THE DANDELION DYNASTY by Ken Liu - No Spoiler Series Review

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Thanks for checking out the video, love you all!

[@TallGuyReads]

Man, what a great review! I totally agree with you on a lot of your thoughts on The Veiled Throne! Even if it wasn’t my favorite installment in The Dandelion Dynasty, Ken Liu’s writing and the character building that takes place in the back half of that book is fantastic. I’m about 300 pages into Speaking Bones and absolutely loving it so far. I don’t want the series to end and anxious to see what happens haha Again, fantastic review and also the new setup looks great!

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Appreciate it dude, excited to talk spoilers!

[@TallGuyReads]

@@thefantasynuttwork Oh same here, there’s so much to talk about!

[@BooksWithBenghisKahn]

What a great review! There were so many things in here for someone who hasn't read the series like me to get excited about, and I appreciated hearing about a couple things that didn't totally work for you as well. I definitely have to pick it up! Also the set-up looks great and audio sounded good, too

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Thanks my dude, glad to hear this works for you set up wise and yeah Dandelion is a wild, unique ride

[@readbykyle3082]

Fantastic review, Jimmy. You summed it all up - I feel content. The ending was what it needed to be. I will miss Dara, I hope Ken releases a bit more in the future after he has some time away from the series. Regarding the flashbacks, they started to grate on me in Speaking Bones too but I actually like the usage of them in battle because each new flashback recontextualized the entire battle and kept the tension so high because the reader never had any idea what was going to happen, each new "idea" changed the landscape of the battle instead of how another author may have presented the info up front or after the fact. It did feel like a lot of flashbacks though haha. That character....man, that character is absolutely crazy. Definitely deserves a character study.

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Thanks man! When you gonna make the character study video? I'm waiting 😂

[@MacScarfield]

Just finished the whole series. I have only one thing to say: 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 heartbreakingly figuring out Jia at the end!

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Yesssss

[@benjamincrowhurst5998]

Fucking brilliant my man. Awesome timing cause I just got a notification saying Book 4 was delivered so i’m very hyped to get stuck into it this weekend. Kind of in awe of how you managed to talk for 20 minutes without spoiling anything and yet still completely explained what the appeal of this series is but also where it might lose some people. New set-up is mint too 🔥

[@thefantasynuttwork]

You're too kind my friend, thank you! I think you'll really like Speaking Bones

[@RJGibson7]

Awesome review my man! I can’t wait to finish Veiled Throne and jump into Speaking Bones to see how this series ends, but at the same time I don’t want to leave this world, Im 98% sure that this is gonna be my favourite series of all time! Can’t wait to talk some spoilers with you bro!

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Absolutely dude it's gonna be a blast!

[@marchandorama]

Great video and can’t wait to see your impressions on his short stories. The paper menagerie is amazing.

[@thefantasynuttwork]

I'm so excited! Thanks!

[@fantasyfanatic6038]

Love the home library set-up! Oh, and the review of course.

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Thank you!

[@Thecatladybooknook_PennyD]

Your new library looks AMAZING!

[@thefantasynuttwork]

thank you so much! I was super nervous to try out a new setup :p

[@maddy0119]

Started Speaking Bones tonight and I'm already hooked. Looking forward to any spoiler discussions that may be forthcoming!

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Awesome to hear Maddy!!!

[@mariareadsssf]

My favorite series of all times. I still think about Jia's contribution in breaking the rise and fall historical cycle and establishing a sustainable government. The land of Dara will forever remain a second home to me.

[@thefantasynuttwork]

It’s truly special

[@afantasybabble6222]

Great review! Going to read Speaking Bones slowly because I don't want it to end.

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Enjoy it my friend!

[@zacharybeelendorf5521]

Love the library room! Also, you sounded great and the lighting was good

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Your feedback is very helpful, thank you!

[@tkinsey3]

Agree with you totally about The Veiled Throne. I think one of the most amazing things about The Dandelion Dynasty is the way that Liu repeatedly introduces us to new characters, events, and locations, and it never throws off the feel or pace of the story. I never wanted to stop reading, because I was continuously invested in every new character and storyline. Like dude, it's difficult to get readers invested in ONE or TWO characters across a series, but to continually do it with new characters?! The man is a wizard.

[@thefantasynuttwork]

He accomplished something great

[@BookishChas]

It’s good to hear this ended well. I’m excited to start the series. Thanks Jimmy!

[@thefantasynuttwork]

My pleasure bro!

[@tylerblack301]

Great series review! I’m excited to one day get to this. As for the new setup 1) super jealous of the library! Congrats overall on the new house. 2) sound was great. No echo or anything as far as I could tell.

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Thanks for the feedback brother, I really do appreciate it

[@seanhalpin87]

Currently plowing through wall of storms, and my God do I love this series.

[@thefantasynuttwork]

I'm so happy to hear that

[@VicRibeiro777]

Great review, you made me move this in my TBR for sure. Great job.

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Thanks for watching 😁

[@ChasingForever]

I love Veiled Throne a whole bunch. I don't know of another author who can intertwine politics, philosophy, engineering, sociology etc. and still advance the plot like Ken Liu. I feel I know the Argons, the Darans, the Liucu. This series deserves much more attention, so thank you for your review!

[@thefantasynuttwork]

My pleasure, I agree with you!

[@leighmarsden623]

Great review friend cant wait to pick this up!

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Thank you! I hope you like it 😁

[@LiteratureScienceAlliance]

I agree with so much of this review, although I was prepared for the events of the later half of veiled throne so it worked better for me because of that. But its been days since I finished and I am still missing Dara and struggling to pick up another book

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Dara is so well realized

[@Lila_S.]

That's a great review, Jimmy. As for (over)explaining things: I remember even when he released Grace of Kings in interviews he talked about silkpunk and what inspired him and how the mechanics of whatever he comes up would work and how would affect the politics, law and economy of a land. Clearly, this seems to be one of the driving points of writing this world, so I made my peace with it. :) Re: you in your new library: I love it because the position of Robert Baratheon (well, Mark Addy) pic is like he's standing in the background and makes confused face to everything you said. :P

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Hahahah Robert Baratheon is the real star of my channel!

[@Denis-sz9pg]

Ok wait a minute wait a minute. I’m 600 pages into Wall of Storms. Now you’re telling me that book 4 is “close” to WoS in quality? I might be losing my mind. WoS is just too good and I’m not even done. I’m just a purple belt but I swear Jimmy I’ma attempt to leg-lock you if this isn’t true. You got me way too hyped for this. Also, thank you so much for reviewing Dandelion. I discovered it because of your channel. Keep it up man, I really appreciate your content!

[@thefantasynuttwork]

That’s awesome to hear! I think you’ll love the conclusion

[@tannersturgeon2448]

Agree with you on most points. There is a single plot thread that I don't feel satisfied about but I cant mention here without spoiling. But overall I'm so happy with this series. The scope of what Liu created is breath-taking. Fully realized setting. Complex characters with believable motivations. Beautiful thematic elements. I already miss Dara. Thanks for championing this series Jimmy

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Thanks bro! What part were you not happy with?

[@curtjarrell9710]

Hi Jimmy. I hope you've recovered from the arduous tasks of moving house. I'm happy to hear you enjoyed this series so much. It remains on my TBR for the future. I'm doing some classics this summer. I'm currently reading Assassins' Apprentice by Robin Hobb. The Fool character intrigues me. I'm a bit past halfway and it keeps getting more interesting to me. Have a good weekend.

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Enjoy Farseer my friend!

[@ColinsCornerYT]

Great video Iskaral Nutts! I’ll get th DD…..maybe 3 years from now 😂. It’s largely your fault my TBR is so king and has so many bangers!

[@thefantasynuttwork]

It's my pleasure to wreck your tbr 😎

[@chadia25]

Thanks for the non spoiler review. This and Suneater are on the top of my list after I finish Hobb. 😊

[@thefantasynuttwork]

You're in for a treat!

[@RekindledReader]

I'm hyped. I'm reading GoK next month. RJ and Alex won't shut up so I have to 🤣

[@thefantasynuttwork]

This is the way

[@esmayrosalyne]

Excellent review! I have to say I am really impressed with how well you managed to convey your thoughts and feelings on these books in a spoiler-free way! Can't wait to hear your in-depth thoughts though, there's so much to ruminate on in this series, it's just incredible. And the female characters!!! I can't gush about them enough 😍 I'm currently 75% into The Veiled Throne and while the pacing is definitely a bit off in this one, I also can't deny that I am quite enjoying the lower stakes events that Liu decided to focus on in the second half of this book, haha. All the stress from the political conflicts throughout this series was getting to me, so I like that we are now taking a tiny break from that. That said, I can definitely see why it kinda ruins the momentum of the story, especially if you are more interested in the other storylines. Oh well, I will read anything that Ken Liu puts to paper, he is such a masterful storyteller! Can't wait to read Speaking Bones, I am going to start asap once I finish book 3! Already excited to reread this story in the future, there's just so much to process! What an incredible series ❤‍🔥

[@thefantasynuttwork]

This was really nice to read, great write up! I really think Liu is one of the best authors of this generation and I am so excited to see what he does next!!

[@esmayrosalyne]

@@thefantasynuttwork 100% agree, he deserves all the love and praise!! I will immediately buy anything and everything he writes next! :)

[@BaldBookTuber]

This is my most anticipated fantasy series - not sure when I'll be able to sneak it in, but I'm very excited to get to it. Antagonists more hateable then Kyle you say???? I have to experience this for myself.

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Bro the last two books I was seething at two of the antagonist 😂

[@clarkkentnaruto4322]

Your library looks amazing, and yes, there is a bit of an echo, but it is not bad at all. I will say, that even though, I want to keep from getting distracted and moving on to other series, you are doing a great job of distracting me. I have a horrible habit of starting series and almost never finishing them.

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Hahah thank you! I always have to fight the temptation to start new series

[@Auron200004]

Currently reading Empire of Silence, but I keep glancing at Grace of Kings and wondering what if haha. EoS is great though, no shade

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Both are fantastic

[@bottle1211]

Great review!

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Thank you ☺️

[@shadowoflugia]

I’m rereading the first two books of this series before finishing the rest. And after watching this video, I was like, who’s the character that was planning something ever since book 1?? I think I know who it is. Thanks a lot. 😒😩🤣

[@thefantasynuttwork]

It may surprise you

[@shadowoflugia]

@@thefantasynuttwork there are actually two characters that seem to be hiding something! Now I don’t know which one you were referring to in your review! Guess I’ll just have to read on!

[@shadowoflugia]

I’m gonna be starting the Veiled Throne today. Considering that it was split from the fourth book, do you think the Veiled Throne would’ve been better if that unexpected event had been left for the final book? Or did it make sense to have the event in the third book?

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Hard to say really. I just think the split of the book in general was a net negative for series. Still great tho

[@PonderingsOfPete]

the second half of Veiled Throne absolutely landed with me. I thought it was fantastically well done. And it was such a nice breath of fresh air that I think was needed. Looking forward to the discussion on the 21st!

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Yeah seems like a lot of people enjoyed the second half of VT, and there was quality and worthwhile character work done there. For me I bounced off it pretty hard

[@coleton7048]

I'm sold.

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Please like it 😂

[@joseyong]

I am in book 2, taking my time to savor the series. Umm this could be a 100 episodes TV series show

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Easily!

[@crystalsingh7325]

I'm so excited to read this. Glad u enjoyed it! Would u say this series is a top 5 fav for u? 🤔

[@thefantasynuttwork]

It's really close

[@thefantasynuttwork]

It certainly could be

[@PonderingsOfPete]

oh hey, a review for that series that's miles better than ASOIAF!

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Hard disagree lol

[@flyingsquirrel1486]

lmao the flashbacks killed me there had to be a better way

[@MetalGildarts]

So what you’re saying is, I should add Dandelion Dynasty to my TBR??

[@thefantasynuttwork]

I am once again asking for you to change your tbr

[@MetalGildarts]

@@thefantasynuttwork LOL best reply ever

[@derrisreaditbefore]

A more hate-able villain than Kyle? 👀

[@readbykyle3082]

I'm looking forward to being able to throw my opinion into the ringer once I start Liveships 😈 the Speaking Bones villains are pretty hateable.

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Truly detestable lol

[@flyingsquirrel1486]

I was sad he took the direction that the gods faded :(

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Yeah I wanted more Gods too

[@aspirant7713]

This fantasy series didn't hold my interest; it appeared too sallow and bored. It's as if the author revised a 14th-century novel, "The Romance of the Three Kingdoms," and then published it under his own name. I think you should read the original novel instead of this one.

[@angelamccollister]

Worse than Kyle?!? Wow!

[@thefantasynuttwork]

I know! Haha