[Abyss]

QuickTidal, on 08 October 2023 - 02:09 PM, said:

Abyss, on 08 October 2023 - 04:31 AM, said:

While waiting for Art of Destiny.

It was in Indigo already yesterday. ��

EDIT: Oh and I bought THE ART OF PROPHECY in hardcover…because A. it was at the store (and with the second one coming out, who knows how long the HC will still kick around), B. The cover art is FUCKING GORGEOUS, and C. Go big or go fucking home right?

Earbook and dead tree disconnect. I can wait.
But you're right about the cover art, it IS exceptional.

[pat5150]

Abyss, on 09 October 2023 - 02:32 AM, said:

pat5150, on 08 October 2023 - 07:43 PM, said:

@Abyss: Looks like it's 5.95$ on Audible, if you haven't pre-ordered it yet.

tf?

Pat all i see is $39/$46ish or 1 credit. Where are you seeing that?

Maybe it's an incentive for new customers? I see this when I log on to Amazon.

Oh, but it's the .com, not the .ca site. Maybe that's why.

[Salt-Man Z]

Tsundoku, on 05 October 2023 - 12:24 PM, said:

A Day of Fallen Night? Seriously? There's some cringebad fantasy titles out there, but that one is in a category of it's own.
If it was a song lyric it would be "only time will tell if we stand the test of time", which I'm hoping was a tongue in cheek moment in an otherwise great song.

It's the literal in-world name for a major event in the book, dunno what to tell you!

[Abyss]

pat5150, on 09 October 2023 - 02:08 PM, said:

Abyss, on 09 October 2023 - 02:32 AM, said:

pat5150, on 08 October 2023 - 07:43 PM, said:

@Abyss: Looks like it's 5.95$ on Audible, if you haven't pre-ordered it yet.

tf?

Pat all i see is $39/$46ish or 1 credit. Where are you seeing that?

Maybe it's an incentive for new customers? I see this when I log on to Amazon.

Oh, but it's the .com, not the .ca site. Maybe that's why.

i checked both. Sure it's not for bk 1, or the short story?

[pat5150]

Just checked and it's 5.95$ on the .com site. Maybe because I'm not an Audible member?

[Abyss]

pat5150, on 10 October 2023 - 02:57 AM, said:

Just checked and it's 5.95$ on the .com site. Maybe because I'm not an Audible member?

Maybe. I get $29.40 / 1 credit. When i go in incog i get the usual $0 offer to join.
Weird.

[Stalker]

Abyss, on 10 October 2023 - 04:14 AM, said:

pat5150, on 10 October 2023 - 02:57 AM, said:

Just checked and it's 5.95$ on the .com site. Maybe because I'm not an Audible member?

Maybe. I get $29.40 / 1 credit. When i go in incog i get the usual $0 offer to join.
Weird.

Audible is running a ‘holiday’ special for new members of $5.95 per month for 4 months. That’s likely this price, which I took advantage of a few days back. Had to grab Jonathan Maberry’s newest Joe Ledger book.

[QuickTidal]

I have a dilemma.

I started reading Stephen R. Lawhead's Pendragon cycle (TALIESIN) as I'm a King Arthur nerd and I've never read this series, but found TALIESIN for like $2 at the used book store and it's been sitting in my TRP a while. Well, I'm about 25% into it and I'm really enjoying it...and then I looked up the map online as it's kind of small in the paperback...and the first thing that popped up was that this series is being made into a TV series....by the Daily Wire ...You know, that alt-right Ben Shapiro funded site that hosts full tilt clowns like Matt Walsh...and the show is going to star a bunch of Conservative actor/YT political shitheads like Brett Cooper and others...

Now I COULD ignore the fact that a show is being made, and stick with the books. Sounds like no problem yes?

But then I'm like, did Lawhead (who I know is a pretty devout Christian) actually sell to these assholes and condone THEM making his series a reality? Did he do it for the payout? (He was so ill with cancer a few years back that he almost died so maybe he sold the rights to make sure his family is looked after in case of resurgence?)...basically I'm stuck now at a moral "is someone being THIS adjacent to assholes enough to make me not want to bother with his books?" It's hard to find anything about the deal online without delving into deep Conservative spaces and I have no interest in doing that...His presence online is just his website. He has two sons, and the only thing I can find about them is one is an author of fantasy/historical fiction like his dad, and the other is a businessman in the States who was married to a well-known English historian for 21 days before divorce.

Nothing about any of that tells me what I want to know. I know I'll never watch content made by the Daily Wire crew...but I'm pondering if the book series is worth it and if Lawhead sold it to them knowing who and what they are and represent? Or if I should stick with Stewart, White, Cornwell, and Whyte for my Arthurian stuff.

Anyone want to weigh in?

Note: I don't mind that he's got a Christian-bend to his writing at all, it fits with the era he's written these in post-Constantine Conversion England...so it won't bother me and Whyte's Camelot stuff is all deeply Christian anyways too.

[Abyss]

Stalker, on 10 October 2023 - 08:08 AM, said:

Abyss, on 10 October 2023 - 04:14 AM, said:

pat5150, on 10 October 2023 - 02:57 AM, said:

Just checked and it's 5.95$ on the .com site. Maybe because I'm not an Audible member?

Maybe. I get $29.40 / 1 credit. When i go in incog i get the usual $0 offer to join.
Weird.

Audible is running a 'holiday' special for new members of $5.95 per month for 4 months. That's likely this price, which I took advantage of a few days back. Had to grab Jonathan Maberry's newest Joe Ledger book.

Ah, mystery solved. Tnx Stalker.

[Abyss]

QuickTidal, on 10 October 2023 - 01:21 PM, said:

I have a dilemma.

I started reading Stephen R. Lawhead's Pendragon cycle ...

Anyone want to weigh in?...

I bounced off of Lawhead fairly quickly and DNF'd TALIESIN as being the wrong flavour of fantasy or Arthurian fantasy for me at that time. I could recognize the quality tho.

Authors sell rights to their books all the time, frequently their agents or publishers handle the entire deal and the author sees nothing but a cheque, if that. My $.02, these books were written a looooong time ago. If you dig them, go ahead and enjoy. Go library or 2HB if you want the separation, but don't deny yourself because a bunch of idiots multiple steps removed from the author might make a bad show about it. The author isn't preaching hate, which is my current vague rubicon for dropping the art bcs of the artist.

[QuickTidal]

Abyss, on 10 October 2023 - 02:07 PM, said:

Go library or 2HB if you want the separation, but don't deny yourself because a bunch of idiots multiple steps removed from the author might make a bad show about it. The author isn't preaching hate, which is my current vague rubicon for dropping the art bcs of the artist.

This is an ideal plan. As said I have book 1 as a $2 used buy, but library would work for the rest if I can't find Used copies of the rest.

Also, I have never heard anyone say anything unkind about Lawhead as a dude and the outpouring of support when he was sick was palpable...so he at least sounds like a good dude and yeah I can't find any preaching of any kind, hate or otherwise, and that's a good Rubicon line to draw.

Thanks Abyss. As usual you're level headed and helpful. I'll continue on with it as I'm enjoying.

[Tiste Simeon]

I've called Abyss many things throughout the years but I'm not sure "level headed and helpful" was ever on that list...

[QuickTidal]

Tiste Simeon, on 10 October 2023 - 02:52 PM, said:

I've called Abyss many things throughout the years but I'm not sure "level headed and helpful" was ever on that list...

Depends on your definition. If it includes cat assassins and t-shirt canons and secret societies of peameal sandwich makers...

[Abyss]

QuickTidal, on 10 October 2023 - 02:31 PM, said:

Abyss, on 10 October 2023 - 02:07 PM, said:

Go library or 2HB if you want the separation, but don't deny yourself because a bunch of idiots multiple steps removed from the author might make a bad show about it. The author isn't preaching hate, which is my current vague rubicon for dropping the art bcs of the artist.

This is an ideal plan. As said I have book 1 as a $2 used buy, but library would work for the rest if I can't find Used copies of the rest.

Also, I have never heard anyone say anything unkind about Lawhead as a dude and the outpouring of support when he was sick was palpable...so he at least sounds like a good dude and yeah I can't find any preaching of any kind, hate or otherwise, and that's a good Rubicon line to draw.

Thanks Abyss. As usual you're level headed and helpful. I'll continue on with it as I'm enjoying.

Np. You need anything else distasteful and anti-social rationalized, let me know.

Tiste Simeon, on 10 October 2023 - 02:52 PM, said:

I've called Abyss many things throughout the years but I'm not sure "level headed and helpful" was ever on that list...

Au contraire....

Tiste Simeon, on 08 July 2023 - 06:47 PM, said:

I finished now and put some thoughts in my (better) thread but basically I'm in agreement in just about everything Abyss (who as usual is level headed and helpful) and JPK have said. Aside from one scene, this was a compelling and exciting book. Not entirely sure I want to head back to the Dominion now I really like the Empire!
...

Tiste Simeon, on 22 May 2023 - 06:05 AM, said:

I'm hijacking this thread instead of creating my own. I finished The Broken Crown and what a ride that was. Such a slow burn at first and I have to agree with Abyss' usual level headed and helpful views that there are a few too many infodumps but man this is a well crafted and fascinating world! ...

Tiste Simeon, on 18 December 2022 - 09:38 AM, said:

If it helps your jealousy, JPK, I remember Abyss - not withstanding his usual level-headedness and helpfullness - seething with envy when all us Brits got an SE book before the Canadians...

Tiste Simeon, on 02 December 2022 - 06:28 AM, said:

So so my voicemails declaring my undying love for your level-headed and helpful self were just ignored Abyss?

Rude.

Tiste Simeon, on 04 June 2022 - 08:44 AM, said:

I'm beginning to think that this book isn't necessarily for you, Abyss, and also have i mentioned laterly how level-headed and helpful you are?...

See?

QuickTidal, on 10 October 2023 - 03:02 PM, said:

Tiste Simeon, on 10 October 2023 - 02:52 PM, said:

I've called Abyss many things throughout the years but I'm not sure "level headed and helpful" was ever on that list...

Depends on your definition. If it includes cat assassins and t-shirt canons and secret societies of peameal sandwich makers...

Hey those sandwiches were entirely assassination-worthy. The t-shirts were just a way to score some extra cash.

[Macros]

Finally got back to finishing justice of Kings.
Not a ...bad novel, the pacing is a little off I'd say, escalation comes hard and fast and leave the final quarter feeling very rushed, which is a shame as that's when the author seems to find their feet.
Wondering why QT (I think) bounced off it?
Thinking about taking a slow follow of the series and pick up book two in a bit once I've cleared some of the trp

[Tiste Simeon]

Abyss, on 10 October 2023 - 03:40 PM, said:

QuickTidal, on 10 October 2023 - 02:31 PM, said:

Abyss, on 10 October 2023 - 02:07 PM, said:

Go library or 2HB if you want the separation, but don't deny yourself because a bunch of idiots multiple steps removed from the author might make a bad show about it. The author isn't preaching hate, which is my current vague rubicon for dropping the art bcs of the artist.

This is an ideal plan. As said I have book 1 as a $2 used buy, but library would work for the rest if I can't find Used copies of the rest.

Also, I have never heard anyone say anything unkind about Lawhead as a dude and the outpouring of support when he was sick was palpable...so he at least sounds like a good dude and yeah I can't find any preaching of any kind, hate or otherwise, and that's a good Rubicon line to draw.

Thanks Abyss. As usual you're level headed and helpful. I'll continue on with it as I'm enjoying.

Np. You need anything else distasteful and anti-social rationalized, let me know.

Tiste Simeon, on 10 October 2023 - 02:52 PM, said:

I've called Abyss many things throughout the years but I'm not sure "level headed and helpful" was ever on that list...

Au contraire....

Tiste Simeon, on 08 July 2023 - 06:47 PM, said:

I finished now and put some thoughts in my (better) thread but basically I'm in agreement in just about everything Abyss (who as usual is level headed and helpful) and JPK have said. Aside from one scene, this was a compelling and exciting book. Not entirely sure I want to head back to the Dominion now I really like the Empire!
...

Tiste Simeon, on 22 May 2023 - 06:05 AM, said:

I'm hijacking this thread instead of creating my own. I finished The Broken Crown and what a ride that was. Such a slow burn at first and I have to agree with Abyss' usual level headed and helpful views that there are a few too many infodumps but man this is a well crafted and fascinating world! ...

Tiste Simeon, on 18 December 2022 - 09:38 AM, said:

If it helps your jealousy, JPK, I remember Abyss - not withstanding his usual level-headedness and helpfullness - seething with envy when all us Brits got an SE book before the Canadians...

Tiste Simeon, on 02 December 2022 - 06:28 AM, said:

So so my voicemails declaring my undying love for your level-headed and helpful self were just ignored Abyss?

Rude.

Tiste Simeon, on 04 June 2022 - 08:44 AM, said:

I'm beginning to think that this book isn't necessarily for you, Abyss, and also have i mentioned laterly how level-headed and helpful you are?...

See?

QuickTidal, on 10 October 2023 - 03:02 PM, said:

Tiste Simeon, on 10 October 2023 - 02:52 PM, said:

I've called Abyss many things throughout the years but I'm not sure "level headed and helpful" was ever on that list...

Depends on your definition. If it includes cat assassins and t-shirt canons and secret societies of peameal sandwich makers...

Hey those sandwiches were entirely assassination-worthy. The t-shirts were just a way to score some extra cash.

OK, so aside from those 5 times, and likely a few more times, I have NEVER called you level headed and helpful!

[worry]

Hmm, could you repeat that?

[QuickTidal]

Macros, on 10 October 2023 - 08:10 PM, said:

Finally got back to finishing justice of Kings.
Not a ...bad novel, the pacing is a little off I'd say, escalation comes hard and fast and leave the final quarter feeling very rushed, which is a shame as that's when the author seems to find their feet.
Wondering why QT (I think) bounced off it?
Thinking about taking a slow follow of the series and pick up book two in a bit once I've cleared some of the trp

I can't recall how far I made it in, like 15% or 20% maybe? And I found it dry and kind of stilted at that point...but it's possible I was just reading it at the wrong time. If you say it's decent overall, I may give it a library grab down the way.

[polishgenius]

polishgenius, on 03 October 2023 - 04:20 PM, said:

Now I'm reading The Archive Undying by Emma Mieko Candon, a science-fanatasy epic that I can best describe as, I dunno, something like a mix between mech stories and Planescape Torment? That misses a lot but it gets the general idea across maybe. Anyway, I'm really enjoying it so far.

Finished this. Enjoyed it, but I do think it got a little messy in the second half. I think because it's written and structured in such a way that a lot of what happens in the first half isn't understandable until later, but 'later' also comes with twists and revelations, so reading it you're simultaneously parsing the new state of affairs and what new information imparted meant for the old state of affairs. It's a little choppy as a result.



Still, excellent atmosphere, fascinatingly creepy world, interesting characters (although they're 'flawed' and on some occasions the main character is honestly kind of an idiot, which may try some people's patience), I'll most likely read the sequel if and when it comes.





Now I'm reading The Saint of Bright Doors by Vajra Chandrasekera. After a brief introductury section that is basically a prologue, it opens with the main character in a support group for rejected and lapsed Chosen Ones. Interesting start.

[QuickTidal]

Finished TALIESIN by Stephen R. Lawhead….it was really solid for about 60% of the runtime….like a good (if far-fetched) generational beginning to an Arthurian tale with decently sketched out characters. There was a chunk of filler in the middle, but not terrible.

Then the last 30% hit and the Christian preachiness came into play. MY GODS. Like everyone (Celtic and Atlantian) convert to Christianity in a hard right, even druids….and then everyone who is NOT Christian is treated as an enemy heretic, or is converted on the fly too. It wasn’t just overt, or a historically accurate portrayal of the late Roman Christian push in the 4th century….but like a full court press where it intruded on every chapter until the end. It was bordering on obscene. Turned me right off. I honestly thought it was going to be more like Jack Whyte’s camulod Christianity where ther was talk of Pelagius, and some were Christian’s, while others stayed pagans…like reality. But nope.

Man, I dunno if I’m going to go on with this series. That was a really disappointing last act of that book.