The way you talk about books makes me want to drop everything I’m reading and get the book you are reviewing. It helps that I almost always enjoy the books you like.
@TheLibraryofAllenxandria7 ай бұрын
Thank you so much for the kind words!
@robpaul75447 ай бұрын
As one who started his Parker journey with this book - yeah it might not be the best place to start, but if you love this all of Parker's works will be up your alley. I loved the tangents, the deep dives into many different systems that make up a society. The ways different people can mesh or clash with the structures and mores that surround them. Like you said, it is fascinating. So, so good.
@TheLibraryofAllenxandria7 ай бұрын
100% completely agree. I'll think about this series for a long time
@Scotticusmaximusmeta7 ай бұрын
This actually was my first KJ Parker book, and overall I loved it. It took a bit too long to get there but its like a roller coaster, very slowly ramping up, and then just blasts off in the last third or so. Its been a while since I ended a book so curious about what's yet to come. Thanks for turning me on to Parker!
@TheLibraryofAllenxandria7 ай бұрын
Yessss I'm so glad you loved it as your first one! I thought the long-windedness would turn a lot of people off as their first foray into Parker
@SheWasOnlyEvie7 ай бұрын
If I hadn't already read this trilogy with you, this review would have sold it to me! I'm glad we have such a rich conversation about each book in the trilogy. -Forever a Ziani stan
@TheLibraryofAllenxandria7 ай бұрын
Hahahah thanks, Evie. And I like how this book invites each reader to like differing characters
@lieslherman7 ай бұрын
Nobody can sell me on a book like you can!! This sounds amazing. I picked up the Folding Knife and plan on reading it in the near future, and if it ends up being to my taste, I'm definitely heading this way next. Also, with the way you talk about loyalty and agency I have never been more confident that you would like Assassin's Apprentice... So I'll just take myself to the timeout corner for mentioning it and ensuring you never read it. 😅
@TheLibraryofAllenxandria7 ай бұрын
Hahahahaha, worry not, AA is actually on my list. I'm hoping I enjoy Hobb as much as everyone else
@esmayrosalyne7 ай бұрын
You honestly have a gift for selling me on books that I highly doubt I will even enjoy, lol. I wasn't expecting this book to focus so heavily on the love aspect, but it sounds almost intoxicating and super compelling. I will listen to your advice and start with The Folding Knife, but consider this added to my TBR anyway! Great review as always Allen 🤩
@TheLibraryofAllenxandria7 ай бұрын
Thank you so much for watching, Esmay!
@ariaslibrary7 ай бұрын
Your reviews are so good they make me want to pick up the book immediately. Same case here, even though I swore off K.J Parker after the pain he put me through in the books I've read by him😂 *sigh* Guess I'll be getting to this soon
@TheLibraryofAllenxandria7 ай бұрын
This one may be his bleakest yet lol
@k-majik7 ай бұрын
This is one of the most impressive books I've ever read. The poisonous love between these ghastly people and the sprawling, clockwork vengeance tale really stuck with me, but not more than all the talk of Mezentine 'tolerances'. Bloody Ziani! I was hooked from the opening line about the way to a man's heart. I've been so looking forward to this video, I knew the Engineer series would be right up your alley :P It was my first KJ Parker as it happens!
@TheLibraryofAllenxandria7 ай бұрын
I completely agree. While I didn't love how the series ended, it's still one of my favorite trilogies. Gace Daurenja is one of my favorite characters in fantasy now. Fascinating.
@adamborst7 ай бұрын
I think I'd like a short story with the guy you mention that hates maps. I feel the unintended hilarity would be very high.
@TheLibraryofAllenxandria7 ай бұрын
That chapter can be read as a short story tbh
@mellies.88227 ай бұрын
Its not too much forging for my taste but exactly the right amount :D And I want more falconry and fencing, but a little less of other forms of hunting
@TheLibraryofAllenxandria7 ай бұрын
Hahaha yesss! I was ok with falconry and fencing...less forging just by a bit tho
@rhinestonesamurai7 ай бұрын
The return of the king
@TheLibraryofAllenxandria7 ай бұрын
Hahaha thanks
@joshramirez77 ай бұрын
I love how you didn't mention Parker in the thumbnail, and it was very abstract. I would click on a Parker video because he is amazing, but it seems like many avoid him at all cost! Haha
@TheLibraryofAllenxandria7 ай бұрын
I left the book title up that says his name and otherwise, it was a meme title that I plan on changing later today 😛 I am never afraid to put Parker up front!
@Liam......7 ай бұрын
Just finished the Folding Knife and followed it immediately by Purple and Black, both 5 stars, this has got me so amped to continue with Parker, just so good! Thanks Allen :), awesome review as always!
@TheLibraryofAllenxandria7 ай бұрын
Oh fantastic! Those two are two of my absolute favs
@BooksWithBenghisKahn7 ай бұрын
Wow awesome review! You have me so hyped to try this one, though the Folding Knife and the Company are next for me and Parker.
@TheLibraryofAllenxandria7 ай бұрын
Pumped for you to read those
@Stewart0007 ай бұрын
Excellent review. Please do a review for book 2. This is my first KJ Parker book. I liked it & plan to read book 2 soon-ish. I have no basis for this statement but I suspect that this was Parker's attempt at writing a Harlequin.
@TheLibraryofAllenxandria6 ай бұрын
I loved Book 2 even more.
@Thecatladybooknook_PennyD7 ай бұрын
I've had this on my list... I'll be sure to buy it now. I'm still making my way through the standalones.
@TheLibraryofAllenxandria7 ай бұрын
Good call. I love the standalones
@AnithaGadeReads7 ай бұрын
This review is better than the Specification😉
@TheLibraryofAllenxandria6 ай бұрын
Hahahah thank you, Anitha
@TheLibraryofAllenxandria6 ай бұрын
There is, however, no Daurenja
@charlottejacobson62267 ай бұрын
I hope you do a guide to Parker one day!
@TheLibraryofAllenxandria7 ай бұрын
It's the video I want to make most. I haven't made it yet bc I've still not read most of his trilogies, though I've read all his standalones and short stories
@gtdrew247 ай бұрын
Love the vids, was wondering if you had any good mystery novel suggestions.
@samm81907 ай бұрын
Last year you did a livestream tear ranking of what you read. Is that something you think you might do this year? I love those end of year vids.
@TheLibraryofAllenxandria7 ай бұрын
I plan on doing something about my last year reads when I get a minute!
@gryftkin7 ай бұрын
20 minutes later... I'm sure not still if you're recommending this book to us or not :D I do know I need to get one of those paper grocery bags to make a cover for it if I'm going to read it in public :D
@TheLibraryofAllenxandria7 ай бұрын
I am definitely recommending it. I always recommend Parker.
@angelamccollister7 ай бұрын
I meant to reread this trilogy last year when you were reading it but time got away from me. Can't this year because I have two huge rereads to get through (Cosmere and Tad Williams). Maybe next year since it is my favorite KJP that I've read.
@TheLibraryofAllenxandria7 ай бұрын
I loved it. It's one of my favorite trilogies now, even though I didn't love how it ended