Fantasy Book Club discussion
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What are you reading in...
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What are you reading in May '15?
I just finished The Grace of Kings, which was epic, sprawling and excellent; and am about to start Sea-Kings of Mars (a.k.a. Sword of Rhiannon) by Leigh Brackett
Hmm maybe I'll be ok. I do seem to have a great memory of things that are unimportant in my day to day life- like the name of the ocean/river in this fake world, or who said what in some random book. Nothing that would ever actually make me money lol
Amy wrote: "I finally started The Curse of the Mistwraith last night, so if anyone sets up a separate group or even just a thread for discussions, let me know. It's obviously not a re-read for me, but I'm not too concerned about spoilers, so I don't mind chatting about it with people who already know what's going to happen!"It will be fun! And I agree with Shadowdenizen, it's better to start with a non-spoiler fist impressions thread, and I surely can chat about it without giving anything away, I loved to discover the characters and the many layers of the plot step-by-step, for myself, and discuss my impressions and ideas. And see what other people think when they'll face the fist conundrums! The series is really very open to speculation at each stage!
I've never done this before, what about a thread in the book's page? I've started one here.
I meant to start re-reading the prologue, which is one of my favorite prologues ever (says a lot, yet discloses little!!) and ended-up reading on :)
Some time ago I posted in the book's page an introductory thread for it and the series (spoiler-free of course), highlighting the things that led me to be hooked straightaway, and what you can expect to find in The Curse of the Mistwraith.
Where are you in the book Amy?
Shari Kay wrote: "Shadowdenizen wrote: "It's your call.If you can read the first 2 books and wait an undefined period for the 3rd? I'd say "Go for it."
Or you can do what I do and institute the "Jordan Rule"; generally speaking (with..."
What he said "
I agree. Personally I don't mind reading ongoing series but I didn't have a pleasant experience with Patrick Rothfuss' books (which I liked).
Interesting comment about the Grace of Kings Joseph, is the setting intriguing? I've never read books with an Eastern flavor.
Alissa wrote: "Amy wrote: "I finally started The Curse of the Mistwraith last night, so if anyone sets up a separate group or even just a thread for discussions, let me know. It's obviously not a re-read for me, ..."I've just started Chapter IV, Alissa. I'm just reading a little at a time at the moment, as I'm also halfway through a book for review, and two more appeared in the post this morning!
(One was The Glorious Angels, which I'm really looking forward to, but the other was The Scarlet Gospels, which I hadn't requested and turned up completely unannounced! I can't actually remember the last time I read a horror novel or watched a horror film, so I'm not quite sure what to do with it!)
The Scarlet Gospels is in my queue, too! LMK what you think if you finish before I start it. :)
Alissa wrote: "Interesting comment about the Grace of Kings Joseph, is the setting intriguing? I've never read books with an Eastern flavor."Yes, the setting is intriguing and I think the book is well worth checking out.
And finished Sea-Kings of Mars (it was short ...) and started Ancillary Sword by Ann Leckie -- I got a supporting membership, so figured I'd get a head start on my Hugo ballot ...
Amy wrote: "Alissa wrote: "Amy wrote: "I finally started The Curse of the Mistwraith last night, so if anyone sets up a separate group or even just a thread for discussions, let me know. It's obviously not a r..."The Glorious Angels looks very interesting, thanks for the rec!
Ch IV is huge on world-building, it really challenged me, let us know how you liked it :)
Amy wrote: "Shadowdenizen wrote: "[quote]Shadowdenizen has said pretty much what I was going to say. :)[/quote]They say Great Minds think alike.... (Ha Ha.)
I was just saying to Alissa that we should consid..."
The Curse of the Mistwraith has been read and discussed by the group. The discussion is archived in tge 2009 archive folder. https://www.goodreads.com/topic/group...
Also......our "sister" group, Fantasy Book Club Series, has read the entire series.
Having just finished The Time Travellers Wife, I decided to dive back into epic fantasy by re-starting Erikson's Malazan books. Had got 3/10 through before, but decided to go whole series this time. Must say Gardens of the Moon better this time around.
Finished Ancillary Sword, which I enjoyed just as much as Ancillary Justice. While I wait to see whether the other novel nominees are in the Hugo packet, I decided it was finally time for Martha Wells's Raksura books, beginning with The Cloud Roads.
Oh Joseph let us known what you think of them. I've been wanting to try Martha Wells for a while! Just finished Half the World, the group read, and it was disappointing. No tension whatsoever.
Mod
Fantastic series, I loved the whole Raksura series.
Alissa wrote: "Oh Joseph let us known what you think of them. I've been wanting to try Martha Wells for a while! Just finished Half the World, the group read, and it was disappointing. No tension whatsoever."I've liked everything else of Martha Wells' that I've read (although that was a long time ago), so I have confidence ... :)
Can't believe I finished a book, The Rithmatist!:)
Moving on to Jennifer Roberson's Tiger and Del series, again.
Mod
:)
Moving on to Jennifer Roberson's Tiger and Del series, again."
I noticed, I'm proud :)
I've read Martha Wells' City of Bones too but nothing else, yet.
Brenda ╰☆╮ wrote: "Can't believe I finished a book, The Rithmatist!:)
Moving on to Jennifer Roberson's Tiger and Del series, again."
Cannot wait for the next/final book in that series.
I've also been reading The Name of the Wind straight after finishing the Farseer trilogy. Was slightly bored in the first few sections, but I'm 3/4 of the way through and it is much harder to put down. Still not what I expected - I feel it's overhyped.
the perfect state by Brandon Sandersonand the messenger by lois lowry. which is the third book in the giver series.
Margret wrote: "Should I be waiting to read that Kingkiller series by Rothfuss till there's a final book in sight then?"that's what I am doing, he takes an eternity between each book
Marcus wrote: "Margret wrote: "Should I be waiting to read that Kingkiller series by Rothfuss till there's a final book in sight then?"that's what I am doing, he takes an eternity between each book"
Ditto. Had I known beforehand, I would have waited. I would have not missed much, this series needs a conclusion. Otherwise you are in for a re-read or a headache.
Finished Raymond E. Feist's At the Gates of Darknessand delved straight into A Kingdom Besieged by Mr Feist also.
I finished Soulless, it was fun enough, but didn't really wow me.I had to return The Slow Regard of Silent Things before I finished it. I liked it, but it didn't really grab me - eventually I'll buy it and take my time with it, but lacking a plot - I didn't feel compelled to keep reading.
I read It Takes a Witch which was a silly little UF with a bit of romance and mystery. Fun fluff, I think I liked it more than Soulless.
Then I read/listened to The Disappeared which I really liked and I'm already into the 2nd book Extremes.
And I'm reading Queens Walk in the Dusk and I'm really liking it. I don't remember how I found it, but I'm glad I did.
So far this month I've read the Fionavar Tapestry (great trilogy from the 80's but heavy reading), Vicious by VE Schwab (excellent book where morality is scarce), and I'm over halfway through the Great Hunt (wheel of time #2), and reading HHGTTG #3 as well. I am really loving the Great Hunt. Things are really heating up in this series and it's so exciting!
Ah! The early Robert Jordan books.I think Book 2 was BY FAR my favorite of the first half of Wheel of Time; have fun reading it!
I finally finished up The Eye of the World, been at it since March. I started it with the group read, but issues I had with it made it a challenging read. Then moved on to The Rithmatist, which I read most of in one sitting and now flying through Steelheart which I am enjoying immensely!
Here is my review of 1st book of gormenghast trilogy.I really liked the book, and writing an review of the book was sort of challenge.
I finished Quantum Thief which didn't really appeal to me—My ReviewI'm reading an historical fiction about Donatello and his young apprentices. The Medici Boy by John L'Heureux—about halfway thru, it's an engaging read.
Ross wrote: "Having just finished The Time Travellers Wife, "I'm halfway through that. Enjoying the read a lot so far!
Tracey wrote: "I finally finished up The Eye of the World, been at it since March. I started it with the group read, but issues I had with it made it a challenging read. Then moved on to [book:The..."
Hello Tracey,
What do you feel were the challenges in finishing Eye of the World. I ask cause I want to read it. But everytime I try to read it. It comes off as SUPER SLOW in pacing. so how did u feel about the book/read?
Just finished A Memory of Light after spending months listening to the whole series in the car. I feel like I've entered a new post-Wheel-of-Time phase of my life. What to do now?Also reading Summer Knight by Jim Butcher and Empire of Ivory by Naomi Novik. The Harry Dresden books are fun, but a bit repetitive. I really enjoy the language in the
Temeraire books.
Any recommendations for audiobooks? Must not be R-rated, as I have kids in the car with me...smart, savvy kids, but kids nonetheless.
Mod
I love these.
Tracey wrote: "I finally finished up The Eye of the World, been at it since March. I started it with the group read, but issues I had with it made it a challenging read.
Then moved on to [book:The..."
Yay, Brendan Sanderson!
Marcus wrote: "Tracey wrote: "I finally finished up The Eye of the World, been at it since March. I started it with the group read, but issues I had with it made it a challenging read. Then moved ..."
Like you say, very slow and I struggled with a few of the characters. It took a very long time for me to form a 'bond' with them. Here's my review https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Feel free to ask any questions.
Read so far:Mordant's Need by Stephen R. Donaldson, which I liked very much and would highly recommend for those who like court intrigue and psychological conflicts. Superb characterization and the right amount of cynicism, also a very original magic system (my review).
Half the World by Joe Abercrombie, which was a disappointment. I didn't dislike the tale per se, it is the execution I found wanting. I'm a fan of Abercrombie, so much more the pity. It reads quickly (my review).
Sorcerer's Legacy by Janny Wurts, now this was a breath of fresh air, another book that reads quickly and from an author I love, but this time my expectations were more than fulfilled. It's court intrigue with a romantic bent, I knew it was her first book but it really is a great standalone. A woman protagonist who is not a chick in chainmail and no damsel in distress, a clever plot and lots of magic (my review).
BLACKGUARDS: Tales of Assassins, Mercenaries, and Rogues. This was really a surprise. I like thieves and assassins, but I'm usually slow in reading anthologies. It started nice, but then it grabbed me so much I read almost all of the stories in a few days, and most important of all, I liked most of them. Also reminded me I need to read Carol Berg, Django Wexler, John Gwynne and Anthony Ryan -among the others- soon (my review).
Currently reading Traitor's Blade by Sebastien de Castell, it hooked me straightaway, it's fluffy and it reads wonderfully, has duels and witty dialogues, but halfway through the story lags a bit and gets improbable. Hope it gets back to the tones of the beginning, still reading with interest anyway, depending on the ending I'll read Knight's Shadow next.
Finished the "Sword of Shannara" trilogy in my epic re-read of the entire Shanarra saga. Taking a bit of a break before moving to "Heritage of Shannara" quartet.Continuing Gail Z Martin's "Ascendant Kingdoms" saga with Book 3 War of Shadows.
Finished Night Voices, Night Journeys (Book 1 of a quartet of Cthulhu-inspired Japanese horror stories), and have moved on to Book 2 Inverted Kingdom.
And, since I'm loving her writing on the Jem and The Holograms #1 so much, I've started The Girl Who Would Be King
And I'm really digging Drew Karpyshyn's "ChaosBorn" trilogy (which starts with Children of Fire)
I finished the book The Medici Boy and Reviewed it I started Alexander's Choice which I thought was about Alexander the Great and turns out to be a boys school book about Eton. Well I am learning some more British culture and slang ;-)
I started listening to Kushiel's Dart on Hoopla. Not sure how I feel about it just yet. I made it to the first sex scene and... I don't know.. I'm just not a big fan of sex in books, I find it detracts from the quality! But it has great reviews on the plot so I'm gonna continue of course
Finished The Serpent Sea and am onto the last Raksura book, The Siren Depths. (Well, the last aside from the short story collections, which I think I'll be getting to at some later point.)
I started The Gospel of Loki last nite. It is an amusing retelling of Norse mythology by Joanne Harris
The Kushiel series has sex all the way through - it's integral to the plot and Phedre as a character. I think the sex scenes are incredibly well done and tasteful considering the style of the story, but if you don't like reading about sex in general, you'll probably have a hard time with the series.
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Fantasy Book Club
Books mentioned in this topic
The Lightning Thief (other topics)Snow Crash (other topics)
Heir of Novron (other topics)
The Blade Itself (other topics)
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Paolo Bacigalupi (other topics)Liu Cixin (other topics)
Janny Wurts (other topics)
Joanne Harris (other topics)
R. Scott Bakker (other topics)
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If you can read the first 2 books and wait an undefined period for the 3rd? I'd say "Go for it."
Or you can do what I do and institute the "Jordan Rule"; generally speaking (with some excpetions) I won't start a series until it's at (or at least near) completion.