2014 Group Read discussions: The Emperor's Blades * Roll Call / Initial Impressions

[Brenda ╰☆╮]

The Emperor's Blades by Brian Staveley , our winner of the May poll, discussed here.

Who will be joining?

What are your first impressions?

Reminder: No spoilers here.
:)

[Greta]

I hope to read this one, even though my list for May is getting long!!

[Stuart]

Will probably read at some time.

[Em Lost In Books]

I'm reading this one hopefully in May:D

[Lioth]

I'll try it.
I hope to be able to keep up the pace with you.

[Xan]

I'm going to give it a try.

[Daniel]

I am planning on picking up the audiobook of this one.

[Deano]

Dan the audiobook is well read
Enjoy

[Elise]

I'll join in on this one. :)

[Luke]

I read it in March. He's a very good writer.

[Kenneth]

read it at the start of the year..thought it was very action packed! kinda feel as though a lot of modern fantasy is leaning towards this type of hollywood blockbuster-esq type of story's. but you wont find me complaining! a good read.

[Sadie]

I started about a week ago, and I'm really enjoying it so far!

[Chris]

I just started the book. I'm not sure I'm going to be able to finish it. My first impression is that it doesn't seem like the author is doing anything new or different. He is trotting out the same old tired tropes. Maybe I've come to expect more from my fantasy these days -- but I got to the point where within a single sentence the author writes (and I'm paraphrasing here) "the clearly qualified and ambitious elder daughter can't be emperor because of her gender." Really? The author could actually have written a book that wasn't burdened in 100's of years of tired white patriarchal baggage. To me that says, even if you are a strong woman, even in your escapist fantasies, you will never be in charge. That isn't the message I want to pass on to my daughter. Anyway. Tired cliches and tropes. Lazy writer. Would not recommend.

[DavidO]

Phew, I feel less alone now. I was beginning to think I was the only person who wasn't impressed.

[Luke]

DavidO wrote: "Phew, I feel less alone now. I was beginning to think I was the only person who wasn't impressed."

I only gave it a 3 (3.5 maybe? Can't remember). He has skill, I just wish he would have used more of it in this book.

[Deano]

I liked this book for what it is
It does have questionable parts that don't make sense sometimes.
But I found it a good first book
This maybe that I haven't read as much fantasy as you lot.
I loved the king killer chronicles also for what it is.
It's very well written too.
But as for something new I doubt it. As the hero is just the dogs danglies at everything he try's.

Chris if you want something completely different I would say go read China Mieville (if you haven't already) as he is very different.

[Luke]

My main issues were: (nothing really spoilery, just don't want to affect others opinions) (view spoiler)[the pacing is slow at points, the political intrigue wasn't nearly as fleshed out as it needed to be, leaving the third POV kinda hanging there. And I wasn't a huge fan of his world. Not that it was bad, it just wasn't my thing. The overarching threat wasn't fleshed out enough for me either. (hide spoiler)]

It's a decent debut and I'll follow the series, but it's not a "LOVE THIS BOOK" one for me.

[Jake]

I really liked it. It is definitely a set up book, just an introduction of characters and over arching plot but I found the pacing to be quick. I especially enjoyed the Navy SEALesk training and final test. I am kind of sick of the minimal fantasy thing that seems to be prevalent of late though.

[Takira]

I will read guess what I'm 9 and I read books 56 inches long!

[Luke]

Jake wrote: "I really liked it. It is definitely a set up book, just an introduction of characters and over arching plot but I found the pacing to be quick. I especially enjoyed the Navy SEALesk training and ..."

I highly agree with both the Navy Seal point as well as the dislike for the minimalist style. I love Tolkien for his depth, not for a lack of depth.

[Jelmer]

I'm currently on page 255, quite liking it so far.

[Talitha]

I got the free "preview" chapters, and was intrigued. However, I'm unsure if I want to buy the whole thing yet. A little pricey.

[Luke]

Talitha wrote: "I got the free "preview" chapters, and was intrigued. However, I'm unsure if I want to buy the whole thing yet. A little pricey."

I bought the hardcover because my wife thought it looked "pretty".

[Jake]

Luke wrote: "Jake wrote: "I really liked it. It is definitely a set up book, just an introduction of characters and over arching plot but I found the pacing to be quick. I especially enjoyed the Navy SEALesk ..."

I totally get that. But I'm a variety guy and enjoy books for what they are. Sometimes I crave something rich with depth and other times a simple action adventure will suit me just fine.

I don't know about you but the minimalist fantasy thing seems to really prevalent of late and I'm not a fan. I read fanatasy cause I like fantasy.

[Luke]

I've noticed a severe lack of military fantasy lately. Outside of Django Wexler's book, The Thousand Names I haven't read a decent, recently released military fantasy book in a while.

[Jelmer]

Luke wrote: "I've noticed a severe lack of military fantasy lately. Outside of Django Wexler's book, The Thousand Names I haven't read a decent, recently released military fantasy book in a while."
The sequel of Promise of Blood will be released in three days,so that should fill the gap for a while. :P

[Sam]

I just finished the book and I quite liked it. I will foll the series and look forward to his next book. Overall I'd score it a 3.4, with a bit more depth I would even be willing to go 4. With all due respect to Chris, I didn't mind the fact that a woman can't be emporor and am glad the author didn't weigh the book down with todays PC femeninst drivel.

[Em Lost In Books]

I'm starting it today.

[Bev]

Hi all can I ask that you keep any reviews, negative comments and story lines for the finished reading thread, just so you dont spoil it for other potential readers. However do feel free to let rip with all of the above on the finished reading thread. Thanks.

[Daniel]

just got it from audible, will be starting it later this month.

[L.K.]

I'm hoping to get to it this month. I'm reading The Red Knight right now, but as soon as I finish that, I'll pick up this one.

[Shanika]

just started it... I also got the first 7 chapters free from amazon to see if I like... so far so good.

[Em Lost In Books]

Read five chapters, its going good so far.

[Vex]

It's strong, deep and serious even if lacking in deviation from cliché, but it's not plain derivative fantasy. Stavely has given his world a REAL feel for genuine characters and cultural mythology.