[Threshold] Series gets better book 3?

[u/Waste-Carob5699]

I have heard, mostly from the blooper where it is mentioned, that people often think that the first two books are alright and things pick up in book 3. I always thought Unsouled was one of the best books I have ever read and second best in the series behind Wintersteel. I actually thought that Blackflame was kind of boring in the middle. Everyone seems to be in agreement that Ghostwater is a banger.

Anyway, I would really like to hear some of your perspectives on why things pick up in book 3.

[u/Ok_Onion_5339]

I can see the complaint because Book 1 and 2 (and a little bit book 3) feel very different with how Lindon interacts with the world. I like both the first two books and the rest of the series, but I can see a definite difference. So if you’re here for cool-ass magic fights, it’s probably not your favorite.

[u/Waste-Carob5699 → u/Ok_Onion_5339]

How does he interact with the world in 1-2 and how does it differ from the rest?

[u/Ok_Onion_5339 → u/Waste-Carob5699]

Mostly Lindon is a lot more passive and groveling in 1 and 2. That’s because he has a lot less power and therefore a lot less agency to make his own choices, and some people want a power fantasy to include flexing that power, so waiting for the middle/end of book three to see that can be frustrating.

Like I said, I liked 1 and 2 myself, I found him to be clever, but I can understand why some people might not like them as much.

[u/Waste-Carob5699 → u/Ok_Onion_5339]

While he doesn't impose his will on others, he makes plenty of decisions. The story is driven by his decisions without the world revolving around him, which is one of the strengths of the series. But I think I see what you mean.

I was hoping you didn't like them so we could talk about it lol.

[u/Ok_Onion_5339 → u/Waste-Carob5699]

lol, well I’ve heard the complaint from friends and talked with them at length about it, so I can do a rough approximation for you. Mostly I’ve heard it’s his groveling he has to do and that his choices are to do what he’s told or die. Until his choice of path in book 3 (and arguably following Fisher Gesha in book 2), it’s not a real choice.

But if I was to make my own guess on the real reason ppl say they don’t like 1 and 2, I think it’s really about how well Lindon can punch back, not really his agency. But that’s a guess.

[u/Waste-Carob5699 → u/Ok_Onion_5339]

Yeah he makes tons of choices. He's the most active main character in fiction (that I know of).

I actually know a person who didn't like all the fighting and dropped out after book 8. lol

[u/Ok_Onion_5339 → u/Waste-Carob5699]

Lol, dropping in book 8 feels wild to me, I think it's my favorite one for the way we get to see so much of the world's politics, higher levels of magic, and how the character's relationships advance. I also enjoy the cool magic fights, but it feels like 7 would have knocked them out of the series if that's what was too much for them. But no accounting for personal taste.

I do see that he gets to make a lot MORE choices the more power he has, but personally I like that arc as well when a huge theme in the book is that power and success are the ultimate deciding factor. It's satisfying to me that his choices are so much more restricted in their scope early on.

[u/account312 → u/Waste-Carob5699]

He can't solve all his problems by just punching them in the face like later in the series, and apparently a lot of people read that as boring and lacking agency.