Laurel's comments (member since Sep 06, 2008)

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

Ditto with Marc - The Curse of Chalion was phenomenal!

My favorite of the decade, thus far, would have to be The Name of the Wind. I think he's raised the bar of quality in fantasy. I am quite excited to re-read it in time for the next installment.

As for the best of the year, most of my faves that I read this year were published in the 90s. Thankfully, I remembered The City & The City. It was phenomenal!

Favorite series would have to be the Mistborn Trilogy Boxed Set. Love Sanderson.

One of my favorite fantasy books involving a new twist on the system of magic is The Outstretched Shadow. I like it because it both creates a new system of magic, suggests how demons may get their magic, and juxtaposes both against a more traditional system of magic. The first system is earth based, (like fantasy hippies), where the practitioners must ask of the powers of the earth to work a spell. The powers will present the mage with the spell cost, which they must agree or disagree to. It may be a small cost, such as finding an injured animal and nursing back to health, to a larger price that may alter the course of their life. The second system of magic, without giving too many spoilers, involves gathering energy from an unknown source, and working it in complex potions/incantations/spells. The demon magic is built up from gathering energy off of tortured/captured peoples/animals. There are a few other magic twists, and all are a slightly different take, including a new twist on both elves and unicorns.

I cannot recommend this book enough. It is not a complex tale, and can be somewhat predictable, but the story and characters are the reason for reading. I have read the whole series three times now, and will do so again.

I saw Peter Mayhew at Winnipeg ComicCon this weekend - he walks with a light sabre cane...

As usual, the list of what I'd like to read is longer that what I may actually be able to finish, but I love to dream big!

The Curse of Chalion
Under the Dome A Novel
The World More Full of Weeping
Stephen Fry in America
The Gathering Storm
The Hobbit Or There and Back Again

I'm grateful that there are more books I would like to read, than time I have to read them all!

I find that the majority of my book shelf is of recently published fantasy. So, what I loved the most about "Wizard of Earthsea" was that it was a more traditional fantasy novel. I enjoyed sitting back and thinking about the evolution of my favorite genre, the changes in theme, characters, writing styles... I'm very much looking forward to "The Tombs of Atuan".

David, can't wait to hear what you think of it! Fionavar is an all time personal fave!!!

I have two lovely friends who work in a book store, and love their books like they're their children. They have over 20 floor to ceiling book shelves in their house, all double stacked. They often say that they know their friends truly love them because we carried all of those books down four flights of stairs to our waiting cars, when we helped to move them into their first home, (my arms have never been so tired). They often joke that they would love to buy their neighbor's house to hold their books. Apparently they got the idea from a book editor who has two homes, one for himself, one for his books....

Ysabel was meant to be his first foray into adolescent fiction.

Cherise, I finished the third book for the 5th time last night, and still welled up! I'm a bit of a sap, but doesn't that speak to the power of the novel, that after so many reads, it can still move me so much?

I'm a bit biased as Fionavar is one of my all time favorites. In fact, I'm on my 5th re-read at the moment. I re-read it at the beginning of every summer holiday. I can only say, give it some length of time. Maybe a few chapters in a row will help to draw you in. If you haven't yet learned who the extra "help" Kim brings to Fionavar for them, keep going. Its a great pay off! Not to mention the depth of the relationships - how far Loren and Matt will go for one another, Dave's commitment to the Dalrei, etc. I hope you enjoy!

Apparently the sequel is already in pre-production.

It was great! It had a tongue in cheek quality blended with amazing action. Not to mention a slew of great nods and references to classic Star Trek, while still being its own movie. Go out and see it! Even if you're not a die hard fan, the movie is amazing!

Maybe its that I'm a shower person. I could stay in there for days! But, I'll take your word for it and give it another try. If reading is involved, it has to be good!

Under the Christmas tree, so the lights would dance across the page. But, I don't think that's any more weird than people reading in the tub. I've never understood that.

I'm hoping to turn off the phone, and lock the door this weekend, so that I can sit down and relax with some well deserved reading time. Below are the books I'd like to get through this month, but lets face it, life doesn't always leave time for reading...

Robin and Michael,

I loved Crown Conspiracy and have ordered Avempartha from you. Thanks for introducing me to such a great series!

My goals for this month are:


Avempartha
American Gods
The Stormcaller
Lud-In-The-Mist
The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie
The Judging Eye
The Gargoyle
The Well of Ascension
Gardens of the Moon
Too Many Curses

I most likely will not make it to some, and will pick up one I hadn't planned. But, those are the goals.

I ordered Pride and Prejudice and Zombies!!! Let me know how it is - I'm so jealous you found it early. Enjoy!

I just finished Elantris, and its well worth the read. Equally as good as Mistborn.