What Are You Reading, Part 2

[Unhinged he/him]

Just finished the lost stars series, very good read although I was disappointed in how Jack Campbell suddenly forgot how light works at several points in the story, normally this wouldn't be an issue but in a series that's so well known for it's realistic depiction of physics this just struck me as annoying.

[Sunbird she/her]

@Djarskublar I too found that trilogy very lolworthy. Since you enjoyed it so much, I recommend checking out James Riley's other series, Story Thieves. It also makes a lot of fun of storytelling tropes and breaks the fourth wall in an almost Alcatraz-esque style at times.

[StormingTexan he/him]

Read the first two books in the Expeditionary Force series by Craig Alanson. If you like Military Sci-fi and humor these are great books.

Starting a re-read of The Powder Mage books in preparation for his new book.

[Djarskublar he/him]

50 minutes ago, Sunbird said:

@Djarskublar I too found that trilogy very lolworthy. Since you enjoyed it so much, I recommend checking out James Riley's other series, Story Thieves. It also makes a lot of fun of storytelling tropes and breaks the fourth wall in an almost Alcatraz-esque style at times.

Did you catch the Norse reference?

Spoiler

You, know... Odin and his eight-legged horse as the other interdimentional traveler?

 

[Sunbird she/her]

@Djarskublar probably. It's been a while since I read Half Upon a Time so I don't remember for certain, but I don't think I would've missed that particular reference.

[StormingTexan he/him]

Wow forgot how much I like the Powder Mage books. Half way through Promise of Blood and picking up on so much more. This reminds me how much differently I enjoy a book the second go round. When I'm not busy wondering what will happen next I stop to smell the roses so to speak. 

[Briar King]

1 hour ago, StormingTexan said:

Wow forgot how much I like the Powder Mage books. Half way through Promise of Blood and picking up on so much more. This reminds me how much differently I enjoy a book the second go round. When I'm not busy wondering what will happen next I stop to smell the roses so to speak. 

I remember liking this bk when it was new but I never bought the others. I d have to re read it now if I get them.

[StormingTexan he/him]

8 hours ago, Briar King said:

I remember liking this bk when it was new but I never bought the others. I d have to re read it now if I get them.

Quote

 

The second and third book are even better.

[Who Sharded?]

I enjoyed book 1 more than 2, but I know I'm in the minority.  I just thought that McClellan did an excellent job setting up book 1, giving you an interesting world with nuanced characters a little bit at a time, and making you want to learn more.  Come book 2, there wasn't all that much worldbuilding left to give.  Some people would see this as a plus, but I like table setting.

Haven't read 3 yet but I'm looking forward to it.  Good characters.

Edited March 22, 2017 by Who Sharded?

[StormingTexan he/him]

That's fair enough. 

[+Slowswift]

Lately I've been reading Steven Brust's books chronicling the adventures of the assassin Vlad Taltos. Absolutely 110% recommended. (So far. I'm only four books in; it could take a dive at any time)

Edited March 23, 2017 by Slowswift

[Briar King]

Finished Safehold 7 last night. Really enjoyed this one a lot! Started 8 right after I read last page of 7.

[Left he/him]

I've started book three of Earthsea. I'm really impressed with the first two books, I've read books similar in spirit but not written so skillfully and I really respect Ursula Leguin for that. 

I'm hoping to get a hold of Sins of Empire soon, but it may take me a few weeks. I really want to read Chapterhouse Dune, except that I keep picking it up and start reading and then want to put it straight back down. I'm also about to start reading a book about modern Turkey's culture and customs. 

[StrikerEZ he/him]

I have 11 books checked out right now, one of them being Mistborn, and I don't know which one to read. I really wanna read Mistborn, but I kinda want to wait to read it so I can get the next books in the series right after it. 

Here are the books I have:

Mistborn; The Diabolic by S.J. Kincaid; Wings of Fire: Talons of Power by Tui T. Sutherland; The Stars Are Legion by Kameron Hurley; Unwanteds: Island of Dragons by Lisa McMann; Time Riders by Alex Scarrow; The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken; Seven Wonders: The Legend of the Rift by Peter Lerangis; Found by Margaret Peterson Haddix; Shadow Magic by Joshua Khan; Antigoddess by Kendare Blake

(If you're wondering why I have so many books checks out at once, it's because I put them all on hold, and if you don't check books out that you've put on hold by a certain time at my library, they stop holding them for you)

[Guest]

I enjoyed Powder Mage, it was good trilogy and I'll definitely read McClellan future work. This being said, I do have criticism to offer.

Spoiler

While I loved privileged and powder magic, while I didn't mind the Knack, I had a hard time with bone-eyed magic. It came out of nowhere out of a self-taught mute girl everyone marvels over who's only purpose seemed to be a plot device. I also didn't like what her character did to Taniel in book 3: he was a great character up until he turned Perrin and became eye-rolling. I ended up preferring Borbador and Nila to Taniel in book 3, but the part with his father were quite good and touching.

On another note, I have a few issues with book 2 of the Chronicle of the Unhewm Throne. I still like the series, but I am finding a few story arc and plot points unnerving.

Spoiler

 

1) I cannot stand Triste's character. I absolutely hate those pitiful miserable too beautiful girl characters who are more than they appear, who are dumb enough to give out the clues for it, but complain and refuse to speak when others ask questions. She didn't deserve the torture, but my, had she just tell the truth to begin with, she might not have ended up there in the first place. I haven't read far enough to know what her "secret" is, but it better be incredibly good in order to justify the "Oh I don't know, I don't know how I can read Csestriim, I don't know how I was taught. Oh why are you asking me questions, I have just read and quotes something in an ancient dead language spoken for people not seen for hundred of years, how dare you ask me anything? Oh please, I so pitiful, you have to believe me when I say I do not know anything." Ahhhhh. So unnerving. Die, die, die 

2) I hate what Triste's character has done to Kaden whom previously was a decent character. Now it seems he is going to base every single one of his decision making over this girl he has known for a few days and his idiotic teenage crush on her. Saving her was stupid, freeing Kiel was stupid, but I wager it will turn out being the best decision ever even if he had absolutely no valid reason to make it if not for a very dubious one.

3) Adare started as a decent character, but I hate the fact her success depends on Chance Encounters and Divine Intervention. It makes it implausible and it robs the character from her agency. Hopefully, we are done with those.

4) I feel as if the author is trying to defend the idea beating people in horrible manner which should have killed them will only make them stronger, better individuals. As if beating children as a decent, valid, justified way to raise children... Senseless. He is pushing it a bit too far.

 

So, I hope my current annoyment will be short-lived. The story is still fun to read, just frustrating by bouts.

[Sunbird she/her]

3 hours ago, StrikerEZ said:

I have 11 books checked out right now, one of them being Mistborn, and I don't know which one to read. I really wanna read Mistborn, but I kinda want to wait to read it so I can get the next books in the series right after it. 

Here are the books I have:

Mistborn; The Diabolic by S.J. Kincaid; Wings of Fire: Talons of Power by Tui T. Sutherland; The Stars Are Legion by Kameron Hurley; Unwanteds: Island of Dragons by Lisa McMann; Time Riders by Alex Scarrow; The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken; Seven Wonders: The Legend of the Rift by Peter Lerangis; Found by Margaret Peterson Haddix; Shadow Magic by Joshua Khan; Antigoddess by Kendare Blake

(If you're wondering why I have so many books checks out at once, it's because I put them all on hold, and if you don't check books out that you've put on hold by a certain time at my library, they stop holding them for you)

If you decide to wait on Mistborn, I highly recommend The Diabolic. As a general rule, I only write in-depth reviews for books that I really love, and that one got a thorough review.

[StrikerEZ he/him]

6 minutes ago, Sunbird said:

If you decide to wait on Mistborn, I highly recommend The Diabolic. As a general rule, I only write in-depth reviews for books that I really love, and that one got a thorough review.

Yeah, that one was sounding interesting.

I think I'm gonna read the end of series/standalone books first, then I'll read Mistborn and the others. I'm starting off with The Seven Wonders book because I've been waiting forever to read that one, then I'll just go from there.

[StormingTexan he/him]

@maxal I agree with your points above regarding Powder Mage. I think I mentioned when you were reading the series Borbador was my favorite character. Of course no book is perfect I still think the series is really solid. 

[Ammanas]

15 hours ago, StrikerEZ said:

I have 11 books checked out right now, one of them being Mistborn, and I don't know which one to read. I really wanna read Mistborn, but I kinda want to wait to read it so I can get the next books in the series right after it. 

Here are the books I have:

Mistborn; The Diabolic by S.J. Kincaid; Wings of Fire: Talons of Power by Tui T. Sutherland; The Stars Are Legion by Kameron Hurley; Unwanteds: Island of Dragons by Lisa McMann; Time Riders by Alex Scarrow; The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken; Seven Wonders: The Legend of the Rift by Peter Lerangis; Found by Margaret Peterson Haddix; Shadow Magic by Joshua Khan; Antigoddess by Kendare Blake

(If you're wondering why I have so many books checks out at once, it's because I put them all on hold, and if you don't check books out that you've put on hold by a certain time at my library, they stop holding them for you)

My library system also will only keep your hold on the shelf for a week before reclaiming it. But it (and many other libraries) offer a option where you can put your holds on pause (you resume your place in the que when you unpause it without losing your place in line). I don't know if that's a option, but it may be something to look into.

[Ammanas]

12 hours ago, maxal said:

I enjoyed Powder Mage, it was good trilogy and I'll definitely read McClellan future work. This being said, I do have criticism to offer.

  Reveal hidden contents

While I loved privileged and powder magic, while I didn't mind the Knack, I had a hard time with bone-eyed magic. It came out of nowhere out of a self-taught mute girl everyone marvels over who's only purpose seemed to be a plot device. I also didn't like what her character did to Taniel in book 3: he was a great character up until he turned Perrin and became eye-rolling. I ended up preferring Borbador and Nila to Taniel in book 3, but the part with his father were quite good and touching.

On another note, I have a few issues with book 2 of the Chronicle of the Unhewm Throne. I still like the series, but I am finding a few story arc and plot points unnerving.

  Reveal hidden contents

 

1) I cannot stand Triste's character. I absolutely hate those pitiful miserable too beautiful girl characters who are more than they appear, who are dumb enough to give out the clues for it, but complain and refuse to speak when others ask questions. She didn't deserve the torture, but my, had she just tell the truth to begin with, she might not have ended up there in the first place. I haven't read far enough to know what her "secret" is, but it better be incredibly good in order to justify the "Oh I don't know, I don't know how I can read Csestriim, I don't know how I was taught. Oh why are you asking me questions, I have just read and quotes something in an ancient dead language spoken for people not seen for hundred of years, how dare you ask me anything? Oh please, I so pitiful, you have to believe me when I say I do not know anything." Ahhhhh. So unnerving. Die, die, die 

2) I hate what Triste's character has done to Kaden whom previously was a decent character. Now it seems he is going to base every single one of his decision making over this girl he has known for a few days and his idiotic teenage crush on her. Saving her was stupid, freeing Kiel was stupid, but I wager it will turn out being the best decision ever even if he had absolutely no valid reason to make it if not for a very dubious one.

3) Adare started as a decent character, but I hate the fact her success depends on Chance Encounters and Divine Intervention. It makes it implausible and it robs the character from her agency. Hopefully, we are done with those.

4) I feel as if the author is trying to defend the idea beating people in horrible manner which should have killed them will only make them stronger, better individuals. As if beating children as a decent, valid, justified way to raise children... Senseless. He is pushing it a bit too far.

 

So, I hope my current annoyment will be short-lived. The story is still fun to read, just frustrating by bouts.

12 hours ago, maxal said:

 

I enjoyed both of the series despite their flaws (which I agree with). Another series that started at around the same time and should have the fifth and final book published later the year is the Shadow Campaign series by Wexler. It is another "flintlock fantasy",a lot of fun, and probably my favorite of the three that I've mentioned. The first book is called, "The Thousand Names".

Edited March 24, 2017 by Ammanas

[AngelEy3 he/him]

On 3/23/2017 at 8:47 PM, maxal said:

I enjoyed Powder Mage, it was good trilogy and I'll definitely read McClellan future work. This being said, I do have criticism to offer.

  Reveal hidden contents

While I loved privileged and powder magic, while I didn't mind the Knack, I had a hard time with bone-eyed magic. It came out of nowhere out of a self-taught mute girl everyone marvels over who's only purpose seemed to be a plot device. I also didn't like what her character did to Taniel in book 3: he was a great character up until he turned Perrin and became eye-rolling. I ended up preferring Borbador and Nila to Taniel in book 3, but the part with his father were quite good and touching.

On another note, I have a few issues with book 2 of the Chronicle of the Unhewm Throne. I still like the series, but I am finding a few story arc and plot points unnerving.

  Reveal hidden contents

 

1) I cannot stand Triste's character. I absolutely hate those pitiful miserable too beautiful girl characters who are more than they appear, who are dumb enough to give out the clues for it, but complain and refuse to speak when others ask questions. She didn't deserve the torture, but my, had she just tell the truth to begin with, she might not have ended up there in the first place. I haven't read far enough to know what her "secret" is, but it better be incredibly good in order to justify the "Oh I don't know, I don't know how I can read Csestriim, I don't know how I was taught. Oh why are you asking me questions, I have just read and quotes something in an ancient dead language spoken for people not seen for hundred of years, how dare you ask me anything? Oh please, I so pitiful, you have to believe me when I say I do not know anything." Ahhhhh. So unnerving. Die, die, die 

2) I hate what Triste's character has done to Kaden whom previously was a decent character. Now it seems he is going to base every single one of his decision making over this girl he has known for a few days and his idiotic teenage crush on her. Saving her was stupid, freeing Kiel was stupid, but I wager it will turn out being the best decision ever even if he had absolutely no valid reason to make it if not for a very dubious one.

3) Adare started as a decent character, but I hate the fact her success depends on Chance Encounters and Divine Intervention. It makes it implausible and it robs the character from her agency. Hopefully, we are done with those.

4) I feel as if the author is trying to defend the idea beating people in horrible manner which should have killed them will only make them stronger, better individuals. As if beating children as a decent, valid, justified way to raise children... Senseless. He is pushing it a bit too far.

 

So, I hope my current annoyment will be short-lived. The story is still fun to read, just frustrating by bouts.

I think you'll find that there's decent enough reason for Triste being the way she is, and even for Adare's shortcomings. Lol, not that it makes either of them any more likable. 

As far as being a girl who won't speak up or share all she knows when it's important to do so goes.... Have you met many young girls? Purely anecdotal here, but my experience is that it's the norm for younger women to share pertinent information about something only after its too late to use said info. Whether it's from fear, naivety, or not recognizing they have the info that's needed, I couldn't say... But what I do know is that as unpalatable to the current social landscape Triste has been so far, i didn't find any of her character choices to be unbelievable, more like incredibly unfair, if not based somewhat in reality. 

[Darkness Ascendant he/him]

Eating my way through Monogram Murders  I really like the prose.

[Guest]

On 3/23/2017 at 11:07 PM, StormingTexan said:

@maxal I agree with your points above regarding Powder Mage. I think I mentioned when you were reading the series Borbador was my favorite character. Of course no book is perfect I still think the series is really solid. 

The series remain pretty solid, but it isn't as solid as say... Stormlight Archive. I like my magic to make sense, I like it to be a rational for why there is magic, where it comes from and how it can be used. Bone-eyed magic fit neither of those criteria and whenever I stumble upon something so loosely based which is constantly used to help the protagonists, I get the bad feeling the magic exist solely as a plot device. In other words, the author needed something malleable, versatile which could perform exactly what the protagonists need at the time where they need it without requiring much knowledge ad/or practice, hence he created Bone-eyed magic.

Borbador wrapped up into a very interesting character.

Spoiler

Him and Nila were my favorite read in book 3. Taniel, I started up really liking him, but his relationship with Kae-Poel literally ruined the character for me. The "Kae-Poel, Kae-Poel, I have to find her, let's be an idiot, rush forward without any support, kill my men because I am too blind-sighted to think because all I can think of is Kae-Poel". Unnerving. Luckily, there was the Taniel/Tamas relationship which I loved to read, so all wasn't lost, but really Kae-Poel... I disliked how her character was used and I hate the "Oh I thought you were younger, but now you are magically old enough, I love you" trope.

 

22 hours ago, Ammanas said:

I enjoyed both of the series despite their flaws (which I agree with). Another series that started at around the same time and should have the fifth and final book published later the year is the Shadow Campaign series by Wexler. It is another "flintlock fantasy",a lot of fun, and probably my favorite of the three that I've mentioned. The first book is called, "The Thousand Names".

What is flintlock fantasy? I am not familiar with the term.

7 hours ago, AngelEy3 said:

I think you'll find that there's decent enough reason for Triste being the way she is, and even for Adare's shortcomings. Lol, not that it makes either of them any more likable. 

As far as being a girl who won't speak up or share all she knows when it's important to do so goes.... Have you met many young girls? Purely anecdotal here, but my experience is that it's the norm for younger women to share pertinent information about something only after its too late to use said info. Whether it's from fear, naivety, or not recognizing they have the info that's needed, I couldn't say... But what I do know is that as unpalatable to the current social landscape Triste has been so far, i didn't find any of her character choices to be unbelievable, more like incredibly unfair, if not based somewhat in reality. 

I used to be a young girl and I never could muster people who refused to speak up. While I could always understand the concept of "secrets", it felt as if people would retained them way longer than logical or worst, they would retain it just to keep on having others think they were interesting. Basically, secrets for a girl is a manipulative tool: "Oh look t me, boohoo I have a secret, poor little me, please feel sympathy for me." and others would go: "Oh poor you, it must be terrible.". I also had some issues, growing up, coming to terms with the idea having "secrets" is what made you interesting as if an individual's worth was tied up to his/her ability to be infuriatingly silent about a thing or two. It is probably why, today, I have a hard time with such characters: I don't find Triste interesting and her having a "secret" doesn't make her more endearing to me, it makes her more infuriating. I react basically the same way to most character following those tropes.

Thus, it isn't I find her unbelievable, I do find her believable, I find her aggravating. I find it even more grating this entire story arc revolves around several bad decisions being made for dubious reasons which magically all end up converging into a good decision. I prefer when my protagonists make decisions which makes sense to them and I prefer when it takes more than two days with a girl for her to literally drive a given character's thoughts and actions.

Adare, my problems aren't with her character, so to speak as I rather like her, but with the fact the author had to rely on Intervention of a God for her story arc to work out. The Gods haven't been seen to do anything so far in the story, so you can't just have one drop in there and do something just because it is convenient for your character... I, as a reader, don't buy it.

[Left he/him]

I finished the Earthsea trilogy yesterday! Wow, Ursula Leguin has to be one of the most underrated fantasy authors of her time. Her work was far better than anything that Brooks, McCaffry, or Goodkind put out. I mean, set aside the fact that the books are fantastic, Sparrowhawk is black, the priestess of Atuan was a vulnerable but strong female character, Sparrowhawk is awesome not because he kills dragons but because he can talk with them safely. How on earth are these books not considered as important as Middle Earth, Pern, and WoT? 

 

[StormingTexan he/him]

13 minutes ago, maxal said:

The series remain pretty solid, but it isn't as solid as say... Stormlight Archive.

Well yeah of course not the grasshopper hasn't taken the pebble yet. 

 

6 minutes ago, Left said:

I finished the Earthsea trilogy yesterday! Wow, Ursula Leguin has to be one of the most underrated fantasy authors of her time. Her work was far better than anything that Brooks, McCaffry, or Goodkind put out. I mean, set aside the fact that the books are fantastic, Sparrowhawk is black, the priestess of Atuan was a vulnerable but strong female character, Sparrowhawk is awesome not because he kills dragons but because he can talk with them safely. How on earth are these books not considered as important as Middle Earth, Pern, and WoT? 

 

It's usually always in the "top fantasy books ever" list. I really need to read it. I've had the first book for ever. Might be up next.