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The Traitor
The Traitor | Seth Dickinson
Shortlisted for the 2016 David Gemmell Morningstar Award for Best Debut [Published as The Traitor Baru Cormorant in the US] Baru Cormorant believes any price is worth paying to liberate her people - even her soul. When the Empire of Masks conquers her island home, criminalizes her customs, and murders one of her Fathers, Baru vows to hide her hate, join the Empire's civil service, and claw her way up enough rungs of power to put a stop to the Emperor's influence and set her people free. As a natural savant, she is sent as an imperial agent to distant Aurdwynn - a post she worries will never get her the position and power she craves. But Baru soon discovers Aurdwynn is a complex and secretive country, seemingly on the brink of rebellion. All it would need is a match to the tinder . . . Drawn by the intriguing duchess Tain Hu into a circle of seditious aristocrats, Baru may be able to use her position to stoke a revolution that will threaten to bring the Empire to its knees. As Baru maintains a precarious balance between the rebels and a shadowy cabal within the Empire, she orchestrates a do-or-die gambit with Aurdwynn's freedom as the prize. But winning the long game of saving her own people may be far more costly than Baru imagines.
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thegirlwiththelibrarybag
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One of my favourite GR reviewers said this was good… so I bought it immediately and will read it one day!

DuckOfDoom I liked it too! 2y
42 likes1 stack add1 comment
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Lylah
This post contains spoilers
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Literally shaking reading this. This plot twist was so unexpected and the last half of the book has been impossible to put down. I can‘t believe the double entendre of the book title.

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Lylah
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Finally giving this one a try after owning it for years!

BiblioLitten I love the phases of the moon bookmark 🔖 🌖 2y
emmalouise1 I love you bookmark 😍 2y
StillLookingForCarmenSanDiego Loving the bookmark as well. 🌛🌝🌜 2y
wanderinglynn That bookmark! 😍 2y
mariaku21 Loving the bookmark and how it matches the nail polish 💕 2y
33 likes5 comments
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Shadowfat
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Pickpick

I didn't love this book but it was enjoyable, even if it could have been a little shorter. The ending surprised me, but I also took a break from reading it half way through. I read this a while ago and finally can post it!

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claudiuo
Pickpick

It took me quite a while to finish this book. It started great and as it turns out it also had a great and unexpected ending but in the middle it was too much intrigue and politics for my taste. I kept going though because I really liked the writing. If I understood correctly, this is Seth Dickinson's first novel and a great debut it is. A pick for me!

claudiuo @TheAromaOfBooks This is my #DoubleSpin from way back in July. It took me a long while to finish and I have to admit I wanted to give up a few times but #BookSpinBingo and #DoubleSpin kept me going. And I am happy they did, it was worth in the end. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! 4y
TheAromaofBooks Yay!! Glad you made it through!!! 4y
17 likes2 comments
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BacklistReader
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Starships by Nicki Minaj

Science Fiction book(s)

Science Fiction is a genera I don‘t really read but I‘m interested in trying it more.

This one The Traitor Baru Cormorant by Seth Dickinson is one that I put on my want to read shelf on Good Reads but I can‘t tell you anything about it or why I put it there. 🙈

#beatthebacklist #beatthebacklist2020 #btbaugust20

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imyril
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#WyrdAndWonder day 11: Take the world by storm

A character determined to bring down a repressive colonial regime from within. A staggeringly good debut. Baru Cormorant and Seth Dickinson get a joint nod today. I am still not okay (and I‘m about to start book two. Help).

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BookmarkTavern
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April‘s selection for Tor.com‘s eBook of the month Club is available! Make sure to download an ePub or mobi copy before 11:59 PM ET, April 30th.

Available only in the US and Canada.

https://ebookclub.tor.com #torbookclub

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Aussie_SFF
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Tor.com has this as the ebook of the month.
Grab it before 11.59pm ET 30th April 2020
#bookclub #tor

review
kingrat
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Panpan

The revelation of Baru as an imperial agent at the end is predictable. The whole setup is too much the product of the-government-is-playing-five-dimensional-chess. It's the same conceit as the movie Inception, but the book doesn't have a visual aspect or good actors to save it from a rotting idea.

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kingrat
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Let's finish this audiobook off while I work this afternoon. It's been a slog. Started off great, but when Baru Cormorant hits the “traitor“ part, the whole thing becomes a giant cross of Risk and palace intrigue, and boring as hell.

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kingrat
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A little audiobooking while folding laundry tonight. I'm not really enjoying this one any more, but I'm close to the end so finish it I will.

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mutlee
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Mehso-so

I wanted to like this because it had an interesting plot and lots of political intrigues, but it was a struggle to get through. The writing style didn‘t work for me, and I often felt lost or that I was missing something important. Characters felt hollow (which is symbolic, but didn‘t help me connect). Not sure if I‘ll pick up the next one.

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kingrat
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Bus arriving soon. Headphones in. Baru Cormorant queued up.

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kingrat
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Audiobook for while I work.

There's about to be some pirate action, if I remember where I left off correctly.

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shanaqui
Pickpick

Finished my reread and am ready for the second book! Except I am totally not, because this book destroys me. Gaaaaah.

I can only hope that in the second book we get to see some revenge.

#WyrdandWonder

Squidapus The ending hurt so bad, Squidapus longs for catharsis 5y
shanaqui @Squidapus And the second book starts up right where it left off! I do hope we see some payoff in The Monster... 5y
12 likes2 comments
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Addison_Reads
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Pickpick

It took me a few chapters to get accustomed to the unique language and names for this world, but once I did this was an epic journey. The world building was great, the characters were complex, and moral dilemmas and political scheming made me think of GoT.

I can't wait to read the next in this series. 💚

13 likes1 stack add
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shanaqui

Rereading this, and even though it's a reread and I know what's going to happen, I nearly missed a meeting reading “just a few pages“ and getting sucked in... #WyrdandWonder

9 likes1 stack add
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TracyReadsBooks
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Mehso-so

Oh, so much to like about this book—a compelling protagonist, a finely crafted plot in which accounting, yes accounting, plays an important & even exciting role, & an intriguing world—but it all adds up, unfortunately to a good but not great read for me. Lots of potential but somehow, it just didn‘t quite come together. That being said, it is well-written & has some good twists. In fairness, this might well be an “it‘s me not the book” situation.

suzisteffen The reviews on this have been deeply mixed from before the time it came out. I feel like someday I should maybe read it? Or ... not. There are a lot of good books out there. 5y
17 likes1 comment
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TracyReadsBooks
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Going with science fiction for my next book.

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imyril
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Pickpick

This is hands down one of the best fantasies I‘ve ever read (and I don‘t say that lightly). It‘s outrageously accomplished for a debut - I don‘t begrudge Dickinson the three years it‘s taken to craft a sequel! - with a devastatingly good plot and gorgeous, elegant prose. I can‘t believe this didn‘t win loads of awards. I‘ll be on a mission to recommend it to everyone!

jpmcwisemorgan I‘m adding it to the impossibly long list, I think I‘m going to have to cut it down to a more manageable size. 5y
imyril @jpmcwisemorgan It‘s worth saving this one a spot if you love political/espionage fantasy thrillers :) 5y
jpmcwisemorgan It sounds like something I might like. 5y
Squidapus It's so good but gosh darn if it also isn't a punch in the gut or four 5y
imyril @Squidapus completely! Between this and Tiamat‘s Wrath I feel like a punch bag 5y
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imyril
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Blanket nest day with Baru Cormorant. I have such a crush on Tain Hu 😍

I really should‘ve read this years ago!

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imyril
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Why yes, I do have an unhealthy fascination with seeing professional services and bureaucracies depicted in fantasy worlds, why do you ask?

Squidapus Get ready for quite the ride 5y
imyril @Squidapus I‘m loving it so far :) 5y
shanaqui Man, I want to reread this. 5y
imyril @shanaqui IT‘S SO GOOD 😍💔 5y
14 likes4 comments
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businessmermaid
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Pickpick

This is not a nice book. But it is an excellent one. Intricate and stark, The Traitor Baru Cormorant has a fascinating protagonist in its title character. Witnessing her development was thrilling. Brilliant and cunning, she uses the weapon of economics to try to manipulate the Empire that stole her home from within. But ooh boy, the Masquerade Empire is a bad, bad terrifying villain. Highly recommend this dark, compelling book.

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businessmermaid
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The only perk of being sick is the reading time. Starting this one now.

Naj I've also been sick since the past two days and all I've been doing is reading and sleeping. Hope you feel better soon. 5y
businessmermaid @Naj Thank you and hope you feel better too! 5y
DaveGreen7777 Sorry to hear you‘re sick! 🤢 Hope you feel much better soon! 5y
See All 11 Comments
businessmermaid @DaveGreen7777 Thank you! Hopefully, the worst of it is over. 5y
BookwormAHN Welcome to Litsy 😺 5y
businessmermaid @BookwormAHN Thank you 😊 5y
DivineDiana Feel better! Glad you are joining us! 👏🏻📚👏🏻 (edited) 5y
businessmermaid @DivineDiana Thanks!!! ☺️ 5y
ju.ca.no Get well soon and enjoy your reading time until then🤗 5y
businessmermaid @ju.ca.no Thanks! Unfortunately it‘s a bad case of the flu, so I‘m still sick 😞 5y
ju.ca.no @businessmermaid oh no :( hopefully it will pass soon!! 5y
34 likes11 comments
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Squidapus
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Pickpick

A very well written book where til the end you're not sure how everything will wrap up. Squidapus found the political maneuvering and mind games very entertaining to read; Baru's perfectly calculated indoctrination by the Empire clashes with her desire to attain power to free her homeland. He's still thinking about the ending and how he feels about it as the pieces for it were right in your face all along. A very entertaining and tense read.

10 likes1 stack add
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Squidapus
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Well, suffice to say Squidapus and I are enjoying this book way more than our last one. This book is very good at portraying it's complicated political machinations which is something Squidapus never really saw as interesting. Essentially the book is about a girl who's home is taken over by an Empire, who trains in their school to gain power to save her home and becomes accountant of a land the Empire is trying to conquer to sniff out a rebellion.

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Squidapus
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Oh man this holiday season was so busy for Squidapus and me, we barely had any time to read (or post and like people's posts!) but maybe this next book will draw him in and get him back in the reading mood!

10 likes2 stack adds
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SarahSaysRead
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Panpan

Some very interesting plot details, but so unnecessarily dry and long. Probably not going to bother reading the next ones.

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Squidapus
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Oh man! A lot of people have started following Squidapus lately and so I figured I'd thank the whole lot of them and get a post up here since we haven't been posting a ton lately. Gosh life has been busy, and finding time to read has been a lot of work. But that hasn't stopped me from buying more books! Hahaha...aw man...

To be fair I've been meaning to get Baru Cormorant for a while and finally found a used Bennett book.

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brilliantglow
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Currently reading: just started this last night but I was so tired after work I only made it through 7 pages. However, so far it seems really well written and Baru seems like a very interesting character.

25 likes1 stack add
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Cptn_Dr
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Time to reread my favourite sad gay fantasy novel

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Kamisha
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Forgot to post my completed prompts for July-September #booked2018!
Blame It on Litsy- Sky in the Deep⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Diverse Nonfiction- Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Set at School- A School for Unusual Girls⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
LGBTQIA+MC- The Traitor Baru Cormorant ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Japanese Thriller- The Thief⭐️⭐️⭐️
Beach Read- The Book of Essie⭐️⭐️⭐️

A great month! The Traitor Baru Cormorant was one of the best books I‘ve ever read!

Cinfhen Oh wow!! So many 4 & 5 stars - I‘ve just stacked a few ❤️ 5y
Kamisha Yes, it was a great reading month! Hope you like whichever ones you end up reading! @Cinfhen (edited) 5y
24 likes2 comments
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Kamisha
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“I am a part of this, but I do not have to love it. I only have to play my role. Survive long enough to gather power. Gather enough power to make a difference.”

Getting some major GoT vibes with this read!
#currentlyreading

MoniqueReads305 Stacked 6y
17 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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tomcat
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Pickpick

This book was gifted to me by my longest term friend, with the comment that he figured I had time to read during my surgery recovery.
Some of the turns here were unexpected. I found it a stark example of what power and control does to society in general and people in particular.

6 likes1 stack add
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Anton
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Can't recommend this book enough, and it's on sale TODAY ONLY so if you've been thinking about buy it now is the time!

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balrogboogie
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Pickpick

wow, I know I'm way late to the party when it comes to this book, but just: wow

BekahB I just finished this today and was blown away by it! That ending! So excited for the sequel in October. 6y
8 likes1 stack add1 comment
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AlaMich
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My library #bookhaul today. The last 4-5 weeks have been rough for a number of reasons and I haven‘t really been reading anything. So I brought these home to make my decision. Any recommendations?

#readingslump

DivineDiana Glad you‘re back to reading! Haven‘t read any of these...yet..😉 6y
AlaMich @DivineDiana Me too (glad, that is). I hadn‘t even heard of the bottom two til today when I was meandering around the webz. 6y
BeckyK Great haul! 6y
See All 7 Comments
2BR02B I'll be interested to see your take on Baru Cormorant. It seems to be a pretty polarizing read. 6y
AlaMich @2BR02B I didn‘t know that. You mean, in a “some people love it, some hate it” way or because of the subject matter? 6y
cobwebmoth Sorry that the last few weeks have been rough. Hopefully things will look up from here. *hugs* 6y
AlaMich @cobwebmoth Thank you! They are getting better 😊 6y
38 likes7 comments
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offbeatfantasy
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I wish, Baru thought, that they would all just shut up and do as I say.

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Lylah
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Just set up my far-from-perfect little tree—on top of a bookshelf, of course.

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks So cute!!! 🎄😊 6y
Laura317 Sweet! 6y
Eyelit Adorable! 6y
Bookzombie Cute! 6y
RebelReader I love it !!!❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ 6y
60 likes5 comments
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Anton
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Today I learned that the sequel to The Traitor Baru Cormorant (coming in 2018) will be called The Monster Baru Cormorant.

vivastory I loved Traitor Baru Cormorant 7y
4 likes1 comment
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nanoauthor
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"She stood, so that she could move her voce lower. 'Cattlson told me that they needed the dukes afraid of the people, and the people afraid of the Masquerade. But now you are afraid of me, and the people are tired of fear.'"
I have a lot of feelings/opinions about this book, anyone else?

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nanoauthor
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Some train reading today on the way back from visiting a school friend. Just a few weeks before I'm back on campus!

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2BR02B
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I'm a mood reader, so I'm expecting my #AugustTBR to mutate a bit over the course of the month. Nonetheless, I'm really looking forward to reading everything in this stack. I'm discussing the tagged book with my book club next week, so I'll be starting it tonight.

#mostanticipated #backtoreading @JoeStalksBeck @Tiffy_Reads

Pruzy 🍻To mood reading! 7y
JoeStalksBeck ❤️👏👏👏👏👏‼️ 7y
ohyeahthatgirl I only plan one book at a time. If I feel like I have to read something, I end up resenting it. I am a petulant child, haha. Also, what a cute furry photobomb! 7y
2BR02B @ohyeahthatgirl yeah, I find I have to be careful about overcommitting to reading, or I get seriously burned out and end up avoiding it altogether and going into a slump. But I also enjoy the anticipation of a book almost as much as the reading of it, so I like to keep a TBR stack around where I can see the books and get excited about reading them. 7y
33 likes5 comments
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nanoauthor
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Started this at lunch today. I'm really enjoying it already and there was a great map in the front

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vivastory
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Pickpick

A fantasy novel full of political machinations & palace intrigue. While a child, Baru Cormorant's island home is colonized. Society is ostensibly reshaped as a meritocracy, albeit one with reprehensible beliefs in eugenics & moral hygiene. A swords & sandal tale (more House of Cards than Game of Thrones) with a great protagonist. I loved this. I will be keeping a close eye on Dickinson's future publications.

59 likes2 stack adds
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vivastory
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Only 40 pages in, but hooked.

Billypar I love the cover...so creepy. 7y
TobeyTheScavengerMonk This is one of those I haven't read, but I've read a lot of articles about. 7y
vivastory @TobeyTheScavengerMonk I've read about 75 pages & I really love it. Are you enjoying Goblin Emperor? 7y
TobeyTheScavengerMonk Since I'm not driving as much during the summer I'm only a little way in, but the narrator is great. 7y
56 likes1 stack add4 comments
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rory0144
Pickpick

This book is truly unique. The writing style is elegant and intelligent, and the characters are well developed. Baru Cormorant is an amazing heroine. She's fiercely intelligent, and sacrifices everything attempting to gain the power she needs to save her homeland. I can see myself reading this again and again. I must say, I didn't see the twist at the end coming.

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Booksy007
The Traitor | Seth Dickinson
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Pickpick

Still reading but I really like this book it has really grabbed my attention