Michael Schmitt

December 2025 — Drawn in by the description and a recommendation from The Flop House for the movie. Adored this, read it in just over a day. The collision of styles, the mystery, the feeling of historical accuracy, the delicious hints at something far stranger going on. I read the forward only after finishing which I would recommend (too many spoilers). It included bits of the author's cut last chapter which is bonkers and only added to my love of this book. Love it love it.

December 2025 — Really enjoyed Martine's Teixcalaanli series. This feels like a departure but still great. A locked room mystery turned up to 11 with moments of genuie horror and disorientation.

November 2025 — Saw this recommended as Alaskan / Pacific Northwest-native Lord of the Rings which snagged me. Pretty accurate, in all the good ways, though feels like a disservice to the archetypes this novel is playing with. Fun, funny, fast moving, exciting epic fantasy. Fair warning you'll want to read whatever comes next right away and it does not yet exist - a wonderful frustration.

November 2025 — I love love Martha Wells. Even though "Witch King" wasn't my favorite I did enjoy spending time with the characters and I think I can say the same here. Story feels underwhelming but unsure why. Possibly because I want to learn more about these characters and it feels so little is revealed page to page. I'll read the next one.

October 2025 — Heard this series recommended on The Incomperable primarily because a payoff in like, book #12, is spectacular. And hey, I'm an idiot, so I'll start a huge book series just to be blown away 12 books later. Sherlock Holmes with a few twists, what more can you want. Will pick up the next one soon.

October 2025 — Book club read. Nice October vibes. Thought it'd play more into Frankenstein themes but don't think that comparison is fair. Dives more into grief, found families, intolerance; but oddly still feels like a light adventure read.

October 2025 — Overall liked this. Its movement from academy tale to war tale kept me guessing. Bold characters that defied expectations as well. But a twist towards the end felt completely unexpected in a bad way: overly gross in a way that left a bad taste. And which in turn led to further actions that left me feeling cold about the whole thing, hoping for it to end. Don't think I'll continue the series.

September 2025 — Big fan of Parker's style and his Sixteen Ways and Saevus Corax (the ending of which killed me, ugh) series. More of the same here! Using themes of history like toys in a playground, all wrapped in humor and danger. Quick delightful read.