[QuickTidal]

Finished RED, WHITE & BLOOD and it was decent enough, but still way too political in the end. Though it has a game changing twist at the end. Will read the next one.

Got back into my Year Of Tolkien and started UNFINISHED TALES. Can't wait to get more info on the 3 first Ages of Middle Earth.

[T77]

QuickTidal, on 03 July 2012 - 03:09 PM, said:

T77, on 03 July 2012 - 01:50 PM, said:

End of Disc One, on 02 July 2012 - 04:24 PM, said:

T77, on 02 July 2012 - 02:34 PM, said:

Finished Empire in Black and Gold by Adrian Tchaikovsky. I started this a while ago and really liked the beginning, it slowly went downhill so I put it aside. I had the urge to get back to it and I'm sorry I did. As mentioned the beginning was good, and his battle scenes are decent, but nothing else worked for me. The characters and the plot were weak, and his writing is sub-par. Not to mention the premise is ridiculous.

Aside from your complaint about the premise, this is a common reaction to the first book. I and many others thought the second book was MUCH better, and I see a lot of people say books 4 and on are especially great. You may not want to write the series off.

Thanks! I will definitely read book 2 then. I thought the beginning of book 1 was great and I thought for sure I would like this book and series. Being the first book, I'll give him the benefit of the doubt.

Indeed, I had the IDENTICAL reaction to it as you did T77. Liked the beginning a lot and got really bored and annoyed by the rest...The second book IS better, and the 3rd book is even better than that. It's worth looking into the further books IMHO.

Thanks QT.

[D'iversify]

Recently have been reading older science fiction, just finished Heinlein's The Moon is a Harsh Mistress after Bester's The Demolished Man.

[yuna_anomander25]

QuickTidal, on 03 July 2012 - 03:09 PM, said:

T77, on 03 July 2012 - 01:50 PM, said:

End of Disc One, on 02 July 2012 - 04:24 PM, said:

T77, on 02 July 2012 - 02:34 PM, said:

Finished Empire in Black and Gold by Adrian Tchaikovsky. I started this a while ago and really liked the beginning, it slowly went downhill so I put it aside. I had the urge to get back to it and I'm sorry I did. As mentioned the beginning was good, and his battle scenes are decent, but nothing else worked for me. The characters and the plot were weak, and his writing is sub-par. Not to mention the premise is ridiculous.

Aside from your complaint about the premise, this is a common reaction to the first book. I and many others thought the second book was MUCH better, and I see a lot of people say books 4 and on are especially great. You may not want to write the series off.

Thanks! I will definitely read book 2 then. I thought the beginning of book 1 was great and I thought for sure I would like this book and series. Being the first book, I'll give him the benefit of the doubt.

Indeed, I had the IDENTICAL reaction to it as you did T77. Liked the beginning a lot and got really bored and annoyed by the rest...The second book IS better, and the 3rd book is even better than that. It's worth looking into the further books IMHO.

RE Empire in Black and Gold, is that mostly how people have reacted to it, kind of like GOTM? but it won't hinder my reading of it, as i already own it, but i'll keep your comments in mind, and see for myself,

QuickTidal, on 05 July 2012 - 12:29 AM, said:

I own it, and it's very good and well worth reading if only to get insight into the various classmates. I won't be reviewing it as I read it years ago. Worth picking up though.

thanks, i saw the author's name, Toushun Fukami, if i'm not mistaken with the name, saw it earlier, ok, i'll make it a point to pick up Battle Royale and will definitely add it to my list, which right now is growing,
kinda makes me understand SMZ's sentiments, LOL, but i won't begrudge you fellow forumites, i'll have many months of good reading, cheers!

i made the mistake of reading the back blurb of Shadow's Edge, and spoiled it for myself (ARGH!) now everytime i read The Way of Shadows, i'll always remember that one character,
since i'm just nearing half of book 1, so i guess i'll just have to live with it, it's still a good read, and i'm enjoying it right now,

This post has been edited by yuna_anomander25: 06 July 2012 - 09:07 AM

[Tapper]

Just finished Madness of Angels. Kate Griffin's premises are interesting - and bring easy comparison to Mieville's Kraken (one of my very favorite books) and Butcher's Dresden Files. It is hard to win against either master, and sadly, Griffin doesn't. The book's happenings and magic system aren't as crazy as Mieville's, it's better and more adult than Butcher's in writing style and themes (and a whole lot more confusing) but lacks the pace and humour Butcher brings in spades.
What remains is impressive and a good albeit sometimes confusing read, essentially set-up like a Bond novel (take out two henchmen, meet the foil, final face-off). I'll gladly dive into the follow-up, The Midnight Mayor.

[Baco Xtath]

Tapper, on 06 July 2012 - 06:25 PM, said:

Just finished Madness of Angels. Kate Griffin's premises are interesting - and bring easy comparison to Mieville's Kraken (one of my very favorite books) and Butcher's Dresden Files. It is hard to win against either master, and sadly, Griffin doesn't. The book's happenings and magic system aren't as crazy as Mieville's, it's better and more adult than Butcher's in writing style and themes (and a whole lot more confusing) but lacks the pace and humour Butcher brings in spades.
What remains is impressive and a good albeit sometimes confusing read, essentially set-up like a Bond novel (take out two henchmen, meet the foil, final face-off). I'll gladly dive into the follow-up, The Midnight Mayor.

I actually liked The Midnight Mayor better than Madness. The Neon Court is damn good too. Haven't read Minority yet so not sure how good it is, though the reviews seem pretty optimistic.

I'm in between Faith and King's Blood. Kind of ambivalent about Faith but I'll probably continue.

[polishgenius]

Minority Council is fucking awesome. Imo.

I seem to have lost my copy of The Neon Court.

My main criticism of Griffin is that she doesn't have the between-book progression of a Butcher and sometimes her supporting cast is a little flat as a result, but she's still fully awesome. Firmly second on my ongoing urban fantasy list.

[Mentalist]

Finally had the time to finish "Grave Thief". HUGE Improvement over "Twilight Herald"

I'm very curious to see what happens next in this series.

[yuna_anomander25]

just finished The Way of Shadows by Brent Weeks, still deciding if I'll continue on to Shadow's Edge (The Night Angel Trilogy book 2) or if I'll continue reading the rest of my other reads, maybe I'll go with the latter, as i still don't have book 3 - Beyond the Shadows, hope to acquire it before end of next week, so i could complete it, its a good read and its recommendable to those who still haven't read it, you'll like it,

[Aptorian]

I would certainly recommend finishing the Night Angel Trilogy, while I thought the third book would have been better told over the course of two books, it is by far the most entertaining of the three and it opens up the world and hints at something that makes me desperately hope he returns to the series and improves on his narrative.

[yuna_anomander25]

Aptorius, on 08 July 2012 - 12:18 PM, said:

I would certainly recommend finishing the Night Angel Trilogy, while I thought the third book would have been better told over the course of two books, it is by far the most entertaining of the three and it opens up the world and hints at something that makes me desperately hope he returns to the series and improves on his narrative.

he mentions in the EXTRAS page on the book that he would be back in the Night Angel world and it will be set years after the original trilogy, i read all the bits of every book i have, so that's good if he already has plans for it,
like Abyss and End of Disc One, i have come to trust this Board and Forum for my reads, though I'm not signed to Westeros as he has mentioned, just read previous threads about the Night Angel trilogy,
will definitely finish it Apt, I will complete it by next week, thanks,
i would like to read more of Viridiana, as I'm interested in her, and she's the only girl assassin in the book,

[Ukjent]

Just finished book six of shadows of the apt: The sea watch and are now back to my reread of bonehunters. I have also read the deed of Paksenarrion, who was a fair disappointment, the hero in the book was the very defenision of good and boring.

[End of Disc One]

Aptorius, on 08 July 2012 - 12:18 PM, said:

I would certainly recommend finishing the Night Angel Trilogy, while I thought the third book would have been better told over the course of two books, it is by far the most entertaining of the three and it opens up the world and hints at something that makes me desperately hope he returns to the series and improves on his narrative.

I'm 250 pages into The Black Prism and his writing has improved dramatically. It's like it's written by a different person. Though I can't say I'm enjoying it as much as the Night Angel Trilogy at this point. It's got some good stuff but also tons of introduction even 250 pages in. Can't wait until I'm finally past the set up.

[Abyss]

Just finished Somers' DIGITAL PLAGUE.
Fucking briliant noir nanopunk sf shootfeste.
Leaps andbounds better than The Electric Church.

Now into NOT THE THREE MUSKETEERS by the late Joel Rosenberg . Great fun and reminds me why i liked his Guardians of the Flame series so much.

[Abyss]

Briar King, on 09 July 2012 - 05:00 AM, said:

I'm reading Deriyni Checkmate by Kathrine Kurtz. Anyone else read these before? They were written in the 70's.

Yes. Found the religious elements overtook the fantasy to the story's detriment.
Decent series tho.

[Serenity]

Finished Gemmell's Ravenheart, which was really good, and now reading Lee Child's Persuader.

[McLovin]

Finished SMALL FAVOR.

Continuing my blast-from-the-past fantasy trek with Feist's SILVERTHORN.

[QuickTidal]

Serenity, on 09 July 2012 - 11:01 AM, said:

now reading Lee Child's Persuader.

Haha, hey I just bought this book myself. I'm starting it next after I finish Ian Tregillis' BITTER SEEDS, which so far is absolutely excellent!

This post has been edited by QuickTidal: 09 July 2012 - 03:15 PM

[rhulad]

Just finished off The Last Colony by John Scalzi. Started Blade of Tyshalle by Matthew Stover this morning on my way to work.

[Salt-Man Z]

Slowed down my reading because I've been a lot of old-school DOOM late into the nights. Still reading Tigana, and it's great, I just don't feel compelled to read it all the time.