Review Day

There are no major spoilers in these reviews.

The Goblin Emperor by Katherine Addison:
This is a political fantasy story about a half-breed distant relative of the king who suddenly inherits the throne and must navigate court intrigue and political backstabbing. The book is a good-natured read but it seems to just progress until the end, without much in the way of direct conflict. All of the major plot changes happen just offscreen which, in its own way, mirrors the experience of a powerful ruler who experiences everything secondhand but doesn't make for a satisfying conclusion. The incredibly long names and titles and characters to keep track of also slow down the story.

Final Grade: C+

Assassin's Apprentice by Robin Hobb:
The first book in the Farseer trilogy is well-written, with a steady build and rewarding broadening of the world as the story progresses. There isn't a ton of action, but plenty of engaging character development. I don't always like books told in the first-person perspective, but this one kept me reading to the end.

Final Grade: B

Carnivale Electricos by Galactic:
This album is by a New Orleans jam band and crams together all sorts of New Orleans styles and electronica together to form a bombastic sound. Karate is one of the catchiest songs on the album.

Final Grade: B

About a Boy, Season Two:
The second and final season of this show continues to be an easy, light-hearted comedy worth watching at the end of a long day. The plot progresses nowhere fast and the jokes are about as far from mean-spirited as you can find. In the face of cancellation, the final episode provides an ambiguous, yet satisfying, ending. Free on Netflix.

Final Grade: B