I only have to say one thing: Cogo Yelu is the unsung hero of the whole story: From saving Kuni’s a$$ time and time again as a punk, becoming the executive officer of the complete transformation of all of Dara and finally completely figuring out Jia at the end!
Thanks for having me on to discuss this fantastic book, Bookborn! And thanks for being a great buddy reader of the series. I can't wait for more people to finish Speaking Bones and experience this awesome conclusion!
Finally got around to watching this now that I've finished the series... I don't know how I will ever recover from this finale. This series was SO incredible. I think this series as a whole is better than the sum of its parts... and that's saying A LOT, because each individual instalment is a masterpiece on its own as well. Also, Justice for Timu!! 🥺 Amazing discussion guys, I loved hearing your thoughts 🤩I hope this series will gain the recognition and love it deserves ❤🔥
Jia is the most complex character I ever read. The more I think about her, the more I understand what she has acomplished for Dara. I am so excited to do a re-read for "The Dandelion Dynasty". It is my favorite series of all times.
Thoryo is my favorite character, I see Jia as a tragic sort of reluctant villain I'm still deciding how I ultimately feel about her. My favorite part was hands down the temple of Still and Flowing Waters (give me a whole spin-off series based around The forests of Rima)
I couldn't wait to watch this review after finishing the book. It's tough to be super invested in a story that no one else in my life has read, so thank you for helping build a sense of community around this fictional world. Your reviews are so thorough and thoughtful. It was also interesting to hear how you and Kyle pronounced certain names; I was always unsure about how to say half of the characters! (I, too, pronounced "Phyro" to rhyme with "pyro" as in pyromaniac, but when I showed it to my wife, she pronounced it "fee-ro" to rhyme with Phyllo dough.) But, you asked about favorite characters, and I think no one had a bigger impact, both during and after his life, than Luan Zyaji. He embodied the saying, "Always choose the most interesting path."
I’m finally seeing this-sorry about how late it is. Awesome discussion! So glad you both liked it. Great insights in the Spoilers section! Thank you both for championing the series!
Great discussion guys! Have loved following your journey’s through this amazing series and for promoting it. More people need to read it. And there needs to be more garinafin fan art haha
Thank you both so much for this video!! Just what I needed after finishing Speaking Bones last night (wee hours this morning...) and feeling emotionally overwhelmed! I'm so glad to have been on this journey since 2016 when I read The Grace of Kings on a flight from Australia back to the US, and also fortunate to attend a number of Ken's talks in Boston later that year.
Finished Speaking Bones! What a gorgeous conclusion. The ending made me emotional. Spoilers below . . . . . . Zomi and Thera meeting back up at the end made me cry. It was so sweet and precious. About Jia... I actually like her overall. she was a terrible person but mad respect for her conviction. Loved how ideals and culture were thoroughly discussed throughout the series. How difficulties with acculturation can create conflict not just between people but in oneself and their identity. Loved the series
Zomi and Thera reuniting could've been so cheesy but instead it was just EXACTLY what I needed 😭 Just that little bit of hope. I hate so many of Jia's actions but her character was just SUCH a good anchor for so many of the themes of the story. I thought the way she was handled was masterful.
Great discussion, I just finished this today and now have to stare blankly at a wall (of storms?) until Liu follows up this series. This series is definitely one of the most unique I have read and I loved every second of it, I have a hard time stack ranking the books but Veiled Throne does get undue hate imo where the first 60% of VT is my absolute favorite of the series but the rest is more of a novella that is my least favorite (but still very good). The characters and battles in this series are seriously awesome. Also the themes Liu explores are some of the best. The philosophy of the series is so deep and he always approaches it from different angles that help you think deeply about humanity, ethics, etc.
I think this series is one that will stick with me. Several things he wrote in there will influence my life; things like "do the most interesting thing" and "the universe is knowable". I love when fantasy can be excellent fantasy but also hit to universal truths. Truly a masterpiece.
Jia did nothing wrong and she's possibly my favorite character in all of fiction (that I've read of course). Great discussion! I've been dying to talk about this book with someone since I finished it last night and this helped to scratch that itch.
I'm glad you guys brought up the female character aspect and how natural it feels in the story because I hadn't even considered that as a point, but you're absolutely right that the female characters are incredibly strong and the payoffs they receive aren't forced at all.
I just finished listening to Speaking Bones and to be honest, I had a difficult time getting into get. I know Lui stories are typically “slow burns”, but this story just never interested me like the other 3 books. I may need to listen to the Veiled Throne and immediately listen to Speaking Bones.
A great conclusion to the series, but this book made me realize I'm really not a pacifist. It was frustrating to see so many terrible actions go unpunished.
@@Bookborn I just finished "Speaking Bones" I think, presently, what I can say is that was a long way to go. :) I think once I've had time to absorb and reflect I have mostly favorable impressions. :)
I read book one & REALLY enjoyed his unique world building but what put me off was his technology... the flying machines for example, in the opening scene.. No science to explain HOW an unpowered hang glider essentially maintains altitude to keep attacking. He implies pure science (not magical) but supports NONE of it with even a little how... The bigger example was building the ' submersible ' fleet while exile to the island but near ZERO on where they came up with the technology & resources to build them. Not to mention the associated weapons & tactics... it's a Fantasy novel true but at what point foes it become just lazy writing? Sad as it had soooooo much potential...
I don't agree with this at all but that said, in book two I feel like he devotes A LOT of time to how the inventions and technology work. Maybe give that a try and see how you feel?
I feel like "lazy" is the opposite of what I think of when I think Ken Liu lol! I feel like usually people feel like he over-describes the technology moving forward, so like Kyle said maybe try Wall of Storms and see how you feel
I only have to say one thing: Cogo Yelu is the unsung hero of the whole story: From saving Kuni’s a$$ time and time again as a punk, becoming the executive officer of the complete transformation of all of Dara and finally completely figuring out Jia at the end!
Thanks for having me on to discuss this fantastic book, Bookborn! And thanks for being a great buddy reader of the series. I can't wait for more people to finish Speaking Bones and experience this awesome conclusion!
Finally got around to watching this now that I've finished the series... I don't know how I will ever recover from this finale. This series was SO incredible. I think this series as a whole is better than the sum of its parts... and that's saying A LOT, because each individual instalment is a masterpiece on its own as well.
Also, Justice for Timu!! 🥺
Amazing discussion guys, I loved hearing your thoughts 🤩I hope this series will gain the recognition and love it deserves ❤🔥
OMG your talk about Jia gave me so much needed catharsis. You pretty much put into words everything I feel about the character!
Really loved the spoiler-free section! I just finished The Veiled Throne and I am excited and nervous to jump into Speaking Bones!
Yayyyy I hope you end up loving it
Jia is the most complex character I ever read. The more I think about her, the more I understand what she has acomplished for Dara. I am so excited to do a re-read for "The Dandelion Dynasty". It is my favorite series of all times.
Thoryo is my favorite character, I see Jia as a tragic sort of reluctant villain I'm still deciding how I ultimately feel about her. My favorite part was hands down the temple of Still and Flowing Waters (give me a whole spin-off series based around The forests of Rima)
"I'm still deciding how I ultimately feel about her" ME TOO lol I think it might never actually happen for me...Jia is such a conflicting character!
Hi 👋 I’ve got my book yesterday speaking bones by Ken Liu!! Look forward to reading this book!! Great video!! 🎬🎥
I couldn't wait to watch this review after finishing the book. It's tough to be super invested in a story that no one else in my life has read, so thank you for helping build a sense of community around this fictional world. Your reviews are so thorough and thoughtful. It was also interesting to hear how you and Kyle pronounced certain names; I was always unsure about how to say half of the characters! (I, too, pronounced "Phyro" to rhyme with "pyro" as in pyromaniac, but when I showed it to my wife, she pronounced it "fee-ro" to rhyme with Phyllo dough.)
But, you asked about favorite characters, and I think no one had a bigger impact, both during and after his life, than Luan Zyaji. He embodied the saying, "Always choose the most interesting path."
Luan is for sure my favorite character. He's SO WISE and you know I love a wise character.
I’m finally seeing this-sorry about how late it is. Awesome discussion! So glad you both liked it. Great insights in the Spoilers section! Thank you both for championing the series!
Great discussion guys! Have loved following your journey’s through this amazing series and for promoting it. More people need to read it. And there needs to be more garinafin fan art haha
Garinafins are the best!
Starting Speaking Bones today! So excited
Thank you both so much for this video!! Just what I needed after finishing Speaking Bones last night (wee hours this morning...) and feeling emotionally overwhelmed! I'm so glad to have been on this journey since 2016 when I read The Grace of Kings on a flight from Australia back to the US, and also fortunate to attend a number of Ken's talks in Boston later that year.
Oh I'm so jealous you got to go to some of his talks! He needs to come to the West Coast 😭 Glad you enjoyed the discussion!
Just started this book, excited to jump back into this world!
I feel like I’m almost done with this series, even though I haven’t even started Veiled Throne yet
Finished Speaking Bones! What a gorgeous conclusion. The ending made me emotional. Spoilers below
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Zomi and Thera meeting back up at the end made me cry. It was so sweet and precious.
About Jia... I actually like her overall. she was a terrible person but mad respect for her conviction.
Loved how ideals and culture were thoroughly discussed throughout the series. How difficulties with acculturation can create conflict not just between people but in oneself and their identity. Loved the series
Zomi and Thera reuniting could've been so cheesy but instead it was just EXACTLY what I needed 😭 Just that little bit of hope. I hate so many of Jia's actions but her character was just SUCH a good anchor for so many of the themes of the story. I thought the way she was handled was masterful.
Great discussion, I just finished this today and now have to stare blankly at a wall (of storms?) until Liu follows up this series. This series is definitely one of the most unique I have read and I loved every second of it, I have a hard time stack ranking the books but Veiled Throne does get undue hate imo where the first 60% of VT is my absolute favorite of the series but the rest is more of a novella that is my least favorite (but still very good).
The characters and battles in this series are seriously awesome. Also the themes Liu explores are some of the best. The philosophy of the series is so deep and he always approaches it from different angles that help you think deeply about humanity, ethics, etc.
I think this series is one that will stick with me. Several things he wrote in there will influence my life; things like "do the most interesting thing" and "the universe is knowable". I love when fantasy can be excellent fantasy but also hit to universal truths. Truly a masterpiece.
Jia did nothing wrong and she's possibly my favorite character in all of fiction (that I've read of course). Great discussion! I've been dying to talk about this book with someone since I finished it last night and this helped to scratch that itch.
I'm glad you guys brought up the female character aspect and how natural it feels in the story because I hadn't even considered that as a point, but you're absolutely right that the female characters are incredibly strong and the payoffs they receive aren't forced at all.
I think Jia did a lot of things wrong but I love her so much anyway 😭😂
This book was amazing and I have already spent hours thinking about it. a definite favorite, for sure
THE UNIVERSE IS KNOWABLE - DO THE MOST INTERESTING THING! I swear so many things in the series will be with me for life.
@@Bookborn right?!? So many awesome things! I’m forgetting one that’s bugging me though. It’s not weigh the fish… ugh it’s been bothering me all day
alright. Time to dive into this discussion, now that I'm *finally* done
Jia did bad things but in my head/mind/opinion she is a good character ...one of the best... exactly cuz of what she did.
I just finished listening to Speaking Bones and to be honest, I had a difficult time getting into get. I know Lui stories are typically “slow burns”, but this story just never interested me like the other 3 books. I may need to listen to the Veiled Throne and immediately listen to Speaking Bones.
A great conclusion to the series, but this book made me realize I'm really not a pacifist. It was frustrating to see so many terrible actions go unpunished.
OMG YES lol I was like wanting people to be viciously punished and I was like wait...this doesn't seem like me 😅
I just finished 'Wall of Storms' recently. I don't know if this encourages me or discourages me. :)
It should encourage you! Although Wall was my favorite, I think the entire series is amazing. There always has to be a favorite book!
@@Bookborn I just finished "Speaking Bones" I think, presently, what I can say is that was a long way to go. :) I think once I've had time to absorb and reflect I have mostly favorable impressions. :)
I read book one & REALLY enjoyed his unique world building but what put me off was his technology... the flying machines for example, in the opening scene.. No science to explain HOW an unpowered hang glider essentially maintains altitude to keep attacking. He implies pure science (not magical) but supports NONE of it with even a little how...
The bigger example was building the ' submersible ' fleet while exile to the island but near ZERO on where they came up with the technology & resources to build them. Not to mention the associated weapons & tactics... it's a Fantasy novel true but at what point foes it become just lazy writing? Sad as it had soooooo much potential...
I don't agree with this at all but that said, in book two I feel like he devotes A LOT of time to how the inventions and technology work. Maybe give that a try and see how you feel?
I feel like "lazy" is the opposite of what I think of when I think Ken Liu lol! I feel like usually people feel like he over-describes the technology moving forward, so like Kyle said maybe try Wall of Storms and see how you feel