[Ukjent]

I have read all the main novellas and I still not sure what really happened at the end of book 5 or 6.

[Baco Xtath]

Finished Sleeping Late on Judgment Day; fantastic listen. Williams' humor is second to only David Wong in my book. Though I did start Infinite Jest today and already I've laughed out loud a couple times. I know I'm missing the endnotes by going the audio route on this one but it's better than never getting around to reading it at all.

[The Old Guard]

The Republic Of Thieves by Scott Lynch. Stormed through the first two Gentlemen Bastards' books in a week or so. Very well written, witty, cynic and with some Camorri "street creed" philosophy sprinkled in here and there. Love it!

[JPK]

I finished Guards! Guards! by Terry Pratchett. The book was every bit as excellent as everyone says it is and I will definitely start Eric sometime soon.

I also finished Dust and Light by Carol Berg. Please do yourselves a favor and add her to your trp if you haven't already. I highly recommend everything after her Bridge of Darnath series.

Now I'm going to go start the newest Murakami novel, Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki and His Years of Pilgrimage.

[acesn8s]

Briar King, on 24 September 2014 - 02:24 AM, said:

acesn8s, on 23 September 2014 - 12:25 PM, said:

I spent the past month marathoning through the Iron Druid series (books 1-6). Suddenly I had enough.

I’m reading Tad William’s Shadowmarch now. I wanted something that took its time developing and from what I remember of Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn – William’s should do nicely.

I loved Shadowmarch 1 & 2! Bk 3 was a real struggle to get through and I've yet to start bk 4 even though I've had it for 4 yrs now.

Oh no! That's not a good sign.

I'm enjoying book 1 so far. It's pacing is what I anticipated. Looking forward to getting further in.

[Tiste Simeon]

Finished Assail. I loved it! Bit of a strange ending but when I get a but more time I'll write some more on it.

Edit spelling.

This post has been edited by Tiste Simeon: 24 September 2014 - 12:47 PM

[QuickTidal]

acesn8s, on 24 September 2014 - 12:15 PM, said:

Briar King, on 24 September 2014 - 02:24 AM, said:

acesn8s, on 23 September 2014 - 12:25 PM, said:

I spent the past month marathoning through the Iron Druid series (books 1-6). Suddenly I had enough.

I’m reading Tad William’s Shadowmarch now. I wanted something that took its time developing and from what I remember of Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn – William’s should do nicely.

I loved Shadowmarch 1 & 2! Bk 3 was a real struggle to get through and I've yet to start bk 4 even though I've had it for 4 yrs now.

Oh no! That's not a good sign.

I'm enjoying book 1 so far. It's pacing is what I anticipated. Looking forward to getting further in.

With SHADOWMARCH you have to be willing to know things about the events happening, that the leads are all too stupid to realize about till the end. I wanted to punch Briony in the face and SCREAM things at her for not seeing the truths that stare her in the face that the reader can see in Chapter 2.

It's a cool series, but there is some stuff you may have to wince at for character construction.

[Mentalist]

QuickTidal, on 24 September 2014 - 01:52 PM, said:

acesn8s, on 24 September 2014 - 12:15 PM, said:

Briar King, on 24 September 2014 - 02:24 AM, said:

acesn8s, on 23 September 2014 - 12:25 PM, said:

I spent the past month marathoning through the Iron Druid series (books 1-6). Suddenly I had enough.

I’m reading Tad William’s Shadowmarch now. I wanted something that took its time developing and from what I remember of Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn – William’s should do nicely.

I loved Shadowmarch 1 & 2! Bk 3 was a real struggle to get through and I've yet to start bk 4 even though I've had it for 4 yrs now.

Oh no! That's not a good sign.

I'm enjoying book 1 so far. It's pacing is what I anticipated. Looking forward to getting further in.

With SHADOWMARCH you have to be willing to know things about the events happening, that the leads are all too stupid to realize about till the end. I wanted to punch Briony in the face and SCREAM things at her for not seeing the truths that stare her in the face that the reader can see in Chapter 2.

It's a cool series, but there is some stuff you may have to wince at for character construction.

From reading the book 1 blurb, I got a very strong impression it was an ASOIAF derivative. And I ended up never picking it up.

Does it actually do anything original? I liked "Otherland"--the only other Williams I've read, but this just seemed too formulaic.

[QuickTidal]

Mentalist, on 24 September 2014 - 07:12 PM, said:

QuickTidal, on 24 September 2014 - 01:52 PM, said:

acesn8s, on 24 September 2014 - 12:15 PM, said:

Briar King, on 24 September 2014 - 02:24 AM, said:

acesn8s, on 23 September 2014 - 12:25 PM, said:

I spent the past month marathoning through the Iron Druid series (books 1-6). Suddenly I had enough.

I’m reading Tad William’s Shadowmarch now. I wanted something that took its time developing and from what I remember of Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn – William’s should do nicely.

I loved Shadowmarch 1 & 2! Bk 3 was a real struggle to get through and I've yet to start bk 4 even though I've had it for 4 yrs now.

Oh no! That's not a good sign.

I'm enjoying book 1 so far. It's pacing is what I anticipated. Looking forward to getting further in.

With SHADOWMARCH you have to be willing to know things about the events happening, that the leads are all too stupid to realize about till the end. I wanted to punch Briony in the face and SCREAM things at her for not seeing the truths that stare her in the face that the reader can see in Chapter 2.

It's a cool series, but there is some stuff you may have to wince at for character construction.

From reading the book 1 blurb, I got a very strong impression it was an ASOIAF derivative. And I ended up never picking it up.

Does it actually do anything original? I liked "Otherland"--the only other Williams I've read, but this just seemed too formulaic.

It does some original stuff definitely. It's certainly not an ASOIAF derivative...very much more fantasy elements. But nothing groundbreaking. Williams succeeds in making some of the creepy stuff come off well, but his straight up fantasy stuff is a little generic. Not bad, but just generic. There is some very cool stuff in the series, but I've only read books 1 & 2.

[Rictus]

Had to sit through two atrocious lectures today, but - but! - I had with me an emergency Dune book.
I've only managed to scratch the surface but overall it seems pretty cool, like the name Muad'dib. Got swamped by a cartload of new phrases and whatever, but I'm trying to resist using the end of the book for clarification. Best if I solve these riddles myself, I think.

[HiddenOne]

Don't read Dune casually, you must immerse yourself mentally, roll those words around in your mouth and understand the concepts, or it will brush you aside

[McLovin]

HiddenOne, on 24 September 2014 - 11:41 PM, said:

Don't read Dune casually, you must immerse yourself mentally, roll those words around in your mouth and understand the concepts, or it will brush you aside

Seconded. Dune is the rare sf book that will expand your mind. Savor it.

[Mentalist]

Finished Promise of Blood , the fist book of the "Powder Mage" trilo by Brian McClellan. I'll just copy-paste my Goodreads review here:

Quote

This book bears an endorsement from Brian Sanderson on the cover. It's easy to see why. There's a lot of parallels, in a good way. Sanderson is best known for his magic systems and world-building--i.e., "the worlds he creates around his magic system". McClellan does something similar here.

The setting is a revolution in a world that's barely entered Industrial revolution. But there's also magic. So there's guns. And magic. And then there's magic that has to do with bullets--kind of like Sanderson's own spin on the same "guns and magic" idea in his Mistborn sequel "alloy of law", but developed way better.

Just like Sanderson, characters are not what carries the book. Most characters aren't too interesting, although none can really be said to be a cardboard archetype. Nevertheless, the most interesting character is undoubtedly Adamat-a retired police detective turned private eye, who has the slowest plotline, and the most relatable motivations, and overall seems to be the most believable and likeable character.

Book has good pacing. There's a lot of action, but it's never insane action--it's high intensity, but relatively low volume. There's a lot of politicking--the book is essentially about a revolution and its aftermath a la French Revolution--and the abovementioned detective's plotline adds elements of a mystery novel in the mix.

The tone is darker than what you'd expect from someone like Sanderson--in this regard the book reminded me a lot of Joe Abercrombie's "First Law" trilogy. Though it's nowhere near as graphic as Abercrombie--there's a lot of promise of debauchery and r-Rated violence but little is actually shown. And it works. It works well.

The book is entertaining. The concepts have a lot of promise, and the series could become very good, if it builds up well on what's been set in the first volume. It's not a masterpiece, but it's enjoyable, and quite a page turner. Recommended to those who value world building higher than characterization in their fantasy.

so yeah. Liked it, will grab the sequel when it's mmpb.

next i'll be reading "Captain's Fury", the 4th Alera book *cue Briar King's comment*

[QuickTidal]

Reading THE PRINCESS BRIDE (25th Anniversary edition) by Goldman for the first time (seen the movie about a hundred times) and it's every bit as entertaining as everyone has always told me it would be. It's actually more fulfilling than the movie because there is more space to tell the individual character stories. Great stuff. I've actually ordered Goldman's other Morgenstern book THE SILENT GOLDOLIERS as well.

[polishgenius]

The Revolutions by Felix Gilman. It's well good and stuff guys! I love how Gilman does something completely different every time, like a happy China Mieville. Well up there in my favourite authors list.

Warning for anyone planning to read it: I've read several complaints that the blurb gives too much away and reduces the impact of the story (I was jammy enough to avoid seeing it, since I picked the book up just on the strength of it being Gilman). So if you haven't yet, don't do it before you've read the book.

[Baco Xtath]

polishgenius, on 26 September 2014 - 10:54 PM, said:

The Revolutions by Felix Gilman. It's well good and stuff guys! I love how Gilman does something completely different every time, like a happy China Mieville. Well up there in my favourite authors list.

Warning for anyone planning to read it: I've read several complaints that the blurb gives too much away and reduces the impact of the story (I was jammy enough to avoid seeing it, since I picked the book up just on the strength of it being Gilman). So if you haven't yet, don't do it before you've read the book.

I enjoyed the Revolutions alright but the audio version was full of odd pauses, skipping, and shitty overall production so that contributed to my less than stellar enjoyment. And, yeah, the blurb definitely is a spoiler.

Currently on a marathon listen of Infinite Jest, 3 days at 8 hrs per day (been doing solo brick work) and this is shaping up to be one of my all time favorites. I'll definitely be reading this again soon.

Also reading Ash, still, and Forever War. Finished Maelstrom by Watts. Really liked it but don't know if I'll immediately jump back into the Rifter saga.

[Mentalist]

Finished "Captain's Fury". Mixed feelings

On the one hand, more of the same rollercoaster ride of awesome.

On the other hand... At some point I realized that the book became just a bunch of incredibly awesome, very well-written setpieces written together with a bit of a plot.

Also, I'll admit to a personal bias/annoaynce (what follows is spoilers in Alera up to Bk4, and in Dresden up to and including "changes"

Spoiler

I'm just not buying Butcher's "protagonist takes another level in badass in response to overwhelming odds every time". I didn't like it in Changes when Dresden went balls to the wall with the Red Court, and I don't particularly like Tavi becoming superhuman--which is conveniently written to almost fit the mold of "boy recognises his destiny is to be hero-->boy's mystical powers awaken on cue".

I realize this is a personal gripe and purely a matter of personal preference, but it annoys me.

I still think Book 2 is the best of the series--in terms of both scope, and also focusing on the politicking and backstabbing much more. Book 3 was much tighter, but the lack of things that really annoyed me in 4 made it work. But in "captain's fury" Butcher made it too tight--too much focus on small bands of heroes doing the impossible again and again--and in doing so, I think he lost the balance.

I will definitely take a breather before grabbing the last 2 Alera books. Now, I'm expecting my Eternal Champion books to start arriving next week, and in the meanwhile, I'm spoiled for choice. Need to think what I'm in the mood now, as the list of options is pretty staggering

"Elantris"
"The thousand names" by Django Wexler
Kim Stanley Robinson's second "Science in the Capital" novel
the first "Dagger and Coin" book
"Quantum Thief"
Hamilton's first Commonwealth Saga book, "Pandora's Star"
Neal Asher's first novel in his new series, "The departure"
Simon Morden's "Arcanum"
Alliette de Bodard's "Obsidian and Blood" trilo
"Dawn of Swords" by Davil Dalglish and Robert J. Duperre

[worry]

Book 5 is the best one, btw.

[MTS]

Mentalist, on 25 September 2014 - 11:54 PM, said:

Finished Promise of Blood , the fist book of the "Powder Mage" trilo by Brian McClellan. I'll just copy-paste my Goodreads review here:

Quote

This book bears an endorsement from Brian Sanderson on the cover. It's easy to see why. There's a lot of parallels, in a good way. Sanderson is best known for his magic systems and world-building--i.e., "the worlds he creates around his magic system". McClellan does something similar here.

The setting is a revolution in a world that's barely entered Industrial revolution. But there's also magic. So there's guns. And magic. And then there's magic that has to do with bullets--kind of like Sanderson's own spin on the same "guns and magic" idea in his Mistborn sequel "alloy of law", but developed way better.

Just like Sanderson, characters are not what carries the book. Most characters aren't too interesting, although none can really be said to be a cardboard archetype. Nevertheless, the most interesting character is undoubtedly Adamat-a retired police detective turned private eye, who has the slowest plotline, and the most relatable motivations, and overall seems to be the most believable and likeable character.

Book has good pacing. There's a lot of action, but it's never insane action--it's high intensity, but relatively low volume. There's a lot of politicking--the book is essentially about a revolution and its aftermath a la French Revolution--and the abovementioned detective's plotline adds elements of a mystery novel in the mix.

The tone is darker than what you'd expect from someone like Sanderson--in this regard the book reminded me a lot of Joe Abercrombie's "First Law" trilogy. Though it's nowhere near as graphic as Abercrombie--there's a lot of promise of debauchery and r-Rated violence but little is actually shown. And it works. It works well.

The book is entertaining. The concepts have a lot of promise, and the series could become very good, if it builds up well on what's been set in the first volume. It's not a masterpiece, but it's enjoyable, and quite a page turner. Recommended to those who value world building higher than characterization in their fantasy.

so yeah. Liked it, will grab the sequel when it's mmpb.

I don't want to colour your eventual read of The Crimson Campaign, but I suspect you'll find a lot of the same criticisms you had with Captain's Fury (which I completely agree with, by the way.

[Mentalist]

MTS, on 27 September 2014 - 05:10 AM, said:

Mentalist, on 25 September 2014 - 11:54 PM, said:

Finished Promise of Blood , the fist book of the "Powder Mage" trilo by Brian McClellan. I'll just copy-paste my Goodreads review here:

Quote

This book bears an endorsement from Brian Sanderson on the cover. It's easy to see why. There's a lot of parallels, in a good way. Sanderson is best known for his magic systems and world-building--i.e., "the worlds he creates around his magic system". McClellan does something similar here.

The setting is a revolution in a world that's barely entered Industrial revolution. But there's also magic. So there's guns. And magic. And then there's magic that has to do with bullets--kind of like Sanderson's own spin on the same "guns and magic" idea in his Mistborn sequel "alloy of law", but developed way better.

Just like Sanderson, characters are not what carries the book. Most characters aren't too interesting, although none can really be said to be a cardboard archetype. Nevertheless, the most interesting character is undoubtedly Adamat-a retired police detective turned private eye, who has the slowest plotline, and the most relatable motivations, and overall seems to be the most believable and likeable character.

Book has good pacing. There's a lot of action, but it's never insane action--it's high intensity, but relatively low volume. There's a lot of politicking--the book is essentially about a revolution and its aftermath a la French Revolution--and the abovementioned detective's plotline adds elements of a mystery novel in the mix.

The tone is darker than what you'd expect from someone like Sanderson--in this regard the book reminded me a lot of Joe Abercrombie's "First Law" trilogy. Though it's nowhere near as graphic as Abercrombie--there's a lot of promise of debauchery and r-Rated violence but little is actually shown. And it works. It works well.

The book is entertaining. The concepts have a lot of promise, and the series could become very good, if it builds up well on what's been set in the first volume. It's not a masterpiece, but it's enjoyable, and quite a page turner. Recommended to those who value world building higher than characterization in their fantasy.

so yeah. Liked it, will grab the sequel when it's mmpb.

I don't want to colour your eventual read of The Crimson Campaign, but I suspect you'll find a lot of the same criticisms you had with Captain's Fury (which I completely agree with, by the way.

Yeah, from the blurb and sample chapter I can see that. ah well, we'll see.


Meanwhile, i've made a decision, based largely on page count,

My next read will be The Departure by Neal Asher