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Not entirely sure what to think.
Spoiler
All in all a haunting trilogy, with lovely and evocative prose, and some great ideas and executions...it just doens't finish as strongly as I wanted it to.
Not sure what I'll read next.
Reading at t'moment?
#14761
QuickTidal 
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Posted 25 January 2015 - 12:07 AM
Finished ACCEPTANCE by Vandermeer.
Not entirely sure what to think.
All in all a haunting trilogy, with lovely and evocative prose, and some great ideas and executions...it just doens't finish as strongly as I wanted it to.
Not sure what I'll read next.
Not entirely sure what to think.
All in all a haunting trilogy, with lovely and evocative prose, and some great ideas and executions...it just doens't finish as strongly as I wanted it to.
Not sure what I'll read next.
"When the last tree has fallen, and the rivers are poisoned, you cannot eat money, oh no." ~Aurora
"Someone will always try to sell you despair, just so they don't feel alone." ~Ursula Vernon
"Someone will always try to sell you despair, just so they don't feel alone." ~Ursula Vernon
#14763
Tiste Simeon
- Faith, Heavy Metal & Bacon
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Posted 25 January 2015 - 07:30 AM
worry, on 25 January 2015 - 12:39 AM, said:
Read my novelization of the movie Whiplash. Here's an excerpt:
Spoiler
RT if yuo cri everytiem
A Haunting Poem
I Scream
You Scream
We all Scream
For I Scream.
I Scream
You Scream
We all Scream
For I Scream.
#14764
QuickTidal
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Posted 26 January 2015 - 01:17 PM
Started Gemmell's WOLF IN SHADOW, the first book in the Jon Shannow series. So far it's pretty good (only about 60 pages in), very western-y (obviously) but since he's looking for Jerusalem and they talk about England I'ma guess it's taking place in post-apocalyptic Europe.
Anyone else read them?
Anyone else read them?
"When the last tree has fallen, and the rivers are poisoned, you cannot eat money, oh no." ~Aurora
"Someone will always try to sell you despair, just so they don't feel alone." ~Ursula Vernon
"Someone will always try to sell you despair, just so they don't feel alone." ~Ursula Vernon
#14765
Serenity
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Posted 26 January 2015 - 02:05 PM
QuickTidal, on 26 January 2015 - 01:17 PM, said:
Started Gemmell's WOLF IN SHADOW, the first book in the Jon Shannow series. So far it's pretty good (only about 60 pages in), very western-y (obviously) but since he's looking for Jerusalem and they talk about England I'ma guess it's taking place in post-apocalyptic Europe.
Anyone else read them?
Anyone else read them?
I've only read Wolf in Shadow, got the others on my TRP. I read it ages ago, and it was my first Gemmell, so couldn't compare it to his other work at the time. I enjoyed it but would say others that I've read since have made a longer-lasting impression, but I'll be interested to re-read it in the future and really see how it compares.
I'm currently approaching the end of Trafalgar: the Men, the Battle, the Storm by Tim Clayton and Phil Craig. I don't read a lot of non-fiction but fancied this, given my current Patrick O'Brian addiction. It's very good, very readable, the build up to the battle was very tense - and I like the way they use letters and journal entries to give men from all sides a voice - but it's over-staying its welcome a little, I think. Maybe that's cos I'm being impatient and want to get onto the next Aubrey/Maturin book.
#14766
Salt-Man Z
- My pen halts, though I do not
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Posted 26 January 2015 - 04:13 PM
Done with The Urth of the New Sun. Man, it just gets better every time I read it. (Like most of Wolfe's stuff.)
Also finished up the second Vampire Hunter D novel, Raiser of Gales. It was better than the first one, I guess. Still haven't decided if it's the translation or the original text that's so cringe-worthy. Either way, I don't feel compelled to read the third.
And I picked up The Wurms of Blearmouth from the library on the way into work, so that's up next.
Also finished up the second Vampire Hunter D novel, Raiser of Gales. It was better than the first one, I guess. Still haven't decided if it's the translation or the original text that's so cringe-worthy. Either way, I don't feel compelled to read the third.
And I picked up The Wurms of Blearmouth from the library on the way into work, so that's up next.
"Here is light. You will say that it is not a living entity, but you miss the point that it is more, not less. Without occupying space, it fills the universe. It nourishes everything, yet itself feeds upon destruction. We claim to control it, but does it not perhaps cultivate us as a source of food? May it not be that all wood grows so that it can be set ablaze, and that men and women are born to kindle fires?"
―Gene Wolfe, The Citadel of the Autarch
―Gene Wolfe, The Citadel of the Autarch
#14768
Maark Abbott
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Posted 26 January 2015 - 05:04 PM
Tiste Simeon, on 25 January 2015 - 07:30 AM, said:
worry, on 25 January 2015 - 12:39 AM, said:
Read my novelization of the movie Whiplash. Here's an excerpt:
Spoiler
RT if yuo cri everytiem
Not as good as Davidian
Debut novel 'Incarnate' now available on Kindle
#14769
Abyss
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Posted 26 January 2015 - 07:14 PM
QuickTidal, on 26 January 2015 - 01:17 PM, said:
Started Gemmell's WOLF IN SHADOW, the first book in the Jon Shannow series. So far it's pretty good (only about 60 pages in), very western-y (obviously) but since he's looking for Jerusalem and they talk about England I'ma guess it's taking place in post-apocalyptic Europe.
Anyone else read them?
Anyone else read them?
Yep, albeit ages ago.
Not as wild as his more fantasy based Drenai stuff, but enjoyable.
THIS IS YOUR REMINDER THAT THERE IS A
'VIEW NEW CONTENT' BUTTON THAT
ALLOWS YOU TO VIEW NEW CONTENT
'VIEW NEW CONTENT' BUTTON THAT
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#14770
Salt-Man Z
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Posted 26 January 2015 - 08:16 PM
amphibian, on 26 January 2015 - 04:27 PM, said:
Do you work your way to Long Sun and Short Sun now and then or stick to New Sun?
I like to reread BotNS every December or so, only occasionally throwing in Urth (just because it's so different.) I've read Long Sun once, and it was good, but hard going at times. I own the Short Sun omnibus, but I feel like I'd need to reread Long Sun first, and I find the prospect of doing so daunting. I might give it a try next year, we'll see.
"Here is light. You will say that it is not a living entity, but you miss the point that it is more, not less. Without occupying space, it fills the universe. It nourishes everything, yet itself feeds upon destruction. We claim to control it, but does it not perhaps cultivate us as a source of food? May it not be that all wood grows so that it can be set ablaze, and that men and women are born to kindle fires?"
―Gene Wolfe, The Citadel of the Autarch
―Gene Wolfe, The Citadel of the Autarch
#14771
acesn8s
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Posted 26 January 2015 - 08:39 PM
QuickTidal, on 26 January 2015 - 01:17 PM, said:
Started Gemmell's WOLF IN SHADOW, the first book in the Jon Shannow series. So far it's pretty good (only about 60 pages in), very western-y (obviously) but since he's looking for Jerusalem and they talk about England I'ma guess it's taking place in post-apocalyptic Europe.
Anyone else read them?
Anyone else read them?
Read his Shannow series a long time ago. A solid effort by Gemmell.
“The others followed, and found themselves in a small, stuffy basement, which would have been damp, smelly, close, and dark, were it not, in fact, well-lit, which prevented it from being dark.”
― Steven Brust, The Phoenix Guards
― Steven Brust, The Phoenix Guards
#14772
Baco Xtath
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Posted 26 January 2015 - 10:09 PM
I made it to the final book of Long, when shit starts getting good, then lost traction somewhere, and haven't gone back (though I really do want to). I've got Short Sun above my TV so I see it constantly. One day.
50% in Three Parts Dead; awesome stuff. 4 hrs into Goblin Emperor - decent. 2 hrs into Apocalypse Codex - fun, fun. 7 hrs into the Pale King - insane or brilliant, not sure which.
50% in Three Parts Dead; awesome stuff. 4 hrs into Goblin Emperor - decent. 2 hrs into Apocalypse Codex - fun, fun. 7 hrs into the Pale King - insane or brilliant, not sure which.
"Give a man a fire and he's warm for the day. But set fire to him and he's warm for the rest of his life." - Terry Pratchett, Jingo"Just erotic. Nothing kinky. It's the difference between using a feather and using a chicken." - Terry Pratchett, Eric
"Wisdom comes from experience. Experience is often a result of a lack of wisdom." - Terry Pratchett
"Wisdom comes from experience. Experience is often a result of a lack of wisdom." - Terry Pratchett
#14773
Salt-Man Z
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Posted 26 January 2015 - 10:41 PM
Cajun King, on 26 January 2015 - 09:44 PM, said:
I don't remember the reading order for Short, Long, New. I have them all but could barely make 200 pgs into Long. It's way different compared to New's epicness.
Short is a sequel to Long, and there are some tangential ties to New in Long (and presumably Short, which I haven't read.) I liked (IIRC) the first two Long Sun books when they dealt more with Silk and were a little more personal. Once the background machinations and intrigue started to take over the plot (though often still hidden in the background, because Wolfe) I started to flounder a bit.
"Here is light. You will say that it is not a living entity, but you miss the point that it is more, not less. Without occupying space, it fills the universe. It nourishes everything, yet itself feeds upon destruction. We claim to control it, but does it not perhaps cultivate us as a source of food? May it not be that all wood grows so that it can be set ablaze, and that men and women are born to kindle fires?"
―Gene Wolfe, The Citadel of the Autarch
―Gene Wolfe, The Citadel of the Autarch
#14774
Baco Xtath
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Posted 27 January 2015 - 01:33 AM
Cajun King, on 27 January 2015 - 01:23 AM, said:
So New, Long, Short or Long, Short, New?
I to haven't even cracked open Short despite having all 3 sets for 15 yrs or so.
I to haven't even cracked open Short despite having all 3 sets for 15 yrs or so.
New, Urth of New, Long, Short.
By the way, to any lawyers hereabouts, y'all really need to check out this Three Parts Dead. It's like Magic Matlock.
"Give a man a fire and he's warm for the day. But set fire to him and he's warm for the rest of his life." - Terry Pratchett, Jingo"Just erotic. Nothing kinky. It's the difference between using a feather and using a chicken." - Terry Pratchett, Eric
"Wisdom comes from experience. Experience is often a result of a lack of wisdom." - Terry Pratchett
"Wisdom comes from experience. Experience is often a result of a lack of wisdom." - Terry Pratchett
#14775
amphibian
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Posted 27 January 2015 - 02:59 AM
Short Sun is his most emotionally affecting work ever. There's a thing in the second book that had me in tears for a solid 30 minutes.
But you have to have Long Sun fresh in the mind because the characters are all working from their guesses at what would Silk do/what did he do.
But you have to have Long Sun fresh in the mind because the characters are all working from their guesses at what would Silk do/what did he do.
I survived the Permian and all I got was this t-shirt.
#14777
Abyss
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Posted 27 January 2015 - 06:18 AM
Finished the audiobook of Marie Brennen's A NATURAL HISTORY OF DRAGONS.I didn't love this. I have a feeling that if I had read it, as opposed to audio, I would have skimmed a lot. The world is basically Early Victorian era Europe with all the trimmings and different country names. The protagonist is a Lady in a world of men who think ladies belong making babies and ordering the servants around, and that is the first problem because I just don't find that plot point all that interesting. The fact that she is obsessed with dragons elevates her above similar Pride and Prejudicey characters, but the other problem lies in these dragons just not being all that interesting to me either. There is no magic in this book... The dragons are seldom seen apex predators. To the author's credit she's given them a lot of thought and some interesting basis in 'science', but at root there isn't much there for a long time fantasy/sf reader to marvel at.
This would be an excellent book for an intro to the genre, but for me, while it held my attention just enough, I doubt i'll be hunting down the next one in the series.
This would be an excellent book for an intro to the genre, but for me, while it held my attention just enough, I doubt i'll be hunting down the next one in the series.
THIS IS YOUR REMINDER THAT THERE IS A
'VIEW NEW CONTENT' BUTTON THAT
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#14779
QuickTidal
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Posted 27 January 2015 - 11:12 AM
Put WOLF IN SHADOW back into the ToRead Pile (wasn't feeling it)...and started Brian Stavely's second volume in the Unhewn Thrown sequence THE PROVIDENCE OF FIRE.
"When the last tree has fallen, and the rivers are poisoned, you cannot eat money, oh no." ~Aurora
"Someone will always try to sell you despair, just so they don't feel alone." ~Ursula Vernon
"Someone will always try to sell you despair, just so they don't feel alone." ~Ursula Vernon
#14780
Andorion
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Posted 27 January 2015 - 12:20 PM
Finished Jemisin's third Kingdoms of God yesterday. The book was very good, but somehow I don't know... I felt it had shaped up beautifully but the very last part seemed to be... a cop-out.
Anyway now I have a problem. i was going to start Elantris. But I got two books for my birthday. One is Matthew Reilly's The Great Zoo of China which I am super stoked about and the other is the Boy in the Striped Pyjamas. Can't decide what to read now
Anyway now I have a problem. i was going to start Elantris. But I got two books for my birthday. One is Matthew Reilly's The Great Zoo of China which I am super stoked about and the other is the Boy in the Striped Pyjamas. Can't decide what to read now
