Sci-fi and Heroic Fantasy discussion
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What are you reading in October 2015?
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Oct 03, 2015 01:51AM
I think they named him that, because one of the guys in the group has the same name, and people kept getting confused who I was talking about. It stuck.
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Leo (Rahien Sorei) wrote: "Kivrin, I was supremely pleased with Staveley's premier novel (review incoming) and couldn't put it down! So excited for book two, inordinately so. However, I had some quibbles, but nothing too maj..."Glad to hear it. I think I had more issues with Book 2, but I'll have to go back and read my reviews to remember.
Amelia wrote: "And, "that funky avatar" is 7 of 9! 7 is awesome!!"Yes, yes she is.
i think calling him "the Mr." is cool....
Thanks, Spooky...I liked it. :) It wasn't my doing (I didn't start it), but I liked it.
Alexander wrote: "Rereading Honor Harrington Novel series"Just grabbed On Basilisk Station from the Baen free library. Haven't read more than the first few chapters yet, but it seems interesting. Is the series a favorite of yours?
Doug wrote: "Just grabbed On Basilisk Station from the Baen free library. Haven't read more than the first few chapters yet, but it seem..."That's how I got started on the series, too. Their free read paid off. I've bought & read a dozen or more books in the series & listened to them as audio books, too.
They're not without faults. Weber is into info dumps which are duplicated throughout the series. They're easy enough to read once & skim past in print, but they're a pain in audio format.
They're very enjoyable though - Weber's version of the Horatio Hornblower series which I also liked. The characters are more likable, especially Honor & the Queen. Even many of the 'bad' guys have depth & some turn out to be good guys. Others get worse.
Most novels are complete stories, although they certainly leave room for sequels, but the series is kind of like a bag of chips - it's tough to read just one. There are even spin-off series, although I didn't get into those much, just a short story here & there. Enjoy!
Doug wrote: "Alexander wrote: "Rereading Honor Harrington Novel series" Just grabbed On Basilisk Station from the Baen free library. Haven't read more than the first few chapters yet, but it seem..."
I'll add a, "me, too" to what Jim said. Webber set out to make Hornblower with spaceships, and did a terrific job of it. He gave his spaceships and space itself texture, with impeller wedges and sidewalls and details of weapons & defenses, and he makes use of stellar and planetary gravity wells. So if what you liked about Hornblower was maneuvering to get off an unanswered broadside or pinning an opponent against a lee shore, Weber has the universe to produce it.
(I didn't really care for his multiple spinoffs, though.)
I'll add a, "me, too" to what Jim said. Webber set out to make Hornblower with spaceships, and did a terrific job of it. He gave his spaceships and space itself texture, with impeller wedges and sidewalls and details of weapons & defenses, and he makes use of stellar and planetary gravity wells. So if what you liked about Hornblower was maneuvering to get off an unanswered broadside or pinning an opponent against a lee shore, Weber has the universe to produce it.
(I didn't really care for his multiple spinoffs, though.)
Thanks for the feedback guys. I've been meaning to read a Hornblower novel for years now, haven't gotten around to that yet, mostly because I still have no idea where to start...But I do like the concept of that series set in space.
Doug, I wanted to read the Hornblower series in chronological order & it was tough to figure out especially with the short stories. Look at the bottom of my review here:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Jim wrote: "Doug, I wanted to read the Hornblower series in chronological order & it was tough to figure out especially with the short stories. Look at the bottom of my review here:..."
Hmmm. I guess I'd suggest a publication order (starting with Beat to Quarters). I just think the stories are more interesting. That's some great information you put together for that link, Jim.
Hmmm. I guess I'd suggest a publication order (starting with Beat to Quarters). I just think the stories are more interesting. That's some great information you put together for that link, Jim.
going to curl up and read Reflections of A E van Vogt tonight...
G33z3r wrote: "Hmmm. I guess I'd suggest a publication order (starting with Beat to Quarters). I just think the stories are more interesting. That's some great information you put together for that link, Jim. "Thanks, G33z3r. Since both orders are listed, Doug can make up his own mind. I've only read the series once & thought chronological was best, but I'm not a 'deep' reader, especially not on a first read. There could well be threads he built on in published order that I missed.
L.E. Modesitt Jr.'s Recluce series is also published out of chronological order & he recommends reading it in published order since he develops the system of magic & everything that way. I agree for a first read, but found it more enjoyable to read it chronologically on a second read. Since then, he's added more books that putter about in various times. I don't know that I'll ever go back & reread them all, though.
Star Trek's Capt. Kirk was supposed to be modeled on Hornblower
Spooky1947 wrote: "Star Trek's Capt. Kirk was supposed to be modeled on Hornblower"There is very little resemblance, IMO. Not surprising given how accurately Hollywood portrays anything.
Finished The Snow Queen, posted my thoughts to that book's page. Now on to The Traitor Baru Cormorant because apparently for me October is SF Political Machinations month, appropriate since there is an election happening in my country.
Just finished up reading KSR's latest novel,...
Aurora by Kim Stanley Robinson
Best 2015 novel I've read (so far). Robinson is known for his hard SF, whether he's terraforming Mars or exploring the rest of the solar system. I think this is his first venture outside of the solar system, as a generation ship launched centuries ago finally nears its destination star and prepares for colonization. Naturally, there are problems to be solved. Robinson considers a broad spectrum of sciences in all his novels, from the physics of space travel to genetics, biology, climate and ecology, artificial intelligence, etc.
Usually the challenge in reading Robinson's novels is finding a character to latch onto. His stories are always filled with human disagreements at various levels, and he often doesn't provide any PoV the reader can sympathetically latch onto. I didn't have any problem with finding characters to like; maybe surprisingly, one of them is the ship's AI.
Aurora by Kim Stanley RobinsonBest 2015 novel I've read (so far). Robinson is known for his hard SF, whether he's terraforming Mars or exploring the rest of the solar system. I think this is his first venture outside of the solar system, as a generation ship launched centuries ago finally nears its destination star and prepares for colonization. Naturally, there are problems to be solved. Robinson considers a broad spectrum of sciences in all his novels, from the physics of space travel to genetics, biology, climate and ecology, artificial intelligence, etc.
Usually the challenge in reading Robinson's novels is finding a character to latch onto. His stories are always filled with human disagreements at various levels, and he often doesn't provide any PoV the reader can sympathetically latch onto. I didn't have any problem with finding characters to like; maybe surprisingly, one of them is the ship's AI.
Aurora was a really good one! I didn't think it was quite as good as 2312, but I always look forward to what KSR comes up with.
That's a couple of enthusiastic recs of Aurora now. It's definitely on my too-read list, although I will probably wait for the paperback edition.
Hillary wrote: "That's a couple of enthusiastic recs of Aurora now. It's definitely on my to-read list, although I will probably wait for the paperback edition."
I've been doing that a lot myself, lately. I tend to have Amazon send the free sample of books that look interesting from various blogs and new releases lists. Then I read the sample and check out the "buy now" button, only to run into sticker shock. Ever since the publishers won the right to set e-book prices in their contract negotiations with Amazon, I keep pushing books down on the "when cheaper" list. (especially with an author I don't have a track record with.) KSR Is pretty reliably a good read, so I threw caution (and $13) to the wind. :)
I've been doing that a lot myself, lately. I tend to have Amazon send the free sample of books that look interesting from various blogs and new releases lists. Then I read the sample and check out the "buy now" button, only to run into sticker shock. Ever since the publishers won the right to set e-book prices in their contract negotiations with Amazon, I keep pushing books down on the "when cheaper" list. (especially with an author I don't have a track record with.) KSR Is pretty reliably a good read, so I threw caution (and $13) to the wind. :)
I'm on a roll, two excellent books in a row! I really enjoyed...
Dark Orbit by Carolyn Ives Gilman
This came out couple of months ago, and got a couple of excellent reviews, so I gave it a shot. Turned out to be one of my better choices.
Lightspeed interstellar travel, a mission to study an interesting physical phenomena, and unexpected contact with an isolated human community who have no business being out there on the fringe and who perceive the world quite differently from their spacefaring cousins. There's an old saying, "In the land of the blind, the one eyed man is king.” Maybe, not so much.
A couple of terrific characters and intriguing human culture with a mix of some terrific speculative social science and an unusual touch of mysticism. I also like the way it played with and then subverted a couple of common tropes.
Dark Orbit by Carolyn Ives GilmanThis came out couple of months ago, and got a couple of excellent reviews, so I gave it a shot. Turned out to be one of my better choices.
Lightspeed interstellar travel, a mission to study an interesting physical phenomena, and unexpected contact with an isolated human community who have no business being out there on the fringe and who perceive the world quite differently from their spacefaring cousins. There's an old saying, "In the land of the blind, the one eyed man is king.” Maybe, not so much.
A couple of terrific characters and intriguing human culture with a mix of some terrific speculative social science and an unusual touch of mysticism. I also like the way it played with and then subverted a couple of common tropes.
Currently I'm reading The Company of the Dead by David Kowalski. It's about a time traveler who goes back to the Titanic and the alternative history of America that results. So far it has been an excellent read.
Currently reading "Hyperion" for the October group discussion. I'm a quarter of the way through and I love it so far. You guys should check it out and join the discussion!
Finished Dozois's 32nd Best of SF anthology. Here is my review.Now I can move on to our BotM James Tiptree!
hope to start The Murder of the USA by William F Jenkins (Murry Lenster) tonight...about a atomic war...
I Crawl Through It. Not "typical" Sci-Fi, but really interesting and provocative.
Just finished The Last Witness, the latest KJ Parker fantasy novella set in the familiar universe of his Academic Exercises collection. (Our anthology discussion topic from February.)
It's a stand-alone story, no prior experience with the world required. Our protagonist has a knack for stealing other people's memories (please don't call it magic, it's just science that's not completely understood yet.) He makes a living for a while erasing people's memories, which then become his memories, a little like a sin eater. He's mostly amoral about it, not minding if the things that are forgotten are assisting criminal enterprises or just assuaging guilt. Eventually, he becomes the man who knows too much.
Interesting character, as he freely admits, "no angel", but not actually evil, either. The reveal at the end isn't a terrible surprise, mostly because we've seen the trope before, but it plays out well enough, and Parker's prose is always wryly amusing to read.
It's a stand-alone story, no prior experience with the world required. Our protagonist has a knack for stealing other people's memories (please don't call it magic, it's just science that's not completely understood yet.) He makes a living for a while erasing people's memories, which then become his memories, a little like a sin eater. He's mostly amoral about it, not minding if the things that are forgotten are assisting criminal enterprises or just assuaging guilt. Eventually, he becomes the man who knows too much.
Interesting character, as he freely admits, "no angel", but not actually evil, either. The reveal at the end isn't a terrible surprise, mostly because we've seen the trope before, but it plays out well enough, and Parker's prose is always wryly amusing to read.
Starting Half a King, Queen of Shadows and the latest Mistborn!
I am finishing up 1632 at lunch, then I plan on starting The Sound and the Fury, because I waited to order some books and this is another one that I bought years ago, started and never finished. After that, I just ordered 1633, Blood Rites, and The Last Colony....to continue on in those series.
Michael wrote: "I am finishing up 1632 at lunch, ..."
1632 is one of those completely absurd concepts that turned into a workable novel because the author had a lot of fun thinking about the consequences. (It's a little like those silly thought experiments like, "what if Napoleon had had jet planes?") And I did like Flint's the idea of downscale technology, figuring out what pieces of modern tech might be maintained with 17th infrastructure.
1632 is one of those completely absurd concepts that turned into a workable novel because the author had a lot of fun thinking about the consequences. (It's a little like those silly thought experiments like, "what if Napoleon had had jet planes?") And I did like Flint's the idea of downscale technology, figuring out what pieces of modern tech might be maintained with 17th infrastructure.
I finished Never Let Me Go, excellent book - tried to watch the movie, but ugh, boring.Next I dove into the Witcher series - The Last Wish, Sword of Destiny, Blood of Elves - really liking the series.
Took a break from the Witcher stuff to re-read The Human Division and now I'm reading The End of All Things.
I'm still wrestling through The Secret Country. :/. Gah! 30 more pages & I'm free!!!!
(It's for a challenge, or I'd have quit at least 100 pages ago.)
(It's for a challenge, or I'd have quit at least 100 pages ago.)
Next is The Three Body Problem.
Halloween month means it's time to read horror!
I did, I did! I read Something Wicked This Way Comes and Books of Blood: Volume One!
Now The Three-Body Problem and The Beekeeper's Apprentice, so I can move on to Hyperion and Poison Study.
Now The Three-Body Problem and The Beekeeper's Apprentice, so I can move on to Hyperion and Poison Study.
I finished reading the first novel in the Kris Longknife series, Mutineer. I read a lot of military SF, and maybe that's why it keeps showing up on Amazon and Goodreads automated recommendation lists. Anyway, now I read it, and it's crap. (Almost seems YA, way too cute, predictable storylines concatenated. And everyone sets phasers on stun.)
G33, I bought an entire series based on GR recommendation...and the fact that the books showed an average of 4-4+ stars on GR and B&N. It was complete rubbish. Total disappointment. :/
The Death of Dulgath. Michael J Sullivan's new Riyria book. Excellent read!
I just read Ancillary Justice by Ann Leckie - I think I picked it up from one of the threads here, but I can't remember where. Super book, follows in the tradition of classic science fiction - space opera - but with a contemporary feel regarding treatment of gender issues and multi-body personalities and identities. I have now picked up the first sequel, Ancillary Sword to read. I am looking forward to it.
Wow, I've been hearing about those Imperial Radch books everywhere lately!
Figured it was about time to finally read Something Wicked This Way Comes. A fitting book for this time of year. It was pretty cool. I love Bradbury, but just never got to this one for whatever reason. Funny how that works out.
The entire Chronicals of Narnia series, I found a book with all of the books.
Lori, I read that this month as well. I need to get to The Martian Chronicles...
Amelia, The Martian Chronicles is simply amazing! I highly recommend that book. I have that in the pile for my sister to read since she is finally getting into fantasy and sci-fi. It has only taken her 30 years of me telling her to read these books to have her understand my obsession with the genres.
I have it...sitting right here. :)
Oh excellent! I need to re-read it myself again at some point.
Finished several disappointing novels for the end of the month:
Tanya Huff's An Ancient Peace is the 6th & latest book in her Torin Kerr / Confederation series. This used to be military sci-fi with humorous swagger. Now peace has broken out, and it's all emo. Look, James Bond doesn't see a shrink. Indiana Jones doesn't see a shrink. Lara Croft doesn't see a shrink. They punch, kick, stab, shoot, and blow stuff up, and look pleased doing it.
Paolo Bacigalupi's Ship Breaker was the 2010 start of his YA series, yet another post-apocalypse. In this one, the ocean levels have risen, drowning all the old coastal cities. As these things go, this isn't even a very interesting dystopia. A poor teen working coastal salvage has homicidal, drug addicted father. Hot rich girl washes ashore after a storm, and for some reason he sets out to get her home to her parents. Paint by numbers predictable.
Nuttall's The Oncoming Storm is my Kindle Owners Lending Library book for the month. Military SF in the universe seemingly borrowed from David Weber's Honor Harrington with a sugaring of faux feminism. ((I think I grade KOLL books on a curve.)
I'm currently reading the latest graphic novel collection for Saga, Volume 5. At least I'm sure it won't be predictable SF/F :)
Tanya Huff's An Ancient Peace is the 6th & latest book in her Torin Kerr / Confederation series. This used to be military sci-fi with humorous swagger. Now peace has broken out, and it's all emo. Look, James Bond doesn't see a shrink. Indiana Jones doesn't see a shrink. Lara Croft doesn't see a shrink. They punch, kick, stab, shoot, and blow stuff up, and look pleased doing it.
Paolo Bacigalupi's Ship Breaker was the 2010 start of his YA series, yet another post-apocalypse. In this one, the ocean levels have risen, drowning all the old coastal cities. As these things go, this isn't even a very interesting dystopia. A poor teen working coastal salvage has homicidal, drug addicted father. Hot rich girl washes ashore after a storm, and for some reason he sets out to get her home to her parents. Paint by numbers predictable.
Nuttall's The Oncoming Storm is my Kindle Owners Lending Library book for the month. Military SF in the universe seemingly borrowed from David Weber's Honor Harrington with a sugaring of faux feminism. ((I think I grade KOLL books on a curve.)
I'm currently reading the latest graphic novel collection for Saga, Volume 5. At least I'm sure it won't be predictable SF/F :)
Another book I have been working my way through for some time is Titus Groan, the first of the The Gormenghast Novels by Mervyn Peake. I have carried these books in my bookshelf for half a lifetime, always with the intention to read them "some day"; well I have made time for at least the first one this year. Very quirky but fascinating as well. Worth the effort to dig into.
Sci-fi and Heroic Fantasy
Books mentioned in this topic
The Gormenghast Novels (other topics)Titus Groan (other topics)
The Oncoming Storm (other topics)
Ship Breaker (other topics)
An Ancient Peace (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Mervyn Peake (other topics)Ann Leckie (other topics)
David Kowalski (other topics)
Carolyn Ives Gilman (other topics)
Kim Stanley Robinson (other topics)
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