[QuickTidal]

polishgenius, on 21 March 2025 - 12:11 AM, said:

The Warden, by Daniel M. Ford, first in the likewise-named series. About a necromancer guardian type who is sent to what seems to be a quite posting in the middle of nowhere on what seems to be a quiet, nothing posting but of course turns out not to be.


It's a funny one coz it sets up like a cozy fantasy- in fact the opening is nearly identical to Emily Wilde's Enyclopedia of Faeries- but (as the profession implies) proves to be much more of an adventure-fantasy of the swords-and-sorcery stripe (not that Emily Wilde is action free). With a sideline in recovering from post-war trauma, since the area is in the aftermath of one. But it still keeps those cozy-fantasy genes too- there's a lot about friendship, and earning trust, and all that kind of thing. Honestly, it's one of the most charming things I've read in ages. Only slightly put out that Ford felt the need to end it on a cliffhanger- but since the second book is already out and the third due in a month, it's not that big of a deal.


Really excellent, highly recommended.

Sounds Neat!

This post has been edited by QuickTidal: 21 March 2025 - 11:23 AM

[Chance]

Started a Tide of Black Steel unknowingly that it took place in the same world as Covenant of Steel, so I returned to that instead finding The Martyr and especially The Traitor to be a large step up from the first book which I found kinda boring when I read them when it came out. Its not Bloodsong level of awesomeness but some solid grimdark adjacent fantasy.

So once more on to Tide of Black Steel.

This post has been edited by Chance: 24 March 2025 - 05:29 PM

[QuickTidal]

Black Library are FINALLY re-printing the RAVENOR omnibus this summer, so after preordering it I decided to restart EISENHORN so that I'll line up with the release and then after that I can FINALLY read the two Bequin novels (which I've owned in hardcover for a few years now) because apparently they take place or fit in after RAVENOR.


100pages into XENOS and I'm freshly reminded what a great intro to WH40K this has always been, and what a cold badass Gregor is. That said, Bequin is and will always remain my fave character from these books.

[Macros]

Finished up Excalibur, that's the Author trilogy wrapped up.
I enjoy historical fiction, especially takes on heavily mythologised stuff (border line fantasy to start with).
I don't know very much about the Authurian legends (read the mabiogion once but it was very dense to get through) so don't know how cute Cornwell was being in places but did love his take on the few bits and pieces I did know of.
Character wise. Merlin is a fantastic bastard, Arthur a romantic and frustrating oathbound fool, Derfel is another version of every Cornwell lead, Guinivere is superbly realised, Lancelot an absolute bastard and there rest of the cast is actually very well filled out with decent motivations for their....ultimately bastardyness (bar sacramor and Culwich, they're awesome)

Enjoyed thoroughly.
As fun as Gemmells Troy on the myth/history pomp? No, but part of that likely driven by me getting all of references and a little part of me that sometimes bumps off the old man first person narrating back a tale

[TheRetiredBridgeburner]

Macros, on 26 March 2025 - 05:51 AM, said:

Finished up Excalibur, that's the Author trilogy wrapped up.
I enjoy historical fiction, especially takes on heavily mythologised stuff (border line fantasy to start with).
I don't know very much about the Authurian legends (read the mabiogion once but it was very dense to get through) so don't know how cute Cornwell was being in places but did love his take on the few bits and pieces I did know of.
Character wise. Merlin is a fantastic bastard, Arthur a romantic and frustrating oathbound fool, Derfel is another version of every Cornwell lead, Guinivere is superbly realised, Lancelot an absolute bastard and there rest of the cast is actually very well filled out with decent motivations for their....ultimately bastardyness (bar sacramor and Culwich, they're awesome)

Enjoyed thoroughly.
As fun as Gemmells Troy on the myth/history pomp? No, but part of that likely driven by me getting all of references and a little part of me that sometimes bumps off the old man first person narrating back a tale

Really pleased you enjoyed it! Merlin and Guinevere are my favourite aspects of the books.

[Tiste Simeon]

 TheRetiredBridgeburner, on 26 March 2025 - 07:39 AM, said:

 Macros, on 26 March 2025 - 05:51 AM, said:

Finished up Excalibur, that's the Author trilogy wrapped up.
I enjoy historical fiction, especially takes on heavily mythologised stuff (border line fantasy to start with).
I don't know very much about the Authurian legends (read the mabiogion once but it was very dense to get through) so don't know how cute Cornwell was being in places but did love his take on the few bits and pieces I did know of.
Character wise. Merlin is a fantastic bastard, Arthur a romantic and frustrating oathbound fool, Derfel is another version of every Cornwell lead, Guinivere is superbly realised, Lancelot an absolute bastard and there rest of the cast is actually very well filled out with decent motivations for their....ultimately bastardyness (bar sacramor and Culwich, they're awesome)

Enjoyed thoroughly.
As fun as Gemmells Troy on the myth/history pomp? No, but part of that likely driven by me getting all of references and a little part of me that sometimes bumps off the old man first person narrating back a tale

Really pleased you enjoyed it! Merlin and Guinevere are my favourite aspects of the books.

Your pernicious "Winter King" influence continues to grow TRB 😎