[Ain't_It_Just_]

Finished Iron Council a week ago. Wow. China Mieville knows how to write a bittersweet ending. Contrary to popular opinion, I thought this was yet another strong installment in the Bas-Lag series. Now just gotta read The Scar!

Now I've finally stopped procrastinating and I'm reading The Picture of Dorian Gray. Classics ftw.

[Slow Ben]

Was in the middle of a Dresden reread, just finished Grave Peril, but the rest of my books are in storage in Illinois and can't get thm till this weekend.So, jumping back into Cook's wonderful world of Garrett with Faded Steel Heat.

[Mentalist]

SInce I had nothing else to read at Uni, I started reading the second "Iron Elves" by Chris Evans that I picked up last spring at a sale.

I cannot for the life of me recall why I disliked the first book that much.
Since i've gone home for the weekend, i'm picking up "The Darkness Forged in Fire" to give it another shot.

[polishgenius]

Hydrogen Sonata by Iain M. Banks.

Fuck me this is a good book so far.

[Baco Xtath]

Ain, on 08 October 2012 - 02:14 PM, said:

Finished Iron Council a week ago. Wow. China Mieville knows how to write a bittersweet ending. Contrary to popular opinion, I thought this was yet another strong installment in the Bas-Lag series. Now just gotta read The Scar!

Now I've finally stopped procrastinating and I'm reading The Picture of Dorian Gray. Classics ftw.

I thought Iron Council was a great book. However, I like Perdido and the Scar better. And, damn, you're in for a treat if you haven't read the Scar yet.

Anyway, I'm near done with Small Favor and am going to start the Breach next. I've been reading very, very little. Don't know why but I plan on remedying that.

[kcf]

Recently I've gotten reviews posted for Whispers Underground by Ben Aaronovitch and Dancing With Bears by Michael Swanwick. I still owe reviews for Stormdancer by Jay Kristoff and Trapped by Kevin Hearne. I've also read but probably won't review Two Ravens and One Crow a novella by Kevin Hearne and the prologue to A Memory of Light by Jordan and Sandeson - By Grace and Banners Fallen (in spite of my anger at having to pay for a prologue they should be giving away for free). I just started Of Blood and Honey by Stina Leict, which is looking to every bit as good as I thought it would be.

[QuickTidal]

kcf, on 08 October 2012 - 07:51 PM, said:

the prologue to A Memory of Light by Jordan and Sandeson - By Grace and Banners Fallen (in spite of my anger at having to pay for a prologue they should be giving away for free).

Because their hard work should be given away free to those wishing to read it early? That's an awfully entitled stance. You could wait till the book drops and buy the whole thing and have no complaints...or you can pay a bit to read the prologue early. I fail to see how Sanderson (and Jordan's) hard work should be assumed (and not just by you as others have expressed this upset) to be given out for free. I just don't get that. Can you explain why you feel you should just be given something free?

This post has been edited by QuickTidal: 08 October 2012 - 09:03 PM

[kcf]

QuickTidal, on 08 October 2012 - 09:01 PM, said:

kcf, on 08 October 2012 - 07:51 PM, said:

the prologue to A Memory of Light by Jordan and Sandeson - By Grace and Banners Fallen (in spite of my anger at having to pay for a prologue they should be giving away for free).

Because their hard work should be given away free to those wishing to read it early? That's an awfully entitled stance. You could wait till the book drops and buy the whole thing and have no complaints...or you can pay a bit to read the prologue early. I fail to see how Sanderson (and Jordan's) hard work should be assumed (and not just by you as others have expressed this upset) to be given out for free. I just don't get that. Can you explain why you feel you should just be given something free?

I simply think it's taking advantage of the fans to have them pay for the same content twice. Especially with this being the last book in the series, they could have allowed the Prologue to be read in advacne for free - a sort of thankyou for sticking with the series for 20 years through everything that's happened. Instead, they take advantage of the fact that fans are very anxious to read this and they get them to pay for the same content twice. It really pisses me off. Publishing is a business and obviously this is a way they can make even more money in times when making money as a publisher is tough, but I still think it's a pretty shitty way to treat fans. I have no problem paying true market value for a product, I just have a problem with the publisher wanting me to pay for it twice.

[QuickTidal]

kcf, on 08 October 2012 - 09:51 PM, said:

QuickTidal, on 08 October 2012 - 09:01 PM, said:

kcf, on 08 October 2012 - 07:51 PM, said:

the prologue to A Memory of Light by Jordan and Sandeson - By Grace and Banners Fallen (in spite of my anger at having to pay for a prologue they should be giving away for free).

Because their hard work should be given away free to those wishing to read it early? That's an awfully entitled stance. You could wait till the book drops and buy the whole thing and have no complaints...or you can pay a bit to read the prologue early. I fail to see how Sanderson (and Jordan's) hard work should be assumed (and not just by you as others have expressed this upset) to be given out for free. I just don't get that. Can you explain why you feel you should just be given something free?

I simply think it's taking advantage of the fans to have them pay for the same content twice. Especially with this being the last book in the series, they could have allowed the Prologue to be read in advacne for free - a sort of thankyou for sticking with the series for 20 years through everything that's happened. Instead, they take advantage of the fact that fans are very anxious to read this and they get them to pay for the same content twice. It really pisses me off. Publishing is a business and obviously this is a way they can make even more money in times when making money as a publisher is tough, but I still think it's a pretty shitty way to treat fans. I have no problem paying true market value for a product, I just have a problem with the publisher wanting me to pay for it twice.

Not to derail the thread...


But they aren't forcing you to do anything. You could choose to be patient and wait for the whole book. The cost of the prologue is what you pay to read it early. If you can't afford it or the principle of them charging for it upsets you...you can be patient instead. No one is forcing you. Sorry KFC, it's en entitled stance.

The fans who are paying to read it early aren't being fleeced or anything, they know up front that if they wish to read it early they are paying for that privilege.

On a more personal level I see it as the publishing industry (who at least now appear to be TRYING to change their business model and adapt to digital) finding a way to stay solvent without REALLY pissing readers off. So eBook short stories and stuff like this (70,000 word) prologue (which btw is the length of a whole short young adult novel) are a way of changing how they do business. Just because we are used to getting these kinds of things for free doesn't mean that in a changing publishing landscape we should expect to do so every time with every author and do so forever.

The way I see it Brandon and Robert worked on this stuff...and if I want to read the fruits of their labour early, then I've really got no trouble paying a few bucks for the privilege. Complaining about it looks like asking for handouts on the street for art.

This post has been edited by QuickTidal: 08 October 2012 - 10:29 PM

[kcf]

QuickTidal, on 08 October 2012 - 10:24 PM, said:

kcf, on 08 October 2012 - 09:51 PM, said:

QuickTidal, on 08 October 2012 - 09:01 PM, said:

kcf, on 08 October 2012 - 07:51 PM, said:

the prologue to A Memory of Light by Jordan and Sandeson - By Grace and Banners Fallen (in spite of my anger at having to pay for a prologue they should be giving away for free).

Because their hard work should be given away free to those wishing to read it early? That's an awfully entitled stance. You could wait till the book drops and buy the whole thing and have no complaints...or you can pay a bit to read the prologue early. I fail to see how Sanderson (and Jordan's) hard work should be assumed (and not just by you as others have expressed this upset) to be given out for free. I just don't get that. Can you explain why you feel you should just be given something free?

I simply think it's taking advantage of the fans to have them pay for the same content twice. Especially with this being the last book in the series, they could have allowed the Prologue to be read in advacne for free - a sort of thankyou for sticking with the series for 20 years through everything that's happened. Instead, they take advantage of the fact that fans are very anxious to read this and they get them to pay for the same content twice. It really pisses me off. Publishing is a business and obviously this is a way they can make even more money in times when making money as a publisher is tough, but I still think it's a pretty shitty way to treat fans. I have no problem paying true market value for a product, I just have a problem with the publisher wanting me to pay for it twice.

Not to derail the thread...


But they aren't forcing you to do anything. You could choose to be patient and wait for the whole book. The cost of the prologue is what you pay to read it early. If you can't afford it or the principle of them charging for it upsets you...you can be patient instead. No one is forcing you. Sorry KFC, it's en entitled stance.

The fans who are paying to read it early aren't being fleeced or anything, they know up front that if they wish to read it early they are paying for that privilege.

On a more personal level I see it as the publishing industry (who at least now appear to be TRYING to change their business model and adapt to digital) finding a way to stay solvent without REALLY pissing readers off. So eBook short stories and stuff like this (70,000 word) prologue (which btw is the length of a whole short young adult novel) are a way of changing how they do business. Just because we are used to getting these kinds of things for free doesn't mean that in a changing publishing landscape we should expect to do so every time with every author and do so forever.

The way I see it Brandon and Robert worked on this stuff...and if I want to read the fruits of their labour early, then I've really got no trouble paying a few bucks for the privilege. Complaining about it looks like asking for handouts on the street for art.

Well, we simply disagree here. I see your point, but I'm still pissed that the way that Tor is choosing to reward my dedication and excitent for a book I've been waiting for 20 years is to find a way for me to pay for the same content twice. I think it's a slap in the face - thanks for being such a dedicated fan for all these years, let's bilk a few more dollars from you while we can.

/threadjack

[worry]

Is it as much a slap in the face as being called KFC?

[Salt-Man Z]

In the meantime, Tor.com posts the first five chapters (almost a quarter of the book!) of Forge of Darkness for free. Just saying.

[Nocturnal]

Finally got my paws on the Kindle version of Dragon Age: The Silent Grove. Now all I need is an hour of free time.
Also, halfway into The Lies of Locke Lamora, and I'm ashamed it took me a month to read this little. And the third on my list is The Manhattan Project, another digital novel, seems pretty morbid.

[Silk]

reading the Blinding knife at the moment, most interesting.... especially asnow comes prophecy

[Stalker]

Silk said:

1349772529[/url]' post='1000199']
reading the Blinding knife at the moment, most interesting.... especially asnow comes prophecy

I was actually looking for a topic on this last night, just to recommend it. So yeah, the series is pretty sweet. Kinda reminds me of magic system from Sandrson's Warbreaker mixed with allomancy from the Mistborn books. Either way, it was unique and both books were good reads.


Anyway, I just finished Gaiman's American Gods. I had a friend recommend it for years, so I finally got to it. I had mixed feelings on it, but still enjoyed it. It would be better on a reread at some point. About to start Stephenson's Cryptonomicon. I love finding cheap highly recommended books on the kindle heh.

This post has been edited by Stalker: 09 October 2012 - 03:38 PM

[QuickTidal]

Stalker, on 09 October 2012 - 03:37 PM, said:

Silk said:

1349772529[/url]' post='1000199']
reading the Blinding knife at the moment, most interesting.... especially asnow comes prophecy

I was actually looking for a topic on this last night, just to recommend it. So yeah, the series is pretty sweet. Kinda reminds me of magic system from Sandrson's Warbreaker mixed with allomancy from the Mistborn books. Either way, it was unique and both books were good reads.

I always just view the magic system as Green Lantern constructs. That's how I see it in my head.

Quote

Anyway, I just finished Gaiman's American Gods. I had a friend recommend it for years, so I finally got to it. I had mixed feelings on it, but still enjoyed it. It would be better on a reread at some point.

While I enjoyed it thoroughly the first time, AG really does get richer and more rewarding with each successive re-read.

[Abyss]

I'm back and getting caught up, and i still must needs write up my coffee with SE but more on that later, soooOOoooo...

Salt-Man Z, on 17 September 2012 - 03:56 PM, said:

Finished Ghost Ocean over the weekend, and loved it, even if I didn't always understand what was going on all the time. There's just a "feel" to S. M. Peters' stuff that I absolutely love. Dude needs to get a third book published, stat.
...

Agreed, seconded, thirded, amen and hallelujah.
GHOST OCEAN was a radical shift from WHITECHAPEL GODS, did some brilliant things with the standard urban fantasy tropes, and was damn hard to put down.

Tiste Simeon, on 21 September 2012 - 12:49 PM, said:

Finished reading the Dresden Files. ...

Have the shakes started yet?

Traveller, on 23 September 2012 - 09:24 PM, said:

I've just started reading 'Perdido Street Station' by China Meiville, having recently finished 'The Scar.'

Yet another author I've found from scouring threads like these on the forum. I think they cropped up a few times in the 'Top ten reads' thread, so I checked them out.

Really enjoyed 'The Scar' - ...

I loved THE SCAR.
Am curious how you found reading it first and PERDIDO second?

Morgoth, on 27 September 2012 - 08:00 AM, said:

So I just finished The Apocalypse Codex. I do enjoy the universe, the use of the Cthulhu mythos and the magic system in general.

I have however come to the conclusion that I really don't like Howard --the main protagonist for those of you not yet initiated. The first 30 or so pages of the book is him whining. ...

I'm not saying you missed the point, but it bears mention that notwithstanding his whining (and perhaps unlike your former co-workers), Bob does 'the right thing' at considerable risk many many times, and he even explains why he does it fairly early in the book. It's part of what makes him a great character but if you found it that offputting i can see how it overtook the other elements.

Salt-Man Z, on 28 September 2012 - 02:53 PM, said:

Macros, on 28 September 2012 - 09:43 AM, said:

Reading stonewielder
Not halfway through yet but I'm enjoying it a lot more than return of the crimson guard
I think esselmonts skills have improved which leaves me guardedly optimistic for OST

Wait for it--

Silence, heretic.

Dr Trouble, on 29 September 2012 - 12:25 PM, said:

It's not so much what he was actually doing, it's what Mal chooses to believe he was doing...Gonna have to read Altered Carbon again...

Seconded. I do so love the Jimmy Hendrix guest appearance.

worrywort, on 02 October 2012 - 08:34 PM, said:

I'm starting Deep Sky by ol' what's his name. If it's anything like the first two, it's gonna be a great ride.

worrywort, on 08 October 2012 - 05:23 AM, said:

I just finished Deep Sky, and I gotta say, what a disappointment! ...I'm just kidding on the off chance that this might raise the blood pressures of a couple of our more fervent Canadian boarders. ...

Didn't believe you for even a second. That series is too good to provoke that reaction.

Baco Xtath, on 08 October 2012 - 07:01 PM, said:

Ain, on 08 October 2012 - 02:14 PM, said:

Finished Iron Council a week ago. Wow. China Mieville knows how to write a bittersweet ending. Contrary to popular opinion, I thought this was yet another strong installment in the Bas-Lag series. Now just gotta read The Scar!...

I thought Iron Council was a great book. However, I like Perdido and the Scar better. And, damn, you're in for a treat if you haven't read the Scar yet.

Agreed on both points.

Baco Xtath, on 08 October 2012 - 07:01 PM, said:

...am going to start the Breach next. ...

mwa hah ha ha haaaa.... prepare your brain for awesome.

Salt-Man Z, on 09 October 2012 - 03:13 AM, said:

In the meantime, Tor.com posts the first five chapters (almost a quarter of the book!) of Forge of Darkness for free. Just saying.

Every WoT book, including the worse of them, made multiple bestseller lists within seconds of release. Sadly, preposterously even, no Malazan book has done that yet. Just saying.

As for my recent vacation reading...

DEEP FATHOM by Rollins. Weak. Predictable. Least enjoyable of his books i've read. I need a SIGMA fix to clear the taste from my brains.

ICE STATION by Matt Reilly. I knew nothing about this book except that the back blurb ref'd a "firefight over a drowning pool full of killer whales". A glance thru the first few pages wasn't encouraging but figuring i needed a throwaway book for the trip, i bought it second hand and brought it along. And holy fuck but that is some fine fine action writing. The character development is limitted (he has a female marine nicknamed 'Mother'... because she's a mean-ass motherfucker.... no, seriously....), the plot is a mess (his concept of international espionage is... creative...), the actual text varies from ok to choppy and the perspective is all over the place, but clubfuck me sideways like a baby seal the guy can write a cinematic action scene... everything else is just to move from action scene to action scene and it's FRIKKIN AWESOME. Seriously... i was prepared to be underwhelmed and got the complete opposite. If you see this book cheap somewhere, grab it.

THE HARLEQUIN by Laurell K Hamilton. Well, that was a mistake. Just take everything i've said about Hamilton's Anita Blake books and place it here.

THE FOREVER WAR by Joe Haldeman. I now understand why this is a sci fi classic. Resembles Heinlien's STARSHIP TROOPERS and Steakley's ARMOR in barely minor ways and stands firm on its own. Worth the read.

TOLL THE HOUNDS by Youknow. Had a running reread of this going through the trip. Must say, post reading FoD (and did i mention having coffee with SE?) this book gets a whole other side on the reread. Loved it.


Now just started Chris Farnsworth's THE PRESIDENT'S VAMPIRE.... loving it so far. Everything i liked about BLOOD OATH is still there....


- Abyss, ...forgot to mention that coffee with SE thing....

[QuickTidal]

Finished up Follet's FALL OF GIANTS. Really solid book there. Good stuff, and PLENTY of info about WWI from the military and politics side...perhaps a little TOO much in fact. There are long portions of the middle section during the war where the posturing politicians and military folks, and multiple country viewpoints of the war bog the story down heavily. It wasn't offputting as I'm interested in WWI, so I found it merely "drier" than the rest of the book.

That said, one thing DID piss me off. Like A LOT. There are two main characters who are Russian, and there is even descriptive mention of 1905 Bloody Sunday...but the February Revolution of 1917 and the Bolshevik's storming the Winter Palace, and the subsequent stuff that lead up to the deaths of the Romanov's ect., plus Rasputin et al. is treated as an afterthought. It's not concentrated on and is only referred to in passing by other characters.

So wait wait wait...we get a 50 page chapter talking about Lloyd George and the British attempt to circumvent war directly with the Germans to the point of almost cowardice....but we don't get a detailed account of the most fascinating world-changing event that happened between 1914 and 1918? What. The. Actual. Fuck? If I ever met Follet in person I'd ask him to his face why he left that out. I'm a big fan of Russian history of the period though, so I am probably projecting that onto this. It was just that "Bloody Sunday 1905" was handled with deft perfection and I spent the whole book waiting for February 1917 to roll around only to be disappointed.

Aside from that complaint it was a stellar book and I can't wait to read the sequel.

Since it was what I had with me at the cottage I re-read SHADOW OF THE TORTURER by Wolfe, in prep for reading the second book.

Will probably be reading TROY: THE FALL OF KINGS by Gemmell and finish out that stellar trilogy.

[Salt-Man Z]

QuickTidal, on 09 October 2012 - 07:07 PM, said:

Since it was what I had with me at the cottage I re-read SHADOW OF THE TORTURER by Wolfe, in prep for reading the second book.

Yes yes yes.

[worry]

Dang. It was worth a shot.