From the Bookshelf of Sword & Sorcery: "An earthier sort of fantasy"…
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February - March Groupreads - Anthologies
By Stephen · 11 posts · 41 views
By Stephen · 11 posts · 41 views
last updated Mar 27, 2023 09:03PM
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December Groupreads - Conan - Blood Of The Serpent
By Stephen · 30 posts · 54 views
By Stephen · 30 posts · 54 views
last updated Dec 26, 2022 08:20AM
What Members Thought
Maia, half-goblin fourth son of the elven Emperor, has been exiled from a young age to the back of the beyond; although said exile has not been without its hardships (his mother died so he's being raised by a relative who'd really rather be anywhere else doing anything else), at least it means he's not with the Emperor and his [Maia's] half-brothers, when the Emperor's airship goes down.
So within the first few pages of the book, Maia finds himself dragged from aforementioned exile to the halls o ...more
So within the first few pages of the book, Maia finds himself dragged from aforementioned exile to the halls o ...more
Really enjoyed this! A very immersive world. Wondered a bit about the anthropology - basically, elves, goblins, some mention of ogres back in the mountains, and then folk in the plains who aren't elves... a part of me wondered about racial politics, but mostly set that aside to enjoy the internal politics of the court. I did find myself lost a few times in the names (and there are places where the glossary at the front of the book could have been more inclusive--the term the author uses for homo
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Extraordinary
This is easily one of the best fantasies I have ever read. The world building is superb and it feels more like a fictionalized history than anything else. Do not expect action/adventure. This is story of the Court and the sword cuts are delivered verbally or by gestures. Nevertheless, there are dangerous animals and enemies aplenty. I originally read this some years ago and enjoyed it greatly, to the point that I was sad to see it end. I was excited to learn of a sequel and reread ...more
This is easily one of the best fantasies I have ever read. The world building is superb and it feels more like a fictionalized history than anything else. Do not expect action/adventure. This is story of the Court and the sword cuts are delivered verbally or by gestures. Nevertheless, there are dangerous animals and enemies aplenty. I originally read this some years ago and enjoyed it greatly, to the point that I was sad to see it end. I was excited to learn of a sequel and reread ...more
Really now, I wonder how it got so many good reviews and praise...?!?
Starts in a interesting manner and setting, but from there on it's like burning your brain cells for nothing.
The protagonist becomes a boring character that has to deal every day with correspondence, hearings and his personal wounds. Nothing really happens and almost 200 pages in the book and still no conspiracy revealed.
Tons of names, surnames, titles, and bullshit is thrown to the reader.
I'm used to books with a lot of cha ...more
Starts in a interesting manner and setting, but from there on it's like burning your brain cells for nothing.
The protagonist becomes a boring character that has to deal every day with correspondence, hearings and his personal wounds. Nothing really happens and almost 200 pages in the book and still no conspiracy revealed.
Tons of names, surnames, titles, and bullshit is thrown to the reader.
I'm used to books with a lot of cha ...more
At first I wasn't sure that I liked this book at all. As I progressed through the story, I did find myself grudgingly enjoying it. I never loved it, though. It's just too. . . naive. . . polite. . . shallow. . . This isn't a tale of murder and revenge. It's not an epic quest. It's a somewhat charming, gentle political drama that breaks away from the edgy, cynical tone that is so prevalent lately. It's like a fantasy(ish) version of "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington" (something I very much needed aft
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A lovely, hopeful story that is a excellent response to these many grimdark efforts. The story and characters were optimistic and engaging, and I found the book very easy to read and a quite powerful story of how people can respond to adversity.
“Remarkably compelling and fascinating” - io9
“Remarkably compelling and fascinating” - io9
Nov 03, 2014
Micah Shapiro
marked it as to-read
Dec 02, 2014
Christopher
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Dec 16, 2014
Chris Conley
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Jan 29, 2015
Karigan
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Mar 05, 2015
Derek
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Mar 29, 2015
Vincent Stoessel
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Apr 30, 2015
Adam
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Apr 21, 2016
Sean
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Dec 01, 2017
Bill
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Dec 29, 2018
Jack Massa
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Jun 05, 2019
Robin
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Jan 11, 2021
Escape Into Reading
marked it as to-read
