Derek Landy - Seasons Of War
Jun. 22nd, 2020 10:15 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
satalasers There are book series which I know I have to reread, because if I just read the newest book blind, I will have forgotten 80% of who is who. But it's fine, I tell myself, I'll figure out who is who along the way. It's fine, I say, because rereading over ten books just to get the new book and know who is who takes too much time and, it is a risk I can take.
And then I read it, and I am lost.
- I have to stop doing this to myself. I just don't. It's happened at least twice in this sequel series. For some reason, I just don't care nearly as much what happens to these characters.
- I do like Omen, though. I've gotten really attached to him being to Not Chosen One, and I'm still hoping that it's Augur who's doing Chosen One Stuff, and that's not a misdirect. Never can go to hell, though. Never is an awful friend, and I don't think I'm trans, but I'm still iffy on how Landy writes Never, TBQH.
(- What the hell was up with that Auger/Never stuff, and Auger implying that they're twins, they must have the same crush on people. Like? Did Auger have a crush on Axelia too? Auger/Never in itself is fine, but then to suggest that Omen/Never is going to be canon endgame, maybe, is just dreadful, especially since time and time again Never has proven to be an awful friend. I'm 100% okay with Omen/Axelia never being canon, because they're really sweet as friends and I like their friendship, but if Axelia decided to date Omen instead, and dump her boyfriend, I'd be happy with that too.)
- Also really disliked Militisa's ex. Like. What a shitty thing to say to Valkyrie. 'In the time you'll be gone, I'll be trying to get your GF to date me again.' I mean, fine, honesty is good, and I suppose it's better than trying to do it behind Valkyrie's back, but it's still really shitty either way.
- Did not expect Neferian Serpine to be such a ray of shining light in this book. Um. He oddly reminded me of Vegeta in his peak arc, Namek, OFC. And I just really grew to like him in it. I don't really remember liking him before, but I liked him in this.
- I do like Valkyrie's arc in this. I like that she's taking the slow path to heal, and it's a mixed bag, but she's getting there. I don't know if I'm fully onboard with the execution, but I do appreciate what Landy is trying to do with her, and how there are ups and downs to it.
- Not really sure how to feel about the Darquesse plot? It was wierd. I guess that's one way to deal with Sebastian, but I... I have very little recollection on Sebastian Tao, anyway?
- I liked Luke Skywalker. That was a very cute concept, and I'm sad he died, but I liked him! Sometimes I like Landy being a nerd, but there are a couple of times in the sequel series, where it feels like he's being pandering. But this wasn't.
- Also, having someone else name themselves Edgeley, because of Gordon, their favourite authour. My heart melted a little bit.
- But not as much as having Valkyrie reference Ghastley Bespoke. I miss him.
- I didn't realize? remember? that no one knew what Saracen Rue's special power was? It was cute, though. And then I was sad over his death, because I wanted Valkyrie to save him, but at the same time, I got how that was no longer possible.
- I have zero recollection on who Serafina was, but that part where she slashes her throat and Mevolent tells her that he loves her and they kiss was surprisingly romantic. You go evil couple.
- Who is the Darklands king? I just? I guess this is what Auger's prophecy was leading up to, but it was anticlimatic because it felt like it lasted a page?
- Crepuscular Vies must have appeared in previous books, but I don't remember him. BUT, my heart skipped a beat when he revealed that he was the old partner of Skulduggery Pleasant way, way back in book 1. Is he that guy? I am tentatively excited for his partnership with Omen, although I wonder if it's ambiguously written that maybe Crepuscular is secretly evil and is using Omen just to further his means. But I don't know! Either sincerity or secretly evil, I don't mind!
- Is this the first book where Tanith pretty much has a really good time and not injured at all? Good for her!
- Valkyrie having PTSD made me wonder if other characters have PTSD, TBH. Sometimes it feels that everyone else is over their trauma -- or, well, dealt with it in a way that they remain functional, and... I'm not sure we see many characters fall to pieces like Valkyrie has. Maybe everyone else has dealt with theirs, since they are older than her. But IDK.
- I have no idea what happened to China Sorrows.
- Temper Fray and Kierre was a ridiculous romance, but it was just OTT for me to enjoy it. What does this say about me. IDK.
Gosh, I need to do a reread, but I think on the whole, this book was an improvement to the other books in the sequel series. Pacing is a bit wierd, but I admit I kind of skimmed the last chunk, but I do wonder what's going to happen next, regardless.
And then I read it, and I am lost.
- I have to stop doing this to myself. I just don't. It's happened at least twice in this sequel series. For some reason, I just don't care nearly as much what happens to these characters.
- I do like Omen, though. I've gotten really attached to him being to Not Chosen One, and I'm still hoping that it's Augur who's doing Chosen One Stuff, and that's not a misdirect. Never can go to hell, though. Never is an awful friend, and I don't think I'm trans, but I'm still iffy on how Landy writes Never, TBQH.
(- What the hell was up with that Auger/Never stuff, and Auger implying that they're twins, they must have the same crush on people. Like? Did Auger have a crush on Axelia too? Auger/Never in itself is fine, but then to suggest that Omen/Never is going to be canon endgame, maybe, is just dreadful, especially since time and time again Never has proven to be an awful friend. I'm 100% okay with Omen/Axelia never being canon, because they're really sweet as friends and I like their friendship, but if Axelia decided to date Omen instead, and dump her boyfriend, I'd be happy with that too.)
- Also really disliked Militisa's ex. Like. What a shitty thing to say to Valkyrie. 'In the time you'll be gone, I'll be trying to get your GF to date me again.' I mean, fine, honesty is good, and I suppose it's better than trying to do it behind Valkyrie's back, but it's still really shitty either way.
- Did not expect Neferian Serpine to be such a ray of shining light in this book. Um. He oddly reminded me of Vegeta in his peak arc, Namek, OFC. And I just really grew to like him in it. I don't really remember liking him before, but I liked him in this.
- I do like Valkyrie's arc in this. I like that she's taking the slow path to heal, and it's a mixed bag, but she's getting there. I don't know if I'm fully onboard with the execution, but I do appreciate what Landy is trying to do with her, and how there are ups and downs to it.
- Not really sure how to feel about the Darquesse plot? It was wierd. I guess that's one way to deal with Sebastian, but I... I have very little recollection on Sebastian Tao, anyway?
- I liked Luke Skywalker. That was a very cute concept, and I'm sad he died, but I liked him! Sometimes I like Landy being a nerd, but there are a couple of times in the sequel series, where it feels like he's being pandering. But this wasn't.
- Also, having someone else name themselves Edgeley, because of Gordon, their favourite authour. My heart melted a little bit.
- But not as much as having Valkyrie reference Ghastley Bespoke. I miss him.
- I didn't realize? remember? that no one knew what Saracen Rue's special power was? It was cute, though. And then I was sad over his death, because I wanted Valkyrie to save him, but at the same time, I got how that was no longer possible.
- I have zero recollection on who Serafina was, but that part where she slashes her throat and Mevolent tells her that he loves her and they kiss was surprisingly romantic. You go evil couple.
- Who is the Darklands king? I just? I guess this is what Auger's prophecy was leading up to, but it was anticlimatic because it felt like it lasted a page?
- Crepuscular Vies must have appeared in previous books, but I don't remember him. BUT, my heart skipped a beat when he revealed that he was the old partner of Skulduggery Pleasant way, way back in book 1. Is he that guy? I am tentatively excited for his partnership with Omen, although I wonder if it's ambiguously written that maybe Crepuscular is secretly evil and is using Omen just to further his means. But I don't know! Either sincerity or secretly evil, I don't mind!
- Is this the first book where Tanith pretty much has a really good time and not injured at all? Good for her!
- Valkyrie having PTSD made me wonder if other characters have PTSD, TBH. Sometimes it feels that everyone else is over their trauma -- or, well, dealt with it in a way that they remain functional, and... I'm not sure we see many characters fall to pieces like Valkyrie has. Maybe everyone else has dealt with theirs, since they are older than her. But IDK.
- I have no idea what happened to China Sorrows.
- Temper Fray and Kierre was a ridiculous romance, but it was just OTT for me to enjoy it. What does this say about me. IDK.
Gosh, I need to do a reread, but I think on the whole, this book was an improvement to the other books in the sequel series. Pacing is a bit wierd, but I admit I kind of skimmed the last chunk, but I do wonder what's going to happen next, regardless.
