David H.’s Comments (group member since Jan 17, 2017)

David H.’s comments from the /r/Fantasy Discussion Group group.

Announcement Thread: https://www.reddit.com/r/Fantasy/comm...

First Impressions Thread: https://www.reddit.com/r/Fantasy/comm...

Halfway Discussion Thread: https://www.reddit.com/r/Fantasy/comm...

Final Discussion Thread: https://www.reddit.com/r/Fantasy/comm...

Kingshold by D.P. Woolliscroft is this month's pick for Reading Resident Authors (RRAWR).

The author announced a fast-acting giveaway today here.

The first discussion will be posted on September 16: https://www.reddit.com/r/Fantasy/comm...

The final discussion will be posted on September 30: https://www.reddit.com/r/Fantasy/comm...

The Colour of Magic is this month's pick for Keeping Up with the Classics.

Discussion Schedule

* Book Announcement Post (September 4): Any spoiler-free comments on the book and first impressions. Also, what impact did this book have on the fantasy genre? What impact did it have on you?

* First Half Discussion (September 17): Discussion limited to the first half of the book.

* Full Book Discussion (September 27): Any and all discussion relating to the entire book. Full spoilers. If you are interested in helping to lead the discussion on a particular book, let me know!

Here's the final discussion link: https://www.reddit.com/r/Fantasy/comm...

This Goodreads Group has almost completely transitions to hosting even the discussions on Reddit so you're not going to see much here.

Here's the first impressions thread for Circe: https://www.reddit.com/r/Fantasy/comm...

I found Murderbot so freaking relatable, too. Martha knows what's up.

Thanks, Lisa!

I got the impression that LittlePlasticCastle has been extra busy lately, and she mentioned in a reddit message to me that "I think I may open July nominations in mid June"--giving me the impression of skipping a book for June. Though maybe we should pick one anyway given that Book Club is a category in the Bingo and it'd be nice to have more options! :-)

I just looked on /r/fantasy and I couldn't find a nominations thread.

I can't remember where I heard this--maybe on the Writing Excuses episode devoted to this book (here - super spoilers for ending of book), but Kowal talked about how she had actually intended a story where Ginger was a paranormal detective or something, and the whole WWI stuff was her backstory, but then Kowal got suckered into that.

So that might be one way to keep it "fresh," set it in the post-war period.

I don't think a sequel has been confirmed yet. Kowal's working on her Lady Astronaut of Mars novels right now.

I had had the ghost fiance spoiled for me (some early reviews), but I wasn't sure *when* he was going to die--I hadn't expected us to get to know him alive first, for example (though obviously necessary given how ephemeral (ha!) ghosts can be). Great storytelling.

I agree--the proper tone was set, and the only purpose of a dinner party is for an intro to the mediums and their mission (like that aunt who's nominally in charge_, but I think throwing us into the action, as it were is far more useful. I basically can't envision it starting any other way.

Lisa wrote: "So, I too read this a little while ago. I've read some of Mary's other books and I have to say, I really felt this was a major step up from her series. The characters are certainly more fleshed out and I love the concept. I actually think Mary writes war very well, I remember her second Glamourist Histories book dealing with that as well and I think it's a strength of hers. "

I think there was either a podcast or written interview with Kowal actually asked for assistance (maybe from Myke Cole, or someone else?) with some of the scenes in this book. Actually, it might be in the afterword. Always curious to see to what extent authors ask others when writing!

Here's my personal take on the historical/alternate-history/secret history categories....

Historical fiction: Could conceivably have happened in history and is presented that way. Example: Three Musketeers (not contemporary since Dumas is writing about 2 centuries earlier)

Secret history: Like historical, but usually has fantastical/SF elements, but is done in such a way that very few people know about it. Example: Indiana Jones.

Alternate history: History literally took a different path but this can be a huge change, especially if paired with magic or time travel aspects. Example: Kowal's Glamourist books are pretty much the same but adding (publicly known-about magic changes a lot, especially after the events of book 5).

I could see Ghost Talkers being considered possibly secret history, if you consider how few people know about the mediums, but then again, ghosts are real and people can be psychics and I feel like it's enough known about that it's alternate history. :-)

I tend to be overly broad in my SF/F definitions, but I always find it interesting how authors play with and within historical events--you've got the carbon copies (Drake & Stirling's General series is really just Justinian & Belisarius being retold) or tweaking aspects--ghosts are real & can be used as spies--or just going with it (Tidhar's Bookman Histories got real weird by the end of the first book.)

kels, do you not consider this to be alternate history?

As for me and this book, yeah, it's great--I think Kowal does a great job with this one--nice to see something new from her after her other series.

Hi, I'm [redacted] on Reddit. I'm terrible about keeping up with any kind of book clubs, but I do like reading a lot. Right now I'm attempting to get through the /r/Fantasy bingo challenge--2.5 months to read 10 more books.

Michael wrote: "Not sure if it has been read by this group before or not, but. . .

Shades of Milk and Honey by Mary Robinette Kowal"

Second! :)