Just a girl obsessed with books and movies sharing her thoughts.

If you missed all my posts until now, this one should be the post you should read from A to Z. Because I’m about to FRKN FANGIRLL ABOUT THIS BOOK OF BABEL SERIES. 

SENLINASCENDS

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If you want to read some beautiful prose mixing with detailed and thoughtful world building, you give this book a go ASAP. If you expect it to fit in a particular genre, you need to leave all those expectations at the door. This book will not fit any genre. It’s nothing like I’ve read so far. 

The premise is simple enough : Senlin, a headmaster is traveling to the Tower of Babel with his wife Marya for a honeymoon. As great headmasters do, they read about it first in books and they arrive at their destination finding out that the tower is not exactly what’s been described in books.

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(C) Bookidote

The main strength of this novel is right there. While Senlin is as confused as why the Tower is so different from literature, we as readers, are even more lost. Because what you will expect for a narrative to happen, you will be swept away and found yourself completely wrong. This is where the magic begins. We never truly know the real purpose of the Tower or why Senlin get swept away in bizarre circumstances but as the book closed in, a lot of things start to reveal itself and you realize that the author has some great surprises for us.

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When I finish this book, I had to immediately pick up the sequel ! For this occasion, I had the chance to buddy read with Avalinahs Books, click here to read her post  ❤  !! The concept is similar to our post for All The Light We Cannot See, we ask each others questions and we have to answer them !

arm of the sphinx

 

1.So on the whole, how much did you like, love or tolerate this book? Did you think it was better than the first, equal or did it let you down?

I LOVE THIS BOOK.  I would say I like the sequel even better than the first one. It follows a clearer narrative in my opinion and we get to find out SO MUCH more about the Tower. So for people who might not like the first book, I would STRONGLY suggest that you read the sequel. There are plenty of actions, you get to see the whole crew and discover different aspect of them.

2. Did the story go where you thought it would go, after you finished book one, Senlin Ascends?

I had some ideas where the story might go but the author completely threw us off with all the plot twists here and there haha! Can’t complain about that, it’s what makes me love the book even more 😀

3. Describe the experience of reading Arm of the Sphinx. Was it a slow read, or one that kept you on the edge of your seat?

The pace was alright for me. I like the fact the author tries to switch up the pace a bit from the beginning with a lot of action and all the pirates fight scenes. But, maybe it’s just me, it was kind of hard right after to stay focused on the story some parts were too tragic? I know it sounds weird hahah. But it doesn’t last long. I was completely absorb in the reading right after because some unexpected thing just came up.

4. Your favorite character(s) and why?

I would turn lesbian for Edith. LOL I have no idea what she looks like but I am completely in love with her personality. Her character development is well done. The first character that Senlin meets in the tower and also the one who is going to stay with him in the sequel. She’s fierce and loyal. She always got the crew in mind. She can also be very unexpected.

5. What are your thoughts on the Sphinx? Love, or hate? Impressed or not?

LOVE IT. Super duper impressed too! I don’t want to spoil too much but the Sphinx might be one of the most important characters in this series and I can’t wait to see more of it 😀 The Sphinx is like the backbone of this sequel.

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6. On a scale of one to ten, how infuriated or delighted are you about the ending?

I know you were infuriated HAHA But I’m actually satisfied with the ending, I will put my trust on Josiah Bancroft on why he ended the book the way he did 😉

7. [Spoiler Alert] Where do you think the story goes from here on? 

One thing I learned with the two books: to not expect anything HAHA. But I need to add this : I WANT TO KNOW WHAT’S GOING ON WITH ADAM. What happened to him got me like WTF-ed until the end of the book I was still looking and searching for clues.

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AND.. This is probably one of the longest posts I’ve written but oh so worth it ❤ A special shoutout to my girl Evelina too!! We didn’t think we would make it on time publish this post HAHA it was kind of crazy because I was sick and was very behind but we still managed to do it 😀 Yayy us! 

Thank you to Orbit Books for the advanced copies of both Senlin Ascends and Arm of The Sphinx !

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19 responses to “SENLIN ASCENDS and ARM OF THE SPHINX : The only books that matter in 2018”

  1. (Danielle) Books, Vertigo and Tea Avatar

    Very excited to have the first book here! I remember seeing it on GR and just knowing it would be fantastic. Thrilled it delivered. Kind of skimmed the buddy read since it is sequel, but will be back. Love the review ❤

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Trang (Bookidote) Avatar

      DANIELLE ❤️❤️❤️🔥 So happy you here!! It was such a wonderful story and I think you might like it a lot 😀 I loved the second one so you should get both books right away MUAHA 😂😂

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      1. (Danielle) Books, Vertigo and Tea Avatar

        I have the first ❤ Snagged it a few months ago. Now you have me scrambling to see how I can work it up on my TBR haha 😘 I hope you are well Trang!!!

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  2. […] About a year ago, when I just started blogging, I read Senlin Ascends and posted the most excited review ever (literally, it has a piggy running around in circles). It was one of my first successful reviews – people really responded to it. Later on, when Orbit picked the book up, they contacted me, asking if it would be okay if they put a quote from my review on their ARCs. So this series and me go waaaaay back. I’ve had a copy of Arm of the Sphinx for a long time – from before Josiah even worked with Orbit. But I’ve only read it now! I have to thank Trang @ Bookidote, who got me to buddy read this with her! It was such an exciting read. Let’s dive straight into the review, and by the way – this will be a buddy read review format, which means that me and Trang read the book and then asked each other questions about it! I will be answering Trang’s questions, and if you want to see my questions with her answers, pop here to check out her blog post! […]

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  3. Evelina @ AvalinahsBooks Avatar

    Got that right.. He threw us off so much, omg 😀 so many twists!!
    Haha I am glad the LIBRARIAN made it to the post!! (I AM SO IN LOVE WITH THE LIBRARIAN. And the library, of course.) (And Byron. Yes yes yes to Byron!!)

    You know, I had this ridiculous thing while we were buddy reading this… There was one night when I was falling asleep (and it was really late), and I had this awesome idea that the Sphinx is like the Wizard of Oz, and Byron was like . And I was like, I can’t write that down now, I am almost asleep. I WILL REMEMBER. Yeah, right… A week later, I am still wondering what I compared him to. It was so good T_T it’s lost forever xD

    Haha, yes, Edith is amazing 😀 but I also really love Iren. She is just so endearing. And because she’s so hard to deal with, I think I especially like her.

    Oh, you’re absolutely right. This book series is as bad with twists (or as good??) as The Illuminae Files, pretty much. Only in a different style. Same effect xD

    Oh, and so yes about Adam. OMG.

    This was so much fun 🙂 whenever you wanna do another buddy read, just write me 😀

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  4. todaysechoes Avatar

    I can’t wait to read this! I’ve only heard good things and now that you’ve gushed about it, I’ve pushed it up my TBR.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Trang (Bookidote) Avatar

      Omg yesss pleasedo!!❤️😭 I need to spread the love and see more people read it !! 😆

      Liked by 1 person

  5. Tammy Avatar

    I can’t wait to start this, I absolutely loved Edith in the first book and I’m so glad she has a strong presence in this one. Awesome review, Trang!

    Like

  6. With love, Caroline Avatar

    It sounds so good !! 😀 I’ll definetly add it on my (never-ending) book list !!

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  7. lostartofreadingblog Avatar
    lostartofreadingblog

    I love it when the book is so good that you want to pick up the sequel right away.

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  8. Dani☆Touch My Spine Book Reviews☆ Avatar

    Wow, what an amazing review, my beautiful friend!❤❤❤ I need to read this series ASAP after reading your badass and glowing review of it!📚❤ Woot! You freakin ROCK, Trang! I hope you are doing well! I have missed you!😁🤗😙❤📚

    Like

  9. Raven @ Dreamy Addictions Avatar

    I haven’t heard of this book but it sounds very intriguing. Thanks for the wonderful review! 🙂

    Like

  10. Monthly Wrap-Up | March 2018 – BOOKIDOTE Avatar

    […] Senlin Ascends & Arm of the Sphinx by Josiah Bancroft […]

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  11. The Book Awards – BOOKIDOTE Avatar

    […] Edith from Senlin Ascends and Arm of The Sphinx […]

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  12. theorangutanlibrarian Avatar

    Gosh I really need to read this synopsis! I really like the sound of the writing and the great world building. Awesome review and so fun how you did the buddy read section!! 😀

    Like

  13. Dani @ Perspective of a Writer Avatar

    This series sounds incredible!! I really may have to replace another of my moody reads for the first in this… I love incredible world building and I can see why this book is an experience… ♥️ Love, love, love it!

    Like

  14. […] Trang @ Bookidote. Set in Babylon. This verges on fantasy, a lot! And I’ve been neglecting that genre in this […]

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  15. dansbookblog Avatar
    dansbookblog

    Hmm, I really wasn’t sure with Senlin Ascends but Arm of the Sphinx was 🔥🔥🔥🔥

    Like

  16. The Fall of Babel : BOOKS OF BABEL #4 REVIEW – Bookidote Avatar

    […] syndrome of denial haha. For those of you who are here from the beginning, I have a big love for Senlin Ascends and I still believe no books have quite made an impact on my life as much as the Books of Babel […]

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