Sword & Sorcery: "An earthier sort of fantasy" discussion
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What are you currently reading?
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David
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Nov 27, 2017 07:50AM

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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.




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.
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 ...

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.
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.
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.

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.
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.


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.
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.

I plan to read some John C. Wright this year, probably starting this Eschaton S..."
Hope you enjoy it!


I'll be very curious to hear about that one."
For people who like to know about Tolkien's writing process.
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/...
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/...

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.

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

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.

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

Did you read his Wonderbook? I loved that one.

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!

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.

It star..."
Malazan is my favourite series. Nothing else comes close.


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


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