Fantasy Book Club discussion
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What are you reading in...
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What are you reading in July '15?
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I'm currently reading Stormwarden and it's very gripping, so different! It looks like traditional fantasy but there are several sci-fi elements and even though the protagonists are young, it's not YA in outlook. I'm really liking it so far.For anyone interested in the ebook version, The Great Way Trilogy is currently part of the new Humble Book Bundle https://www.humblebundle.com/books, there are several books for 9.78 USD including Hollow World by Michael J. Sullivan, which I enjoyed very much.
I'm really, really thinking of starting with Gardens of the Moon. Last time I read a longer series, The Wars of Light and Shadow, I liked it so much that it changed my taste in fantasy, and that is why I'm still pondering where to invest next.
In tWoLaS I loved the no noseleading approach, the deep characters, the fact that my opinions changed over time, the relevance of all the details and the plot's unpredictability rooted in logic.
I've heard Malazan may fit the bill, and it has a focus on war, which right now would be welcome.
My other idea is the The Black Company. What do you think?
Alissa wrote: "I'm currently reading Stormwarden and it's very gripping, so different! It looks like traditional fantasy but there are several sci-fi elements and even though the protagonists are yo..."I think either Malazan or Black Company would be a fine choice; Black Company is certainly less of a commitment. (Both series are 10 books, more or less, but I bet the word count in the entire Black Company series matches that of the first 3-4 Malazan books.) Either way, I'll be interested to hear what you think.
Not surprisingly, I'll second Alissa's recc for "The Great Way" series. Totally worth full price, even better if you can get it for a deal!(And I"m a big proponent of the HumbleBundle deals; I'm frequently getting new RPG's out of their deals!!)The omnibus of "Cycle of Fire" was my first association with Janny Wurts, and that led me into the Wars of Light and Shadow (one of my favorite fantasy series out there!!)
I remember quite liking it, and I agree that, even though the protagonists are young, it's definitely NOT a YA book, which is a tough act to pull off for anyone!!
Here is my review of white night 9th book in Dresden files series.The review is spoilerish so don't read if you haven't read the book.
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Finished The Space Opera Renaissance, which was kind of overwhelming but generally very good (here's a link to the table of contents) and started Wylding Hall by Elizabeth Hand -- the British folk rock revival reimagined as urban fantasy, or something like that.
Recently read in the last few weeks:Outlander- good, but there was what felt like 100 pages of just sex midway through the book
Elfstones of Shannara- loved it. Wasn't a huge fan of the first book but this one redeemed it. Yes the writing is not exactly groundbreaking but Terry Brooks is a great storyteller.
I'm also reading The Shadow Rising (LOVE IT), and Siege & Storm (YA series The Grisha)
Oh and I suppose I've listened to a few audiobooks as well. Currently on Daughter of Smoke and Bone. Seems intriguing.
Oh and I suppose I've listened to a few audiobooks as well. Currently on Daughter of Smoke and Bone. Seems intriguing.
Just finished Queen of Fire (a disappointment, if you ask me). Halfway to Before They Are Hanged, which I find witty and awesome, so far. :)
Finished the First Law trilogy, totally to my taste =D Like Rollie says its witty and awesome xD and gruesome too.. Started the All Souls trilogy, A Discovery of Witches. So far its good, very descriptive which I like.
Margret wrote: "Oh and I suppose I've listened to a few audiobooks as well. Currently on Daughter of Smoke and Bone. Seems intriguing."Loved that series! Hope you enjoy it =)
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I was not aware of this series. I can't say why because the Riyria Revelations was one of my favorite reads. I had to put Fortress Draconis on hold in order to start The Crown Conspiracy. So far I'm loving it.
I am reading Michael Moorcock's first book in the Elric Saga - Elric of Melniboné. Along with several other books I have been reading over the last several weeks, but this is the only current fantasy one. So far, pretty good stuff.
Good choice, Adam!I love the Elric saga, and I'm always glad to see it making the periodic resurgence among fantasy readers!
For me, I finished Uprooted, which I absolutely adored. (No surprise there, given the topic and the author!!)
I am almost through Brave New Worlds, a dystopian anthology. Not a bad story to speak of in the bunch, and a good mix of subject and stories old and new.
Continuing my run on Asian horror and fantasy literature, I just started Death at the Crossroads, a sory of "Samurai Murder Mystery". Quite enjoyable thus far.
Finally finished The Book of Life. Took me a year to finish it, and I wish I've never finished it. 1st half of the book (I´ve read in July 2014) is fine, but the 2nd half (the one I´ve read in July 2015) is bad. Too many things opened in the whole book and none of them explained.
Sure I like books that are mysterious, but this book wasn´t one of them. It was just a bad, nervous writing. It´s actually 2.21 stars but I was in a good mood yesterday so I gave it 3 stars.
Currently reading:
The Curious World of Calpurnia Tate,
Trigger Warning: Short Fictions and Disturbances,
Zen Gardens: The Complete Works of Shunmyo Masuno, Japan's Leading Garden Designer
and Snake Agent
Shadowdenizen wrote: "I remember quite liking it, and I agree that, even though the protagonists are young, it's definitely NOT a YA book, which is a tough act to pull off for anyone!! "
I finished Stormwarden and was very satisfied, I'm eagerly looking forward to reading the rest of the series. As usual Wurts is truly skilled in turning an apparently canon story into a something unexpected. My only complaint is that I've read almost all this great author has penned.
Next a little dalliance with an old favorite of mine, Drizzt the drow ranger, with Rise of the King and Vengeance of the Iron Dwarf, two solid installments of a series that should have ended books ago but the author knows his sword&sorcery and knows how to write for his fans. 30 books and counting.... Of course I'm current.
@Joseph&Helen thank you for your advice! Actually, I didn't think about the page count. That's what ebooks do to you. But I've seen the full row of Erikson's Malazan novels in a bookshop and that was impressive! Chronicles of the Black Company looks much more appealing book rib wise, I've to consider the reading time factor because if I like a series I read it straight....September is going to be a dreadful month for me and I don't think it clever to let it catch me on a complex series like Malazan. In theory at least.
Currently reading Bitter Greens, a fairytale retelling.
Shari Kay wrote: "Sumant wrote: "Here is my review of white night 9th book in Dresden files series.The review is spoilerish so don't read if you haven't read the book."I find Dresden is better when taken in small ..."
For me dresden files has been a roller coaster with alternate good and bad books.
Helen wrote: "I'm really enjoying the Malazan series, not read Black company."I have read both and I loved black company more.
Finished Wylding Hall -- holy crow, that was good! -- and am revisiting Ellen Kushner's Swordspoint for the first time in many years.Conveniently, the eBook even contains a few related short stories ...
Started July with Half the World, which was a really good story with great characters. The final in that trilogy is high on my list. Also, for something completely different, I'm on the audiobook of Last Argument of Kings. Meanwhile, I read a shortish mystery I got in Storybundle a few years ago, The Saints Go Dying. That was an enjoyable little read and change of pace.A couple of days ago I started The Painted Man. Not far enough into it to say much but I'm liking the beginning.
Had to put aside everything else and start The Last Ever After; I loved the first 2 books in the series, and am excited to finish the series!
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I was not aware of this series. I can't say why because the Riyria Revelations was one of my favorite reads. I had to put [boo..."
Holy Cow!! I just realized I had the wrong book on here. It was suppose to be [book:The Crown Tower - Free Preview|18054029] (for some reason it won't let me add the link) and not The Crown Conspiracy. Anyway, I finished it and I must say it was great. For anyone that have not read any of these series and love fantasy, you must read these books. They are great.
I finally finished The Wise Man's Fear. That was a long long read. I feel like I've just come back up for air. I loved just about every minute of it though. I liked it more than The Name of the WindNow I'm reading a non-fiction, The Haunted Queen of the Seas, more as a placeholder because I have other books in mind for the next month or two.
This month I read The Liar’s Key, Golden Son, Sixth of the Dusk and the brilliant Beyond Redemption. Now on to Scourge of the Betrayer and also re-reading Prince of Thorns
I just finished Furies of Calderon which I enjoyed a lot and will definitely continue with the series. I might start with Uprooted first since it's a stand alone and looks intriguing. Haven't decided yet :)
Uprooted is engaging and a quick read too, I liked it very much.
This month I read:Blood Song
Tower Lord
The Black Prism
The Blinding knife
I'm currently finishing up The Broken Eye. It has been a great month reading wise.
Rollie wrote: "Just finished Queen of Fire (a disappointment, if you ask me). Halfway to Before They Are Hanged, which I find witty and awesome, so far. :)"I agree re Queen of Fire. Reading The Bonehunters and Uprooted now.
Finished Swordspoint, started The Privilege of the Sword, and am forcibly reminded of just how really, really good Ellen Kushner is.
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And it improves from there too, brilliant series.
Helen wrote: "Tara wrote: "I just finished Furies of Calderon which I enjoyed a lot and will definitely continue with the series.And it improves from there too, brilliant series."
Yea, I started reading Academ's Fury , I like books with strong beginnings..
Finished Queen of Fire by Anthony Ryan - thought it was a decent ending. Didn't fully meet my expectations though.Finished Armada by Ernest Cline and was very disappointed. Just not very good, and I absolutely loved Ready Player One.
Currently Reading:
Audiobook - Summer Knight by Jim Butcher - about 80% through, I've voiced my thoughts on this series before, I enjoy it and haven't been able to resist picking up the next book each time I finish one (which speaks highly) but it does have a few well documented shortcomings.
ebook - House of Chains by Steven Erikson - About 35% through and absolutely loving it. Was wary of the addition of yet another new character but ended up flying through Part I and loving Karsa Orlong. I can't speak highly enough of this series and look forward to continuing.
Started Uprooted, doing a buddy read with some GR friends. Nearly finished with A Discovery of Witches, which is not what I expected...but I think Ill try to finish the trilogy~
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Helen wrote: "Blake, Karsa became my favourite despite initially hating him. I'm missing him in book five."Hate to hear he isn't in Book 5. Not surprising though with so many characters. I wasn't a fan of him at first either, cruel, stubborn and in many ways blind. Glad he is coming around.
Finished reading Bitter Greens, fairytale retelling meets historical fiction. A so and so read, very harsh and a bit rushed at the ending, but I liked it.Now I'm off with The Black Company.
Alissa wrote: "Finished reading Bitter Greens, fairytale retelling meets historical fiction. A so and so read, very harsh and a bit rushed at the ending, but I liked it.
Now I'm off with [book:Th..."
If you can get used to narrative style of Croaker, The Black Company is one hell of a ride.
Now I'm off with [book:Th..."
If you can get used to narrative style of Croaker, The Black Company is one hell of a ride.
Evgeny wrote: "If you can get used to narrative style of Croaker, The Black Company is one hell of a ride."I'm so looking forward to it. My vacation starts tomorrow :D
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Hate to hear he isn't in Book 5. Not surprising though with so many characters. I wasn..."
Well, I'm only a third in. Are you in the group read on the other group?
I'm in the other group but haven't been participating in the group read. I'll start now, thanks for the heads up!
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Fantasy Book Club
Books mentioned in this topic
Bitter Greens (other topics)Bitter Greens (other topics)
The Black Company (other topics)
Uprooted (other topics)
A Discovery of Witches (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Steven Erikson (other topics)Ernest Cline (other topics)
Anthony Ryan (other topics)
Jim Butcher (other topics)
Ellen Kushner (other topics)
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But, for me, 15 books into the series, the magic is starting to wear off, the metaplot is starting to wear thin, and I'm starting to check out.