Brad's comments (member since Jul 16, 2008)

Brad's comments from the SciFi and Fantasy Book Club group.

And I will second Aurelia's Colors The Red Strand

Well, I will officially nominate The Mirror of Her Dreams, from Stephen R. Donaldson's Mordant's Need.

We'd love to have you as the leader, Mawgojzeta.

Kick us off someone.

Two things:

Hit us with your first impressions right here.

And is anyone interested in being the discussion leader?

Try out The Blind Assassin, Melisa. I think you'll appreciate that one.

It's definitely closer to Oryx and Crake, but I am a fan of almost everything she's written, so I may not be the best judge.

I figure there is the classic magic system of spell casting, and its closely related variants, which include projecting the casting through wands or the D&D mode of studying to regain a spell once cast.

But then there are those systems which occur in some fantasy that are distinctly magical but have no connection to "casting" or take offer serious alterations to classic casting. The Mirror of Her Dreams and A Man Rides Through come to mind as fine examples of the former. In those books magic is all conjuration, and the gateway of the conjuration is the mirror. All the magic is channeled through mirrors, or it could be said that it is mirrors. Tigana pops into my mind as an example of the latter (but I know I am forgetting a much better example), wherein true casting power requires a serious sacrifice and the casting itself is not so much a series of spells but a malleable expression of force. Tigana also adds a parallel system of magic that is engaged with through a dreamstate.

I'm not sure that it is easy to define, but those are the things I was thinking of when I threw it out there.

I didn't follow the debate for the fantasy theme, and when this book popped up I just assumed it was a horror fantasy theme for Halloween. I didn't have that in mind at all while I was reading the story, so it never really intruded for me, but I really can't see it now that I am thinking about it.

Jon wrote: "What scenes struck you as particularly vivid or convincing?..." I really dug the scene with Ysidro and Asher in the catacombs of Paris with the ancient vampire. I think she really nailed the atmosphere in there. Love the vampire hunting kit link, Cindy. Thanks for that.

Fantasy: Unique systems of Magic

I've never read any Hambly, so my lack of expectations don't extend to being disappointed because she's done better, but as an introduction to her work this is pretty darn good. I will definitely read more. I am a vampire fan and her handling of the vampires is definitely my favourite part of Those Who Hunt the Night.

I say you are our man, Ben. Go for it.

We can't talk about this without talking about Welles, surely.

Cindy is a mega-nerd, and I love it. Thanks for that killer link, Cindy.

Here's the place to give us your gut reaction to what you're reading. If anyone would like to volunteer as our discussion leader this is the place to do it too.

Our obligatory opening thread. If anyone would like to jump in as our official discussion leader you can volunteer here as well.

Zodiac is dealing with bioremediation, Carolyn.

Martha wrote: "I agree with Ben though. The moment he started going into the engineered toxin eating bugs it became full blown SF to me. But maybe not as SF as I want to believe..."

That's the part that puts me in mind of Sci-Fi lite. Y'all are doing a good job of making me feel not so bad. Another good link, too. Thanks, Martha.

Cool links, Brooke. Thanks for those.