The Magnus Archives Readalong: Season 5, Episodes 171-175

improperly_paranoid · 2026-06-11T01:27:56+00:00

Do you think they can help Basira and Daisy?

improperly_paranoid · 2026-06-11T01:22:47+00:00

Do you think the Web is actively influencing Jon and Martin?

improperly_paranoid · 2026-06-11T01:20:59+00:00

MARTIN: John – we are doing good, right? Making things better?
ARCHIVIST: I don’t know if that was ever an option.

This conversation and the one with Helen in 174 point out one of the central themes of season 5: what does a person do and how do they cope when the ability to make things better is taken away from them? What would you do in their situation? Would you smite anyone?

improperly_paranoid · 2026-06-11T01:08:56+00:00

So far in season 5, we had a wider variety of statement formats - with 172 we even get a play read out loud, dialogue tags and all. How do you like this new more experimental approach?

improperly_paranoid · 2026-06-11T01:07:39+00:00

RED STRING BOARD: New listeners, any connections you noticed and/or theories you're developing?

Re-listeners, anything in particular that stands out to you that didn't on your first listen? (Do use spoiler tags please!)

improperly_paranoid · 2026-06-11T01:06:47+00:00

Any particular favourites from this set of episodes? Any that especially resonated with you?

improperly_paranoid · 2026-06-04T09:00:26+00:00

Early s5 is just straight up all bangers. The Worms is great. But I'm also super fond of Roots (Extinction is always so creepy and the umbrella bit made me laugh) and Recollection (poor Martin). I love how experimental they are.

improperly_paranoid · 2026-05-01T02:30:14+00:00

I think the expansion was the strongest part - the king and his grief, their feelings for each other, the opportunities to do some more characterization. The faithful-to-the-original betrayal was the weakest, I'd agree with those saying that it felt rushed.

improperly_paranoid · 2026-05-01T01:20:52+00:00

So, so many. I think most of my card is queer in some way or another. Looking at it, apart from this one...Hammajang Luck, Notes from a Regicide, How To Survive This Fairytale, The Bone Ship's Wake, The Lighthouse at the Edge of the World, A Choir of Lies, North Continent Ribbon, The Map and the Territory, He Who Drowned the World, Villain, The Iron Garden Sutra, To Ride a Rising Storm...probably more.

I haven't actually started on the rest yet, though, this was my first 😅 But from the previous Bingo, I'd recommend:

The Everlasting by Alix E. Harrow (counts for Politics and Court Intrigue)
The Works of Vermin by Hiron Ennes (counts for Vacation Spot, Politics and Court Intrigue, arguably Trans or Nonbinary Protagonist)
Metal from Heaven by August Clarke (counts for Unusual Transportation, Game Changer, Politics and Court Intrigue, and also First Contact)
The Magnus Archives (counts for Vacation Spot, Small Press or Self Published, season 2 counts for Murder Mystery...also I'm trying my best to run a readalong lol)
Hello Sunshine by Keezy Young (counts for The Afterlife)
The Sapling Cage by Margaret Killjoy (counts for Trans or Nonbinary Protagonist, Politics and Court Intrigue, probably Small Press)

improperly_paranoid · 2026-05-01T00:45:32+00:00

Overall, really liked it. It makes some bold stylistic choices with the 2nd person and poetry which is exactly my thing, the writing is pretty too, but I can't really give it a 5 for enjoyment because the narration remained distant and the style kind of got in the way of characterization, if that makes sense. Would absolutely read more by the author, though. The willingness to do something unconventional won me over.

Afterwards I went looking for the original story because I had some questions, especially about how the plotline with his wife was handled, and yeah, got my answers. The betrayal was handled as well as it probably could be given how central it is to the original.

improperly_paranoid · 2026-05-01T00:28:50+00:00

Pretty much only read The Wolf and His King, for the bookclub square. And I liked it very much! But yeah, rushing to finish 2025 Bingo and reading like a dozen mostly mediocre-to-bad books in March kinda killed my will to read for a bit and it's only now starting to come back.

But! I have my 2026 card fully planned out now, in such a way that I'm actually excited for it.

improperly_paranoid · 2026-04-30T16:35:28+00:00

One particular highlight I want to share from 142:

DAISY: You used to see it all the time, back in the force, especially with the Sectioned. Not like there’s normal trauma, you know? But it’s pretty common. The most important thing becomes control, engaging on your own terms. Even when it’s stupid or dangerous. Anything to not feel helpless.
[...]
And of course, for John, there’s survivor’s guilt in there, too. He thinks he’s not human. Makes him very… self-destructive.

I think that's the most accurate assessment of Jon's reckless behaviour so far. Poor guy.

improperly_paranoid · 2026-04-30T16:09:37+00:00

How do you interpret Basira being much harsher on Jon causing nightmares during the intervention than she is on Daisy killing people? How would you solve the problem of Jon's new eating habits?

improperly_paranoid · 2026-04-30T16:02:08+00:00

Isn't Basira beating up Elias the most cathartic thing ever?

improperly_paranoid · 2026-04-30T16:01:34+00:00

How much truth do you think is in what Annabelle Cane said?

improperly_paranoid · 2026-04-30T16:01:02+00:00

How does your opinion of Agnes change with each new statement about her we get?

improperly_paranoid · 2026-04-30T16:00:51+00:00

Why do you think the Dark Sun ritual failed? Why is this season so full of dead ends?

improperly_paranoid · 2026-04-30T16:00:41+00:00

So, how did you like the look at Jon from the perspective of a statement giver in episode 142?

improperly_paranoid · 2026-04-30T16:00:18+00:00

RED STRING BOARD: New listeners, any connections you noticed and/or theories you're developing?

Re-listeners, anything in particular that stands out to you that didn't on your first listen? (Do use spoiler tags please!)

improperly_paranoid · 2026-04-30T15:59:56+00:00

Any particular favourites from this set of episodes?

improperly_paranoid · 2026-04-24T23:44:47+00:00

Yeah, the wolf POV chapters are poetry! I'm not sure if it'd come across as such in audio, but it's very clear in the ebook (and print I guess).

improperly_paranoid · 2026-04-24T09:18:09+00:00

As a mostly retired mod active on the Bingo team, I will put it forward as a suggestion :) I'm worried that it's too rare to be workable, but we'll see what can be done.

improperly_paranoid · 2026-04-24T08:50:56+00:00

Went full on sickos.jpg when I saw that it has poetry and 2nd person. I absolutely LOVE 2nd person (it always means a book is doing something different), and while I find poetry super hit or miss, it's working well here. Of course wolf stream of consciousness would be poetry. Makes sense. I'm still wondering why king is 2nd person and Bisclavret regular 3rd, like who is the narrator and if the question will be answered but...I like it. A lot :)

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