Sword & Sorcery: "An earthier sort of fantasy" discussion

I am re-reading the Ginger Star by Leigh Brackett. It's a "Sword and Planet" rather than "Sword and Sorcery" but it is a close parallel,

kings of the wyld

Elric, Sailor on the seas of fate. I have not made much proggress but i found the start amazing.

I just started King Hereafter, Dorothy Dunnett's historical novel based on Macbeth, which as it turns out would have slotted very nicely into our Viking group read earlier in the year.

Currently reading The Heresy Within by Rob J Hayes and listening to Control Point by Myke Cole.

Reading The Gray Man by Mark Greaney, the first in a series. Pretty good action adventure in the Bourne tradition. Got some new books for Christmas that will keep me busy for a while...

Just started David Eddings Redemption for Althurus, which is pretty good. The main character is a thief, and even so, very engaging.

such fond memories reading Redemption of Althalus!!

Thanks Richard, I am enjoying it a lot. Mind you, I am a bit of a sucker for books with cats in them after reading so much Andre Norton as a teenager.

I'm currently reading House of Chains, fantasy so epic you need a wiki open on your phone while reading to keep track of all the characters. (Steven Erikson's Malazan series).

It starts with a nice subversion of s&s tropes when we follow Karsa Orlong, a barbarian of a powerful race going on a raid on human countries.

Malazan does redefine the term 'epic'.

Yeah, I read the first five Malazan books back in 2003 or 2004 and really liked them, and I keep meaning to go back and read the whole thing now that it's finished (and I've been getting the SubPress limited edition hardcovers, just for fun) but it's such an intimidating number of pages ...

Joseph wrote: "Yeah, I read the first five Malazan books back in 2003 or 2004 and really liked them, and I keep meaning to go back and read the whole thing now that it's finished (and I've been getting the SubPre..."

I am the same with the last Thomas Covenant book by Stephen Donaldson. They are so long and complicated I have reread them to get the full flavour of it all, but that is a big chunk of reading now.

The Green Knight’s Squire by John C. Wright

Cindy wrote: "I am the same with the last Thomas Covenant book by Stephen Donaldson. They are so long and complicated I have reread them to get the full flavour of it all, but that is a big chunk of reading now. ..."

As it happens, I'm also kind of in the same position with Covenant -- I reread the original two trilogies when the first book in the new sequence came out, but I think that's about as far as I got.

As a rule, for the past few years I've been allowing myself to fit one giant series into my schedule each year. For 2016 it was Game of Thrones. This year it was Tad Williams' Osten Ard books. Right now, I'm thinking next year may actually be Kate Elliott's Crown of Stars books, although that's subject to sudden change at my slightest whim.

Crown of Stars! Wow! That takes me back. I loved that series. I seem to remember it being more dramatic than magical though.

Richard wrote: "Crown of Stars! Wow! That takes me back. I loved that series. I seem to remember it being more dramatic than magical though."

Somehow I never quite got around to reading any Kate Elliott until I picked up her Court of Fives books a few years ago. This is a gap in my reading that I feel I need to fill.

Well it's good to come late to a series like this. Everything is published and you can read the story through, instead of waiting several years between sequels.

I just started Lord Of No Time by Louise Cooper.

 (and I've been getting the SubPress limited edition hardcovers, just for fun)...

oh, to have such fun as you, Joseph!

Jason M wrote: " (and I've been getting the SubPress limited edition hardcovers, just for fun)...

oh, to have such fun as you, Joseph!"

Seeing those books on the shelf (they're up to seven so far) is really impressive, and also gives you an idea of how much larger the later volumes are than the first couple.

I was literally using the SubPress edition of Bonehunters for a hand weight when I had to do some physical therapy a couple of years ago.

Count to Infinity: Book Six of the Eschaton Sequence by John C. Wright

Jack wrote: "Mary wrote: "Count to Infinity: Book Six of the Eschaton Sequence by John C. Wright"

I plan to read some John C. Wright this year, probably starting this Eschaton S..."

Hope you enjoy it!

Beren and Lúthien by J.R.R. Tolkien

Mary wrote: "Beren and Lúthien by J.R.R. Tolkien"

I'll be very curious to hear about that one.

Currently in a Brandon Sanderson fix and slowly working on White Sand Volume 1, Elantris, and Warbreaker before allowing myself to start Words of Radiance. Also working on Paul Hoffman's The Left Hand of God in the background. I can't read fast enough!

Joseph wrote: "Mary wrote: "Beren and Lúthien by J.R.R. Tolkien"

I'll be very curious to hear about that one."

For people who like to know about Tolkien's writing process.

Just started the Art of War anthology.

Above the Timberline by Gregory Manchess

Al wrote: "Just started the Art of War anthology."

Awesome, Al. Please report back in the Group Read - Anthology thread as you dig into that monster tome.
Link =
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

S.E. wrote: "Al wrote: "Just started the Art of War anthology."

Awesome, Al. Please report back in the Group Read - Anthology thread as you dig into that monster tome.
Link =
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/sh..."

I'm about 25% through and it's terrific stuff so far, with the stories very different in tone.

Beren and Lúthien briefly reviewed:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Michael wrote: "I'm currently reading Libriomancer by Jim C. Hines and The Blade Itself by Joe Abercrombie."

Libriomancer sounds really intriguing. I've added it to my "want to read" list!

Started Sins of Empire

Joseph wrote: "It's not precisely S&S, but it's a D&D novel and D&D came from the sword & sorcery tradition, so I'm going to count it anyway ... Currently reading Time of the Twins, the first novel i..."

I have fond memories of reading the Dragonlance books in high school. Larry Elmore's covers really added to the "classic fantasy" feel. I'm kind of afraid to go back and read any of the Dragonlance books again because I do recall the prose being awkward and pretty goofy at times. Especially some of the poetry. In this particular case, I'd rather let my nostalgia remain as it is.

I'm currently reading Griots: A Sword and Soul Anthology edited by Milton Davis. Like a lot of anthologies, it's hit and miss. Some stories are amazing, others are just an "eh, that was ok" shrug. Haven't run into any really bad stories yet.

Going a bit off topic, I'm also reading Jeff Vandermeer's Booklife: Strategies and Survival Tips for the 21st-Century Writer
which I'm finding to be a great resource for how to build my career as an author, an endeavor that I've been struggling with for a long time.

Halfway through Art of War and loving it.

John and Al,
Awesome.
Please reshare (or post future feedback on) your anthology feedback re: Groits and Art of War in the current Anthology group read (LINK)

Gotcha!

Going a bit off topic, I'm also reading Jeff Vandermeer's Booklife: Strategies and Survival Tips for the 21st-Century Writer...

Did you read his Wonderbook? I loved that one.

I just picked up Flashing Swords! #5: Demons and Daggers for January's group read.

S.E. wrote: "John and Al,
Awesome.
Please reshare (or post future feedback on) your anthology feedback re: Groits and Art of War in the
current Anthology group read (LINK)
"

Wil do!

Peter wrote: "Going a bit off topic, I'm also reading Jeff Vandermeer's Booklife: Strategies and Survival Tips for the 21st-Century Writer...

Did you read his Wonderbook? I loved that one."

Not yet. I admit I don't usually read "how to build a world" books because I already have my own system for that. But I'd love to see Vandermeer's perspective on world-building.

I found Wonderbook rather weak.

Peter wrote: "I'm currently reading House of Chains, fantasy so epic you need a wiki open on your phone while reading to keep track of all the characters. (Steven Erikson's Malazan series).

It star..."

Malazan is my favourite series. Nothing else comes close.

Malazan is a hefty read in weight and scope. I felt like I missed so much the first time through. Amazing characters and world. I really should read his other series and Esslemont's too but whew it's an epic undertaking.

I finished "City of Brass" last week and highly recommend it! I gave it 5 stars! Has sorcery and swords in it for sure. It is more of an epic fantasy though and what makes it different from so many other epic fantasies is that it is based more on the medieval era in the Middle East (and far east) rather than on the usual European medieval era. The author S.A. Chakraborty is a self admitted history nerd and she is well versed in the mythology of that region as well complete with Djinn and other mythological creatures and beings. This is the first of a planned trilogy.

Michael wrote: "I finished "City of Brass" last week and highly recommend it! I gave it 5 stars! Has sorcery and swords in it for sure. It is more of an epic fantasy though and what makes it different from so many..."

I'm definitely interested, although for me the City of Brass will always be:

Joseph wrote: "Michael wrote: "I finished "City of Brass" last week and highly recommend it! I gave it 5 stars! Has sorcery and swords in it for sure. It is more of an epic fantasy though and what makes it differ..."
It is certainly derived from "Arabian Nights" . I believe "Magic the Gathering has a "City of Brass" card but I've never played those games :). http://www.bartleby.com/16/701.html

Michael wrote: "It is certainly derived from "Arabian Nights" . I believe "Magic the Gathering has a "City of Brass" card but I've never played those games :). http://www.bartleby.com/16/701.html ..."

I might or might not have that card somewhere ...