[Andorion]

So I am treading cautiously into the first chapters of House of Leaves, and is there anything I shoul know? Its a very unconventional book. How important are the footnotes?

[Abyss]

QuickTidal, on 01 June 2017 - 12:13 PM, said:

Finished LIBRARY AT MOUNT CHAR, and that was one weird ass but kick ass read!

Spoiler

My only moderate complaint...is that the books denouement kind of happens at the 75% mark (with the death of David and the full execution of Carolyn's plan) and we get just over 100 pages of "tying up all the threads". Now that 100 pages also included the whole cypher about what Father was doing ect. but it's still kind of falls into "wrap up" territory. So I'd call that a bit long winded...but I was still so enthralled that it didn't really matter. Aside from that minor complaint, this book was excellent!

...

I would argue that

Spoiler

while the climax confrontation occurs at the 75% point with David, the rest of the story is salvaging Carolyn's 'soul', and the actual finale took place at the end with her allowing a friend's sacrifice to save the world.
That last 25% isn't a epilogue, it's the crux of the book itself. And Steve's ongoing efforts weren't exactly 'wrap up'. The various revelations regarding her long game, her father's even longer game, etc, were also key to the whole story.

We can agree that the book is awesome in all its bloodstained tutu glory, so it's not a real disagreement, but that was my take.

[QuickTidal]

Abyss, on 02 June 2017 - 03:33 PM, said:

QuickTidal, on 01 June 2017 - 12:13 PM, said:

Finished LIBRARY AT MOUNT CHAR, and that was one weird ass but kick ass read!

Spoiler

My only moderate complaint...is that the books denouement kind of happens at the 75% mark (with the death of David and the full execution of Carolyn's plan) and we get just over 100 pages of "tying up all the threads". Now that 100 pages also included the whole cypher about what Father was doing ect. but it's still kind of falls into "wrap up" territory. So I'd call that a bit long winded...but I was still so enthralled that it didn't really matter. Aside from that minor complaint, this book was excellent!

...

I would argue that

Spoiler

while the climax confrontation occurs at the 75% point with David, the rest of the story is salvaging Carolyn's 'soul', and the actual finale took place at the end with her allowing a friend's sacrifice to save the world.
That last 25% isn't a epilogue, it's the crux of the book itself. And Steve's ongoing efforts weren't exactly 'wrap up'. The various revelations regarding her long game, her father's even longer game, etc, were also key to the whole story.

We can agree that the book is awesome in all its bloodstained tutu glory, so it's not a real disagreement, but that was my take.

Huh, I hadn't thought about it that way. I can see that POV and maybe will reassess in thought.

[JPK]

Andorion, on 02 June 2017 - 02:27 PM, said:

So I am treading cautiously into the first chapters of House of Leaves, and is there anything I shoul know? Its a very unconventional book. How important are the footnotes?

Yeah, you're going to want to read most of the footnotes. It's how you get the story of the guy from the introduction, Johnny Truant. A lot of the footnotes from Zampano are skimmable.

[Andorion]

QuickTidal, on 02 June 2017 - 03:52 PM, said:

Abyss, on 02 June 2017 - 03:33 PM, said:

QuickTidal, on 01 June 2017 - 12:13 PM, said:

Finished LIBRARY AT MOUNT CHAR, and that was one weird ass but kick ass read!

Spoiler

My only moderate complaint...is that the books denouement kind of happens at the 75% mark (with the death of David and the full execution of Carolyn's plan) and we get just over 100 pages of "tying up all the threads". Now that 100 pages also included the whole cypher about what Father was doing ect. but it's still kind of falls into "wrap up" territory. So I'd call that a bit long winded...but I was still so enthralled that it didn't really matter. Aside from that minor complaint, this book was excellent!

...

I would argue that

Spoiler

while the climax confrontation occurs at the 75% point with David, the rest of the story is salvaging Carolyn's 'soul', and the actual finale took place at the end with her allowing a friend's sacrifice to save the world.
That last 25% isn't a epilogue, it's the crux of the book itself. And Steve's ongoing efforts weren't exactly 'wrap up'. The various revelations regarding her long game, her father's even longer game, etc, were also key to the whole story.

We can agree that the book is awesome in all its bloodstained tutu glory, so it's not a real disagreement, but that was my take.

Huh, I hadn't thought about it that way. I can see that POV and maybe will reassess in thought.

Agree entirely with Abyss.

Spoiler

Mount Char is about a demi-god and her quest for power, vengeance and godhood, how she attains all of those, and then how her heart coal human rescues her humanity. Its about a God dipping toes back into humanity.

[Andorion]

Briar King, on 02 June 2017 - 04:05 PM, said:

Ando look into Masters of Rome series if you get in the mood for politics and legions.

I have looked at those books BK, and they are huge. Have you read any? What are your impressions?

JPK, on 02 June 2017 - 04:31 PM, said:

Andorion, on 02 June 2017 - 02:27 PM, said:

So I am treading cautiously into the first chapters of House of Leaves, and is there anything I shoul know? Its a very unconventional book. How important are the footnotes?

Yeah, you're going to want to read most of the footnotes. It's how you get the story of the guy from the introduction, Johnny Truant. A lot of the footnotes from Zampano are skimmable.

So I am about 60 pages in, the creepy stuff is happening, and I quite like Truant's footnotes. Its the long pseudo academic sections that are bothering me a bit.

[Macros]

I've read all the Masters of Rome books.
Hefty yes, but they don't feel like a slog to get through. If you have any interest in the formation of the Empire then I'd highly recommend them

[acesn8s]

Senlin Ascends has picked up and I'm really enjoying it now. I'm trying to piece together what I'm guessing are clues to the tower on each level.

Spoiler

The Beer-me-go-round in the basement and the stoking of the fires in the Parlor must have a purpose!

[Andorion]

Briar King, on 02 June 2017 - 05:28 PM, said:

Yes buddy I read them all. It's grade A stuff esp if you have any interest in the Republic/beginnings of the Empire. Her ability to immerse you in the ancient world is pretty mind blowing. Took me around 40-60 pgs to really get into and get my bearings in bk 1 but everything after that was pure epic. Takes place from 110BC in the times of Marius and Sulla to 27 BC the fall of Anthony and Cleopatra.

WORTH IT.

Hmm. I haven't read anything on Rome for some time... why not?

Let me finish my immediate fantasy stuff, and I can start on this.

[Salt-Man Z]

Finished Guy Haley's Crash last night, and it was fantastic.

Now starting on Robert Silverberg's Gilgamesh the King.

[worry]

Ahh, interesting. So Rome has a rich history?

[Andorion]

Briar King, on 03 June 2017 - 12:10 AM, said:

Andorion, on 02 June 2017 - 05:39 PM, said:

Briar King, on 02 June 2017 - 05:28 PM, said:

Yes buddy I read them all. It's grade A stuff esp if you have any interest in the Republic/beginnings of the Empire. Her ability to immerse you in the ancient world is pretty mind blowing. Took me around 40-60 pgs to really get into and get my bearings in bk 1 but everything after that was pure epic. Takes place from 110BC in the times of Marius and Sulla to 27 BC the fall of Anthony and Cleopatra.

WORTH IT.

Hmm. I haven't read anything on Rome for some time... why not?

Let me finish my immediate fantasy stuff, and I can start on this.

Excellent! I don't think I've steered you wrong once yet though we all kinda stumbled roughly at the same point of Outlander.

Here is the order so you don't read any spoilers on Amazon
First Man in Rome, The Grass Crown, Fortunes Favorites, Caesars Women, Caesar, The October Horse,& Anthony & Cleopatra to finish. Her ability to mix historical facts and her own voice to the fiction is really breathtaking as you read on. She brings so much life to these long dead figures and it's even better when you actually know the basics of the politics/wars/figures of the almost century she covers here. Enjoy! Hope you can get to it soon as you finish your current planned reads.

Cool. I will get on this soon.

BTW Bk, these are pretty hefty books, how long did it take you to finish them?

[Abyss]

worry, on 03 June 2017 - 12:16 AM, said:

Ahh, interesting. So Rome has a rich history?

Nah. Once you're past the toga parties and the gladiators it's all pretty boring.

[EmperorMagus]

Abyss, on 03 June 2017 - 05:18 AM, said:

worry, on 03 June 2017 - 12:16 AM, said:

Ahh, interesting. So Rome has a rich history?

Nah. Once you're past the toga parties and the gladiators it's all pretty boring.

What about the orgies though? I hear Nero and Caligula threw a bunch of fun ones.

[QuickTidal]

Got my Kindle Paperwhite, so I celebrated by grabbing a new book for it and went with McClellan's PROMISE OF BLOOD. Hope this is good!

[Andorion]

QuickTidal, on 03 June 2017 - 12:23 PM, said:

Got my Kindle Paperwhite, so I celebrated by grabbing a new book for it and went with McClellan's PROMISE OF BLOOD. Hope this is good!

I think you will love it. The series is a lot of fun to read.

[Tiste Simeon]

QuickTidal, on 03 June 2017 - 12:23 PM, said:

Got my Kindle Paperwhite, so I celebrated by grabbing a new book for it and went with McClellan's PROMISE OF BLOOD. Hope this is good!

Let me know what the Paperwhite is like! I'm thinking of upgrading soon...

[QuickTidal]

Tiste Simeon, on 03 June 2017 - 12:59 PM, said:

QuickTidal, on 03 June 2017 - 12:23 PM, said:

Got my Kindle Paperwhite, so I celebrated by grabbing a new book for it and went with McClellan's PROMISE OF BLOOD. Hope this is good!

Let me know what the Paperwhite is like! I'm thinking of upgrading soon...

Wil do!

[Macros]

Powder mate trilo is light fast paced fun, I reckon you'll enjoy it

[QuickTidal]

Thanks all, starting it today!