"Silent Tower" - Planning to Read? First Impressions? **NO SPOILERS**

[Jon]

Let us know if you plan to join us in reading The Silent Tower by Barbara Hambly in July.

I've read this novel several times and it remains one of my favorite Hambly novels. While I own a nearly perfect condition paperback I purchased back in the late 80s, I plan to buy the recently released ebook edition (The Silent Tower: The Windrose Chronicles) for my Nook. This way I can easily take notes and highlight key passages while re-reading it in July.

No spoilers please in this thread.

[agata]

I just downloaded the sample for Kindle and I'm very curious to find out more about the book.

[Janny]

I'll pull my copy out of the loft for a re-read.

[Elizabeth]

I have it already. Barbara Hambly is one of my favorite authors. I'll join it.

[Kerry]

I reread this last year (still have to reread The Silicon Mage) so I hope I'll be able to join in. I thought it help up very well.

[Karen]

Tore up the house looking for my old copy. Only found book 3. ::sigh:: Will get a Kindle download I guess. :)

[Coralie]

Have teed up to borrow daughter's copy. It's a long time since I read it.

[Kim]

I didn't even know this was next months book. Little early to open a discussion on it isn't it?

[Jon]

@Kim: This is just the roll call thread. Also, wanted to give readers a heads up because only the ebook edition is in print currently. If you want to read a print edition, you need time to find a copy.

I won't start my re-read until the first of July, though, so I won't be opening any more discussion threads until then.

Thanks, Jin

[Kerry]

For anyone who likes to listen to podcasts, the latest episode of the SF Squeecast (here or search on iTunes) contains quite a long discussion (aka rave) about Barbara Hambly's books.

[Snarktastic Sonja]

This is on my to read list. I will be joining the discussion. Or at least reading it. The discussion, that is. :D

[Mary JL]

I have read all 3 books in the Windrose Chronicles, so I will be joining the discussion.

I am devoutly hoping for a fourth book---Barbara H., are you reading this?

[Bob]

I have another book lined up to start this week but I am thinking of trying Silent Tower after that. Silent Tower sounds interesting if nothing else

[Brad]

Bad ass! Jon is all over it. Thanks, Jon. Have fun with the discussion everyone. I hope the library gets my copy in time to join in .

[Janny]

Finished my refresher read.

What I still love about this story: gorgeously defined characters with endearing quirks. The sheer beauty of observation that makes the setting sing, and the exquisite tension Hambly creates between what is at stake, and the cross-purposes and short sightedness that arise from human nature - with the most fun bits of humor mixed in. And the fact that the conflict is about things that truly matter.

I look forward to following the discussion and hopefully seeing the fun of new readers discovering this for the first time.

[Chris]

I started this tonight. It was late, so I only got one chapter finished.

So far, so good. I'm intrigued with the world of Caris so far and I have to say that I'm enjoying Hambly's style.

[Melanti]

I recently read and loved Dragonsbane and The Ladies of Mandrigyn but I'm finding The Silent Tower a little bit of a struggle. It's not bad by any means, but it's not as immediately enthralling as the other two.

Part of it, I think, is that it feels very dated compared to the other two I've read. You know it's from the 80's if computers are cool/mystical/amazing.

[Jen]

Hi. I am reading it as well. I had not heard of Hambly before so I was interested to give it a try. I have to say, though, I am having a tough time getting into it. I am about 50 pages into it and, while it's getting better, I don't feel an intense desire to finish it. I am going to give it another 50 pages before I decide ...

[Casceil]

I started reading the book last night. I'm enjoying it. The 80's view of the computer world is nostalgic for me, since I was first learning about the industry in the early 80's. Looks like it should be fun.

[Kim]

It's interesting but the story really isn't grabbing me. For a short book it's taking me a while to read.

[Jen]

I'm with you Melanti and Kim. It was tough for me to get going, but it's getting better so stick with it if you can. I am at around page 170 or so and I actually want to pick up the book and read whereas prior to page 100 it was sort of a chore....

[aPriL does feral sometimes]

I'm half way through. It's a fun read

[Casceil]

Jen wrote: "Hi. I am reading it as well. I had not heard of Hambly before so I was interested to give it a try. I have to say, though, I am having a tough time getting into it. I am about 50 pages into it ..."

Jen, I hope you're still with us. Things really start moving a little bit after 100 pages (like maybe 105?)

[Jen]

Casceil - Hi there. I stuck with it and am at around p 273. The story definitely becomes more engaging and I am enjoying it more. I don't *love* it though :-(