[Morgoth]

Time and Space by Baxter.. Insane guy, I must say.. Going to read origin in a little while

[Astra]

Just finished to read a brainwashing leaflet for youngsters, why should they go to serve in the Army voluntary...oops, I mean Starship Troopers by Robert A. Heinlein.
Started to read The Unbearable Lightness of Being by Milan Kundera

[Enaglio]

High Window by Raymond Chandler

[Murrin]

Shriek: An Afterword.

[pat5150]

Hi guys!

Well, it's finally done. After toiling through three volumes of dubious quality, I have now read the Conclave of Shadows series. I found the first two volumes to be of mediocre quality. Thankfully, Exile's Return is a little better. But not much.

In the end, what it comes down to is that Raymond E. Feist never had enough material to write a trilogy. All those storylines should have comprised a single volume acting as a prequel to Flight of the Nighthawks. As a series, however, it ranks as one of the worst written by a "big name" author that I've read in quite some time. As such -- a veritable milking of the author's popularity -- I feel that Feist is no better than Terry Goodkind for taking advantage of his fans in such a manner. My only consolation is that Flight of the Nighthawks is considered a very good yarn, proof that Feist can still spin a good tale.

The ending of Exile's Return let us catch a glimpse of events to come. It also marks the return of old favorite characters such as Pug, Tomas, Nakor and a few others. But it's too little too late. The damage has been done -- irrevocably so.

For the full review, you can always check the blog. . .

Patrick
www.fantasyhotlist.blogspot.com

[ObsoleteResolve]

David Forbes "The Amber Wizard." Courtesy of him frequenting here.

Next: The Knight, Gene Wolfe

[rlfcl]

Xenocide by Orson Scott Card

[sewer.rat]

Devices and Desires by K.J. Parker

I really enjoyed his Fencer trilogy and Scavenger trilogy, yet another author that doesn't follow the genre plot requirements.

Next up:

City of Saints and Madmen by Jeff Vandermeer

[Lord Gordonis]

Horus Rising - Dan Abnett

[High Marshal Flit]

Reading a collection of short stories and articles by Tom Robbins called 'Wild Ducks Flying Backwards.' He's an incredible author, the 1st short story is called the 'Canyon of the Vaginas' and the last is a article entitled 'The meaning of Life' which he did for Time magazine, if you can find that article on the net, please try to, it's good stuff. He's one of my favorite writers, and combines a tremendous intellect, with views on politics, social issues, religion a sharp sense of humor, and limitless imagination. His last novel was 'Villa Incognito' and before that 'Fierce Invalids from Hot Climates' My signature is an example of some of the great one liners that can be found in most of his stuff

[Mkvenna]

Lord Gordonis - is Horus rising any good? i keep getting nervous twitches whenever i see a new Dan Abnett book...

[Mezla PigDog]

Over Easter weekend, I read Brideshead Revisited by Evelyn Waugh. It was considerably better than I expected and made me laugh a lot. I intend to read some of his other stuff now.

[Asandir]

The Fifth Sorceress - passes the time
The Thousand Orcs By R.A. Salvatore- lots of killing n blood n gore = interesting

[Brahm_K]

The Bonehunters- Steven Erikson

[pat5150]

Just finished reading HOUSE OF CHAINS.

I'm rapidly running out of superlatives and hyperboles when it comes to praising Steven Erikson's The Malazan Book of the Fallen. Indeed, the publishers should print a disclaimer such as: Warning: This series may be addictive.

In terms of vision and imagination, Erikson is without equals. And I'm making this bold claim after reading the first four volumes of this grand saga. I say so because with the completion of House of Chains, the Malazan series is already head and shoulders above any other works of fantasy in print today. I can only imagine to what level reading Midnight Tides and The Bonehunters will bring it.

Steven Erikson has thus far established himself as a master storyteller. The Malazan Book of the Fallen is without the shadow of a doubt the most ambitious epic fantasy ever undertaken. And I have a feeling that, when all is said and done, this series might become the benchmark against which every other "great" fantasy series will be judged.

The incredibly convoluted storylines once again hint at a depth that is beyond compare. Yet the author's narrative plows through this complex ensemble of plots and sub-plots with an aplomb that leaves me awestruck.

With thrilling action throughout, this novel has enough twists and turns to satisfy even the most demanding readers. Moreover, it will keep you begging for more!

For the complete book review, you can always check out the blog...

Patrick
www.fantasyhotlist.blogspot.com

[Tiste Simeon]

Just about to start A Feast For Crows by GRRM... I just reread the series, so I am quite interested to see how AFFC turns out.

I have also read the following over the Easter Holidays (I had lots of free time): Harry Potter #6 (reread - took me half a day to do); Yes Man by Danny Wallace - Very very funny book by a very very funny person; The Jesus I Never Knew, by Philip Yancey. A very cool and thought provoking book.

[pat5150]

Hi guys!

I have just finsihed reading Naomi Novik's THRONE OF JADE. In my humble opinion, it is even better than its predecessor.

The novel begins some time following the ending of Temeraire/His Majesty's Dragon. England is proud of its hard-earned victory against Napoléon's bold scheme. But a Chinese embassy has traveled to London to demand the return of Temeraire. According to the envoys, the Celestial breed is too exalted to be utilized to wage war and to have a vulgar soldier as companion.

The characterizations are again interesting, with both Laurence and Temeraire understandably stealing the show. But the author shows great skills in her rendering of the uneasy rapport between the Westerners and the Chinese envoys. As Laurence and his crew are forced to embark on a long journey to China, we have the opportunity to learn a lot more about that disparate group of protagonists.

More so than in volume 1, Naomi Novik displays a great eye for details, which adds another dimension to the story. The imagery of it all is remarkably arresting.

The author successfully captured China's "flavour." I was impressed at how easily and almost seamlessly Novik was able to incorporate her dragons to the different environments. Once more, she demonstrates her mastery of the Napoleonic era. Moreover, she is obviously conversant with Imperial China's history and culture as well. All of which brings this tale to a level that few alternate history books can match.

If you wish to treat yourself to something special, look no further. This is the perfect novel if you are looking for a change from all those dark and brooding fantasy epics.

For the full review, check out the blog.

Patrick
www.fantasyhotlist.blogspot.com

[Murrin]

Paradise Lost.