Nerdie (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
nerdietalk) wrote2018-12-31 10:37 pm
nerdietalk) wrote2018-12-31 10:37 pmFiction of 2019
Hell yeah, a new and improved obsessive list
nerdietalk) wrote2018-12-31 10:37 pm
Books
January
Al Ewing does it again. This Hulk is reimagined as a horror story once again. A story about who people think they are and who they really are. Banner wants to think Hulk sprang from the gamma radiation. Hulk wants to think of himself as the righteous, heroic anger, that Banner won't let him have. And both of them don't want to be their father. In the meantime, the story focuses on one-shot horror stories. People messing with forces they don't understand. People trying to fight seeing who they are. Its a psychological horror about monsters and people and everyone caught up in between.
The Immortal Hulk Vol. 2: The Green Door
Al Ewing's Hulk story continues with suitably horrific fashion. The entire tale devolves into a deeper nightmare as everyone tries, once again, to control the Hulk. It isn't as charmingly one-shot as volume one, but the over-arching story allows a deeper dive into the mind of Hulk and his supporting cast. It also goes much more mystical route than Hulk usually gets to take and it is fascinating.
Dragonoak: The Complete History of Kastielir
A very gay very good fantasy book. I'm not usually into old-style fantasy books but this one really works for me. Its not a doorstopper novel by any means, so I can actually tolerate the magic. Its fun, engaging, and full of likable characters. Its the gay fantasy novel we deserve.
May
On my dare list of 2019. A bizarre ride about a man struggling with or walking alongside fate. There's a lot of Deus Ex Machina stuff, but the gods are a tangible force in the story and there's a feeling of "even though you won this time, there was a cost" in most of events. Cazaril is also one of the most broken protagonists of all time and it makes you really root for something good to happen to the poor guy. It was an interesting read!
On a Sunbeam
A sci-fi romance set in a strange setting. It never gives you complete information about the world and you're almost kind of glad for it. You're just dropped right into this elaborate, fascinating world. Each character gets greater focus as the story continues and you get a greater understanding of who they are. No character is wasted and the thrill of adventure never stops. My only complaint is that it kind of genuinely made me crave a story about people coming in to restore or demolish old temples and places in a fantasy/sci-fi world. Its such a fascinating concept that I want to see done in tighter detail.
June
Riordan's writing got leaps and bounds better. Great book as always. Its weird reading a story by Riordan where you can't actually trust what the narrator says, but that makes it very fun too. Apollo and Meg are wonderful characters and I'm super excited to see where things could possibly go from here.
Doom Patrol (Gerard Way)
I'll need to read more of the older stuff, but this is just such a phenomenal continuation of everything Doom Patrol is. Wacky, insane, but full of endearing heart. Casey Brinke is one of my new favorite characters and I wish she got so much more to do.
July
I like it a lot! Its wacky and weird with a bunch of heart. Unfortunately, its written by Grant Morrison, and sometimes that misogyny and racism just can't be held back. TV!Danny the Street is much better. They're very "80s LGBT" here.
Paladin of Souls
I didn't enjoy it as much as I enjoyed Curse of Chalion but it was still an interesting book. The mechanics of the Five Gods universe is so weird but fascinating. The further exploration we get is definitely fun.
August
One of my lessers of the Discworlds. It introduces Susan, good Death development, and some fun shenanigans, but it didn't quite grab me right.
Wee Free Men
Felt really different from other Discworld books! Its definitely a young adult novel with Pratchett's writing and it works better than I thought it would. Definitely going to check out more Aching books.
Aru Shah and the End of Time
Seeing other people approach the Riordan formula is really cool. Roshani Chokshi nails the tone and language you'd expect while giving it her own flair. Definitely a good start to a new series!
Superman: Red Son
Way better than I expected. The contrast between ideals and actions is powerful. The immortal line I rolled my eyes at ACTUALLY lands thanks to the set-up. Worth a read!
September to November
A book about the history of school clubs should not be this interesting to me and YET
The Quiet American
yo that 50s movie missed the point worse than anything i've ever SEEN, holy shit, fuck america
Unintentional Time Traveler
Trans and gay time travel book, kind of aimless and hard to keep track of where things are, occasionally frustrating too, but generally enjoyable
Sorrow of War
Devil in the White City
The Sympathizer