2011-10 FORTRESS IN THE EYE OF TIME: first impressions and roll call (*no spoilers*)

[Stefan, Group Founder + Moderator (Retired)]

Please let us know if you're reading, have read, or are planning to read Fortress in the Eye of Time by C.J. Cherryh.

No spoilers in this topic please!

[Helen]

I've bought it to read. It'll be my first Cherryh.

[Sandra]

I'm planning to read it! This is one series I haven't read yet and understand it's well worth the effort. I've been on a Cherryh kick all summer, so will continue!

[Jon]

I plan to read this, but I will probably read Red Mars first, after I finish Foreigner.

[Amelia]

I have this one too, but it's behind a bunch of other TBR books. I'll get to it eventually, but probably not this month.

[Janny]

This is a mind blowing fantasy. I've loved it for a long time, and hope to re-read for this discussion.

Don't be put off by the slower 'start' to this - once she winds it up/once the reader finds their footing, the story gains cracking pace, and the concepts are AWESOME.

I particularly loved how the fantastical elements are woven into an altogether stunning account that lays bare human nature. The elements of magic are woven in so organically seamlessly - it's exciting to have this book up for discussion, it's a landmark work.

[Patricia]

I've started this, but finding it a little hard to get into. Looking forward to the discussion though.

[Janny]

Patricia wrote: "I've started this, but finding it a little hard to get into. Looking forward to the discussion though."

You HAVE to stick with it...worth the ride, definitely.

[Kathi, Moderator & Book Lover]

Read it in July to be ready for the discussion... and am waiting to read the rest of the series (some rereads and some that I've never read) so I don't confuse myself with what's in the later books.

[Stefan, Group Founder + Moderator (Retired)]

Patricia wrote: "I've started this, but finding it a little hard to get into. Looking forward to the discussion though."

It's definitely a challenging start, but it gets very very good as it progresses. I remember having trouble with the first 100 or so pages too. Cherryh puts you right inside the mind of her characters, and in this case that character just really has not much of a frame of reference yet.

[Helen]

Think this may bump up my list, it sounds like we'll get some good discussions out of it.

[Bill]

I have read this and the series up to the last volume which I saving for when I have time to re-read everything to date.

I find it telling that I have such strong images and feelings of the 1st novel, though details are forgotten.

[Hélène]

I'll start on this on after I finish Foreigner.

[Suzanne]

I'm about 30% through right now - it's very different. I agree that it was somewhat hard to get into, but I'm sticking with it!

[Deedee]

I just read the first two pages and I'm going to have to read them a second time.

[Sandra]

I'm finding it interesting so far.

[Helen]

I've still got 700 pages of current read before I can come play!

[Sandra]

I'm on page 198 of 630 in my ebook version and I am really enjoying it. It's very spooky at times, almost a horror element, which I am quite liking. And Tristen is fascinating. Cherryh shows us his innocence in a very real way.

[Patricia]

I'm a little past the halfway point & it has definitely drawn me in. I have to admit, I still have to concentrate when I'm reading it, but that's not a bad thing. Am enjoying it.

[Ron]

Just bought this today, along with Forge of Heaven (although now I find out Hammerfall comes first) and Inheritor, having not long ago finished reading Invader. All go on the tbriins (to be read immediately if not sooner) stack, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the tbr pile.

[Helen]

Your TBR sounds like mine!

[Sandra]

Ron wrote: "Just bought this today, along with Forge of Heaven (although now I find out Hammerfall comes first) and Inheritor, having not long ago finished reading [book:..."

LOL

[Kathi, Moderator & Book Lover]

Ron wrote: "All go on the tbriins (to be read immediately if not sooner) stack, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the tbr pile."

Great description!!

[Jon]

Patricia wrote: "I've started this, but finding it a little hard to get into. Looking forward to the discussion though."

I loved the first chapter. In fact I read the first page over three times, just to soak in all the imagery and atmosphere.

[Ron]

Starting this tomorrow (Saturday); may not be done before 31 Aug. but will chime in anyway if I can.

[Helen]

I've not started either, life gets in the way sometimes!

[Staci]

I've started this one. It's my first book by Cherryh and so far, I'm really enjoying it. I'm only up to chapter 6 so far, so definitely will not finish by the end of the month, but I'm looking forward to seeing where the story takes me.

[Jacen]

I discovered this book by chance and started reading before noticing that this group was reading it together, about halfway through. The "slow" start as mentioned by some was majorly overshadowed for me by the fantastic wordsmithing going on. It may be a little slow but a real joy to read all the same.

[Kathi, Moderator & Book Lover]

Jacen wrote: " The "slow" start as mentioned by some was majorly overshadowed for me by the fantastic wordsmithing going on. It may be a little slow but a real joy to read all the same. "

I'm now reading the 2nd book in the series,
Fortress of Eagles. I found it slow-going, once again, until I got used to the way Cherryh writes. The sentences frequently seem awkwardly composed to me until I get into a rhythm of reading, and then the story flows.

[Bill]

Kathi wrote: "...I'm now reading the 2nd book in the series, Fortress of Eagles. I found it slow-going, once again, until I got used to the way Cherryh writes. The sentences frequently seem awkwardly composed to me until I get into a rhythm of reading, and then the story flows."

I find Cherryh the opposite. Her prose flows like a brook on a gentle slope. I've been reading her since she 1st started publishing, so perhaps I am just used to her style?

[Helen]

What a pretty turn of phrase.

[Ron]

I'm now about 400 pages in and it's wonderful. The plot is really whistling along now, the characters and politics are fascinating, I do like that we're getting into the heads of more than one main character. Dammit! Now I have another series of huge books on the go, along with "Foreigner" and the Malazan books, plus whatever else comes along (like "Embassytown, for instance).

[Sandra]

Ron wrote: "I'm now about 400 pages in and it's wonderful. The plot is really whistling along now, the characters and politics are fascinating, I do like that we're getting into the heads of more than one mai..."

LOL. These two by Cherryh are marvelous.

[Helen]

Stupid GR just deleted my lovely post! Suffice to say, I started this morning and love it so far.

[Sandra]

Helen wrote: "Stupid GR just deleted my lovely post! Suffice to say, I started this morning and love it so far."

Warning: I started this series and couldn't stop! While #5 ends nicely enough, there are still unanswered questions and plenty of room for another book or two. So I'm over on Cherryh's website encouraging another book in eformat.

[Helen]

Grr, I like an ending! I also like to complete a series in one go.