[Mentalist]

worry, on 20 June 2016 - 09:39 PM, said:

Are the dragons smart or dumb?

You ever notice how when fantasies have smart dragons there tends to only be one, or if there's more than one they are always geographically separated so they never meet? Malazan has a cool explanation for that AND still has smart dragons interact with each other on occasion too. What other series have smart dragons that actually interact with each other? I guess there's some of that kind of stuff in Robin Hobb's work.

Dragonlance, in some titles. The Sixth Age stuff especially when all of Krynn is taken over by gigantic dragons.
None of those are "good" dragons, mind, but there's a bunch of interaction nuggets.

I think "Legend of Huma" had som as well. Possibly books 2 + 3 of the original Chronicles as well (don't really remember anymore)

This post has been edited by Mentalist: 20 June 2016 - 11:16 PM

[amphibian]

The Raven books by Barclay have intelligent dragons that regularly interact with each other.

[worry]

I think I read the first Dragonlance book in high school, but wasn't that into it.

Wikipedia is so weird sometimes: James Barclay was born on 15 March 1965, shortly after midday.

[amphibian]

I was born at 2:19 pm Kathmandu time. I wonder if that is closer or farther from mid day than his birth time.

The Raksura series is all about dragons interaction, albeit human/dragon hybrids.Very good series.

[Nicodimas]

worry, on 20 June 2016 - 09:39 PM, said:

Are the dragons smart or dumb?

You ever notice how when fantasies have smart dragons there tends to only be one, or if there's more than one they are always geographically separated so they never meet? Malazan has a cool explanation for that AND still has smart dragons interact with each other on occasion too. What other series have smart dragons that actually interact with each other? I guess there's some of that kind of stuff in Robin Hobb's work.

Well they seem to serves two purposes...It's kind of a big mystery in the book, which I think I am several chapters from of what exactly happened in the past. I am probably not explaining this perfect as I did a bit of a speedread:

The dragons are their de facto Gods: so they worship the great dragons, of old. There's quite a bit of theological politics in this book series on the Ancient dragons and how it worked out. I sense a twist here. These theological politics seem to have edited out past event's which seems to be very important. One Empire overtook another.

Also they seem to have a (symbiotic-this explained really amazingly in the book and look forward to seeing how this develops) cultural relationship with them as equals. Well they value their intelligence and fighting ability.. Not all societies from what I gather, but the main one does. It feels very much like -Pern- at this point.... I love this part.

So far a really neat blend, if the focus on the world itself is really only down to a total cast of five people, plus their dragon pets. Also the reading is really easy, not sure if this is a Young Adult...might be.

This post has been edited by Nicodimas: 21 June 2016 - 12:42 AM

[Andorion]

Nicodimas, on 21 June 2016 - 12:22 AM, said:

worry, on 20 June 2016 - 09:39 PM, said:

Are the dragons smart or dumb?

You ever notice how when fantasies have smart dragons there tends to only be one, or if there's more than one they are always geographically separated so they never meet? Malazan has a cool explanation for that AND still has smart dragons interact with each other on occasion too. What other series have smart dragons that actually interact with each other? I guess there's some of that kind of stuff in Robin Hobb's work.

Well they seem to serves two purposes...It's kind of a big mystery in the book, which I think I am several chapters from of what exactly happened in the past. I am probably not explaining this perfect as I did a bit of a speedread:

The dragons are their de facto Gods: so they worship the great dragons, of old. There's quite a bit of theological politics in this book series on the Ancient dragons and how it worked out. I sense a twist here. These theological politics seem to have edited out past event's which seems to be very important. One Empire overtook another.

Also they seem to have a (symbiotic-this explained really amazingly in the book and look forward to seeing how this develops) cultural relationship with them as equals. Well they value their intelligence and fighting ability.. Not all societies from what I gather, but the main one does. It feels very much like -Pern- at this point.... I love this part.

So far a really neat blend, if the focus on the world itself is really only down to a total cast of five people, plus their dragon pets. Also the reading is really easy, not sure if this is a Young Adult...might be.

Please post full reactions when done, this is a book I am very curious about

[Abyss]

amphibian, on 20 June 2016 - 11:28 PM, said:

The Raven books by Barclay have intelligent dragons that regularly interact with each other.

Also, some of the bestest dragon vs dragon combat i have ever read.

[polishgenius]

The Red Knight series has some pretty cool powerful/smart-dragon-interaction.

[worry]

Awesome. I probably won't start a long-ish series until I'm done with WoT, but I'm adding these to my TRP for sure.

[Lycaenion]

Prince of Thorns. It took me a while to get used to the 1st person narrative (I've only read two other series that deal with 1st person), but I'm still reading, and I'm interested where it's going. Also, the Nuban is awesome.

[QuickTidal]

So I finished BLOOD OF ELVES...and I think I'm missing something. Like it was good, and I was enjoying it (especially the earlier interactions with the Witchers and Triss) but in the second half of the book things kind of meander a bit before coming home to the opening events again...and then just kind of peters out. Like I was actually wondering if my copy was missing a chunk, as this novel builds and builds...to not much it turns out.

And the side journey stuff

Spoiler

with Geralt, Ciri and Triss coming across the dwarven convoy and the whole subplot with the mistrustful King Hensten (sp?) and the rogue elves is so odd considering that the ending simply comes back to Rience and Dandelion, and all that.

Like I'm actually confused what was the point of that whole bit.

Anyways, this is a weird book. I very nearly loved it for the first 200 pages or so...and then it spent another 200 kind of just dribbling out to the ending.

If I'm honest, I'm disappointed. I'll read TIME OF CONTEMPT...but I sure hope Sapkowski has learned how to do endings and keep things streamlined in the next book. Jeez.

[Abyss]

Abyss, on 21 June 2016 - 04:24 AM, said:

amphibian, on 20 June 2016 - 11:28 PM, said:

The Raven books by Barclay have intelligent dragons that regularly interact with each other.

Also, some of the bestest dragon vs dragon combat i have ever read.

worry, on 21 June 2016 - 04:44 AM, said:

Awesome. I probably won't start a long-ish series until I'm done with WoT, but I'm adding these to my TRP for sure.

I'll add all the usual disclaimers re THE RAVEN.

Book 1 is a weak intro to the series. Reads a bit like a converted DnD campaign. The series steadily improves but the dragons only really come into the story in book 2.

I think it's worth the time, but fair to forewarn.

[Abyss]

QuickTidal, on 21 June 2016 - 06:54 PM, said:

So I finished BLOOD OF ELVES...and I think I'm missing something. Like it was good, and I was enjoying it (especially the earlier interactions with the Witchers and Triss) but in the second half of the book things kind of meander a bit before coming home to the opening events again...and then just kind of peters out. Like I was actually wondering if my copy was missing a chunk, as this novel builds and builds...to not much it turns out. ...disappointed. ...

Yep. After all the fun that was THE LAST WISH, I found BLOOD a meandering mess with very little to enjoy.

[polishgenius]

I really should get round to reading those in the original.

Them and more Lem.

[Mentalist]

Finally buckled down and finished "Aeronaut's Windlass" last night.

The ending 3rd picked up and basically saved the book for me. The opening 2/3s felt too YA-ish. And it probably didn't help that I recently finished the "Ketty Jay" serie that did swashbuckling airships, but did it better, imho.

I bought this in hardback, because I like (not love) Butcher's work, and I lov steampunk and airships. I was not blown away by this book. There's lots of intriguing bits, but the execution wasn't amazing- fairly solid, but nothing super-exciting.

Given my experience with Codex Alera (almost hated book 1, adored book 2), i'll give the next volume a try in hardback as well. But if that fails to impress, this will get relegated to the "buy when the mmpb is out" list.

Next book for home reading will be tatterdemalion's "Purge of Ashes"

[QuickTidal]

Grabbed the second volume in Dan Abnett's Eisenhorn series (WH40k) MALLEUS, and it starts with a fairly heartbreaking (well-written of course) short story called MISSING IN ACTION. Onto the proper book now. I love the contrast between these and the Gaunt's Ghost's stuff...very much a different vibe and Abnett makes it JUST as compelling as GG.

[Puck]

Abou 80% through Stephenson's Seveneves. it's.. well, I thought the first two thirds were brilliant can't-put-it-down stuff. The last third, however, shapes to remain facepalm-y, somehow.

[Andorion]

Finished Daniel O Malleys Stiletto. Different from Rook but still very very good

[Abyss]

Andorion, on 24 June 2016 - 03:34 PM, said:

Finished Daniel O Malleys Stiletto. Different from Rook but still very very good

Seen these compared to Stross' LAUNDRY series.

Good to know.

[Andorion]

Abyss, on 24 June 2016 - 03:55 PM, said:

Andorion, on 24 June 2016 - 03:34 PM, said:

Finished Daniel O Malleys Stiletto. Different from Rook but still very very good

Seen these compared to Stross' LAUNDRY series.

Good to know.

Its like Laundry with Xmen in it