Books of the Month, October 2017 - Furies of Calderon and Rendezvous with Rama

[Rinn, (Retired mod) Captain of the SSV Normandy]

The winners of October's Books of the Month are as follows: (it was a close one!)

Fantasy: Furies of Calderon
Sci-Fi: Rendezvous with Rama

And a special Horror classic just for October: Frankenstein

[Paul, A wanderer in unknown realms]

Good horror choixe :-)

[Milou]

I Loved Frankenstein... it may be my favourite classic (its def in the top 3)

[Nic, Wormhole Technician]

I'm a huge fan of Rendezvous with Rama, and Arthur C. Clarke in general, It's a pity the sequels are not as good as the first. I just love the inter-planetary politics involved!

[N.E.C.C.]

100% sure i'm gonna read Furies of Calderon. I love The Dresden Files and Jim Butcher.

[Rinn, (Retired mod) Captain of the SSV Normandy]

Aaaand my copy of Rendezvous with Rama is back at my parent's house, bahh!

[Shawnie]

I've never read Frankenstein, gasp! Perfect for October.

[Susie]

Two books of the month that I want to read! I'll have to pick up my pace. Just recently read Frankenstein for the first time, excellent horror pick.

[Paul, A wanderer in unknown realms]

Frankenstein is ideal, horror at its best and a good dollop of scifi thrown in.
Easily one of my favourite books.
For those planning to read I would reccomend the Bodelian edition of the book,, it contains Mary Wollstencrafts original text and that edited, sometimes for the worse, by Percey Shelley making it an interesting read from that perspective.

[Roger, Knight Radiant]

I'll give Rendezvous with Rama a shot, been in my TBR for a while, just takes a while for me to get a sci-fi book off of there and read it.

[Greg]

I've read Frankenstein quite a few times; I'm not sure I'm ready for another re-read yet.

I do plan to join in Rendezvous with Rama though - it will be my first book by Clarke, who I've been wanting to read for a while.

As far as Furies of Calderon, I'm a little worried about some of the reviews saying it's mixing Pokemon with the Roman Legion. Has anyone read it, and without spoilers, can you just tell me if you liked it?

[Roger, Knight Radiant]

Greg wrote: "I've read Frankenstein quite a few times; I'm not sure I'm ready for another re-read yet.

I do plan to join in Rendezvous with Rama though - it will be my first book by..."

I've read it, it was an okay story, I did not continue the series though.

[Sarah]

Both are on my TBR, but I'm only going to be able to do one because I am way over committed elsewhere.
Decisions, decisions.

[Audrey, Queen of the Potato People]

I just got Furies of Calderon from the library. It's huge! I'm not sure I'll finish it in time.

[Paul, A wanderer in unknown realms]

Furys of Calderon does intimidate me a bit. Quite a chunky book and the premise doesnt grab me. May have a look at getting a copy of Rendevous with Rama if i get a chance.

[Murat Jenidi]

I have listened to Furies of Calderon via Audible...I would not be discouraged by the length nor mentions of Pokemon and Roman Legion. I do not think this is a spoiler but the magic system is based on individuals who have an affinity to a certain element and attracting/creating a familiar based on that affinity (I guess this is where the Pokemon aspect comes to play but if someone did not say Pokemon...you would never associate it with it). Individuals can manipulate that element as well as their familiar. The military system is based off the Roman era...Roman names are very dominate in this series. Without giving anything away, this is a story of a coming to age of true leader and that is where I will leave it. There is so much more depth to this series and you will see more of that as you progress through the story. I was sad when I finished the series because I wanted more!!!!!! Hope that helps.

[Vinca]

Paul wrote: "Furys of Calderon does intimidate me a bit. Quite a chunky book and the premise doesnt grab me. May have a look at getting a copy of Rendevous with Rama if i get a chance."

Might be a chunky book, but it's certainly not a challenging one. I'd class it as a quick read - it's just one of those books that you rattle through much faster than you expect.

And for those asking, I read the whole series pretty much back to back a few years ago and really enjoyed it. I didn't think about Pokemon even once and don't really understand where that idea has come from. Yes, some aspects of Roman influence, but overall I found it to be just an enjoyable fast-paced fantasy novel.

[Greg]

Thanks Vinca and Murat - good to know!

[Margo]

Great horror choice - I'll definately read that. It one I keep nearly reading ;-)

[Murat Jenidi]

Just curious to know your thoughts of Furies of Calderon now that you guys have started reading it. I did enjoy the series.

[Audrey, Queen of the Potato People]

Murat wrote: "Just curious to know your thoughts of Furies of Calderon now that you guys have started reading it. I did enjoy the series."

Still haven't started! Maybe next month.

[Sandy]

I am liking the book. I am around chapter 10 and finding the book well paced so far. I like the two MC's Tavi and Amara - at least I think they are MC's - very much. I am finding the world imaginative and the political intrigue interesting. The scene in Bernard's hall very well thought out and executed.

[Sandy]

Murat - I started a BOM thread - please join in and comment! For those that want to comment but not get spoiled - I have started each comment with the chapter it is referring to.