DurzoBlint
http://tinyurl.com/363ogv
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- Mar 18, 2009
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- 1,660
Currently reading Return of the Crimson Guard by ICE.
Reading in December 2011
- Thread starter Hobbit
- Start date
MattNY
Registered User
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- Aug 15, 2009
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- 574
What are some other recent ones that compare?
- Joined
- May 17, 2000
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- 10,146
Well, I got through the first 100 pages last night. Unfortunately, nothing really grabbed me or connected with me so I've set it aside.
Moving on to The Emperor's Knife by Mazarkis Williams.
Been quite a while since I had really significant reading time. It's luxurious.
I've discovered the glory that is Cassandra Clare's Mortal Instruments series. Kind of young adult urban fantasy, but on a very broad, epic, world-in-the-balance scale. Excellent clean fun.
Just finished the fifth of Seanan McGuire's October Daye urban fantasy faerie-tale novels, One Salt Sea. It's fun stuff in what's become the series' reliable way. The stories seem to be becoming increasingly personal for the protagonist and her friends, advancing an overall metaplot along with each single episode, and it's in this metaplot that the series is at its best, for me -- I don't find McGuire's mysteries that cunning in and of themselves. This novel takes a cue from the last couple and puts more weight on the why-dun-it and the character interactions than on the who-dun-it, which is resolved with relative dispatch no more than two thirds through [and really well before that, barring confirmation], and I think this emphasis improves the book. The series' setting is expanded in some interesting ways, in particular a really fun trip into the underwater faerie kingdoms, which are quite cool. The villain gets some interesting depth, something which has been a problem for this series in the past -- notably in One Salt Sea's immediate prequel, Late Eclipses. Could have done with even more on the villain, but only because it was so welcome, and done very well. These are still fun books, light in the best way -- and I would not have them otherwise -- but One Salt Sea's ending does involve long-building tensions hitting the wall to some degree and there is definitely more longterm damage than in previous installments; the series does have teeth. The problems [for me] report for duty pretty much as usual: The writing is sometimes repetative, as though McGuire must remind us what's going on constantly, for fear we have forgotten [though I did catch one or two more subtle grace notes in this one.] Some of the banter feels awfully forced. The cast is also getting large enough that it seems to be difficult to find important things for all of the cool people to do, but this is not so much a problem as it is just a thing. Definitely a good installment; I'm pretty confident other fans of the series will also enjoy.
Wrapping up a read through Sarah Monette and Elizabeth Bear's sequel to A Companion to Wolves, The Tempering of Men, which has caught me somewhat unawares. Maybe it's just where I'm at. Perhaps I wasn't ready for A Companion to Wolves when I read it four years ago. But this second book in the setting feels like an improvement, and a significant one at that. The scale is broader, but simultaneously feels clearer; the complex setting feels like it's subtlely laid out more clearly for the reader, and I have a better grip on the characters [the main ones, at least -- there're still a ton of them.] The bonds between wolves and men, and the social pressures and tensions and joys these create, are still the focus, but the scope is expanded to take in more of the Norse myth-and-history inspired setting of the Iskrynne, and this fleshing-out is done very well. It's also notable for being a complex, tension-filled epic fantasy novel that's quite specifically about peacetime -- though there's definitely a threat of war strongly present. I was struck while reading by the similarity of the ground this book treads -- uncertainty during and after war, hard men [mostly men] doing hard things, clash of cultures, the place of women in these faux-European lands we read about -- to the material covered in many of the "gritty fantasies" that we've been grooving on of late, and how Bear and Monette approach several of these topics with what feels like perhaps more open minds. The book is very open to the good, the cooperative, the nondestructive, in these hard and damaged characters, as well as the bad. The Tempering of Men manages to be a very positive book on several fronts, without discarding any of the complexity that comes with a clash of cultures / ideas. This is a tough story, but never a nihilistic one. This is good, good stuff.
I've discovered the glory that is Cassandra Clare's Mortal Instruments series. Kind of young adult urban fantasy, but on a very broad, epic, world-in-the-balance scale. Excellent clean fun.
Just finished the fifth of Seanan McGuire's October Daye urban fantasy faerie-tale novels, One Salt Sea. It's fun stuff in what's become the series' reliable way. The stories seem to be becoming increasingly personal for the protagonist and her friends, advancing an overall metaplot along with each single episode, and it's in this metaplot that the series is at its best, for me -- I don't find McGuire's mysteries that cunning in and of themselves. This novel takes a cue from the last couple and puts more weight on the why-dun-it and the character interactions than on the who-dun-it, which is resolved with relative dispatch no more than two thirds through [and really well before that, barring confirmation], and I think this emphasis improves the book. The series' setting is expanded in some interesting ways, in particular a really fun trip into the underwater faerie kingdoms, which are quite cool. The villain gets some interesting depth, something which has been a problem for this series in the past -- notably in One Salt Sea's immediate prequel, Late Eclipses. Could have done with even more on the villain, but only because it was so welcome, and done very well. These are still fun books, light in the best way -- and I would not have them otherwise -- but One Salt Sea's ending does involve long-building tensions hitting the wall to some degree and there is definitely more longterm damage than in previous installments; the series does have teeth. The problems [for me] report for duty pretty much as usual: The writing is sometimes repetative, as though McGuire must remind us what's going on constantly, for fear we have forgotten [though I did catch one or two more subtle grace notes in this one.] Some of the banter feels awfully forced. The cast is also getting large enough that it seems to be difficult to find important things for all of the cool people to do, but this is not so much a problem as it is just a thing. Definitely a good installment; I'm pretty confident other fans of the series will also enjoy.
Wrapping up a read through Sarah Monette and Elizabeth Bear's sequel to A Companion to Wolves, The Tempering of Men, which has caught me somewhat unawares. Maybe it's just where I'm at. Perhaps I wasn't ready for A Companion to Wolves when I read it four years ago. But this second book in the setting feels like an improvement, and a significant one at that. The scale is broader, but simultaneously feels clearer; the complex setting feels like it's subtlely laid out more clearly for the reader, and I have a better grip on the characters [the main ones, at least -- there're still a ton of them.] The bonds between wolves and men, and the social pressures and tensions and joys these create, are still the focus, but the scope is expanded to take in more of the Norse myth-and-history inspired setting of the Iskrynne, and this fleshing-out is done very well. It's also notable for being a complex, tension-filled epic fantasy novel that's quite specifically about peacetime -- though there's definitely a threat of war strongly present. I was struck while reading by the similarity of the ground this book treads -- uncertainty during and after war, hard men [mostly men] doing hard things, clash of cultures, the place of women in these faux-European lands we read about -- to the material covered in many of the "gritty fantasies" that we've been grooving on of late, and how Bear and Monette approach several of these topics with what feels like perhaps more open minds. The book is very open to the good, the cooperative, the nondestructive, in these hard and damaged characters, as well as the bad. The Tempering of Men manages to be a very positive book on several fronts, without discarding any of the complexity that comes with a clash of cultures / ideas. This is a tough story, but never a nihilistic one. This is good, good stuff.
Westy
The Fifth Dominion
- Joined
- Mar 27, 2010
- Messages
- 4,464
I've started Stephen King's 11/12/63; it's a real page turner so far after 100 pages in.
I've been reading this at work and the train, then when I'm at home (because the book is so darn huge!), I've been reading The Weird, the short story compendium put together by Jeff and Ann Vandermeer. So far there have been some very good stories, with one of them, Window by Bob Leman, one of the best I've read for some time - still freaks me out a bit just thinking about it. Happy days!
I've been reading this at work and the train, then when I'm at home (because the book is so darn huge!), I've been reading The Weird, the short story compendium put together by Jeff and Ann Vandermeer. So far there have been some very good stories, with one of them, Window by Bob Leman, one of the best I've read for some time - still freaks me out a bit just thinking about it. Happy days!
Westy
The Fifth Dominion
- Joined
- Mar 27, 2010
- Messages
- 4,464
Yeah, I've got onto both these books because they were mentioned in SFF, possibly by yourself.
Forgot to mention the King book is an electronic version, but the Weird "doorstop" is from the library!
Leman's story collection, The Feesters in the Lake compiles all the fiction he wrote in his lifetime, and it is a treat. If you can find a place to borrow it from -- it's out of print now, unless someone's provided an e-version -- it would be well worth your effort.
Randy M.
Westy
The Fifth Dominion
- Joined
- Mar 27, 2010
- Messages
- 4,464
Thanks - actually I did start to look into his stories and found that collection, but it seems there's no ebook version and the cheapest physical version I could find was about $100 (and Amazon sells them for $250!). Searched the libraries Australia database and not one hit.
It's a shame as it does sound like there are a lot of other good stories he wrote that are in that collection. Maybe one day there'll be a reprint...
Maybe. When I was a young reader, mass market paperbacks were fairly inexpensive (I recall paying $1.75 US for a pb, and feeling shocked at myself for spending so much), and a lot of older writers were republished -- I bought books by Arthur Machen, A. E. Van Vogt, Charles Birkin and Edgar Pangborn, among others, at drug stores. For quite awhile it's been harder than it used to be to find older or not so well-known writers, especially with collections of short stories which publishers insist do not sell well (unless your last name is King).
E-books looks to be changing that, though. So there's hope a not-prolific writer like Leman gets a e-book sooner rather than later.
Randy M.
Just finished Against All Things Ending. Tough read. If not for the characters Liand and Stave I couldn't have gotten through most of it, for lack of interest in what happens to anyone else. Then I hit the last 50 pages or so and suddenly it was a Chronicles of Thomas Covenant book afterall and now I'm wishing 2013 would hurry up and get here already. If you're stuck in the middle of this one like I was, struggle through.
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sullivan_riyria
Creator of Worlds
- Joined
- Dec 28, 2009
- Messages
- 1,032
Even though the month is 2/3 over I just started two new books.
Phoenix Rising (Steampunk from Tee Morris and Pip Ballentyne - only $0.99 right now in ebook)
Amoung Thieves - Douglas Hulick
Both are good so far.
Phoenix Rising (Steampunk from Tee Morris and Pip Ballentyne - only $0.99 right now in ebook)
Amoung Thieves - Douglas Hulick
Both are good so far.
PeterWilliam
Omnibus Prime
- Joined
- Sep 23, 2008
- Messages
- 2,471
Earlier today, in the wee hours, I finished Laura Resnick's The Destroyer Goddess which was part 2 of In Fire Forged, the follow-up work to In Legend Born. I think many would state that the ending tied up the loose ends too neatly and that the ending was 'unrealistic.' I liked it though. As an aside, reality is full of the grim, jaded and discouraging, therefore I rather prefer to occasionally read about justice being served and the triumph of the 'good guys.' Resnick's 2.5-ology certainly wasn't that cut and dried, as the characters all suffered from things that insured they would never be the same again, and certainly altered the course of their lives. Yet it was still an ending that the standard reader could except (i.e. not ultimately tragic and full of despair - although such an ending could be done well, I think).
Moving on to Gemmell's The Quest for Lost Heroes. Many times I can't think of what to read next, so I just pick up something from Drenai.
Moving on to Gemmell's The Quest for Lost Heroes. Many times I can't think of what to read next, so I just pick up something from Drenai.
Ghost Stories by Walter de la Mare
Walter de la Mare was a significant figure in early 20th century British literary circles, primarily due to his poetry. I don't think his poetry is as highly regarded now, but his short stories have shown some continuing life, mainly because many of them are ghost stories. This book, published by the London Folio Society a few years after de la Mare's death, includes seven of those ghost stories, including one of his better known, "Out of the Deep," which is included in Great Tales of Terror and the Supernatural. The other stories are, "The House," "Revenant," "The Green Room," "Bad Company," "The Quincunx," and "An Anniversary."
These stories range from the serious to the somewhat less serious, de la Mare letting his sense of humor loose a bit early on in "The Quincunx." And all of them are influenced less by M. R. James than by Henry James, the telling sometimes allusive (even elusive) rather than direct, but as you read on the story becomes clearer and clearer even as the weaving of the ghosts with the concerns of de la Mare's characters becomes more intricate.
These stories made for good Christmas time, end of year reading. Because of de la Mare's approach they were a bit more challenging than, say, my last read (King's Bag of Bones) but the sense of melancholy and, in the first two, nostalgia, were appropriate for a season during which, if we get any spare time at all, we tend to assess our previous twelve months.
Next: Lost by Gregory Maguire.
Randy M.
Walter de la Mare was a significant figure in early 20th century British literary circles, primarily due to his poetry. I don't think his poetry is as highly regarded now, but his short stories have shown some continuing life, mainly because many of them are ghost stories. This book, published by the London Folio Society a few years after de la Mare's death, includes seven of those ghost stories, including one of his better known, "Out of the Deep," which is included in Great Tales of Terror and the Supernatural. The other stories are, "The House," "Revenant," "The Green Room," "Bad Company," "The Quincunx," and "An Anniversary."
These stories range from the serious to the somewhat less serious, de la Mare letting his sense of humor loose a bit early on in "The Quincunx." And all of them are influenced less by M. R. James than by Henry James, the telling sometimes allusive (even elusive) rather than direct, but as you read on the story becomes clearer and clearer even as the weaving of the ghosts with the concerns of de la Mare's characters becomes more intricate.
These stories made for good Christmas time, end of year reading. Because of de la Mare's approach they were a bit more challenging than, say, my last read (King's Bag of Bones) but the sense of melancholy and, in the first two, nostalgia, were appropriate for a season during which, if we get any spare time at all, we tend to assess our previous twelve months.
Next: Lost by Gregory Maguire.
Randy M.
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murf99
Registered User
- Joined
- Apr 9, 2010
- Messages
- 155
Finished Heroes Die by Stover a few days ago and can honestly say its definitely my favourite read of the year. Probably my fav read since Abercrombie's First Law trilogy. Really looking forward to the 2nd one as soon as I can get my hands on a copy.
Up next is Bearers of the Black Staff by Terry Brooks. Its book 1 in the Legends of Shannara duology. I'm a huge fan of Brooks and his Shannara & Word/Void books. The Scions of Shannara was the first fantasy novel I read way back when I was a kid in the early 90's. So definitely looking forward to this one.
Up next is Bearers of the Black Staff by Terry Brooks. Its book 1 in the Legends of Shannara duology. I'm a huge fan of Brooks and his Shannara & Word/Void books. The Scions of Shannara was the first fantasy novel I read way back when I was a kid in the early 90's. So definitely looking forward to this one.
Paks
Registered User
- Joined
- Apr 16, 2006
- Messages
- 80
I have read a few since I last posted. First up, The Magician King by Lev Grossman. I'm not sure about this book, I liked it but it felt like it lacked direction for a good while there. It all came together well but it kinda dragged a bit for me in the middle. I hope there will be another book, if not, then I think the ending kinda sucked.
I also read Black Blade Blues and Honeyed Words by J.A. Pitt. These I really enjoyed, I didn't realise going into them that they were urban fantasy. I like the main character, she's funny. I also liked that there was first point and third point, points of view in the books. I am looking forward to installments in the series.
I also read Black Blade Blues and Honeyed Words by J.A. Pitt. These I really enjoyed, I didn't realise going into them that they were urban fantasy. I like the main character, she's funny. I also liked that there was first point and third point, points of view in the books. I am looking forward to installments in the series.
algernoninc
Now I'm an axolotl
- Joined
- May 3, 2004
- Messages
- 2,169
I've finished Twelve by Jasper Kent, about two years after the initial buzz, but I waited for more books in the series to be out before I started.
I liked it, especially the Napoleonic War part and the romantic involvement of the main character. The voordalak are also an interesting riff on a theme that is overused in recent years. I find vampires function better for me in a historical rather than contemporary setting. I also had some issues with the book, mostly about some slow, introspective passages and a lot of coincidences toward the end. I'll check the next one, soon I hope.
I liked it, especially the Napoleonic War part and the romantic involvement of the main character. The voordalak are also an interesting riff on a theme that is overused in recent years. I find vampires function better for me in a historical rather than contemporary setting. I also had some issues with the book, mostly about some slow, introspective passages and a lot of coincidences toward the end. I'll check the next one, soon I hope.
PeterWilliam
Omnibus Prime
- Joined
- Sep 23, 2008
- Messages
- 2,471
I finished Gemmell's Quest for Lost Heroes yesterday and loved it. In this one, Gemmell still holds to, and works with, morally absolute concepts, but demonstrates how complex and convoluted they can be. What seemed unusual about this one is that the 'heroes' involved were all rather flawed to one degree or another. In reading through the Drenai works (I hit one every 6 months or so), in publication order, it is interesting to note such subtle transitions/adjustments that take place. I've only read Stones of Power/John Shannow and a few of the Drenai and still have many works to read of his - including the remainder of Drenai, all of Rigante, all of Troy and his various stand-alones - but he is an author I really, really miss.
I've picked up Inheritance by Paolini and will finish off this series. Hoping to see some development in this author, particularly in a book that ends a series. We'll see.
I've picked up Inheritance by Paolini and will finish off this series. Hoping to see some development in this author, particularly in a book that ends a series. We'll see.
- Joined
- Feb 21, 2009
- Messages
- 2,932
So, I got $250 worth of gift cards to Chapters this Xmas. I just bought a tonne of books. So many that I'm having a hard time deciding which to start first. I think I'm going to start Erikson's Gardens of the Moon. This will be my first reading of anything by him. As I said in the "I Just Bought" thread, I have reservations about it, but I'm trying to go into this with an open mind. I'm generally not a fan of the big fat epics. I tend to think they get bloated and run off course for the sake of being 'epic', but that's just my own personal opinion and taste. Everyone's different. I'll try this book and see. I willing to give it a whirl.
algernoninc
Now I'm an axolotl
- Joined
- May 3, 2004
- Messages
- 2,169
once more, I've got three books started at the same time, and I like all three so It's difficult to predict which one will be first to the finish line:
- The Ascendacy Veil by Chris Wooding - final book in the Braided Path series, and one of the best epics I've tried this year
- Darkness Weaves by Karl Edward Wagner - the first Kane sword and sorcery adventure. A hero cast in the mold of Conan or Fafhrd, and a language similar to Fritz LEiber minus the humor.
- All Men of Genius by Lev Rosen - a much lighter story in tone, needed after all the gloom and blood in the other two. A mix of Shakespeare comedy of errors and clockwork Victorian Era. It reminds me of an adventure game with great artwork: Syberia by Benoit Sokal.
- The Ascendacy Veil by Chris Wooding - final book in the Braided Path series, and one of the best epics I've tried this year
- Darkness Weaves by Karl Edward Wagner - the first Kane sword and sorcery adventure. A hero cast in the mold of Conan or Fafhrd, and a language similar to Fritz LEiber minus the humor.
- All Men of Genius by Lev Rosen - a much lighter story in tone, needed after all the gloom and blood in the other two. A mix of Shakespeare comedy of errors and clockwork Victorian Era. It reminds me of an adventure game with great artwork: Syberia by Benoit Sokal.
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