Fantasy Tournament - Week 2
Last week, I discussed my new initiative to read more books and find new favorites. This post is an update on the tournament status. I read four samples from the chosen books for round two and decided on the winners.
The Library at Mount Char vs. World of the Five Gods
The Library at Mount Char has proven intriguing and different; I grant it that. So far, I liked the world-building and introduction of the magic system, and I'm curious to learn more. However, it seems the thriller elements will be bolder than the characters. I'm still interested in reading it but unsure how high it can ascend in the league.
World of the Five Gods caught my attention with its world-building. However, the hook is not strong enough for me. I skimmed the sample without much dedication and interest. It put me off early in the story, and that's not a good sign. I have a hunch that I'll like it more over time, but this tournament aims to find enticing reads from start to finish.
The Green Bone Saga vs. The Stand
Jade City, the first book in the Green Bone Saga, started with some YA-esque characters. They are not weak characters; They just read like this "morally gray" type of character many contemporary books explore. But we get to know enough characters to get curious about their dynamic. Besides, the magic system is interesting; I look forward to reading more about this mix of inherited and trained skills.
Ok, the Stand. The first few chapters were confusing. Each chapter dived right into the life of a different character with a different perspective. When I was finally able to connect the dots, it was more joyful to read. It has a cinematic quality to it. You could imagine a movie playing in front of your eyes. However, it might not be the most immersive read for me; it looks like the events are more important than the characters, and as I mentioned before, this lowers the book's intrigue for me.
That's it for this week's update on the tournament. For the upcoming, I'll read The Library at Mount Char and Jade City till the 25% mark, and I'll choose a winner. I might choose 4 more round two books if I get to it.