[The Drum]

Recently started reading THE RELIGION by TIM WILLOCKS have been waiting to read this for ages so am earger to get stuck in. Basically it's a historical fiction about the defence of Malta by the knights of St John against the might of the Islamic world. I read other peoples reviews on this and it promises to be a gore fest
It definatley started well.

[murphy72]

The Drum, on Feb 21 2009, 04:26 PM, said:

Recently started reading THE RELIGION by TIM WILLOCKS have been waiting to read this for ages so am earger to get stuck in. Basically it's a historical fiction about the defence of Malta by the knights of St John against the might of the Islamic world. I read other peoples reviews on this and it promises to be a gore fest
It definatley started well.

Really liked that book and hope the next one isn't too long in coming.

Now reading Tom Lloyd's The Stormcaller. Not terribly keen about it, but will keep on.

[Mentalist]

Tarcanus, on Feb 19 2009, 06:20 PM, said:

Old Magic, on Feb 18 2009, 12:23 PM, said:

Halfway through "Lord Foul's Bane" book one of chronicles of Thomas Covenant. Not bad so far, the rape of Lena has been quite tragic, maybe because this Land is a bit more innocent than Malazan culture. Other than that it's been an interesting POV, a bit more relaxing to focus on just one POV as well..

I'm surprised anyone could find the rape tragic. It just happens, and Covenant, at least for me, wasn't a very great character yet. I thought the whole thing just happened too quickly and then faded into the background randomly because Donaldson had to have it that way for the plot to continue.



Anyway, I'm currently picking up The Sword of Angels by John Marco. This trilogy has been surprisingly enjoyable despite his lackluster prose. He's decent at leading me to guess the plot is going one way and then jerking me around. It's great. I'm hoping this last volume is even better than the last two.

really?
i'm intrigued
I read the entire "Tyrants and Kings" trilogy, though i did it through gritted teeth. I've been afraid to pick up "Eyes of Gods" because "Tyrants and Kings" was so bad.

@ OP: I have finished "The Moscow Club", book 1 of the "Enclaves" series by Vadim Panov. I loved it. It was decently fast-paced, the plot had sufficient global implications, the conflict involved a number of interesting players, fleshing out the vision of the future Panov presented me with, and despite knowing nothing about the geography of Moscow (which is the setting of a VERY good portion of Russian sff of any kind), I was able to enjoy it. The best equivalent in Western literature I can think of is still "Shadowrun" but without metahuman races, magic is REALLY downplayed, and whilst Shaodowrun tended to focus on everyday people, here the plot is focused on the people that you'd expect to change the world, people of power--though not just about them.

[Danno]

Just finished The Last Watch By Sergei Lutkanyenko, pretty good though not as good as the other watch novels, in my opinion. Anton has become too powerful which made the story a little flat. Also finished Rainbow's End by Vernor Vinge - verrrry interesting, as usual by him.

[Mentalist]

lol
Anton didn't become too powerful--more like he's made to be more clever than usual.
Last watch reads more like a detective story, but looking at the power levels, Anton is still a very minor player--he's got nothing on even Edgar to say nothing of others

it was a good "finish" to the series, though I still love "Twilight Watch"

[Slow Ben]

Finally started Abercrombies "Blade Itself", only about 30 pages in. Writing seems average, but supposedly its good so i'll give it the old college try.

[murphy72]

Now reading Morgan's The Steel Remains. Oh, my, a great reading experience.

[Deornoth]

I ended up reading Neil Gaiman's 'The Graveyard Book' over the weekend. I had a few issues with the structure and the way that it wore it's influences a little too heavily (although I guess that was the point) but, on the whole I really enjoyed it. My full review is over Here.
I've still got 'Dragonfly Falling' on the go but have also started reading 'Thicker than Water' (Mike Carey) and 'Caligula' (Douglas Jackson) as well.

[kcf]

I finished up Twelve by Jasper Kent over the weekend. I found this to be fascinating book on multiple levels (full review). I highly recommend it (though it's relatively internal nature won't appeal to everyone).

Now I'm reading A Magic of Nightfall by S.L. Farrell.

[Deornoth]

Finished reading Douglas Jackson's 'Caligula', the tale of a slave embroiled in the machinations of the Imperial Court of Ancient Rome. It was a bit 'stop start' in terms of pacing but entertaining nevertheless. My full review is over Here.
I'm finishing off Mike Carey's 'Thicker than Water', I've still got 'Dragonfly Falling' on the go and have just started on Graham McNeill's 'Mechanicum'...

[Tarcanus]

Quote

I read the entire "Tyrants and Kings" trilogy, though i did it through gritted teeth. I've been afraid to pick up "Eyes of Gods" because "Tyrants and Kings" was so bad.

Well, to give you some perspective, I tried reading Eyes of God twice, both times not getting further than a chapter in before getting sick of the writing. I finally decided I needed to at least finish it because it was the only unread book on my shelves. The writing never gets any better, and eventually I just decided it was 'nice' in its simplicity. Once some times passes in the book and characters start to change, it picked up. I would even go so far as to say that Marco is like SE in that he's able to make you think he's building to certain confrontation then give you another one you didn't quite see coming.



I'm about 400 pages in The Sword of Angels and it's starting to pick up the pace. I'm enjoying it.

Next on my plate is Assassin's Quest by Hobb.

[Mentalist]

Thanks, Tarcanus
I might pick it up
at some point

far in the distant future.

Finished the second book in Vadim Panov's "Enclaves" series, "Guides at the crossroads"
The story's diferent, emphasis goes on new characters and a whole other subplot is revealed that takes the story in a different direction,,very briefly hinted at in the first book.

It was great overall, the same atmosphere as the first, and some of the secondary characters were simply awesome.

since it'll take me over a monthto get my hands on book 3, in the meanwhile I'll be reading "The Naked God", the conclusion of Hamilton's "Night's dawn" trilogy.

[Deornoth]

I've now finished reading 'Thicker Than Water' (Mike Carey), latest in the continuing adventures of exorcist Felix Castor. I'm a big fan of the series and 'Thicker Than Water' certainly lives up to the standards set by preceding books, I wouldn't have minded seeing a little more character development in Felix though... My full review is over Here. I'm now finishing Graham McNeill's 'Mechanicum' and am working my way through 'Dragonfly Falling' (should take me up to the weekend...)

[Chance]

Reading Opening Atlantis by Turtledove...but its more like a stop gap until I find something better

[Salt-Man Z]

Started in on The Great Book of Amber last night. Not at all what I was expecting.

[Deornoth]

Just finished reading Graham McNeill's 'Mechanicum', A Warhammer 40K tie-in novel detailing the impact of the Horus Heresy on the weapons factories and forges of Mars... 'Mechanicum' is definitely one for fans of the WH40K universe (with lots of in-references) but still makes for an entertaining read for the casual reader. Gigantic robots striding over the surface of Mars is always good! My full review is over Here.
I'm now back into Adrian Tchaikovsky's 'Dragonfly Falling' which is starting to get really good now...

[Bauchelain the Evil]

Finished "Lord of he Silver Bow" by Gemmell. Liked his take on the War of Troy.
Starting "Night of Knives". Is it good?

This post has been edited by Bauchelain the Evil: 26 February 2009 - 06:18 PM

[Dag]

Deornoth, on Feb 26 2009, 05:16 PM, said:

I'm now back into Adrian Tchaikovsky's 'Dragonfly Falling' which is starting to get really good now...

That's good news. I started it a few days ago, am still at the beginning... which means, it didn't really draw me in like some other books do. But I had the same problem with Book 1, which I eventually came to like, so there's still hope...

[Slow Ben]

Just finished "Born Queen" by Greg Keyes. Not a great ending to the series i thought.

I'm finally starting the Dresden Files tonight. Just bought Storm Front and i'm gonna give it a go.

[QuickTidal]

Just started Shadow's Edge by Brent Weeks. After having enjoyed the first one (The Way Of Shadow's) thoroughly I look forwward to continuing the trilogy.

This post has been edited by QuickTidal: 27 February 2009 - 02:23 AM