Current reads - August 2023

[Shauna]

Hi everyone - I’ve been neglecting you all. Sorry! Writing and finishing book 3 while looking after children in the summer holidays has taken every ounce of energy.

Happy to say that I’ve now finished the book!

Now more time for chatting and reading.

I’m currently reading The Traitor by Anthony Ryan and The Combat Codes by Alexander Darwin.

[Keith]

Great news, always nice to have good books to look forward to.
Can you start at any point/series with Anthony Ryan series or go back to the start?

[Shauna]

I think all his series are different. This series that I’m reading is the The Covenant of Steel. The first book in that series is The Pariah - which is excellent

[Keith]

Thanks, might add that to the list so

[Stephen]

Anthony Ryan also has a great novella series, The Seven Swords, which starts with A Pilgrimage of Swords. There are 4 novellas available and a 5th on its way in late September.
Starting Ninth House which has been on my TBR pile for longer than I care to admit,

[Shauna]

I really want to start those novellas. I think have the first two on kindle. How would you describe them? All his book series have been so different

[Stephen]

The novellas have: One, Swords with Names which always hits my wheelhouse and the swords are inhabited with souls. Two, the main character has a hidden past. Three, a beast master. Four, a quest story, one of the most reliable tropes in the fantasy genre.

[Shauna]

Oh I like that…. Swords with souls. It sounds interesting :)

I do like a novella too. It’s nice sometimes to feel that I’ve finished a story quickly if that makes sense

[Keith]

Listening to The Fires of Vengeance at the moment, love that the secound book develops the world in a deeper while keeping the bits from the first that made it great. Gonna get into the secound in the Outland series next (from the author of the Bobiverse)

[Shauna]

I’ve never heard of The Fires of Vengeance. Who is it by? I’m reading The Combat Codes and Jade War atm

[Karen ⚜Mess⚜]

Shauna wrote: "I’ve never heard of The Fires of Vengeance. Who is it by? I’m reading The Combat Codes and Jade War atm"

Combat Codes! The Brothers Gwynne gave that a high recommendation. Can't wait to see what you think of it.

I'm reading Fourth Wing My local book pusher ran and took it out of the window display and told me it's my lucky day. Yea, I see how you do that. I just hope it's not too YA for me.

[Stephen]

I read Combat Codes when it was in SPFBO 6. Winner was the The Lost War by Justin Lee Anderson, Black Stone Heart was also in that year's group and I loved that super grimdark tale.

[Natasha]

I'm listening to The First 15 Lives of Harry August and enjoying it so far. I want to see where the story goes (and if my guess is correct). I'm still not sure which book to start on kindle, now that I finished Murder Your Employer, which was a fun summer read. I'm feeling smart, tight mystery next maybe so let me know if you have any recommendations!

[Shauna]

Karen ⚜Mess⚜ wrote: "Shauna wrote: "I’ve never heard of The Fires of Vengeance. Who is it by? I’m reading The Combat Codes and Jade War atm"

Combat Codes! The Brothers Gwynne gave that a high recommendation. Can't wai..."

The Combat Codes are good so far. I used to do Ju jitsu - so I think it's also giving me nostalgia vibes!

As for Fourth Wing - I can't wait to hear what you think. For me it was a fun 3.5 out of 5. I'm not a huge YA romantasy reader though. I do understand why people love it though

[Shauna]

Stephen wrote: "I read Combat Codes when it was in SPFBO 6. Winner was the The Lost War by Justin Lee Anderson, Black Stone Heart was also in that year's group and..."

I bought a copy of Combat Codes back then too (but didn't read) - and I also read Black Stone Heart that year too.

When i heard it had been picked up for trad publishing, I decided to hold off reading though. I wonder if much has been changed?

[Shauna]

Natasha wrote: "I'm listening to The First 15 Lives of Harry August and enjoying it so far. I want to see where the story goes (and if my guess is correct). I'm still not sure which book to start on kindle, now th..."

Oh - a mystery. You know that's one genre I don't read much of. My dad is a huge mystery fan. Do you want cosy mystery or more of a thriller?

[Natasha]

Something well written and witty, I don't mind sub-genres. Mysteries are like my palate cleanser. After I've gorged on fantasy, I try a mystery to not get overwhelmed by fantasy elements, which dampens my enjoyment of them :)

[Stephen]

Finished David Wragg's The Hunters. It is David Wragg's book covers that first caught my eye and the fast pace of his books that put David on my Pre-Order author list.
The The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August had one scene that has stayed with me for the past 8 years and made me a fan of Claire North writings.

[Shauna]

Stephen wrote: "Finished David Wragg's The Hunters. It is David Wragg's book covers that first caught my eye and the fast pace of his books that put David on my Pre-Order author list.
The [book:..."

Yes - I think David Wragg's book covers are amazing. I really love the art work style he uses.

[Natasha]

Stephen wrote: "Finished David Wragg's The Hunters. It is David Wragg's book covers that first caught my eye and the fast pace of his books that put David on my Pre-Order author list.
The [book:..."
I'll come and check in with you after I'm done :)

[Keith]

Reading A Liittle Hatred by Joe Abercrombie and the Infinity Gate by M R Carey the author of the Girl with all the gifts, one of my favourite books/movie and the book of koli which is excellent

[Shauna]

Keith wrote: "Reading A Liittle Hatred by Joe Abercrombie and the Infinity Gate by M R Carey the author of the Girl with all the gifts, one of my favourite books/movie and the book of koli which is excellent"

You can't go wrong with Mr Abercrombie. Do you know - I remember seeing a movie called The Girl with all the Gifts - is there a book of it as well?

(Also - I've just started a thread for September reading - just in case you want to continue the conversation there - but also feel free to chat here!)

[Keith]

Yes Shauna the movie is based on the book, this new series is very good.Working my way through all of Abercrombies books always great to get stuck into one of his books.

[Shauna]

Keith wrote: "Yes Shauna the movie is based on the book, this new series is very good.Working my way through all of Abercrombies books always great to get stuck into one of his books."

I really need to get back into series! My TBR is just so endless. I might have to schedule it in for 2025 at this point!