Reading Wednesday

[dhampyresa]

What did you finish reading

The Ring of Solomon, by Jonathan Stroud: Remember how I said I wanted Asmira and Bartimeus to go on a roadtrip together? THEY DID! It was a murder roadtrip, but it was so much fun and proved once again that power isn't everything and being smart is worth a hell of a lot. I loved the interaction between Bartimeus and Asmira, the whole push-and-pull of it and how they went from

'Good,' she said. 'Well done.'
I stared at her. 'Well done? Is that all you can say?' I gestured at the empty trees and rustic arbours all around. 'Look - nothing left on any plane! I've cleared the way right to Solomon's door. A marid couldn't have done any better than that in the time available. Well done?' I scowled. 'What kind of response is that?'
'It's a thank-you,' she said. 'Would your other masters have spoken any better?'
'No.'
'Well, then.'
'Only I'd have thought you might have viewed things in a different light,' I said idly. 'You know, on account of being a slave yourself.'

to

'Good,' I said at last. 'Well done.'
'Well done?' Possibly it was the starlight, possibly her tilted angle, but I could have sworn there was a mild smirk upon her face. 'Well done? What kind of a response is that?'
'All right,' I growled. 'Thank you.'
'See?' she said. 'It's hard, isn't it?'

to

If she were quick enough she might save her djinni yet, and after him, Jerusalem.

and

Partly it was because I wanted to save the girl.

to

'You have to be careful how you phrase things when you're playing at being a magician, Asmira - this is the kind of trick we naughty djinn get up to when we're not simply saving civilization.'

to the very end of the novel

Her eyes opened. 'Bartimeus,' she said abruptly, 'thank you for what you've done.'
I cleared my throat. 'Pleasure, I'm sure. Look - do you truly know the words? I don't want to find myself re-materialized into a festering bog or something.'
'Yes, I know the words.' She smiled. 'Come to Sheba some day. You'll like it.'
'Not that it's ever up to me.'
'Just don't take too long. We haven't all got as much time as you.'

OMG FRIENDSHIP YES PLEASE MORE I just fucking love friendship so much, you know? ...You probably do actually, it is something of a recurring theme in these reviews and in my fics. Speaking of fics, you know which fic I really really want right now? The fic where Bartimeus pops by Asmira's place the next time he's summoned and she endeavours to make his master release him. This happens possibly more than once.


What are you reading now

Nothing. I finished The Ring of Solomon just last night.


What are you reading next

The Gospel of Loki, by Joanne Harris and I am really looking forward to it.