Mark’s Comments (group member since Apr 13, 2012)

Mark’s comments from the The Sword and Laser group.

Ok, but only because you are that guy and we understand the consequences...

I haven't read the book. There are some glowing reviews, some first novel/needs work reviews, and some scathing reviews. The negative reviews focus on the fact that the author isn't Asian, yet is telling a story about Asian characters in a world that mirrors some real historical events. Sounds a little like the discussion about Trail of Lightning.

Trike wrote: "European: I have discovered this new land!
Native: Hey dude, why are you putting a flag on my lawn?"

Five Fantastic Recent Books about Humans Colonizing Other Planets

https://www.tor.com/2019/02/07/five-f...

Tassie Dave wrote: "Though I was expecting a more widely diverse, geographically, list. Not just North American indigenous."

Yes, a worldwide view would be interesting.

Since we just finished Trail of Lightning here is a list from B&N

7 Books That Explore the Many Worlds of Indigenous Science Fiction & Fantasy

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/blog/s...

We're getting into the end of the year listicle season (although it sometimes seems like every day is listicle season) so here is a list that looks interesting...

The 21 Best Science Fiction and Fantasy Book Series Ever

https://www.thrillist.com/entertainme...

For the sake of tidiness (and our own sanity), we’ve limited this list to series that include at least three books, and that are either completely finished or have no further books currently planned ..., or have at least one finished multi-book story arc within the larger series ...

I found the reference in a review of the documentary, Memory: The Origins of Alien

https://variety.com/2019/film/reviews...

The EC Comics inspiration for Alien chestbursters

https://alienexplorations.blogspot.co...

New Expanse novella coming in December

Auberon by James S.A. Corey

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07...

Trike wrote: "At 20% in The Traitor Baru Cormorant. Is there any, you know, *fantasy* in this Fantasy novel? So far it’s mostly accounting porn. Ooh, unbalance those books, you bad girl you."

I made it about about 80% thru the book, when it was a S+L pick four years ago. Grimdark accounting? Kinda, sorta.

Here's the November phaser laser pick!



Ok, not really. But it's streaming now!

Has anyone else watched this Amazon Prime steampunk urban fantasy series of 8 episodes?

When the show first arrived in August, I read a couple of disparaging reviews and I didn't feel a burning need to watch. However, when the show popped up in my recommendations I watched and found the first episode entertaining. I finished the first season over the next three days.

I think the story being told is somewhat predictable if you read a lot of urban fantasy, but they sell it with good production value and interesting supporting characters.

An audio book in the same universe, Carnival Row: Tangle in the Dark by Stephanie K. Smith, was released this week. It features the backstory of two principal characters. I'm intrigued enough to check it out.

Congeniality, a large flightless bird...???

Some Sal pixel art by @Nazareth_STG
posted by @SamSykesSwears

https://twitter.com/SamSykesSwears/st...

Thanks, I'll grab the iBooks edition and keep looking for a copy of the paperback. I may have a copy stashed in a box in my garage.

Ruth wrote: "A Night in the Lonesome October"

I've been looking for a copy. It's not in the local public library which is shameful, because Zelazny lived here in Santa Fe for a long time. No US Kindle version that I can see.

Silvana wrote: "Any recommended titles? I see at least seven already"

If you just want to try one out, I'd go with Rivers of London Volume 7: Action at a Distance which reveals some of Nightingale's history.

Over the entire set of comics, readers are introduced to new characters, but there are also one page stories about Molly, Toby and other characters we've already met in the books. Some of the one-pagers are hilarious. If you enjoy the novels, I'd recommend catching up with all the comics.

terpkristin wrote: "I was thinking of Brian McClellan’s powder mage (which wasn’t really my jam). I picked this up in audio and kindle (yay whisper sync for voice) but it’s behind two other books - whichever I finish ..."

Sykes, Wendig, Cole, McClellan. Separated at birth? ;-)

Silvana wrote: "Anyone read the graphic novels related to the Rivers of London series? Any good?"

I've been reading them along with the books, but as single issues (I'm at my local comic shop every week). I've found them all entertaining, some more than others, and they help fill out my vision of the characters in between novels. However, I have to admit that lately, I've been letting the single issues stack up until I have all the issues for one story arc and reading them all at once.

Dara wrote: "Sam's twitter feed is an endless supply of joy. I'm glad we're reading one of his books. Y'all just got so many people to buy his book. He'll be pleased! :-D"

But will he release any hostages? Time will tell.