Katie Bachelder

Writing Towards Compassionate Connection

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  • Setting Study: Mistborn’s The Final Empire

    The second novel of Brandon Sanderson’s career, The Final Empire, is a high fantasy book taking place in the titular Final Empire, led by the tyrannous, immortal Lord Ruler. Rebellions of the past have always failed, but rebellions of the past never had Kelsier, Vin, or their team of Mistings and Mistborn. As usual, these…

    Katie Bachelder

    February 12, 2021
    For Writers: Builder’s Theory
    book review, books, Brandon Sanderson, epic fantasy, Fantasy, fantasy writing, magic systems, Mistborn, setting, setting study, The Final Empire, world-building
  • Book Review: Winterkeep (!!)

    The launch date of Kristin Cashore’s newest, Winterkeep, passed with only a small level of hype. It was that same Saturday that I truly couldn’t wait for, because that’s when the book would arrive at my house and I could finally, finally, start reading it. Then came the age-old struggle of wanting to take it…

    Katie Bachelder

    February 5, 2021
    Reading Reflections, Uncategorized
    Bitterblue, book review, books, Fantasy, Graceling, Graceling Realm, Kristin Cashore, winterkeep, young adult
  • The Romance Reading Challenge

    Being a writer means being on a constant quest to learn more about what it means to tell a good story. The fantasy genre captured my heart long ago, and I’ve constantly been reading as much fantasy as I can get my hands on in the hopes of learning all that I can about what…

    Katie Bachelder

    January 29, 2021
    For Fun :)
    books, Italo Calvino, Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice, Rainbow Rowell, reading, reading challenge, romance, The Wrath & The Dawn, valentines day
  • Five Branches of Magic Systems (Revisited)

    Half a year ago, I wrote a blog post about different kinds of magic systems, hoping to be informative, not expecting it to continue garnering views in the way that it has. I certainly wouldn’t call it a throwaway post, but in the months since I’ve published it, I’ve come to realize that, although I…

    Katie Bachelder

    January 22, 2021
    For Writers: Builder’s Theory
    AtLA, epic fantasy, Fantasy, Graceling Realm, hard magic, Harry Potter, His Dark Materials, magic, magic systems, soft magic, urban fantasy, Wheel of Time
  • Patching Up Jane, Unlimited

    When Jane, Unlimited was announced, I waited for it as eagerly as we now wait for Winterkeep. At least according to my shelf history on Goodreads, I was held in suspense for almost a year before I was able to get my hands on it and start reading. I remember my disappointment well enough; it…

    Katie Bachelder

    January 15, 2021
    Reading Reflections
    book review, books, Fantasy, Graceling Realm, Jane Unlimited, Kristin Cashore, winterkeep, young adult
  • Rapid Book Reviews (Legendborn, Fool Moon, A Phoenix First Must Burn)

    I’ve been promising some rapid book reviews for today, and I’m here to deliver. If you’ve read some of my recent blog posts, you may have an inkling on some of my general impressions already, but don’t worry, I’ve got plenty to share. This is my second RBR post, and I’m still testing some things…

    Katie Bachelder

    January 8, 2021
    Reading Reflections
    A Phoenix First Must Burn, book review, books, Dresden Files, Fantasy, Jim Butcher, Legendborn, RPR, Short Story, Tracy Deonn
  • End of the Year Reading Wrap-Up (2020)

    The only good thing about 2020 was the sheer number of books I was able to get through. And there were some really good books on that list. There were also some epically awful books I somehow managed not to DNF, and those deserve an honorable mention. I’ve got my Goodreads books open and ready…

    Katie Bachelder

    January 1, 2021
    For Fun :), Reading Reflections
    2020, books, Fantasy, goodreads, Graceling Realm, Kristin Cashore, Legendborn, maggie stiefvater, reading, V. E. Schwab, Wheel of Time, wrap-up
  • Setting Study: Legendborn and the Arthurian Mythos

    The legend of King Arthur is one of the West’s most popular of ancient stories. Why, exactly, it has held sway for thousands of years is up for debate. I think it’s because, with Sir Thomas Malory’s additions to the narrative, there’s a little bit of something for everyone. Action, romance, magic, triumph of good…

    Katie Bachelder

    December 25, 2020
    For Writers: Builder’s Theory
    arthurian legends, book review, books, Legendborn, setting, setting study, Tracy Deonn
  • Setting My 2021 Reading Goals

    As we get closer and closer to the beginning of a new year, it’s time I take a consolidated look at all the bookish things I’m looking forward to in 2021. Over the past month, I’ve been adding books to my TBR list. Some of them aren’t released until next year, and others are ones…

    Katie Bachelder

    December 18, 2020
    For Fun :)
    book blogger, book review, books, Brandon Sanderson, Christopher Paolini, goodreads, new year, R. F. Kuang, reading, reading challenge, winterkeep
  • Rapid Book Reviews! (The Song of Achilles, Long Way Down, This Savage Song)

    In a rare reading victory on my end, I managed to wrap up three books in the last week. I don’t want to feature one single book for this week’s blog post, so we’re going to try something new today. No spoilers, no focus on any single book. I’ll give a little info on each…

    Katie Bachelder

    December 11, 2020
    Reading Reflections
    alternate history, book review, books, Fantasy, graphic novel, historical fiction, Long Way Down, Song of Achilles, this savage song, urban fantasy, V. E. Schwab
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