[King Bear]

Ciceronian, on 15 February 2011 - 01:47 AM, said:

Picked up the first book in Bakker's Prince of Nothing series today to have on hand after I finish up tCG. It was a toss-up between this one and finishing WoT (the last book I read was Winter's Heart) but it's been ages since my last reread of WoT, and I just don't think I'll have the energy after my most recent reread of MBoTF/ICE novels and the Crippled God to embark on a reread of WoT. And I'm pretty certain I could never, ever make it through Crossroads of Twilight. So Bakker it'll be.

I couldn't make it through Crossroads of NOTHING HAPPENS either. Probably the single worst book of any fantasy series ever. I ended up ditching it and 'finishing' by reading a synopsis online. Turns out I didn't miss anything. Knife of Dreams though was actually decent (cause stuff happened), and the last two books have been really good (cause even more stuff happened and the thing is FINALLY working towards and actual conclusion).

Edit: This review from Amazon sums it up well.

798 of 858 people found the following review helpful: 1.0 out of 5 stars Another Masterpiece, December 19, 2004 By Tom E. (Atlanta, GA) - See all my reviewsThis review is from: Crossroads of Twilight (The Wheel of Time, Book 10) (Hardcover) Those who can appreciate great setup will really love this book. Personally, I thought the setup in books 8 and 9 were good ... but this was absolutely stupendous. Fans of total plot inertia will be in heaven.

I've grown to hate the character of Rand because whenever he makes an appearance the plot is in danger of moving incrementally forward. Thankfully, Mr. Jordan saves us from any threatening plot developments by keeping Rand almost totally absent from this book. And when he is introduced - briefly - towards the very end, Mr. Jordan quickly whisks him off to the sidelines before anything interesting can happen. Whew! I'm wiping the sweat off my brow becasue that was a close one.

Have you ever wondered how many stripes should be on the dublet of an important dignatary from Illian? How many shawl twitches are appropriate when Aes Sedai negotiate momentous agreements? What kind of stool the general of an Aes Sedai army sits on, and how stable said stool might be? Well buckle up for a wild ride, amigo, because you're going to learn all that (and more!) by the time you've tediously slogged to the conclusion of this book.

Part of what really makes Mr. Jordan's worlds so unique are the wonderful characters which populate them. I like nothing more than to scratch my head in befuddlement as yet another Aes Sedai is reintroduced into the plot whom I can no longer recall. It gives me an excuse to page to the back of the book and open up the 'Robert Jordan Appendix of Useless and Irrelevent Characters' which is always such a joy. I've created my own drinking game based on this called, [...]
For anyone who wants to play along the rules are simple:

1.) Is the character you're looking up totally irrelevent? Take a drink.
2.) Do you have reason to suspect said character will remain totally irrelevent? Take a drink.
3.) Does the character twitch her shawl? Take two drinks.
4.) Is she looking "cross-eyed" at someone? Take a drink.
5.) Do you know the exact design of the embroidery on the fringe of her shawl? Of course you do - take a drink. For your own sanity, consider taking another.

Anyhow, I don't want to pretend everything about this book is negative ... there are a few positives.

First off, Nynaeve is completely ignored. I suspect Mr. Jordan will make up for this oversite by indulging in an orgy of braid-tugging, yellow-shawled action in books 11-16, but you will be blessedly free of it in this tome.

Secondly, Jordan has stopped even pretending to provide "setup" for future books with CoT. Nothing Of Any Signifigance happens - at all - in this novel. Nothing. There's not so much as a cliffhanger. He's no longer bothering to maintain any facade. I appreciate that kind of bold honesty. He's just holding out his hand and saying, "Listen suckers ... we all know you're going to give me your money - so just hand it over. I could personally visit each of your homes and beat it out of you, but isn't this more civilized?". And, yes, I suppose it is more civilized. So I'd like to take this opportunity to thank Mr. Jordan for allowing me to voluntarily hand him my hard-earned money rather than forcing him to pummel it out of me in my own house. It is very much appreciated.

I can't wait for Volume 11.

This post has been edited by Bombur: 15 February 2011 - 03:36 AM

[QuickTidal]

silvenquesti, on 15 February 2011 - 01:21 AM, said:

QuickTidal, on 14 February 2011 - 05:00 PM, said:

Salt-Man Z, on 14 February 2011 - 04:30 AM, said:

I had a couple bills in my wallet, so I grabbed that MMPB of Best Served Cold I had seen earlier. I assume I can read this without having read the First Law trilogy?

You can indeed. There are a few nods to (and inclusion of one or two) characters from First Law, but you will not enjoy it less having not read the trilogy. I loved BSC, not as much as First Law, but it is still very good!

This. With a warning that you will get First Law spoilers. HUGE First Law spoilers.

Not...really. Sort of.

[Ceda Cicero]

Bombur, on 15 February 2011 - 03:28 AM, said:

Ciceronian, on 15 February 2011 - 01:47 AM, said:

Picked up the first book in Bakker's Prince of Nothing series today to have on hand after I finish up tCG. It was a toss-up between this one and finishing WoT (the last book I read was Winter's Heart) but it's been ages since my last reread of WoT, and I just don't think I'll have the energy after my most recent reread of MBoTF/ICE novels and the Crippled God to embark on a reread of WoT. And I'm pretty certain I could never, ever make it through Crossroads of Twilight. So Bakker it'll be.

I couldn't make it through Crossroads of NOTHING HAPPENS either. Probably the single worst book of any fantasy series ever. I ended up ditching it and 'finishing' by reading a synopsis online. Turns out I didn't miss anything. Knife of Dreams though was actually decent (cause stuff happened), and the last two books have been really good (cause even more stuff happened and the thing is FINALLY working towards and actual conclusion).

Edit: This review from Amazon sums it up well.

798 of 858 people found the following review helpful: 1.0 out of 5 stars Another Masterpiece, December 19, 2004 By Tom E. (Atlanta, GA) - See all my reviews This review is from: Crossroads of Twilight (The Wheel of Time, Book 10) (Hardcover) Those who can appreciate great setup will really love this book. Personally, I thought the setup in books 8 and 9 were good ... but this was absolutely stupendous. Fans of total plot inertia will be in heaven.

I've grown to hate the character of Rand because whenever he makes an appearance the plot is in danger of moving incrementally forward. Thankfully, Mr. Jordan saves us from any threatening plot developments by keeping Rand almost totally absent from this book. And when he is introduced - briefly - towards the very end, Mr. Jordan quickly whisks him off to the sidelines before anything interesting can happen. Whew! I'm wiping the sweat off my brow becasue that was a close one.

Have you ever wondered how many stripes should be on the dublet of an important dignatary from Illian? How many shawl twitches are appropriate when Aes Sedai negotiate momentous agreements? What kind of stool the general of an Aes Sedai army sits on, and how stable said stool might be? Well buckle up for a wild ride, amigo, because you're going to learn all that (and more!) by the time you've tediously slogged to the conclusion of this book.

Part of what really makes Mr. Jordan's worlds so unique are the wonderful characters which populate them. I like nothing more than to scratch my head in befuddlement as yet another Aes Sedai is reintroduced into the plot whom I can no longer recall. It gives me an excuse to page to the back of the book and open up the 'Robert Jordan Appendix of Useless and Irrelevent Characters' which is always such a joy. I've created my own drinking game based on this called, [...]
For anyone who wants to play along the rules are simple:

1.) Is the character you're looking up totally irrelevent? Take a drink.
2.) Do you have reason to suspect said character will remain totally irrelevent? Take a drink.
3.) Does the character twitch her shawl? Take two drinks.
4.) Is she looking "cross-eyed" at someone? Take a drink.
5.) Do you know the exact design of the embroidery on the fringe of her shawl? Of course you do - take a drink. For your own sanity, consider taking another.

Anyhow, I don't want to pretend everything about this book is negative ... there are a few positives.

First off, Nynaeve is completely ignored. I suspect Mr. Jordan will make up for this oversite by indulging in an orgy of braid-tugging, yellow-shawled action in books 11-16, but you will be blessedly free of it in this tome.

Secondly, Jordan has stopped even pretending to provide "setup" for future books with CoT. Nothing Of Any Signifigance happens - at all - in this novel. Nothing. There's not so much as a cliffhanger. He's no longer bothering to maintain any facade. I appreciate that kind of bold honesty. He's just holding out his hand and saying, "Listen suckers ... we all know you're going to give me your money - so just hand it over. I could personally visit each of your homes and beat it out of you, but isn't this more civilized?". And, yes, I suppose it is more civilized. So I'd like to take this opportunity to thank Mr. Jordan for allowing me to voluntarily hand him my hard-earned money rather than forcing him to pummel it out of me in my own house. It is very much appreciated.

I can't wait for Volume 11.

I once spent a very slow day at the office reading the Amazon reviews of Crossroads of Twilight. It was perhaps the best 45-60 minutes I've ever logged on the clock.

[King Bear]

Ciceronian, on 15 February 2011 - 03:59 AM, said:

Bombur, on 15 February 2011 - 03:28 AM, said:

Ciceronian, on 15 February 2011 - 01:47 AM, said:

Picked up the first book in Bakker's Prince of Nothing series today to have on hand after I finish up tCG. It was a toss-up between this one and finishing WoT (the last book I read was Winter's Heart) but it's been ages since my last reread of WoT, and I just don't think I'll have the energy after my most recent reread of MBoTF/ICE novels and the Crippled God to embark on a reread of WoT. And I'm pretty certain I could never, ever make it through Crossroads of Twilight. So Bakker it'll be.

I couldn't make it through Crossroads of NOTHING HAPPENS either. Probably the single worst book of any fantasy series ever. I ended up ditching it and 'finishing' by reading a synopsis online. Turns out I didn't miss anything. Knife of Dreams though was actually decent (cause stuff happened), and the last two books have been really good (cause even more stuff happened and the thing is FINALLY working towards and actual conclusion).

Edit: This review from Amazon sums it up well.

798 of 858 people found the following review helpful: 1.0 out of 5 stars Another Masterpiece, December 19, 2004 By Tom E. (Atlanta, GA) - See all my reviews This review is from: Crossroads of Twilight (The Wheel of Time, Book 10) (Hardcover) Those who can appreciate great setup will really love this book. Personally, I thought the setup in books 8 and 9 were good ... but this was absolutely stupendous. Fans of total plot inertia will be in heaven.

I've grown to hate the character of Rand because whenever he makes an appearance the plot is in danger of moving incrementally forward. Thankfully, Mr. Jordan saves us from any threatening plot developments by keeping Rand almost totally absent from this book. And when he is introduced - briefly - towards the very end, Mr. Jordan quickly whisks him off to the sidelines before anything interesting can happen. Whew! I'm wiping the sweat off my brow becasue that was a close one.

Have you ever wondered how many stripes should be on the dublet of an important dignatary from Illian? How many shawl twitches are appropriate when Aes Sedai negotiate momentous agreements? What kind of stool the general of an Aes Sedai army sits on, and how stable said stool might be? Well buckle up for a wild ride, amigo, because you're going to learn all that (and more!) by the time you've tediously slogged to the conclusion of this book.

Part of what really makes Mr. Jordan's worlds so unique are the wonderful characters which populate them. I like nothing more than to scratch my head in befuddlement as yet another Aes Sedai is reintroduced into the plot whom I can no longer recall. It gives me an excuse to page to the back of the book and open up the 'Robert Jordan Appendix of Useless and Irrelevent Characters' which is always such a joy. I've created my own drinking game based on this called, [...]
For anyone who wants to play along the rules are simple:

1.) Is the character you're looking up totally irrelevent? Take a drink.
2.) Do you have reason to suspect said character will remain totally irrelevent? Take a drink.
3.) Does the character twitch her shawl? Take two drinks.
4.) Is she looking "cross-eyed" at someone? Take a drink.
5.) Do you know the exact design of the embroidery on the fringe of her shawl? Of course you do - take a drink. For your own sanity, consider taking another.

Anyhow, I don't want to pretend everything about this book is negative ... there are a few positives.

First off, Nynaeve is completely ignored. I suspect Mr. Jordan will make up for this oversite by indulging in an orgy of braid-tugging, yellow-shawled action in books 11-16, but you will be blessedly free of it in this tome.

Secondly, Jordan has stopped even pretending to provide "setup" for future books with CoT. Nothing Of Any Signifigance happens - at all - in this novel. Nothing. There's not so much as a cliffhanger. He's no longer bothering to maintain any facade. I appreciate that kind of bold honesty. He's just holding out his hand and saying, "Listen suckers ... we all know you're going to give me your money - so just hand it over. I could personally visit each of your homes and beat it out of you, but isn't this more civilized?". And, yes, I suppose it is more civilized. So I'd like to take this opportunity to thank Mr. Jordan for allowing me to voluntarily hand him my hard-earned money rather than forcing him to pummel it out of me in my own house. It is very much appreciated.

I can't wait for Volume 11.

I once spent a very slow day at the office reading the Amazon reviews of Crossroads of Twilight. It was perhaps the best 45-60 minutes I've ever logged on the clock.

Indeed. You know something is wrong when the reviews are more creative and interesting than the book.

[JPK]

QuickTidal, on 15 February 2011 - 03:37 AM, said:

silvenquesti, on 15 February 2011 - 01:21 AM, said:

QuickTidal, on 14 February 2011 - 05:00 PM, said:

Salt-Man Z, on 14 February 2011 - 04:30 AM, said:

I had a couple bills in my wallet, so I grabbed that MMPB of Best Served Cold I had seen earlier. I assume I can read this without having read the First Law trilogy?

You can indeed. There are a few nods to (and inclusion of one or two) characters from First Law, but you will not enjoy it less having not read the trilogy. I loved BSC, not as much as First Law, but it is still very good!

This. With a warning that you will get First Law spoilers. HUGE First Law spoilers.

Not...really. Sort of.

top of my head I can think of four.

Spoiler

1- Jezal as king as well as the marriage to Terez.
2-Duko Orso bailing the republic at the end of Last Argument of Kings
3-Shivers having the chance to kill Logan and walking away (huge character point even)
4-Glokta as the shadow behind the kingship

[Use Of Weapons]

Today I bought:

Katharine Kurtz: Childe Morgan
Steven Brust: Iorich
George R R Martin et al: Wild Cards Book 1

[Salt-Man Z]

Stumbled across a copy of Gene Wolfe's The Devil in a Forest and had to pick it up.



Holy crap, I have a lot of Wolfe in my TBR pile.

[JPK]

My Malazan hardcovers came in today. So damn happy right now.

[Vengeance]

I just bought and finished Heroes...Great read... The ending was predictable... But the writing was great.

I also just bought and finished the lies of locke lamora. Great read I can see why scott lynch is so highly regarded.

[T77]

Salt-Man Z, on 15 February 2011 - 04:34 PM, said:

Stumbled across a copy of Gene Wolfe's The Devil in a Forest and had to pick it up.



Holy crap, I have a lot of Wolfe in my TBR pile.

Nice find! It's very expensive on Amazon, I wish there was a Kindle version. I'm collecting all the Wolfe I can too, some are very hard to find and I refuse to pay a lot of money for a book.

This post has been edited by T77: 17 February 2011 - 03:03 PM

[Aptorian]

Picked up The Crippled God yesterday.

Along with it I bought:

America (The Book) made by the guys from the Daily Show - Just from reading the introduction written by the ghost of Thomas Jefferson I was laughing so hard the people in the bookstore were looking at me like I was crazy. Have to keep an eye out for the sequel.

And Legend by David Gemmel - Thought it was about time to check out what the fuss is all about.

[MWKarsa]

Just got back from the Borders' Stampede as the sale is on as they are closing all locations here in Austin sooner rather than later. Really not crazy good savings at all- 20% off everything BUT only on the list price, 40% off magazines and add an extra 10% if you are a Rewards members.

So I got:

A triathlon magazine with a training tips DVD
The Goblet of Fire and The Deathly Hallows by JK Rowling Needed to replace my copy of GoF and wanted the paperback of DH
Reaper's Gale Needed to replace my ripped up copy
Allies by Christie Golden - A Star Wars Fate of the Jedi series books
Excel 2007 for Dummies Needed this for work
Wizard's First Rule by T. Goodkind and Making Money by T Prachett Haven't read these authors before so I thought I'd give them a go

[QuickTidal]

I picked up THE TEN THOUSAND by Paul Kearney and MIDNIGHT RIOT by Ben Aaronovitch (which so far is really, really good!!)

[QuickTidal]

MWKarsa, on 19 February 2011 - 11:14 PM, said:

J
Wizard's First Rule by T. Goodkind

Oh....oh dear sweet lord no. Burn it. burn it int he fires of hell. Goodkind is EVIL and awful. Trust me. Return it.

[MWKarsa]

QuickTidal, on 20 February 2011 - 12:22 AM, said:

MWKarsa, on 19 February 2011 - 11:14 PM, said:

J
Wizard's First Rule by T. Goodkind

Oh....oh dear sweet lord no. Burn it. burn it int he fires of hell. Goodkind is EVIL and awful. Trust me. Return it.

I actually got it because I've seen such a polar opposite in people's opinion on Goodkind- it's either fantastically great or the worst thing ever. It's way back in the queue but I'll give a try way down the line to see how I like it. It interests me to see the reactions to him so I thought I'd see where my opinion falls.

I've read a book on The Ten Thousand but it was the one by Michael Curtis Ford and I liked it a lot.

This post has been edited by MWKarsa: 20 February 2011 - 02:49 AM

[King Bear]

MWKarsa, on 20 February 2011 - 12:56 AM, said:

QuickTidal, on 20 February 2011 - 12:22 AM, said:

MWKarsa, on 19 February 2011 - 11:14 PM, said:

J
Wizard's First Rule by T. Goodkind

Oh....oh dear sweet lord no. Burn it. burn it int he fires of hell. Goodkind is EVIL and awful. Trust me. Return it.

I actually got it because I've seen such a polar opposite in people's opinion on Goodkind- it's either fantastically great or the worst thing ever. It's way back in the queue but I'll give a try way down the line to see how I like it. It interests me to see the reactions to him so I thought I see where my opinion falls.

I've read a book on The Ten Thousand but it was the one by Michael Curtis Ford and I liked it a lot.

I read Wizard's First Rule back when I was a young and undiscerning teen, enjoying things like Shannara (though I still like Elfstones), and disliked it. Still, I'm with you that it is worth reading just to see what the fuss is about. I can even understand why someone might like book 1. Just be warned that even if you do like it the series goes downhill (downhiller?) fast, so it might not be worth reading the later ones.

I read up to the first 100 pages of book 3, then could not go any further. My friend loved the series (according to him at the time, best series of all time) and encouraged me to keep going even though I disliked book 1. Big mistake. And I hear if you read even further the series becomes little more than a soap-box for Goodkind's personal philosophy.

[Tsundoku]

Bought:
Jim Butcher - Codex Alera 5 and 6
Jasper Kent - Twelve
ICE - Stonewielder (finally!)

Put inquiries in for:
Adam Roberts - New Model Army
Chris Wooding - Black Lung Captain (really, really enjoyed Retribution Falls)
Matthew Stover - Caine books

[Fist Gamet]

Ten Thousand is good stuff, Kearney at his best, imho, and Corvus was good fun too. Black Lung Captain was great, perhaps even better than Retribution Falls but these were two books I ripped through in no time at all. And Caine, yes, absolutely get Caine!

And Apt, I can hardly believe you have never read Legend.

Today, to celebrate the 'your order has shipped: The Crippled God...' from Amazon, I also purchased:

Under Heaven, GGK
Influence: The Pyschology of Persuasion, Cialdini
The Windup Girl, Bicagilupi
The Girl with The Dragon Tattoo, Larrson
The Lucifer Effect, Zimbardo

[Abyss]

@Sombra - re the Caine books, BLADE OF TYSHALLE is available in e-book if you can't find a resonably priced paper copy.

Re: Wizard's First Rule - y'know, this isn't such a bad book. Badkind's self-destruct took place over the course of the subsequent books, culminating somewhere around the Chicken of All Evil. WFR, in an of itself and overlooking at least some of the brief foray into BDS&M, is actually a decent fantasy novel.

I have GGK's UNDER HEAVEN standing by for wehern i finish Elantris but i want to be careful here - don't want TCG to arrive while i'm halfway thru.


Related, if you didn't see the ded'thread, amazon.ca just moved the street date for TCG back to March 15. Canadians (and those who love them) be warned!


- Abyss, needs to go rinse his eyes out for typing that goodkind comment now.

[Abyss]

Orlion, on 09 February 2011 - 02:29 PM, said:

Just got the main sequence of Julian May's Pilocene Exile series (Many Colored Land, The Golden Torc, The Non-born King, & Adversary).

Enjoy - this is an awesome series.