Reading in October 2006

[Hobbit]

This is where you tell us what you're reading in the realms of Fantasy this month. Good or bad, please let us know what you thought.

Over to the Book Clubs....

The SF Book Club discussion is on Rogue Moon by Algis Budrys (an oldie but a goodie!)

This month's Fantasy Book Club discussion is on Something Wicked this Way Comes by Ray Bradbury. (One of my favourites: just right before Halloween!)

For planning ahead, November's SF Book Club discussion will be Dangerous Visions by Harlan Ellison, and The Fantasy Book Club will be reading Black Sun Rising by C. S. Friedman.

Join in if you can!

Hobbit

 

[FuzzBunneh]

I've just finished reading Lud-In-The-Mist. This book can pride itself on being the first one I've borrowed from the recently-discovered library to find its way onto my "to-buy" list. I shall read it again, as I'm sure there are plenty of things I've missed.

The story is charming, the language hauntingly poetic; it reads very much like an adult fairy-tale which is, I suppose, what it is anyway. How anyone can mistake the magic in this for a 'dated' story is quite simply beyond me.

Next up might be Deadhouse Gates, or possibly a re-read of A Game of Thrones, or maybe Pullman's Northern Lights.. my girlfriend's put that book into my hands and I won't find peace until I've read it cover to cover Not quite decided yet.

 

[Raule]

I've just finished reading Lud-In-The-Mist.

Thanks for the review of Lud-in-the-Mist. Sounds like just the sort of book I would like.

I'm almost done with Something Wicked This Way Comes. I also had the sudden urge to revisit Mary Renault's books, so I'm reading The King Must Die right now. It reminds me of many things I have forgotten (sigh).

 

[FicusFan]

I am still working on SF and non-genre so I haven't read any fantasy for a while. I hope to get to Thud by Pratchett this month at least.

 

[Evil Agent]

Just finishing up my re-read of Assassin's Apprentice by Robin Hobb. Just as good the 2nd time through!

Also, making more progress on Stephen King's The Stand (which I've been reading since mid-August). I just got through a long boring stretch, and it's picked up a little bit.

 

[Murrin]

I'm a fair way into Jacqueline Carey's Kushiel's Dart, but it's slow going. Interesting so far, though.

 

[Blackadder]

Reading Storm of Swords

 

[FuzzBunneh]

@Raule.. I'm glad if that means my post will have incited you to pick it up

'm a fair way into Jacqueline Carey's Kushiel's Dart, but it's slow going. Interesting so far, though.

I read that in summer, and liked it very much; I started on Kushiel's Avatar last night myself .. and Northern Lights by Pullman. Couldn't make up me mind.

 

[Erfael]

Try to catch up since last time:

In fantasy I've only finished three books since my last post here (others in SF):

Something Wicked This Way Comes for the book club, comments forthcoming there.

I read China Mieville's collection, Looking for Jake. I enjoyed this. None of the stories were really all too difficult. Most of them were a little on the gimmicky side, but all were entertaining. I do like his long form better, but these stories are interesting enough to get a recommendation from me.

I also read Jo Walton's Tooth and Claw. Yobmod has been on about how good this one is for a long while. I have to add my voice to the (very small) chorus talking about this one. It's good. Walton takes many of the social elements of Victorian society and makes them biological elements in dragons, who are the main characters in the book. So women change color when they're married, dragons grow in stature when they consume other dragons, servants are physically hobbled. On top of the mechanics, it's just a really interesting, quick paced story of courtroom drama, inheritance, marriages, family secrets, treasure hunts. It's great fun and a quick, interesting read.

 

[zorobnice]

I just finished reading Twins by Gary Wassner. And I loved it, it had all the good elements, a goody (or two) a baddy, helpers for the quest. It was enjoyable and am looking forward to the rest.

I hae just started on Erikson's "Gardens of the Moon", must say took half the book to find out what the hell was going on.

I also finished the three Alsion Croggan books, "The last of the Wilds" Trudi Canavan, and the first 4 of Modesitt's Recluse Saga

James Barkley's 3 are sitting next to my reading chair. Waiting.

 

[Kalhan-Dawn]

Advice for me please!

Hi!
I'm a huge fan of the "Sword of Truth" serie and of fantasy books in general. However, for the moment I've got nothing to read and I'm trying to find a new interesting book/serie of books of fantasy to read. Could any of you give me some advice as what I could read? Does any of you know a book that would be in the genre of the sword of truth? I also like the "Tales of the Otoris" and "The View from The Mirror". Thanks a lot for your help!

 

[FuzzBunneh]

I hae just started on Erikson's "Gardens of the Moon", must say took half the book to find out what the hell was going on.

Don't you just love that kind of book? *grin* I find that stories that are pretty inpenetrable when the book starts keep me hooked best..

@Kalhan-Dawn, have you checked out the Recommendations thread? I'd offer a more straightforward answer if I could, but I haven't read SoT. There are quite a lot of threads to go through there, and they're well worth it, especially if you pay attention to the discussions as well (personally, they're what get me most hyped about books I haven't read).

It's a shame that all "if you liked this, you may like this" kind of recommendations are very subjective, because a compilation/database of the most common associations would be a very handy resource.

 

[Evil Agent]

Kalhan-Dawn, welcome to the forums. Just browse the threads, and you'll find recommendations for many, many amazing authors (like George R. R. Martin, Robin Hobb, Steven Erikson, and lots more). Hopefully your days of reading Goodkind's Sword of Truth will soon be a distant memory.

 

[Yobmod]

I also read Jo Walton's Tooth and Claw. Yobmod has been on about how good this one is for a long while. I have to add my voice to the (very small) chorus talking about this one. It's good. Walton takes many of the social elements of Victorian society and makes them biological elements in dragons, who are the main characters in the book. So women change color when they're married, dragons grow in stature when they consume other dragons, servants are physically hobbled. On top of the mechanics, it's just a really interesting, quick paced story of courtroom drama, inheritance, marriages, family secrets, treasure hunts. It's great fun and a quick, interesting read.

I'm glad someone else has read it - I always find it strange to find highly critically acclaimed books and authors that no-one here seems interested in. Maybe if she put more sex and violence in her blurbs...

Tooth and Claw won the WFA, and Jo Walton won the JWC Best new writer award, based on her King's Peace trilogy I assume, as they were her only books then.

She has a new book out, Farthing, an Alternate History / mystery about Britain making peace with Nazi Germany that is getting very good reviews, and a second book in the Tooth and Claw world is being written, but will be "really different".

 

[TawnyMan]

Currently Reading Forest Mage by Hobb. So far its about 8/10, its not as good as Fitz series but that would be hard to top anyway. Traitors Knot is next on my list.

 

[AuntiePam]

Just finished The Master of All Desires by Judith Merkle Riley. It's historical fiction with some fantasy elements -- an angel who helps Nostradamus with his prophecies, a tricky disembodied head (is that redundant?) that grants wishes, and real sorcery. It was fun.

 

[Jack]

Nearing the end of the monstrous third volume in Erikson's Malazan series, Memories Of Ice. I am shocked I haven't yet encountered Malazan burn-out, as I just started the series not to long ago and have ripped straight through the third book, which is unusual for me. I have, however, in the final 200 pages or so, began to encounter Malazan fatigue. I probably could have used a break after Deadhouse Gates.

So, after I finish this one, I'll be moving onto something else! I don't know how I will. At this point, its like all I can ever remember reading is Malazan.

 

[Liathano]

I've started Gardens of The Moon and am still trying to get into it. I think this is the longest I've ever taken to read a book. Should I just keep reading, does it really get better?

 

[kron]

I can but gape in awe at Robin Hobb's Tawny Man Trilogy. I still see it as extravagantly sad and a bit slow but the mastery of narrative is beyond doubt. The characters are vivid and distinguishable and the constant account of FitzChivelry of his actions and life as a whole reminds me of myself. I remeber wanting to kill myself after the first trilogy and it's quite the same this time despite the half-happy ending. Too many losses and I can't escape the association with my own life. But beautifully written it is and it will always be regarded this way I think.

Hmm, I'm in quite a melancholy mood. I have to put myself together. But I love to see when any second spent on a given book is not wasted.

P.S. I've always trusted Evil Agent's recommendations

 

[Evil Agent]

P.S. I've always trusted Evil Agent's recommendations

LOL, thanks!

Did you just finish Fool's Errand, or the entire trilogy?

Anyway, now that I have that extra credibility, I will recommend to Liathano that he/she continues with Gardens of the Moon, and doesn't give up. What you are saying about the book is the most common thing that every single person says. And they are usually very happy that they continued with the series. It gets slightly easier to understand, and the books get better and better. Read my response to your other post, HERE: