Leslie's comments (member since Nov 17, 2008)

Leslie's comments from the Fantasy Book Club group.

Apple is coming out with a new pad-type computer which promises to be a Kindle-killer. It will look like a big iPhone and will supposedly combine computing, telephony and entertainment into one device. Sounds pretty awesome but expensive.

I loved Phouka, absolutely head-over-heels fell in love with him! What a guy! I think by far the most original thing about him is the fact he's brown-skinned. When I first read this book in 88, this fact astonished me then. Never before had I read a fantasy novel where the romantic lead was a person of color. It was and still is amazingly refreshing.

The only teeny tiny gripe I have is with the ending. I thought it ended a bit too soon. I wanted, at the very least, some glimpse of Eddy and Phouka's life after the big war. It seems as if he planned to stay, but for how long? I know it wasn't vital to the story, but I damn it, I want to know! <G>

I thought the use of music was highly effective. To repeat what I said in another thread, music was both a defense and a weapon, but mostly the ultimate expression of love and it's power. Plus, I loved how the chapter titles got the songs running through my head as background music to the action.

I will echo the sentiment already expressed here about the strength of the characters and the dialogue, but what I liked the most was how Emma dealt with the grand themes: the stupidity of war and the power of love.

I also loved how music was used throughout the story, as both a defense and a weapon, and of course as an ultimate expression of love.

J.J. writes: Does fantasy writing need to be of a high literature standard or is just a good story no matter how well written, all that is needed?

A book can be quite enjoyable because of its imaginative and engaging plot, and DESPITE mediocre writing quality. I've read many such books and will most likely do so in the future. However, no matter how beautiful and skilled the writing, if a book's characters and plot don't engage me, I won't finish it. Books that have both tend to win prestigious awards.

What a great idea, Libby!!

No one has yet mentioned the fantastic Crown of Stars series by Kate Elliott. The first volume is King's Dragon.

I just got a copy from the library yesterday and started it last night before bedtime. I first read this book many years ago when it was a new release. I remember thinking what an original concept it was. Now, urban fantasy is all the rage and very commonplace, but back then , it was a revelation.

Lochaber,

Yeah, I realize I'm jumping to conclusions here and I fully expect all my questions to be answered in full. Still, it's fun for me to put forward a certain perspective on the book that I know won't be common.

I finished COTM about 10 days ago, but have just now found the time to comment.

Whew! Where to start? I LOVED this book and look forward to the next in the series.

The aspect of the story which had the most emotional impact for me was the deep tragedy of the curse itself and of how both brothers were seemingly sacrificed by a group of power brokers--i.e. the F7--to further their own ends; mainly to restore their own number to seven. I can only guess that restoration of the full complement of the Fellowship will therefore restore their own place at the pinnacle of the power structure of Athera.

My question in response to this is: why does a group of centuries-old men think they have a specific right to determine the fates of millions(?) of people? Yes, it seems the city-state of Etarra and perhaps others like it are corrupt oligarchies and yes, the persecution of the clans is unconscionable, but at least the people of both those societies were free of manipulation by self-appointed 'guardians'.

Is the preservation of a few thousand members of a 'lost' race worth the blood of many more thousands,perhaps even millions, of human beings? For this is the terrible price that has been forced upon the people of Athera--with no say on their part-- by the F7's scheme to bring back the Paravians. So far, no concrete reason has been revealed for the carnage unleashed.

And so what happens if the monarchies are restored? There was a reason for their overthrow in the first place. Now, I admit I don't know the reason(s) yet. But if it was because the monarchies were oppressive, then the people are better off without them. The clans are the descendants of the old nobility. Did their ancestors abuse the people? Was it a feudal system where common folk were serfs? Can y'all tell which way my politics lean?<G> All these questions I look forward to finding out the answers to.

The ending of the book surprised me. I was not expecting Arithon to actually get his heart's dearest desire. He is the classic tragic hero after all, destined to suffer. I can't help but fear his happiness will be short-lived. I liked that the book ended at a natural pause in the story, and this leads me into the next topic--cliffhanger endings.

I realise the specifics about how much folks dislike cliffhanger endings was not directed at my books per se, but I still feel like I have to comment in defense.

I don't actually have a problem with cliffhanger endings, myself, but I understand how some people would. In the case of my series, I wrote my books as one long novel. It was never my intention to divide it. I was forced to do so to get it published. I had to make very difficult choices on where to divide a story which was never supposed to be divided. I submit that this might be the case with a lot of series, especially those from first-time authors. So, for those of you who loathe cliffhangers, give the author the benefit of the doubt. He or she is probably under pressure to do so by the publisher and is not deliberately employing a trick. This probably doesn't apply to some established writers of long series, but more for newer, less established writers such as myself.

I just started Michael Sullivan's Avempartha and am already enjoying it very much.

The biggest questions in my mind right now:

1.What is the exact origin and nature of Desh Thiere?

2.Where did the Fellowship of Seven come from and are
they human? Why are they immortal?

3.Why are the Koriani opposed to the Fellowship?

4.Why was there a rebellion against the high kings?

5.Will Arithon and Elaira eventually become lovers? I
REALLY hope that happens!! Poor Arithon needs some
lovin' in his so far unrelentingly grim life!

6.Will the Paravians come back?

There are other questions, but they mostly relate to more minor things.

Janny, what is that Other Forum of which you speak?

I've never been afraid to plunge into a long work. One of my all-time fave series is Kate Elliot's Crown of Stars which took years and years for her to finish. I waited and was amply rewarded. It's true it can be hard to wait, and also hard when there's no payoff, but I don't let the risk scare me off if I believe a series is worth the effort.

BTW, what is the title of the next book after Mistwraith?

I am 2/3 of the way through COTM, and I am now catching a glimpse of the many things yet to come, and I am so excited. My mind is simply a'swirl with speculations and questions, questions, questions!! I know this will be a mutlti-year committment, but I'm all in, totally.

I see clearly why this series is not for everyone. I can also see why many readers would give up and put it aside unfinished, but that would be a SERIOUS mistake. Kudos to you, John, for sticking with it. I sense you'll be very happy you did.

Greetings to all the newcomers, and a special shout-out to our new teen members! I remember the excitement of discovering fantasy and s/f when I was a young teen. Those books formed my tastes that have lasted throughout my adulthood. I look forward to all the new imput.

Welcome all you newcomers! It's very nice to see more pro authors joining our ranks as well--special shout-out to Richard! I am really looking forward to some stimulating and lively discussions in future!

Great to have you aboard, Niranjana and Greg.

Niranjana, Botswana is a country I've wanted to visit for a long time, but have yet to get to. You may know the The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith was recently made into a TV series for HBO. I loved the series and it just drove home to me how much I want to visit your country. Hopefully, when things get better for me financially, I'll be able to travel again. Since you enjoy epic fantasy, let me recommend one of the very best books in the genre: The Curse of the Mistwraith by our very own Janny Wurts. It's the first of a majesterial series that spans many volumes. In fact, we are discussing the book this month as our July group read. Janny is a regular contributor to our forum and has increased my enjoyment of the book--and I'm sure others would agree--with her commentary.

I think a lot of why fantasy has become 'grittier' and less predictable is due to the influence of the urban fantasy subgenre, and also to a certain loss of innocence we've suffered in our society as a whole.

The modern fantasy reader, IMO, wants a product with less of the old-fashioned epic elements in it; i.e. farm-boy is sent on a quest for truth and justice accompanied by wise old magic user and several sidekicks, etc. What seems to be more desired these days is fantasy that deals more with contemporary issues set in worlds that don't work quite like our own.

In my own fantasy work, I strive to take very modern issues--racism, imperialism, class struggle-- and explore them from the perspective of what may look like traditional fantasy characters, but which are in reality, modern people who happen to live in a world where magic still works but it is fading and science will soon be in the ascendancy.

The main reason I like urban fantasy so much is I love the contrast between modern settings and traditional fantasy tropes. A truly splendid example of this kind of book is The Iron Dragon's Daughter by Michael Swanwick. Hands down, one of the best urban fantasy books I've read.

I've aquired in the last week the following:

The Successful Novelist by David Morrell

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Seth Grahame-Smith. This book caught my eye at Costco because of the cover, plus it promised bone-crunching zombie mayhem in the blurb! What could be more fun?!!

I can personally attest to the truth of EVERYTHING Janny just talked about in her last post. THERE ARE OPPORTUNITIES, PEOPLE!!! Look at what happened to me. I got orphaned, yes. Happens to a lot of authors. Did I sit on my backside crying? Well, yes...for about an HOUR!! Then I got said backside in gear and made things happen. I prepared myself to take advantage of those opportunites I KNEW would present themselves because of my own proactivism. I'm now with a fabulous new publisher and things are looking very rosy, indeed.

Like Janny says: if a writer aspires to raise her/his skills to professional level, then the work must be done. I'm learning every day and my writing will only get better as the years progress, I've no doubt.

KNOWLEDGE IS POWER!!!