Chompa’s Comments (group member since Feb 16, 2015)

Chompa’s comments from the Grimdark Fantasy group.

I do not recall being so much on the edge of my seat for a book in the longest time.

My wife doesn't like excessive cursing despite being married to me all this time. Deadwood had the foulest language of any show ever, but she quickly adapted to it due to Calamity Jane and Al Swearingen. They are two of the most memorable characters ever.

I watch GoT and Walking Dead but the wife doesn't. Favorites for the two of us have been things like Deadwood, Justified and Sons of Anarchy.

Finished the third book last night. I'll be writing a proper review, but the two word version is "Holy shit!"

Brittany - waiting for the next book is the biggest of all my first world problems.

I will say that my wife shares my passion for a lot of the same movies and TV shows.

I actually thought of Clive Barker specifically when writing my post, Paul and I've never even read him. I just know by reputation that he was very dark.

Brittany, I think you are right. The reader was supposed to figure it out while the Warden was blinded by his relationship and belief in his friend.

You mention a sense of foreboding. I'm reading the third book and am a bit over half way. I've got a sense of foreboding that will likely continue the rest of the book. I'm actually nervous about what will happen.

A friend of mine says "We live in a Golden Age". He's mainly referring to movies and shows based on comic books, but moreso we live in the Age of the Geek. I've been playing Dungeons and Dragons for 35+ years and only in the last couple years does it not seem like a social stigma. Now it's so mainstream movie stars are making a point of saying, "I'm a gamer."

That list from TOR is pretty awesome. I'm particularly looking forward to Scalzi's Old Man's War setting, Hyperion and Little Brother. Which reminds me I'm overdue for forcing my teenagers to read that book.

Abercrombie does do a good job with female characters. I've yet to read the Half the World series (I really need to fix that), but Shy South is a favorite.

My wife and I actually met years ago via the AOL message boards about books. That was discussing detective novels and we read many of the same books. She's not a fantasy fan, which is too bad.

Maybe I need to have her try Low Town...

I think we are all babies (or at least toddlers) when it comes to Grimdark. It hasn't been around all that long.

That said - dark stories and twists have been around a long time I'm certain. I know Saberhagen was my first memory of abrupt and harsh death of a main character. In recent times I think the grim/dark/harsh type of stories have become much more prominent.

I also guessed at some point, but that didn't detract really. Knowing the Warden isn't really good for anyone's longevity.

Welcome, Greta!

I read that short before starting Low Town. I found it was pretty good.

I really enjoyed Koholt as a character. Very grimdark and easy to relate to. I also like when a fantasy warrior type doesn't go to a default sword or axe as their main weapon. Koholt preferring knives speaks to his willingness to get in close and work fast.

I actually just won a giveaway! And it was for Red Rising that we've mentioned on another thread here in Grimville.

Regarding happy endings. As a teen I was reading a book by Fred Saberhagen (I believe it was Saberhagen, but my memory is fuzzy 30 years later) and a main character was suddenly killed. This shocked the hell out of me and I loved it for how unique it was.

Now in the age of Grimdark this is a much more common thing.

In my mind, a good villain is what defines our hero. Lex Luthor is that person for Superman and when Kevin Spacey was slated to play him in that odd Superman reboot a few years ago, I was SO EXCITED. I love Kevin Spacey. The movie stunk. Spacey phoned in a bland performance and the odd plot twists didn't help.

Thanks, Michael. Beyond Redemption sounds good.