Sword & Sorcery: "An earthier sort of fantasy" discussion
General Discussions
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What are you currently reading?
S.E. wrote: "Jason, side bar... Ever hear of the Blind Dead b-horror films regarding the Knights Templar? I watched a few. Dated for sure (1970s I think) but unique. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tombs......"
Great series, though the first, Tombs of the Blind Dead and the last Night of Seagulls were the best.
Also liked Ironclad, a solid movie, may have to check out the sequel some time. No recommendations of historical fiction (or fact for that matter) on the crusades unfortunately. I've heard good things about Bernard Cornwell's books, but I have yet to read any, The Last Kingdom was a solid TV/Netflix series though (not strictly crusades though).
If he likes epics The Song of Roland is a good read, the story predates the crusades a bit, but was written around that time, almost like propaganda to rally support (but also historically based).
Jason M wrote: "hey all, looking for some reading suggestions. Y'all are so very well-read, there is no one better in my opinion to answer this need: an adult friend of mine who does not read much watched Iron Cla..."A handy, short, introduction to the Crusades, which of course involved the Templars, is The Crusades, while The Crusades offers another overview and is very good for its maps and illustrations. Both books would place the origins of the Templars in context and if your friend wants to read further on the subject he can check out some of the references in those books.
I've read the first few of the Malazan books. I really liked them, but the scope (and number of characters, races and places) is so epic, I'm pacing it out a bit.I always had my phone next to me, with Malazan wiki and Goodreads read throughs on it, to check if I didn't miss anything, so I really understand the intimidation factor. On the other hand, of all of the epic fantasy I've read, these books really are the most epic of all of them. :)
I'm looking to jump back into the series at some point soon. Read the first two from Erikson and the first book from Esslemont. I enjoyed them all to varying degrees. But agree the scope of the series is rather broad and complex and even daunting, especially between 2 authors, 18 novels (19 soon) and 5 novellas (soon 6), and a certain amount of shorts of which I am uncertain.
Jason M wrote: "as for what I'm reading right now, I am thrilled to be reading a long anticipated title, Ian C. Esslemont's Dancer's Lament. I cannot adequately express just how much I was looking ..."Normand has created some nice art!
I heartily recommend a group read of Ted (T.C.) Rypel's 5-volume series of Gonji Sabatake, recently revised and republished by Wildside/Borgo Press. IMHO, one of the best heroic fantasy series of the 1980s and the 21st century.
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Duly noted, Joe. Gonji: Red Blade from the East: The Deathwind Trilogy, Book One and the series are a worthy set.
I added that option to the Poll:
https://www.goodreads.com/poll/show/1...--
Scott wrote: "https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...I'm currently reading throne of glass the first book in the series of the same name. The 6th book will be out later this year. It's you..."
Really looking forward to starting up Prince of Thorns sometime soon... So many books...
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I'm currently reading throne of glass the first book in the series of the same name. The 6th book will be out later this ..."
I'm wondering if there may be some way to help members here tackle series (from Prince of Thorns....Gonji: Red Blade from the East....Gardens of the Moon).
Perhaps Buddy reads? i.e. small pairings of 2 or 3 who try to read together?
I've been putting off Malazan as well due to all the complexities. I like the idea of reading it with the wiki open for quick reference.
S.E. wrote: "Dan wrote: "Scott wrote: "https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...I'm currently reading throne of glass the first book in the series of the same name. The 6th book will be out..."
A buddy read sub-forum would be a cool idea I think. Then if multiple people are interested in the same book at the same time it's a safe place to discuss it with spoiler tags of course.
Seth Lindberg -- very cool. Ted Rypel's work is among the best of the 1980s and should not be neglected or forgotten. If not for Ted, there'd probably be no Dorgo!!!
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I don't disagree. Too funny you've seen them..
BTW, the Buddy Read folder is set up ....and it seems you just found it. Well, for those who have not found it yet:
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
S.E. wrote: "Jason M wrote: "Tell us more about Direk. What stories does he appear in?"S.E., thanks for asking about Direk. he's only actually reached publication once, the projects of his 2 other submitted tales suffering miscarriages. he appears in Tales of the Black Arts: A Sword and Sorcery Anthology. I'm going to put the previously pubbed story and a fresh one together in a Kindle ebook, and if that garners promising reviews, keep doing that. :)
Greg wrote: "Jason M wrote: "hey all, looking for some reading suggestions. Y'all are so very well-read, there is no one better in my opinion to answer this need: an adult friend of mine who does not read much ..."@Dan and Greg, thanks for the additional Templars suggestions!
Peter wrote: "I've read the first few of the Malazan books. I really liked them, but the scope (and number of characters, races and places) is so epic, I'm pacing it out a bit.I always had my phone next to me, ..."
I describe MBOTF as epic S&S - meaning while there is an over-arcing world-epic story being told (IMHO, one of the greatest romances ever written), each book is a series of conjoined S&S scenes/shorts manned by out-n-out S&S characters. When I first read GOTM and DG I was flabbergasted, as I held in my hands the epitome of what I had been feebly trying to write, I just didn't recognize it until then, and I recognized it with delight. I cherish these books.
Dan wrote: "I'm looking to jump back into the series at some point soon. Read the first two from Erikson and the first book from Esslemont. I enjoyed them all to varying degrees. But agree the scope of the ser..."It is daunting when looked at backwards - but the core is finished, and it is a spectacular core indeed! FYI, the novellas are standalone from the series, you don't have to read either to get either. The starring characters of the novellas only appear in the main series once.
If you'd like a taste of Erikson's writing style and of the Malazan world however, and enjoy dark satirical fantasy, I cannot recommend the novellas enough as a way to do so. I consider these novellas some of the funniest dark fantasy satire on the human condition I know of, and at roughly 100 pages each, the laughter factor alone is worth it.
Dan wrote: "I'm looking to jump back into the series at some point soon. Read the first two from Erikson and the first book from Esslemont. I enjoyed them all to varying degrees. But agree the scope of the ser..."Oh, and there are very few shorts that I am aware of, and while they are set in the Malazan world, none include series characters or further series story lines, they are simply exciting little romps in a known and dangerous world.
Greg wrote: "Jason M wrote: "as for what I'm reading right now, I am thrilled to be reading a long anticipated title, Ian C. Esslemont's Dancer's Lament. I cannot adequately express just how muc..."Greg, Didier delivers the goods!
Jason M wrote: "Dan wrote: "I'm looking to jump back into the series at some point soon. Read the first two from Erikson and the first book from Esslemont. I enjoyed them all to varying degrees. But agree the scop..."Do you know of more other than the one included Swords & Dark Magic?
as for the Novellas: I was waiting to be introduced to the main characters in the main series (book 3 I think?) before starting the novella series. I do have each one on my shelf though, and really look forward to reading them.
Joe wrote: "I heartily recommend a group read of Ted (T.C.) Rypel's 5-volume series of Gonji Sabatake, recently revised and republished by Wildside/Borgo Press. IMHO, one of the best heroic fantasy series of t..."
S.E. wrote: "Joe wrote: "I heartily recommend a group read of Ted (T.C.) Rypel's 5-volume series of Gonji Sabatake, recently revised and republished by Wildside/Borgo Press. IMHO, one of the best heroic fantasy..."Well, thank you, Joe and Seth, for the recommendation and addition of my GONJI series to the poll. I'm honored and grateful. Don't forget that the book you cite---RED BLADE FROM THE EAST---though, is the first book of a "trilogy" that's more correctly an epic work in 3 parts that original publisher Zebra Books decided to release, without warning, as separate "novels" in the 1980s, to launch what became a popular series.
This actually comes at a somewhat propitious time for Gonji, as we're close to Wildside's (under their Borgo Press imprint) release of the first NEW Gonji book in decades---DARK VENTURES. That book has actually been designed as a perfect entry point for fantasy readers unfamiliar with the re-issued series and reticent to commit to a new series of novels. I get that. I really do.
So DARK VENTURES is a bit more reader-friendly in that it features two "shorter" Gonji tales (13K and 40K) that take a telescoping plunge backward into the series' myth cycle, capping that theme with a generous "preview" of the book to follow---the Gonji "origin" novel, BORN OF FLAME AND STEEL.
Also included is an important Afterword essay, "The GONJI Odyssey," which provides a capsule creation-and-publishing history of the Gonji series. That piece answers many questions I've been asked repeatedly, over the years, about Gonji and the books.
More importantly, the "Odyssey" explains the mixed awkward/impressive packaging of the Gonji series by Zebra, which interestingly led to both solid general sales AND, frustratingly, the books being almost completely ignored by the fantasy community for which they were written!
So, in the long run, DARK VENTURES may prove to be the more rewarding first look for Goodreads constituents who aren't already hooked on Gonji.
But I certainly wouldn't suggest withdrawing RED BLADE, with the author caveat that the full narrative opened there requires the reading of the complete "Deathwind Trilogy."
Arigato, once again, esteemed folks!
Dan wrote: "Do you know of more other than the one included Swords & Dark Magic?as for the Novellas: I was waiting to be introduced to the main characters in the main series (book 3 I think?) before starting the novella series. I do have each one on my shelf though, and really look forward to reading them..."
I thought there was one other Malazan short in another large anthology, but I can't recall which and haven't been able to find it.
Yes, the novella characters first appear in MOI, bk#3 - a rather fine cameo too!
Dan wrote: "as for the Novellas: I was waiting to be introduced to the main characters in the main series (book 3 I think?) before starting the novella series. I do have each one on my shelf though, and really look forward to reading them."Where were the novellas published? I haven't read the series yet, but am starting Gardens of the Moon while on vacation next week. If I need to track down the novellas, I'll need to know where to find them.
Richard wrote: "Dan wrote: "as for the Novellas: I was waiting to be introduced to the main characters in the main series (book 3 I think?) before starting the novella series. I do have each one on my shelf though..."Night Shade Books did the US printings for the original few, but they went under, PS Publishing in the UK has been printing them since the beginning and continue to do so. There's also Bauchelain and Korbal Broach a re-print of the first 3 novellas, that should be easier to track down.
^I think you'll like it!I just finished The Last Unicorn and wrote a review this morning:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
May not be as much in the style that most of the folk here tend to enjoy, but I really liked it and found it quite original and thought provoking.
Far from S&S, but I'm almost finished with Dark Disciple. Really good, much more than I was expecting. If you're a Star Wars fan, especially a fan of The Clone Wars tv series, I highly recommend it.
Dan wrote: "^I think you'll like it!I just finished The Last Unicorn and wrote a review this morning:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
May not be as much ..."
Nice review, Dan!
I've been reading quite a number of back issues of Beneath Ceaseless Skies again.Always high quality, but not always relevant for this group though.
Two issues I think match the tastes of the people in this group, are these:
Beneath Ceaseless Skies #119 & Beneath Ceaseless Skies #129.
#119 contains a nice heist story with a classic S&S duo as main characters, and #129 has a great old school weird tale including steaming jungles, goblins and a maiden to be rescued,
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I'm just about to start Something About Eve; A Comedy Of Fig Leaves, which isn't really sword & sorcery, but Lin Carter included it in the Ballantine Adult Fantasy series, so I think we have a "degrees of separation" thing going on.
Jack wrote: "I'm starting the first book in Michael Moorcock's "Hawkmoon" series, Hawkmoon: The Jewel in the Skull. I've never read this series, but it is part of the Eternal Champion multiverse...."I need to finish/re-start this some day. I'd read the first two, but never got around to the rest.
Dan wrote: "I need to finish/re-start this some day. I'd read the first two, but never got around to the rest."I read the 1st and about half the 2nd (I know, it's so short I should have just finished it). It's not that I didn't like them, they just didn't hold my interest enough to keep going. Probably had something to do with my just having come off of reading all the Elric novels, and more Moorcock just wasn't what I was in the mood for.
I think that's pretty much what happened with me. Came off reading Corum and Elric at the time. Though I do love Moorcock, I think I'd just had my fill at that time,
Just finished Tad Williams' Stone of Farewell, the second book in the Memory, Sorrow and Thorn trilogy. Here's my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...and just started up our very own S.E. Lindberg's Spawn of Dyscrasia.
Finished a good sci-fi short story, which is available online for free - Mono no Aware - and will read Bleach, Vol. 3: Memories in the Rain next. I plan to read/play Freeway Fighter as a nod to the RPG group read next weekend, although this Fighting Fantasy gamebook (an old copy belonging to my brother) is really Cars and Guns rather than Sword and Sorcery!
Whoops, I'm actually reading Lords of Dyscrasia not Spawn.I also picked up To Green Angel Tower, Part 1.
I finally finished off and reviewed The Last Battle by C.S. Lewis: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...I'd been reading it out loud with my girlfriend whilst doing chores and/or cooking. I think we'll be picking up another early fantasy read, The Enchanted Castle next.
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Cool. I likewise enjoyed Throne of Bones. It is ceriianly uniquely weird.
Five Rivers Publishing sent me an ARC of The Mermaid's Tale (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2... - it won't let me link to the book). It's like Dungeons and Dragons gone completely mental. While brutal and violent, it's also sly and subtle. I've never read anything quite like it. I haven't finished it yet, but so far, it's amazing.
I think it'll be released in August.
I think it'll be released in August.
Joseph wrote: "OK, finished The Throne of Bones by Brian McNaughton, which isn't strictly S&S, but which I think would be of interest to folks here -- it's very much in the tradition ..."I really enjoyed Throne of Bones. It sat on my shelf for several years before I got around to it, I wish I had read it sooner. It's too bad McNaughton passed away, it sounds like he had a lot more going on in that world that was never published.
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Michael wrote: "Five Rivers Publishing sent me an ARC of The Mermaid's Tale (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2... - it won't let me link to the book). It's like Dungeons and Dragons gone..."Sounds pretty cool actually!
Dan wrote: "Michael wrote: "Five Rivers Publishing sent me an ARC of The Mermaid's Tale (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2... - it won't let me link to the book). It's like Dungeons ..."
I'm about 2/3rds through and I'd say it's definitely worth a read.
I'm about 2/3rds through and I'd say it's definitely worth a read.
Just finished of and reviewed Lords of Dyscrasia: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...About to start up Imaro
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I'm currently reading throne of glass the first book in the series of the same name. The 6th book will be out later this year. It's young adult fantasy and my 11 year old wanted to read it. I read a lot of what's she's reading to stay engaged with her. I'm not that far in but it's a good read and everything is age appropriate. If you're prone to do the same with your kids I'd recommend it.
Somewhat out of scope for this forum since it's steampunk but also recommended for kids is the Aeronaut's Winlass which I'm listening to on audiobooks. I had been trying to convince my daughter to listen to some of the fantasy I have on audio which is appropriate and finally convinced her on this one and she loves it. Part of the allure that I knew I'd get her on is some people can talk to cats. The narrator does a great job with the voices and the cats are so pompous and arrogant just the way you would picture them if they could talk that both of us have laughed out loud.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
On the adult side of the aisle
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...
Prince of Thorns isn't for everybody. It's pretty dark and on the surface the main character is pretty unlikable. However for anybody who's ever experience true grief and the resulting emotions and anger it's very well done. His actions steaming from grief and the need for revenge are savage and will turn a lot of people off.