Sci-Fi & Fantasy Girlz discussion
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What are you reading now?
Reading
, which regardless of its romance status is actually a good fantasy as well (and has pretty complex characters). Left me impressed.
I'm reading The Glass Sentence. The conceit is superb: there was a "Disruption" that caused the world to split into different eons. Boston, MA is in colonial times, Europe the 12th century, Canada prehistory, etc. Then there are great ideas that I won't give away. However, like so many books published in the US, the language is pretty much on a grade school level. It's like reading bare bones technical writing with absolutely no grace to it.
I'm about 25% of the way through
and really enjoying it.
Heidi wrote: "I'm about 25% of the way through and really enjoying it."I see that a lot of people either love it or hate it. You will have to let us know how you feel about the end, I'm always weary of anything with religious content.
I'm slowly working my way through The Mortal Instruments Series. Am reserving judgement until I finish them all. Have mixed feelings so far.
Alicja wrote: "I see that a lot of people either love it or hate it. "
I'd love to hear Heidi's comments on the book as well.
Alicja, I think you might enjoy The Sparrow, or at least, I think you won't hate it. When I read it I was a bit concerned about the religious content, but I was pleasantly surprised.
Yoly wrote: "Alicja wrote: "I see that a lot of people either love it or hate it. "
I'd love to hear Heidi's comments on the book as well.
Alicja, I think you might enjoy The Sparrow, or at least, I think y..."
Thanks! I'll consider it. I've got a too bit tbr list to waste time on religion (more than I've already been forced to waste when I was a kid).
Okay, now i'm about 1/2 way through and seriously tempted to put
down, it's not the religious aspect at all... some of the characters I just love, Emilio Sandoz and D. W. Yarborough, the scenes with the Jesuits are good, plus Sofia Mendez, but Anne and George Edwards, their scenes are becoming painful to read. Anyone else have this problem? I don't know, about to DNF, and it was off to such a promising start:(
Heidi wrote: "Okay, now i'm about 1/2 way through and seriously tempted to put down, it's not the religious aspect at all... some of the characters I just love, Emilio Sandoz and D..."Sometimes you just gotta abandon a book. Reading time is too precious as is.
Heidi wrote: "Okay, now i'm about 1/2 way through and seriously tempted to put down, it's not the religious aspect at all... some of the characters I just love, Emilio Sandoz and D..."Something similar happened to me when I read it. I felt it got boring halfway through the novel but by the end of the book it picked up. I think the main problem is that all the cool stuff happened on the first half of the book and everything happened so fast but then the story seemed to slow down right in the middle of the novel. I'm glad I didn't abandon it, it got more interesting in later chapters and I liked the ending.
If you're reading it for pleasure and you're not enjoying it, abandoning it shouldn't make you feel guilty!
Heidi wrote: "Okay, now i'm about 1/2 way through and seriously tempted to put down, it's not the religious aspect at all... some of the characters I just love, Emilio Sandoz and D..."Heidi, I *so* had that problem. Anne drove me batty. I began to cringe whenever she came onto a page. And poor George -- such a convenient husband, I just felt sorry for him. I'm afraid I thought Anne the worst case of a Mary Sue I can remember.
In addition to reading
, I am still making my way through the brick that is
, supplementing the missing romance with
. And then grabbing another dose of sci fi with
while being extremely disappointed in
. Oh, and I just finished one of our group member's wonderful action-filled zombified novel
. And I'm not just saying its wonderful because I know him (those that know me, know I have no problem saying something is crap) but because I actually enjoyed it (played an action horror movie in my head as I read). And it has a strong kick-ass female protagonist.
I just realized that out of the 6 novels mentioned above, 3 were written by women and 3 by men. I wasn't even trying, it just happened that way. Nice!
The second half of 'The Left Hand of Destiny' with is a Star Trek novel. I normally don't spring for the novels, but it is about DS9 and I LOVED DS9. Also, I know one of the authors and I want to support him.The first half was good! A lot of fun and a very strong female character is in it, too.
The Left Hand of Destiny, Book Two
Bryn wrote: "Heidi, I *so* had that problem. Anne drove me batty. I began to cringe whenever she came onto a page. And poor George -- such a convenient husband, I just felt sorry for him. I'm afraid I thought Anne the worst case of a Mary Sue I can remember. ."OMG! That is exactly what happened to me, and why I ultimately returned the book to the library unfinished. Anne & George.
Alicja and Yoly, thanks for your support. It's much easier for me to stop reading these days when I'm not enjoying a story, but there's always that incomplete feeling: ) And sometimes when I've persevered, it has really paid off...
Sometimes I'll read something I hate just so I can say I read it and then write a scathing review. It makes me feel better for wasting all that time (especially when I come up with mean witty things to say).
I am still making my way through some of the previously mentioned but I've also just finished reading
and started on
(oooh boy) and
(an indie memoir of an atheist).
Alicja wrote: "Sometimes I'll read something I hate just so I can say I read it and then write a scathing review. It makes me feel better for wasting all that time (especially when I come up with mean witty thing..."And supposing the author reads your review the day their mothered died?
I once received a particularly nasty rejection letter from M Zimmerman (yes of the Avalon book) the day my grandmother died and while my father was in the hospital slowly dying from cancer.
When you post the mean-spirited reviews do you really know all the consequences for you victim?
Cynthia wrote: "Alicja wrote: "Sometimes I'll read something I hate just so I can say I read it and then write a scathing review. It makes me feel better for wasting all that time (especially when I come up with m..."I don't choose books based on thinking I'll hate them (except the Heinlein one I'm reading but he's dead anyway so he won't care). And I'm never personal with an author (witch is why I stay away from reading OSC). When I say mean, I mean something like this:
But it failed to deliver. Instead we live inside Jun's head, a very scary place, with all the neediness and whiney-ness I just couldn't endure. And after getting through her corporate drama and over-emotional self-depreciation, about 70% of the book later, we finally get a peek into Saya's life and, holly hell, I wish that's the story we were told (and not just in a few page info dump).
It is honest, and completely deserved because I spent frickin' money on a book I thought I'd like and then get crap.
Plus, I think I have like 4 or 5 star reviews, its rare, but it usually comes from me being pissy about spending time and/or money on something really horrible. That above part of my review is for a 2 star book, I also go into the good things in the review too. I just can't stand whiney, needy characters.
I fully expect Alicja to melt my face when she reviews my book. I take my work seriously and if I'm going to eat hours of someone's time AND they have to pay me for the privileged, I'd better have something worthy.When I had the money for a professional book review, I tried to find the meanest one. Kirkus kept coming up, and New York Times even did a piece on how publishers and authors were afraid of them.
I found the meanest one, and submitted my first novel to them for review.
I get what you are saying, Cynthia. It is considerate and kind natured of you. Everyone has those days, and what we do impacts people regardless of eye contact. I would assert, however, that a rejection letter is different than a review in some ways. Granted, I don't know the harshness of said rejection letter, but rejection letters sting especially hard because you are basically asking someone permission to share your novel and they are writing you back and telling you 'no.'
Did you ever publish your novel with anyone else, or consider self publishing? And I'm sorry to hear about your father's suffering. My mother currently has breast cancer and she tries to kept me out of the dark, but I'm pretty sure that she is turning away various treatments in order to avoid a lingering death.
I'm reading this thing Never Let Me Go and it's kind of pissing me off. It's like the book adaptation of a mashup for The Island and Remains of the Day. I can't decide if it's genius or insufferable.Oh, goddamnit. I just found out that Kazuo Ishiguro wrote The Remains of the Day (the actual book.) That makes a ridiculous amount of sense.
Carolyn F. wrote: "I'm reading Fortune's Pawn"I'll be interested to hear what you think of it. I have her Eli Monpress books to read, which also sound good, but I thought since I already have those, I'd better check them out before spending any more money on books of hers in case I don't like them. Though I guess since one's fantasy and the other's sci fi they could be very different.
I just finished Green by Jay Lake (review is here. A very "kick-ass" heroine, and not a bad read, though it took me a couple of attempts to make it through to the end.
Am currently reading Havenstar, which I'm really enjoying. It was out of print so long it's a thrill to be able to read it at last.
William wrote: "And I'm sorry to hear about your father's suffering. My mother currently has breast cancer and she tries to kept me out of the dark, but I'm pretty sure that she is turning away various treatments in order to avoid a lingering death."See, I should have said something like that. Some days I have no tact. Sorry Cynthia.
I need to read Hemlock Grove. They (Netflix) made a 12 episode TV series out of it, which wasn't the greatest thing since sliced bread, but it did amuse. Some bits are actually quite startling and entertaining. (The bit where the (view spoiler) first (view spoiler) on camera and suddenly his (view spoiler) was really funny. The book upon which the series is based gets a lot of bad reviews; a 3.43 rating on GR is pretty low.... So, I'm curious:1. Why that translated into a perfectly good TV series.
2. How they got 12 episodes out of it.
3. How they're getting a second season out of it.
The first few episodes of the second season are out. I saw the first, and I liked it.... So, what's up? How is that happening? I need to know.
Gary wrote: "I need to read Hemlock Grove. They (Netflix) made a 12 episode TV series out of it, which wasn't the greatest thing since sliced bread, but it did amuse. Some bits are actually qu..."I haven't even heard of that show but that, uh, scene does sound hilarious. Many times the books and movies/TV shows based on them have very little in common. Case in point, World War Z (movie vs. book).
Alicja wrote: "I haven't even heard of that show but that, uh, scene does sound hilarious. Many times the books and movies/TV shows based on them have very little in common. Case in point, World War Z (movie vs. book)."Correction: Season 1 was 13 episodes. Season 2 will be 10 episodes.
My understanding is that they stayed pretty close to the book for Season 1, and I'm just not sure how that's possible. I just read the first couple of pages of the book, and ep 1 of the show has a different opening. It starts a bit before the book does, IIRC. Apparently, there's a comic that was a prequel, so they likely put that in as well.
I never read WWZ or saw the film. I'm not real big on zombies. I've seen it done a few times, but it's not particularly my jam. Among other things, I often eat in front of the TV, and rotting corpses devouring human brains doesn't bespeak a fine dining experience.
Gary wrote: "Among other things, I often eat in front of the TV, and rotting corpses devouring human brains doesn't bespeak a fine dining experience."But it does sound like a diet plan. :P
Carolyn F. wrote: "I'm reading Fortune's Pawn"I will probably read this one next. I'm really looking forward to that series.
I remember this one came out around the same time as Ancillary Justice which I chose to read instead of the Rachel Aaron book and regret it to this day.
I'm still reading the Parable of the Sower which I'm liking but it doesn't draw me in enough to read for more than 40 minutes at a time. I should be done with it sometime before December :P
Marina wrote: "I just finished Green by Jay Lake (review is here. A very "kick-ass" heroine, and not a bad read, though it took me a couple of attempts to make it through to the end."Strong female protagonist, fantasy and recommended by one of our members. I added it to the group's bookshelf.
Yoly wrote: "I'm still reading the Parable of the Sower which I'm liking but it doesn't draw me in enough to read for more than 40 minutes at a time. I should be done with it sometime before December :P"Yeah, I was disappointed in that one. If you haven't read any other Butler's, then could I suggest Kindred? It is truly a magnificent read, well written and cerebral (and no religion crap).
Alicja wrote: "Yeah, I was disappointed in that one. If you haven't read any other Butler's, then could I suggest Kindred? It is truly a magnificent read, well written and cerebral (and no religion crap). "I have Kindred on my list, which seems to be her most popular work. I was also recently recommended her Xenogenesis series.
Yeah the religion part is making me a bit uneasy. I am still enjoying the story, it just doesn't draw me in.
William wrote: "I... Thanks for the kind words William, and yes that was my point about there is a person receiving the review. Regarding your mother's breast cancer, don't assume she is suffering a slow death. My mother got breast cancer about 15 years ago or so and already doctors were talking about being able to cure it. She survived it and is still alive at 87.
An artist and a playwright I have known both suffered bad tempered criticism from teachers resulting in neither of them doing their art for a decade at least. When they got the courage up again to follow their art, the artist won many awards, the playwright earned a well-paid and long career. Whether the criticism comes from a teacher, an editor, or a reviewer, it is all criticism and bad tempered criticism has very bad effects. It is possible to give valuable, accurate criticism that gives readers a good idea if they will like a book or not. Accurate is better than honest. Lots of people honestly like real trash. Recently I bought a book that had more than 500 5 star reviews and it was the worst written book I have ever read barr none. It will know in the history of literature and drama that masterpieces have initially received really bad reviews.
Regarding my story I sent to Marion Zimmer Bradley (I am awake can remember her name now), I sent the story back in the Dark Ages that preceeded the Internet. One had to buy the magazines to be sure what sorts of writing each mag wanted. Relying on the year's book of writing markets, I misjudged where my literary story should go. Bradley was insulted by the literary nature of my story. I later sent her an appropriate story for her mag and she wrote one of the nicest rejection letters I've ever received: "I'm sorry. This is a perfectly good story, but I already bought one on the same theme." C'est la view.
Both stories I later self-pubbed, to answer your question, in my sf, fantasy, and myth collection *New Myths of the Feminine Divine.*
And thanks, Alicia for your apology. Yours are reviews I follow because they are educated reviews. I am sure you were annoyed at wasting money on a book. I've done worse. I wasted money on buying a house I didn't like! At least I can sell the house at a profit.
Currently I'm reading vol 2 of Banjo books by Elizabeth Ann Scarborough. I'm a huge fan of hers.
Probably finishing The Pedlar and the Bandit King today.Hmm. It's an okay book, I guess. Not outstanding or anything. By now I know exactly what the main characters look like because the author took great care of describing them over and over again.
This book has some slight issues with the scene changes, I think. Sometimes it simply changes POVs, but then at one point there's a change to a scene that ended a bit earlier for the other character so that confused me for a moment.
Also, plays apparently on the old 'soul mates' trope, which has been abused in fanficiton far too often. Urgh. Why can't we have two people getting together simply because they like each other instead of some obscure mystical intervention?
Sparrowlicious wrote: "Probably finishing The Pedlar and the Bandit King today.Hmm. It's an okay book, I guess. Not outstanding or anything. By now I know exactly what the main characters look like becau..."
Then don't read the next one, it is a disappointment. Scarlet becomes whiney, and the story and writing falls apart. I was quite disappointed. Although, it does pick up towards the end becoming a political fantasy so I may be intrigued enough, eventually, to try it.
Just finished reading
and
(which was amazing, by the way; 3 consecutive nights of very little sleep as I raced through the mystery). Just started
and
.Then I'll partake in
and
.
Alicja wrote: "Then don't read the next one, it is a disappointment. Scarlet becomes whiney, and the story and writing falls apart. I was quite disappointed. Although, it does pick up towards the end becoming a political fantasy so I may be intrigued enough, eventually, to try it."Aww, why? /:
Yeah, well, I guess I might read the second one some day, just to see where this stuff is going but I can guess.
Sounds like I have to stick to my own writing again if I want queer people who don't become whiney. D: Or I might re-read the Nightrunner series because ... bi people who aren't whiney.
Anyway, I started reading His Majesty's Dragon because DRAGONS.
So far I feel bad for Laurence. I mean, okay, DRAGONS but it's really hard if you have to leave everything behind you worked for. ):
Sparrowlicious wrote: "Alicja wrote: "Then don't read the next one, it is a disappointment. Scarlet becomes whiney, and the story and writing falls apart. I was quite disappointed. Although, it does pick up towards the e..."Have you read Captive Prince: Volume One (series)? I stayed away from it for so very long because I imagined the typical slave boy sex porn with no story. But its not. The first one is just a set-up for the second one so its not as good, but the second one is a political drama, mystery, and war story that contains like one sex scene toward the end. I'm excitedly waiting for the third one to comes out.
That's actually on my to-read list. :) Another book I hope is good is The Magpie Lord. I already got the ebook but didn't read it yet.
I haven't read these two either, but
and
sound like they could be good too. That's as far as queer fantasy goes. I have a queer science fiction book laying on my nightstand waiting to be read. Gary read it and gave it a great review.
So I am hopeful.
Sparrowlicious wrote: "That's actually on my to-read list. :) Another book I hope is good is The Magpie Lord. I already got the ebook but didn't read it yet."
Added it to my tbr. Thanks!
Alicja wrote: "Gary read it and gave it a great review. The Stone Gods by Jeanette Winterson So I am hopeful."I have an unabashed adoration for JW. That one is kind of esoteric, though.... I don't know how representative it is of her work in general. You might want to try Sexing the Cherry, The Passion or Oranges are not the Only Fruit to start off with.
I just read The Etched City by K.J. Bishop. Liked it hugely, if because I think she must have been influenced by everything that influenced me! It was a strange nostalgia trip to read this -- I think we just must have grown up with the same literary heroes or whatever. Nothing to do with her being Australian.
Alicja wrote: "I haven't read these two either, but and sound like they could be good too. That's as far as queer fantasy goes. I have a que..."
Kirin Kirith wasn't my cup of tea as far as the worldbuilding goes because the author threw in too many x and y where names were concerned. I couldn't keep track of the characters either. *sigh* ): The queer relationship though was sort of nice.
Grimsely was my favourite author when I was a teen but I guess I should reread some of his books. I hope I'm not mistaken that he's a good writer.
Luck in the Shadows:
Yeah, well. The entire series is probably my favourite thing by now. I fell in love with the characters, it's not even funny. These books are like reading ... well, the sort of absolutely great and slow-building (in regards of the relationship) queer fanfictions you find on the internet, only that the main characters are bi and the relationship isn't the main attraction.
So of course I like it a lot. xD
Sparrowlicious wrote: "Alicja wrote: "I haven't read these two either, but and sound like they could be good too. That's as far as queer fantasy goes...."I guess now I have to give both of them a try soon. Thanks!
Another vote for Luck in the Shadows! The whole series is fun.Alicja, I'll be interested to see what you think of The Handmaid's Tale. Such a powerful book! I've been thinking for a while I should reread it. The movie was very well done too.
Marina wrote: "Another vote for Luck in the Shadows! The whole series is fun.Alicja, I'll be interested to see what you think of The Handmaid's Tale. Such a powerful book! I've been thinking for a while I shoul..."
I read it back in high school. I think I either remember a scene from it or have completely invented the scene and thought it was in it. Otherwise I can't remember anything about it after all those years. So, its a re-read for me too.
Technically not science fiction, but tangentially related:I just finished Sally Ride: America’s First Woman in Space, the new biography. Great book. I remember her first flight so well, but I didn't know all the great stuff she did later.
Sci-Fi & Fantasy Girlz
Books mentioned in this topic
Dreadnought (other topics)All the Birds in the Sky (other topics)
The Short Drop (other topics)
The Dragon Throne (other topics)
The Oracle's Queen (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Rachel Aaron (other topics)Rachel Bach (other topics)
Rachel Bach (other topics)
Shannon Mayer (other topics)
K.J. Bishop (other topics)
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This was the first one I read too. I loved Menolly and the fire lizards!