[Isa]

Lunar Park. This is my favorite Ellis novel, disgust levels remain tolerable plus it's funny and at nearly 25 the "Terby" still has the effect of me feeling compelled to look under the bed before turning off the lights.

HoosierDaddy, on 19 March 2011 - 10:47 PM, said:

Recently finished The Wise Man's Fear and The Way of Kings.

The Wise Man's Fear was excellent, but a bit strange. It dwells in places it shouldn't and breezes through where I would have appreciated more writing. I'm coming to loathe Denna and lose some empathy for Kvothe because of his absolute fucking retardedry when it comes to her, and it impacts my overall feel for the book. That being said, it was still fantastic, but not quite on the level of The Name of the Wind. I eagerly await the third book.

I was going to write something but you beat me to it. Agree with all of the above.

[QuickTidal]

Briar King, on 28 March 2011 - 04:52 AM, said:

MWKarsa, on 28 March 2011 - 03:13 AM, said:

The original Dune series by Frank Herbert is absolutely amazing. IMO some of the best Sci-fi ever written considering the time he wrote it and how he blended computer-technology, religious, political and gender roles amoung others into his works.

I finished Abyss in the Fate of the Jedi series and quite honestly I've been pretty down on SW books but this one came pretty close to restoring my faith in the books. The too long establishing of Luke's and Ben's relationship as father and son that had been woefully addressed until this series finally is occurring and the scene at the end with the Lake and past people(don't want to print any spoilers) was the most emotional since Chewbacca's and Anakin Solo's deaths. Great stuff.

Finishing up Stonewielder now before The Crusades by Thomas Asbridge.

You ought to like the next 3 SW books then....! FotJ has so far been much MUCH better then the shit that was LotF.

Agreed. I think ALLIES is the only quasi-stumble (still good, but Christie Golden is still finding her feet... but she writes Vestara Khai VERY well), but BACKLASH and (and I hear, though I've yet to read) VORTEX are both awesome! As far as I am concerned FotJ is putting the mostly abysmal LotF series to shame with its awesomeness.

This post has been edited by QuickTidal: 28 March 2011 - 02:53 PM

[Salt-Man Z]

I finished C. J. Sansom's Dissolution over the weekend, and it was great. A nice mystery, with a fascinating historical setting.

Before I had quite finished that, I picked up my new copy of William Goldman's The Princess Bride because I wanted to read the 30th and 25th anniversary introductions, which were both great. Found myself continuing right on into the book (which I read about a dozen years ago.) I haven't read the first chapter of Buttercup's Baby yet (which is included in the back, along with an explanatory section) so I'm looking forward to that. If you haven't read this book, you should, even if you've seen the movie based on it a billion times. The way it's presented is just too funny.

[Slow Ben]

ansible, on 27 March 2011 - 09:26 PM, said:

amphibian, on 27 March 2011 - 05:12 PM, said:

Fist Gamet, on 26 March 2011 - 06:59 PM, said:

I read Lonesome Dove a couple of years ago, finally getting around to it as I loved the TV series. The book is even better. Awesome.

Read the whole series. McMurtry does a great job with all the books. I loved Comanche Moon and even caught part of the mini-series last night too. Steve Zahn rocks.

I haven't seen someone recommend the other books in the series; how do they compare? Lonesome Dove is incredible, but I tried to read Streets of Laredo some years ago and couldn't really get into it. The TV miniseries is also amazing; I have a lot of good family memories surrounding Lonesome Dove. I actually just bought the series on Blu-ray as a gift for my grandfather.

Streets of Laredo was, imo, the weakest of the 4. Of them, it was the only one i didnt really enjoy reading. And the only one i've only re-read once.

Dead Mans Walk and Comanche Moon, on the other hand, are fantastic. Especially DMW. I'd recommend them to anyone who likes a good western, especially if you enjoyed Lonesome Dove.

[Coco with marshmallows]

Just finished reading "Among Thieves" by Douglas Hulick.

thought it was great, considering i only got it as part of a 3 for 2 deal.
Fantasy story about a crook in a large city.
some great slang, very vividly used. Told from a first person perspective that reminds me a lot of Dresden if i'm honest.

thoroughly enjoyed it, and would recommend it for people looking for a relatively light but absorbing read.

[MWKarsa]

Salt-Man Z, on 28 March 2011 - 03:25 PM, said:

Before I had quite finished that, I picked up my new copy of William Goldman's The Princess Bride because I wanted to read the 30th and 25th anniversary introductions, which were both great. Found myself continuing right on into the book (which I read about a dozen years ago.) I haven't read the first chapter of Buttercup's Baby yet (which is included in the back, along with an explanatory section) so I'm looking forward to that. If you haven't read this book, you should, even if you've seen the movie based on it a billion times. The way it's presented is just too funny.

That movie is very funny but I honestly found the book even funnier but some great hilarious parts that didn't make it into the movie. Great and seriously funny book to read and though the movie is pretty damn funny too many people miss out on reading this book- they shouldn't IMO.

[caladanbrood]

I'm really struggling with Empire in Black and Gold. It's not that it's bad, it's just not that gripping so far... maybe it's just because it came almost immediately after tCG.

[MTS]

Wise Man's Fear. Only about 100 pages in, but it's taking longer than I thought to pick up any real pace. I can already understand HD's comment about Kvothe being a complete fucktard too, it's really quite depressing.

[QuickTidal]

MTS, on 29 March 2011 - 07:23 AM, said:

Wise Man's Fear. Only about 100 pages in, but it's taking longer than I thought to pick up any real pace. I can already understand HD's comment about Kvothe being a complete fucktard too, it's really quite depressing.

The good thing is that older Kvothe (telling the story) is totally aware of his younger self being a fucktard. LOL

Yeah, the first 300 pages, while good, are kind of variations on the University stuff from the first book...the only real nuggets thrown in are to do with Elodin...and with Devi. I enjoyed them, but I will say that I got more excited after that first 300 pages and things started into other areas. the book picked up significantly after that.

The whole thing is still completely readable though IMHO. It's just a bit of deja vu been there done this kinda thing.

An interesting thing...Chapters/Indigo in Canada has WISE MAN'S FEAR as it's most requested book of the year so far by customers. LOL

Guess what....THE CRIPPLED GOD (which is finally on shelves now weeks after release) is apparently also largely requested.

[QuickTidal]

caladanbrood, on 29 March 2011 - 06:35 AM, said:

I'm really struggling with Empire in Black and Gold. It's not that it's bad, it's just not that gripping so far... maybe it's just because it came almost immediately after tCG.

I felt the same way...but apparently the whole series doesn't get great until after the third book...I don't know what that says for the series, but I only read the first book. I'll likely go back to the series at some point, but it may not be till it is done.

[Salt-Man Z]

Yeah, the first third of WMF is very been-there-done-that, but then it picks up significantly.

This post has been edited by Salt-Man Z: 29 March 2011 - 03:25 PM

[QuickTidal]

Salt-Man Z, on 29 March 2011 - 03:23 PM, said:

Yeah, the first third of WMF is very been-there-done-that, but then it picks up significantly.

Is it wrong that

Spoiler

I wanted Denna to be a murderer in that alleyway in Severen when she helps that prostitute. At first when she had a blade to that guys throat I was like...oh please tell me bitchy Denna is a murderer. LOL. I guess I don't care for her. Fela is such a better love interest, but alas it seems as if she is meant for Simmon. Only on page 500 though and they just got in a fight about her song so maybe she'll go away for a while.

[HoosierDaddy]

QuickTidal, on 29 March 2011 - 03:43 PM, said:

Salt-Man Z, on 29 March 2011 - 03:23 PM, said:

Yeah, the first third of WMF is very been-there-done-that, but then it picks up significantly.

Is it wrong that

Spoiler

I wanted Denna to be a murderer in that alleyway in Severen when she helps that prostitute. At first when she had a blade to that guys throat I was like...oh please tell me bitchy Denna is a murderer. LOL. I guess I don't care for her. Fela is such a better love interest, but alas it seems as if she is meant for Simmon. Only on page 500 though and they just got in a fight about her song so maybe she'll go away for a while.

Not really. I don't like her either.

Spoiler

However, that being said, she is given a modicum of depth building with the later scene in the alley and at the bar with the girl. I sometimes wonder if Kvothe knows what exactly is going on with her... profession. Also, it doesn't hurt that while being a child prodigy, Kvothe is also a bit of a shallow and emotionally unavailable twit after Felurian just like Denna. He is insanely in love with a girl who will be accompanied around by whomever (Ambrose? AMBROSE???) so he responds by fucking everything in sight. Honestly, they probably deserve each other.

[Slow Ben]

Sounded right to me....

[Salt-Man Z]

Briar King, on 29 March 2011 - 06:16 PM, said:

I still cant fucking pernonuce Kvothe's name!

It's pronounced almost exactly like "quothe".

[QuickTidal]

Salt-Man Z, on 29 March 2011 - 06:35 PM, said:

Briar King, on 29 March 2011 - 06:16 PM, said:

I still cant fucking pernonuce Kvothe's name!

It's pronounced almost exactly like "quothe".

Yeah. Isn't that established at the beginning of NotW?

[Illuyankas]

I just pronounce it as 'Twat'.

Now, in non-WMF-spoiler terms, will the third book in the trilogy be enough to bring the story up to date with current reminiscing Kvothe? A simple yes/no will determine whether I leave it or borrow my brother's copy and then finish the series.

[ansible]

Briar King, on 28 March 2011 - 12:42 AM, said:

The Dune Saga is great! My first read through of GEoD(4) was horrid. but I just recently reread them all and I was blown away by how much I liked it the second time around. Im interested in hearing your thoughts about 4,5,6 and to know if you will read Hunters/Sandworms to finish the main story.

I'm about halfway through God Emperor of Dune and I actually love it. I was tiring slightly of the books as I approached the end of Children of Dune, but the historical framed narrative is awesome. I also love Leto, so there's that. I already picked up book 5 so I might as well continue...

Slow Ben, on 28 March 2011 - 04:07 PM, said:

ansible, on 27 March 2011 - 09:26 PM, said:

amphibian, on 27 March 2011 - 05:12 PM, said:

Fist Gamet, on 26 March 2011 - 06:59 PM, said:

I read Lonesome Dove a couple of years ago, finally getting around to it as I loved the TV series. The book is even better. Awesome.

Read the whole series. McMurtry does a great job with all the books. I loved Comanche Moon and even caught part of the mini-series last night too. Steve Zahn rocks.

I haven't seen someone recommend the other books in the series; how do they compare? Lonesome Dove is incredible, but I tried to read Streets of Laredo some years ago and couldn't really get into it. The TV miniseries is also amazing; I have a lot of good family memories surrounding Lonesome Dove. I actually just bought the series on Blu-ray as a gift for my grandfather.

Streets of Laredo was, imo, the weakest of the 4. Of them, it was the only one i didnt really enjoy reading. And the only one i've only re-read once.

Dead Mans Walk and Comanche Moon, on the other hand, are fantastic. Especially DMW. I'd recommend them to anyone who likes a good western, especially if you enjoyed Lonesome Dove.

Thanks, I'll have to check those out eventually. I knew Streets of Laredo was bullshit...

Illuyankas, on 29 March 2011 - 08:48 PM, said:

I just pronounce it as 'Twat'.

Now, in non-WMF-spoiler terms, will the third book in the trilogy be enough to bring the story up to date with current reminiscing Kvothe? A simple yes/no will determine whether I leave it or borrow my brother's copy and then finish the series.

The question we're all dying to know.

[Abyss]

Working my way through the WARRIORS ANTHOLOGY...

GRRM's MYSTERY KNIGHT was solid Dunk and Egg. My least favourite of the three novellas to date, but still good.

Holland, Hobb and Lansdale's stories... I haven't liked anything from those three in the past and they changed nothing.

Haldeman's read like it should have been in an anthology about scifi love, not 'warriors'. Mediocre. Lawrence Block's CLEAN SLATE seems similarly misplaced... better story, but it doesn't belong here. Also mediocre.

Tad Williams' MINISTERS OF GRACE was okay. The setting was more interesting than the events but good enough.

Peter Beagle's DIRAE.... brilliant. Cool action, bit of a mind fuck, totally catches the reader by surprise.

I suppose as anthologies go this one, with three wins, three losses and two 'oks' at about the halfway mark is doing better than most.

[QuickTidal]

Abyss, on 30 March 2011 - 06:20 PM, said:

Working my way through the WARRIORS ANTHOLOGY...

GRRM's MYSTERY KNIGHT was solid Dunk and Egg. My least favourite of the three novellas to date, but still good.

Holland, Hobb and Lansdale's stories... I haven't liked anything from those three in the past and they changed nothing.

Haldeman's read like it should have been in an anthology about scifi love, not 'warriors'. Mediocre. Lawrence Block's CLEAN SLATE seems similarly misplaced... better story, but it doesn't belong here. Also mediocre.

Tad Williams' MINISTERS OF GRACE was okay. The setting was more interesting than the events but good enough.

Peter Beagle's DIRAE.... brilliant. Cool action, bit of a mind fuck, totally catches the reader by surprise.

I suppose as anthologies go this one, with three wins, three losses and two 'oks' is doing better than most.

What about the Rollins one about pitbulls fighting? it would be interesting to read that one knowing he is a veterinarian.