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What Else Are You Reading?
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What Else Are You Reading - September 2017
Anyone who liked Childhood's End should steer well clear of that miniseries.
John (Taloni) wrote: "Anyone who liked Childhood's End should steer well clear of that miniseries."Ha! Duly noted. I will continue my "by and large, avoid SyFy" policy.
I liked The Devil You Know but the second book was a huge let down. The third was fine but I'm not feeling the series all that much. The problem with the second book was that the series is predicated on Castor investigating things and there were a couple of times where something was obvious but he didn't make the connection and once where he didn't tell a character something obvious that put her at risk... and both instances where because the author needed certain things to happen. That (having characters do or not do something to drive the plot in a given direction) drives me CRAZY.
Rick wrote: "I liked The Devil You Know but the second book was a huge let down. The third was fine but I'm not feeling the series all that much. The problem with the second book was that the series is predicat..."That's a shame! I really liked how (largely) logical DYK was. So many UF books have characters who let an emotion or terrible deduction guide them (and yeah! What is that nonsense with withholding valuable information?), I loved how that wasn't the case. I'll be very disappointed if I agree with you about the obviousness of certain clues etc.
Allison wrote: "Rick wrote: "I liked The Devil You Know but the second book was a huge let down. The third was fine but I'm not feeling the series all that much. The problem with the second book was that the serie..."Let us know when you've read it and I'll spoiler tag what I found problematic about it. FWIW, Carey doesn't do that in book 3.
I'm also kind of on the fence about the series because it does what Butcher does with Dresden - Castor gets beat up, put in situations where his life is threatened but somehow never gets killed or seriously injured. With Dresden, he at least has significant magic skills that make it somewhat believable but Castor mostly doesn't. How much this bothers you will be personal of course but it stretches suspension of disbelief a bit for me.
Rick wrote: "Allison wrote: "Rick wrote: "I liked The Devil You Know but the second book was a huge let down. The third was fine but I'm not feeling the series all that much. The problem with the second book wa..."Totally fair! I will keep you posted. It'll likely be awhile (I like to give myself breaks from series so it remains novel for me) but I'm sure I'll bring it up when I get to it! I'd love to discuss the pros and cons with you :-)
BTW the series seems to be a closed-ended series with only 5 books all of which are out.
Yeah! One of the draws for me is that it's a relatively short series. I don't think I could commit to another 23 book saga (lookin' at you, Butcher).
Yeah, I loved Dresden Files through the first twelve books, the next few were okay, some dross, some really high points (view spoiler) but now they're dragging out longer and longer. It looks like Butcher has created a universe so big he doesn't know how to write in it any more. Or as I call it, "George R.R. Martin Syndrome."
Haha, yeah. I think lately he's re-found his focus? But it's a pretty different series now. I think of it more as Supernatural syndrome. He's killed gods and demons so many times now, he's basically a god in his own right. What's left for him to conquer? We know right now who's bigger than him, but how can that last more than 5 books? I'll likely keep reading since it's easy popcorn fluff to fit into my reading schedule, and I'm quite fond of Harry after all our years together.
Allison wrote: "John (Taloni) wrote: "Anyone who liked Childhood's End should steer well clear of that miniseries."Ha! Duly noted. I will continue my "by and large, avoid SyFy" policy."
Late reply, but yeah. Unless you're curious, stay away from that miniseries. But, I have to say not all of what SyFy is doing should be avoided. I mean, The Expanse.
Yeah, and there are a few mini series I still love. (Like Dune! Fight me!) Which is why I put the caveat "by and large." I feel Syfy's pain; do you go after the bad movie lovers with a small budget and no concern about talent? Or do you budget extra and hope to find a crowd interested in the project? Tough sell either way, but I'd love to see so many cherished books made into successful visual franchises. I'll keep my fingers crossed--please excuse any subsequent typos ;-)
Reminds me that I need to start watching S2 of The Expanse.And I'm also a big fan of the Magicians series, and was glad it (and The Expanse) got picked up for a third season.
I forgot they did Magicians! Yeah, they definitely have some wheat in the chaff.It's just...so much chaff.
I've had S2 of The Expanse on my DVR since the season ended, back in April. Like Allison said, too much chaff. Plus, I have like 7 or 8 other complete seasons of shows on my DVR to be watched. (And I spent all day Sunday re-watching Season 1 of Stargate SG1 On Demand, just because it gets taken off today.) ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Allison wrote: "I forgot they did Magicians! Yeah, they definitely have some wheat in the chaff.It's just...so much chaff."
I think Syfy had a "come to Jesus" moment when they passed on The Walking Dead after NBC (Syfy's owner) also passed on it. HBO also passed on TWD, which I'm given to understand is the reason they picked up Game of Thrones, and the bosses at NBC started wondering why the two biggest genre shows of all time didn't find a home on their genre-specific subsidiary network.
That led to a major shake-up at Syfy where they fired their Science Fiction-hating president and put in people who actually *like* SFF stuff. Which is why they developed The Expanse and The Magicians, but it might be that the damage has already been done with all the crap they've churned out over the years.
Of course, it only takes one great show to turn a network around. AMC had the one-two punch of Mad Men and Breaking Bad which really put them on the map, followed by the breakout hit of TWD. Now AMC has even more original SF programming coming up and Syfy is an also-ran in the genre department.
But for AMC, those three hit shows started in 2007, 2008 and 2010. That's not very long ago at all. If Syfy stays the course, eventually they're going to get a solid hit along the lines of Battlestar Galactica.
Personally, I like The Expanse (and Killjoys) way more than I ever liked BSG, but my SF tastes are generally at odds with those of mainstream audiences, and neither of those shows are doing anywhere near the ratings BSG did.
Allison wrote: "Yeah, and there are a few mini series I still love. (Like Dune!..."Oh Allison... and we were going to be BESTIES....
That led to a major shake-up at Syfy where they fired their Science Fiction-hating president and put in people who actually *like* SFF stuff. Which is why they developed The Expanse and The Magicians, but it might be that the damage has already been done with all the crap they've churned out over the years.
It has with me. They shat on their SF loving viewers and put on wrestling, ghosthunter BS and changed the name because they didn't want to be associated with SF... right as geek culture exploded into the mainstream. Hey, they don't want to be associated with stuff I love? I don't need to be associated with them.
yes, it has been a decade since SyFy has been relevant, but Wed night with both the expanse and magicians is as solid two hours of entertainment as anything HBO has. Fandom should reward SyFy when they get it right.
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But nothing was as good as their older content or their current stuff.
But I enjoyed stuff like Eureka, Warehouse 13 and Haven. I also liked the first few seasons of Lost Girl, though I think they simply licensed that one.
Right now I watch 4 shows (it was 5 but Dark Matter just got canceled).
Expanse is by far their best, but I'm really enjoying The Magicians, Killjoys and 12 Monkeys (though this is ending next season) too.
They have some better reality tv stuff than they used to. I don't watch it regularly, but Face-off has some very talented people and they do some pretty cool themes.
I just finished Neal Stephenson's newest: The Rise and Fall of D.O.D.O. (my review). It was great.I'm going to start the Stephen King collection, Four Past Midnight, which is 4 novellas. I'm going to read those between the next few novels I read.
I think I'm going to read The Way of Shadows by Brent Weeks next. Its fantasy that's a bit different from the last couple I've read.
Rick wrote: "Allison wrote: "Yeah, and there are a few mini series I still love. (Like Dune!..."Oh Allison... and we were going to be BESTIES...."
Haha! Hey, it wasn't perfect, but it wasn't the worst adaptation I ever saw. Plus I saw it first, even before reading it. And Children of Dune had James MacAvoy! That's basically all I need to enjoy something. ;-)
I think SyFy is smart to get their good stuff up on Netflix. That's where I watch everything (or Hulu, but less frequently). I hope that they have a solid line up building, but (to open up another can of worms) I don't even fully trust Fox still after they messed with me for a decade, so SyFy's gonna need to work for it.
Going back on topic, Geoff, I am interested in hearing about The Way of Shadows! I've been hearing a lot about it lately but no reviews from people who have it fresh in their mind.
I also switched over to The Sparrow because I was hoping to finish it before it went back (there's someone else on the waiting list so I can't renew it just yet) and I'm really enjoying it. It's not at all what I expected. I think I was expecting something like a DaVinci Code in space? Really glad I was offbase. Don't know that I'll finish it. Knowing me, I'll likely get to the big reveal and then have to return it and wait.
I don't have high hopes, but when someone told me there's a series of "hardboiled detective" Star Wars books, well, my fate for the next few days was sealed and I started Jedi Twilight. I'm already disappointed that it's not called Private (Jed)Eye.To balance it out, I'm hanging out with Merrily Watkins and her crazy crew again, in A Crown of Lights
Jessica wrote: "I didn't love it nearly as much as the first one :( But it was still a decent book and I will be sure to read the final installment when it comes out ."What next installment? I thought it's just two books!
I also thought it was a stand-alone at first...
Allison wrote: "I also switched over to The Sparrow..."The Sparrow is great! The insights into religion are well done, and it gives biology and sociology the same treatment that "hard SF" gives physics.
The book resolves, but is more like a partial ending and that ending is a downer. Go on to Children of God shortly after. It continues and resolves the story, in a somewhat less depressing manner. For me perhaps the most exquisite parts are the ones left unanswered, because they should not be addressed. It's just plain a masterful work of fiction. There are some silly plot points along the way, but treat those as speed bumps necessary to the greater story, and keep going.
John (Taloni) wrote: "Allison wrote: "I also switched over to The Sparrow..."The Sparrow is great! The insights into religion are well done, and it gives biology and sociology the same treatment that "hard SF" gives p..."
Thanks! I'm about 20% in and loving it. I guess this is considered like well-researched soft sci fi? I am not nearly as well read in sci fi as fantasy, so I'm still figuring out what I like (NOT military!) Is it more like the Terra Ignota books where the books are more like half of the story and should be considered as one? Or is book 2 it's own story, with information that happens to flesh out the Sparrow?
Allison wrote: "Or is book 2 it's own story, with information that happens to flesh out the Sparrow? "The latter. I don't think you need to read Children of God to get the full story of The Sparrow, but it does add nuance and depth to the characters and story. It almost feels like the combination becomes a Director's Cut of the tale.
Trike wrote: "Allison wrote: "Or is book 2 it's own story, with information that happens to flesh out the Sparrow? "The latter. I don't think you need to read Children of God to get the full story..."
Okay, cool thanks! I have 4 books waiting for me, glad to know I don't need to grab Children of God to keep from ending on a cliffhanger (even if the non-cliff is a sad one).
Finished Bloodline whilst waiting for the power to come back on from Irma. Going to listen to A Wrinkle in Time and ponder what to read next.
Silvana wrote: "Jessica wrote: "I didn't love it nearly as much as the first one :( But it was still a decent book and I will be sure to read the final installment when it comes out ."What next installment? I th..."
Hmm, now I'm finding conflicting information about this. Well the second book definitely leaves off with a lot left to be resolved, so I'm thinking it'll likely be at least a trilogy.
EDIT: McDonald's wikipedia says it's a planned trilogy, so let's go with that :)
Finished Buried Heart (and I recommend all of Kate Elliott's Court of Fives trilogy unreservedly), and am moving on to a couple of related novellas: Night Flower and Bright Thrones.
After a long reading slump I finally finished Void Star. It was quite interesting, I'd give it 4.5 stars. I read a bunch of manga - Gundam Thunderboldt which is really great, more Gundam: Origin (also great), Dragon Ball Super, Borito Vol 1,2
Next up I am listening to The Clockwork Dynasty in audio during my commute - My local library doesn't have it yet so I'm going to read Assassin's Apprentice on the Kindle while at home/in bed.
Allison wrote: "I forgot they did Magicians! Yeah, they definitely have some wheat in the chaff.It's just...so much chaff."
I've been avoiding the TV show due to the utterly painful memories of the book. Easily the worst book I've ever finished. I've read worse that I've just lemmed midway through but I actually finished this one (I was on a road trip and this was the audio book I'd chosen).
The trailers make it look interesting but my memories of the book keep me away.
What is the TV series comparable too?
In dead tree form I'm working my through the main Dragonlance series. Haven't read it in 30 years so I was curious if it held up as it was the highlight of my teen reading years. So far its not holding up. It doesn't suck but its not great either. On audio book I'm currently doing Happy Hour in Hell by Tad Williams. Its the second book in the Bobby Dollar series. We did the first book a few years ago here otherwise I probably never would have tried it. Its okay but like most Tad Williams tends to spin its wheels pointlessly just to drag out the length of the book.
Ok, I tweeted Ian McDonald and asked if there will be a third Luna book. His response: "Yes. Coz I'm writing it right now."
Joseph wrote: "Finished Buried Heart (and I recommend all ofKate Elliott's Court of Fives trilogy unreservedly), and am moving on to a couple of related novellas: [book:Night Flower|..."Also just finished Buried Heart - love that trilogy! It hits all the YA fantasy tropes but with way more depth and thoughtfulness than most YA books manage.
Currently reading (and loving) The Fifth Season by N. K. Jemisin (yeah, I'm behind, I know!)
Ruth wrote: "Also just finished Buried Heart - love that trilogy! It hits all the YA fantasy tropes but with way more depth and thoughtfulness than most YA books manage."I really, really need to read more Kate Elliott. I kind of skipped over her when she first started appearing back in the 1990s, for one reason or another. (I think it was mostly because that was the point when DAW (her fist publisher) was putting out mass quantities of really thick fantasy novels, and I just kind of missed her in the shuffle.)
I'm currently reading The Quantum Thief, which feels like homework, and X-Events: The Collapse of Everything, which is non-fiction about the ways the world might end. I don't entirely buy into his suppositions, but it's more interesting than Quantum Thief.Also dipping into Star Hawks, Vol. 1: 1977-1978. Gil Kane's art is still gorgeous, but the writing isn't as good as my 13-year-old self remembers.
Joseph wrote: I really, really need to read more Kate Elliott"Me too! I confess that the Court of Fives trilogy is the first of hers that I've read. She's so prolific I'm not sure which book/series to try next... any recommendations?
Ruth wrote: "Me too! I confess that the Court of Fives trilogy is the first of hers that I've read. She's so prolific I'm not sure which book/series to try next... any recommendations?..."Well, let's ask an expert ... :)
http://www.imakeupworlds.com/index.ph...
Trike - The Quantum Thief trilogy doesn't get less dense. Some of the hardest SF and most imaginative that Ive read, but yeah, dense.Ok, still on The Ruin of Angels. Also doing Six of Crows. Then back to Borne.
Finish Helliconia Spring and debating if I can finish Pushing Ice in 3 weeks before my vacation. I only have it in hardback and I don't want to lug that around.
Pushing Ice is not all that long and is a fast read. I didn't love it, but found it okay. Worth a read and you should finish in time.
Joseph wrote: "Ruth wrote: "Me too! I confess that the Court of Fives trilogy is the first of hers that I've read. She's so prolific I'm not sure which book/series to try next... any recommendations?..."Well, let's ask an expert... :)
Thanks for the link but she makes all her books sound so awesome (well she's not going to make them sound lame I suppose...) that I'm still not sure! I'll probably end up with whichever I can find on a cheap deal...
Eh, Pushing Ice is 450 pages, and not everyone is a quick reader. It's definitely a book with a lot of really cool elements, though one of the central conflicts really annoyed me. :-)Ruth: The only other things by Elliott I've read has been the Spiritwalker trilogy (Cold Magic & sequels), and I thought it was a lot of fun--I really liked the alternate history background to everything, and I'm a bit of a pro-Carthaginian guy myself, too.
@Jessica: Thank you! Well, therefore I don't need to hurry and can focus on other completed series to continue.
Ruth wrote: "Joseph wrote: I really, really need to read more Kate Elliott"Me too! I confess that the Court of Fives trilogy is the first of hers that I've read. She's so prolific I'm not sure which book/seri..."
If you're in the mood for a long world spanning epic with many POV's, political intrigue, and giant eagles, try the Crossroads Series Spirit Gate. Black Wolves is further adventures in this world with (mostly) newer characters, but I think it goes much better after reading the first 3.
For one POV and a more personal level of focus, try the Spiritwalker trilogy, Cold Magic. This one does blend a lot of bits of different things together: airship/steam tech level from steampunk, political intrigue from epics, a side of fae and the Wild Hunt from stories both ancient and new. I loved it, but it seems like it's a very polarizing experience.
For a story that starts sci-fi, turns fantasy (blending in on a non-space-faring people's planet) then curves back to sci fi again, Jaran (series) starting with Jaran (book).
Sanasai wrote: "Ruth wrote: "Joseph wrote: I really, really need to read more Kate Elliott"Me too! I confess that the Court of Fives trilogy is the first of hers that I've read. She's so prolific I'm not sure wh..."
Thanks! I hadn't realised Black Wolves followed on from Spirit Gate. Cold Magic sounds fun so I might give that a try next.
Finished my annual Heinlein reread. This year was Farnham's Freehold. The last time I read this was over 30 years ago.Boy, this was problematic. It's one of Heinlein's least liked books, both fairly and unfairly in my opinion.
He was usually good about having strong female characters that still came off as being there just to support the men but this book goes way beyond the usual. In addition to the fat, lazy, alcoholic mother (based on Heinlein's ex-wife) there is the young visitor (25) who sleeps with Farnham (50) on the night they meet despite his wife being passed out in the next room and his daughter who sometime later tells him that given the only choices of him, her brother, and the servant she would choose to sleep with him because he's the most manly man. The first chapter alone would give a feminist a stroke.
The unfair part is that some people say this book is racist but I think they must have misread it. Essentially, the message here was "absolute power corrupts absolutely" no matter who wields it. In his real life Heinlein was well known for fighting for civil rights and he often used non-white protagonists when almost no-one else did.
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The Sword and Laser
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Plan on watching the miniseries SyFy ..."
Haha maybe! I have lots of visual media watching intentions, that usually get swallowed by books instead. Was it good?