Litsy

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Everyone's favorite construct is back in action and this entry in the series dives even further down the rabbit hole of human emotion and experience through their eyes. While Murderbot may not be or want to be fully human, their pesky cloned human neural tissue still experiences things like trauma, and they've got to learn to deal with it.

This is another absolute delight of a story that left me simultaneously satisfied, but still wanting more!

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Robotswithpersonality

Nine Goblins | T. Kingfisher

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Bit of whiplash from the tone shift, but I did love the story that was told.
Not sure how much of this is really a spoiler, but covering the themes involved does mean talking about the plot.

The nine goblins truly define 'ragtag bunch':
The 'whining Nineteenth' division of the Goblin army consisting of long-suffering leader Nisilka, the female goblin sergeant; 1/?

Robotswithpersonality 2/? Murray, the genius inventor in the mix, hampering the usual odds of goblin inventions creating mass casualties by being actually good at it; new recruit twins, Mishkin and Mushkin who complete each other's sentences; Algol, who makes a regular event of ostentatious desertment including clothing removal, Blanchette, who takes advice from the teddy bear affixed to his helmet ever since the incident with head trauma, and all involved agree the 18h

Robotswithpersonality 3/? teddy bear affixed to his helmet ever since the incident with head trauma, and all involved agree the bear's judgement is preferable; Weasel, the shy, stuttering gender indeterminate one who's good with a slingshot, Thumper as muscle; and Gloober who's only role throughout the narrative is to be admonished not to insert his finger or anything else in various parts of his person. 18h

Robotswithpersonality 4/? Yeah, they're a little gross which appears to be a natural outgrowth of goblin habits from a human reader perspective, but it also quickly becomes clear the violence exhibited in conflict is a necessary part of the ongoing war, and not something that comes as second nature to the group. 18h

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Robotswithpersonality 5/? Separately we're introduced to Sings to Trees, an elf, and naturally a babe, but a bit more down to earth than the himbo variety his looks and kindness to animals might otherwise suggest. He ends up characterized as a black sheep among his own kind as he doesn't just love the pretty, delicate, nicely smelling animals, but gives shelter, care and rehabilitation to any animal, domestic or mythic that needs his help, regardless of biting, oozing, 18h

Robotswithpersonality 6/? pilfered sandwiches, or trashed living quarters and wardrobe.

A magical snafu transports Nisilka's bunch into the same neck of the woods as Sings to Trees, and just having those meet each other would have been enough story for me, but Kingfisher has more she wanted to say.
While we have adorable moments with Algol and newly rescued Wiggles the kitten, as well as Sings to Trees and the troll Frogsnoggler, 18h

Robotswithpersonality 7/? it also becomes clear as Nisilka's group navigates the land between their unexpected portal journey and Sings to Trees' cabin that something sinister is going on that's leaving a community abandoned and portions of the forest silent.

While the goblins' introduction covers the woefully familiar territory of one people encroaching on the native lands of another resulting in prolonged war, and the uselessness of military bureaucracy, 18h

Robotswithpersonality 8/? the mistaken journey via panicked wizard establishes the lore that wizardry is endemic to some humans, and is akin to a range of mental health conditions with varying power levels and abilities that they cannot automatically understand or navigate that can hamper their connection to the people around them, and may even present a danger to themselves or others, identifying a need for support and structure that is not always met in a community, 18h

Robotswithpersonality 9/? that some decide they'll find in the army.
In the course of uncovering the mystery, the reader is exposed to just how tragic an end can result from unchecked power/unmanaged health concerns without anyone to understand or guide.
Sings to Trees is a one-elf argument for animal welfare, and his hen-mounting, crowing hen is a sparkly bit of a challenge to gender normativity. 18h

Robotswithpersonality 10/? The stumble between species, goblins and elves and humans, to identify gender at first sight in the groups they initially see as other also makes me happy - let's normalize not deciding you know someone else's gender identity as soon as you clap eyes on them! And obviously, tensions and prejudices between groups thanks to a history of conflicting interests is a given human analogy present in most settings with fantasy races. 18h

Robotswithpersonality 11/? The hope for better relations in the future without requiring a big torrid romance to draw people together, this works for me.
I think the shift from: 'bodily function humour-agents of chaos -they mean well' goblins who really don't want to fight a war wandering into 'cozy but lonely' elf property and being able to communicate and accept best intentions on both sides to; 18h

Robotswithpersonality 12/? 'this is the terrible human cost of young people without support acting out and your war isn't helping, even though apparently volunteering to fight in it provides structure to some who need it' felt pretty jarring, even if Kingfisher was true to her group of characters throughout. 18h

Robotswithpersonality 13/? I'm glad it was a novella, though I can't help but wonder if the transition would have been smoothed out if more time was taken to establish the human/wizard side of things. 18h

Robotswithpersonality 14/14 I did this audio only, so if my spelling is off for any character names, that's why! Did this at regular 1x speed with a bunch of chores and it was the perfect accompaniment. Kudos to Johnathan Johns for navigating that many character voices and keeping them distinct.

⚠️Animal abuse, animal death, child death, ableism? (not sure how neurodivergent readers may receive the analogies present in this text) (edited) 18h

11 likes13 comments

BkClubCare

Glaciers | Alexis M. Smith

#5JoysFriday
I have been looking forward to making this list ALL day! we are just back from a trip to Alaska:
1) Glaciers - apparently the blue of a glacier is best seen in August? 🤷🏻‍♀️
2) Baseball! ⚾️ went to a game yesterday and weather was perfect (home now but still on vacay)
3) Basil for pesto
4) Friend sent me poem book!
5) Another friend just texted that her knee surgery went well and another friend is recovering from donating ⬇️

DebinHawaii

BkClubCare Her kidney to a stranger!! She is now a town celebrity. Maybe I should have led with this 🤨 All are doing well 👏 ❤️‍🩹 2d

AmyG Wow! About the friend who donated her kidney. 🙌🏻 2d

TheBookHippie My friend did this too !!! https://www.wzzm13.com/article/news/local/literally-a-gift-of-life-woman-matches... 2d

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TheBookHippie What a lovely list. ♥️ 2d

Bookperson96 Had a similar feeling when making mine. 🙂 2d

BkClubCare @TheBookHippie - wonderful! There really are angels among us. Great story. Here‘s the news on my friend: https://www.kansas.com/entertainment/restaurants/dining-with-denise-neil/article... 1d

BkClubCare @Bookperson96 - first things first on Fridays! Not that I get around to it, but I think 🤔 💭 💡 about it! 😂 I should do it every day… I keep a journal but it ends up being a to do list more than a grateful list. Will do better. 😉 1d

Bookperson96 👍😉 That‘s a start. There‘s always a new chance. Maybe try to do it before going to bed/falling asleep (if you are not too worn out). @BkClubCare 1d

dabbe 💛🤎🧡 1d

BkClubCare @Bookperson96 - good idea 👍 22h

30 likes10 comments

Awk_Word_Smith

Prayer for the Crown-Shy: A Monk and Robot Book | Becky Chambers

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Could I love this series any more? Not legally in the United States, I‘m afraid. 😂

Mosscap once again shows more about their humanity than they ever learn about themselves throughout their life. I love that the robot teaches the monk!

18 likes

uncommonlycozies

The Deep | Rivers Solomon, Daveed Diggs, William Hutson, Jonathan Snipes

#firstlinefridays
I started this today & will be finishing this today.
it‘s difficult to put down & is likely to be added to my reread stack. ❤️‍🔥
Unless, of course, the ending is disappointing haha
#deep #refective #novella
#LGBTQ #afrofuturism #uncommon

ShyBookOwl

11 likes

Jen2

Murder 101 | Lynn Cahoon

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Cute

37 likes

melissajayne

The Mistletoe Mystery: A Maid Novella | Nita Prose

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5⭐️ I really enjoyed this light #christmasread. #2025 #mollythemaid #fiction #mystery

25 likes

shanaqui

A Magical Girl Retires: A Novel | Park Seolyeon

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Well, this sped by. It was kinda fun (especially with the illustrations), but not very substantial? Felt like a short story.

13 likes

Pedrocamacho

Murderbot Diaries Vol. 2: Rogue Protocol, Exit Strategy | Martha Wells

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Continuing my reread of the Murderbot books with “Exit Strategy”. I forgot how suspenseful this one is 😊

12 likes

Dilara

Michael Kohlhaas | Heinrich von Kleist

I started the tagged novella this morning. With a MC being unfairly treated, I can feel that it is not going to be good for my blood pressure!
This is my 1st von Kleist work, chosen because it's a classic, it's free to download, the theme appeals, and the author spent some time in Fort de Joux (which is in #Doubs, the département that I am focusing on in 2025).
I might watch the Mads Mikkelsen film later. ⬇

Dilara Ideally, I would have read a work actually set in Joux or Doubs, or written while he was imprisoned there, but I couldn't find anything. 3d

30 likes1 comment

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