[acesn8s]

Macros, on 25 July 2018 - 09:31 AM, said:

Serenity, on 25 July 2018 - 08:05 AM, said:

I'm currently about 150 pages into Adrian Tchaikovsky's The Tiger and the Wolf and I'm really enjoying it, as in really enjoying it. This comes not all that long after Children of Time became my favourite read of last year. I'm confused. Many moons ago I read the first two books in his 'Shadows of the Apt' series and bounced off them hard, to the extent that I'd never really contemplated reading any of his other books, at least until I saw Children of Time going for 99p on Kindle. So I'm wondering, has his writing style improved that much? Did I miss something in the Apt books? Was I just not in the mood for them? At this rate I may have to go back and try that series again, and it amazes me that I'm even considering that.

Shadows of the Apt series varies wildly in quality.

From memory the high points were air war and warmasters gate, which were solid solid books. But there's definitely a few dude in there as well.

In the beginning of SotA I kinda took it as D&D novels with insect totems instead of races: Beetles = Humans, Mantis = Elves, etc. They were fun, but nothing special. Then we started getting into the World War cross over and the air battles and I was hooked. After blazing through 10 books I burned out on Tchaikovsky, but it sounds like to need to check out his other novels. Maybe after I cross a few other books and series off my queue.

[End of Disc One]

I'm on book 9 of Shadows of the Apt and am feeling the burn. I'll probably read Children of Time and maybe Guns of the Dawn before coming back to finish.

The series is not one of my all time favorites, but it is solid. Book 5 is my favorite, and I think it also has the emotional highs. The thing people complained about early on (emo characters, no one dies) definitely go away. I'd say if you liked the first chapter of book 1, you would probably like later books.

[Macros]

Yeah early books suffered a bit from a borderline teen angst unrequited love tirangle/quadrangle/iforgetangle.

I would need to read a series synopsis to recall what happened in each book to nail down the highs and lows, I read them back to back iirc.

I would recommend Guns of Dawn, a very good standalone

[Hammerhead88]

Im about half way through Ghost story (Dresden files)....

Spoiler

Does Harry ever come back to life?!?! Obviously don't tell me, im just wondering aloud really.

Can't wait to get home and finish the book!!!!

[Andorion]

End of Disc One, on 25 July 2018 - 01:12 PM, said:

I'm on book 9 of Shadows of the Apt and am feeling the burn. I'll probably read Children of Time and maybe Guns of the Dawn before coming back to finish.

The series is not one of my all time favorites, but it is solid. Book 5 is my favorite, and I think it also has the emotional highs. The thing people complained about early on (emo characters, no one dies) definitely go away. I'd say if you liked the first chapter of book 1, you would probably like later books.

If you are reading Tchaikovsky, also give Spiderlight a shot. Very interesting PoV character.

[Aptorian]

Shadows of the Apt was a frustrating and boring series for me. I think I gave up after book 3. Waaay too much travelling from A to B with little happening in between.

I loved when ever the bee Nazis or Ninja Mantis were doing their thing but the rest was a bore.

[Macros]

I think we talked about this before apt, I *think* it's book 5 where the series really finds its feet, and I'd say Tchaikovsky finds himself a better rhythm as an author. You were of the stance, he's had 3 books so fuck him. Which I respect.

And why I regret buying Dresden 2 now if peoe have decided it's then bloody worst.

My trp is big enough

[Aptorian]

Macros, on 25 July 2018 - 05:12 PM, said:

I think we talked about this before apt, I *think* it's book 5 where the series really finds its feet, and I'd say Tchaikovsky finds himself a better rhythm as an author. You were of the stance, he's had 3 books so fuck him. Which I respect.

And why I regret buying Dresden 2 now if peoe have decided it's then bloody worst.

My trp is big enough

My counter argument to persuade you is that the Dresden books, at least the first, are relatively thin and low calorie.

You could probably chew through Fool Moon in a couple sittings, where as The Apt books felt like a marathon in comparison. Of course that's mostly down to motivation but still.

[Mentalist]

Alternative Goose, on 25 July 2018 - 04:54 PM, said:

Shadows of the Apt was a frustrating and boring series for me. I think I gave up after book 3. Waaay too much travelling from A to B with little happening in between.

I loved when ever the bee Nazis or Ninja Mantis were doing their thing but the rest was a bore.

Wasps. Bees were something totally diff.

And tchaikovsky had a few characters who were totally unbearable for the first 4 books. But then he made some of them some of the best. It's kinda remarkable.

I also loved the pirate flyers of the Exalsea. That had a very Talespins vibe and carried those 2 really weak books (2 and 3) for me where otherwise I might've dropped the series.

This post has been edited by Mentalist: 25 July 2018 - 05:47 PM

[Mentalist]

Briar King, on 25 July 2018 - 04:19 PM, said:

Mac your gonna hate Dresden 2. It’s without a doubt easily labeled the worst of the 15 so far. Bk 3 sprinkles the cocaine on your eyeballs about halfway through.

On Shadows of the Apt y’all are all nuts. It’s awesome all the way. Hell I been eye balling my copies for a reread since I started struggling on Fitz 7.

I'm one of those people that felt "Changes" did a lot of stuff wrong. But then again, I also think "Death Masks" is the best in terms of concentrated awesome (yes, better than the zombie T-rex. Fight me).
"Fool Moon" is all right. Book 3 is where stuff gets really cool (and even then, Butcher ain't perfect and Mac may find that stuff bothers him more than the enjoyment he gets from it).

[End of Disc One]

Macros, on 25 July 2018 - 05:12 PM, said:

And why I regret buying Dresden 2 now if peoe have decided it's then bloody worst.

My trp is big enough

In my opinion 2 is better than 1, but still the second weakest in the series. Very quick read though. I think you get your posting privileges on this forum taken away if you don't stick with Dresden Files through book 3 or 4.

[worry]

Book 2 is the only good book in the Dresden series.

[acesn8s]

Macros, on 25 July 2018 - 05:12 PM, said:

I think we talked about this before apt, I *think* it's book 5 where the series really finds its feet, and I'd say Tchaikovsky finds himself a better rhythm as an author. You were of the stance, he's had 3 books so fuck him. Which I respect.

And why I regret buying Dresden 2 now if peoe have decided it's then bloody worst.

My trp is big enough

What's nice is you'll be able to skim where Harry rehashes stuff covered in book 1 (e.g., wizards and tech not mixing, the Blue Beetle, etc). You get to the action quicker. Then you'll be ready for book 3 and will start noticing that overarching plot, reoccurring themes and characters gain weight, Murphy stops being as annoying, and then you're up until 3 AM just trying to find a good spot to stop reading for the night...

[Aptorian]

Luv2B_Sassy, on 25 July 2018 - 07:33 PM, said:

Book 2 is the only good book in the Dresden series.

That might be the most offensive thing you've ever posted on the forum.

[Mentalist]

acesn8s, on 25 July 2018 - 07:58 PM, said:

Macros, on 25 July 2018 - 05:12 PM, said:

I think we talked about this before apt, I *think* it's book 5 where the series really finds its feet, and I'd say Tchaikovsky finds himself a better rhythm as an author. You were of the stance, he's had 3 books so fuck him. Which I respect.

And why I regret buying Dresden 2 now if peoe have decided it's then bloody worst.

My trp is big enough

What's nice is you'll be able to skim where Harry rehashes stuff covered in book 1 (e.g., wizards and tech not mixing, the Blue Beetle, etc). You get to the action quicker. Then you'll be ready for book 3 and will start noticing that overarching plot, reoccurring themes and characters gain weight, Murphy stops being as annoying, and then you're up until 3 AM just trying to find a good spot to stop reading for the night...

The end usually works. Unless you have the next book handy.

In which case, it's usually whenever you have to go to school/work

Also, I finished the second "Void" book. Gonna start the third tomorrow.
Yeah, the Living Dream people are quite messed up.

This post has been edited by Mentalist: 25 July 2018 - 10:27 PM

[Abyss]

Briar King, on 25 July 2018 - 04:19 PM, said:

Mac your gonna hate Dresden 2. It's without a doubt easily labeled the worst of the 15 so far. Bk 3 sprinkles the cocaine on your eyeballs about halfway through.

On Shadows of the Apt y'all are all nuts. It's awesome all the way. Hell I been eye balling my copies for a reread since I started struggling on Fitz 7.

Macros, on 25 July 2018 - 05:12 PM, said:

I think we talked about this before apt, I *think* it's book 5 where the series really finds its feet, and I'd say Tchaikovsky finds himself a better rhythm as an author. You were of the stance, he's had 3 books so fuck him. Which I respect.

And why I regret buying Dresden 2 now if peoe have decided it's then bloody worst.

My trp is big enough

Briar King, on 25 July 2018 - 05:24 PM, said:

Just read it really fast and get it over with so you can get to the good stuff in 3-15.

Mentalist, on 25 July 2018 - 05:51 PM, said:

Briar King, on 25 July 2018 - 04:19 PM, said:

Mac your gonna hate Dresden 2. It's without a doubt easily labeled the worst of the 15 so far. Bk 3 sprinkles the cocaine on your eyeballs about halfway through.

On Shadows of the Apt y'all are all nuts. It's awesome all the way. Hell I been eye balling my copies for a reread since I started struggling on Fitz 7.

I'm one of those people that felt "Changes" did a lot of stuff wrong. But then again, I also think "Death Masks" is the best in terms of concentrated awesome (yes, better than the zombie T-rex. Fight me).
"Fool Moon" is all right. Book 3 is where stuff gets really cool (and even then, Butcher ain't perfect and Mac may find that stuff bothers him more than the enjoyment he gets from it).

End of Disc One, on 25 July 2018 - 05:53 PM, said:

Macros, on 25 July 2018 - 05:12 PM, said:

And why I regret buying Dresden 2 now if peoe have decided it's then bloody worst.

My trp is big enough

In my opinion 2 is better than 1, but still the second weakest in the series. Very quick read though. I think you get your posting privileges on this forum taken away if you don't stick with Dresden Files through book 3 or 4.

Luv2B_Sassy, on 25 July 2018 - 07:33 PM, said:

Book 2 is the only good book in the Dresden series.

acesn8s, on 25 July 2018 - 07:58 PM, said:

Macros, on 25 July 2018 - 05:12 PM, said:

I think we talked about this before apt, I *think* it's book 5 where the series really finds its feet, and I'd say Tchaikovsky finds himself a better rhythm as an author. You were of the stance, he's had 3 books so fuck him. Which I respect.

And why I regret buying Dresden 2 now if peoe have decided it's then bloody worst.

My trp is big enough

What's nice is you'll be able to skim where Harry rehashes stuff covered in book 1 (e.g., wizards and tech not mixing, the Blue Beetle, etc). You get to the action quicker. Then you'll be ready for book 3 and will start noticing that overarching plot, reoccurring themes and characters gain weight, Murphy stops being as annoying, and then you're up until 3 AM just trying to find a good spot to stop reading for the night...

Alternative Goose, on 25 July 2018 - 08:13 PM, said:

Luv2B_Sassy, on 25 July 2018 - 07:33 PM, said:

Book 2 is the only good book in the Dresden series.

That might be the most offensive thing you've ever posted on the forum.

FOOL MOON is not bad by any means, and it’s one of my favorite werewolves stories in urban fantasy.The only significant weakpoint is some of the reiterating things from book one, but so what, you skim a para or two.
No doubt the series gets better and better (and growzez!!) but 2 isn’t crap.

[Salt-Man Z]

Honestly I loved FOOL MOON so much that I was rather thrown by the abrupt changes Butcher throws at you in books 3 and 4. Number 5 was the one that reeled me in for good.

[worry]

Sorry, to clarify I meant the first book was ok, the second book was good, and then from the third book on they are very good to great.

[TheRetiredBridgeburner]

Mentalist, on 25 July 2018 - 05:51 PM, said:

I'm one of those people that felt "Changes" did a lot of stuff wrong. But then again, I also think "Death Masks" is the best in terms of concentrated awesome (yes, better than the zombie T-rex. Fight me).
"Fool Moon" is all right. Book 3 is where stuff gets really cool (and even then, Butcher ain't perfect and Mac may find that stuff bothers him more than the enjoyment he gets from it).

Interesting. I'm just finishing Changes on my re-read. It's not bad per se, but I'm not enjoying it as much as the previous books this time round.

[Tiste Simeon]

Luv2B_Sassy, on 26 July 2018 - 05:32 AM, said:

Sorry, to clarify I meant the first book was ok, the second book was good, and then from the third book on they are very good to great.

*Puts pitchfork down*

You saved yourself... This time...