What Are You Reading?

[Nissa]

TVtropes.org? Ew.

Your comparison to Zeratul's words is meaningless. Zeratul's words were effective because they were hypnotic and to the point. Even more importantly, they were dialogue. Characters in a story say things according to their personalities -- they aren't trying to write a story. When no characters are talking, the writing needs to be sharper so that (1) the reader knows what's going on, and (2) the reader can see the difference between a character's perceptions and what is actually happening. Zeratul's words can be as purple as they want, so long as they are things he'd actually say.

So in other words, I'm not critiquing Golden's use of dialogue here, but rather her non-dialogue. Therefore you can't compare it to Zeratul's words.

[TheEconomist]

But you can't tell me that the prologue was anything other than purple prose, useless to the overall story.

Are you talking about the Zamara parts or the archaelogical parts. But, if it's the latter, then, then it comes more into play in the second and third book. If its the former, it REALLY comes into play in the second and third books, and I would be supremely surprised if it wasn't at least somewhat relevant to LotV.

I will concede, however, that the humans experiencing the Khala was kind of stupid. Even back then I thought it was a bit much. One of those things I mentioned that should've been a warning sign. But, again, you have to consider the medium and, well, no need to rehash that.

[Gradius]

Are you talking about the Zamara parts or the archaelogical parts. But, if it's the latter, then, then it comes more into play in the second and third book. If its the former, it REALLY comes into play in the second and third books, and I would be supremely surprised if it wasn't at least somewhat relevant to LotV.

She's talking about the prologue where Zamara is dieing and talks about time weaving in on itself, with patterns that emerge, and how she has to complete her mission, etc. You know, the entire point of her character, which apparently isn't relevant to the story. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

I will concede, however, that the humans experiencing the Khala was kind of stupid. Even back then I thought it was a bit much.

Spoiler:

Hidden Content:

It's explained in book 2; Jake directly states that humans can't experience the khala. Jake just shared the memory of how it felt and opened everyones' minds to one another, which created a paltry simulation of the real thing.

If there's one thing I don't like though it's the fact that a human can hold the memories of every single protoss in his head. It's just another way of making the protoss look stupid for the sake of a plot device. And then Zamara goes on to tell Jake that he "knows the protoss better than most other protoss do", which is bullshit. Then there's also the fact that the last two books basically have the same exact battle take place. I'm sure there are other nitpicks I had, but it was a fun read.

[Nissa]

Are you talking about the Zamara parts or the archaelogical parts. But, if it's the latter, then, then it comes more into play in the second and third book. If its the former, it REALLY comes into play in the second and third books, and I would be supremely surprised if it wasn't at least somewhat relevant to LotV.

I will concede, however, that the humans experiencing the Khala was kind of stupid. Even back then I thought it was a bit much. One of those things I mentioned that should've been a warning sign. But, again, you have to consider the medium and, well, no need to rehash that.

No, I meant the part at the beginning where someone, presumably Zamara, is rambling on about time or history, or blah blah blah. It literally communicated nothing. Unless you're trying to say that that there's weird time loop nonsense in the future books, at which I lift an eyebrow. *sigh* I can't quite get to the second book yet, as I'm going to write up an analysis of the first beforehand, and that won't be done for a bit.

Well, the idea of humans joining the Khala was stupid. However, the words she chose to use for that part were fitting. It worked on an emotional level, if not a logical one. This is possibly the only book I could recommend to a non-Starcraft fan, as they wouldn't know or care that the Khala was used wrong. Still, it seems really weird that Zamara didn't react to it more than, "eh, maybe you're right." She should have freaked out, or scolded Jake, or said how wonderful it was that humans got to experience it, or just done anything more interesting than the equivalent of a shrug.

[TheEconomist]

No, I meant the part at the beginning where someone, presumably Zamara, is rambling on about time or history, or blah blah blah.

All I remember was her talking about the history of the Protoss and how it was all contained within her and needed to be preserved. All of these things are critical to the story. It's been about seven years since I read the book though, so ...

[Nissa]

Oh no, she -- if it was her and not some sort of narrator -- was just rambling nonsense about time and moments and other sort of stuff you see when a teenager is trying to write Dr. Who fanfiction. Didn't mention the Protoss, her role in the story, or anything relevant.

[TheEconomist]

Welp, I guess it's time for another dump of what I've been reading. I haven't been reading that much. I did read a little bit though. Finished 'The Verdant Passage', which is the first book in the Dark Sun series which is an apocalyptic, Conan-esque spin off of Dungeons & Dragons. It was fun and a great introduction to the series. One of the better simple novels I've read recently. Nothing to analyze or think about afterwards, but a lot of fun and adventure.

Read 'Nocturnal" by Scott Sigler, not much to say about that though, it's a mediocre supernatural police procedural. Good book, but nothing special.

I also read 'Dragons of Autumn Twilight' which is the first book in the Dragonlance series. Can't remember if I mentioned this earlier so I'll put it here. Fun book with a nice little topping of nostalgia since it was one of my first books I ever read by my own volition. Cliched (by now, 80's book) and incredibly simple and weak on consistent logic (like most older fantasies) but I enjoyed it nevertheless.

I started and stopped a reading of the first Ravenloft book by Christie Golden (Nissa's new favorite author) and a reading of the first book in the Black Company series by Glen Cook. The latter (Black Company) being a pretty damn good book that I only stopped because I lost interest in reading in general for a bit and then came back but was only interested in my usual massive tomes of complex plottage. I'll read it on my next burnout. The former, Christie Golden's book, showing promise but just wasn't in the mood to read at the moment, too early to comment on writing or storytelling.

As you can see, not a lot of reading done by my standards (1-3 a month) and what I did read were pretty simple books. I think I've gotten those out of my system though. Eyeing a lot of the more complex books to start reading now. Definitely going to get back in the second book of the Malazan series (mind rape) and probably continue on with the science fiction series I've started (The Expanse Book 4, Revelation Space Book 5, Pandora's Star Book 2, or something of that nature)


Mostly played games this time around. Played a lot of Dark Souls II, some classic 16-bit RPGs (Final Fantasy V, Phantasy Star III, Dragon Quest VII), and even a little bit of Mass Effect 3. And, of course, those series that I've basically been playing for my entire life, StarCraft and Unreal Tournament. Used to play Diablo, but, you know. All and all, a return to the mean, more game playing than reading, I haven't done much gaming in a long time.

[Nissa]

Lol, I don't hate Christie Golden. She's nowhere near as bad as Gabriel Mesta, that's for sure. Besides, her writing style is really much more suited for fantasy than for Starcraft. Well, except apparently incest is involved in her other books, so I'll just let you handle those.

I'm reading "Type Talk at Work" right now. While not the best resource for Myers-Briggs information, it feels like it better demonstrates the strengths and weaknesses of each type than Please Understand Me II.

[TheEconomist]

StarCraft is fantasy

[Nissa]

StarCraft is fantasy

Well, it is now. It was science fiction at one point.

*mumbles* Stupid Amon/prophecy...stupid Narud....