Warbreaker came to me rather highly recommended. It is a hefty 652-page paperback that almost lands in the category of "epic" except that almost all of the action happens within the walls of one city. A war that has long been anticipated is coming, despite a treaty marriage between the two main antagonists. Political maneuvering by merchants, mercenaries, priests, and even the gods themselves are pushing the coastal country to declare war on its highland neighbor, and two ignorant highland princesses are trying to stop it from inside the lowland capital. With them, against them, and in skew to them are the aforementioned choruses of characters.
I finished Warbreaker in one fell swoop, as the pace suddenly picked up and the intrigue gave way to action. The beginning of the book, with the character introduction and world building, was fascinating. The middle bridge of intrigue and maneuvers was pretty good, but started to stall. The last portion included sufficient plot twists, revelations, personal growth, and heroic dashings-about to satisfy any action-flick addict. The sarcasm and one-upsmanship got a little thick at times, as did the constant reminders of everyone's rank and/or magic. But still, I was pleased enough. A word of warning, though: the book's climax is incredibly rushed. If you rush too while reading it, you will completely blow past the two major plot turns, and miss the reason for the ending.
-- New-to-me books read in 2011 (as opposed to re-reads) --JanuaryLittle Dee vol 2
Little Dee vol 3
Unusual Suspects Harvest MoonThe Black Stallion (yes, I know, I should have read it with Black Beauty)
Ravens in the Library: Magic in the Bard's Name, with a pre-finished commentary
hereThe Hundred Thousand KingdomsFang Bangers: An Erotic Anthology of Fangs, Claws, Sex and LoveMust Love HellhoundsTruthseekerFebruaryDark and Stormy KnightsTortall and Other LandsRiver Marked (2/28 - it arrived a day early)
MarchQuestionable Content, vol 1
How to Flirt with a Naked WerewolfLifeblood
Magic Bites
Skinwalker, A Jane Yellowrock NovelRunning with the Pack
Magic BurnsBlood Cross
April"Skyblaze" Adventures in the Liaden Universe
#17Kings of the NorthGoblin Tales
Do Not Sniff the Bees, Two Lumps book 6
Magic StrikesMagic Bleeds
Mercy BladeThe Initiate BrotherMayAngelologyCity of PearlAn Artificial NightLate EclipsesJuneAfter Hours: Tales from Ur-BarMagic SlaysGhost Ship (e-ARC)
Warbreaker-- Books abandoned rather than completed in 2011 --FebruarySing the Four Quarters, by Tanya Huff
-- Books Still in Progress --These are books that I haven't totally given up on, I've just... put them aside... for now. And gee, look at how many of them are non-fiction!The Brand Within
Gamestorming
If You Don't Have Big Breasts, Put Ribbons on Your Pigtails
Swords and Dark Magic
Battlestations
Wise Man's Fear
