Reading, inspired by actually finishing something and still having several things on the go

[maharetr]

The incandescent by Emily Tesh. DAMN, girl can write. This was an impeccable love letter to teaching (in UK private schools, anyway), to teenagers, and to teachers. It's a very well done magic system, I appreciated the shit out of Saffy's character, and several moments were downright electrifyingly gripping. The ending, tho? Smidge too pat, and I'm bewildered about what happened to [redacted character] and their actual motivation. Anyone who's also read it feel like weighing-in in the comments? That aside, I loved being able to curl up in this world, and I'm sad it's over. I wavered back and forth on Tesh's novellas, but between Some desperate glory (real good, not perfect) and this (REAL good, 95% perfect), I'd definitely pick up the next thing she puts out.
Note: there's now epic spoilers in the comments, heads up.

Currently reading:
The hitchhiker's guide to the galaxy by Douglas Adams. Rereading, for Elle Cordova's patreon bookclub. First 10 or so pages in and I'd forgotten how sharp it is. It's a real pleasure.

All systems red by Martha Wells. I remember why I bounced off this the first time during Hugo reading. I totally believe that the writing gets much tighter as the series goes on, and I'm tempted to jump to either book four, as fred_mouse started there and said they had no problems doing so, or dive headfirst into the TV series. Probably the latter.

ETA: Have now watched ep1 of the series, and hells yeah, there's that worldbuilding and vibrancy that I was missing.

Comments

[mific]

I loved The Incandescent. Didn't as much love the sudden POV switch to The Phoenix and loss of Saffy across that chunk but I can see why Tesh did that - it'd have been worse to have a large section of "tell" from Saffy as a helpless immobile witness trapped in the Phoenix. And yeah, the ending after that seemed a bit rushed and too easy, given the book-long build to Saffy's takeover. Unsure who you mean by redacted character?

[maharetr]

Yes! I didn't mind the jump to The Phoenix, per se, but you reminded me that there was this potential build up pointing towards: 'I, Saffy, will teach you how to be a compassionate creature/person, and to not call people stupid' that I wanted explored. Interaction between Saffy and the Phoenix during the possession would have also helped (and happens to be a fave trope of mine, too, lbr)

The [redacted character] was Mark. Like! Was he possessed? Who did he actually work for? WHY? And the fact that he lived, I think we were supposed to be relieved, but there was also no tying off of THAT lose end. I have so, so many questions. I'm aware that I'm double-frustrated because the rest of the book was that good, so I feel more betrayed by the shoddier bits, buuuuut.