Zathoth Posted February 10, 2016 Posted February 10, 2016 I liked it, a lot, but I love Mistborn so... yeah. SoS was better than BoM. While BoM had a lot of worldbuilding, which was interesting but I think that SoS was a much better book. The Light Fantastic by Pratchett. It's okay, but I knew that it wasn't supposed to be as good as his later books so that's okay. ....I have got to start Deadhouse Gates and The Blinding Knife....it's not that hard Scott....They're just sitting there waiting for you....you want to read them.... Im still somewhere half way through Equal Rites. I dont know why I decided to read them in order, but I did. I really want to read The Blinding Knife... and Perdido Street Station... and The Wise Mans Fear... and all the Dresden Files I have. Thing that sucks about traveling is that you cant bring all the stuff you want. Remember how good The Black Prism was though? Remember how cool chromathurgy is? Of course you want to read it. <.< >.> Maybe.
Who Sharded? Posted February 10, 2016 Posted February 10, 2016 If it helps, I thought The Blinding Knife was much better than The Black Prism. I'm also reading the Discworld books in published order, and it's working out fine for me.
StormingTexan he/him Posted February 10, 2016 Posted February 10, 2016 I agree just for the actual story I liked SoS more than BoM but that's like saying I like ice cream more than cake.
Andarist he/him Posted February 10, 2016 Posted February 10, 2016 Finished Twelve Kings in Sharakhai This book has some really good points - the setting and the worldbuilding. The idea of a desert city, sand ships etc. really caught my imagination It also has some weak points - its too long and too slow. Compared to the actual events, the book seems a bit stretched. Also the plotting could be better. The twists are no fun if you can see them coming!
Dunkum he/him Posted February 10, 2016 Posted February 10, 2016 If it helps, I thought The Blinding Knife was much better than The Black Prism. I'm also reading the Discworld books in published order, and it's working out fine for me. I always thought people who suggested reading in any other order were really overreacting. sure the rincewind books aren't the best in the series, but they are still good. if you try the color of magic and dont like it, then maybe skip to small gods or guards guards before giving up, but chances are if you are going to like discworld, you'll like it from the get go, I'd imagine
Who Sharded? Posted February 10, 2016 Posted February 10, 2016 Yup that was my plan, start with The Color of Magic, and if I didn't like it, try Guards! Guards! Luckily, I liked it and have read the first 7 books so far. Guards! Guards! is up next.
Andarist he/him Posted February 11, 2016 Posted February 11, 2016 Just finished Ian Tregillis' The Rising. The first book was good, but this book is excellent. Tight, extremely fast moving, action-packed, this book escalates everything to a new level. Also Tregillis can write a convergence! A small one, but a good one
Orlion Blight he/him Posted February 11, 2016 Posted February 11, 2016 Blood Meridian by Cormac McCarthy
The Invested Beard Posted February 11, 2016 Posted February 11, 2016 Weis and Hickman's Sovereign Stone trilogy while I wait for Calamity. Read the first two a loooong time ago and never got around to the third.
DSC01 he/him Posted February 11, 2016 Posted February 11, 2016 I threw The Magicians trilogy on my Amazon wishlist when the show started up on Syfy (really good show, by the way), and my wonderful girlfriend went ahead and bought it for me, out of the blue. Just started The Magicians, so I don't know how I'm going to like them. From what I've seen online, it's a very divisive series, with some people insisting that it's a new literary classic, while others decry it as the worst kind of trash. I'm hopeful, though.
Briar King Posted February 12, 2016 Posted February 12, 2016 Blood Meridian by Cormac McCarthy GL! It's a brutal but fun read. A lot went over my head but I'm glad I finally read it considering I had it in my box for 18 or so yrs and only just finished it.
Orlion Blight he/him Posted February 12, 2016 Posted February 12, 2016 I like books with an interesting style, and Blood Meridian definitely has that! It also looks like it is very well researched... So as an aside, I'm leaning some Western Expansion history as well!
StormingTexan he/him Posted February 12, 2016 Posted February 12, 2016 I threw The Magicians trilogy on my Amazon wishlist when the show started up on Syfy (really good show, by the way), and my wonderful girlfriend went ahead and bought it for me, out of the blue. Just started The Magicians, so I don't know how I'm going to like them. From what I've seen online, it's a very divisive series, with some people insisting that it's a new literary classic, while others decry it as the worst kind of trash. I'm hopeful, though. I'd say the books are good but "new literary classic" is a stretch. It's pretty dark though so not for all. Its basically an Adult Harry Potter mixed with an Adult version of the Narnia books. I am digging the show a lot. Although I'd say it's loosely following the books.
Guest Posted February 12, 2016 Posted February 12, 2016 (edited) About the Magicians, I have read the first two books (I have not read the third yet, but I intend to: I am just not in the mood for it right now). This book is often described as "Harry Potter for adults", which is basically accurate, but going into it you soon find yourself surrounded by a bunch of rather unlikable, unsympathetic characters. The story lies on the premise of "What do you do in modern day world when you are a magician?". How useful can that be when you aren't allowed to broadcast your powers and even then? So you can make doves appear, so what's next? Boredom. Infinite boredom and complete disillusionment. As a result, most protagonists are bored out of their mind and try to invent uses for magic which are nothing more than a time burner. The main protagonist is obsessed with a children's book resembling Narnia which isn't endearing, but downright unnerving. Nobody is endearing in this story, you won't root for anyone, not in book 1, which is probably why it gets such mixed reviews. Also, unlike other stories focusing on unlikable protagonists or one with flaws making them irritating to some readers, they don't compensate by being awesome fighters or extraordinary at anything. They are just a bunch of young, immature wizards having nothing to do with their time than drinking and partying. This being said those books truly are fascinating. It truly is Harry Potter for adults: these around youngsters trying to save the world or kill the bad guy and there is mature content in it. Book 2 was a nice follow-up, fleshing out the characters more and finally finding ways to make them more endearing. One of the plot line introduced in book 2 truly is heartbreaking. I haven't watched the show yet, but I really liked the books. I wasn't convinced after reading book 1 as I thought it was profoundly depressing, but book 2 was rather good. I heard book 3 is even better. I'd say to anyone, dig into it, but know what to expect. Edited February 12, 2016 by maxal
The Invested Beard Posted February 12, 2016 Posted February 12, 2016 About the Magicians, I have read the first two books (I have not read the third yet, but I intend to: I am just not in the mood for it right now). This book is often described as "Harry Potter for adults", which is basically accurate, but going into it you soon find yourself surrounded by a bunch of rather unlikable, unsympathetic characters. The story lies on the premise of "What do you do in modern day world when you are a magician?". How useful can that be when you aren't allowed to broadcast your powers and even then? So you have make dove appear, so what's next? Boredom. Infinite boredom and complete disillusionment. As a result, most protagonists are bored out of their mind and try to invent uses for magic which are nothing more than a time burner. The main protagonist is obsess with a children's book resembling Narnia which isn't endearing, but downright unnerving. Nobody is endearing in this story, you won't root for anyone, not in book 1, which is probably why it gets such mixed reviews. Also, unlike other stories focusing on unlikable protagonists or one with flaws making them irritating to some readers, they don't compensate by being awesome fighters or extraordinary at anything. They are just a bunch of young, immature wizards having nothing to do with their time than drinking and partying. This being said those books truly are fascinating. It truly is Harry Potter for adults: these around youngsters trying to save the world or kill the bad guy and there is mature content in it. Book 2 was a nice follow-up, fleshing out the characters more and finally finding ways to make them more endearing. One of the plot line introduced in book 2 truly is heartbreaking. I haven't watched the show yet, but I really liked the books. I wasn't convinced after reading book 1 as I thought it was profoundly depressing, but book 2 was rather good. I heard book 3 is even better. I'd say to anyone, dig into it, but know what to expect. Sounds depressing.
StormingTexan he/him Posted February 12, 2016 Posted February 12, 2016 (edited) I agree with everything maxal said but will add that book three did change these perceptions for me a little. It redeems some of the characters and the ending is actually pretty positive. Book one is seriously depressing and I can see A LOT of people not wanting to continue past that. Even book two and most of book three but the story also gets more interesting. I know I almost stopped after book one but a friend of mine kept telling me to continue and I am glad I did. Edited February 12, 2016 by StormingTexan
Guest Posted February 12, 2016 Posted February 12, 2016 Sounds depressing. I seriously depressed myself when I read the first book.... and I read under a the bright sunny sun of summer. I wasn't sure what to think of it, but I really started to appreciated it and liked it when I read book 2. Book 2 was really good and so sad. I'd say it is a rewarding read, once you pass the first book, but be warn this isn't a happy pleasant story about cheering children waving their wands under a sunny sky. I agree with everything maxal said but will add that book three did change these perceptions for me a little. It redeems some of the characters and the ending is actually pretty positive. Book one is seriously depressing and I can see A LOT of people not wanting to continue past that. Even book two and most of book three but the story also gets more interesting. I know I almost stopped after book one but a friend of mine kept telling me to continue and I am glad I did. Yeah, same experience here. I too hesitated before trying out book 2 and I found it rewarding. I heard book 3 helped changing some perceptions as well, which is why I am keen on reading, but my current mood frame isn't the right one to truly appreciate it. Perhaps under the bright, warm sunny sky of summer.......
Dunkum he/him Posted February 12, 2016 Posted February 12, 2016 gonna second or third or whatever the comments on the Magicians series. they've covered all of what I would say better than I could, so I just wanna throw a little extra weight as one more person agreeing Just finished final book of Malazan Book of the Fallen. series was very good, but kind of exhausting to read. next up is Bands of Mourning, then I probably take a break from reading for a little while to recover (the other three books in my queue will have to wait for a while)
Left he/him Posted February 12, 2016 Posted February 12, 2016 I finished Midsummer Nights Dream and The Light Fantastic.
Andarist he/him Posted February 13, 2016 Posted February 13, 2016 Reading Janny Wurts' To ride Hells Chasm
Briar King Posted February 13, 2016 Posted February 13, 2016 (edited) I like books with an interesting style, and Blood Meridian definitely has that! It also looks like it is very well researched... So as an aside, I'm leaning some Western Expansion history as well! Yep it's based off real events with fictional twist. Look it up afterwards cause it's quite cool but still brutal from a historical pt. Edited February 13, 2016 by Briar King
Andarist he/him Posted February 15, 2016 Posted February 15, 2016 Finished reading To Ride Hell's Chasm by Janny Wurts. Its an excellent book. Since it is a true standalone the intensity of the events and the heady pace can sometimes feel like an adrenaline rush. In fact after the first bit of setup the book takes off and never looks back. The emotional quotient in this book is very high as several pretty major events happen in a relatively short time. The author puts detail in the strangest things. This is the first time I was genuinely worried about a horse. The way the worldbuilding takes place is very interesting. The story takes place in a relatively small area which is easy enough to construct, but the way the wider world is portrayed through memory and the way the sorcerous threat is built up is very interesting. The juxtaposition of scarred veterans and brutal sorcery against the rather bucolic insular society of Sessalie made for a very interesting contrast. I have read in multiple places about Wurts' style of writing - her tendency to use the occasional archaic word or phrase. To me this did not detract from the story at all. After I took a couple of chapters to get settled in, the narrative moved fast and smoothly. On the other hand I could not help but feel that the characters of the Anja and Mykaael were somewhat exaggerated. Of course this may have been a side-effect of the book focussing so much on them. Also I would have liked to know more about how things worked out in Sessalie and the Empire at the end really merited more explanation. Overall, a very enjoyable book which I would recommend.
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