SciFi and Fantasy Book Club discussion
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What Else Are You Reading?
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What Else Are You Reading in 2023?
The Dead Take the A Train by Cassandra Khaw and Richard Kadrey is out and I started it last night. Just as gory and excellent as I had hoped, so far.
I have 4 audio books and 1 ebook on the go at the moment (bad, very bad). Touch, Claire North (on the Bookshelf!) I’m trying to focus on this one, actually. It’s great. Fast-paced and interesting. I’m fascinated.
The Book that Wouldn’t Burn, Mark Lawrence. Just for myself. I preordered it and yet I just started it. Really liking it so far.
North and South, Elizabeth Gaskell. For another book club. It’s good!
Assassin’s Quest, Robin Hobb. This is a reread as audio. I love this series!
And finally my eye-read: The Autobiography of Mr Spock, by Una McCormack. Not about Nimoy but Spock. It’s great! Im almost done.
One Fell Sweep by Ilona AndrewsThis series have been written in an episodic manner. It's still fun to read then out of sequence.
My Review -- https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Oh and here's a good one I've just started: Justice in an Age of Metal and MenLooks like a lot of fun!
Sweep of the Blade by Ilona AndrewsThis is the only installment so far in the series that's written in Maud's POV. All the others have been from Dina's perspective. This can be read as a standalone.
My Review -- https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Just finished
Bunny by Mona Awad. Not sure if it was fantasy/horror or psychological thriller. A great October pick
@Marc_Towersap - Tender Is the Flesh is one of the most effed up things I've ever read. And I've read The Turner Diaries.
Brett wrote: "@Marc_Towersap - Tender Is the Flesh is one of the most effed up things I've ever read. And I've read The Turner Diaries."Yeah, you are absolutely right! I just finished it, disturbing literally the entire way, and the ending I did not expect! Not spoiling, but jeez!!
Now reading Leech by Hiran Ennes. Hopefully it's not as disturbing!!
Stephen wrote: "Yes, and he has to be this huge for a reason. I'll keep going!"I usually recommend that people start with his first trilogy in the Mistborn series. This is really the fantasy series that skyrocketed his popularity. The Stephen Leeds stuff is just some fun novellas he wrote for fun. The first book in the Mistborn series is The Final Empire.
On the recommendation of my daughter I am currently reading Cinder. I usually don't read this type of fantasy book, but I am really enjoying it so far!
Jonathan wrote: "Stephen wrote: "Yes, and he has to be this huge for a reason. I'll keep going!"I usually recommend that people start with his first trilogy in the Mistborn series. This is really the fantasy seri..."
All right I'll try it. Though I swing more SF than F in my tastes!
I'm rereading #5 in the Poor Man's War series, Last Man Out since #6 comes out next week. Yay! I would've put a link but it's not on GR yet.Edit: due to Anna's competence, here's the link: No Man's Land
I just finished Saint Death's Daughter by CSE Cooney. I enjoyed it overall, but it was very long (and felt that way sometimes). Kind of a mix of gruesome and sweet with a very interesting world and magic system.Starter Villain by John Scalzi and Mammoths at the Gates by Nghi Vo both came in for me at the library at the same time, so that is what I’m reading next. I’d rather start with Mammoths because I love that series, but I only get Starter Villain for another week due to it being in high demand.
Starter Villain is vintage Scalzi - I finished it in 2 evenings. It's lightweight, fun and probably not a re-read simply because the story is all surface. I don't view that as a damning statement, that's just him.
Starting Vampires of El Norte. I really enjoyed The Hacienda, so hopefully I don't have my sights set too high.
I am sprinting through Shorefall, book 2 of The Founders Trilogy. It's a very exciting (and dark) read. I like the world building! There isn't much depth to the characters, but it's fine for this kind of book, I guess.
I am currently reading Billy and the Cloneasaurus. It's a novella about a world populated with six billion identical clones that "expire" and get replaced each year, until one doesn't due to an error. It seemed silly at first, but I am really enjoying how full of satire it is. The writing reminds me of Becki Chambers' Monk & Robot books with a heavy dose of read-between-the-lines sarcasm on top.
Rick wrote: "Starter Villain is vintage Scalzi - I finished it in 2 evenings. It's lightweight, fun and probably not a re-read simply because the story is all surface. I don't view that as a damning statement, ..."I haven't read yet but want to. Best thing about it is everyone shooting pics of their cats with the book!
Cait wrote: "I am finally about to start The Hero of AgesI finished reading the second book in the trilogy only last night, and though I was tired I desperately wanted to get started on the fina..."
Throw a dart
Just finished Robert Jordan's A Memory of Light. That completes my reread of The Wheel of Time (started in August). Jordan's world-building is excellent. It would be easy for so many disparate peoples and magic systems/artifacts to clash rather than work together into a complex weave.That said, I want to give props to Brandon Sanderson. I found the last 3 books a better read and believe that it is the writing style.
Next up is The Moon is a Harsh Mistress by Heinlein.
I've started Elysium Fire by Al Reynolds. Liking it so far. Kind of a police procedural/sci fi crossover. I enjoyed The Prefect a few years ago, and this one follows on from it. Apparently #3 coming out in January 2024.
The Prefect was reprinted under the new title Aurora Rising a few years ago. I found this a bit confusing.
Stephen wrote: "The Prefect was reprinted under the new title Aurora Rising a few years ago. I found this a bit confusing."might have had one name in the US and a different name in the UK or another country.
CBRetriever wrote: "Stephen wrote: "The Prefect was reprinted under the new title Aurora Rising a few years ago. I found this a bit confusing."might have had one name in the US and a dif..."
Reynolds discussed the title change on his blog:
http://approachingpavonis.blogspot.co...
40+ years ago, (gah!), I read The Ninja and loved it. I read each new book as it was published. Eric Van Lustbader relatively recently wrote two short stories with the MC but I didn't find out until yesterday. I bought them both. Tonight I read the first: The Death and Life of Nicholas Linnear. I still need to write a short review, but I don't think short stories and this series go very well together.
Just finished Leech by Hiron Ennes. A strange book, seemed like there's to be a sequel. dunno.Anyhoo, now reading a comic by Steven Graham Jones, the first issue of Earthdivers!
Stephen wrote: "CBRetriever wrote: "Stephen wrote: "The Prefect was reprinted under the new title Aurora Rising a few years ago. I found this a bit confusing."might have had one name..."
thanks it's not real clear on the listing for the Kindle version on amazon.com though. I was thinking it might be like Darth Vader vs Dark Vador
Stephen wrote: "The Prefect was reprinted under the new title Aurora Rising a few years ago. I found this a bit confusing."Thanks Stephen. I'd forgotten it had been renamed. Same book though, I believe.
I finished Shorefall, book two of The Founders Trilogy. My goodness, it was very dark. The plot is more complicated, there were some twists I did not see coming. There is even more weird magic, heartbreak and horrible things happening. The ending was a cliffhanger, but I will breathe a bit before I read book three :)My review is here ;)
Stephen wrote: "The Prefect was reprinted under the new title Aurora Rising a few years ago. I found this a bit confusing."To make things even more confusing, there's a YA SF series whose first book is also titled Aurora Rising:
Finishing up the Innkeeper Chronicles by Ilona Andrews
Sweep with MeMy Review -- https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Sweep of the HeartMy Review -- https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
finished Stephen Graham Jone's first issue of Earthdivers, a great story!Now, on to Matt Ruff's Destroyer of Worlds, sequel to Lovecraft Country!
Beth wrote: "To make things even more confusing, there's a YA SF series whose first book is also titled Aurora RisingHa ha. Yeah, it happens.
Jan wrote: "Beth wrote: "To make things even more confusing, there's a YA SF series whose first book is also titled Aurora RisingHa ha. Yeah, it happens."
I've read two books called Severance this year:
Severance by Ling Ma
and
Severance by Chris Bucholz
very confusing and I hate those books which have totally different titles in the UK and the US: The Twelve by Neville, Stuart and The Ghosts of Belfast
Read The Scourge Between Stars by Ness Brown. This is an SF horror story. A fleet of generation ships is fleeing back to Earth after a failed attempt at colonizing a planet around Proxima Centauri. They have flown into a mysterious bombardment that is slowly crippling the ships and then something on the ships starts killing the crew. I thought the horror part was well done and I liked the main character. I did not care for the significant sub-plots left unexplained or the walloping deus ex machina that the author employed. Can be read in one day and recommended to those who like horror in interstellar space.
I'm reading Elliott Kay's military scifi book No Man's Land and I'm enjoying the heck out of it. I really like these characters and the series as a whole.
I'm still working on Lovecraft Country & When the Reckoning Comes. I'm nearly finished with LC, but I'm kind of feeling a bit antsy for all of the smaller stories to come together already. With WTRC, I'm just waiting for SOMETHING to happen. I'm also starting to feel a little frustrated with the MC and her reluctance to open her mouth and talk about all the stuff she's angsty about. I really hate that trope. Like, stop whining in your head about it AND DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.
Finished Vampires of El Norte. Quite good historical fiction/horror (honestly a little light on the latter). I thought Hacienda was better, but Vampires had an uphill climb.
A few months ago I found Between Two Fires in a Goodwill. It's a horror novel set during the Black Death, where a precocious plague orphan and a disgraced knight have to travel from Normandy to Avignon. There are monsters, and probably real ghosts, angels and devils. The universe is disgusting, full of rot and shit and putrefaction. I been saving it for Halloween season.
I finished two books this week: Starter Villain by John Scalzi and Mammoths at the Gates by Nghi Vo.I thought Starter Villain was okay. Not my favorite by Scalzi, but it was light, fun, and had a satisfying ending.
I really loved Mammoths at the Gates. You finally get to see the Singing Hills Abbey, and the story is well told. Not much action - it’s quieter and more reflective - but it’s also a novella, so short and quick.
DivaDiane wrote: "Touch, Claire North (on the Bookshelf!) I’m trying to focus on this one, actually. It’s great. Fast-paced and interesting...Trying this one. Then I would feel obliged to try that other one by same author that Ryan likes so much, The Sudden Appearance of Hope.
North and South, Elizabeth Gaskell. For another book club. It’s good!"
A Goodreads book club, or somewhere else? I have meant to read North and South for years, I am sure I would like it.
Kaia wrote: "I finished two books this week: Starter Villain by John Scalzi and Mammoths at the Gates by Nghi Vo.I thought Starter Villain was okay. Not my favorite by Scalzi, but it was light, fun, and had a satisfying ending."
I finished Starter Villain yesterday :) It's probably not my favourite Scalzi either, but it was fun, entertaining, and snarky. Cats and dolphins were cool ;)
Current Scalzi is that way - fun, light, entertaining. But that means I'm moving his stuff to library or sale reads. I'm not dropping $15+ on it anymore. I like Claire North's stuff a lot. Both Touch and Sudden Appearance of Hope. If you like those at all, try the Gameshouse novellas.
Rick wrote: "I like Claire North's stuff a lot. Both Touch and Sudden Appearance of Hope. If you like those at all, try the Gameshouse novellas."I have read The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August and thought it was clever and interesting. I've been keeping this author on my radar for a while - and I remember that you mentioned Sudden Appearance of Hope when we talked about the disappointing (to me) Addie LaRue.
Alexandra wrote: "Rick wrote: "I like Claire North's stuff a lot. Both Touch and Sudden Appearance of Hope. If you like those at all, try the Gameshouse novellas."I have read The First Fifteen Lives of Harry..."
I liked First Fifteen Lives. A lot of her books have a similar theme, a protagonist that is somewhat trapped in a situation not by their own actions, but by their nature. Touch has the body hopping, Hope has the 'they don't remember me once they lose sight" and 15 Lives of course has the repeat lives. The story is how that cycle changes.
The Gameshouse novellas are very different and actually some of my favorites of hers. They all tell a story of the Gameshouse and move forward in time but they're not a series and, with a couple of exceptions, characters don't repeat.
Also, North writes as Kate Griffin as well and her Matthew Swift novels are a lot of fun. of course "North" is itself a pseudonym....
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I did NOT like the audio for this - the reader was a really poor choice, I think.