AA: About 35% through and I've just got to say thanks for choosing this book

[Jonathan]

I love it so far. It's definitely getting better as the story progresses. I never really gave the book a chance before because I knew nothing about the author and pretty much the only time that I tend to branch out of my standard "go-to" authors or franchises is usually if I have to read something for class, work or if it's horror. So thanks for choosing the book so that I would actually have a reason to legitimately give it a chance.

[Dazerla]

Jonathan wrote: "I love it so far. It's definitely getting better as the story progresses. I never really gave the book a chance before because I knew nothing about the author and pretty much the only time that I t..."

Same here I wouldn't have read this book is not for the club.

[Igor]

Hmm, it seems something always get in the way when I wanna read this book. First it was The Way of Kings, then all other books by Sanderson and now The Malazan Book of the Fallen (currently reading 3rd one). Well, after I'm done with the series I really should get this one :-)

[Miss_Tessa_Melissa]

I had just started reading Ship of Magic, also by Robin Hobb, when this became the pick, so I was already in a Robin Hobb mood. However, I dropped that one for later, and picked up this one immediately. I'm so glad I did.

[Rhenus]

Agreed, very good pick, read the book in about 5 days.
Beautifully paced and written.

I read way of shadows (worth a look) just before this and was a little surprised at just how differently the two authors approached training as an assassin. One takes years and learns to kill at a distance with poisons initially the other is plunged in at the deep end with close quarters combat.
I think hobbs version is closer to reality, which I'm my books is a win.

[David Sven]

Igor wrote: "Hmm, it seems something always get in the way when I wanna read this book. First it was The Way of Kings, then all other books by Sanderson and now The Malazan Book of the Fallen (currently reading..."

I know the feeling. I joined S & L to get reading ideas. Now I've got so many I have to plan ahead if I intend to read a long series. I was also in the middle of Malazan when I joined the group. I decided to interrupt my Malazan reading with the monthly pick and then continue till the next pick. But now I'm finished that series I've got to pick between books that are just coming out and look fantastic and books that have been on my to-read for months that also appear fantastic. At least this month its a little easier as I intend to complete the The Farseer Trilogy.

[Katie]

Samurisloth wrote: "Agreed, very good pick, read the book in about 5 days.
Beautifully paced and written.

I read way of shadows (worth a look) just before this and was a little surprised at just how differently the t..."

I read Way of Shadows right around when I first read Assassin's Apprentice too! I preferred Way of Shadows actually, the characters and the magic in it are gritty and I liked that, more of a Locke Lamora underworld than Game of Thrones castle intrigue. Of course I thought any whining done by Kylar was somehow less annoying than Fitz, I mean really, (view spoiler)[ horrible stuff kept happening but it was because people around him kept really vital information from him, but then turned around and blamed him for making wrong decisions with poor info! (hide spoiler)]

[Sarah]

I really enjoyed it too, and just finished the second book in the series. I was really excited to hear on the show that there are 9 books in this universe! (I'm hoping some of them deal more with the Fool.)

[Bryek]

this is why I love series and picking series for clubs like this. You get to see a new author with a set of books that you can read if you want to.
I find with stand alone books and the author's who write them that I just don't often read them because I know that their story will be over just as i am starting to care about them. (that and how many books in fantasy are actually stand alone?)

Oh and when it comes to the comparison of The Night Angel Trilogy and The Farseer trilogy, their needs for assassination are different. One is very political, more chesslike, where the outright murder of someone would be disastrous. The night angel trilogy is much more cloak and dagger. Little politics and since the political landscape of the Night Angel is so scattered and unorganized a hired hit from an assassin to blatently murder someone is far more accepted than in the Farseer trilogy.
so you have a political assassin
and you have a wetboy.

[Joyce]

I must say I am really enjoying this book. As a person who is not a "Sword" I am finding this world very interesting. I am listening to it on audio and the narrator is doing a great job. The pace is slow but I think it is necessary to get all the world building in. This way the world is built up slowly instead of in one big confusing chapter. I don't know why some people find that they dislike Fitz. I have found myself rooting for him.

[Marz]

I love this book. Before I joined S&L I mostly found books by browsing my local library or book store. This has opened me up to so many books I never would have considered or known about. I already finished this and Royal Assassin.

[Kate]

Sarah wrote: "I really enjoyed it too, and just finished the second book in the series. I was really excited to hear on the show that there are 9 books in this universe! (I'm hoping some of them deal more with t..."

There's actually 13 books and counting, but the latest series, from 10 on, The Rain Wilds Chronicles don't seem to get as much attention, maybe cos it's not as good, maybe because the 9th book is quite a satisfying ending.

[KWinks]

I also want to throw my thanks into the ring. I would never have picked this up without Sword and Laser. I am only on Chapter 7, but I am really enjoying it. I am also loving not reading all of the spoilery forum messages. What is it about the title the other readers hate so much? I can't wait to find out.

[Erika]

I'm a fairly recent Sword and Laser fan. This is this first pick that I got past the free preview. I'm really enjoying it. Thanks for this pick.

[Rob, Roberator]

I finished it yesterday and have already started Royal Assassin.

This author/series was not on my radar at all. Now I just need to find time to read all the other books.

[Jonathon]

I'd picked up a copy of this book a while back and I've been meaning to read it for months. I still probably wouldn't have read it yet if left to my own devices. I've read the entire book in about 4 days (bear in mind that I've been working 12 hour shifts). All hail Veronica for the pick.

[Greg]

Jonathon wrote: " I've read the entire book in about 4 days (bear in mind that I've been working 12 hour shifts)."

I need a job like that! My work day also stretches out about 12 hours, which is why I'm only 50% through... :(

[Ruth (tilltab) Ashworth]

I'm really enjoying this one, very very much. I like the way the story keeps building bit by bit, so the more I read, the more I want to read. I think I'm starting to see where it is leading, but I could be wrong, which is enjoyable.

[Corbitt]

I too find myself greatly enjoying this read. I just joined S&L to help introduce me to new books I may not have looked at on my own. I have had a lot of trouble getting into traditional fantasy styled books before but decided to try this out due to how Veronica presented it. I am ever glad I did. I honestly can't recall how long its been since I've enjoyed a book quite like this.

[Ruth (tilltab) Ashworth]

Ruth wrote: " I think I'm starting to see where it is leading, but I could be wrong, which is enjoyable."

I was wrong! :D

[Alterjess]

I'm also just getting into the meat of this book, and absolutely loving it. Left to my own devices, I read almost exclusively hard sci-fi or nonfiction, and it's great to be reminded that there are great books in other genres every once in a while.

First-person narration is really difficult to do well, but Hobb just nails it.

[Bill]

This has been my first experience with the S&L club and I'm loving it! Introducing me to an author like Hobb is a great way to build a community of readers. Even if I had hated the book (which I didn't), I've enjoyed the discussion so far. I'm definitely delving into the rest of the Hobb books. Can't wait for the video podcast on this at the end of the month. I've also started Empire State...thanks S&L!

[library_jim]

Hear, hear. Wouldn't have picked this up otherwise and am very much enjoying it. I notice that Robin Hobb is going to be at Dragon*Con. I wonder if that's why Veronica made it a pick this month?

[Amelia]

I figured I wouldn't have a chance to finish this pick by the end of the month because I just started it yesterday. But I finished it today and immediately picked up the second and third books! I had heard good things about this series on other sites, and that's what led me to buy it a few months ago. It took the club reading this book to get me out of my nonfiction mood and actually read it, however. Needless to say I loved it, and have picked up a few past picks in the hopes that some will turn out as well as this one!