Reading in December 2008

I've been reading the Codex Alera series by Butcher...just what I was in the mood for - fast paced, high fantasy with a decent magic system, and enough character development to keep me interested...
 
Severn said:
I've been reading the Codex Alera series by Butcher...just what I was in the mood for - fast paced, high fantasy with a decent magic system, and enough character development to keep me interested...
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I love this series. I am almost done with Captains' Fury and about to start the new one that just came out about two weeks ago Princep's Fury. Yes they are light, quick, fun reads. I've read all of Butcher's stuff and he hasn't let me down yet.
 
i managed to finish "Children of the Serpent Gate" - a disappointment for me, but probably it has its fanbase [in a similar way Melanie Rawn has a following].
I should now dedicate the attention it deserves to Gene Wolfe's New Sun omnibus "Severian of the Guild", but I have instead started "The Etched City" by K J Parker - which is everything I expected from my previous exposure to the Fencer and Engineer books, and more: a wild journey through landscapes and situations that seem taken from Sergio Leone spaghetti westerns, to Fernando Meirelles [Cidade de Deus] favella dramas, to Coen brothers black humor and sense of futility.
Parker builds a fantasy world much closer to our own experiences than the usual arthurian fare of knights and dragon quests - with gunpowder, mafia gangs, colonial wars [heart of darkness?] and intrusions of the supernatural a la Jorge Luis Borges. I'm only halfway through it, and it was slow going through some of the more philosophical chapters, but this is definitely a candidate for a re-read.
 
suciul said:
From what I know Etched City is written by KJ Bishop, no relation with KJ Parker except for gender.
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You are correct, Siciul. But I can really see a fan of one KJ liking the other quite a lot.
 
peadarog said:
You are correct, Siciul. But I can really see a fan of one KJ liking the other quite a lot.
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I loved Etched City and I would buy any new novel by Ms. Bishop on the spot, but while I finished The Company the one and only KJ Parker I read and most likely ever would try, I rarely felt such a waste of time reading a book - compelling true, but like watching a train wreck with some gags on the side.

At least the ending was very satisfying, though again inter sped with such ridiculous plot devices that I only could shake my head in disbelief. But I guess men are tough - without spoilers cannot say more than that about the silly stuff towards the end :)

Regarding the author, while I could not care less about his/her gender since I never pay attention to that, Andrew Wheeler claimed on his bog that KJ Parker is being referred as "she" in recent blurbs.
 
I thought the trilogy by Sarah Ash started well, but the second and third books nosedived.


Daughter of the Forest is part of a trilogy by Juliet Marillier, and its a finished trilogy. I am almost finished the first book (Daughter) and am enjoying it very much.
 
my bad: why do they use the same initials? I really didn't pay attention ... i ordered Etched City thinking is the same author, but i don't regret the choice
 
Aurian said:
I thought the trilogy by Sarah Ash started well, but the second and third books nosedived.


Daughter of the Forest is part of a trilogy by Juliet Marillier, and its a finished trilogy. I am almost finished the first book (Daughter) and am enjoying it very much.
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Would you mind if I ask you whether you like Robin Hobb?
 
Astra_ said:
Would you mind if I ask you whether you like Robin Hobb?
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No! Its horrible! Worst freaking author in the entire world! Definitely do NOT read Assassin's Apprentice. I mean, who wants characterization, interesting character interactions, and well-written stories? Only FREAKS!
 
Apathy said:
No! Its horrible! Worst freaking author in the entire world! Definitely do NOT read Assassin's Apprentice. I mean, who wants characterization, interesting character interactions, and well-written stories? Only FREAKS!
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:D
I read the first two trilogies by Hobb :)
I loved them.
I am planning to re-read The Farseer Trilogy before I start The Tawny Man Trilogy and right after I finish The Count of Monte Cristo :)

By asking this question I am trying to gauge where the reviwer stands in relation to my tastes :)
 
Astra_ said:
By asking this question I am trying to gauge where the reviwer stands in relation to my tastes :)
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I'm always looking at the same thing when I read opinions here. I kinda know a few people whose tastes are similar to mine on this board but it would be very beneficial (to me at least) to have this information as part of the user profile... something like a favorite author list and maybe favorite book list. This way, the information would be a few clicks away...
 
I finished Andrzej Sapkowski's "The Last Wish". I found myself laughing with all my heart many times through this read. It is a fun and funny read and I find Andrzej Sapkowski a talented writer.
 
I'm close to finishing "A Game of Thrones" and I'm really enjoying it. I've had the books for awhile now and I don't know why I waited so long in reading them. I look forward to reading the rest.:)

Have a good day everyone.

Penny
 
sylverpenny said:
I'm close to finishing "A Game of Thrones" and I'm really enjoying it. I've had the books for awhile now and I don't know why I waited so long in reading them. I look forward to reading the rest.:)

Have a good day everyone.

Penny
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They are soooooo good. :D and thanks.
 
I'm re-reading A Game of Thrones too. Since I know what happens, I'm paying more attention to characterization this time. Some of it's broad but there are plenty of little bits that I didn't notice before.
 
Gilgamesh said:
I'm always looking at the same thing when I read opinions here. I kinda know a few people whose tastes are similar to mine on this board but it would be very beneficial (to me at least) to have this information as part of the user profile... something like a favorite author list and maybe favorite book list. This way, the information would be a few clicks away...
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I like this idea.

On another board, there's a separate forum where members have their own thread where they list what they've read and their ratings. You can follow someone whose taste is similar to yours -- see what they've tried and what they thought about it.

Each member gets one thread but anyone can post in it, to make comments or ask questions.
 
AuntiePam said:
I like this idea.

On another board, there's a separate forum where members have their own thread where they list what they've read and their ratings. You can follow someone whose taste is similar to yours -- see what they've tried and what they thought about it.

Each member gets one thread but anyone can post in it, to make comments or ask questions.
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do you have an address for this board, please. i would like to check it out, although I'm pretty lazy and don't know if i can manage multiple boards [for example i tried mobileread forum, but i do't spend much time there]
 
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