[Andorion]

Finished The Guns Above - really good military airship story, especially considering its a debut.

Low Town - excellent book, but a rather soft ending.


60% into The Unbearable Lightness of Being - Pretty good, but a tad repetitive.

186 pages into the Judging Eye. Very very good.

75% into Baptism of Fire

I am going off the Witcher books - the author's tendency to embroil his characters into very petty wranglings can be extremely irritating.

[Baco Xtath]

Abyss, on 31 July 2017 - 02:45 PM, said:

In earbook, HARD LUCK HANK: SCREW THE GALAXY. At times perhaps a little too satirical for me, but i needed something frivolous after PARIS and it fits. Fun.

I read the first one and thought it was decent. Bought the second on audible for something fun while I worked and enjoyed it. Then they get better and better. The narrator's voice changes to a more comical tone in the second book and it just gets crazier. I highly recommend continuing this series. The last two had me in near tears.

[worry]

Sure, when Weeks says it you applaud, but when I call for burning whites I get thrown out of the Golden Corral.

[Andorion]

Down South, on 05 August 2017 - 11:33 PM, said:

For Lightbringer fans. Bk 5 title was released today. The Burning White.

I like that title.

Is this the last book in the series?

[Abyss]

Baco Xtath, on 02 April 2017 - 04:23 PM, said:

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. ...

Baco Xtath, on 05 August 2017 - 10:17 PM, said:

Abyss, on 31 July 2017 - 02:45 PM, said:

In earbook, HARD LUCK HANK: SCREW THE GALAXY. At times perhaps a little too satirical for me, but i needed something frivolous after PARIS and it fits. Fun.

I read the first one and thought it was decent. Bought the second on audible for something fun while I worked and enjoyed it. Then they get better and better. The narrator's voice changes to a more comical tone in the second book and it just gets crazier. I highly recommend continuing this series. The last two had me in near tears.

Just finished 1, SCREW THE GALAXY.
It was ok, but I'll keep your reco in mind if/when I consider 2.

[Baco Xtath]

Abyss, on 06 August 2017 - 04:33 AM, said:

Baco Xtath, on 02 April 2017 - 04:23 PM, said:

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. ...

Baco Xtath, on 05 August 2017 - 10:17 PM, said:

Abyss, on 31 July 2017 - 02:45 PM, said:

In earbook, HARD LUCK HANK: SCREW THE GALAXY. At times perhaps a little too satirical for me, but i needed something frivolous after PARIS and it fits. Fun.

I read the first one and thought it was decent. Bought the second on audible for something fun while I worked and enjoyed it. Then they get better and better. The narrator's voice changes to a more comical tone in the second book and it just gets crazier. I highly recommend continuing this series. The last two had me in near tears.

Just finished 1, SCREW THE GALAXY.
It was ok, but I'll keep your reco in mind if/when I consider 2.

Yeah, when I read the first one, at first I thought it was just ridiculous but by the time I got to the end, I'd enjoyed it enough to consider the next. You just have to embrace the insanity. Some people can't watch Naked Gun or Monty Python because of the type of humor - this is very much like that. If it's not your thing, then you'll likely not like any of it.

[Whisperzzzzzzz]

Finished Last First Snow last week, and then read Two Serpents Rise last night (I had already read Three Parts Dead a few weeks ago). Gladstone writes damn fun stories. While not without their flaws (Temoc was a parody of himself in Serpents [also, Temoc backwards is comet]), stylistically and thematically, these books reminds me of Dresdencrack.

Off to order Four Roads Cross and Full Fathom Five.

EDIT: Looks like neither of them are out in paperback yet (not even in the UK).

This post has been edited by Whisperzzzzzzz: 06 August 2017 - 04:46 PM

[End of Disc One]

Finished The Wandering Fire, book 2 of Fionavar Tapestry. Decent middle book but didn't really have those moments that hit me in the feels like the first book did.

Started Ex-Purgatory, book 4 of Ex-Heroes. This reminds me of season 6 of LOST but in a good way. Really enjoying it.

Also 1 chapter in to The Library at Mount Char. It's already weird and I can't wait to see where this takes me!

[Tiste Simeon]

So I still don't have my Uthred books back so I'm reading a series called The View from the Mirror by Ian Irvine because I picked three of them up from the charity shop near my house for like £1 for all of them.

It's pretty rubbish tbh but the world building is good and despite how badly it's written and how annoying the characters are I kind of want to find out what happens. About 2/3 through book one.

[Abyss]

Andorion, on 01 August 2016 - 04:56 AM, said:

As for my own reading update, I am about 80% into Jinni and the Golem - a book with a fascinating premise but a flawed execution, which sees the story lose its way about halfway in. ...

JPK, on 11 February 2015 - 12:37 AM, said:

I finished The Golem and the Jinni this morning. I am nearly without words. The story was compelling, beautifully written, and has some of the best characterization I have ever read. I will most definitely be looking up more Helene Wecker in the future.
...

Started Helen Wrecker's THE GOLEM AND THE JINNI, earbook, about 1/3rd in.

Very interesting premise, much 'quieter' than my usual reading, closer to Carlos Zafon than Jim Butcher. The titular characters are fascinating, but i'm yet unsure how much i enjoy to tangential other povs... may depend on how well the whole thing comes together. Could line up with either of the above comments.

ANDO, did it stick the landing for you in the end or no?


BACO, you were the other forumite reading this - any comments?

Still, a nice change of pace after HARD LUCK HANK SCREW THE GALAXY .


In ebook, started ARM OF THE SPHINX on the strength of how SENLIN ASCENDS ended... notwithstanding my ambivalence about the middle of the book. Fun so far.
Bakker's UNHOLY CONSULT perches turbulently astride my eTRP and i'm vacillating between starting it instead vs waiting for the earbook.

In pretty pictures, BLACK SCIENCE vol 7... more in the comics thread, but oh fuck the Dimensionauts are so screwed.


In dead tree, i'm loving SE's FIENDS OF NIGHTMARIA just not having much luck making time to actually read it.

[Andorion]

Abyss, on 08 August 2017 - 03:11 PM, said:

Andorion, on 01 August 2016 - 04:56 AM, said:

As for my own reading update, I am about 80% into Jinni and the Golem - a book with a fascinating premise but a flawed execution, which sees the story lose its way about halfway in. ...

JPK, on 11 February 2015 - 12:37 AM, said:

I finished The Golem and the Jinni this morning. I am nearly without words. The story was compelling, beautifully written, and has some of the best characterization I have ever read. I will most definitely be looking up more Helene Wecker in the future.
...

Started Helen Wrecker's THE GOLEM AND THE JINNI, earbook, about 1/3rd in.

Very interesting premise, much 'quieter' than my usual reading, closer to Carlos Zafon than Jim Butcher. The titular characters are fascinating, but i'm yet unsure how much i enjoy to tangential other povs... may depend on how well the whole thing comes together. Could line up with either of the above comments.

ANDO, did it stick the landing for you in the end or no?


BACO, you were the other forumite reading this - any comments?

Still, a nice change of pace after HARD LUCK HANK SCREW THE GALAXY .


In ebook, started ARM OF THE SPHINX on the strength of how SENLIN ASCENDS ended... notwithstanding my ambivalence about the middle of the book. Fun so far.
Bakker's UNHOLY CONSULT perches turbulently astride my eTRP and i'm vacillating between starting it instead vs waiting for the earbook.

In pretty pictures, BLACK SCIENCE vol 7... more in the comics thread, but oh fuck the Dimensionauts are so screwed.


In dead tree, i'm loving SE's FIENDS OF NIGHTMARIA just not having much luck making time to actually read it.

The issue with Golem and the Jinni hits quite late. Generally the narrative slows down after the 50% bit. There are two timelines and the punch of the ending lies in how these two are synced up. IMO the author bungled it, and so the end is unsatisfying.

However I have not seen this opinion to be shared by a lot of people.

[Abyss]

Andorion, on 08 August 2017 - 03:37 PM, said:

Abyss, on 08 August 2017 - 03:11 PM, said:

...
Started Helen Wrecker's THE GOLEM AND THE JINNI, earbook, about 1/3rd in.

Very interesting premise, much 'quieter' than my usual reading, closer to Carlos Zafon than Jim Butcher. The titular characters are fascinating, but i'm yet unsure how much i enjoy to tangential other povs... may depend on how well the whole thing comes together. Could line up with either of the above comments.

ANDO, did it stick the landing for you in the end or no?
...

The issue with Golem and the Jinni hits quite late. Generally the narrative slows down after the 50% bit. There are two timelines and the punch of the ending lies in how these two are synced up. IMO the author bungled it, and so the end is unsatisfying.

However I have not seen this opinion to be shared by a lot of people.

Noted you're cold and dead inside, will see how it plays out.

[Andorion]

Abyss, on 08 August 2017 - 04:34 PM, said:

Andorion, on 08 August 2017 - 03:37 PM, said:

Abyss, on 08 August 2017 - 03:11 PM, said:

...
Started Helen Wrecker's THE GOLEM AND THE JINNI, earbook, about 1/3rd in.

Very interesting premise, much 'quieter' than my usual reading, closer to Carlos Zafon than Jim Butcher. The titular characters are fascinating, but i'm yet unsure how much i enjoy to tangential other povs... may depend on how well the whole thing comes together. Could line up with either of the above comments.

ANDO, did it stick the landing for you in the end or no?
...

The issue with Golem and the Jinni hits quite late. Generally the narrative slows down after the 50% bit. There are two timelines and the punch of the ending lies in how these two are synced up. IMO the author bungled it, and so the end is unsatisfying.

However I have not seen this opinion to be shared by a lot of people.

Noted you're cold and dead inside, will see how it plays out.

What I really appreciated about this book though was its extremely authentic and textured portrayal of immigrant New York. It made me want to read a history of this period.

[QuickTidal]

Andorion, on 08 August 2017 - 05:06 PM, said:

Abyss, on 08 August 2017 - 04:34 PM, said:

Andorion, on 08 August 2017 - 03:37 PM, said:

Abyss, on 08 August 2017 - 03:11 PM, said:

...
Started Helen Wrecker's THE GOLEM AND THE JINNI, earbook, about 1/3rd in.

Very interesting premise, much 'quieter' than my usual reading, closer to Carlos Zafon than Jim Butcher. The titular characters are fascinating, but i'm yet unsure how much i enjoy to tangential other povs... may depend on how well the whole thing comes together. Could line up with either of the above comments.

ANDO, did it stick the landing for you in the end or no?
...

The issue with Golem and the Jinni hits quite late. Generally the narrative slows down after the 50% bit. There are two timelines and the punch of the ending lies in how these two are synced up. IMO the author bungled it, and so the end is unsatisfying.

However I have not seen this opinion to be shared by a lot of people.

Noted you're cold and dead inside, will see how it plays out.

What I really appreciated about this book though was its extremely authentic and textured portrayal of immigrant New York. It made me want to read a history of this period.

If it helps, I also thought that the author bungled the landing, on what was a really interesting book.

[Salt-Man Z]

Hm, The Golem and the Jinni has been sitting in my Kindle's "to read" collection for a few months now. I might have to tackle that one next...

[JPK]

The Zafon comparison is a very apt one, and I would personally continue to add Susannah Clarke's Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell to books that are akin to it. Yes, it's a slow burn, but it's very muchly meant to be. The book does have conflict, but it's not the focus of the story, rather than a tool used to highlight the growth of the two "monsters" into, arguably, the most human in the book.

[Andorion]

QuickTidal, on 08 August 2017 - 05:34 PM, said:

Andorion, on 08 August 2017 - 05:06 PM, said:

Abyss, on 08 August 2017 - 04:34 PM, said:

Andorion, on 08 August 2017 - 03:37 PM, said:

Abyss, on 08 August 2017 - 03:11 PM, said:

...
Started Helen Wrecker's THE GOLEM AND THE JINNI, earbook, about 1/3rd in.

Very interesting premise, much 'quieter' than my usual reading, closer to Carlos Zafon than Jim Butcher. The titular characters are fascinating, but i'm yet unsure how much i enjoy to tangential other povs... may depend on how well the whole thing comes together. Could line up with either of the above comments.

ANDO, did it stick the landing for you in the end or no?
...

The issue with Golem and the Jinni hits quite late. Generally the narrative slows down after the 50% bit. There are two timelines and the punch of the ending lies in how these two are synced up. IMO the author bungled it, and so the end is unsatisfying.

However I have not seen this opinion to be shared by a lot of people.

Noted you're cold and dead inside, will see how it plays out.

What I really appreciated about this book though was its extremely authentic and textured portrayal of immigrant New York. It made me want to read a history of this period.

If it helps, I also thought that the author bungled the landing, on what was a really interesting book.

Did you get the feeling that the author tried a bit of a handwavy infodump to resolve the final crisis?

[Andorion]

Finished The Godfather by Mario Puzo. Great book. Never a dull moment though Johnny Fontane was idiotic.

Also finished Bakker's The White Luck Warrior. slowish book with a gradually ascending story and an awesome conclusion.

One point of confusion though

Who is the White Luck Warrior? And has he actually done anything yet?

[Mentalist]

Well, he just

Spoiler

Killed Maithanet

. That's kind of a big deal.

I'm nearing the end of "the Great Ordeal" and some things that are casually dropped by are blowing my mind. I think I might be forced to go back to PoN and find the bits where Akka is explaining the metaphysics of sorcery, tho, because it suddenly becomes relevant, and i'm not sure I'm getting stuff.
Aiming to finish GTO today and start "Unholy Consult" asap.

This post has been edited by Mentalist: 09 August 2017 - 04:02 PM

[Andorion]

Mentalist, on 09 August 2017 - 04:01 PM, said:

Well, he just

Spoiler

Killed Maithanet

. That's kind of a big deal.

I'm nearing the end of "the Great Ordeal" and some things that are casually dropped by are blowing my mind. I think I might be forced to go back to PoN and find the bits where Akka is explaining the metaphysics of sorcery, tho, because it suddenly becomes relevant, and i'm not sure I'm getting stuff.
Aiming to finish GTO today and start "Unholy Consult" asap.

Oooohh, I knew I was missing something very big. Honestly the "home" parts of the narrative have been a bit confusing.

A couple more things -

Spoiler

The WLW was basically created by the Earth Goddess cult in opposition to Kelhus, right? So why didn't he kill Esmenet as well and bring total chaos?

Also if Cleric was the actual Nonman king, and the Nonmen have fallen and joined the consult isn't Kelhus basically sending his kids as hostages to the Consult?