[stone monkey]

Just finished Artficial Condition by Martha Wells - the 2nd part of The Murderbot Diaries novellas. His "friend" ART (it stands for "Asshole Research Transport") is kind of hilarious... and also kind of sweet at the same time. Short, funny and quite touching in places. I think the first part All Systems Red is probably a better read, but I will read the rest of them (two more are planned) when they come out.

The first person narrator, an artificially created, apathetic, and slightly depressed, Security cyborg who would much rather watch soap operas than, y'know, actually murder people is a work of humane genius, I'd say.

This post has been edited by stone monkey: 06 June 2018 - 08:25 PM

[Whisperzzzzzzz]

Mentalist, on 06 June 2018 - 02:33 AM, said:

Finished "A War in Crimson Embers". It was AWESOME. Maroto is the best barbarian in literature after Karsa

The lack of action in Book 2 is completely covered for. The humour is still there, and the plot resolves nicely.

Good to know, as I'll be starting Book 2 soon. Almost done with Book of Dzur.

[End of Disc One]

About halfway through my first David Gemmell, Legend. Really enjoying it! It’s refreshing because it’s much less cynical than most of the stuff I read.

[Abyss]

QuickTidal, on 06 June 2018 - 06:09 PM, said:

Abyss, on 06 June 2018 - 12:09 PM, said:

Puck, on 05 June 2018 - 06:49 PM, said:

Abyss, on 05 June 2018 - 04:32 AM, said:

Then I started RIVER OF TEETH and holy hippofuck I LOVE THIS BOOK.
More later.

The entire premise is gold and I loved that book. Pity it was so short.

HIPPOS RUUUUUULE.

Funnily enough, I only recently learned about the real thing this is concepted on (bringing Hippos to America) through an episode of 99Pi...so this sounds AMAZING. Will check out. Cheap on Kindle.

Also, you're aware there is a sequel, yes?

You missed my edit, am already reading it.

[polishgenius]

Mentalist, on 06 June 2018 - 02:33 AM, said:

Maroto is the best barbarian in literature after Karsa

I'm a fan of Maroto and appreciate Karsa (though am reserving a final judgement on Karsa till I see how Erikson utlimately deals with the rape thing and his daughters because as it currently stands he leaves a bad taste in my mouth) but you're forgetting THE MOST VIOLENT OF ALL MEN.

Also if you've not read Fritz Leiber's Fafhrd and the Grey Mouser you should because Maroto is pretty definitely inspired by Fafhrd.

stone monkey, on 06 June 2018 - 08:16 PM, said:

Just finished Artficial Condition by Martha Wells - the 2nd part of The Murderbot Diaries novellas. His "friend" ART (it stands for "Asshole Research Transport") is kind of hilarious... and also kind of sweet at the same time. Short, funny and quite touching in places. I think the first part All Systems Red is probably a better read, but I will read the rest of them (two more are planned) when they come out.The first person narrator, an artificially created, apathetic, and slightly depressed, Security cyborg who would much rather watch soap operas than, y'know, actually murder people is a work of humane genius, I'd say.

Have you read Becky Chambers? Not ultimtely that similar but her books have a similar tone to them and the second one also has a theme of AI adapting to life. Really good too.

[Mentalist]

polishgenius, on 07 June 2018 - 04:30 AM, said:

Mentalist, on 06 June 2018 - 02:33 AM, said:

Maroto is the best barbarian in literature after Karsa

I'm a fan of Maroto and appreciate Karsa (though am reserving a final judgement on Karsa till I see how Erikson utlimately deals with the rape thing and his daughters because as it currently stands he leaves a bad taste in my mouth) but you're forgetting THE MOST VIOLENT OF ALL MEN.

Also if you've not read Fritz Leiber's Fafhrd and the Grey Mouser you should because Maroto is pretty definitely inspired by Fafhrd.

stone monkey, on 06 June 2018 - 08:16 PM, said:

Just finished Artficial Condition by Martha Wells - the 2nd part of The Murderbot Diaries novellas. His "friend" ART (it stands for "Asshole Research Transport") is kind of hilarious... and also kind of sweet at the same time. Short, funny and quite touching in places. I think the first part All Systems Red is probably a better read, but I will read the rest of them (two more are planned) when they come out.The first person narrator, an artificially created, apathetic, and slightly depressed, Security cyborg who would much rather watch soap operas than, y'know, actually murder people is a work of humane genius, I'd say.

Have you read Becky Chambers? Not ultimtely that similar but her books have a similar tone to them and the second one also has a theme of AI adapting to life. Really good too.

I did read Fafhrd at some point, but I must confess it did not leave a lasting impression.

Cnaiur is awesome, but the sheer fact that he's been missing for 2 books diminished his impact.

[polishgenius]

Eh. Treat em mean keep em keen. Karsa doesn't feature in every book either, after all...


Also I forgot the small question of, like, half of Joe Abercrombie's characters. We do love our barbarians, as a genre, don't we?

[Abyss]

Conan.

[Macros]

End of Disc One, on 07 June 2018 - 02:30 AM, said:

About halfway through my first David Gemmell, Legend. Really enjoying it! It’s refreshing because it’s much less cynical than most of the stuff I read.

You're in for a treat if you enjoyed the first half.
Legend is one of my all time favourite books. If you enjoy it at all look into Waylander next, then just pick drenai novels at random.
Or
OR
go forth and read the Troy trilogy, I think everyone here expects my reco on this to appear the second Gemmells mentioned.

[Tiste Simeon]

Can second Macros in every way. Legend is such a superb book. And also the Troy series is phenomenal!

I also enjoyed the Rigante series but it's never spoken about in the same reverend tones as Drenai/Troy. Still worth reading.

[Chance]

Nearly done with Shield of Thunder the second Troy book by Gemmell and wow those where easy reads and this is probably the best rendition of the Iliad and Odessey I know off in any medium. Might throw in Brief Cases between book two and three just to draw it out a bit, the books also seem eminently re-readable with a lot of hints and references to ancient history and myth some of which one probably misses on the first read.

Probably the best Gemmell books I've read regardless of nostalgic fondness for Legend and Knights of Dark Renown.

[Macros]

Just wait for some of Book 3s interps of the siege. Just brilliant.

Re: Rigante, pretty much the same, enjoyable but not on that level, I felt book 1 and 2 were lacking something but the latter 2, set in the Modiarts time were very good.

In general for Gemmell, Legend and Waylander are head and shoulders clear of all the rest of the drenai stuff, but that is not disparaging the rest of them, they are all enjoyable fare, if somewhat formulaic in places, but each book has a set of characters you WANT to read about.

Jon Shannow novels I felt a bit meh about, especially the last one, first two were fun enough.

The Macedon books, again I enjoyed but I think he would have been better suited to go down the Troy route rather than trying it to the sipstrasi stones.

Echoes of a great song I liked, but felt it was somewhat of a missed opportunity for him.

ETA
Troy is so reread able, I've lost count of my rereads

This post has been edited by Macros: 07 June 2018 - 10:29 AM

[champ]

King Beyond the Gate is my all time favourite Gemmell book!

[End of Disc One]

Thanks for the Gemmell input, everyone. For these kinds of things, I usually prefer publication order (which puts King Beyond the Gate next). But I stay aware of which books are popular and unpopular to manage expectations, and skip the lesser ones if I feel like it. It's going to be a while before I get to Troy, but at least I'll be saving some of the best books for last. If I start to get tired of Gemmell I may skip ahead to Troy.

[Gabriele]

Macros, on 07 June 2018 - 10:28 AM, said:

The Macedon books, again I enjoyed but I think he would have been better suited to go down the Troy route rather than trying it to the sipstrasi stones.

I totally agree.

Looks like I'll go on a Gemmell re-reading spree once I've finished the Witchwood Crown.

[TheRetiredBridgeburner]

Macros, on 07 June 2018 - 09:32 AM, said:

End of Disc One, on 07 June 2018 - 02:30 AM, said:

About halfway through my first David Gemmell, Legend. Really enjoying it! It's refreshing because it's much less cynical than most of the stuff I read.

You're in for a treat if you enjoyed the first half.
Legend is one of my all time favourite books. If you enjoy it at all look into Waylander next, then just pick drenai novels at random.
Or
OR
go forth and read the Troy trilogy, I think everyone here expects my reco on this to appear the second Gemmells mentioned.

A little late to the party, but I agree entirely - with the small addition of recommending you add White Wolf to the "must read next" list as well as Waylander. Because Skilgannon the Damned is a badass.

Like Macros, Legend is also an all time favourite of mine. I read it at least once a year, and it still packs all the emotional punch of the first read. Beautiful, beautiful book.

This post has been edited by TheRetiredBridgeburner: 07 June 2018 - 08:38 PM

[worry]

Finished Who Fears Death. Fantastic!
Now onto The Warrior Prophet.

[Andorion]

I just finished Bitter Seeds by Ian Tregillis.

Holy hell is this book intense and dark. I could barely put it down!

[polishgenius]

Luv2B_Sassy, on 08 June 2018 - 02:24 AM, said:

Finished Who Fears Death. Fantastic!
Now onto The Warrior Prophet.

Fricking masochist.

Glad you liked WFD though.

[Macros]

TheRetiredBridgeburner, on 07 June 2018 - 08:35 PM, said:

Macros, on 07 June 2018 - 09:32 AM, said:

End of Disc One, on 07 June 2018 - 02:30 AM, said:

About halfway through my first David Gemmell, Legend. Really enjoying it! It's refreshing because it's much less cynical than most of the stuff I read.

You're in for a treat if you enjoyed the first half.
Legend is one of my all time favourite books. If you enjoy it at all look into Waylander next, then just pick drenai novels at random.
Or
OR
go forth and read the Troy trilogy, I think everyone here expects my reco on this to appear the second Gemmells mentioned.

A little late to the party, but I agree entirely - with the small addition of recommending you add White Wolf to the "must read next" list as well as Waylander. Because Skilgannon the Damned is a badass.

Like Macros, Legend is also an all time favourite of mine. I read it at least once a year, and it still packs all the emotional punch of the first read. Beautiful, beautiful book.

Skillgannon! How could I forget.

Damn you all this was supposed to be a year of no rereads!!!