Running a Café, More Witches and Familiar Demigods - Books I've Read - Feb 23

This month has been frustrating for a variety of reasons that I don't want to go into. But those reasons ate up a lot of my time and energy. Also, there were a lot of other distractions - a new game, a podcast suggested and laddering up in a card game. I was pretty sure, I would lose interest and stop reading.

Nonetheless, I preserved and managed to stay on track.

This may come as a surprise to many, but I was a "clueless idiot" in my teenage years. This is not a new realization by any means, but I was talking to an old friend recently, and this did come up. Back then I took up reading, not because I liked to read, to be fascinated by the many worlds I could lose myself into or for the gratification found at the end of a well crafted mystery. Those were the after effects and not the driving force. I started reading because the girl I was attracted to, liked reading.

In my mind, if we had something in common that we enjoyed, we would end up liking each other. Who needs cupid's arrows or serendipitous circumstances when my perfectly devious logic made me the master of my own fate. Long story short, I learned there is more to relationships than just "things we have in common".

Anyhow, one of the things I was introduced during that phase was the Percy Jackson series by Rick Riordan. Nearly a decade and half later, for some reason, I asked myself did I really enjoy the books? Or was it a just juvenile foolishness in my formative years?

Before that, what is this book about? The story revolves around Percy Jackson, a demigod, born to the God of the Sea, Poseidon and a mortal.  One thing that prevails across all versions of Greek mythologies is that the gods can't keep it in their pants. As a result, there are a lot of demigods, and they are all trained at the place called Camp Half Blood, a summer camp located in Long Island.  Percy is accused of stealing Zeus's master bolt and, along with the daughter of Athena and his best friend/satyr, has to find it, retrieve it and return it before the gods can tear each other apart.    

I am more confident of my tastes now. I know for sure I enjoy mythologies, and I know better. I loved playing Hades and beating it multiple times. Not only that, but I rate both new God of War games highly. And more importantly, I watch a ton of OSP's videos. Even yesterday I was watching one about the constellation - Ursa Major. I am familiar with the Iliad, the Odyssey and know a lot more about various gods and heroes now than I knew back then.

Turns out I enjoyed reading it now, probably more than I did back in the day. It is still a book aimed at young adults. And is deliberately written to keep it accessible from that point of view. The gods are pretty toned down. But it is still well written, characters are likeable and more importantly they act their age. The mythologies are respected and familiarity of these myths only adds to the experience.

I did have some issues with the plot, but most of them were minor. The humor is the kind I enjoy. And the world building, while not extensive as other high fantasies I like, is the still the stand-out. The way the real world is co-opted to explain the Gods, the Greek heroes and their influence on it, is the secret sauce that elevates this over every other Young Adult series.

I had a good time, and I will probably pick up the next book - The Sea of Monsters. Might as well, as I own the box set after all.

When it comes to February, two things come to my mind - that it is the shortest month and also Valentine's Day happens to fall in it. So to keep within that theme, I thought I will pick up something romantic to read. I checked my library and found Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree under Romance.

Before I talk about the story or anything, I would like you to imagine a rainy day. It is not heavy but is more than drizzle, and more importantly the rain is persistent. It is cold but not freezing. You have a cup of hot chocolate and a blanket, and have time either to sleep, or play your video game or curl up into a good book or whatever you enjoy. That cozy feeling is what this book manages to evoke.

Viv is a battle orc who has retired, putting a life of violence behind, and wants to open a coffee shop in a city where no one knows what coffee is. The people she meets along the way and how she builds her business is what this book is about.

While reading, I felt like I was playing a management sim like Star Dew valley. And that in my opinion is good, it makes the progression have weight and not something that is just stated. By that, I mean, the way Viv turns a rundown old livery into a successful coffee shop is satisfying.

The relationships Viv manages to cultivate as she sets up her business is the heart of the story. And they work. They are a joy to read and experience. One downside is that this book makes me hungry. I don't even drink coffee, and this almost sold me on the idea that I should give it a try. You have been warned of that.

This is my introduction to a sub-genre called cozy-fantasy. The stakes are low and are aimed at making you feel comfortable and warm. You know nothing bad is going to happen and everything works out in the end. From the outside, this can seem boring, but if you understand for what it is, it becomes much more enjoyable.

Don't get me wrong, there are antagonists, there are hardships and hurdles the main character has to overcome. There are some lows the main character has to go through, but it is all in service of warm character moments.

I enjoyed it for what it is, and this book is very much self-aware of what it wants to be - a cozy fantasy.  

Lords and Ladies is the 4th book in the Witch Series and the 14th Discworld book to be released. This is also one of the rare books that serves as a sequel to an earlier book, Wyrd Sisters. Let me get something straight off the bat, I think this is one of the weaker Discworld novels I have read. Before getting into why, need to touch upon what this book is about.

The three witches Granny Weatherwax, Nanny Ogg and Magrat Garlick are returning to their home kingdom, Lancre after spending time Abroad (Witches Abroad), only to find something sinister is afoot. The space between worlds are thinning and the threat of "Lords and Ladies" arriving to Lancre is imminent. The only people who can stop them are of course our beloved witches. Between all this, Magrat is supposed to get married to the King of Lancre and along with it comes her own fears.

I liked the story, but I had some issues with some character arcs, especially with that of Magrat. It made sense and I can see what Terry was going for. It just bothered me how unfairly she was treated. But that is keeping in line with the other books.

Another issue I had with this book is that, it was building up the "Lord and Ladies" for longer than I wished. About two thirds of the book is just hyping this threat, to the point of losing agency. The pacing issue I've had with Discworld novels, where the middle meanders, is more prominent in this book.

Having said that, it is still a Discworld novel. And it won't be a Discoworld novel if it doesn't have some great humor. The book is funny, entertaining and the character have some great moments. Just not as good as the other Discworld novels I enjoyed.

I still liked it, but I am taking a break from the Witches series. Going to pick up "Guards! Guards!" for my next Discworld novel.

Post Script

If you have any opinions on the above or have any suggestions, please feel to reach out to me. I would totally appreciate it. I plan to pick up Guards! Guards! by Terry Pratchett, The Sea of Monsters by Rick Riordan next. I haven't decided on the third book. Please leave suggestions if you have any.