#MIDDLEGAME BY SEANAN MCGUIRE

[betterbooksandthings]

"Even though we love them, we have to admit there are some fantasy books that would be impossible to adapt into movies or TV shows. Not all magic and world-breaking fantasy elements are film-friendly.

Although book-to-film adaptations of fantasy novels have been getting better over time, there are still a few things even the best visual effects (VFX) and Computer-generated imagery (CGI) cannot pull off. I am a big fan of well-done practical effects, even if they are mechanic at times. For me, the way actors tend to engage with practical effects reads as more sincere. So, when it comes to this list of fantasy books, I mostly included books I think would require too much green screen or CGI to be worth it. Sometimes, magic is best left on the page and off the screen."

[jittery-wisp]

Commission of Dodger and Roger from Middlegame by Seanen McGuire for the delightful and wonderful @dodgerkedavra❤️😊🙌✨

[alex-van-gore]

“Do whatever you have to do. Break whatever you have to break, but don’t you die.”

[haveyoureadthisbook-poll]

[sansapixel]

Every time I open up a book by Seanan McGuire I find myself trusting her more and more. I know now that every page I turn to will only hurt me exactly as much as it needs to, and there is always more joy than pain for me to find in between them.

[haveyoureadthisfantasybook]

vote YES if you have finished the entire book.

vote NO if you have not finished the entire book.

(faq · submit a book)

[ineloquent-tumbling]

Me: I am perfectly reasonable about Seanan McGuire’s work.

This week’s discussion prompt for my copyediting class: Write about the authorial style of a writer whose work you admire.

Me: Here’s two paragraphs about Seanan’s use of rhythm and sensory descriptions in her prose followed by three examples and analyses of how she applies those elements differently under her three pen names. It is important to me that you, my classmates, know that I am showing great restraint by not delivering you a thesis paper on this topic.

[aparticularbandit]

I HAVE ONLY HAD KELPIE FOR ONE CHAPTER BUT IF ANYTHING HAPPENS TO HER--

[mosswolf]

so far middlegame feels somewhere between good omens and his dark materials which i am enjoying very much

[brightbeautifulthings]

'You're responsible for half the forces governing the universe,' says Jack, sounding dazed. 'And two teenagers, and ask me which one is more trouble,' says Dodger.

Seanan McGuire, Seasonal Fears

[bloodmaarked]

➳ monthly book round-up: september

read:

middlegame, seanan mcguire. 5*. read 27 august 2023 – 06 september 2023.

conversations on love, natasha lunn. 4*. read 31 august 2023 – 13 september 2023.

girl, woman, other, bernardine evaristo. 1*. read 16 september 2023 – 22 september 2023 [DNF].

the case of the disappearing duchess, nancy springer. 5*. read 19 september 2023 - 22 september 2023.

currently reading:

seasonal fears, seanan mcguire. started 08 september 2023.

noughts & crosses, malorie blackman. started 23 september 2023.

[letsoulswander]

I LOVE ERIN!!!!!

[epicnessunfolds]

I read a book that gave me The Atlas Six vibes, but on a more basic level of understanding, if it makes sense.

Middlegame by Seanan McGuire has been sitting on my TBR for years, ever since it was announced. I remember liking the premise and adding it. Up until now, when I decided to check back on my early TBR books, I completely forgot about it. On a whim, I picked it up and devoured the book in two days.

I read it as an ebook, I'm not sure how chunky it is, maybe around 500 pages in physical format. But I didn't care for I absolutely sucked it up like it was air. The beginning is a bit slow, but once the scene is set, the pace picks up.

It has alchemy, an unusual sibling bond, and sibling characters at its core, evil Frankenstein-like beings/people, and a very peculiar order for the contents - I had to triple check to make sure I had the full/right version of the book.

Below is my Goodreads review.

Middlegame by Seanan McGuire

My rating: 4 of 5 ⭐

Another book I had on my TBR for years. I don't know what made me think this was pure horror and, at the time I put it on the list, I didn't feel like reading horror.

While there are definitely some horror-ish elements, I would as a SF thriller of some sort.

It's the story of a set of twins growing up that have been created by a Frankenstein-like creature which, in turn, was the result of an ambitious alchemist. The twins are one being, but they are separated in the attempt to be controlled and for their creator to play god. Obviously, it doesn't quite go as planned - in no timeline.

The book is complex, with maths and linguistics as the basis for the twins, alchemy as the force that triggers and drives the bad guys, and quite a few bits that went over my head. It was, overall, an enjoyable read that I barely could put down. The beginning is a bit slow, but once the scene is set, the pace picks up.

I will continue reading the series.

View all my reviews

[deanncastiel]

2024 Book #134

Title: Middlegame Author: Seanan McGuire Genre: Fantasy Series: Alchemical Journeys, Book 1*

Meet Roger. Skilled with words, languages come easily to him. He instinctively understands how the world works through the power of story. Meet Dodger, his twin. Numbers are her world, her obsession, her everything. All she understands, she does so through the power of math. Roger and Dodger aren’t exactly human, though they don’t realise it. They aren’t exactly gods, either. Not entirely. Not yet. Meet Reed, skilled in the alchemical arts like his progenitor before him. Reed created Dodger and her brother. He’s not their father. Not quite. But he has a plan: to raise the twins to the highest power, to ascend with them and claim their authority as his own. Godhood is attainable. Pray it isn’t attained.

Rating: 4.75 ⭐

Quick thoughts: had 5 ⭐ potential from the beginning but just barely missed it, can't exactly say why. but otherwise excellent, love the characters, love the world, the relationships and dynamics are great, compelling plot. this was very good.

*technically a standalone, the other books in the series are more companions as opposed to sequels.

CW: suicide attempt

Similar Recs: 1) The Magicians series by Lev Grossman

[pensivegladiola]

Reblog and tell me what you are currently reading in the tags, my friends

[geargoyle]

I love this book. Tore me apart in the best ways. I had to put it down and just sit with the end of a chapter a few times. It's so amazing when a story can do that!

Middlegame by Seanan McGuire