[Maark Abbott]

Andorion, on 06 July 2015 - 07:01 AM, said:

Maark, on 06 July 2015 - 03:54 AM, said:

I enjoyed the core Paksenarrion book(s), but you have to allow for that they're very, very 80s in tone. The end of Book 3 got quite sloggy and I didn't much care for the overall ending but the journey was the fun part.

Similar to WoT? Or Belgariad?

It's got the Eddings cheese but lacks the Broquest feel of the Elenuli and the innocence faded boy to man questing of the Mallgariad. As worrywart says, it's very focused on Paks developing. She takes a long time to become a full on badass. I don't recall there being many non-Paks POVs at all; those that did leave her very briefly were for a matter of pages.

[acesn8s]

Andorion, on 06 July 2015 - 02:21 AM, said:

Need some help sorting out my immediate TBR pile. I was considering adding a few series:

Sebastien De Castell's two Greatcoats books

James Corey's Expanse

I have heard a lot of hype about Corey, so does he live up to it? I have also heard a lot of good things about Castell.

I am also considering getting Elizabeth Moon's Deeds of Paksenarrion and Lois Bujolds Chalion series.

Would like to get some reactions on these two as well.

I enjoyed the Greatcoats books more than the Pax series (although I read the Pax series in the early 90s).

I read the first book in the Chalion series, it was very good. It's the opposite of the Greatcoats series in my mind. Greatcoats = swashbuckling action. Chalion = intrigue.

I am not familiar with James Corey, so can not comment.

This post has been edited by acesn8s: 06 July 2015 - 12:32 PM

[QuickTidal]

acesn8s, on 06 July 2015 - 12:32 PM, said:

Andorion, on 06 July 2015 - 02:21 AM, said:

Need some help sorting out my immediate TBR pile. I was considering adding a few series:

Sebastien De Castell's two Greatcoats books

James Corey's Expanse

I have heard a lot of hype about Corey, so does he live up to it? I have also heard a lot of good things about Castell.

I am also considering getting Elizabeth Moon's Deeds of Paksenarrion and Lois Bujolds Chalion series.

Would like to get some reactions on these two as well.

I enjoyed the Greatcoats books more than the Pax series (although I read the Pax series in the early 90s).

Agreed. I actually didn't like the Paks series AT ALL. But love me some Greatcoats (reading book 2 myself just now).

This post has been edited by QuickTidal: 06 July 2015 - 12:49 PM

[Andorion]

Hm. I'll give Pax a try then. But Corey and Greatcoats come first. And I have to start Reynolds soon.

[amphibian]

The Paksenarrion series, as I said before, seems simple. But Moon doesn't let it stay that way and the trials facing Paks are tough.

The series as a whole is very much a character studies/military themed fantasy. It does have the strong '80s fantasy true-hero-of-good tone to it, however, it is the best of its kind.

There is a reason why Matthew Stover (author of the Caine series and more) wrote a loving tribute to the series in a meta-fictional "Paksenarrion vs. Caine" match: http://sf-fantasy.su...ksenarrion.html

[JPK]

I just finished Expanse book 5. I'll add another endorsement for this series. Also, you guys were right, this book ramped the action right back to 11. I can't wait for the next one.

Next up is Brust's Hawk. After this I'll be current with the Taltos series.

[Nicodimas]

As I am about start book seven for my Harry Potter Re-read, my sister drops off a book at my hosue (the book thief) saying I have to read this next....

..Guess I have to read it. So onto this.

[Tiste Simeon]

Finished reading The Psychopath Test which is a fascinating, funny and yet somehow pretty terrifying look into the world of psychopaths, how they are diagnosed, and the different arguments & controversies in the psychiatric world. Very much worth a read - kind of feels like you're reading a Louis Theroux documentary.

The Book Thief is excellent Nico, I loved it!

This post has been edited by Tiste Simeon: 08 July 2015 - 04:49 AM

[worry]

Sounds awesome, but don't leave us hanging. How did you do on the test?

[Serenity]

Got about 80 pages left of Tim Lebbon's The Hunt. Nowhere near as good as The Silence.

[acesn8s]

About 1/2 way through Assail, Crust's private party just happened. It took me a few chapters to make the Icebloods connection. Once it clicked I felt silly for not picking up on it earlier.

Am I supposed to recognize Coots and Badlands?

[Tiste Simeon]

worry, on 08 July 2015 - 05:48 AM, said:

Sounds awesome, but don't leave us hanging. How did you do on the test?

Haha I'm a complete nutjob apparently. The test it is referencing is a list of 20 qualities a psychopath is likely to display, championed by a chap called Robert Hare. It does make you start to think about certain people you know...

Feel like The Psychopath Test is something Buzzfeed might do. "17 signs you might be a psychopath! Number 12 will shock you!"

[Andorion]

Reading Sebastien De Castell's Greatcoats 1 Traitors Blade. Very very good so far.

[QuickTidal]

Started into S.M. Stirling's DIES THE FIRE. Been telling myself I'd get into the emberverse series for a long time, so I finally grabbed it on Kindle and took the plunge. It's very good so far. Stirling is very interested in the realism of scenes and things, and that's a nice change from authors who ignore it in favour of story. Only a little ways in, but have met both protags and am enjoying it.

[Salt-Man Z]

acesn8s, on 08 July 2015 - 12:53 PM, said:

About 1/2 way through Assail ... Am I supposed to recognize Coots and Badlands?

Kyle spent a portion of RotCG travelling with them and Stalker.

This post has been edited by Salt-Man Z: 08 July 2015 - 05:32 PM

[Baco Xtath]

Halfway through re-listen of Blade of Tyshalle. It's been about 5 years and holy shit I'd forgotten how fucked up

Spoiler

Kollberg gets

. Also about 3 hrs into Lines of Departure by Marko Kloos. I enjoyed his first one enough and this one is shaping up to be pretty good. Only made it an hour into Queen of Fire before giving up. I need to read a summary of the first two before tackling this one and thus far, it's got shit reviews anyway.

[Andorion]

Stross' Annihilation Score is here. Pause Greatcoats start Stross

[worry]

That post has more proper nouns than total other kinds of words.

[Abyss]

Andorion, on 09 July 2015 - 02:46 AM, said:

Stross' Annihilation Score is here.

YAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH CASE NIGHTMARE GREEN MOTHERFUCKERS BRING ITTTTTTT!

[Andorion]

worry, on 09 July 2015 - 02:53 AM, said:

That post has more proper nouns than total other kinds of words.

Typing when the stars are right will do that to you