[Baco Xtath]

I'm about 3/4 through Under Heaven and I freak'n love it. Three books ago I read Lions of Al'Rassan and loved it too though I wish it had had more magic/esoteric stuff in it. I downloaded the Sarantine Mosaic onto my Kindle (free from the library) and I plan on reading them after Turn Coat. Does the Sarantine Mosaic have magic or fantastical elements like Last Light of the Sun and Under Heaven?

[Traveller]

worrywort, on 18 May 2012 - 10:43 PM, said:

Finished Last Argument of Kings. That was truly something I've always wanted out of fantasy, and it still went down bitter. It's rare you get a series you can recommend to both your best friends AND your worst enemies. Definitely someone whose other works I'm adding to my TRP.

I just finished this, and, seconded. I can't believe just how many times I found myself actually laughing during some of the torture scenes though... some of which were horrible, but written in such a way that really tickled my black sense of humour.

The writing style is what made this so good for me... or maybe just the fact that is was so well written. I think JA wanted it to have all the cliche of fantasy 9magic swords etc), but with a 'real' feel to it, and he achieved just that.

Logan made for an interesting character, but Glokta really sold it to me.

(Btw I've also read his next two books - both well worth it, although I preferred 'The Heroes').

This post has been edited by Traveller: 19 May 2012 - 08:34 PM

[worry]

Agreed on all counts. I'm gonna have to wait for the price to come down on his last two novels, but I'm keeping my eye out for sure.

For something (presumably) completely different, I'm starting Stars In My Pocket Like Grains of Sand by Samuel Delany. I know virtually nothing about it, but it was a gift from my sister (who took a Sci Fi lit class and thought I'd like it), and the author looks like a total geek (in a good way).

[MTS]

Baco Xtath, on 19 May 2012 - 08:15 PM, said:

I'm about 3/4 through Under Heaven and I freak'n love it. Three books ago I read Lions of Al'Rassan and loved it too though I wish it had had more magic/esoteric stuff in it. I downloaded the Sarantine Mosaic onto my Kindle (free from the library) and I plan on reading them after Turn Coat. Does the Sarantine Mosaic have magic or fantastical elements like Last Light of the Sun and Under Heaven?

Not that I can remember, it's generally pretty 'grounded' as far as that stuff goes. Still awesome though, probably my favourite of GGK's works.

[Tsundoku]

Finished Under Heaven (excellent, easily in his top 3 alongside Sarantine Mosaic and Lions) and The Atrocity Archive (interesting and mostly enjoyable but with some flaws, notably the erratic pace and the technobabble).

Started New Model Army. Decent original concept so far but the execution is sort of leaving me cold.

EDIT: checked out Pat's blog and I'm liking the look of the Glen Cook (Winter's Dreams) and Tad Williams (A Stark and Wormy Knight) short story anthologies, plus The Night Sessions by Ken Macleod.

This post has been edited by Sombra: 20 May 2012 - 11:32 AM

[Mentalist]

Finished Mardock Scramble . Liked it.

Wasn't too sure about this one, given it was Japanese, but it turned out a pretty decent story. Even when the author got heavily into the intricacies of blackjack, it all seemed pretty fitting.

next up, Heirs of the Blade by Adrian Tchaikovsky

This post has been edited by Mentalist: 20 May 2012 - 06:46 PM

[Tiste Simeon]

Finished books 1-6 of Gaiman's Sandman novels, as the Library came through for me & I have them all now. Gonna read 7-10 in the next couple of days!

[Serenity]

Finished Barker's Weaveworld yesterday and now making a start on Gene Wolfe's Shadow of the Torturer.

[Tapper]

Baco Xtath, on 19 May 2012 - 08:15 PM, said:

I'm about 3/4 through Under Heaven and I freak'n love it. Three books ago I read Lions of Al'Rassan and loved it too though I wish it had had more magic/esoteric stuff in it. I downloaded the Sarantine Mosaic onto my Kindle (free from the library) and I plan on reading them after Turn Coat. Does the Sarantine Mosaic have magic or fantastical elements like Last Light of the Sun and Under Heaven?

Yes, but very subdued. There is a tiny, tiny bit of oracly stuff going on, but the most eye catching is about talking metal birds, which is a minor storyline (but touching nonetheless). The only other thing I remember is a human sacrifice, but that sequence could just as easily be a dream.

[End of Disc One]

Finally started Bakker's The Darkness that Comes Before. Of all the books I physically own, this one has been in my TRP the longest. So far I enjoy the writing.

[Abyss]

Finished HONOR AMONG THEIVES. Third book a bit slower than the earlier two but satisfying.

On to Somers' THE ELECTRIC CHURCH. 50ish pages in, good fun so far.

[LadyMTL]

Tapper, on 21 May 2012 - 12:19 PM, said:

Baco Xtath, on 19 May 2012 - 08:15 PM, said:

I'm about 3/4 through Under Heaven and I freak'n love it. Three books ago I read Lions of Al'Rassan and loved it too though I wish it had had more magic/esoteric stuff in it. I downloaded the Sarantine Mosaic onto my Kindle (free from the library) and I plan on reading them after Turn Coat. Does the Sarantine Mosaic have magic or fantastical elements like Last Light of the Sun and Under Heaven?

Yes, but very subdued. There is a tiny, tiny bit of oracly stuff going on, but the most eye catching is about talking metal birds, which is a minor storyline (but touching nonetheless). The only other thing I remember is a human sacrifice, but that sequence could just as easily be a dream.

The Sarantine Mosaic is definitely a lot less "magical" than his other works. TBH I wasn't crazy about it; my favorite GGK book has always been Tigana, followed by the Fionavar Tapestry. That said, I really enjoyed Under Heaven...if I remember correctly the ending made me cry. (But then, I am a bit of a sap, lol).

This post has been edited by Maia Irraz: 21 May 2012 - 08:21 PM

[Use Of Weapons]

Just finished _Kushiel's Chosen_, Jacqueline Carey's sequel to her astonishingly good debut _Kushiel's Dart_. It is a testament to how powerful this sequel is that the things that intrigues you in its predecessor by their novelty now intrigue by their maturity, and the delicate seed planting comes to bear remarkable fruit, revealing more about the fascinating alternate Europe Carey has created and peopled so effectively. I am as we speak ordering the final novel in the trilogy, _Kushiel's Avatar_, as I cannot wait to read how the major arcs end. And I trust to Carey to deliver a finale suitably devastating as is her heroine.

Frankly, I cannot understand why I denied myself the pleasure of this author for so long. She will go very close to the top of my 'read anything she publishes as soon as possible' list.

[Mentalist]

Finished Heirs of the Blade Fantastic book, and I honestly hope Thcaikovsky can pull off everyhtign he's planning right now.

next on the reading list is This day all gods Die the last book of the Gap Cycle.

[QuickTidal]

Wow, just finished Hiroshi Yamamoto's THE STORIES OF IBIS and it has got to be one of the most well-written, thought provoking collection of interconnected stories concerning humanity and artificial intelligence I have EVER read. This book makes Robopocalypse (which I liked) look like "See Spot Run". It is complex (without being incomprehensible or obtuse), it is wonderfully poetic (without being overtly sappy) and quite frankly one of the BEST sci-fi novels I think I can recall reading...well, ever.

Find this book. http://www.haikasoru...tories-of-ibis/

It is WELL worth a read, and may FULLY flip your view around on how we see an AI future. There is one story in it called "THE DAY SHIAN CAME" that nearly reduced me to tears it was so profound.

Just an incredible piece of fiction. I'll be writing up a full review on the site probably tomorrow, but until then, look into this book.

Next up, a little lighter fare with William Dietrich's THE DAKOTA CYPHER.

[Morgoth]

Maia Irraz, on 21 May 2012 - 08:20 PM, said:

Tapper, on 21 May 2012 - 12:19 PM, said:

Baco Xtath, on 19 May 2012 - 08:15 PM, said:

I'm about 3/4 through Under Heaven and I freak'n love it. Three books ago I read Lions of Al'Rassan and loved it too though I wish it had had more magic/esoteric stuff in it. I downloaded the Sarantine Mosaic onto my Kindle (free from the library) and I plan on reading them after Turn Coat. Does the Sarantine Mosaic have magic or fantastical elements like Last Light of the Sun and Under Heaven?

Yes, but very subdued. There is a tiny, tiny bit of oracly stuff going on, but the most eye catching is about talking metal birds, which is a minor storyline (but touching nonetheless). The only other thing I remember is a human sacrifice, but that sequence could just as easily be a dream.

The Sarantine Mosaic is definitely a lot less "magical" than his other works. TBH I wasn't crazy about it; my favorite GGK book has always been Tigana, followed by the Fionavar Tapestry. That said, I really enjoyed Under Heaven...if I remember correctly the ending made me cry. (But then, I am a bit of a sap, lol).

The beauty of GGK is how his endings are both so very sad yet so very touching at the same time. Bitter sweet I guess is the most fitting phrase.

Never much cared for the Fionavar Tapestry, but I was close to shedding many a manly tear reading his other works (well, perhaps apart from Ysabell).

[rhulad]

Finished Dead Beat and then read Proven Guilty over the weekend. Started White Night last night to continue the Dresden marathon.

[McLovin]

Just finished SCIONS OF SHANNARA. Debating whether to go on to DRUID, shift back to my Feist re-read, or take another hit of dresdencrack.

Decisions, decisions...

[Kanubis]

Just started Anathem. Looks like it might be hard work, but with enough of the philosophical bollocks I enjoy to be worth it.

[Jade-Green Pig-Hog Swine-Beast]

QuickTidal, on 22 May 2012 - 03:04 AM, said:

Wow, just finished Hiroshi Yamamoto's THE STORIES OF IBIS and it has got to be one of the most well-written, thought provoking collection of interconnected stories concerning humanity and artificial intelligence I have EVER read. This book makes Robopocalypse (which I liked) look like "See Spot Run". It is complex (without being incomprehensible or obtuse), it is wonderfully poetic (without being overtly sappy) and quite frankly one of the BEST sci-fi novels I think I can recall reading...well, ever.

Find this book. http://www.haikasoru...tories-of-ibis/

It is WELL worth a read, and may FULLY flip your view around on how we see an AI future. There is one story in it called "THE DAY SHIAN CAME" that nearly reduced me to tears it was so profound.

Just an incredible piece of fiction. I'll be writing up a full review on the site probably tomorrow, but until then, look into this book.

Bought. Along with Olympos. Still reading Ilium at the moment, though.