Fantasy Buddy Reads discussion
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Beware of Chicken 3
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Vagabond Treehouse (2023) [Beware of Chicken 3 - December 4th]
Has anyone read anything by Derek Alan Siddoway? Just saw a new kickstarter and it looks cute. (https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/...)
Redwall. Just finished it and really enjoyed. Already ordered the first five books for my nieces. Bright girls, but I can't figure out how to entice them into reading... I loved all the different characters, and really enjoyed the old school valiant hero and terrible villain:) I also liked that, despite being written for kids, the author didn't shy away from death and pain. Actions have consequences and kids, who often believe themselves invulnerable, eventually have to deal with the changes that come from the passing of someone, and that life changes, but keeps on going...
Matthias starts out adorable and ends up a good and formidable mouse:) The second favorite of mine, Silent Sam, is plain cute, and the Sparrow and Rabbit are great supporting characters! But the star of the show is definitely the writing style and the enchanted atmosphere of this world. The descriptions are brisk, but just enough to give you a feel of the forest and its inhabitants, while the banter is plentiful and lively. I am wondering if you guys plan on reading the next book of the series, or was it just a taste?
Timelord Iain wrote: "Nirkatze wrote: "@Iain, Glad you got some sleep in there!I'd be interested in reading the Mammay book--I haven't read his planetside trilogy but I have and have been wanting to read it. Wouldn't ..."
LOL, that'll teach me about making assumptions about books or series. :)
I'll probably pick up the e-book instead of audiobook, so I'll be a bit slower. I've been needing to scratch an spacey-SF itch.
Just finished Redwall! The audiobook was really fun, and I'm glad I purchased rather than rented it. I think I'll want to listen to it again this summer when my brain is better able to focus. I definitely zoned out during a lot of parts, but since I am familiar with the story already I didn't let it bother me.In the credits at the end, it said that Marc Jacques (Brian Jacques' son) did the voice of Matthais. Not sure how old he was, but he could have been a teenager at the time. Extra props to him if he was.
I still love this story, and now I want to go and listen to Mattimeo and Mossflower too!
Nirkatze, when you are ready to read the next book, just let me know:)
Choko wrote: "Nirkatze, when you are ready to read the next book, just let me know:)"Sure thing Choko!
So, Jacques sort of hopped all around in his timeline. The next book chronologically is Mattimeo, which follows the next generation of children, but I think he wrote Mossflower next, and it's actually a prequel, telling the story of how Martin the Warrior came to Redwall.
Both are currently available at the library, so I'm down for starting either one. Do you have a preference for looking backwards or moving forwards? I really enjoyed both stories when I was little.
I also really enjoyed your thoughts on the ending of the book. Especially the bits about how Jacques doesn't shy away from the violence, and that actions have consequences. A very important lesson for kids.
Re: Redwall. I think we should go with the publishing order, so Mossflower, I think:)
I'm good to go when you are. :) Got it lined up from Hoopla.
Went ahead and started Mossflower today.From the start, you get a sense that Jacques is starting to get a better handle on his world. Gone are the hints of humans and a human world, with outsized objects and animals. No more barn cats or horse-drawn carts.
Up to Chapter 3 (view spoiler)
I know that Brian Jacques based most of his characters on people that he met and knew in real life (except for Matthias and Martin the Warrior, who were based on an ideal hero). Gonff the Mousethief is the only character Jacques ever based on himself though--his younger self.
I'm still making progress on Kaiju. Just made it through the awards ceremony which had me smiling :) (view spoiler)
Narilka wrote: "I'm still making progress on Kaiju. Just made it through the awards ceremony which had me smiling :) [spoilers removed]"That was beautiful! I love how (view spoiler)
Also just downloaded Misfit Soldier to my reader @Iain. How are you enjoying so far?I'm hearing Travis Baldree in my head as I read even though I'm not doing audiobook.
Mossflower.. Up to about Ch. 6... I find this even better, so far, than the first one. I like the little baby animals, they sound adorable!!! And the cat and weasel banter:)
Misfit Soldier Ch. 1. This is the second book I've read this week to have a non-binary character using they, them for a side character (not sure how big of one yet). I'm still having trouble getting my brain to parse a plural as a non-gendered single pronoun, so I do appreciate the practice and the representation.I do kinda wish that the LGBTQA+ community had more SF fans when the non-binary pronoun decisions were being made. I was somewhat partial to xe/xir.
Choko wrote: "Mossflower.. Up to about Ch. 6... I find this even better, so far, than the first one. I like the little baby animals, they sound adorable!!! And the cat and weasel banter:)"Yeah, I am definitely getting the feeling that Jacques smoothed out what he wanted from a story and his writing. The first book was just a lark for the local kids, with no intention of ever getting published. This is the first book he wrote with contract and the conscious goal of writing a book, starting a series, and creating a world. It definitely feels like that!
Redwall #2... up to Ch. 12... Tsarmina is a very bad cat, and Groomer is scaaaaarrrrryyyy! Fortunata should just stop playing by Tsarmina's rules...Skipper and Martin are adorable as buddies:)))
Choko wrote: "Redwall #2... up to Ch. 12... Tsarmina is a very bad cat, and Groomer is scaaaaarrrrryyyy! Fortunata should just stop playing by Tsarmina's rules...Skipper and Martin are adorable as buddies:)))"
LOL What do you think of Tsarmina v. Cluny as antagonists?
Maybe it's the audiobook, but Tsarmina comes across as very spoiled to me, in addition to vicious. A cat who likes playing with her food. Cluny gave more an impression of brutality over viciousness, and arrogance over spoiled privilege. Both characterizations however feel very true to their animal stereotype. Tsarmina feels like the nasty cruel stereotype of a cat, and Cluny like the sneaky & nasty stereotype of a rat.
I also feel bad for Gingivere. Maybe I'll name my cat Gingivere when I get a cat.
Another fun thing about the audiobook--Jacques sings all the songs!
Choko wrote: "Katie K, I love Constance and the old Abbott and Methuselah! And the language of banter is enchanting. So glad you are enjoying it as well. I have never seen the animation series, now I would like ..."They're the best characters <3 Right? I was actually looking up where to watch it too. Feeling nostalgic and all of that XD
Ohhh!! I wonder what kind of rodent they are? O.o
Nirkatze wrote: "Almost done with Redwall. I had a looooooooong working day (7am-4am) yesterday and blasted through most of the audiobook. Fortunately I was working from home so I took a little nap in the middle...."
You're speeding through that book! I totally get it with long work days though. That's when I usually listen as well! So glad you enjoyed the series! Thanks for the narration tidbits too! That's so neat how he got his son involved in the story too <3
Oh no way! I had totally forgotten that Netflix got the rights to make a Redwall production! I'm so excited! I know I watched Watership Down a while back made by them as well. Though it's a classic it's not one of my favorite series ^^;
Choko wrote: "Redwall. Just finished it and really enjoyed. Already ordered the first five books for my nieces. Bright girls, but I can't figure out how to entice them into reading... I loved all the different..."
So glad you enjoyed the books Choko! That's super cute how you brought them for your nieces as well! I don't know how old they are...but would they like if you read chapters to them? Sometimes giving narration to a story will grab their attention more! Or maybe buy some cute little mouse stuffos so they can play and read, lol
I would love to read more of the series in a bit if everyone else is up for it. Just excuse my slow pace ^^; I'll catch up and read your guys's thoughts on Mossflower in a bit XD
The Misfit Soldier... Up to Ch. 5... Totally Saving Private Ryan vibes, but with a swindler as the Sargent:) Those two colonels drive me crazy with their games, while there might be a soldier counting on them to stay alive... Also, I really want to know how the war has started and who or what are the enemies... Like it quite a bit so far...
Katie wrote: "Choko wrote: "Katie K, I love Constance and the old Abbott and Methuselah! And the language of banter is enchanting. So glad you are enjoying it as well. I have never seen the animation series, now..."I know I've found some episodes just straight up on Youtube. Not sure if the whole series is there, but a chunk of it at least. Apparently you can also watch on Tubi with ads for free, or buy from Amazon.
Katie wrote: "Ohhh!! I wonder what kind of rodent they are? O.o"Yes, Choko, if you find out, you'll have to let us know!
Katie wrote: "Choko wrote: "Redwall. Just finished it and really enjoyed. Already ordered the first five books for my nieces. Bright girls, but I can't figure out how to entice them into reading... I loved all..."
I'd be down for some more, at least through Mattimeo. There does come a point though, where all the books are pretty much the same.
I think the last book I read was Outcast of Redwall. I also discovered that I really did not enjoy the way Jacques tends to jump around in the Redwall timeline and rarely revisits any of my favorite characters. Instead of continuing onwards with the same folks, he tends to pick a legend and jump further back, or start over at some other point in history with a new cast of characters, and I was always like, "no! Go back! Gimme more Matthias!"
Nirkatze wrote: "Katie wrote: "Ohhh!! I wonder what kind of rodent they are? O.o"Yes, Choko, if you find out, you'll have to let us know!"
Unfortunately I only saw the mentions that Nirkatze had. But I may check to see if my library has the dvds later XD
Oh nice! Yeah, I imagine some stuff could get repetitive, but I'm enjoying the journey!
Just met little Sam in the audiobook. Oh my gosh. He's the cutest <3
Misfit Soldier through Chapter 5. I'm finding it very interesting how the story is unfolding. The main character is the sort of Sergeant with his fingers in every pie, but it also seems like he might have something more than just physical information sources too. It's all very mysterious and keeps me hooked.I can see how it is compared to Ocean's Eleven. There's a heist goal, and it starts with the Sergeant meeting with people and you have no idea where this is going to lead. The things he's asking of folks or getting from folks isn't the things you thought he was going to ask or need. Which leaves you wondering what he's hiding, and what the big twist at the end is going to be, much like an Ocean's movie.
I also like all the little tidbits dropped all over, of how the Sergeant seems to know everything about everybody (and was probably involved in nudging events in the right directions for "his" people). He kind of reminds me of a little of Eithan from Cradle that way, and also Harkness from the Honor Harrington series, but is also very clearly his own character.
(view spoiler)
Starting Kaiju Preservation today. It's so weird hearing the talks about covid, job markets, etc in a book.
Mod
the last Haller / Bosch book had the beginning of the pandemic in it, since the story took place in early 2020...
...and the latest Ballard / Bosch book had masking throughout and the Jan 6 events near the end... the story had alot to do with the shift in policing following George Floyd/BLM...
I read it (The Dark Hours) yesterday and today, and the ending very much left it in the air whether or not Ballard would return to the police force, or become a vigilante/PI with Harry...
It's kinda crazy how much the Bosch series has evolved over time (and the connected series)... Harry's getting pretty old now, and retired like 4 times... I really like the Bosch/Ballard dynamic... and it seems like Connelly is setting up another series with Bosch's daughter about to graduate the police academy...
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Bosch's 4th time working for LAPD?... and like 6th police job?...
Mod
I just finished Misfit Soldier and really enjoyed it! I would love some more books in this world, and wouldn't mind the back story of the main character. (view spoiler)
Timelord Iain wrote: "Michael Connelly books like to touch on current events, too...the last Haller / Bosch book had the beginning of the pandemic in it, since the story took place in early 2020...
...and the latest ..."
Haven't read those books but they sound interesting!
@Julian--I had the same impression as you re: COVID/current events. Reading the first few chapters, all of the problems we've had to deal with since the start of the pandemic and before... I felt seen y'know? Totally made me smile.
Choko wrote: "I just finished Misfit Soldier and really enjoyed it! [spoilers removed]"I just finished too! I'm a sucker for military SF, and this was a different spin that I wasn't used to seeing. I really enjoyed the POV, and way the plot unfurled. It really was a lot like an Ocean's Eleven movie, more so than I thought at the beginning.
re: team (view spoiler)
I think one of the aspects I had the most fun with in the book all the little tidbits about how well connected Gas was. All the favors he was owed, all the people he knew, all the connections he had. Just fun little bits.
I also enjoyed the double epilogues at the end (again like an Ocean's movie), getting to see everyone for one last slice. I would not be unhappy leaving them there. My favorite end slice was (view spoiler)
On the Goodreads Page someone asked the question--"standalone or series?" to which the author replied "Standalone. But you never know." So I guess that answers that. For now.
But would enjoy a next installment, if the author chose to return. If there were more books in the series I wonder if they'd all be "the Misfit xxx." The next book could easily involve a "getting the band back together" sequence. After all, there's still more planets out there. (view spoiler)
Misfit Soldier... Martinez doing karaoke was awesome!!! His totally stumped teammates were hilarious after that:)))Redwall#2... Up to Ch. 30 and I keep being surprised how casually Jaques deals death to the creatures... (view spoiler)
Mod
At work today, I downloaded The Blacksmith Queen and later Princess Knight when I read Blacksmith Queen so fast...
I don't recommend romance much anymore, but if/when I do, it's probably Shelly Laurenston / G.A. Aiken... she writes these crazy/ridiculous Paranormal Romances, either about shapeshifters or about dragons and barbarian types (depending on the pseudonym)...
Early on, as Shelly Laurenston, it was basically Paranormal erotica, with the Magnus Pack... and short... but the Pride series is solid continuation, and by the end the obligatory sex scene is almost tacked on at the end, in favor of focusing on hilarious story... that has not continued to the Honey Badger Chronicles (I think I still need to read the newest one)
On the G.A. Aiken side, it's barbarians and dragons... that series seems to be over on pause for now, but having read Blacksmith Queen, I can now confirm it's set in the same world... there were some references to the Dragon Kin territories to the farm south... sounds like Blacksmith Queen and the Scarred Earth series is set in the lands north of the Northlands... where dragons are mythical, but centaurs and dwarves and elves exist...
Shelly Laurenston also has a Viking/Valkyrie/Crow series, but it paused after 3 books... I don't think it was as successful as her others...
If I read The Blacksmith Queen now and we discuss it, then read the next one together, would that count as a BR??? I have been wanting to read it forever, but was postponing it until the third book comes out later this year, but I am totally ready to read it and discuss:)))
Just finished Redwall#2, and it was adorable! I liked it just as much as the first book, but I thought the author is a bit too bloodthirsty for such young audience. Loved the characters, including some of the ones on the wrong side of the conflict. The story is a bit better structured than the first one and if you are listening to the audio, the songs of the poet are an absolute treat!!! I am so glad we got to read something light and pleasant during these weird times... I once again wish I had read this as a kid, but since it kind of reminded me, in feel not in thematics, of one of my old time favorite authors, David Eddings, now I feel like re-reading some of his stories... If only we had the time to read and re-read everything....!
Just started the Blacksmith Queen, and wow! That is one brutal opening!
Mod
Sounds good, to me...
I'd wanted to read Blacksmith Queen when it came out, but didn't want to spend a credit... it was on sale a few months ago, and I did a Hoopla search, and the first 2 books were on there...
Was busy at the time, and finally took advantage of it now... it was basically exactly what I was expecting... great fun...
I see, in the reviews, some people don't like the writing style of Shelly Laurenston/GA Aiken, but I enjoy it... usually makes me laugh out loud at some point, or shake my head at the ridiculousness of it all...
Others aren't happy with how little focus is on the romance, for books billed as romances, but that's kind of a plus for me, at this point... I'm in it for the story more than the romance...
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Yea... bit brutal for a "romance"... but it's mostly about setting the stage for the rest of the series...
Have you read the other GA Aiken books?... I haven't started book 2 yet, but I read the blurb for book 3, and it sounds like the southern dragons and "crazy queen" make an appearance...
Nirkatze wrote: "@Julian--I had the same impression as you re: COVID/current events. Reading the first few chapters, all of the problems we've had to deal with since the start of the pandemic and before... I felt seen y'know? Totally made me smile....."Oddly enough I had the exact opposite reaction. It felt a bit like reliving it and I was so glad that the first couple chapters moved past it pretty quickly.
Iain, I LOVE G. A. Aiken!!! Exactly because of the humorous and ridiculously violent and brutal stories!!! Are you kidding? Her Kin series is my to go to when I am in a reading slump and I just want to laugh with beloved characters, in particular, The Mad Queen and her mother in law:)))) I am up to Ch.12... Wow!!! Her sister, Beatrix is (view spoiler)
Choko wrote: "Misfit Soldier... Martinez doing karaoke was awesome!!! His totally stumped teammates were hilarious after that:)))Redwall#2... Up to Ch. 30 and I keep being surprised how casually Jaques deals d..."
I just talked to my local book club about Redwall, and the violence came up a lot--many of the folks have young kids in the 5-8 range, and so we had discussions about what was appropriate across different cultures and ages.
Nirkatze, I thought about it too and remembered that when I was growing up in Bulgaria, I did read much more violent books than what I now think appropriate for kids in the US. I also remember, when I came here, I was 18, and when I thought what were considered appropriate books for kids here were ridiculous and super childish, not in a good way... So I think you are right, it has a lot to do with what different cultures raise their kids with...
Blacksmith Queen. Finished and loved it! I wasn't sure if I would like a whole different series by her, but being it is in the same world and with the same type of crazy characters, and the fact she has not written a new book in the Kin series in a while, I was in withdrawal and this gave me a fix!!! I don't consider those books really "romances"... I think of them as barbarian warfare with a tiny bit of sex, just so there is some to make it fit in that niche... I am so happy you got me to finally read it, Iain! It hit the spot! I am guessing in one of the next books her sister is going to hook up with his brother. Just the way things usually work out. And I loved the (view spoiler)I plan on reading the next book tomorrow:)))
The Princess Knight... Ch. 12... I like how she dealt with the challenge... And poor abomination of a horse! It is scary as hell, but it is true even in death... Ainsley, I laugh every time someone mentions her and her sisters are like who?, where?... haha! It has to be very difficult being the younger sibling to such strong women... Quinn is not insane, good to see. He is just a bit weird, but definitely not insane. And I love the warrior monk chick, who seems to be born to kill... She is another strong and scary female character, something GAA is best at!!! Love it!
Choko wrote: "Nirkatze, I thought about it too and remembered that when I was growing up in Bulgaria, I did read much more violent books than what I now think appropriate for kids in the US. I also remember, whe..."Yeah, one of the things that was talked about was how in America violence was considered OK for children, but nudity and sex absolutely NOT--while in Germany, it's the complete opposite. Nudity is just the natural body, sex is a part of life, but violence is NOT OK.
Fantasy Buddy Reads
Books mentioned in this topic
Quick Transmigration Cannon Fodder’s Record of Counterattacks (other topics)Quick Transmigration Cannon Fodder’s Record of Counterattacks (other topics)
Beware of Chicken 3 (other topics)
Beware of Chicken 3 (other topics)
Night of the Living Deed (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Nora Sakavic (other topics)Jordan L. Hawk (other topics)
Jordan Castillo Price (other topics)
T.J. Klune (other topics)
Derek Alan Siddoway (other topics)
Generally impressions left from chaos of yesterday:
Sam is super cute.
Still really enjoying the audio cast, and Jacques' narration in particular. Love the descriptions and like @Katie said, the flowing dialogue.
I really enjoyed Warbeak & the Sparrows (band name there)--great voice acting! And I'd forgotten the funny "dialect" Killy killy! If they're all animals does Warbeak count as an animal companion? lol
I'd forgotten Gingervere and the owl, but they also make me laugh, as do the Shrews, who are very shrewlike.
I read all of these books when I was little, but I never saw the TV series. I hear Netflix has bought the rights though, and is planning on doing a Redwall movie (and probably expanding into a Redwall universe if it's profitable).