Richard’s Comments (group member since Sep 09, 2016)

Richard’s comments from the Sword & Sorcery: "An earthier sort of fantasy" group.

Envious haul, bravo!

Well its such a bummer. I held out hope that this would be printed. My preorder through Amazon was cancelled today by Amazon. This sucks.

It would be awesome if everyone could include links like Kurt Brugel, Martin Owton, and Robert Evert did. That way, those interested could run down those titles with ease. Unless that is frowned upon in this group, which I don't think it is.

Mooncrow by our very own Jack Massa

Swords of Steel Omnibus

These tales are enjoyable, but repetative. Well worth reading.

Usually there seems to be a general scarcity of participants in Dixie. Even though the current tally is equal.

@Jason
I had you pegged for somewhere on the east coast for some odd reason. No wonder you get to go to Howard days, lucky duck.

Well it looks like my state is already represented. This could prove to be an interesting thread.

Jamie the Red

I stumbled across a library book sale today and picked up a few titles very cheap. The sale was over and they were packing everything up into large upright trash cans. I asked a man who was working, if they were going to just throw the books away and he replied that they would be shredded and recycled. I know it might seem silly, but that really unsettled me.

I had no idea that was what they did with leftover books. I'd assumed that they just stored them until next time...wow. Seems like such a waste; even though it's not, really, I guess. Hmm.

I don't limit what I read by this standard. When the question was posted on FB I thought it ridiculous. But evidently, and sadly, this is the case. All too often the very same persons citing this arbitrary limitation are what I call 'purists'. 'Purists' are those who deify Howard and find everything else to be excrement, or at the very least sub-standard. It's as tiresome as sitting in a southern Baptist church on Sunday listening to the old men chime in with 'Amen' every few minutes. Howard left some big shoes to fill, but c'mon guys don't pigeonhole yourselves like this. There is some really good stuff being written and published today. It's not published by the big publishers anymore, but it's still alive and breathing. It didn't die in the 70's. Check out Rogue Blades Entertainment or DMR books if you are skeptical.

Beyond the Dar Al-Harb

This title might be of interest to others in the group. It fits the criteria for S&S or heroic fantasy. Evidentally this is the sequel to Jamie the Red which is a Thieves World book. I found it by chance in my travels. I'm enjoying it.

There is a discussion on the Pulp Sword and Sorcery page on FB. Go ahead and join in. Are you guilty of only reading S&S books written before 1970?

I like having a map(s). Especially if your characters are going to travel around like nomads.

Simple names work best; unless they are Elven then I'm going to call them Todd or Sally for the rest of the book. Forget about pronouncing it, lol.

I've grown tired of the 'chosen one' schtick. I'm currently reading The Witcher series and it's the main plot point.

Some fantasies the good guys are really, really good and noble, this gets old too. People tend to suck. Especially without some sort of external check or balance. Shades of gray work best, but then you start down the grimdark path...

Understood. I will.

Sounds cool. Thanks!

The Face in the Frost

Lol
I really wanted to like the series, but I'm just not making a connection.
I'll eventually finish it...maybe.

So...I cannot keep focused on Baptism of Fire. I'm bored with it. I'm only 112 pages in and I'm making very little progress.

Bane of Kanthos