Reading in January 2010

[Hobbit]

Welcome to 2010!

Hopefully you have lots of new reading material you're reading or about to read this month.

Just in case you didn't know, this is where you tell us what you've been reading in Fantasy/Horror this month. Good or bad, we want to know what and why.

The book club is discussion Watership Down this month.

For your information: the SFFWorld Review of Fantasy 2009 is up HERE; and the SF Review HERE.

Feel free to join in, agree or disagree.

Mark

 

[Evil Agent]

First book of the decade..!

Happy New Year, and New Decade!

My first book of the decade is Fevre Dream by George R. R. Martin, which I've just started. So far, so good.

 

[Obtuse]

I will begin 2010 as I spent most of December; trudging through The Lies of Locke Lamora, 10 or so pages at a time, and wondering when it's supposed to get good. This book actually reminds me of one of Brust's Vlad Taltos novels, only with more (too many) words and less (somehow) character development.

 

[BrightStar]

I'm continuing my read of Empress by Karen Miller at the moment. I really loved part one, but part two has slowed down a bit for me. I'm still liking it, but not quite as much as I was earlier parts of the book. I think my problem is that there's a lack of direction - in part one, I wanted to know what would happen to Hekat once they reached their destination, but now there just don't seem as many interesting questions about what's going to happen next.

 

[kater]

Beginning with a re-read of my last year's joint favourite book The Judging Eye.

 

[Erfael]

The new year snuck up on me, so Hobbit didn't get the memo about this month's book club selection. With everyone so busy through December, there was no vote for this month's book, but I thought another classic would give lots of people the chance to discuss. So up this month is Watership Down by Richard Adams. Please stop in and give us your thoughts on this one.

 

[Loerwyn]

I'm gonna read Assassin's Apprentice, I think.

Been meaning to for a while.

 

[Bastard]

I will begin 2010 as I spent most of December; trudging through The Lies of Locke Lamora, 10 or so pages at a time, and wondering when it's supposed to get good. This book actually reminds me of one of Brust's Vlad Taltos novels, only with more (too many) words and less (somehow) character development.

I think the first beginning is interesting, then we start the first con and it gets boring (in my opinion) for quite a bit, but it isn't until almost half the book that the real plot and the real antagonist of the book makes an appearance and the book really takes off.

Although I started enjoying it before then, at around page 280 is when things start to go down in a meaningful way. The pace picks up substantially, so does the action.

Where are you at at the moment?

 

[Eliot Wild]

Having recently taken a break from grad school, I found myself with time to go back to my first literary love which is fantasy novels. Since about mid-fall, I have been devouring a lot of modern fantasy. I read straight through the Wheel of Time series but haven't purchased the latest one yet. I think I am going to wait before going back.

Since most of my reading before my break was of an academic nature, I was "out of the loop", so to speak, and unfamiliar with some of the newer titles and authors. But I have just finished Mistborn by Sanderson. I have been visting these forums and other fantasy literature sites to get opinions on some of the better, or at least more discussed, novels and series.

I really liked Sanderson, so I guess I'll finish up that series. And I love this forum; it is an aspiring writers' dream site for comments, discussion, insight and other feedback regarding the actual craft of writing fantasy literature. Watership Down is a great choice. It has been so long since I read it though; I know I have a copy somewhere, so I suppose I will read it again so I can perhaps join in the discussions.

By the way, don't worry, I'm not always so long-winded. I just had two morning macchiato's and I can't stop typing . . . .

 

[ladyinspring]

Ah well Elliot Wild, I am frequently long-winded. I love this forum too, and have spent a lot of time reading the archives. Now I'm ready to participate. I was reading The Dragonbone Chair, but I decided to put it aside for a bit just so I wouldn't feel resentful toward it. I think I was starting to get a little burned out and not ready for the pace of that. Thankfully, Abercrombie's First Law trilogy unexpectedly came into my possession yesterday. I have really wanted to read that.

So I just finished The Blade Itself and I am so happy, rather in a glow. Man that was so good. I'm starting to get that sad feeling, knowing there are only two more books. I really can't believe that was his first book. I loved the humor in it, the bloody magic, the glorious fighting, the awesome characters. It was like eating an especially good meal after weeks of heartburn-inducing fast food.

 

[Hobbit]

If you like those three, ladyinspring, then Best Served Cold's not that different. Set in the same world with some marginal character overlap, I think you'll like it too.

Mark

 

[Obtuse]

I think the first beginning is interesting, then we start the first con and it gets boring (in my opinion) for quite a bit, but it isn't until almost half the book that the real plot and the real antagonist of the book makes an appearance and the book really takes off.

Although I started enjoying it before then, at around page 280 is when things start to go down in a meaningful way. The pace picks up substantially, so does the action.

Where are you at at the moment?

I am at about that point, but I don't think it's going to make a difference. My problem hasn't been with the story, pace or amount of action, but mainly (there are other minor issues, but I could easily overlook them if not for the this) with the lack character development. I still don't know what makes the main character tick. So far I have seen no more of Locke's true character than his fronts and disguises show to the other characters. As the reader, I would like a deeper, more honest picture of the protagonist so that I can connect with him and maybe, you know, care what happens to him.

It's not just Locke either. The four members of the gang may as well be named generic gang member 1 through 4 for all that Lynch has differentiated among them. During any conversation involving the entire gang, the various lines of dialog could be switched around and said by any other gang member and not seem out of place.

All that said, I'm not ready to give up on the book just yet. So far it has stayed just this side of the readable line.

 

[Bastard]

I am at about that point, but I don't think it's going to make a difference. My problem hasn't been with the story, pace or amount of action, but mainly (there are other minor issues, but I could easily overlook them if not for the this) with the lack character development. I still don't know what makes the main character tick. So far I have seen no more of Locke's true character than his fronts and disguises show to the other characters. As the reader, I would like a deeper, more honest picture of the protagonist so that I can connect with him and maybe, you know, care what happens to him.

It's not just Locke either. The four members of the gang may as well be named generic gang member 1 through 4 for all that Lynch has differentiated among them. During any conversation involving the entire gang, the various lines of dialog could be switched around and said by any other gang member and not seem out of place.

All that said, I'm not ready to give up on the book just yet. So far it has stayed just this side of the readable line.

If that what concerns you, then I think you'll have no trouble continuing on since these things do improve, and one way or the other will take care of themselves.

I would think that the disappointment of character development at the moment might be due to Locke haven't been faced with adversity yet, so when it finally comes it should improve.

But oh well, seems like Locke Lamora is a hit or miss to many. I know I had to put down the book early on, something I rarely rarely do. But once I picked it up again, months later, I really enjoyed it.

Hopefully it'll start to click for you soon.

 

[Haliax]

Right now I'm still reading Princeps' Fury by Butcher. It took awhile, but the book has finally got me interested. From there I'll probably take a break from Butcher and read Left Hand of God by Paul Hoffman, assuming that it arrives before I finish Princeps' Fury. If not, I'll probably continue on with First Lord's Fury.

After that, I'm not sure. I have had Winterbirth by Brian Ruckely on my shelf for awhile, but just haven't gotten interested enough to start reading it. I also have taken quite a long break from Erikson, having finished MoI back in May I think, so I may start on House of Chains. I also have the Prince of Nothing trilogy, which I might give another shot. I read about 100 pages into the first book and gave it up. Not sure exactly what it is that threw me off about it.

Also have the Sarantine Mosaic by GGK. I read about 20 pages into the first book and decided to read it another time, but never got back to it. So that is also a possibility. Seems like a pretty good line up to me, so the next couple months will hopefully be filled with good reads.

 

[Bastard]

Right now I'm still reading Princeps' Fury by Butcher. It took awhile, but the book has finally got me interested. From there I'll probably take a break from Butcher and read Left Hand of God by Paul Hoffman, assuming that it arrives before I finish Princeps' Fury. If not, I'll probably continue on with First Lord's Fury.

Interesting... I just finished Princep's Fury yesterday, and really enjoyed it. For the most part it was non-stop action from beginning to end.

And now I'm reading The Left Hand of God.

 

[Haliax]

Interesting... I just finished Princep's Fury yesterday, and really enjoyed it. For the most part it was non-stop action from beginning to end.

And now I'm reading The Left Hand of God.

Not sure if this constitutes as a spoiler for Princeps' Fury or not, but I'm going to mark it anyways.

Spoiler

It took me awhile to accept the Vord. I was never big on the idea of the Vord in the earlier books, and since Princeps' Fury is focused almost entirely on the Vord, I was having a hard time with it to start. Now I'm starting to enjoy that whole storyline, so it has gotten better.

I'll be sure to post my thoughts on the Left Hand of God in the thread you started when I get to it. Reading the excerpt I was quite certain I would enjoy it, but now reading general descriptions of the rest of the plot, I'm not quite so sure. We'll see I guess.

 

[Bastard]

I shared your concerns in Princep's Fury... I didn't care for them either, but since they were so damn formidable at the moment, and doing the level of destruction they were doing, I didn't mind them. Also, some twists here and there (nothing real surprising or anything) helped their case.

 

[beniowa]

I'm about 80 pages into Heroes Die by Matthew Woodring Stover. I asked for this book for Christmas after hearing lots of positive comments about Stover's Caine books. So far it's...interesting. It's really too early to have an opinion on it, but I have to admit I'm having a hard time getting a sense of it.

 

[AlvinFlummox]

Just finished reading Triumff: Her Majesty's Hero by Dan Abnett. Was a pretty entertaining read, although there seemed to be too many characters.

Next up, I think I'll be reading Deadhouse Gates by Steven Erikson: I really enjoyed the first in the series, so I'm hoping I'll enjoy this one just as much!

 

[Shayna]

Well I have to first wish everyone here a Very Happy New Year around the world!

I decided a few days ago to pickup and reread an old book hanging around on my shelf! lol Imajica by Clive Barker! Haven't seen many people really reading horror here, i chose wisely!