[EmperorMagus]

I encountered Brain Stavely's blog, and because it was interesting and funny, decided to try his Unhewn Throne series again.

I'd originally given up on it after the first book because I found it a bad fanfiction for Bakker's Prince of Nothing. Through the second read, it became obvious that my first impression wasn't quite right. I enjoyed "The Emperor's Blades"

Now I'm 75% through Providence of Fire, and it has turned into one of the most stupid books I've ever read.

Spoiler

1. Adare decided to flee from the palace to do something incredibly stupid. She then accidentally meets with the commander of Son's of Flame as well as an immortal leach who just decides to help her, fair enough.

2. She then goes on to become a prophet through deus ex machina, fair enough.

3. She then comes back to an abandoned capital and decides to do exactly as her enemy has requested for some reason, even though she has an immortal leach and a smart general to advise her. She also does literally NOTHING to enforce her rule as empress, fair enough. She doesn't even remove the guy Il Tornja left in charge ...

4. Oh, and Adare is pregnant from those two times she slept with Tani's or whoever the fuck he is, fair enough.

5. Kaden decides to go the Shin for some stupid reason (hint: it has nothing to do with reasons, the author just had no idea how to delay him long enough so Adare could declare for empress in good conscience so he made this up), fair enough.

6. The book just freaking drags on and on and on and on and ... You get the point. Nothing interesting is happening, fair enough.

7. Actually, no, none of this shit is fair enough. I could accept one or two stupid things like the above in a book with a shake of my head. But six stupid things before the last quarter of the book? I don't even want to imagine how ghastly the ending will be.

[Andorion]

QuickTidal, on 19 May 2017 - 03:37 PM, said:

Salt-Man Z, on 19 May 2017 - 03:24 PM, said:

QuickTidal, on 19 May 2017 - 03:15 PM, said:

Ask: Should I read The Belgariad?

I'm sure you'd enjoy it more than I did, but that's a veeeeery low bar. (I hated it.)

Hmmm. Okay. It's just one of those classic fantasy series everyone seems to have read but me.

I have a used copy (EDIT: Of Pawn Of Prophecy) that was about $1...and was wondering if it was worth it. I shall take your opinion under advisement!

It is the literal personification of the Chosen One Farmboy trope.

The story is long and winding, the protagonist is an idiot, and can be annoying. It also heavily invests in the each race/country having a special military attribute trope.

On the other hand it does have a couple of interesting characters, and some humour.

Avoid the Elenium and the Tamuli though.

[Andorion]

Finished Dante's Divine Comedy. Nice and all, but Inferno is the actual gem.

Finished Courtney Schafer's Tainted City. Brilliant book. Absolutely loved it, will pick up number three soon.

Now picking up three books at the same time:

In Classics, Dostoevsky's The Idiot.

In fantasy, Mark Lawrence's The Liar's Key

In sci-fi Waking Gods by Sylvain Neuvel.

[Traveller]

I'm on a Gaiman roll. Just finished Anansi Boys, now downloading Neverwhere.

Any recommendations for further reading welcome!

This post has been edited by Traveller: 20 May 2017 - 11:46 AM

[Slow Ben]

Fiiiinally got my hands on Wheel of Osheim. Taking a break from DG.

[Baco Xtath]

Traveller, on 20 May 2017 - 11:43 AM, said:

I'm on a Gaiman roll. Just finished Anansi Boys, now downloading Neverwhere.

Any recommendations for further reading welcome!

If you're wanting someone other than Gaimen but of the same flavor, try China Mieville's Krakken or City in the City. Also, Robert Jackson Bennett's American Elsewhere and the Troupe or anything by Lauren Beukes preferably starting with Zoo City.

[Tsundoku]

Finished Thrawn.

Very good. That fact it was a bit YA-ish only meant it was fast-paced and didn't give me a headache. Make of that what you will.

Interestingly it would fit right in with the original Thrawn trilogy and the EU.

[QuickTidal]

Thanks for all the comments all!

I've decided to read Robin Hobb's FOOL'S QUEST, and save Eddings for another time.

[polishgenius]

Baco Xtath, on 20 May 2017 - 12:33 PM, said:

Traveller, on 20 May 2017 - 11:43 AM, said:

I'm on a Gaiman roll. Just finished Anansi Boys, now downloading Neverwhere.

Any recommendations for further reading welcome!

If you're wanting someone other than Gaimen but of the same flavor, try China Mieville's Krakken or City in the City. Also, Robert Jackson Bennett's American Elsewhere and the Troupe or anything by Lauren Beukes preferably starting with Zoo City.

Also; Catherynne Valente, particularly her Fairyland books (though aimed younger) and Deathless (definitely not aimed younger). Though Radiance is her best book, imo.

[Baco Xtath]

polishgenius, on 20 May 2017 - 03:08 PM, said:

Baco Xtath, on 20 May 2017 - 12:33 PM, said:

Traveller, on 20 May 2017 - 11:43 AM, said:

I'm on a Gaiman roll. Just finished Anansi Boys, now downloading Neverwhere.

Any recommendations for further reading welcome!

If you're wanting someone other than Gaimen but of the same flavor, try China Mieville's Krakken or City in the City. Also, Robert Jackson Bennett's American Elsewhere and the Troupe or anything by Lauren Beukes preferably starting with Zoo City.

Also; Catherynne Valente, particularly her Fairyland books (though aimed younger) and Deathless (definitely not aimed younger). Though Radiance is her best book, imo.

Chatherynne Valente is writing a Mass Effect tie in. Saw that on audible and it surprised me.

From Audible:
With a new game, Mass Effect Andromeda, set for release in 2017, the launch of a new series of Mass Effect novels is timely. The new game will take the story in a dramatic new direction and is set in a new region of space, with a new and deadly enemy.

Titan is publishing four unmissable Mass Effect novels. The novels will act as prequel and sequels to the events in the games and will become part of the overarching Mass Effect saga. These new stories, developed in close collaboration with the Bioware game team, weave directly into the action of the new game - and will reveal events kept secret over the course of game play - and will add to the canonical Mass Effect saga.

©2017 Catherynne M. Valente (P)2017 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

This post has been edited by Baco Xtath: 20 May 2017 - 03:35 PM

[polishgenius]

That is surprising. She'll be the best writer of tie-in novels since Matt Stover...

[worry]

Oh yah, I finished Book of the New Sun. I think the third book was my favorite, but the last book was still pretty rad. I don't usually say this after finishing a book, but I would actually like to check out analysis of this series if it's out there.

Started Sorceror of the Wildeeps by Kai Ashante Wilson. I have no idea what the plot will be (I'm guessing small crew finds itself in deep trouble), but the writing so far is very engaging. Third-person limited perspective, and I'm really liking the protagonist's POV so far. Plus it's actually pretty short, so that's a nice change of pace.

[Macros]

Decided to go for another Culture novel.
Starting The Player of Games tonight

[Traveller]

Macros, on 20 May 2017 - 09:31 PM, said:

Decided to go for another Culture novel.
Starting The Player of Games tonight

Ah, that's a good one.

[Abyss]

QuickTidal, on 19 May 2017 - 03:15 PM, said:

Ask: Should I read The Belgariad?

Answer: Yes. Because Silk.

[Tiste Simeon]

Traveller, on 20 May 2017 - 09:39 PM, said:

Macros, on 20 May 2017 - 09:31 PM, said:

Decided to go for another Culture novel.
Starting The Player of Games tonight

Ah, that's a good one.

Indeed. Possibly my second favourite of all of them!

Finished The Last Kingdom and am moving swiftly onto The Pale Horseman.

[Imperial Historian]

polishgenius, on 20 May 2017 - 03:54 PM, said:

That is surprising. She'll be the best writer of tie-in novels since Matt Stover...

Catherine valente and n k jemisin writing tie in novels for mass effect... I am intrigued.

[Whisperzzzzzzz]

Just finished Senlin Ascends and immediately ordered the second book. Bancroft is a masterful author — he is skilled at both prose and plot, and his characters aren't too shabby either.

EDIT: And his worldbuilding is 🌍🌎🌏

This post has been edited by Whisperzzzzzzz: 21 May 2017 - 07:55 PM

[Abyss]

Just finished the RED RISING trilo in earbook. Great series, utterly worth the time to read/listen through. Book 1 was a bit trite to start but once the first twist kicks in it goes progressively better and better, 2 amps things up nicely and 3 was an excellent finale. This is fun, well thought out sf, light on the science heavy on the fiction with a dose of politics and social hierarchy commentary thrown in and some kickass action. The main character goes through a solid arc, but some of the supporting character arcs are just brilliantly entertaining. I could argue the series is a bit predictable at times, but not to its serious detriment, I was never not entertained.

Also FIERCE GODS by Col Buchanan, finale to his HEART OF THE WORLD series. If you've consid red starting this series, it's finished and worth a look, with some low key fantasy elements, some steampunk and sf, and great action. Bk 4 is more or less one long series of action sequences yet the pacing holds nicely.

Next up, started KINGS OF THE WYLD in earbook, not sure yet for ebook.

[ansible]

Abyss, on 21 May 2017 - 02:13 AM, said:

QuickTidal, on 19 May 2017 - 03:15 PM, said:

Ask: Should I read The Belgariad?

Answer: Yes. Because Silk.

Also yes. I just gave a copy of this to a friend's kid and felt the urge to read again.