[End of Disc One]

Too many debut trilogies or series lately that look interesting

Brian McClellan
Anthony Ryan
Django Wexler
Brian Stavely

How is a fantasy fan supposed to keep up when they have a huge backlog in the first place?

[QuickTidal]

Andorion, on 19 August 2014 - 02:58 PM, said:

QuickTidal, on 19 August 2014 - 01:48 PM, said:

It's been decided. I'm taking Ilona Andrews MAGIC BITES to the cottage weekend (read the short story prequel and much enjoyed). Sidenote: Had no idea that Ilona was actually a Russian ex-pat until I watched an interview with her and her husband co-writer. That's cool, and it sounds like she brings at least a LITTLE Russian folklore to the Kate Daniels series.

Also bringing the first Wilbur Smith Courtney's book WHEN THE LION FEEDS...and the latest National Geographic (yes, I still occasionally read magazines).

You read Andrews? That series has been one of my biggest guilty secrets/pleasures

I'm starting it, but yes, the short story (which I believe Abyss also enjoyed) prequel impressed me. And I've heard decent things about the Kate Daniels series. I'll let you know how it goes.

[Abyss]

QuickTidal, on 19 August 2014 - 04:36 PM, said:

Andorion, on 19 August 2014 - 02:58 PM, said:

QuickTidal, on 19 August 2014 - 01:48 PM, said:

It's been decided. I'm taking Ilona Andrews MAGIC BITES to the cottage weekend (read the short story prequel and much enjoyed). Sidenote: Had no idea that Ilona was actually a Russian ex-pat until I watched an interview with her and her husband co-writer. That's cool, and it sounds like she brings at least a LITTLE Russian folklore to the Kate Daniels series.

Also bringing the first Wilbur Smith Courtney's book WHEN THE LION FEEDS...and the latest National Geographic (yes, I still occasionally read magazines).

You read Andrews? That series has been one of my biggest guilty secrets/pleasures

I'm starting it, but yes, the short story (which I believe Abyss also enjoyed) prequel impressed me. And I've heard decent things about the Kate Daniels series. I'll let you know how it goes.

i had to forumsearch to remember when, but yes i did. Note that Andrews is actually a husband/wife writing team whose other series is more or less fantasy pr0n, so ymmv, but the short story was fun so hey, go for it and let us know.

[Coco with marshmallows]

End of Disc One, on 19 August 2014 - 03:05 PM, said:

Too many debut trilogies or series lately that look interesting

Brian McClellan
Anthony Ryan
Django Wexler
Brian Stavely

How is a fantasy fan supposed to keep up when they have a huge backlog in the first place?

Well, if you're me, you read on your commute to work.

I rate all of the above, and will read / have read the next ones in the respective series

[Stalker]

For the Bernard Cornwell fans, any recommendation on where to start with Sharpe? Google had recs for both published order and chronological, so I figured I'd come here for a better opinion.

Figured this would be a good series to start since I enjoyed Cornwell's other works and since I need something to read while Assail slowly gets shipped across the pond (damn my need to have matching uk covers).

[QuickTidal]

Stalker, on 20 August 2014 - 01:00 AM, said:

For the Bernard Cornwell fans, any recommendation on where to start with Sharpe? Google had recs for both published order and chronological, so I figured I'd come here for a better opinion.

Figured this would be a good series to start since I enjoyed Cornwell's other works and since I need something to read while Assail slowly gets shipped across the pond (damn my need to have matching uk covers).

SHARPES TIGER. So, chronological.

[Andorion]

Abyss, on 19 August 2014 - 06:23 PM, said:

QuickTidal, on 19 August 2014 - 04:36 PM, said:

Andorion, on 19 August 2014 - 02:58 PM, said:

QuickTidal, on 19 August 2014 - 01:48 PM, said:

It's been decided. I'm taking Ilona Andrews MAGIC BITES to the cottage weekend (read the short story prequel and much enjoyed). Sidenote: Had no idea that Ilona was actually a Russian ex-pat until I watched an interview with her and her husband co-writer. That's cool, and it sounds like she brings at least a LITTLE Russian folklore to the Kate Daniels series.

Also bringing the first Wilbur Smith Courtney's book WHEN THE LION FEEDS...and the latest National Geographic (yes, I still occasionally read magazines).

You read Andrews? That series has been one of my biggest guilty secrets/pleasures

I'm starting it, but yes, the short story (which I believe Abyss also enjoyed) prequel impressed me. And I've heard decent things about the Kate Daniels series. I'll let you know how it goes.

i had to forumsearch to remember when, but yes i did. Note that Andrews is actually a husband/wife writing team whose other series is more or less fantasy pr0n, so ymmv, but the short story was fun so hey, go for it and let us know.

I am actually quite into the series, not so much the first book, but later the action sequences are quite good

[Chance]

Went through the Broken Eye while agonizing over where to begin reading Esslemont stuff. It was decent but not as good as the second one, more of a move the plot forward a few steps and set up for cool stuff in the next one, like the first book. Also the Magic the Gathering like card games and Christianity aspects of the religion (and the universe?) really throws me out of enjoying it, the later especially in this one. Still a decent volume and a rather nice character progression for some characters.

This post has been edited by Chance: 20 August 2014 - 09:16 AM

[Macros]

QuickTidal, on 20 August 2014 - 01:31 AM, said:

Stalker, on 20 August 2014 - 01:00 AM, said:

For the Bernard Cornwell fans, any recommendation on where to start with Sharpe? Google had recs for both published order and chronological, so I figured I'd come here for a better opinion.

Figured this would be a good series to start since I enjoyed Cornwell's other works and since I need something to read while Assail slowly gets shipped across the pond (damn my need to have matching uk covers).

SHARPES TIGER. So, chronological.

Yes, and no.

Start with the three india books, Tiger, Triumph and Fortress, then personally I'd skip the "transition" books, (last published) and jump to rifles then go chrono, and read the two aforementioned at the end.

so:
Sharpe's Tiger
Sharpe's Triumph
Sharpe's Fortress
Sharpe's Trafalgar **
Sharpe's Prey **
Sharpe's Rifles
Sharpe's Havoc **
Sharpe's Eagle
Sharpe's Gold
Sharpe's Escape **
Sharpe's Fury **
Sharpe's Battle
Sharpe's Company
Sharpe's Sword
Sharpe's Skirmish (short story)
Sharpe's Enemy
Sharpe's Honour
Sharpe's Regiment
Sharpe's Christmas (short story)
Sharpe's Siege
Sharpe's Revenge
Sharpe's Waterloo
Sharpe's Ransom
Sharpe's Devil


books noted ** were writen after the original run, and IMO are a bit Mary Sue in places (yes sharpe as a whole could be painted as a mary sue but still, you'll see what I mean when you read them, they felt like Cornwell loves sharpe as a character and just couldn't resist going back to him, and these were the only time frames he could fit something into to make a story for him). As such I would recommend reading them in chronological order, with the exception of the 5 ones I've starred, because they were written so long after the fact there's a lot of little bits that are mentioned in those books only that don't link to the rest of the series that well and I feel they jar slightly because of it, then pick up the other 5 afterward if you want even more sharpe goodness.
The short stories were written after the original run as well

This post has been edited by Macros: 20 August 2014 - 10:00 AM

[Serenity]

Macros, on 19 August 2014 - 06:34 AM, said:

Lord Gator, on 18 August 2014 - 10:17 PM, said:

Macros how's Rome?

Circa 700 pages in, took me a while to into the groove with the names, but I'm enjoying it, Rutilius' letters are always good

Yeah, Rutilius' letters were some of my favourite parts of the books. Glad you're enjoying it. I read the first four very close together and now I've kind of run out of steam on them for the moment. If I have one criticism it's that she does have a tendency to want to show off her research, rather than get on with the story. It's always a fine line to walk in historical fiction - and she jumps over it with both feet at times. Still terrific books, though.


Since last visit I've read The Scent of Death by Andrew Taylor, which I didn't like at all - to the point where I'm wondering why I bothered finishing it.

And now I'm approaching the end of Morgan's Woken Furies, which I'm really enjoying. I get the feeling Morgan's a very angry man . . .

[QuickTidal]

@Stalker: Macros is right, the transition books are nothing spectacular...and you can skip from the third book straight to Rifles.

@Andorion: Yeah, I'm just impressed with the world so far. The opening chapter where Daniels is talking to the grostesque vampire proxy clinging to her kitchen ceiling while it has her dagger embedded in its throat and is leaking purple blood...kinda cool.

[acesn8s]

QuickTidal, on 20 August 2014 - 10:45 AM, said:

@Stalker: Macros is right, the transition books are nothing spectacular...and you can skip from the third book straight to Rifles.

I agree. I started with Rifles many years ago, and think Tiger is a fine jump off point.

I finished Blood of the Mantis and have jumped right into Salute the Dark. I'm also still working on The Fall while on lunch at work.

[Whisperzzzzzzz]

Whisper's Malazan Reread Bonanza ~2014 Edition~

Finished GOTM, starting DG.

[End of Disc One]

Lord Gator, on 20 August 2014 - 11:04 PM, said:

Oh yeah I been waiting for Shadows of the Apt 10 to release so I could get it and read 9 & 10 together. 10 should be soon.

10 should already be out

Just started 4 myself

[Andorion]

Lord Gator, on 20 August 2014 - 11:04 PM, said:

Oh yeah I been waiting for Shadows of the Apt 10 to release so I could get it and read 9 & 10 together. 10 should be soon.

I started this series some years back, stopped around 3 or 4. Is it true that

Spoiler

everybody dies?

[Mentalist]

Andorion, on 21 August 2014 - 02:04 AM, said:

Lord Gator, on 20 August 2014 - 11:04 PM, said:

Oh yeah I been waiting for Shadows of the Apt 10 to release so I could get it and read 9 & 10 together. 10 should be soon.

I started this series some years back, stopped around 3 or 4. Is it true that

Spoiler

everybody dies?

Spoiler

in Book 4, a lot of people die. uber super spoiler:

Spoiler

not everyone dies permanently

Lots more crazy kinden types are introduced.

Aside from that, I've finished "Assail". Liked it ok. more in the proper forum.

Will also need to plan a massive Malaz re-read at some point.

This post has been edited by Mentalist: 21 August 2014 - 03:14 AM

[Andorion]

Lord Gator, on 21 August 2014 - 03:37 AM, said:

Andorion, on 21 August 2014 - 02:04 AM, said:

Lord Gator, on 20 August 2014 - 11:04 PM, said:

Oh yeah I been waiting for Shadows of the Apt 10 to release so I could get it and read 9 & 10 together. 10 should be soon.

I started this series some years back, stopped around 3 or 4. Is it true that

Spoiler

everybody dies?

I can't bring myself to click on Ments reply but if that's true and I just got ruined I'm gonna be aggroed. You may want to put "possible ending" or some such then the spoiler for recent/current series. Now I'm gonna have that idea in my head for 9&10.

That's why I spoilered it, besides I didn't know myself, just heard some rumours. Its only a spoiler if you have read uptil book 3 or so and no further I think. My question was not about Books 9 or 10 but about the series after book 3.

[Mentalist]

Lord Gator, on 21 August 2014 - 03:37 AM, said:

Andorion, on 21 August 2014 - 02:04 AM, said:

Lord Gator, on 20 August 2014 - 11:04 PM, said:

Oh yeah I been waiting for Shadows of the Apt 10 to release so I could get it and read 9 & 10 together. 10 should be soon.

I started this series some years back, stopped around 3 or 4. Is it true that

Spoiler

everybody dies?

I can't bring myself to click on Ments reply but if that's true and I just got ruined I'm gonna be aggroed. You may want to put "possible ending" or some such then the spoiler for recent/current series. Now I'm gonna have that idea in my head for 9&10.

I haven't read Book 10 yet, so click away, lol.

ETA: I do intend to get Book 10 once it hits mmpb (may order it from UK if I get around to shopping online soonish again)

With "Assail" behind me, not sure what to read. Will give that wuxia-like "Initiate Brother" duology I've had sitting on my shelf a try, i think.

This post has been edited by Mentalist: 21 August 2014 - 04:30 AM

[JPK]

I ended up stalling out in the middle of The Widow's House for a solid week because of stupid real life getting in my way. That said, I did enjoy it, and look forward to the ending of this series. I agree with the person upthread that mentioned how neatly he drew the battle-lines at the end of this book and add that I think the last one is going to be a hell of a convergence.

I'm going to start Assail as soon as I can.

[QuickTidal]

I'm about 40 pages into MAGIC BITES, and so far it's GREAT! Like Aaronovitch-great. The best thing, 40 pages in and there has nary been any heaving, glistening man-chests....but there has been a two-corpse crime scene where one's head off with the spinal cord sticking out, and the other gored by some creature into hamburger. The world building so far is really cool, liking the different magical orders and characters. Kate's voice is pretty damned cool. If the rest of the book is like this, I can see myself really enjoying this series.