From Newsgroup: rec.arts.sf.written

Highlights and Lowlights - January 2026

I am slow getting this out - February has been very busy. Still
pondering if/how to change things up for this monthly report moving
forward, but for now, same old same old (mostly). Moving onrCa

Books are rated using a very primitive rating system:
rCL+rCY are good, and more rCL+rCY are better
rCL-rCY are not good, and more rCL-rCY are worse

IrCOm happy to answer questions about anything here.

Highlight: Twelve Months - Butcher [Harry Dresden #18]

Lowlight: The Lies Arcana - Stewart [StarshiprCOs Mage #17]

January 2026
( +++ ) Twelve Months - Butcher [Harry Dresden #18]
( ++ 1/2 ) The Year of the Quiet Sun - Tucker
( ++ - ) The Lies Arcana - Stewart [StarshiprCOs Mage #17]
( ++ 1/2 - ) A Judgement of Powers - Jacka [Inheritance of Magic #3]
( ++ 1/2 ) Brigands & Breadknives - Baldree [Legends & Lattes #3]
( +++ ) Carousel Sun - Lee [ArcherrCOs Beach #2]

Now Reading:
Long work - The Dragon Never Sleeps - Cook [Re-read Project #5]
Collection - A Liaden Universe Constellation Vol 4 - Lee & Miller

===========================================
January 2026
( +++ ) Twelve Months - Butcher [Harry Dresden #18]
Nice to read Harry Dresden again. This one is similar to the rest, with
one exception:
This one covers a time span of 12 months, while Harry slowly pulls out
of PTSD and depression following the battle that took up most of the
previous book. ItrCOs well done; itrCOs not all depression all the time; important things happen along the way. A lot of them. As Harry gets
pulled ever-deeper into MabrCOs plans, he also makes progress on many
fronts. HererCOs hoping #19 comes out within the next year or two.

( ++ 1/2 ) The Year of the Quiet Sun - Tucker
****Very special thanks to the rasfw participant who sent me their copy
of this book. Much appreciated.
Interesting time travel story focused on 3 protagonists and the current political scene (national and international). Government-funded
researchers created a device that can take one person into the future,
where they can spend 50 hours, and then return to the present 61 seconds
later than they left. This is thoughtful, well-written, and rCo along the
way rCo the authorrCOs literary deconstruction/explanation of an ancient
text translated by a protagonist was really well done. Not surprisingly, itrCOs a bit dated (published 1970), but not horribly so.

( ++ - ) The Lies Arcana - Stewart [StarshiprCOs Mage #17]
Completely focused on Ambassador Connor OrCOHannagain and spyship pilot
Mike Kelzin. ThererCOs zero Roslyn here (even after the situation she was
in the middle of at the end of the previous book), and very little
Damien. And nearly this entire book was about diplomacy and a stealth reconnaissance mission, with a battle tossed in at the end. Yawn.

( ++ 1/2 - ) A Judgement of Powers - Jacka [Inheritance of Magic #3]
( ++ 1/2 ) Brigands & Breadknives - Baldree [Legends & Lattes #3]
The above are two books I read in January 2026. I can say more about
them if someone is curious. I anticipate reading the next book in both
series.

( +++ ) Carousel Sun - Lee [ArcherrCOs Beach #2]
This picks up a few weeks after #1, with Kate Archer getting the
carousel ready for Early Season at the amusement park, and also fretting
about her wakened-and-thriving Gran, her returned-but-weak mother, and
her friend-maybe-more Borgan, who is missing, but who is hopefully
healing in the sea. In addition to these worries, Kate is also trying to
adapt to her new powers and to her role as guardian of ArcherrCOs Beach. I will read the next entry.

Now Reading:
Long work - The Dragon Never Sleeps - Cook [Re-read Project #5]
Collection - A Liaden Universe Constellation Vol 4 - Lee & Miller
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From Newsgroup: rec.arts.sf.written

In article <10nqe6a$1v6f9$1@dont-email.me>,
Tony Nance <tnusenet17@gmail.com> wrote:

Highlights and Lowlights - January 2026

Thanks for this! I was waiting to get my thouhts on the Butcher down
before responding.

===========================================
January 2026
( +++ ) Twelve Months - Butcher [Harry Dresden #18]
Nice to read Harry Dresden again. This one is similar to the rest, with
one exception:
This one covers a time span of 12 months, while Harry slowly pulls out
of PTSD and depression following the battle that took up most of the >previous book. ItrCOs well done; itrCOs not all depression all the time; >important things happen along the way. A lot of them. As Harry gets
pulled ever-deeper into MabrCOs plans, he also makes progress on many >fronts. HererCOs hoping #19 comes out within the next year or two.

I agree. I was afraid at first that it would be too much Mopey Harry
(the way we got too much Mopey Valkyrie over in Skulduggery Pleasant), but Butcher pulls off something that comes across as realistic without
wallowing in it.

( ++ 1/2 ) The Year of the Quiet Sun - Tucker

This is something I have always meant to get to someday. That's
still the case...

( ++ - ) The Lies Arcana - Stewart [StarshiprCOs Mage #17]

I plan to get back to his Duchy Of Terry series at some point which
I left off at everybody about to die. It's enjoyable though comically
woke at times.

( ++ 1/2 - ) A Judgement of Powers - Jacka [Inheritance of Magic #3]

Somehow I was unaware that Jacka had started a new series. I really
liked Alex Varus, I will have to check it out.

( +++ ) Carousel Sun - Lee [ArcherrCOs Beach #2]

Another series I keep meaning to try.

Now Reading:
Long work - The Dragon Never Sleeps - Cook [Re-read Project #5]
Collection - A Liaden Universe Constellation Vol 4 - Lee & Miller

Don't know the Cook, but the Lee & Miller is good as usual.
--
columbiaclosings.com
What's not in Columbia anymore..
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