[Baco Xtath]

I've been reading one short story per night from Peter Watts's Beyond the Rift. Nothing to do with the Rifter series, btw. Just random, unconnected stories that are each one mind-blowing as is the norm for Watts. I highly recommend this book for anyone that likes hard-sci fi or Watts in general. Fantastic stuff.

In earbook, finished Daniel Suarez's Change Agent; probably his weakest book to date. Also, Neil Gaimen's Norse Mythology. Hell of a lot of fun, that was.

[Andorion]

Reading To Say Nothing of the Dog, a book in the Oxford Time Travel Series. Historians from the future travel back to the past on various missions. Its hilarious.

[Puck]

Most of the way through The Martian. I gotta say, I can see why it was so popular a couple years ago, it's good fun. Seveneves was definitely much better in that 'living in space on the brink of death'-thing, it's really easy to guess the ending anf feels a bit superficial, BUT I'm not complaining. It's good fun.

[Abyss]

 Abyss, on 12 March 2017 - 12:36 PM, said:

 polishgenius, on 01 March 2017 - 07:37 PM, said:

 Chance, on 01 March 2017 - 10:57 AM, said:

 polishgenius, on 28 February 2017 - 06:39 PM, said:

I've now started Kings of the Wyld by Nicholas Eames, a debut heroic fantasy that reads rather like a cross between Unforgiven and The Blues Brothers, in a fantasy setting. Lot of fun and also rather affecting so far. A little concerned that it's going to be a series of episodic moments with no real plot build but we'll see how it goes. I'm definitely in till the end, anyway.

It might not be the best book I've read recently but it is damn entertaining kind of a parody on the fantasy genre, old heroes and especially the D&D rollplaying idea of dungeon delving. It is a very meta kind of book and I've got serious ideas about running a short series of RPG sessions based on a similar premise.

Yeah, so now I've finished it and I agree. I wouldn't quite call it a parody- definitely a send-up to a point but it's also got a sincere dedication to what it's doing and too much legitimate affection for its characters (who are awesome, all of them) for me to call it outright parody. Absolutely is taking the piss a lot of the time though.

It's not going to blow anyone's mind with its originality but as just a full-on bolt of pure fun it succeeds admirably. I'm definitely looking forward to the next one, especially as the author apparently deliberately closed off certain avenues in terms of taking the easy route of writing it in the epilogue.

This just became my next earbook.

Just finished KINGS OF THE WYLD...

...and this is an awesome book and you should all read it immediately.


Ok, that's probably overhype. In fact the book starts really slowly and makes the ever irritating mistake of telling the reader how awesome the characters were rather than showing them or being more subtle about it.
That said, it picks up around halfway (majorly), and doesn't slow down, and the finale is pure fantasy lit candy fun.

There is parody. There is also killer action, rock n roll references, and some nicely written genuinely human character development. As an intro to fantasy i suspect this book might irritate some readers, but if you know the difference between a dragon and a wyvern or a ghoul and a gnoll, and don't mind your heroes (some of them, definitely not all) a little rusty at the joints, this is a fun fun well written book and i'm utterly onboard for whatever the author writes next.

It's supposedly book 1 in a series, but that's publisher bullshit, this is a perfect 1-and-done mostly classic fantasy in the spirit of David Gemmell, Terry Brooks with some nice modern nods.

Earbook narrator does a great job with the different voices, nuances of inner monologue vs speach, pacing for action, etc.

[polishgenius]

 Abyss, on 29 May 2017 - 01:58 PM, said:

It's supposedly book 1 in a series, but that's publisher bullshit, this is a perfect 1-and-done mostly classic fantasy in the spirit of David Gemmell, Terry Brooks with some nice modern nods.

There will be sequels set in the world, but they won't follow the same characters and iirc

Spoiler

are planned to feature the 'next generation' of Mercs. It's not clear yet whether this means it'll follow a few of the younger ones who pass through this story, or further down the line, a literal next generation with their kids.
At least one future plot is fairly obviously set up, mind you- the return of the Winter Queen. Ganelon at least will be back for that.

I have to say while I get your point about 'telling the reader why the characters are awesome' in this case it makes sense. I mean, it's literally a plot point. And I quite enjoyed the slow unveiling of their abilities one by one- especially Matrick...

[Abyss]

 polishgenius, on 29 May 2017 - 05:00 PM, said:

 Abyss, on 29 May 2017 - 01:58 PM, said:

It's supposedly book 1 in a series, but that's publisher bullshit, this is a perfect 1-and-done mostly classic fantasy in the spirit of David Gemmell, Terry Brooks with some nice modern nods.

There will be sequels set in the world, but they won't follow the same characters and iirc

Spoiler

are planned to feature the 'next generation' of Mercs. It's not clear yet whether this means it'll follow a few of the younger ones who pass through this story, or further down the line, a literal next generation with their kids.
At least one future plot is fairly obviously set up, mind you- the return of the Winter Queen. Ganelon at least will be back for that.

I have to say while I get your point about 'telling the reader why the characters are awesome' in this case it makes sense. I mean, it's literally a plot point. And I quite enjoyed the slow unveiling of their abilities one by one- especially Matrick...

The setup for sequels was obvious and logical, but the book works extremely well as a one-n-done even so.

Spoiler

I really liked how Ganelon's return to stone was left ambiguous whether he was waiting for Larkspur or the Winter Queen. He was a great character and leaving his return at full badass open was a nice touch.

Certainly enough young ones left available between Tally, Rose and Barrett's kids to name the obvious, plus Ganelon and Sabetha's unnamed son who is an obvious story with his dad returning in the future.

I agree that it made sense, i just felt that it went on too long. The characters spend about half the book unarmed and dirty, wandering around getting beaten up humiliated and intimidated until

Spoiler

the arena, when everything turns around almost too abruptly. Albeit, pure awesomely. The Chimera fight was the moment i went from notboredbutgettingimpatient to ohheythisisgood.

.

It worked, even so. I would have liked a little more heat earlier in the book but it doesn't suffer too much.

[QuickTidal]

Eff you both. I don't need to be buying more damned books!

*writes down book name, and sets out to pick up the one copy they have at his local bookstore on the way home*

I hate and love you all.

[Abyss]

 QuickTidal, on 29 May 2017 - 05:25 PM, said:

Eff you both. I don't need to be buying more damned books!

*writes down book name, and sets out to pick up the one copy they have at his local bookstore on the way home*

I hate and love you all.

Why do you hate trees so much?

...just take that tiny step into the 21st century and you can simply wave your efingers over your phone and have it in seconds.

All the books QT. All of them, just a few finger wiggles away.

So many, many pretty booksssesssss.....

[QuickTidal]

 Abyss, on 29 May 2017 - 07:13 PM, said:

 QuickTidal, on 29 May 2017 - 05:25 PM, said:

Eff you both. I don't need to be buying more damned books!

*writes down book name, and sets out to pick up the one copy they have at his local bookstore on the way home*

I hate and love you all.

Why do you hate trees so much?

...just take that tiny step into the 21st century and you can simply wave your efingers over your phone and have it in seconds.

All the books QT. All of them, just a few finger wiggles away.

So many, many pretty booksssesssss.....

I'm moving towards that...but I need a new Kindle first (mine is ancient and has issues).

FINGER WIGGLES FOR ALL!

[Coco with marshmallows]

Just finished Tyrant's Throne, book 4 of the Greatcoats series by Sebastien de Castell

anyone else read them?

have to say that i thoroughly enjoyed them all.

Got the first one a few years back when it first appeared, and each has been bought in hardback on first appearance and devoured.

[Baco Xtath]

 Coco with marshmallows, on 29 May 2017 - 09:37 PM, said:

Just finished Tyrant's Throne, book 4 of the Greatcoats series by Sebastien de Castell

anyone else read them?

have to say that i thoroughly enjoyed them all.

Got the first one a few years back when it first appeared, and each has been bought in hardback on first appearance and devoured.

I've read all but the 4th (isn't available yet) and love them.

[Chance]

 Briar King, on 30 May 2017 - 05:06 AM, said:

The Witcher books that have recently come out States side are they good translations? Playing this game is fucking wild and now I must get them.............

AFTER SAFEHOLD.

The Last Wish is excellent the rest I found a bit tedious, not much to it after the basic ideas had been explained.

[Abyss]

 Chance, on 30 May 2017 - 09:30 AM, said:

 Briar King, on 30 May 2017 - 05:06 AM, said:

The Witcher books that have recently come out States side are they good translations? Playing this game is fucking wild and now I must get them.............

AFTER SAFEHOLD.

The Last Wish is excellent the rest I found a bit tedious, not much to it after the basic ideas had been explained.

I really enjoyed The Last Wish, but found bk 2 was tedious and depending on who you ask, translation problems were part of that.




Just started Rob Reid's YEAR ZERO in earbook. Actor John Hodgman narrating.
Glorious concept... aliens have been pirating Earth music for decades and just realized that they owe us a few trillions of dollars in licensing fees. A mediocre lawyer is hired to sort things out, mainly because he shares a name with a Backstreet Boy. Hilarity ensues. So do music and lawyer jokes.

...only i'm not quite convinced of the hilarity. Only about 15% in but some of the humour feels forced or gratuitous. Maybe it's me, the tone may be a little too light for what i was a feeling coming off KING OF THE WYLD. Will see.

[acesn8s]

 Coco with marshmallows, on 29 May 2017 - 09:37 PM, said:

Just finished Tyrant's Throne, book 4 of the Greatcoats series by Sebastien de Castell

anyone else read them?

have to say that i thoroughly enjoyed them all.

Got the first one a few years back when it first appeared, and each has been bought in hardback on first appearance and devoured.

Wrapping up book 3 right now. So much fun.

[Macros]

finished Player of Games over the weekend.

until part 3 I'd have said I massively preferred Consider Phlebas but the ending of the book brings them up to level.

entertaining enough that I'll pick up another.

Started on The Dubliners by Joyce there yesterday evening

[Whisperzzzzzzz]

Arm of the Sphinx was great. I can't wait for book 3.

Currently reading Valente's Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland. It's incredibly inventive, with a ton of novel fantastickal (with a k) ideas (this ain't your traditional unseelie fairyland) that are explored nicely. Despite being targeted at children, the book also highlights Valente's elegant prose. I was originally just planning to read this as a palate cleanser, but now it's turned me on to reading more Valente. If this book is anything to go by, she's a magnificient writer.

[Puck]

Finished The Martian. Was readable. Started Wild Seed by Octavia E. Butler and am liking it so far.

I also tried to read The Years of Rice and Salt by Kim Stanley Robinson in the interim and.. I really need to do something about my dislike of certain writing styles and/or learn to be less choosy, 'cause I love the concept, but writing and characterization fell absolutely flat for me there, had to put it aside.

This post has been edited by Puck: 31 May 2017 - 12:14 PM

[acesn8s]

 Whisperzzzzzzz, on 31 May 2017 - 12:07 AM, said:

Arm of the Sphinx was great. I can't wait for book 3.

Currently reading Valente's Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland. It's incredibly inventive, with a ton of novel fantastickal (with a k) ideas (this ain't your traditional unseelie fairyland) that are explored nicely. Despite being targeted at children, the book also highlights Valente's elegant prose. I was originally just planning to read this as a palate cleanser, but now it's turned me on to reading more Valente. If this book is anything to go by, she's a magnificient writer.

Path Rothfuss gave Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland a great review. I have it in my queue. I was concerned that it was a little too young adultish and that Pat give almost everything a glowing review. Glad to hear some other people really like it.


I finished Greatcoats 3. Going back to Senlin Ascends.

[Lady Bliss]

Just finished Aeronaut's Windlass and LOVED IT.

I'm debating on whether to read American Gods or Assassin's Fate.

[polishgenius]

 acesn8s, on 31 May 2017 - 02:33 PM, said:

Path Rothfuss gave Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland a great review. I have it in my queue. I was concerned that it was a little too young adultish

Well, it's pretty explicitly YA or even just for children like Whisperzzzz said but that doesn't mean it's not a cracking series. Love Valente.