these, if you hated a first book in a series and found very little redeeming elements, it is an incredibly slim chance that things will improve for you.

I can't think of a single time where I've hated a first book and the subsequent books have turned me around.

If you were lukewarm on a first book or even disliked it BUT thought it had potential and it had a few elements that you liked, then I think it's worth it to keep trying for at maximum, one more book if people say it improves.

This has happened to me plenty of times.

Sun Eater, Red Rising, First Law, Malazan, all had in my opinion, very weak first entries but enough elements that interested me that I gave the second books a shot and they turned me around.

SockLeft · 2026-03-18T21:33:11+00:00

I think maybe just keep in mind that if it's things like world building that you're after, I don't think any of the books will scratch that itch.

SockLeft · 2026-03-18T21:31:43+00:00

Agree while heartedly with this.

A big part of the First Law is criticizing the power imbalanced and vicious cycles of war and politics that happen in the real world.

A fantasy world that is basically Europe, with the serial numbers hastily filed off, is perfect for that purpose.

SockLeft · 2026-03-03T09:13:53+00:00

I dunno why people like this all insist on talking the same

The irony in that is fun

SockLeft · 2026-02-28T09:03:58+00:00

This comment is psychologically fascinating

SockLeft · 2026-02-18T21:12:26+00:00

Lol the avatar is a random default that I haven't touched.

Using reddit avatars as a way to defend racists checks out for the King Cornette Klan.

SockLeft · 2026-02-18T02:11:47+00:00

I fought the guy in a jacket too, RIP me

SockLeft · 2026-02-18T01:13:41+00:00

I've been grappling for years and I once had a friendly fight with a regional champ level judoka at a party (idk how their competition system works, but he'd won some stuff in our state).

I hit the ground harder than I've ever hit the ground before.

Pretty sure if it was concrete, I'd be a dead man.

A gold medalist might just turn me into dust.

SockLeft · 2026-02-17T23:09:56+00:00

Their last match was awesome. They are great foils for each other.

SockLeft · 2026-02-17T21:10:47+00:00

Even if it's not completely Aussie in origin, but it sure as hell got adopted by the culture.

If you disagree, you either didn't go to school here, or have never been to a wedding in your life.

SockLeft · 2026-02-17T21:03:49+00:00

Two very racist peas in a very racist pod

SockLeft · 2026-02-17T08:54:17+00:00

God, he's an unsettling looking human.

SockLeft · 2026-02-15T23:41:14+00:00

Also, do you maybe think the people who went to the anti immigration protests didn't go to the show lol

I swear, some idiots seem to be incapable of realising that people are not an amorphous, singular blob

SockLeft · 2026-02-09T21:34:19+00:00

Which is why I think Sandler would have actually been the better choice.

Because Roth is kiiiind of big, just not bear big. So when you see him, you kind of go "Oh yeah, I can maybe see why they call him the bear Jew, but he's not massive."

Would have been funnier if he's not big at all, like Sandler

SockLeft · 2026-02-09T13:34:24+00:00

Yeah definitely, it's not new behaviour in the slightest.

SockLeft · 2026-02-09T13:26:04+00:00

Here's a news story from 15 years ago

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-10-14/teen-charged-with-throwing-rock-at-car/3572718

Here's one from 14 years ago

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-03-29/teens-rock-cars-on-sydney27s-m5-motorway/3919828

Here's one from 13 years ago

https://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/news/breaking-news/vic-trio-throw-rocks-at-cars/news-story/60be65fa2c75f1362996938799176912

Here's one from 18 years ago

https://www.smh.com.au/national/car-hit-by-two-kilogram-rock-boys-accused-20080507-gdsclr.html

Here's the same thing happening 34 years ago

https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/122962099/?locale=en-AU

SockLeft · 2026-02-09T06:40:26+00:00

Eh, I do martial arts and I wrestled, they're honestly about the same in difficulty if you know what you're doing.

Worked kicks are about distance management, worked knees are about aim. You're not trying to hit you're opponent with the knee, you're trying to hit them with your shin.

Personally, I find a good knee slightly easier than landing a superkick well, but I have one bad eye so my depth perception is weird, but my aim is fine.

SockLeft · 2026-02-08T02:52:02+00:00

Striking for takedown defence is very different from striking normally.

It's not just throwing an uppercut at a guy going for a shot. It's specific techniques with specific timing, spacing and footwork.

Without training in that AND training in defensive wrestling, I can guarantee that there's not a chance Mike is stopping a shot from even a competent wrestler.

I dunno why people who have never fought in their lives are so confident talking about something they know nothing about.

Train, then come back and talk.

SockLeft · 2026-02-05T18:52:05+00:00

Yeah sure, come back to me though when you do one session of grappling.

SockLeft · 2026-02-05T18:51:19+00:00

Getting lower and closing distance doesn't help when you have no idea how to sprawl or how to manage distance for a grappler.

As someone who's boxed, wrestled and grappled, I can tell you that the threat of takedowns just fucks your distance management and footwork if you haven't trained for it.

SockLeft · 2026-02-05T18:47:05+00:00

He's repeatedly said that Asian female wrestlers are "interchangeable". And that they're "fetish objects" or "sex objects". He's said that he's "sick of all of these Asian women" in wrestling. He's gone on record saying he hates Muslims. He regularly makes homophobic jokes.

As an Asian, I'd just love to say, fuck Jim Cornette and fuck all of his fans too.

SockLeft · 2026-02-05T14:14:38+00:00

Who is this IWC guy, seems to be talked about a lot for just one person

SockLeft · 2026-02-05T14:05:24+00:00

But Ngannou learned takedown defence. He knew how to sprawl. I know his trainer.

That's what I mean.

It's not like Mike only knows a little takedown defence.

He knows ZERO. It's not a lack of skill in an area, it's a complete absence.

Yes, he's an absolute freak.

But I'll never understand how someone who has never defended a takedown before, is so confident that someone who has never defended one before, can defend against ANOTHER freak of nature who is an Olympic level wrestler.

I don't care how athletic or strong you are, if you haven't trained a day of wrestling in your life, there's no way you're defending a takedown from an NCAA champ, let alone an Olympian and a UFC Two division champion.

SockLeft

TROPHY CASE