Fantasy Buddy Reads discussion
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Zaara's Buddy Read Tracker
I read LLL back in 2014. I was fairly new to fantasy. hence was blown away by the world and all their schemes. also found it funny but in the second a lot of new characters were introduced. though good at times but they were not anywhere near the brilliance of Locke and Jean and Lynch put a lot of effort to tell us about these characters and the dimension of how a pirate ship works. it was boring! :/I fell asleep many times while reading Republic of thieves, it was that slow...
Veronica wrote: "And the Sabetha character was annoying me in LoLL even though she wasn't even in it. I hate the whole pining-for-lost-love trope. I just want to say, "Move on with your life already! Sheesh." :-)"Then you'll hate the Kvothe-Denna track from Kingkiller because there isn't much to it except (view spoiler)
A character's absence should shriek for itself, no? The LoTR movies did that better with Gandalf...that stunned sort of disbelief, that huge hole in the Fellowship. So Saby's actually an improvement but bcuz she is (a little) more fleshed out and there than Denna, perversely that makes her even more annoying to me. I hope she improves xcuz Locke deserves more. Obviously @Manu and (just now) I aren't doing a great job here of making you want to continue these books. Lemme try and remedy that. Book 2 is the ship book. book 3 they join a theatre troupe. They're both weaker than 1 but formme its more a mild downgrade from love to lots in here to like but wish some things coulda been different...
If Iain and Ahdam and all are continuing, you'll want to purely for the company + they'll totally want you purely cuz Vero being there makes every read EPIC in the good non-babbling way. I swear I wanted to crash the OB thred to say that, I got so enthused by @all youz discussion but at the time I physically couldn't. Thanks be! I'd prolly have just gotten in everyone's way.
On a side note, what kind of heroines/love stories do you like? I mean traits/tropes? Have you read The Blade Itself? Did you like Ardee West? Also I don't know anything abt the GGG variety of reads + never read PNR, not much romance even so I'll be very glad of some recos, please. I'll prolly not get to them immediately tho'...
Manju wrote: "though good at times but they were not anywhere near the brilliance of Locke and Jean and Lynch put a lot of effort to tell us about these characters and the dimension of how a pirate ship works. it was boring! :/"
Oi...I luuuurve pirates!
Anything to do with ships really so I liked those details...I'm with Anni on this. Btw have you seen the Pirates of the Caribbean movies? Love most of those, love Jack Sparrow (some good examples of chars whose absence shrieks are in this series) but if you want to see a series go downhill to the absolute pits + dogs and move from being a fabulous courtesan to finally become a tired painted showgirl on her last legs + no tricks left...this the series for ya...o God...good to bad and HOW! The more money they threw at it, the tireder it became. The last one...I still watched it...but I was mgroaning and *yerk*ing the whole time.
Yes! I am also a huge fan of everything ship related :) I love this aspect and how Lynch described the struggle to learn sailing... and don't forget the kitties!!! If you like to read about ships I would absolutely recommend Robin Hobbs Live Ship Trader Trilogy! Still I would read the Farseer Trilogy first, because they are someway connected. There is also a Buddy Read for these books starring next year, that's your opportunity :D Also if you are able to convince Siobhan to read you-know-what with you (no spoilers -just a secret :D) (view spoiler) you will also get ships :)
Anni wrote: "Yes! I am also a huge fan of everything ship related :) I love this aspect and how Lynch described the struggle to learn sailing... and don't forget the kitties!!! If you like to read about ships I..."I want to read those books. Please direct me to the thread so that I can sign up.:)
@Zaara: you want recos in romance or PNR?
I hated NoTW, so I don't recommend it to anyone. GB too I don't recommend to my friends anymore because I don't see Lynch wrapping up the series anytime soon.
I was talking about Farseer, because I think one better start with these books, here is the link for Assassin's Apprentice: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/... But I think you already read it? Maybe they continue with Liveship Trades afterwards.
yup, I have read Farseer. okay. thanks!
Manju wrote: "GB too I don't recommend to my friends anymore because I don't see Lynch wrapping up the series anytime soon."Mwha! Good point...
Manju wrote: "@Zaara: you want recos in romance or PNR?"
I want recos for PNR mainly and UF (I'm not even clear abt what this entails)...Veronica administers a group called Guns, Girls and Grimoires and I guess I should just go there and chk out the threads but my royal 👑 ignorance regarding anything GGG is inhibiting me so I'm doorstopping her like a good journo munky.
But more than the recos and (though it was addressed to Ron) this is for everyone who sees this + has met A.W....I'm asking/ wanna know abt this:
"On a side note, what kind of heroines/love stories do you like? I mean traits/tropes? Have you read The Blade Itself? Did you like Ardee West?"
Who's ardee west? GR doesnt know him?
Anni wrote: "Yes! I am also a huge fan of everything ship related :) I love this aspect and how Lynch described the struggle to learn sailing... and don't forget the kitties!!! If you like to read about ships I..."@Anni...ha, this is the third reco I've had for Liveship...that's you + our speed-reading buddy the lovely Laura (heh, wait till you see @Choko) and @Doc. Yeah its deffo a priority for me now...
Hehe...The Siobhan Secret....it could even make for a cheesy book title on the lines of The Celestine Prophecy and the The Name of This Book Is Secret
For those whom this post is getting obscure and head-skratchy:
(view spoiler)
Oh and Anni, I can't believe we chatted there for two days!
😂
+
*yerk*
I'm editing my comments for obscurity now o.O
idiffer wrote: "Who's ardee west? GR doesnt know him?"Hello you! Ardee West is a character in The Blade Itself
So if I didn't read that, can I still answer about love stories?
idiffer wrote: "So if I didn't read that, can I still answer about love stories?"Sure.
Sorry Manju, if my message was misleading...@Zaara, I'm no sucker for romance and I can't stand cheesy love scenes where the characters idolize each other... I like some romantic aspects in books (but I don't need them to enjoy reading) but I can't bring myself to read love stories, it's not my cup of tea... :D There is often so much drama and exaggerated misunderstandings that make me want to scream!
I like my heroines believable :) not dumb, naive and helpless, but also not flawless all-rounder, that are only badass because the author think I would appreciate it :D I like it when characters (male and female) are imperfect and have everyday problems as well :)
And yes I like Ardee!
Zaara wrote: "Manju wrote: "@Zaara: you want recos in romance or PNR?"I want recos for PNR mainly and UF (I'm not even clear abt what this entails)...."
UF is a fantasy set in modern world... Like Dresden file in Chicago. Mortal Instruments in New York, Sookie Stackhouse in Bon Temps, Infernal devices in London, Fever in Ireland...
for PNR you can read Black Dagger Brotherhood by J R Ward. :)
Anni wrote: "@Zaara, I'm no sucker for romance and I can't stand cheesy love scenes where the characters idolize each other... I like some romantic aspects in books..."Great answer!
In fantasy I don't like the love stories TOO lovey. But in a genre romance book...umm that's kinda the point so it would be unfair of me to complain. I'm very comtradictory, no? I like the historical facts to be correct tho' regardless of which genre the damn book is. If its set in a period, get the tonality right.
Can't wait for all the other answers. Manoooo...Andy...
+ when o when will @Ron log on + see this?
@Annika...new one for you...what kinda 'hero' type do you like?
:-O
Anni wrote: "Sorry Manju, if my message was misleading...@Zaara, I'm no sucker for romance and I can't stand cheesy love scenes where the characters idolize each other... I like some romantic aspects in books..."
no worries. it's okay.
@Manu and you would reco all those?I'm familiar with your great love for Dresden...
😊
O and I still haven't read Darkfever :-P it was supposed to be my first PNR....heh, don't scold...I'll mebbe get to it in December and then...incomplete series...YOWZA...
Manju wrote: "Zaara wrote: "Manju wrote: "@Zaara: you want recos in romance or PNR?"I want recos for PNR mainly and UF (I'm not even clear abt what this entails)...."
UF is a fantasy set in modern world... Li..."
oh and you can also try Kate Daniels by Ilona Andrews. It has right ratio of everything. :)
Zaara wrote: "@Manu and you would reco all those?I'm familiar with your great love for Dresden...
😊
O and I still haven't read Darkfever :-P it was supposed to be my first PNR....heh, don't scold...."
not all. try first at least. if you like that you can go on reading it. First 7 books are really good, after that it just lost its sparkle for me...
take your time with Darkfever. Buddy read that and thrashed it up, down, left, and right. since then I don't reco it to anyone. ;)
P.S: Dresden is LOVE!! <3
The best heroine was in The Sea of Tranquility, because, barring a few stupid actions, she was smart and, despite being damaged didn't go the "brooding angsty female" route (well, not in a bad way).I like love stories where the drama isn't centered around lies and stupidity. Recently read Our Chemical Hearts, which is YA, but the characters' concerns about one another felt legit and like ones even adults could be faced with. This book is horribly sad because of the ending (though nobody dies). Also, quite a few cliches were deliberately avoided here.
I like complex love stories. The only one I can name is White Cat. Despite the heroine being a sadistic killer and the drama being stupid, I still enjoyed it very much.
Ah...@Manu...Anni and I were talking abt Riyria. She did add a book link and I added the link to the whole chat history...But oh this is wonderful...Manju + Sio + me reading Riyria in 2018....who else hasn't read it? Let's try and get the Dark Priest as well, no?
Gal...this is your new top secret strategic brief.
Eyes only
(view spoiler)
@idiffer...thanks...will deffo check those 3 out...@all...gtg now...its pizza night over here and the ppl are calling...and I have to go toss a salad and pour the wine and be the Friendly Nbrhood Zazu
@Manu...saw the Ilona A reco too tks.
@Manju all 6 books of Riyria...Revelations and then Chronicles. Yes..that's the one...although the first book in the series (made up of 2 independent but companion trilos) is actually Theft of Swords
And now sweet I really really gtg.
toss a salad... i'm so foul-minded...
I have read Ryria Revelations. :)
Zaara wrote: "@idiffer...thanks...will deffo check those 3 out...@all...gtg now...its pizza night over here and the ppl are calling...and I have to go toss a salad and pour the wine and be the Friendly Nbrhood..."
Night? what time zone you are in? O_O
I don't think it's contradictory, I think it's all about your expectations. When you pick up some corny Romance Book you are clearly in the mood for a book like this, and get what you want. And when you pick up another book you don't want a Romance Book pretending to be a bloody Fantasy Book :D I think my answer might be the same for this question: I want them to feel real. I think the muscular superheros, which are always there to save the maiden from the big bad word while looking incredible good are even worse that the dumb and naive maidens that needs to be saved...
For example I like that Locke is described as inconspicuous. To be honest I don't care for the gender of the characters if they are awesome :D I like characters which are absurd and made me grin and I like grumpy Sarcasm like Gloktas. :D
I also like it when something went terribly wrong because that's life and you don't always get your happy end. Because when you know the author is capable of murdering characters or let them loose their battles you never felt save and care more deeply for the characters (I hope this makes any sense...).
Agree with everything Anni said, except that I NEED an HEA in my stories, especially love stories.
Mod
@idiffer: Ever see the controversy surrounding The Shadows?... I think I ton of people quit or at least lost faith in that series over the ending of that book...
@IainNo, but I'll read some spoilered reviews to learn all about it))
Do u have any specific reviews or threads I could visit?
Mod
It got so long, that it branches off into an entire blog post since those have a longer character limit I think: https://www.goodreads.com/story/show/...
I'm still waiting for her review of the latest book in the series: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
It's been a nuclear explosion gif for 7 months now with a "Review to come" and a shelving of "not-one-more-dime"
Basically, The Shadows broke the cardinal rule of Romance (view spoiler)
After that, most people that still follow/enjoy the series officially changed it's genre from Paranormal Romance to Urban Fantasy... altho the series started heading that way around book 6 (they're on book 15/16 now) as more and more storylines kept getting added and cycling around (since storylines tend to last 3-4 books before resolution)
Note: I quit this series around book 9... I just like following reviews and synopses of what's going on occasionally, these days...
idiffer:Yes. You are.
Zaara:
Here whenever I can be. But doesn't ever look like you're talking to yourself. Is it the timezones?
Zaara wrote: "I want recos for PNR mainly and UF (I'm not even clear abt what this entails)...Veronica administers a group called Guns, Girls and Grimoires and I guess I should just go there and chk out the threads but my royal 👑 ignorance regarding anything GGG is inhibiting me so I'm doorstopping her like a good journo munky.But more than the recos and (though it was addressed to Ron) this is for everyone who sees this + has met A.W....I'm asking/ wanna know abt this:
"On a side note, what kind of heroines/love stories do you like? I mean traits/tropes? Have you read The Blade Itself? Did you like Ardee West?" .."
Whew! I got home last night and was asleep by 6pm...slept through until 7:30am this morning. I guess I was pretty wiped out, lol.
The Girls, Guns, & Grimoires group is mainly aimed at Urban Fantasy books though some Sci Fi is thrown in there too. I don't read as much UF as I used to but I also make room for other genres. I like historical mysteries, contemporary mysteries and thrillers too.
I DO NOT like romance books, where the romance is the whole point of the story. And instalove in ANY genre makes me want to poke my eyes out with an ice pick. I don't mind a little side helping of romance in a book, in fact I like it, but I'm very picky - VERY PICKY - about how it's handled. One wrong move and I'm jumping ship. And I can't even tell you what those wrong moves are; I just know them when I see them.
The kind of female characters I like? I like them to be smart, strong, capable...which doesn't mean that they have to know everything or be good at everything. In fact, I don't tend to like Mary Sue type female characters (or Mary Stu male characters either). There is more than one way to show that a woman is strong and sometimes I feel like authors fall into the easy trap of putting swords in the hands of their female characters and making them badass fighters and saying "There! She's strong!"...and there's more to it than that. Or there should be, anyway.
It's not fair of me to have said that it was Sabetha who annoyed me. I haven't read far enough into the series to actually meet her. It's more accurate to say that Locke annoyed me with his pining for her at the expense of finding love with a woman in his present day life.
I don't know, I think I'm talking in circles, lol. Have you ever done any titration experiments in chemistry? You drop in one solution into another, drop by drop, and the point is to get to the point where the second solution turns a very pale pink color. If it's a darker pink then you overshot adding the first solution. And it's really hard to hit that perfect, pale pink color. Romances in books are sort of like, for me. Most of the time authors overshoot - too much, too fast - for my personal taste. Sometimes the chemistry between the characters is good enough to compensate and I can overlook the rushed aspect, but that doesn't happen as often as I'd like.
@RI am what? Doesn't line up with grammatically with anything I said. Do u mean my nickname? Though that should be "you do" too...
@Iain
Thanks, I'll get to reading then.
@VeronicaHaha, love your comparison with a titration :D I hate to do them, I always tend to overdose and end up with a pink solution...
Anni wrote: "@VeronicaHaha, love your comparison with a titration :D I hate to do them, I always tend to overdose and end up with a pink solution..."
I never got them just right. #ChemistryFail
Mod
I am what? Doesn't line up with grammatically with anything I said. Do u mean my nickname? Though that should be "you do" too...
@Iain
Thanks, I'll get to reading then."
I think they were referring to your foul-mindedness over the tossed salad...
@Veronica...great analogy. You weren't talking in circles or if you were they are smooth well-finished concentric circles that make pleasing mind patterns. Aye...there is that indefinable something isn't there, that makes a romance 'go' or 'no go'?The French call it je ne sais quoi but then the French would know ;-)
@Anni...mwha! :-) at this bit "the muscular superheros, which are always there to save the maiden from the big bad word while looking incredible good are even worse that the dumb and naive maidens that needs to be saved"
Oh and I agree with your point about the endings...and esp the relating more deeply. In the Broken Empire Trilogy (I was just chatting abt this with Jenna so the example is at the top of my head)
SERIES SPOILER FOR B.E.
(view spoiler)
@Manu...so what...you and Anni can re-read Revelations with Siobhan and me. Then we can all do the Chronicles together....ha!
Or Imwill let you off Riyria only if you BR the whole of Harry Potter with me. It will be the bazillionth re-read for me but I'm not complaining...and neither will the Riaders...mwhaaaaaa!
#norestforthewicked
#alwaysmorebooks
@800
*facepalm*
Sorry I'm so late to the party, life... But I will deffo read Riyria with you my dear! :) but I'm not free until May or something ridiculous like that!!
Haha Zaara, I am currently reading Revelation, it's good, but not addictive enough to re-read it in May ;) But maybe we will join you for the chronicles.
@Siobhan...May's perfect. We will be drained after our crazy April with WoK n all...so a breezy summer read will be perfect + like i said these books are jam for points + incomplete series. We'll fix a proper startdate when we get a bit closer ok? And Ima leave some treats on your (virtual) doorstep...@Anni...I agree. I've already read the first bind-up but of course shall reboot with Siobhan. You and Manu can always come and chat with us abt Royce and Hadrian.
:-)
Zaara wrote: "@Siobhan...May's perfect. We will be drained after our crazy April with WoK n all...so a breezy summer read will be perfect + like i said these books are jam for points + incomplete series. We'll f..."Cool! Can we tentatively say around 11th/12th? Just don't want to end up agreeing to something else in the meantime and then not having to space for this! :)
can I join for American gods in Jan 2018?
Mod
I should be available for Riyria in May... I haven't read it yet, but it's on my TBR...
Mod
The more the merrier for any and every Buddy Read around here, Khushi... even the so-called Kay Squad and new Bujold Squad are always looking for more readers...
Fantasy Buddy Reads
Books mentioned in this topic
The Thief Who Pulled on Trouble's Braids (other topics)Wild Sky (other topics)
The Shadow of the Gods (other topics)
Paladin's Hope (other topics)
City of Stairs (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Courtney Milan (other topics)Ilona Andrews (other topics)
This doesn't inspire me to read any more of the series. I read the first book and while I liked it, I didn't love it. So if the rest of the series doesn't measure up to the first book, then I don't see myself spending the hours to read them when I could be reading the next most amazing story ever. Whatever it may be.
And the Sabetha character was annoying me in LoLL even though she wasn't even in it. I hate the whole pining-for-lost-love trope. I just want to say, "Move on with your life already! Sheesh." :-)