Reading in February 2012

[AmethystOrator]

This duology leads into the author's Sun Sword series, as well as a current House War series. Much like my recent Laura Resnick reads, I am rather surprised that Fantasy Fictiondom has tons to say concerning Jordan, Martin, et al., but has comparatively little to say concerning West's creation (i.e. around ten books now, spanning Sacred Hunt, Sun Sword and House War).

It was interesting to hear your thoughts. Thanks for the review PeterWilliam.

There are currently 12 books out now, and I do have some speculation as to why this story might not be better known. Though it is, of course, only theory.

For one, the fact that this story does span three differently titled series (so far) may have meant that some people didn't realize just how large and epic the overall tale is. Another is that West's writing style changes quite a bit as the story progresses, so that those who read the Hunter's Duology and enjoy it may not entirely care for what comes after, and in the same way, the sorts of readers who may enjoy what comes later might not have been enthused enough by the beginning to have continued on.

There is the possibility that some readers in the mid to late 90's, when this series began, may have been less open to a female writer. As well, there are a fair number of strong and distinct female characters in these books (more numerous than the men I think), and some cultures that are more Asian influenced than European, and it's possible that such aspects were less appealing to the majority of fantasy readers at that time then is the case now.

There are some other possibilities that I've entertained, but those are based on plot elements that you've not yet encountered, and so I wouldn't want to spoil you. I would guess that it's also possible that sometimes certain books/series just break out and become well known, while others don't. It seems to me entirely likely that we may never become aware of certain worthwhile books, just due to the number that are, and have been, published

 

[Corporal Blues]

I recently read Requiem by Graham Joyce. I didn't like it as much as I thought I would going in. This was mostly due to the fact that I couldn't connect with any of the characters. They weren't poorly developed, or anything like that, I just didn't like them much and the result was that I had a detached reading experience. Joyce is a skilled writer, I think this one just wasn't for me.

 

[sullivan_riyria]

I recently read Requiem by Graham Joyce. I didn't like it as much as I thought I would going in. This was mostly due to the fact that I couldn't connect with any of the characters. They weren't poorly developed, or anything like that, I just didn't like them much and the result was that I had a detached reading experience. Joyce is a skilled writer, I think this one just wasn't for me.

For me I do indeed need to connect with the characters - one at least and preferably more. That's one of my problems with a book I've had sitting around for over 10 years (and may never publish) as I think the story and character are well written but he's not likeable (and written not to be) and it just seems to go against every instinct I have to publish it.

 

[Randy M.]

For me I do indeed need to connect with the characters - one at least and preferably more. That's one of my problems with a book I've had sitting around for over 10 years (and may never publish) as I think the story and character are well written but he's not likeable (and written not to be) and it just seems to go against every instinct I have to publish it.

Oddly, for some writers, the work they like least ends up being their best known, most well-received work. (And I'm trying to think of examples but naturally none are coming to me just now.)

I wonder if it might be because the author is standing farther away from the story, not as controlling of the emotional impact, letting the forces in the story play themselves out.


Anyway, on topic: Just finished American Morons, the second story collection by Glen Hirshberg. While not as strong as his first collection, The Two Sams, it's quite good, especially, for me, "Flowers on their Bridles, Hooves in the Air", "Devil's Smile", and "The Muldoon".


Randy M.

 

[mshnd06]

About two-thirds of the way through the Dragon's Path and the jury's still out. I'm really enjoying Cithrin's economic manuverings but the court politics still seem a little thin. The ambiguity is an excellent example, imo, of "realism" in fantasy but I'm still not sold on some of the character motivations. Some of the cast are well conceived and executed while others are a bit of a disappointment.

Just began One of Our Thursdays Is Missing and have found it to be the weakest of the lot, thus far. Total immersion in the book world has never hooked me quite as well as the books that feature both worlds and the new cast pales beside the original Thursday and her cohorts. We'll see how it plays out but I'm not crazy about the direction of the second story arc in the story.

Also decided to revisit space opera after a long absence and am beginning with Revelation Space. The non-linearity of the narration is interesting, the characters, the harder science and the darker tone all appeal. I'm only about a quarter of the way in but I feel like this is one series I could invest in.

 

[T77]

About two-thirds of the way through the Dragon's Path and the jury's still out. I'm really enjoying Cithrin's economic manuverings but the court politics still seem a little thin. The ambiguity is an excellent example, imo, of "realism" in fantasy but I'm still not sold on some of the character motivations. Some of the cast are well conceived and executed while others are a bit of a disappointment.

I'm about halfway through The Dragon's Path and am struggling with it. I was told it gets much better, so I am sticking with it.

 

[Seak]

Finished Matthew Hughes' The Damned Busters. It was written as a short story first, so the beginning is amazing, humorous, and witty and then the rest is just decent. A guy accidentally summons a demon and causes all sorts of problems...then later ends up a superhero. I wanted to learn more of the superhero antics, but at the same time I think this would have been better as a short story.

Finished Lord of Chaos (WoT 6) and jumped right into A Crown of Swords, but only got 200 pages in before taking a bit of a break.

I jumped back into The Dark Tower with Wizard and Glass. Very good to be back. I don't know how I waited for so long with that huge cliffhanger in The Waste Lands.

 

[Loerwyn]

I jumped back into The Dark Tower with Wizard and Glass. Very good to be back. I don't know how I waited for so long with that huge cliffhanger in The Waste Lands.

Just in time for The Wind Through The Keyhole, too!

 

[Seak]

Just in time for The Wind Through The Keyhole, too!

I've been going back and forth, do I read in in chronological order or as everyone else has read the series and go back to Keyhole? I don't know!

 

[Loerwyn]

I've been going back and forth, do I read in in chronological order or as everyone else has read the series and go back to Keyhole? I don't know!

Hmm... Um... hmm... Well, it's set between 4 and 5, but I'm not sure how it'll be framed.

 

[Seak]

Hmm... Um... hmm... Well, it's set between 4 and 5, but I'm not sure how it'll be framed.

So it's settled, I'll just wait for you to read it and you can tell me what to do.

 

[Loerwyn]

So it's settled, I'll just wait for you to read it and you can tell me what to do.

Fine, fine, if it do ya well.

 

[PeterWilliam]

It seems to me entirely likely that we may never become aware of certain worthwhile books, just due to the number that are, and have been, published.

Mmm, I have considered this in the past and find it rather discouraging. I understand that many truly enjoy their particular favorites, but I wonder how many great stories have been missed, or lost.

 

[Corporal Blues]

For me I do indeed need to connect with the characters.

I'm the same way. I guess I need to feel the personal connection. This holds true nearly 100% of the time... Bakker's Prince of Nothing series and some of GRRM's characters prove to be exceptions. Characters I can't connect with, but still enjoy reading about.

I'm not so sure Joyce was deliberately going for an unlikable character in Requiem, but I personally couldn't connect.

That's one of my problems with a book I've had sitting around for over 10 years (and may never publish) as I think the story and character are well written but he's not likeable (and written not to be) and it just seems to go against every instinct I have to publish it.

Interesting to hear about this from the writer's perspective. I think you should publish it!


On Topic: Picked up and started the March botm Among Others. Only read a little bit, but I'm enjoying it so far.

 

[hawkeyye]

About two-thirds of the way through the Dragon's Path and the jury's still out. I'm really enjoying Cithrin's economic manuverings but the court politics still seem a little thin. The ambiguity is an excellent example, imo, of "realism" in fantasy but I'm still not sold on some of the character motivations. Some of the cast are well conceived and executed while others are a bit of a disappointment.

Just began One of Our Thursdays Is Missing and have found it to be the weakest of the lot, thus far. Total immersion in the book world has never hooked me quite as well as the books that feature both worlds and the new cast pales beside the original Thursday and her cohorts. We'll see how it plays out but I'm not crazy about the direction of the second story arc in the story.

Also decided to revisit space opera after a long absence and am beginning with Revelation Space. The non-linearity of the narration is interesting, the characters, the harder science and the darker tone all appeal. I'm only about a quarter of the way in but I feel like this is one series I could invest in.

Revelation Space is great. But just wait till you read the next book, Chasm City. It'll knock your dick in the dirt. In a good way.

 

[DarthV]

Finished up Michelle (Sagara) West's Hunter's Oath and am halfway through Hunter's Death. The first 100 to 200 pages of Hunter's Oath was something I think most here might have given up on. I have to admit that the typos and occasionally jarring sentence were tough, to say nothing of the slowness in pacing (ref. I actually liked the pacing in The Dragonbone Chair), but the second half more than made up for it. The first half of Hunter's Death has been the exact opposite in pace. One of the main characters is thrust back and forth throughout time on a daily basis, so the assimilation of some plot threads concerning that character, and her perspective, can be a little tough.

This duology leads into the author's Sun Sword series, as well as a current House War series. Much like my recent Laura Resnick reads, I am rather surprised that Fantasy Fictiondom has tons to say concerning Jordan, Martin, et al., but has comparatively little to say concerning West's creation (i.e. around ten books now, spanning Sacred Hunt, Sun Sword and House War).

Good to know, I've read the Sun Sword series and enjoyed it. The duology is in the 'on deck' position of my TRP.

 

[Rob B]

Starting a new book today, and guess what it's an OMNIBUS! I'll be diving into the big fat OMNIBUS The Legend of Eli Monpress by Rachel Aaron today.

 

[Seak]

Starting a new book today, and guess what it's an OMNIBUS! I'll be diving into the big fat OMNIBUS The Legend of Eli Monpress by Rachel Aaron today.

I saw this on your blog the other day and it looks really good if on the lighter side (not a bad thing). Looking forward to your thoughts.

 

[mshnd06]

Finished the Dragon's Path, got better toward the end. Especially liked the epilogue (even if it was a bit obvious). I'll probably continue with the series but I have to say it failed to meet my expectations. The hype around Abraham seems a bit overblown in retrospect. His characterizations are solid but the prose is a bit workmanlike and the setting and the plot didn't seem particularly original to me. I kind of view him as a poor man's Tad Williams perhaps (although I've only read the one book)

 

[Danogzilla]

Finished the Dragon's Path, got better toward the end. Especially liked the epilogue (even if it was a bit obvious). I'll probably continue with the series but I have to say it failed to meet my expectations. The hype around Abraham seems a bit overblown in retrospect. His characterizations are solid but the prose is a bit workmanlike and the setting and the plot didn't seem particularly original to me. I kind of view him as a poor man's Tad Williams perhaps (although I've only read the one book)

I think you are pretty much spot on here. It was engaging enough for me to buy the next book, but it was also fairly forgettable. I found his collaboration with Ty Frank Leviathan Wakes to be much more fun.