K.J.Parker - The Engineer Trilogy

#1 Aptorian

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Posted 18 September 2006 - 08:33 AM

Has anyone read this book?

I saw it in the trainstation yesterday. Personally I love it when technology and fantasy is mixed, so naturally this book caught my interest. They don't have it in the danish libraries yet but I don't think I want to buy the first book in a trilogy before I know how it pans out.

You can read more about the author and book here:
http://www.kjparker.com/extract.htm

#2 Valgard

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Posted 18 September 2006 - 10:21 AM

I have read the first of the series I loved it. But then I have enjoyed all his works. They aren't for everyone but if you like technical explanaitions for thing he is great. He is also highly amusing author and I would recommend him very strongly to anyone.

#3 Imperial Historian

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Posted 18 September 2006 - 07:42 PM

I liked the 1st book of that series too, in fact I've liked every book of hers I've read, but that was the book that inspired me to search out some of her other work. Definitely an author I recommend...

If you don't want to pick up an incomplete series, pick up the scavenger series (very good) or the fencer trilogy (the bits of it i've read were good)

#4 Sir Thursday

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Posted 18 September 2006 - 07:45 PM

I really enjoyed Colours in the Steel, but I just couldn't get into Shadow...that makes me 50-50 for Parker. I'm not sure whether I should continue with her Fencer trilogy or move on to Devices and Desires...Parker is very good at adding humour to her works - I really liked the relationship between Bardas Loredan and his secretary (or whatever they were called). On the otherhand, Poldarn didn't really grab me as a character...

The blurb on the back of Devices and Desires sounds intriguing, as does the textured cover...I'll probably go for it when I'm done with Vance.

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#5 Werthead

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Posted 18 September 2006 - 08:12 PM

Valgard;117049 said:

Ahem. KJ Parker is a woman

And I made the same mistake as well.

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#6 Guest_Fool_*

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Posted 19 September 2006 - 08:12 AM

One of my favorites.

Beware, though. The middle books of her trilogies are a bit weird but the last book always gets it back on track.

#7 Valgard

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Posted 19 September 2006 - 12:36 PM

@Werthead

Realised that yesterday but to late to amend the previous error. But she really doesn't write like a female author in my opinion she is great though.

The scavengers series I loved and think it is her best work.

#8 Murrin

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Posted 19 September 2006 - 02:04 PM

I read the Scavenger trilogy some time ago, and I wasn't sure whether I liked it or not. I don't think I did, much. I probably wouldn't if I went back and read it now. Devices and Desires, however, I enjoyed quite a bit, and Parker seems to have improved as a writer since that earlier trilogy.

I was uncertain of her gender also, before now. It always seemed like, with the initials and in 'about the author' parts, they purposely avoided telling you.

#9 Mortal Sword

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Posted 20 September 2006 - 03:59 AM

I loved her last trilogy, it was pretty out there at points and you werent sure what was happening, but man was it a wicked premise... I just read the first book of this series and was already deep into it. I love how the main character is always kind of a grey area.

#10 Wry

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Posted 20 September 2006 - 04:01 AM

K.J. Parkers female??

Wow, i didn't know that at all and considering i read all her stuff that's pretty strange. I must say i enjoyed Devices, but at the moment i think the scavenger trillogy is her best work.

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#11 Guest_Saint Chains_*

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Posted 20 September 2006 - 05:03 AM

Valgard;117577 said:

But she really doesn't write like a female author in my opinion she is great though.

What is your opinion of how a female author writes?

#12 Valgard

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Posted 20 September 2006 - 11:03 AM

@ saint chains not sure really but the very detailed technical descriptions the intimate knowledge of how the armour, weapons etc. were made and the obession with the mechanics, is normally associated with men e.g. the number of female engineers etc. It really was this in my mind that made me think that she was male. Also her sense of humour just feels more like that of a man than that of other female authors I have read.

#13 Dr Trouble

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Posted 20 September 2006 - 11:11 AM

Saint Chains;117845 said:

What is your opinion of how a female author writes?

Rubbish?

I kid. JV Jones and Robin Hobb are cool

#14 councilor

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Posted 05 October 2006 - 12:44 PM

it's kind of different...
the way the engineer thinks constantly in terms of mechanics and tolenrance...
kind of hard to believe that he would do all this for his wife (supposedly)...
kind of hard to believe he can drege up any emotions at all...

Question:

Does being the only sane person in the world make you insane?

If a tree falls in the woods and a deaf person saw it, does it make a sound?

#15 QuickTidal

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Posted 15 October 2006 - 01:03 AM

Just picked up Devices & Desires today. Sounded interesting, and I was at a loss as to what to buy.

Haven't started it yet.

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#16 Wry

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Posted 16 October 2006 - 05:51 AM

I've been thinking about this and how cool a girl (ok woman!) is K.J Parker then... I mean she makes bows and bashes armour, and imagines taking apart family members for raw material. Just my type

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