Chris’s Comments (group member since Feb 25, 2011)

Chris’s comments from the Beyond Reality group.

This was a good summer read. I thought it was an interesting desert based society. I found it a bit formulaic -- 12 kings give Ceda an excuse for vengeance that is bound to stretch into multiple books. But I was interested enough in the story and the unresolved plot points that I'll probably pick up the sequel when it comes out.

Thanks for all the clarifications. I was misled by the book cover, which shows it as the International Fantasy Award winner. But I think we've got it in the right category (SF) now.

I'm happy to reclass City as SciFi and keep it nominated. I went back and forth on the category myself, but it did win the Nebula Fantasy award...

I nominate City by Clifford Simak for fantasy. I just discovered this Nebula winner and think the group would enjoy it. Dogs have inherited the earth ...

Wow. Just finished. Mind. Blown. Going to have to think a bit before I can say anything else...

Loved this one. A magical story, beautifully told. Sybil was not lovable, and sometimes not likable, but her character's growth was compelling. I'm really glad I read this.

I enjoyed this one, and I'm glad we're doing a series read (thanks, Kathi!!). Agreeable characters, and interesting to see how they grow/change with each incarnation. I agree, lots of unanswered questions ... I'll patiently wait until we start the next one ... (well, to be honest, I'll slot in some of the many other books on my to-be-read shelf, which I suppose isn't being very patient, just otherwise occupied...)

This is a re-read for me, but I was happy for the chance to revisit. I think this story ticks all the boxes for good sci-fi: alien life that is truly alien, engaging characters, and a unique story that shows us something about ourselves.

Just finished the book, and I'll echo many of the other comments. The primer was fascinating, and i thought Nell was a wonderful, strongly drawn character. I found Miranda compelling. But I don't think I understood much of the end. Hackworth's story just got more and more bizarre. Why did Nell decide her destiny was to write scripts for a brothel? What does the Seed represent? And the Drummer, and Dramatis Personae.... Just weird. Overall I'll say I'm glad to have read it, but I am leaving a bit confused.

I enjoyed this one, hadn't run across it before. The detached style made it read like a fairy tale. Given the title, I hadn't expected Suldrun to exit that quickly! I enjoyed the wry asides and footnotes. The one-page epilogue made me laugh out loud, introducing whole new characters -- what cheek! I may have to find that sequel ...

I'm in for a Deverry read. Many, many thanks to Kathi for agreeing to organize us!

I finished this one, and it certainly picked up its pace near the end. I appreciated the portrayal of a truly alien intelligence. I expect I'll carry on with Judas Unchained to get some of my remaining questions answered.

I was discussing the book over lunch with a friend who described Hamilton as one of his favorite authors. I asked him how he felt about the somewhat ponderous opening. He said, "First Hamilton does this." He positioned our empty cups, plates and silverware in a loose configuration between us. "Then", he said, "he does this." And he swept his arms around the items and pushed them into a single heap. Now that I've finished Pandora, I TOTALLY get it!

I finished this one, and it certainly picked up its pace near the end. I appreciated the portrayal of a truly alien intelligence. I expect I'll carry on with Judas Unchained to get some of my remaining questions answered.

I was discussing the book over lunch with a friend who described Hamilton as one of his favorite authors. I asked him how he felt about the somewhat ponderous opening. He said, "First Hamilton does this." He positioned our empty cups, plates and silverware in a loose configuration between us. "Then", he said, "he does this." And he swept his arms around the items and pushed them into a single heap. Now that I've finished Pandora, I TOTALLY get it!

Just finished The Water Knife. It's as much of a thriller as it is speculative fiction, I think. Got me thinking about how wide a genre SF really is. And, as intended, also got me thinking about water scarcity and how it impacts society. The book mentions another nonfiction book, Cadillac Desert: The American West and Its Disappearing Water which is also interesting but of course much drier (pun intended!) in tone.

We're watching The Magicians, and I like it so far. It's been awhile since I read the books, but the general arc seems on track. The link to Fillory seems a bit weaker than I remember, it's more focused on our world, but it's early days yet. We'll see how it goes.

I'm having a hard time getting into this one. I'm about 200 pages in, and the plot finally seems to be moving. I hope all the backstory is worth it in the end....

I mostly enjoyed this one. The soldiers reminded me very much of the soldiers in Malazan, with the depictions of their everyday lives and concerns. I didn't find the ending as satisfying as I would like, though; it seemed overblown, more like a made-for-TV movie. But overall an enjoyable read.

Wow. Just ..... wow. I continue to be amazed that I grew to know so many characters as individuals. How Erikson could have had this whole story in his head from the beginning is beyond me. I don't think I quite understand everything about the ending, so much happened, but I think it will take a second pass to truly grasp all of the intertwined stories. Series re-read, anyone?

I had to laugh out loud when, about 300 pages from the end of this 10,000 page opus, Shadowthrone says "This is a momentous scene, you fat fool! This is where everything really, truly, finally begins!"

I really enjoyed this one. An interesting world, and I liked the pace at which the history of the world was revealed. It feels very complete on its own, but I would certainly try other books in this world if the author continues the series.

Well, I never said I liked Baru. I might have liked her at first, the brilliant girl who wanted to learn about the stars. But the destruction she left in her wake was overwhelming. And that girl, with so much promise, ended up as physically half-blind as she had been mentally half-blind throughout the story. No, I don't like Baru. But I admire the author who took me on her uncomfortable journey.