[JPK]

Since I've mostly caught up to where I should be for the classics read, I've decided to treat myself to something I've been saving for awhile. It's time to start The Fiends of Nightmaria.

[Baco Xtath]

Listening to the latest Hard Luck Hank; Robot Farts. Hilarious. I absolutely love this series. But you have to earbook it as the narrator makes it. Abyss, seriously, you have to try this. You'll thank me later. The first book is pretty good but it just gets better and better from there. Think Pratchett and David Wong set on a space station full of criminals with a mutant bulletproof bruiser as the main character with a mad scientist best friend. It's fantastic. Also, finished Safehold #1 earbook; it was pretty good but not sure I'm going to continue. Also, reading Gamehouse #1 by Claire North.

[Andorion]

Started and finished Brian McClellan's Sins of Empire. Excellent book. McClellan continues his form from the Powdermage series and arguably gets better.

[JPK]

Briar King, on 02 April 2017 - 05:06 PM, said:

How's Sho Gun treating you?

Question for both of you: do you think Shogun would be well received as an audiobook? I've been eyeballing it, but due to the size I've shied away from the physical version.

[Chance]

Finished up The Sword of Destiny and I really see why it was insanity to not translate this book before Blood of Elves and yes Blood of Elves is a lot better when you actually know what it is all about. Still not top notch but I'll finish it for certain this time.

JPK, on 02 April 2017 - 05:24 PM, said:

Briar King, on 02 April 2017 - 05:06 PM, said:

How's Sho Gun treating you?

Question for both of you: do you think Shogun would be well received as an audiobook? I've been eyeballing it, but due to the size I've shied away from the physical version.

It was very good in the audiobook I listened to most recently but no clue who made that one or if there are multiple versions.

This post has been edited by Chance: 03 April 2017 - 10:50 AM

[Andorion]

Briar King, on 02 April 2017 - 05:06 PM, said:

How's Sho Gun treating you?

Mostly good. Haven't had a really good session with it in a few days. But so far I like where things are going. I have a feeling this Toranaga guy is going to be very important.

JPK, on 02 April 2017 - 05:24 PM, said:

Briar King, on 02 April 2017 - 05:06 PM, said:

How's Sho Gun treating you?

Question for both of you: do you think Shogun would be well received as an audiobook? I've been eyeballing it, but due to the size I've shied away from the physical version.

I think it would. But it would be a huge one.

[acesn8s]

90% through The Fall of Light. [MODGOD NOTICE OF SPOILERS REMOVED]

It's been an interesting read. It suffers from middle book issues, but still, wow...

This post has been edited by Abyss: 04 April 2017 - 03:13 PM
Reason for edit: spoilers SHAME SHAME SHAME

[Puck]

^ Might want to check that for spoilers, however mild.

Currently two-thirds through City of Stairs by Robert Jackson Bennett and I'm kinda meh on it, but might as well finish it.

[Andorion]

18 chapters into Shogun. Finally getting hooked.

[Abyss]

Andorion, on 04 April 2017 - 04:06 PM, said:

18 chapters into Shogun. Finally getting hooked.

insert * yes the plot is a slow boil* joke here.

[QuickTidal]

Abyss, on 04 April 2017 - 04:50 PM, said:

Andorion, on 04 April 2017 - 04:06 PM, said:

18 chapters into Shogun. Finally getting hooked.

insert * yes the plot is a slow boil* joke here.

Not only that, but setting up cultural Feudal Japan for casual readers of the 1970's (whose only view of the country up to that point on the global stage was largely WWII), even with an audience proxy like Blackthorne, was a tall order that required a LOT of table setting.

This post has been edited by QuickTidal: 04 April 2017 - 06:10 PM

[Andorion]

Also made some progress on Sorceror to the Crown yesterday.

I think the author has fallen into a common trap of writing underdog protagonists in racist, sexist societies. Because the societal prejudice is so very overt, and requires so much narrative space to address, I feel as if this just gets in the way of the bigger story, damaging the narrative pace making it a less interesting book.

[QuickTidal]

Only on page 200 or so of THE FORGETTING MOON by Brian Lee Durfee...but I think I can safely say this is going to be the best debut novel I've read since I devoured the first of Mark Lawrence's books. I still have more than 3/4 of the book to go (it's a behemoth), but it's one of those books that ALMOST makes me miss my subway stop because I'm reading so intently.

[acesn8s]

Puck, on 04 April 2017 - 02:54 PM, said:

^ Might want to check that for spoilers, however mild.

Currently two-thirds through City of Stairs by Robert Jackson Bennett and I'm kinda meh on it, but might as well finish it.

Whoops! Sorry about that. I thought I was being cleverly vague.

I finished. Can't wait for book 3. Off to the Fall of Light forum!

[Andorion]

QuickTidal, on 05 April 2017 - 12:15 PM, said:

Only on page 200 or so of THE FORGETTING MOON by Brian Lee Durfee...but I think I can safely say this is going to be the best debut novel I've read since I devoured the first of Mark Lawrence's books. I still have more than 3/4 of the book to go (it's a behemoth), but it's one of those books that ALMOST makes me miss my subway stop because I'm reading so intently.

I just looked this series up, and in a lot of ways it seems to hit several traditional fantasy notes.

How different is it, QT?

[Andorion]

Briar King, on 05 April 2017 - 05:45 AM, said:

4 pgs, 4 pgs , 93 pgs

My average on the long is 89.6 pgs tallied up.

Boom

Your speed with IT is pretty dazzling. Especially compared to my Shogun progress

[Abyss]

Andorion, on 05 April 2017 - 02:24 PM, said:

QuickTidal, on 05 April 2017 - 12:15 PM, said:

Only on page 200 or so of THE FORGETTING MOON by Brian Lee Durfee...but I think I can safely say this is going to be the best debut novel I've read since I devoured the first of Mark Lawrence's books. I still have more than 3/4 of the book to go (it's a behemoth), but it's one of those books that ALMOST makes me miss my subway stop because I'm reading so intently.

I just looked this series up, and in a lot of ways it seems to hit several traditional fantasy notes.

How different is it, QT?

M*TH*R.
F*CK*RS.

*buys*

[QuickTidal]

Andorion, on 05 April 2017 - 02:24 PM, said:

QuickTidal, on 05 April 2017 - 12:15 PM, said:

Only on page 200 or so of THE FORGETTING MOON by Brian Lee Durfee...but I think I can safely say this is going to be the best debut novel I've read since I devoured the first of Mark Lawrence's books. I still have more than 3/4 of the book to go (it's a behemoth), but it's one of those books that ALMOST makes me miss my subway stop because I'm reading so intently.

I just looked this series up, and in a lot of ways it seems to hit several traditional fantasy notes.

How different is it, QT?

Yeah, I mean there are traditional fantasy notes in there (humans, elves, dwarves, ogres)...but it's also done in a visceral style (blood and gore, and cursing) and then it's split VIA POV chapters like GRRM (heroes, villains, and grey characters all get POVs). So while it feels like a beefed up standard fantasy (even with magic stone infused super weapons), it's got some nice politicking going on (and three major religions which split from one and over the years have engendered wars) and it's doing so with a wonderfully compelling way. Durfee very much admits his influences are Martin, Williams, Eddings, Jordan, ect. but I feel like he's telling a rollicking fun story by using those tropes.

Abyss, on 05 April 2017 - 02:36 PM, said:

Andorion, on 05 April 2017 - 02:24 PM, said:

QuickTidal, on 05 April 2017 - 12:15 PM, said:

Only on page 200 or so of THE FORGETTING MOON by Brian Lee Durfee...but I think I can safely say this is going to be the best debut novel I've read since I devoured the first of Mark Lawrence's books. I still have more than 3/4 of the book to go (it's a behemoth), but it's one of those books that ALMOST makes me miss my subway stop because I'm reading so intently.

I just looked this series up, and in a lot of ways it seems to hit several traditional fantasy notes.

How different is it, QT?

M*TH*R.
F*CK*RS.

*buys*

If it helps Abyss, it features....for starters...

Badass warriors of the male and female persuasion
Blood-soaked arena gladiator combat
Evil kings and their spawn
Good kings and spawn
Asshole kings and spawn
Courtly intrigue
Ninja elves
Highly-trained Assassins who ride drug-addled nightmare steeds with red eyes.
Oghuls, which are basically ogres crossed with blood-drinking monsters
Violent flesh-eating, territorial Mermaids with vicious teeth.
Grayken, Giant whale-like creatures that have back ends of giant squids/cephalopods (instead of tails) which are hard as hell to kill.
A place called the Skylochs...which are essentially giant fucking clashing glaciers...
Final Fantasy VII type magic-stone based super weapons.

There very little not to like to be honest (any complaints I've had so far can be found in any debut novel or a series).

This is classic fantasy done well, and right.

This post has been edited by QuickTidal: 05 April 2017 - 02:58 PM

[Andorion]

QuickTidal, on 05 April 2017 - 02:56 PM, said:

Andorion, on 05 April 2017 - 02:24 PM, said:

QuickTidal, on 05 April 2017 - 12:15 PM, said:

Only on page 200 or so of THE FORGETTING MOON by Brian Lee Durfee...but I think I can safely say this is going to be the best debut novel I've read since I devoured the first of Mark Lawrence's books. I still have more than 3/4 of the book to go (it's a behemoth), but it's one of those books that ALMOST makes me miss my subway stop because I'm reading so intently.

I just looked this series up, and in a lot of ways it seems to hit several traditional fantasy notes.

How different is it, QT?

Yeah, I mean there are traditional fantasy notes in there (humans, elves, dwarves, ogres)...but it's also done in a visceral style (blood and gore, and cursing) and then it's split VIA POV chapters like GRRM (heroes, villains, and grey characters all get POVs). So while it feels like a beefed up standard fantasy (even with magic stone infused super weapons), it's got some nice politicking going on (and three major religions which split from one and over the years have engendered wars) and it's doing so with a wonderfully compelling way. Durfee very much admits his influences are Martin, Williams, Eddings, Jordan, ect. but I feel like he's telling a rollicking fun story by using those tropes.

Abyss, on 05 April 2017 - 02:36 PM, said:

Andorion, on 05 April 2017 - 02:24 PM, said:

QuickTidal, on 05 April 2017 - 12:15 PM, said:

Only on page 200 or so of THE FORGETTING MOON by Brian Lee Durfee...but I think I can safely say this is going to be the best debut novel I've read since I devoured the first of Mark Lawrence's books. I still have more than 3/4 of the book to go (it's a behemoth), but it's one of those books that ALMOST makes me miss my subway stop because I'm reading so intently.

I just looked this series up, and in a lot of ways it seems to hit several traditional fantasy notes.

How different is it, QT?

M*TH*R.
F*CK*RS.

*buys*

If it helps Abyss, it features....for starters...

Badass warriors of the male and female persuasion
Blood-soaked arena gladiator combat
Evil kings and their spawn
Good kings and spawn
Asshole kings and spawn
Courtly intrigue
Ninja elves
Highly-trained Assassins who ride drug-addled nightmare steeds with red eyes.
Oghuls, which are basically ogres crossed with blood-drinking monsters
Violent flesh-eating, territorial Mermaids with vicious teeth.
Grayken, Giant whale-like creatures that have back ends of giant squids/cephalopods (instead of tails) which are hard as hell to kill.
A place called the Skylochs...which are essentially giant fucking clashing glaciers...
Final Fantasy VII type magic-stone based super weapons.

There very little not to like to be honest (any complaints I've had so far can be found in any debut novel or a series).

This is classic fantasy done well, and right.

Uh... ok ! Ok! I am sold!

There are villain PoVs?

And so many creatures!

[Abyss]

Andorion, on 05 April 2017 - 03:02 PM, said:

QuickTidal, on 05 April 2017 - 02:56 PM, said:

Andorion, on 05 April 2017 - 02:24 PM, said:

QuickTidal, on 05 April 2017 - 12:15 PM, said:

Only on page 200 or so of THE FORGETTING MOON by Brian Lee Durfee...but I think I can safely say this is going to be the best debut novel I've read since I devoured the first of Mark Lawrence's books. I still have more than 3/4 of the book to go (it's a behemoth), but it's one of those books that ALMOST makes me miss my subway stop because I'm reading so intently.

I just looked this series up, and in a lot of ways it seems to hit several traditional fantasy notes.

How different is it, QT?

Yeah, I mean there are traditional fantasy notes in there (humans, elves, dwarves, ogres)...but it's also done in a visceral style (blood and gore, and cursing) and then it's split VIA POV chapters like GRRM (heroes, villains, and grey characters all get POVs). So while it feels like a beefed up standard fantasy (even with magic stone infused super weapons), it's got some nice politicking going on (and three major religions which split from one and over the years have engendered wars) and it's doing so with a wonderfully compelling way. Durfee very much admits his influences are Martin, Williams, Eddings, Jordan, ect. but I feel like he's telling a rollicking fun story by using those tropes.

Abyss, on 05 April 2017 - 02:36 PM, said:

Andorion, on 05 April 2017 - 02:24 PM, said:

QuickTidal, on 05 April 2017 - 12:15 PM, said:

Only on page 200 or so of THE FORGETTING MOON by Brian Lee Durfee...but I think I can safely say this is going to be the best debut novel I've read since I devoured the first of Mark Lawrence's books. I still have more than 3/4 of the book to go (it's a behemoth), but it's one of those books that ALMOST makes me miss my subway stop because I'm reading so intently.

I just looked this series up, and in a lot of ways it seems to hit several traditional fantasy notes.

How different is it, QT?

M*TH*R.
F*CK*RS.

*buys*

If it helps Abyss, it features....for starters...

Badass warriors of the male and female persuasion
Blood-soaked arena gladiator combat
Evil kings and their spawn
Good kings and spawn
Asshole kings and spawn
Courtly intrigue
Ninja elves
Highly-trained Assassins who ride drug-addled nightmare steeds with red eyes.
Oghuls, which are basically ogres crossed with blood-drinking monsters
Violent flesh-eating, territorial Mermaids with vicious teeth.
Grayken, Giant whale-like creatures that have back ends of giant squids/cephalopods (instead of tails) which are hard as hell to kill.
A place called the Skylochs...which are essentially giant fucking clashing glaciers...
Final Fantasy VII type magic-stone based super weapons.

There very little not to like to be honest (any complaints I've had so far can be found in any debut novel or a series).

This is classic fantasy done well, and right.

Uh... ok ! Ok! I am sold!

There are villain PoVs?

And so many creatures!

*curses QT a lot*


...no earbook. Bummer. Into the eTRP then.