The Keyboard Calls
Ahoy, mateys!
It is I, wizardwordship, checking in after a slightly extended post-Tawny Man trilogy break. While I’ve been enjoying some time focusing on life responsibilities without the gnawing desire to get back to reading and reacting my way through the Realm of the Elderlings, it hasn’t been a full abandonment: I’ve popped in for small maintenance tasks- cleaning up some early posts, tidying the archive, etc. But overall, it has felt a bit like sending my blog to overnight camp: I’m touching base from time to time, but taking a break from the heavy lifting of day-to-day care.
The recharge is working, though, and lately the call to return to my keyboard has been intensifying. I also completed a few reading side quests (more below) during my time away, but now I’ve found myself with nothing queued up, and the Rain Wild Chronicles are beckoning.
Yesterday, I noticed that my last Tawny Man post was published on October 29- almost exactly one month ago. I didn’t set out with a specific hiatus length in mind, trusting my body would tell me when it was time to pick the quest back up. And apparently, one month was the time I needed. So here I am – November 29 – back at my laptop and ready to quip, cry, and break down dragon mating rituals.
No Blog November is no more!
With that said, here’s a peek into what I’ve been up to while we’ve been apart – plus a dash of 2025 retrospective – and what’s on deck for this winter! (Strap on the ice breakers; winter can’t slow this ship down!)
2025 Micro Reactions!
While RotE has dominated my 2025 reading, I also dipped into several non-RotE books before and betwixt that didn’t get the full blog treatment. Here are some quick-hit thoughts.
The Heart in Winter by Kevin Barry
- A wild Bonnie & Clyde-esque tale. Not uplifting, but it kept me on the edge of my seat.
Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt
- A perfectly fine story, but I really only cared about the Octopus.
Tress of the Emerald Sea by Brandon Sanderson
- My first exposure to Sanderson. I quite enjoyed the worldbuilding but found the writing a bit too pleased with itself at times. A tad chaste for Queen Horndog. I’ll dive deeper into the Sanderverse eventually, but there are other authors and series I’m more excited to get to first.
The Bright Sword by Lev Grossman
- I’m almost always happy in an Arthurian tale. Not life-changing, but fun.
Blood Over Bright Haven by M.L. Wang
- I fear this got a bit overhyped on TikTok for me. Interesting, but ultimately just fine. Something about lugging around typewriters to write spells felt a bit tedious. Heavy in all senses.
I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline Harpman
- Bleak, but I’m glad I read it. Perfect length- any more and I would have been wanting to swiftly exit that hellscape.
The Hedge Knight by George R.R. Martin
- As a GoT show enthusiast, I’m pained to admit I have not yet read the books. Simply too many books, too little time. But with A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms approaching and the manageable nature of the Dunk & Egg novellas, I found my opening. Delightful tale! Excited for the show and excited to read more.
Piranesi by Susanna Clarke
- Hmmmm. Interesting. Probably could have been a tad zippier – see: I Who Have Never Known Men – but glad I read it.
The House in the Cerulean Sea by T.J. Klune
- Charming. Cozy fantasy may simply not be for me.
A Side Quest on Pause
Earlier this year, I began a blogging side quest through James Islington’s The Will of the Many. With book two releasing in early November, I thought I might use my RotE hiatus to read The Strength of the Few and, for once, be topical in my posting. This did not come to pass.
For anyone clamoring for my Hierarchy book two takes- I’m sorry to disappoint. I dipped my toes in, reading the first few chapters, but found I was unable to muster the energy for a full read-and-react. It’s nothing personal, and I do plan to return to it, but for now, I’ll let the anticipation build among my adoring fans.
Fanfic Island
A hearty portion of my time away from the Realm was spent in my favorite mental vacation spot: Fanfic Island! Now, I’m never truly away as I follow WIPs and touch down frequently for the sort of unhinged comfort only AO3 can provide. (On reflection, FFI may in fact be home, and published books the vacations 🤔). But it was lovely to settle in for a deeper recharge.
You’ll likely never see extended blogging about my Fanfic Island escapades, as fan fiction exists outside critique, and I revere the sanctity of my beloved, freaky-deaky gift economy. So you will have to make do with glancing references and my expanding capacity to let my freak flag fly that only that world provides.
All that said, I did finish the glorious All the Young Dudes during my hiatus- a fic I’ve been savoring for months. I have to laugh at myself- what better respite from the emotional devastation of RotE than the gut-wrenching ATYD. A glutton for punishment, indeed.
A Return to the Realm
Robin Hobb – I just can’t quit you. I was missing the Hobbisphere, but not quite ready to begin my Rain Wilds expedition, so I gave myself a little fix with The Willful Princess and the Piebald Prince. Curious what I thought? Stay tuned!
So, where are we heading?
Here’s my tentative plan for the coming months…
- Scrape off the rust with a reaction post for The Willful Princess and the Piebald Prince. It’s part of the Realm, so my thoughts you shall have.
- As December rolls in, let’s get into the Rain Wild Chronicles. I know exactly nothing about what this quadrilogy has in store, and the open possibilities thrill me. I’m hopeful to be reunited with my beloved Reyn and Malta. Will friends from the Six D’s pop in? Will Tintaglia return from her honeymoon a bit more chill? (Unlikely.)
- Whatever awaits, I’m excited. I’m aiming for a pace that feels sustainable and fun. Beyond looms The Fitz and the Fool trilogy, and I’m a bit nervous for that journey- so for now, one series at a time and hope for the best!
Ahh it’s great to be back. See you soon!
wizardwordship 