[Solidsnape]

polishgenius, on 27 June 2013 - 11:11 AM, said:

amphibian, on 27 June 2013 - 07:00 AM, said:

Had my brain lit up like the Atlantic City boardwalk on the fourth of July by Consider Phlebas.

You can draw a direct and fucking brilliant line from Banks to Richard Morgan and a few others. Alistair Reynolds maybe. I can tell thus from one book, yes. This man probably was a legend and still under the radar.

Banks was something of a precursor to the wave of British Science Fiction that those two are a part of so yes, definitely. Rest assured that he's not under the radar in the UK, anyway. />/> I don't think he even had a US publisher (at least for his SF) until Orbit opened a US side about five/six years ago, which would explain his less exalted status where you are.


As for 'brain lit up like Atlantic City', just you fucking wait till you get to the really good stuff. />/>

Too right.
Use of Weapons is fantastic but Excession is my favourite.
They all good though.

I read somewhere that Banks said he pretty much ripped the orbital idea from someone else. I believe it was called a ring world (?) but the authors name escapes me.
The shell world in Matter was pretty darn good too.

http://www.vavatch.c...ks/cultnote.htm

Some authors notes on the Culture for anyone who's interested.

This post has been edited by Solidsnape: 27 June 2013 - 01:25 PM

[polishgenius]

Solidsnape, on 27 June 2013 - 01:24 PM, said:

I read somewhere that Banks said he pretty much ripped the orbital idea from someone else. I believe it was called a ring world (?) but the authors name escapes me.

Larry Niven's Ringworld and sequels are what you're thinking of and yeah, are very influential in general and on the orbitals specifically. Banks basically took that and made it smaller (Niven's structures encircle the star entirely). Halo is obviously another series with a strong resemblance to that.

[Abyss]

Mentalist, on 27 June 2013 - 04:38 AM, said:

Finished Railsea Mieville almost went an entire book without inserting some social commentary!

What else to say about it? It is quintessential Mieville--I mean, it's New Weird. A rich, imaginative word that's all sorts of "wrong" from nearly any perspective. But it's informed by such logic and vision that it works. I wasn't sure about it for the beginning (the " & " thing was of particular annoyance, until he specifically addressed that), but it really grew on me. By the end was hooked. Plot-wise, it's really nor the strongest of works, but the setting makes it all work.
...

Agreed. not his best, but so much fun.

[Jade-Green Pig-Hog Swine-Beast]

Finished Mieville's Iron Council, which I really enjoyed, though perhaps not as much as The Scar. Now I'm a couple of chapters into Banks's The Quarry.

[T77]

Morgoth, on 27 June 2013 - 06:55 AM, said:

T77, on 26 June 2013 - 02:03 PM, said:

Briar King, on 26 June 2013 - 02:22 AM, said:

@T77

Gene Wolfe is a true fucking legend.

Agreed. The man is a genius.

Gene Wolfe is, in my impressively humble opinion, the strongest writer of fantasy/sci fi alive.

This week's Sword & Laser podcast has an interview with Gene Wolfe that is well worth the listen. I was a bit disappointed in some of the listener questions and I thought they should have plugged his next book instead of him having to bring it up at the end. But, still very good. I also wan't sure if he was drinking as he sounded a bit drunk. But, maybe that is just the way he is.

One interesting tidbit was about a new Latro book. He said it was possible, but he does a lot of research on these books first. I was surprised that he was shooting for historical accuracy. Which, I think, is a good thing. Next up for me is Soldier of Sidon.

[polishgenius]

My favourite things about Gene Wolfe are that he looks like Doctor Robotnik's grandpa and that he helped invent the Pringle.


And that he's one of the best writers known to humankind, of course, but that's quite another issue.

[amphibian]

T77, on 27 June 2013 - 05:06 PM, said:

This week's Sword & Laser podcast has an interview with Gene Wolfe that is well worth the listen. I was a bit disappointed in some of the listener questions and I thought they should have plugged his next book instead of him having to bring it up at the end. But, still very good. I also wan't sure if he was drinking as he sounded a bit drunk. But, maybe that is just the way he is.

One interesting tidbit was about a new Latro book. He said it was possible, but he does a lot of research on these books first. I was surprised that he was shooting for historical accuracy. Which, I think, is a good thing. Next up for me is Soldier of Sidon.

He's old. That's how old people sound.

Anyways, I found him to be far more tolerant and willing to talk than he has been in past interviews. Perhaps there's something about physically being there to interview and to talk to him that he really likes.

Yeah, the Latro books take more research than anything else he writes. It's amazing how accurate some of the stuff is (my gran is an archeologist specializing in Greek city systems) in those books. He said he didn't think another one would come, but it kind of depended on how the research would go - whether he'd really glom onto it or not enjoy it that much.

[Mentalist]

3:16 AM. Whomever suggested I read "Leviathan wakes": I hate you so much right now.

It's been a while since i've read a book in one massive sitting, foregoing all else. But the near-future sci-fi/noir mashup just worked waay to well for me to put it down. just... yeah. Great book, good pacing (which is one problem I've been having with a lot of stuff I read recently), and just such a goddamn page-turner.

now I'm gonna crawl away and try to get some sleep before work.

[James Hutton]

James Hutton, on 17 June 2013 - 05:07 PM, said:

On to THE TEN THOUSAND by Paul Kearney.

Finished. I don't agree with the "One of the very best writers of fantasy around" quote by SE on the front I'm afraid. The main thing being I didn't really connect with any of the major characters. Without that, it's a good story with a couple of well-written, good plot twists, but not "one of the very best".

Next? A re-read of TOLL THE HOUNDS.

[QuickTidal]

James Hutton, on 28 June 2013 - 07:44 AM, said:

James Hutton, on 17 June 2013 - 05:07 PM, said:

On to THE TEN THOUSAND by Paul Kearney.

Finished. I don't agree with the "One of the very best writers of fantasy around" quote by SE on the front I'm afraid. The main thing being I didn't really connect with any of the major characters. Without that, it's a good story with a couple of well-written, good plot twists, but not "one of the very best".

It suffers for lack of originality slightly under the yoke of the fact that the first book is basically a fantastical retelling of the real historical Ten Thousand (A group of ten thousand mostly Greek mercenaries who are organized by Cyrus the Younger to wrest control of the Persian throne from his brother Ataxerxes II) events.

That said, I've heard that both sequels (CORVUS and KINGS Of MORNING) go off on their own and don't retell any stories, but make new ones in the established world of Kuf.

[James Hutton]

QuickTidal, on 28 June 2013 - 01:09 PM, said:

James Hutton, on 28 June 2013 - 07:44 AM, said:

James Hutton, on 17 June 2013 - 05:07 PM, said:

On to THE TEN THOUSAND by Paul Kearney.

Finished. I don't agree with the "One of the very best writers of fantasy around" quote by SE on the front I'm afraid. The main thing being I didn't really connect with any of the major characters. Without that, it's a good story with a couple of well-written, good plot twists, but not "one of the very best".

It suffers for lack of originality slightly under the yoke of the fact that the first book is basically a fantastical retelling of the real historical Ten Thousand (A group of ten thousand mostly Greek mercenaries who are organized by Cyrus the Younger to wrest control of the Persian throne from his brother Ataxerxes II) events.

That said, I've heard that both sequels (CORVUS and KINGS Of MORNING) go off on their own and don't retell any stories, but make new ones in the established world of Kuf.

Aha, now I understand that Greek undercurrent I felt when reading the book!

I've got CORVUS in the TRP. I'll move it up because of your secondhand recommendation, but the blurb didn't hook me in at all, because (THE TEN THOUSAND spoiler)

Spoiler

the protagonist is probably Jason's kid, and I felt no connection with Jason and his wife and therefore don't care really for what he'll fell about his father, mother or his father's death. Unfortunately.

[T77]

amphibian, on 27 June 2013 - 06:51 PM, said:

...
Yeah, the Latro books take more research than anything else he writes. It's amazing how accurate some of the stuff is (my gran is an archeologist specializing in Greek city systems) in those books. He said he didn't think another one would come, but it kind of depended on how the research would go - whether he'd really glom onto it or not enjoy it that much.

I wish I knew this before reading the first two books. I think it would have been a different read. Not that I didn't like them, I thought they were great. There are those who think Latro is his best work.

[Mentalist]

James Hutton, on 28 June 2013 - 02:37 PM, said:

QuickTidal, on 28 June 2013 - 01:09 PM, said:

James Hutton, on 28 June 2013 - 07:44 AM, said:

James Hutton, on 17 June 2013 - 05:07 PM, said:

On to THE TEN THOUSAND by Paul Kearney.

Finished. I don't agree with the "One of the very best writers of fantasy around" quote by SE on the front I'm afraid. The main thing being I didn't really connect with any of the major characters. Without that, it's a good story with a couple of well-written, good plot twists, but not "one of the very best".

It suffers for lack of originality slightly under the yoke of the fact that the first book is basically a fantastical retelling of the real historical Ten Thousand (A group of ten thousand mostly Greek mercenaries who are organized by Cyrus the Younger to wrest control of the Persian throne from his brother Ataxerxes II) events.

That said, I've heard that both sequels (CORVUS and KINGS Of MORNING) go off on their own and don't retell any stories, but make new ones in the established world of Kuf.

Aha, now I understand that Greek undercurrent I felt when reading the book!

I've got CORVUS in the TRP. I'll move it up because of your secondhand recommendation, but the blurb didn't hook me in at all, because (THE TEN THOUSAND spoiler)

Spoiler

the protagonist is probably Jason's kid, and I felt no connection with Jason and his wife and therefore don't care really for what he'll fell about his father, mother or his father's death. Unfortunately.

FWIW, I like The Ten Thousand, but was unimpressed with Corvus. Take it as you may.

[QuickTidal]

Briar King, on 28 June 2013 - 10:26 PM, said:

Abbadons Gate HERE I MOTHERFUCKING COME!!!

Took you long enough Tanner!

LOL!

[Mentalist]

I believe I will now give Warbreaker a try

[QuickTidal]

Finished up Rollins latest Sigma offering in one day. A solid, solid entry in the series that intro's some new faces to the team and new helpers...a truly compelling story with some awesome settings (Macau, Hong Kong, Mongolia). Another great entry!

Now I'm onto finishing up the second Gaunts Ghosts Omnibus with the 7th tale SABBAT MARTYR...and after that I'll be picking up the final Ghosts omnibus THE LOST...and while I'm at it the first Sandy Mitchell Ciaphas Cain omnibus HERO OF THE IMPERIUM as well.

[JPK]

Finished The Runes of the Earth. I KNOW this was published years (and I DO mean years... 21 to be exact) after the second chronicles, but I had forgotten how much Donaldson had learned about pacing in that time. Don't get me wrong, I love the older books, but there is no way in hell that I can force myself to finish one of those books in less than a week and half because they can be painfully slow at times. Now RotE... I couldn't put it down. I didn't WANT to. Then again, I do believe that not having the main character go off into how much they hate themselves every third page helped tremendously as well.

Next up is The Tyrant's Law, and then jumping straight into Fatal Revenant.

[End of Disc One]

Started The Black Company. Not sure what to think about this one. I think I like it. I can definitely see the influences on Malazan.

[Orlion]

The Incredible Kitsu, on 30 June 2013 - 09:30 PM, said:

Finished The Runes of the Earth. I KNOW this was published years (and I DO mean years... 21 to be exact) after the second chronicles, but I had forgotten how much Donaldson had learned about pacing in that time. Don't get me wrong, I love the older books, but there is no way in hell that I can force myself to finish one of those books in less than a week and half because they can be painfully slow at times. Now RotE... I couldn't put it down. I didn't WANT to. Then again, I do believe that not having the main character go off into how much they hate themselves every third page helped tremendously as well.

Next up is The Tyrant's Law, and then jumping straight into Fatal Revenant.

Good man.

[worry]

End of Disc One, on 01 July 2013 - 01:21 PM, said:

Started The Black Company. Not sure what to think about this one. I think I like it. I can definitely see the influences on Malazan.

TBH, it took me maybe the whole first book to get used to the style (even as I enjoyed the story), but somewhere in book 2 (and then ever after) it just starts to feel really comfortable. So it's an acquired taste for sure, but once you acquire it...well, it's addictive, and one of the most singular, identifiable voices in all of fantasy.