Derik Badman's Journal

I think I've given up on A.K. Larkwood's The Unspoken Name, a recent fantasy novel that sounded interesting, but, almost 200 pages in, I just don't care about any of it: the characters, the setting, the plot. None of it has gelled into something I am curious or excited to read more about. I'm also a little annoyed that, in looking into it online, this is listed as the first part of a trilogy yet nowhere on the actual book is that hinted at. So even if I did get to the end of the volume, it wouldn't really have been the end anyway. I don't like these publishers trying to have their cake and eat it too when it comes to trilogies. They know people like trilogies but they know people might be reluctant to buy a new book by an unknown author that is part 1 of maybe never to show up 3 books. But it's a real disservice to the reader.

With all the other library books I have piled up, I'm just moving on to the next thing, which in this case is Tyll by Daniel Kehlmann, a translation of a German novel which takes places in the 17th century. Coincidentally, it's time period matches with some picaresques Johann Jakok Grimmelshausen that I was recommended the other day by Melan at Beyond Formalhaut. He was writing about the rpg he's going to be published that is based on picaresques, so I asked for some recommendations.

Started watching Carnival Row on Amazon, a pseudo Victorian-era fantasy series. While it is an imagined world setting, it is very much based on 19th century England/London mixed with fairies and Lovecraftian horror. Three episodes in, it is actually better than I was expecting. I'm not a huge fan of the things they are mashing together, but I think it helps that they did not just do "fairies in London" but rather created a world with elements that can be clearly mapped to reality (i.e. the religion references the "Martyr" in the same way Christian's would reference Jesus) but also leaves room to veer from it without squaring the difference.

Not sure I mentioned it, but I've been replaying the Witcher 3 on my PS4 and quite enjoying it, even when I know what the plot points are. It's just such a fully realized game, I continue to be impressed by the world building, detail, and writing of it.

Still working on my stories, the fifth one is few thousand words in as I just keep moving forward with it a little at a time.

This journal is really just becoming a recording of media consumption and nature sightings. In thinking about it going online, I tend to just not write about anything else. Perhaps because the easiest things to write are just about what I read or watch. And all my other thoughts go forgotten or unexplored.