Foundryside Review

Links to books I talked about in this video
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Foundryside amzn.to/354ig1I
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[@Ali-zn6sg]

And then, everything changed when the fire nation attacked. But on every page.

[@michelleswondrousvideos2784]

🤣🤣🤣

[@Maxificent]

Question: Have you considered ending your reviews with a couple recommendations of other books that you've read? These recommendations can be based on aspects of the book you just reviewed. For example, if you think this book had a great magic system, you could recommend another book with a great magic system. If this writing style drove you nuts and it reminds you of a book that did the whole concept better with a writing style you preferred, recommend that book as well.

[@belleah5562]

Maxificent A novella with a similar sounding magic system is The Emperor’s Soul by Brandon Sanderson.

[@qirinsylvanius6356]

I would highly highly recommend the audiobook. Tara Sands does an amazing job distinguishing characters and acentuating their personalities through her voices. On in particular I will congratulate her on is Clef, who had an almost childish quality that was highly emotive. As a person who enjoys audiobooking more than reading, I find that Sands really did do a great job in portraying each emotion and really delivered in accenting the story with the fantastical whimsy that I'm sure Bennett intended.

[@Mic-Mak]

Although I generally don't like audioobooks and prefer reading, I'm gonna use that term from now on. Audiobooking sounds cool. I just finished the novel and I overall I really enjoyed it. I thought it was so much better than The Tainted Cup, which was my first entry into this author's writing.

[@eduardoo31]

you should always read snippets from the books you read, it's fun to see you put on your narrator voice hahaha

[@hibak8196]

Agree it's awesome!

[@bookellenic1327]

I really want to give this a chance, I appreciate how you articulated the pros and especially the cons. I find that being informed of what some readers didn't like helps me enjoy the actual book more.

[@erinm8773]

I definitely agree with the comments that you don't notice the breaks so much in the audio book version, and Tara Sands is an excellent narrator for this book! *SPOILERS BELOW* - - - I'm not sure if others will agree, and I won't say which character but I think this book did the resurrection trope well. We had enough time to grieve, and the actual resurrection itself was heartbreaking when you realised what was going on. I think it was excellently done!

[@tansjord]

The scene breaks sure sound a lot like when tv shows have to break for commercials lol

[@amybondanella9340]

I really enjoyed Foundryside and am looking forward to book 2! His other series, The Divine Cities Trilogy, I enjoyed even more. Not sure though if that’s because I completed the series and this one hasn’t ended yet. If you haven’t read it yet you should totally check it out.

[@michelleswondrousvideos2784]

I really love the book and characters. It had so many twists and turns that surprised me and I’m not overly picky. I loved every bit! Including the parts that scared the living shit outta me!

[@kenseidrake3233]

I'm so glad you reviewed this book. I listened to the audiobook and quite enjoyed the storytelling. The magic system is fascinating, even though the laws of physics are stretched, and sometimes ignored entirely. What really matters are the characters, and they kept me wanting to listen any chance I got.

[@Blake4625kHz]

Well I like the cover dang it.

[@morgiescorner]

I was excited for your review of this one! I read the ebook and didn’t notice the scene breaks. I just got my eARC of Shorefall and am beginning it today!

[@shweenz]

To your point, I actually enjoyed the scene breaks. The one you cited in particular really works for me. It really sold that moment of shock -- where your brain has to reset because of the overload. It just works for me. As you said, to each their own. Appreciate hearing your thoughts!

[@belleah5562]

Scriving sounds like the magic in The Emperor’s Soul by Brandon Sanderson if you’re looking for something else to read with similar magic. (It’s one of the novellas in the Arcanum, but you can also find it published separately)

[@Hadrian1616]

Exactly what I thought too. I suppose this means she has not read it yet. Soulstamping is its name.

[@hibak8196]

++ I'd like to see a comparison between the two

[@mimimayhem]

Almost bought this book but I’m a prose snob like you Merphy, so thank you for this review.

[@ajpeters2912]

So I went and read the book after i listen to your review and I greatly enjoyed the book. While I completely agree with you there are some oddly worded passages and spacing but I really loved it. Thank you for your review!

[@tracey_bay]

Yasss, I was waiting for this review! ''The world was build up to be this fascinating and dark but fun place to be in''

[@jag519]

I loved this book so much, I'm glad you reviewed this b/c you turned me on to an amazing book! Thanks for talking about this! It's my first book of the 2020's and it's a 5 star from me!

[@jag519]

And like you said, listing to the audiobook means i didnt even notice the scene break problems

[@douggiebee]

I landed here after reading the printed book. Your points are all good ones and I enjoyed your perspective. I don't like plot holes where the author overlooks something glaring, but here I felt the world was very consistent with itself and I can appreciate the effort it took to make it that way. (The author refers to how much editing this particular book has in the acknowledgements in the back.) The way things were paced and revealed was fantastic. I learned what an espringal was for the first time in forever. I enjoyed the premise like I enjoyed The Practice Effect, by David Brin, where things would get better at doing something the more they did them. For example, Train tracks that would come to have less friction because they were being used as train tracks. The worldbuilding reminded me of the video game Dishonored and now Forspoken has my interest because of the lead character's interactions with the bracelet that can communicate with her. Not sure what that's about, but now I want to know more by playing it. Definitely going to read the other books in this series, but I tend to mix it up with different series instead of reading them back to back. Thanks for the review and I will look for other suggestions from your channel.

[@anirablue]

I completely agree with your review. Luckily I listened to the audiobook, so I didn't even know about the scene breaks. The writing was rough enough as is. Good luck with getting an arc for the sequel. I definitely plan on reading it when it comes out next year.

[@gonebadgerhunting]

I DNFed the audiobook, but the scene breaks are definitely there. Wasn't the main reason I dropped it at all, but something I def noticed

[@moonstonepearl21]

I've seen you show that book before but didn't know what it was about. I was attracted to the cover. I think most of us do like a good cover, even if one doesn't make the book. Anyway, I'm glad to have found a review for this book. It definitely sounds interesting, so I'm going to keep it on my radar. The writing style may be a bit annoying, but I'll have to wait and see for myself. Plot means a lot to me, so if the story's good, I can push aside other issues.

[@JessieMaeBooks]

I love the format of your reviews! I’ll pick this one up for sure!

[@Joharis]

Completely agree! Sometimes things are over explained and it ends up feeling like the characters are simple

[@slak102themistocles9]

The magic system sounds suspiciously similar to the Emperor’s Soul by Brandon Sanderson.

[@LeonisTunes]

Yes thought the same. And even to soulcasting. I am a stick 😂

[@troikas3353]

Sanderson actually reviewed the book himself on Good Reads and gave it a pretty glowing review. If he thought there was any undue similarity or even inspiration he didn't mention it even in passing. Personally the two systems felt pretty different to me.

[@whimsy5623]

Magic runes are pretty universal.

[@rlewis55]

I don't think I connect well with this author's writing style either, but it bothered me more in City of Stairs (first book of another series) than it did in this, so I guess he is "improving". Shorefall comes out in February so even if you don't get the arc, it's not too long to wait! -Also, I know this has nothing to do with the story, but if you could mention a 4th pro, you have to admit that cover would be a candidate :)

[@georgeheingartner6995]

When she touches a floor with no purpose, you can tell by her plank expression. She looks downright board. But then she wood, right?

[@stardustsravy3345]

*blank

[@qine6559]

Hahahaha! So good!!! Thank you. I am enjoying this book right now and also enjoing the dramatics. Love the review!!

[@pippaschroeder9660]

Did the sequel let you down? I’m planning on reading the series so I wanna know if the second book is a let down

[@imaginarycosmetics]

I didn't notice the scene breaks, because I read the ebook. Generally I didn't really notice any of your cons. I enjoyed Foundryside & I really loved his Divine Cities series. Personally I thought Foundryside felt cheesier and more YA, compared to Divine Cities. I remember that songs/poems/folklore interrupting a story is a pet peeve of yours, which is definitely used in Divine Cities, but I actually love that.

[@JillyMae89]

Now that you've fleshed out your opinions, that's fair. I don't remember thinking these things about the writing in Foundryside but I just read City of Stairs by RJB and thought all of these things. So I assume they were present in Foundryside too, I was just too wrapped up in the story to care. I'm dying inside waiting til April for the sequel!

[@nilulal545]

This was helpful i wanted to pick this for a while and now seems like perfect time. Thank you u r awesome😊

[@gixar]

The post-it marker company is paying all the bills with you :P

[@PaintedButton]

It's always so interesting what bothers different people about the same book. I don't think I really noticed any of your cons when I was reading it, although I'll say the writing felt different to his other series (Divine Cities) even though I've read them too far apart to put my finger on how. Still, great story and I'm really looking forward to the sequel.

[@PigeonFeathersOvO]

I listened to the audiobook version of this and it was better than when I read the book tbh. It just flows better and feels cohesive.

[@fevryslea]

Having read this book I've been describing it as a "Fantasy Heist movie in novel form." I listened to it as an audio book so I didn't realize the scene change issue. I liked the pacing. I could totally see this novel as a film done 007 style. Tara Sands does the audio book and it's real good voice acting. One problem I had with foundryside is like 3/4s through the book they get kinda stuck in an explanation loop. Its not a big problem. But it was frustrating to hear. I'm excited to see where this one goes because his other series "The Divine cities Trilogy" is still one of my favorite series. It also has a neat magic system, more subtler characters and its got a great progression to the story telling. He does very well with 'Puzzle box' style magic systems where you learn bits and pieces of the magic system through out the story, till the climax when all the pieces come together just enough to figure out implications of it and then use that knowledge to determine the outcome.

[@messagesfromanintrovert5630]

If you read the lines like THAT then yeah.. they’re going to sound dramatic. If you read them in a more casual tone however - not so dramatic. Merphy says she doesn’t watch much television, does this extend to movies? I found that Foundryside was written sort of like a show or movie, the scene breaks especially gave me this vibe so they didn’t bother me too much. The one thing that DID bother me, was his constant use of this pattern: “(word)...(word and sentence)” I’m surprised she didn’t comment on this since she’s said before she doesn’t like patterns.

[@Tmg-04]

My god 😂😂love thsi review I didn’t notice this much but now it seems on point 😂I loved this book can’t wait for the next part I’ll also request

[@christeascozycorner]

totally get a what you mean about the cheesy lines haha, but like you said, it's subjective and they didn't bother me as much. i'm still working my way through the book though, but i am still loving it so far!!!

[@sophiasthoughts]

I totally didn't notice any of your negatives. Although I read it like 140 ish books ago and I'm a much more critical reader now. I loved this book though I have to say

[@ceci9570]

Who else is exited every time Merphy posts?/

[@ShadowDogProduction]

I have a perverse anticipation of the day a book is SO BAD she starts the video by saying "This book sucked!" tosses it over her shoulder, and then says goodbye. Boom, 23 second video. That would be like a walk off home run LOL

[@learning2727]

Yea, I generally start out with a thumbs up, just in case I get pulled away. Never regretted it.

[@johnzach2057]

Ι really really like her voice. I wish if she could narrate audiobooks.

[@TomorrowWeLive]

Speak for yourself. I'm entered.

[@Jrabney4]

Merphy! Have you read the sequel, Shorefall, yet? Were you let down??

[@cameront8572]

would you ever talk about the tech end of what you do- like lighting and camera? i really like your lighting when your in the home library section.

[@troikas3353]

Huh. Chalk me up as another who completely missed the odd writing choices because I listened to the audiobook. Otherwise my thoughts were similar though I often felt the kinda cheesy dialogue was justified by the characters; That Captain for instance felt to me like just the type of person who would speak that way . Only thing that particularly bothered me was the very minimally touched on start of a romance. I actually felt it was a little too glossed over and wished it was given a couple more scenes to grow prior to where it stands at the end of the book. Equally excited for the sequel. The moment I finished this one I googled the sequels release date.

[@belleah5562]

I read his other books, (which were amazing) on an app. Now I’m not sure if the previous book had those one-liners because I might have just taken the page breaks as glitches in the formatting and that sounds like it would bother me. I did really like the cheesy hand-holding theme summaries though because it makes the books quotable and memorable lol

[@JohnBradford14]

What a peculiar magic system. Color me intrigued!

[@sengbush0077]

This book has been on my shelf for like 6 months

[@thecrazybookworm3086]

I get your negatives. For me they did slightly impact my enjoyment, but the positives way outweighed them. The scene breaks I found both annoying, but also helpful as it helps me from losing my place when my eyes skip (part of my dyslexia). Spoiler content below! Read at your own risk. The dialogue cheesiness I kind of thought was a a hint at the scribing that the captain and Sancia had undergone. At least for the captain how his personality had been altered would impact his speech.

[@gregcharette9679]

Would love to hear your thoughts on the myth series by Robert aspirin. As a kid grew up reading these. Loved them!

[@Naweemshuvo]

hm. if I inscribe a big rock to have mass equal to the planet?... damn it's a very risky magic system. what are the restrictions?

[@oana-mariauliu5828]

I haven't read it yet, but it sounds really interesting.

[@siddhantagarwal9363]

Spoiler Warning !!! Clef explaining Sancia about the Captain is kinda important cause he is actually trying to tell her about the plate in his head. Clef seems to care a lot about consent as evidenced by his snarky remark after Sancia told everyone about his existence so it would make sense that he didn't tell Sancia about Captain's plate without his consent.

[@marktsundokupasha9995]

Book 2 soon!

[@davids2735]

I have heard so many good things about this book! The arc for book 2 just came out on Netgalley.com if you dont mind getting an e-arc. I've seen people get access to ShoreFall(book 2) in only a few hours.

[@morgiescorner]

Book Meanderings I got my netgalley copy within minutes 😂 definitely worth requesting if you enjoyed book 1.

[@davids2735]

@@morgiescorner oh I definitely will once I read Foundryside I'm sure!

[@Dullahan3470]

I couldn't get over the whole "The arrow shot super fast because it thought it was falling" thing. Terminal velocity would mean an arrow would fall significantly slower than the normal velocity of an arrow launched from a bow or crossbow. The maximum speed anythingcan fall is 9.8 m/s and a modern compound bow can launch an arrow at ten times that speed. For a magic system that tries to root itself in some resemblance of physical rules this was used far too often to justify something moving faster than normal.

[@AkashSingh-jv5im]

I think you might be confusing acceleration with velocity. That 9.8 m/s2 (g) is acceleration. So an object free falling from a higher place will hit the ground with higher velocity. Now how that compares with a crossbow I don't know,cause I don't know what the limits might be to that kind of magic (how high it can fall from)

[@lovelydaywithholly]

Have you read any Frank E. Peretti?

[@sargonyousif]

You didn’t rate it though. What’s your rating out of 5 stars?

[@AvramAdrian]

Kindle price 1 dollar? Thanks Merph

[@brendondavid7349]

You: he's really cheesy. Also you: I'm excited which is scary because IVE BEEN LET DOWN BEFORE.....

[@CloseYourEyesToUs]

Oh no, not the one liners! Blake Crouch was driving me nuts with those. It's a good dramatic effect but it's annoying when overused throughout the whole book.

[@learning2727]

Thank you for the review. I think I'll pass. Good that people are loving it, but (despite some of the magic sounding cool) it doesn't sound like something I can take.

[@shelliingle571]

I think it sounds good book. 😁

[@mecahhannah]

Really interesting I want to read it now LOL thanks for all the hard work love you Tina wish I had an insta gram or Twitter so I could talk to you more but unfortunately I know love you Channel keep up the good work and thanks have you ever Scorpio races it was really good you should try it very interesting story

[@sarahs6048]

I probably should have listened to it on audio. The writing was so bothersome to me that I couldn’t enjoy the characters or story

[@nicholasbeeson4999]

That's a lot of "and then".

[@mango3269]

I DNFed this about 100 pages in. The writing was absolutely nauseating.