[polishgenius]

Gwynn ap Nudd, on 27 April 2025 - 04:17 AM, said:

Kind of stuck and looking for suggestions. I am looking for something lightish - thinking along the lines of the Rivers of London or Laundry Files. Most of what I have on my to read pile is heavier and with the whole active hearing thing, there are too many days where I am too mentally tired to really get into a heavier read in the evening. I just finished running a session of one of my D&D games and am realising the reason I am not reading as much is that I don't have the concentration left for something thinky at times like this.

Bonus if it is something out in paperback and/or likely at the used book store.

Edit again: It does not need to be about magic coppers/spies in London, just that level of thinkyness. Something like the True Bastards would be good too.

The safe assumption would be that you've read Discworld, but just in case you haven't: Discworld.





As far as more recent stuff goes (not sure how well they fit the used bookstore criteria, but you never know):

My most recent go-to super-entertaining series has been the Burnished City trilogy by Davinia Evans, starting with Notorious Sorcerer. It's a tremendous city-based romp with derring do and shenanigans.

Bit longer running is Max Gladstone's Craft Sequence. There's a touch bit more going on in terms of having to pick up the rules of the magic system, but it's not Malazan, and it doesn't drown you in it. And it's another entertaining, light-hearted-at-times-but-hits-when-needed series. Very inventive.

A lot of us on the forum read and enjoyed Nicholas Eames' Kings of the Wyld and its sequel Bloody Rose, a while back.


How are you with the idea of cozy fantasy? That's a fast-growing branch of fantasy pretty much designed for people in your position, and there's some good stuff there (or just next to it, semi-cozy as I tend to think of them). Emily Wilde's Encylopedia of Faeries, Legends and Lattes, The Teller of Small Fortunes, The Warden- all worth a look.

[Tsundoku]

polishgenius, on 27 April 2025 - 08:41 PM, said:

How are you with the idea of cozy fantasy? That's a fast-growing branch of fantasy pretty much designed for people in your position, and there's some good stuff there (or just next to it, semi-cozy as I tend to think of them). Emily Wilde's Encylopedia of Faeries, Legends and Lattes, The Teller of Small Fortunes, The Warden- all worth a look.

I didn't mind Katherine Addison's The Goblin Emperor and Witness for the Dead. Competency and zero romance.
Legends and Lattes was definitely cosy but the prequel Bookshops and Bonedust while OK wasn't quite as good for mine.

[Gwynn ap Nudd]

Thanks for the recommendations. I will look a few of them up over the next couple days and let you know what I think once I have read a couple. I have read some/half of the Discworld books, Kings of the Wyld, A Crown for Cold Silver and the Craft Sequence.

I haven't looked into cozy fantasy at all, maybe I will.

[Abyss]

Tsundoku, on 27 April 2025 - 09:00 AM, said:

Gwynn ap Nudd, on 27 April 2025 - 04:17 AM, said:

Kind of stuck and looking for suggestions. I am looking for something lightish - thinking along the lines of the Rivers of London or Laundry Files. Most of what I have on my to read pile is heavier and with the whole active hearing thing, there are too many days where I am too mentally tired to really get into a heavier read in the evening. I just finished running a session of one of my D&D games and am realising the reason I am not reading as much is that I don't have the concentration left for something thinky at times like this.

Bonus if it is something out in paperback and/or likely at the used book store.

Edit again: It does not need to be about magic coppers/spies in London, just that level of thinkyness. Something like the True Bastards would be good too.

Rogues of the Republic trilogy by Patrick Weekes. Think Oceans 11 meets D&D.
...

Easily seconding this trilo, it's great fun.

Seb du castell's one shot THE MALEVOLENT SEVEN has a similar vibe and is a fast read, low commitment.

And if you haven't read Chris Woooding's TALES OF THE KETTY JAY, it's got a similar heist/nice criminals vibe, tho can go dark at times.

Chance, on 27 April 2025 - 09:54 AM, said:

Probably finishing the Raven Strategem today having taking a lot of time mostly because I haven't had any good reading time recently but it is pretty damn good when I get a few hours.

Just Finished RAVEN STRATEGEM, very satisfying book. The author worked in some great twists, where the reader knows more than the characters but will doubt what they think they know. Straight on to bk 3, REVENANT GUN, which has an excellent start.

[JPK]

 Abyss, on 28 April 2025 - 01:39 PM, said:

Seb du castell's one shot THE MALEVOLENT SEVEN has a similar vibe and is a fast read, low commitment.

And if you haven't read Chris Woooding's TALES OF THE KETTY JAY, it's got a similar heist/nice criminals vibe, tho can go dark at times.

I'll second KETTY JAY. Those were good palette cleaners.

Small correction about THE MALEVOLENT SEVEN though, it's not a standalone. THE MALEVOLENT EIGHT is dropping in August.

[worry]

Finished The Buried Giant by Ishiguro. My short review would be: it was annoying but I liked it. I was essentially right that it is a novel length fable/fairy story, though it's not one for children. In terms of what was annoying, as I mentioned a while back, the two main characters are an elderly couple who can't remember anything because there's a mist giving everyone amnesia, but they set out on a journey anyway. Whenever they talk to each other, it's repetitive, hazy, inconclusive, and all in all circular. To be clear, it's a very deliberate choice by Ishiguro that serves both the themes and the plot of the story, so you just have to roll with it if you want to get to the point. Sometimes it feels like Valhalla Rising, that foggy dreamlike journey element (sorry QT, if you're reading this).


There turns out to be three other 'main' characters though, introduced further in: a Saxon warrior on a mission from his king; a potentially cursed adolescent boy who becomes his ward; and a Knight of the Round Table (I won't mention which!), now elderly and kind of dawdling in his own final mission. The dialogue from these folks (and various minor characters everybody runs into in the course of the novel) is much more delightful to read than the elder couple. It's verbose and formal in a way that is very comic, though not outright parody ("sir knight, pray tell, etc."). The way maybe Deadwood or O Brother Where Art Thou weave that formal and folksy stuff together to wonderful effect, it's the medieval version of that. Everyone's motivations remain opaque for most of the story, but there are genuine revelations and payoffs at the end that are really quite moving.


Anyway, I don't know if I'm smart or articulate enough to do a deep dive on this book, but it's the kind of story where if you had read it for a college class the discussion/analysis would be interesting. It's really theme-heavy and metaphorical, and you don't need me to tell you that the dude can write. It's just a medicine-with-the-sugar kind of thing here, for me at least.

[Whisperzzzzzzz]

Making my way through Moon's Deeds of Paksenarrion and enjoying it. I can't help but feel like Paks is the player character in a solo D&D campaign though...

This post has been edited by Whisperzzzzzzz: 28 April 2025 - 08:28 PM

[Abyss]

JPK, on 28 April 2025 - 03:39 PM, said:

Abyss, on 28 April 2025 - 01:39 PM, said:

Seb du castell's one shot THE MALEVOLENT SEVEN has a similar vibe and is a fast read, low commitment.

And if you haven't read Chris Woooding's TALES OF THE KETTY JAY, it's got a similar heist/nice criminals vibe, tho can go dark at times.

I'll second KETTY JAY. Those were good palette cleaners.

Small correction about THE MALEVOLENT SEVEN though, it's not a standalone. THE MALEVOLENT EIGHT is dropping in August.

SAY WHAT NOW?!?!?!?!!?!? *googles confirms launches audible credit preorder dances naked around the room to celebrate wait what....?*

[Chance]

Abyss, on 28 April 2025 - 01:39 PM, said:

And if you haven't read Chris Woooding's TALES OF THE KETTY JAY, it's got a similar heist/nice criminals vibe, tho can go dark at times.

Certainly one of the best steampunkish crew of criminals series around.

Abyss, on 28 April 2025 - 01:39 PM, said:

Chance, on 27 April 2025 - 09:54 AM, said:

Probably finishing the Raven Strategem today having taking a lot of time mostly because I haven't had any good reading time recently but it is pretty damn good when I get a few hours.

Just Finished RAVEN STRATEGEM, very satisfying book. The author worked in some great twists, where the reader knows more than the characters but will doubt what they think they know. Straight on to bk 3, REVENANT GUN, which has an excellent start.

Yeah this re-read is cementing it as one of the recentish greats of SF.

Also continuing into the Revenant Gun which I don't think I've re-read yet.

[Tiste Simeon]

 Abyss, on 28 April 2025 - 10:57 PM, said:

SAY WHAT NOW?!?!?!?!!?!? *googles confirms launches audible credit preorder dances naked around the room to celebrate wait what....?*

Well there's an image I didn't need as I ate my breakfast!

[Tsundoku]

Tiste Simeon, on 29 April 2025 - 06:36 AM, said:

Abyss, on 28 April 2025 - 10:57 PM, said:

SAY WHAT NOW?!?!?!?!!?!? *googles confirms launches audible credit preorder dances naked around the room to celebrate wait what....?*

Well there's an image I didn't need as I ate my breakfast!

That's your fault for livestreaming the secret cams. Rookie.

[pat5150]

Whisperzzzzzzz, on 28 April 2025 - 08:28 PM, said:

Making my way through Moon's Deeds of Paksenarrion and enjoying it. I can't help but feel like Paks is the player character in a solo D&D campaign though...

Don't know where you're at, but I just finished the second volume and man did things take a shocking turn!

[amphibian]

 pat5150, on 29 April 2025 - 03:01 PM, said:

 Whisperzzzzzzz, on 28 April 2025 - 08:28 PM, said:

Making my way through Moon's Deeds of Paksenarrion and enjoying it. I can't help but feel like Paks is the player character in a solo D&D campaign though...

Don't know where you're at, but I just finished the second volume and man did things take a shocking turn!

What Moon does with that series and the follow up one is brilliant. Extremely impressive writing and it takes a bit of faith from the reader that she's not taking you into the boring tropes.

[Abyss]

Tiste Simeon, on 29 April 2025 - 06:36 AM, said:

Abyss, on 28 April 2025 - 10:57 PM, said:

SAY WHAT NOW?!?!?!?!!?!? *googles confirms launches audible credit preorder dances naked around the room to celebrate wait what....?*

Well there's an image I didn't need as I ate my breakfast!

Counterpoint: yes, yes you did.

[Abyss]

Chance, on 29 April 2025 - 05:02 AM, said:

...

Abyss, on 28 April 2025 - 01:39 PM, said:

Chance, on 27 April 2025 - 09:54 AM, said:

Probably finishing the Raven Strategem today having taking a lot of time mostly because I haven't had any good reading time recently but it is pretty damn good when I get a few hours.

Just Finished RAVEN STRATEGEM, very satisfying book. The author worked in some great twists, where the reader knows more than the characters but will doubt what they think they know. Straight on to bk 3, REVENANT GUN, which has an excellent start.

Yeah this re-read is cementing it as one of the recentish greats of SF.

Also continuing into the Revenant Gun which I don't think I've re-read yet.

The whole trilogy (so far) is extremely clever and well written. There is so much risk to what the author does w the setting

Spoiler

the calendrical system

and it's kind of stunning how well he pulls it off.

[JPK]

Abyss, on 29 April 2025 - 03:41 PM, said:

Chance, on 29 April 2025 - 05:02 AM, said:

...

Abyss, on 28 April 2025 - 01:39 PM, said:

Chance, on 27 April 2025 - 09:54 AM, said:

Probably finishing the Raven Strategem today having taking a lot of time mostly because I haven't had any good reading time recently but it is pretty damn good when I get a few hours.

Just Finished RAVEN STRATEGEM, very satisfying book. The author worked in some great twists, where the reader knows more than the characters but will doubt what they think they know. Straight on to bk 3, REVENANT GUN, which has an excellent start.

Yeah this re-read is cementing it as one of the recentish greats of SF.

Also continuing into the Revenant Gun which I don't think I've re-read yet.

The whole trilogy (so far) is extremely clever and well written. There is so much risk to what the author does w the setting

Spoiler

the calendrical system

and it's kind of stunning how well he pulls it off.

I think my favorite part of the entire series is how well he tends to take expectations and flip the table. Book 2 spoiler territory:

Spoiler

When Mikodez is introduced he seems so clear cut to be a character you are meant to hate. I mean, his sister transitioned into his brother that happens to be a physical copy of him. Oh and they fuck. But somehow Mikodez turns into one of the best characters in that book (and series overall.)

[Abyss]

JPK, on 29 April 2025 - 04:06 PM, said:

Abyss, on 29 April 2025 - 03:41 PM, said:

Chance, on 29 April 2025 - 05:02 AM, said:

...

Abyss, on 28 April 2025 - 01:39 PM, said:

Chance, on 27 April 2025 - 09:54 AM, said:

Probably finishing the Raven Strategem today having taking a lot of time mostly because I haven't had any good reading time recently but it is pretty damn good when I get a few hours.

Just Finished RAVEN STRATEGEM, very satisfying book. The author worked in some great twists, where the reader knows more than the characters but will doubt what they think they know. Straight on to bk 3, REVENANT GUN, which has an excellent start.

Yeah this re-read is cementing it as one of the recentish greats of SF.

Also continuing into the Revenant Gun which I don't think I've re-read yet.

The whole trilogy (so far) is extremely clever and well written. There is so much risk to what the author does w the setting

Spoiler

the calendrical system

and it's kind of stunning how well he pulls it off.

I think my favorite part of the entire series is how well he tends to take expectations and flip the table. Book 2 spoiler territory:

Spoiler

When Mikodez is introduced he seems so clear cut to be a character you are meant to hate. I mean, his sister transitioned into his brother that happens to be a physical copy of him. Oh and they fuck. But somehow Mikodez turns into one of the best characters in that book (and series overall.)

leaving aside some of the particularly iccy elements, those characters and their relationship were fascinating.

Spoiler

i was not surprised by Mik turning on the other Hexarchs, or that he allowed Istra to be the suicide weapon that did it, but i was surprised at how much i actually cared.

[JPK]

 Abyss, on 29 April 2025 - 04:26 PM, said:

 JPK, on 29 April 2025 - 04:06 PM, said:

 Abyss, on 29 April 2025 - 03:41 PM, said:

 Chance, on 29 April 2025 - 05:02 AM, said:

...

 Abyss, on 28 April 2025 - 01:39 PM, said:

 Chance, on 27 April 2025 - 09:54 AM, said:

Probably finishing the Raven Strategem today having taking a lot of time mostly because I haven't had any good reading time recently but it is pretty damn good when I get a few hours.

Just Finished RAVEN STRATEGEM, very satisfying book. The author worked in some great twists, where the reader knows more than the characters but will doubt what they think they know. Straight on to bk 3, REVENANT GUN, which has an excellent start.

Yeah this re-read is cementing it as one of the recentish greats of SF.

Also continuing into the Revenant Gun which I don't think I've re-read yet.

The whole trilogy (so far) is extremely clever and well written. There is so much risk to what the author does w the setting

Spoiler

the calendrical system

and it's kind of stunning how well he pulls it off.

I think my favorite part of the entire series is how well he tends to take expectations and flip the table. Book 2 spoiler territory:

Spoiler

When Mikodez is introduced he seems so clear cut to be a character you are meant to hate. I mean, his sister transitioned into his brother that happens to be a physical copy of him. Oh and they fuck. But somehow Mikodez turns into one of the best characters in that book (and series overall.)

leaving aside some of the particularly iccy elements, those characters and their relationship were fascinating.

Spoiler

i was not surprised by Mik turning on the other Hexarchs, or that he allowed Istra to be the suicide weapon that did it, but i was surprised at how much i actually cared.

Spoiler

Oh, 100%. And the feat of introducing characters like Mik and Istra with the sheer amount of ick that would typically be a clear cut queer-coded villain setup only to flip that and make Mik one of the most compelling characters that just chews up screen time? It was well done, imo.

[polishgenius]

I tend to think of the series as a multi-Thrawn pile-up.

[Abyss]

polishgenius, on 29 April 2025 - 05:14 PM, said:

I tend to think of the series as a multi-Thrawn pile-up.

I kind of love that description.