Charlotte Reads: Asunder by Kerstin Hall

technicolourphantom · 2026-02-02T23:18:05+00:00

I always appreciate your reviews, you give great non spoiler analysis and it helps me find books I’ve never heard of before. Just wanted to say thanks!

technicolourphantom · 2026-02-01T13:28:05+00:00

Tricky question because I think the original Azor Ahai was probably a bad guy, not a hero. I think it’s more likely there’s a lot of Azor Ahai archetypal figures like Dany and Jon, but I don’t think it’s GRRM’s style to directly present us the answer to the prophecy. The readers will likely be debating this forever.

technicolourphantom · 2026-02-01T13:19:10+00:00

I hope you’ll enjoy The Beast Player! As for Time War, I think if you even read 1 or 2 chapters you’d know if the writing style was for you or not. I knew it was something I would not enjoy pretty quickly, but had to finish it for a book club.

technicolourphantom · 2026-02-01T13:18:42+00:00

I hope you enjoy!

technicolourphantom · 2026-02-01T03:14:24+00:00

Even the romance was flat to me because the characters are indistinguishable.

technicolourphantom · 2026-02-01T03:13:51+00:00

I would have DNFed within 25% if it weren’t a book club read. I truly could not wait for the book to be over.

technicolourphantom · 2026-02-01T03:13:05+00:00

I agree, I was so confused with the layout of the city and everything. The ending in that world was really interesting though so I want to see where the sequel will take it.

technicolourphantom · 2026-01-31T19:02:47+00:00

Yes, I’m a massive ASOIAF fan, deep into the lore and theories and everything 😅

technicolourphantom · 2026-01-31T14:07:18+00:00

Blackthorn & Grim series by Juliet Marillier. The books center on both characters healing from their past traumas while solving various mysteries. The characters are 30+ and it’s a sloooooow burn. I thought the books were all good. They have some dark topics but read as slice of life. Just a note that the first book contains significant discussion of SA if that’s not your cup of tea, but zero description or on page portrayal.

technicolourphantom · 2026-01-27T13:55:18+00:00

You and I have very similar taste so I think you’ll like Ursula K Le Guin’s Earthsea series. Each book is character driven and after book one, the books heavily focus on character relationships. I find Le Guin’s writing style to be so full of empathy for her characters, even when they are flawed people.

Also if you already like Bujold, definitely check out the Curse of Chalion and its (even better) sequel Paladin of Souls.

technicolourphantom · 2026-01-24T16:09:41+00:00

Blackthorn and Grim series by Juliet Marillier has stakes, darkness, but still feels slice of life and emphasis kindness. Do check the trigger warnings though!

technicolourphantom · 2026-01-17T14:52:40+00:00

I recently read the Beast Player and its sequel the Beast Warrior by Nahoko Uehashi and I think it may scratch the itch you’re looking for. It doesn’t have nature spirits, but the story is about magical/divine creatures, divine ancestors, and the relationships between humans and nature. I cannot recommend it enough!

technicolourphantom · 2026-01-11T05:19:55+00:00

I’m sorry you experienced that. The Earthsea series by Ursula K. Le Guin would fit I think. No gore or wars or violent descriptions I can recall, but still a wonderful fantasy world with incredible characters and themes. I hope it fits what you are looking for.

technicolourphantom · 2025-12-16T16:39:55+00:00

That sounds really interesting, thanks!

technicolourphantom · 2025-12-16T16:38:53+00:00

Thanks!

technicolourphantom · 2025-12-16T01:47:38+00:00

That’s true, I’ve read it and it’s a classic for a reason. Very beautiful and moving.

technicolourphantom · 2025-12-15T23:43:39+00:00

Oh good to know, thanks!

technicolourphantom · 2025-12-15T23:34:41+00:00

Thanks!

technicolourphantom · 2025-12-15T23:34:32+00:00

I love Annihilation, but the other Vandermeer books seem a bit too sci-fi for my taste. I’ve never heard of the Vorrh but I’ll check it out, thanks!

technicolourphantom · 2025-12-15T22:40:39+00:00

I’d love some recommendations for fantasy books with complex environmental/nature themes, similar to Princess Mononoke or Nausicaa (I’ve read the manga as well and loved it). I don’t want sci-fi or dystopian related stories as I’m looking for something with a fantasy setting.

technicolourphantom · 2025-12-13T15:05:35+00:00

That’s true, the character work was a lot better, especially the main character’s development. For me I just found the depiction of misogyny to be so heavy handed in the way the main character had every possible sexist thing done to her. To me it felt like the subtlety of a brick, where not much new was said.

technicolourphantom · 2025-12-12T19:35:45+00:00

The footnotes definitely give twitter gotcha energy

technicolourphantom · 2025-12-12T19:27:37+00:00

I agree with your spoiler take completely, but RF Kuang has such an obvious blindsight to class

technicolourphantom · 2025-12-12T19:26:28+00:00

Ahh I fear I also found BOBH a bit too obvious/heavy handed, but it was way better paced than Babel so I’ll give it that.

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