She was using the "old speech" back at you! It sounds like something that Esra would say.

Michael wrote: "Robin wrote: "Laught it up fuzzball"

Do you mean "lighten up?"

"

I think it was supposed to be "Laugh it up"

:D

And after further reflection, I believe is a reference to Han Solo addressing Chewbacca in one of the Star Wars movies.

Robin wrote: "Laught it up fuzzball"

Do you mean "lighten up?"

Me thinks the red pen just got sharpened. Is that really red ink?!
;-)

Michael wrote: "Really Robin? It established them as not having a "prow?" :p"

Laugh it up fuzzball - lest you forget who does the first round of editing.

Kathy wrote: "check out the thread about "ask the author" and you will see some very in depth discussion by Michael about his thought process when writing these books."

I second that - it's worth reading. Michael has been very kind to take the time and provide some insight into his writing process. It makes the books even more interesting!

check out the thread about "ask the author" and you will see some very in depth discussion by Michael about his thought process when writing these books.

I enjoy the fact that this book doesn't really try to be more than it is. So far the author is sticking to the plot without getting too outrageous, or introducing some grandiose end of the world scenario (perhaps he's reserving that for a sequel??). I wouldn't say this is as light as a Piers Anthony book, but so far it's very entertaining. Details of the various methods of thievery are also good and juicy. I just read a book about assassins that went into very little detail about the art :(

I thought that Allendra was a simpering, pampered NOBLEWOMAN!!! What a pain in the butt. If you want to deal with intrigue, don't stick your nose in the air and think you're better than everyone else. I think that we need a character like her in the beginning, but I just get irritated with women that don't want to get their noble hands dirty. Ugh.

One thing that I thought was really interesting was how "normal" the main characters (Royce and Hadrian) were. Yes, they are unique in many ways, but they are also fairly ordinary thieves, not kings with predestination baggage or anything like that.

It was cool early on just to read about two regular guys that just happen to be pretty darn good at their jobs. It makes them identifiable in a way.

Henry wrote: "The first part, with Archie and the heroes stunt (with out they ever showing up in "camera") set the tone for me. It was like watching the first episode in a TV series."

This is exactly how it struck me! Not to put the cart ahead of the horse here (I'm waiting on Book 3 - tick tock, Michael), but I could envision watching a movie made from this book. It's laid out just perfectly for it, from how the characters are introduced to how the back story is explained, from the witty banter to the sitcomesque misunderstandings.

Really Robin? It established them as not having a "prow?" :p

I really enjoyed that the first scene did not include the main characters. As Henry said they were "off camera" at all times but the scene established their obvious prowless prowess as we saw their "magic trick" and I venture to say not many of us knew how they did it. Which makes me think of something else that I'll start in another thread.....

My first thoughts were "this is fun". The first part, with Archie and the heroes stunt (with out they ever showing up in "camera") set the tone for me. It was like watching the first episode in a TV series. I like that approach.

Great points all around. That's why I love Goodreads -it's great to get others insights. I would agree that I'm thinking of Fantasy in too narrowly. I'm trapped in others peoples definitions. For example, I do enjoy the sub-set of Urban fantasy such as Charles deLint but completely forget that its Fantasy. War for the Oaks is another great example. I need to break free of Barnes and Nobles stupid shelving system! ;-)

I also agree with Kathy that archetypes are helpful because the writer can use the preconceptions and not have to reinvent the wheel to tell their story.

There is actually quite a lot of non-medieval fantasy out there. Sometimes, it's hard to recognize though. For one thing, it rarely involves epic quests. Good examples of non-medieval fantasy would include The Dresden Files series by Jim Butcher or anything by Charles deLint.

This is a throwback to childhood, but what about Charlotte Sometimes? Time travel would technically be fantasy, wouldn't it? Or Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series, although that's more historical fiction with a titch of fantasy/time travel thrown in.

Libby wrote: "
I enjoyed the setting but as an avid Fantasy reader it just dawned on me that pretty much all Fantasy is set in medieval times - why is that do you think? I know epic tales and storytelling was l..."

I think the problem is you are classifying fantasy too narrowly. Gulliver's Travels is a fantasy, as is the Divine Comedy, and The Odyssey, even George Orwell's Animal Farm is a fantasy used as allegory.

Most people believe that Frank Herbert's Dune is fantasy (science fantasy--a subset of fantasy.)

Even if you are speaking only about modern fantasy you still have books like Susanna Clark's Mr. Strange and Dr. Norrell that is set in nineteenth century England and France.

What most people think of when they think "fantasy" however, is the Tolkien legacy. I personally believe the Medieval setting endures for the same reason as the American Western. They both have the heroic archetype, good verses evil, in a simple world devoid of security, surrounded by wilderness. As a writer you can do all kinds of things with this and play with a huge number of themes. The more civilized the setting becomes the less mystery and flexibility you have.

Yes, like the greatroom of an inn with an older bartender, serving girls that double as prostitutes, and mugs of ale all around, and the barfights...

I think that part of the reason for fantasy settings in the middle ages (or at least in our past history by at least a generation) is the code of chivalry and the class/caste system. I love my country, but when all people are created equal, it makes for a much less intriguing story in fantasy terms. The peasants are always resentful or going after the nobles, the nobles are always plotting against each other, and the merchants are always trying to make a buck and not end up like the poor peasants. It's a storyline that you don't have to provide a ton of background writing for.

I enjoyed the setting but as an avid Fantasy reader it just dawned on me that pretty much all Fantasy is set in medieval times - why is that do you think? I know epic tales and storytelling was largely developed during that or similar time periods but I'd be curious to hear others thoughts on it. What can't I imagine Fantasy without a Middle Ages village in it? (any forgive any historical errors as I'm clumping a number of time periods together).

To get things started, as you make your way through the first pages of The Crown Conspiracy, what are your initial thoughts? What do you think of the characters? The setting?

Let's keep this thread spoiler-free.