Fantasy Aficionados discussion
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What Are You Currently Reading?
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Maggie
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Apr 01, 2011 11:31AM
Well, there are more than enough battles in the series, and if anyone would have asked me a year ago I would have said I hate battle scenes, but for some reason I love the way Erikson writes them, they are always emotional and never boring
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Maggie wrote: "Well, there are more than enough battles in the series, and if anyone would have asked me a year ago I would have said I hate battle scenes, but for some reason I love the way Erikson writes them, ..."I second this! Though, I'd have to say that I do love battle scenes, and is one reason I like Malazan so much. The Characters, as Clay mentioned, are awesome, too. I think, however, that it will probably take the entire series for all characters to fully develop. Which, as with most long fantasy series, can be slow.
Grant wrote: "About time you got back, Clay :) Welcome back"
I second this, also! We missed you around here, Clay!
Thanks for "welcome backs" guys. I'm still around, just less time to comment anymore... Anyway, Jason, the further you progress through MBotF, the more the characters grow on you. Not to mention that things will slowly gain more and more profundity and events that may have seemed rather trivial or to be little more than filler will begin to become more and more integral to the overall story. I envy those reading it through now that it's complete. Being able to go from book to book, without a wait between, on the first read through would be a treat!
Hiya Clay. Can anyone tell me how gory Malazan is. Let me start by saying couldn't get through ASoIaF and I cry easy when fav characters die.
Heya MJ,Well ... MBotF is fairly gory ... in the sense that edged weapons are used ... and many times the injuries given and received are described ... but I would say it would be on par with ASoIaF. If that was too gory, MBotF will probably be as well.
As for main characters dying, MBotF has that area of the market covered as well. You can expect some fairly main (and well loved) characters to assume room temperature throughout the epic. However, the after-life is surprisingly "happening" in the Malazan world. Even in death, most chracters don't really stay gone for long. I realize I'm treading dangerously close to spoiler territory, but trust me, nothing I've said will spoil any of the big reveals or plot develpements in MBotF.
I guess I would say Erikson's ride can be compared to a Steven King type of style in the area of viscerally gory or spookily macabre imagery. The primary "feel" of it, however, is martial in the extreme. Fans of military fiction will eat it up. And not simply because of the battles or the tactics. Those things are only a small part of what's really going on within the tale. The real draw of MBotF is its characters, its magic system and its plot. Much of the tale is told through the eyes of the Malazan Marines. Average, ordinary soldiers who are thrust into the paths of immortals, gods, undead foes, and a host of other interesting foes at the cold behest of their far-flung and far-reaching empire.
Like I said, I know it probably ain't for everyone. But for all its gritty, dark and demented scenes, it also serves up plenty of beauty and awe-inspiring, glorious moments of majesty as well. MBotF is a series where, yes, you will witness a lot of darkness and some of the most horrific things people can do to one another - - - but you will also see some good old fashioned justice and will also see your fair share of those "make you grin like an idiot while you're reading" moments.
Lol - if you can't tell, I loved the series. Probably my most favorite of any fantasy series I've ever read... But I won't promise that everyone will see it the same way. :)
I read and enjoyed Starship Troopers and I've read several books that have primary characters that are mercenaries. Shoot, I'd planned to start on Gardens of the Moon as soon as I got some of these books down...but now I'm feeling nervous. Just to make it worse I bought all of the Black company (except book 1 - I always have that problem) and then found out it super gritty & grimy too.
:-(
You know I just recently read The Blade Itself and didn't love it but see so many people, especially in this group, rave about it. Does it get better?
Now I've never been able to finish The Blade Itself (though I love that opening quote). I don't remember being repulsed by the blood & guts (but maybe I didn't get far enough). I was just bored. So bored. None of the characters have caught my attention enough for me to push through.You know what I've just recently noticed...you guys have kept my reading list so busy that I haven't had a chance to catch up on my romance reading!
Okay MrsJoseph I'm glad its not just me then! I found myself to be bored too.Now about romance reading, what books are we talking about here? :-)
Deadhouse Gates has buckets full of blood and guts.
Tobey wrote: "Okay MrsJoseph I'm glad its not just me then! I found myself to be bored too.Now about romance reading, what books are we talking about here? :-)"
Just about all of it! :-) I'm an equal opportunity book reader. Just don't break the cardinal sin: boring
Jason wrote: "Deadhouse Gates has buckets full of blood and guts."*gag* buckets?
Buckets. Especially the first quarter or so. Ask Sandra. I think the first quarter almost put her off from reading the rest.
Wow. Just...wow. Maybe not my cup of tea. Do they make Spark notes? lol
Jason wrote: "Buckets. Especially the first quarter or so. Ask Sandra. I think the first quarter almost put her off from reading the rest."LOL, buckets and rivers! And not just blood - bits of flesh and bone, shredded flesh and clotted hair, eyeballs that explode, entrails... need I go on? Ha.
Eyeballs that explode??? OMG, that's not quite my thing...I did see both Kill Bill. More gorey than that?
You know that scene where they get beheaded in Kill Bill, and there's like a geyser of blood?
Yeah. Worse than that.
Yeah. Worse than that.
O_o Oooh, good to know.
Lol I don't even remember the gore so much ... in fact, I don't remember the eye balls, rivers of gore or ... pieces... and I've read Deadhouse Gates three times now.I wonder what that says about me?
I guess it says you probably shouldn't listen to me when it comes to the gore, MrsJoseph... lol
I can deal with the gore but what I have problems with are animals getting hurt or abused. Hate it. I won't mention what recent book I read that I had trouble with this...
Clay, I remember pieces quite well. thinking of those cities where civilians were slaughtered...nasty stuff!
I've noticed we have somewhat similar taste in books, Clay. Dang, I think the wine is kicking in. Huh, maybe I'll read the rest of the Mercy Thompson books (love kick ass female characters!) and Paks' series first.
MrsJoseph wrote: "I read and enjoyed Starship Troopers and I've read several books that have primary characters that are mercenaries. Shoot, I'd planned to start on Gardens of the Moon as soon as I got..."Interesting how you missed that about Black Company. I thought it was pretty well known that it is dark and gritty? You can send 'em to me. lol.
Ms Joseph-It is kind of a double edged sword with Malazan...the battle scenes are gruesomely realistic. The part Sandra is talking about is where an uprising happens in a city, and the rebels are doing some extremely nasty things to the nobles...the rest of the book is sort of following the refugees and the army that is protecting them as they escape.So yes there is a lot of gore, but it is not gratutious and its very emotional and philosophical as well.
The best parts are when the various main characters do something really noble or sacrificial in the name of loyalty and friendship...so I think the brutal 'blood and guts' parts are needed to get the reader to 'get inside' the characters heads.
There is lot of beauty in the writing too...there is a scene where a battle happens in the middle of a butterfly swarm that is simply awe-inspiring.
I used to HATE battles and would just skim through them, but reading Erikson has given me an appreciation for them.
Maggie wrote: "Ms Joseph-It is kind of a double edged sword with Malazan...the battle scenes are gruesomely realistic. The part Sandra is talking about is where an uprising happens in a city, and the rebels are..."I'm hoping to get to that part. Perhaps the trouble is that I numb out to get through the gore, so am numb when I read everything and can't appreciate or even notice the better things because I'm still so appalled by the horrific images.
The Malazon books are sounding very appealing. I don't really care for gratuitous violence, but I do feel that a book about war should show how ugly war is. I appreciate the information and the warning.
Jea0126 wrote: Interesting how you missed that about Black Company. I thought it was pretty well known that it is dark and gritty? You can send 'em to me. lol. "*looks down at toes* Well, everyone was talking about how good it was and Borders is going out of business...and I saw them all there on sale...
I have issues, lol.
MrsJoseph wrote: "Jea0126 wrote: Interesting how you missed that about Black Company. I thought it was pretty well known that it is dark and gritty? You can send 'em to me. lol. "*looks down at toes* Well, ever..."
No more than the rest of us. ; )
I think the more I work at my job, the more gritty and realistic I want my reading to be! But then again there are days where I come home and need to read children;s books, so it goes both ways.
I'm book sulking today. I read the first three Harry Dresden books back to back and LOVED them! I really want to get to the fourth, but I don't have a copy. I'm reading Crossroads of Twilight, which I'm sure will be a fine book, but the prologue alone is over 90 pages long and it's just so serious... I want to read more of Harry Dresden! Hrmph!
No closing sales at borders you could hit up? or a used bookstore? or someone you live by who has them that you can steal from? :P
Nope - I've checked them all. Even if I broke my habit of finding books in hardcover, and bought mass markets, I couldn't find #4. I've reserved them at the library, but there's this silly waiting list... I have about 50 other books I could read, but when you have your heart set on something, nothing else will do!
I know the feeling. I went through the same thing when I started the Dresden books.
Had the first three or four and as I was racing through them I ordered the rest of the series. Luckily they arrived right after I'd finished the first couple, so I got to spend a good two weeks immersed in the series.
Had the first three or four and as I was racing through them I ordered the rest of the series. Luckily they arrived right after I'd finished the first couple, so I got to spend a good two weeks immersed in the series.
I can get book 4 for you...as well as the rest of the series if you so desire...
No worries, Tobey!I ordered the next four from the library, and am getting a friend who works at the book store to order the later ones for me. But I appreciate the offer!
@ Ala - I'm going to start treating this like a quest. How long will it take me to hunt down every last one! Thankfully, the year's biggest used book sale starts at the end of the month. I'll be there opening day!
Camp out over night with some books and a portable heater :P
I just finished Sheepfarmer's Daughter - great book! I'm now reading a short story as a plate cleanser: Somebody Else's Magic Lythande series .
"The Wise Man's Fear", Patrick Rothfuss
Ooh, my kind of book!Yes, Jason, I'm very behind in posts again, but I'm not a moderator of this site. I can sneak away and people would have thought I've eaten Clay and am satisfied.
MrsJoseph wrote: "Jason wrote: "Deadhouse Gates has buckets full of blood and guts."
*gag* buckets?"
I haven't contributed much because I have not been reading fantasy. I've been into non-fiction, philosophy and art lately.Finished Flyboys: A True Story of Courage. Excellent book. I have to put it in my favorites. The author did not glorify war, but made me aware of the human side of it. The thing that struck me most is his noting that war is immoral. Yeah, you can give rhetorics to make war palatable, like, don't kill the civilians, and don't torture the people who bombed and killed your families and town, but, in the end, there is no morality in war.
Listening to Ayn Rand and the World She Made. While I do not agree with some aspects of her selfish philosophy, I admire her individuality and tenaciousness in making things happen for her to create her world, which is also what her philosophy is about. Fascinating biography about a fascinating woman. I don't want to stop listening to this. I'd hate to say this, but this is also inspirational for me as a woman.
Aloha wrote: "Ooh, my kind of book!Yes, Jason, I'm very behind in posts again, but I'm not a moderator of this site. I can sneak away and people would have thought I've eaten Clay and am satisfied.
MrsJoseph..."
LOL!
Aloha wrote: "Yes, Jason, I'm very behind in posts again, but I'm not a moderator of this site. I can sneak away and people would have thought I've eaten Clay and am satisfied."
I'm still not convinced you haven't eaten him and are just logging into his account to post here and there to draw off suspicion.
If you did get him, remember, his stuff is mine!
I'm still not convinced you haven't eaten him and are just logging into his account to post here and there to draw off suspicion.
If you did get him, remember, his stuff is mine!
War is terrible, but I love reading about it. I think it says something about who we are as humans.Thanks, Aloha!
Ala, I can't get away with anything with you around. How does it feel being Chicken Little squawking "A cannibal is in our midst! A cannibal is in our midst!" and nobody believes you? I will tell you this because nobody will believe me or you. I ate Clay and did log into his account to throw off suspicion. Clay is not married with children. He actually is a pitiful drunkard of a writer who nobody wants to marry. His family has disowned him. But he is tremendously wealthy from the lottery that he won. I go to his mailbox to pick up his monthly installment. And I'm not giving any to you, Ala.Ala wrote: "Aloha wrote: "I'm still not convinced you haven't eaten him and are just logging into his account to post here and there to draw off suspicion.
If you did get him, remember, his stuff is mine! "
Hey!! I was supposed to get some of his stuff!!!
You will rue the day, Aloha. There will be rueage!
hehe "rueage"
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