[polishgenius]

Salt-Man Z, on 02 June 2014 - 07:16 PM, said:

As someone who read Ark a few years after the RS "trilogy", I'd say you don't need to worry about a reread. Ark certainly stands on its own enough that it doesn't need the other books.

Are you thinking of Chasm City? Coz Redemption Ark certainly doesn't stand on its own.
It doesn't hook into Revelation Space directly the way a normal sequel would, but that just makes it all the more important to remember what went on in RS so that when things do start to connect, you know what the hell is happening.

That said, I reckon refreshing on a summary would probably fine, although frankly I can't see a good reason not to reread Revelation Space anyway...

[JPK]

polishgenius, on 02 June 2014 - 08:24 PM, said:

Salt-Man Z, on 02 June 2014 - 07:16 PM, said:

As someone who read Ark a few years after the RS "trilogy", I'd say you don't need to worry about a reread. Ark certainly stands on its own enough that it doesn't need the other books.

Are you thinking of Chasm City? Coz Redemption Ark certainly doesn't stand on its own.
It doesn't hook into Revelation Space directly the way a normal sequel would, but that just makes it all the more important to remember what went on in RS so that when things do start to connect, you know what the hell is happening.

That said, I reckon refreshing on a summary would probably fine, although frankly I can't see a good reason not to reread Revelation Space anyway...

The main reason is because my trpfh is sitting at 92 books I haven't read yet. And that's just the dead tree artifacts. I refuse to try to figure out the ebook trp.

[Salt-Man Z]

polishgenius, on 02 June 2014 - 08:24 PM, said:

Salt-Man Z, on 02 June 2014 - 07:16 PM, said:

As someone who read Ark a few years after the RS "trilogy", I'd say you don't need to worry about a reread. Ark certainly stands on its own enough that it doesn't need the other books.

Are you thinking of Chasm City? Coz Redemption Ark certainly doesn't stand on its own.

Gah, yes. Whoops. Um... forget I said anything. "These are not the posts you're looking for..."

Whisperzzzzzzz, on 02 June 2014 - 07:40 PM, said:

Just finished Le Guin's The Left Hand of Darkness. I quite enjoyed it as a simple science fiction novel, but I was sort of disappointed by the exploration of gender issues (or lack thereof). All the reviews and essays on it that I had read made it seem like it was an incisive look at gender roles and relationships, etc. etc. However, while the mutable genders of the Gethenians (and the explanations of why their societies may have evolved as they did) were important and interesting, the book didn't contain a particularly critical exploration of them.

I am so glad you feel this way. I was beginning to think that I was the only one. Because those were exactly my thoughts as well.

[Abyss]

New Nathaniel Cade short story on kindle and kobo is $2!!!!!!!!!Bought, dl'd reading now!!!!!

[Whisperzzzzzzz]

Salt-Man Z, on 03 June 2014 - 03:42 AM, said:

Whisperzzzzzzz, on 02 June 2014 - 07:40 PM, said:

Just finished Le Guin's The Left Hand of Darkness. I quite enjoyed it as a simple science fiction novel, but I was sort of disappointed by the exploration of gender issues (or lack thereof). All the reviews and essays on it that I had read made it seem like it was an incisive look at gender roles and relationships, etc. etc. However, while the mutable genders of the Gethenians (and the explanations of why their societies may have evolved as they did) were important and interesting, the book didn't contain a particularly critical exploration of them.

I am so glad you feel this way. I was beginning to think that I was the only one. Because those were exactly my thoughts as well.

Interesting. Good to know that it didn't go over my head or something lol.

Also, finished Skin Game. Less than a day...

[Mentalist]

Finished "Best Served Cold" re-read. Still freaking amazing.

Now onto "Red Country". Read first 2 chapters yesterday, the cast already seems awesome. Can't wait for more chapters from Sergeant Friendly!

[acesn8s]

I'm trying to decide whether to read:

Republic of Thieves - Lynch
River of Stars - Kay
Black Sun Rising - Friedman
Happy Hour in Hell - Williams
Shadowmarch - Williams
The Cold Commands - Morgan

I love having tough choices like this.

[Ukjent]

SKIN GAME SKIN GAME SKIN GAME SKIN GAME SKIN GAME SKIN GAME SKIN GAME SKIN GAME SKIN GAME wooho.

[McLovin]

QuickTidal, on 27 May 2014 - 02:57 PM, said:

McLovin, on 27 May 2014 - 12:53 PM, said:

Decided to dip my toe into the Warhammer 40K universe with FIRST AND ONLY by Dan Abnett.

Prepare yourself.

I just finished Book 11 in that series and it only gets better.

Well, shit.

I am loving the book, but can't find the sequels to save my life - not for a price I'm willing to pay, snyway.

This post has been edited by McLovin: 05 June 2014 - 01:31 PM

[McLovin]

The Incredible Kitsu, on 02 June 2014 - 04:44 PM, said:

McLovin, on 02 June 2014 - 12:07 PM, said:

REDEMPTION ARK by Alastair Reynolds.

Awesome! I have this near the top of my trp right now as well. It's just that it's been around two years since I read the first and I'm trying to figure out if I should do a re-read of the first book or if I'd be safe just jumping headfirst into this one... I'm curious on what you'd recommend once you get a few chapters in. (Of course any other recommendations on the subject would be welcomed as well.)

RS is re-capped for you a few chapters into ARK, so no, you don't need a re-read.

About halfway through, it's good weird fun.

[Baco Xtath]

acesn8s, on 05 June 2014 - 12:07 PM, said:

I'm trying to decide whether to read:

Republic of Thieves - Lynch
River of Stars - Kay
Black Sun Rising - Friedman
Happy Hour in Hell - Williams
Shadowmarch - Williams
The Cold Commands - Morgan

I love having tough choices like this.

My vote would by The Cold Commands (the Dark Defiles will be released in October). Black Sun Rising would get you started on a trilogy which I would suggest reading back to back. River of Stars is good, though not one of his best. I didn't care for Republic of Thieves, though I'm in the minority. Happy Hour in Hell is exhausting, but it is still pretty good. And Shadowmarch I've not read.

I'd go:
The Cold Commands
River of Stars
Coldfire Trilogy
Republic of Thieves
Happy Hour in Hell
The Dark Defiles

River of Stars and Republic of Thieves being the palate cleansers.

[Macros]

Don't think you're in a minority baco, waves of bad reviews have put me off going for it, loved lies, but red seas was such a drop in quality I wasn't going to republic without hearing good things, which I haven't.
I haven't actually read anything on that list, I really need to bulk my trp up for this summer, looking like a lot of travel days for me
what's the thoughts on Black sun rising, start of a worthwhile trilogy for my denari?

[acesn8s]

I'm looking at ebooks. I have to say, Morgan's publishers did a smart thing. Their sample is 70 pages. The other samples I D/L'ed are 25 pages, with about 10 pages of filler (TOC, reviews, etc). By the time I'm done with the Cold Commands sample, I'm going to be hooked.

This works out well, as I should really try and catch up on some of the series I've started before starting new ones.

Thanks for the feedback everyone.

[Modest Learner]

Today, I finished The Earthsea Trilogy by Ursula ke le Guin.

Now I am onto Dreams of Steel, by Glenn Cook.

Then I think I shall be starting Warbreaker, by Brandon Sanderson. This done, then I shall complete the cosmere novels written to date.

[Chance]

Macros, on 05 June 2014 - 02:59 PM, said:

what's the thoughts on Black sun rising, start of a worthwhile trilogy for my denari?

Its very good like most of Friedmans work.

[Baco Xtath]

Macros, on 05 June 2014 - 02:59 PM, said:

what's the thoughts on Black sun rising, start of a worthwhile trilogy for my denari?

The Coldfire trilogy is different; it's dark and almost more horror than anything else, though there's plenty of magic. It's good and I'd recommend everyone give it a go. It does have it's issues but few books don't and I'd say the pros definitely outweigh the cons with these.

[worry]

I'm only two books into it, but there's a distinct gothiness in addition to the sci-fi/fantasy in its DNA. I don't mean mall goths with black mascara, but like Vampire Hunter D if that makes sense (which I only know from the movies btw). There's a lot of morose and gloomy inward focus from the POV characters, emphasis on the night, church vs outsider tensions, etc.

[Ukjent]

They are enjoyable .

[Chance]

Going through Amongst Thieves and while nothing special it's certainly entertaining and engaging even if he goes a bit far with having thieves lingo for pretty much everything.

[Serenity]

Baco Xtath, on 05 June 2014 - 08:47 PM, said:

Macros, on 05 June 2014 - 02:59 PM, said:

what's the thoughts on Black sun rising, start of a worthwhile trilogy for my denari?

The Coldfire trilogy is different; it's dark and almost more horror than anything else, though there's plenty of magic. It's good and I'd recommend everyone give it a go. It does have it's issues but few books don't and I'd say the pros definitely outweigh the cons with these.

Must admit I found it very dry and uninvolving, got part way through the second book and gave up. Just wasn't for me, I guess.




I finished Proven Guilty. Not my favourite Dresden book - I found the battles with the fetches a bit repetitive and padded out - but I thought it ended very well.

Going to make a start on the second 'Masters of Rome' book today, The Grass Crown.