Ammanas

So I’ve mentioned before how much it kills me that I don’t like the Kharkanus books; to the point of which I have only read parts of Fall of Light. So I decided to try it again on a different format (audiobook). I’m over halfway through Forge and have a few random thoughts: I really like the narrator; he remind me a lot of Peter Kenny. I am more interested in it but don’t know how much more I can take. Every time he starts one of his ponderous reflections my eyes might start to glaze but I’m exercising...so what else am I going to do (focus on) except in putting one foot in front of the other? One thing the Esslemont books and the original 10 books do is balance tragedy with comedy or the serious with the absurd. These books are all dark all the time. There is a Nietzsche quote about warning about staring into the dark pit in case you feel yourself staring out... These books are so dark, gloomy, dense, and ponderous I feel I am starting to descend into my own pit of madness and despair. Ok that’s a pit of a hyperbole but the point remains. Hopefully I can stick it out and at least finish Fall of Light. Whether I give up or actually finish my next read will have to be Starsight or a Skyward relisten. I will need something light and cheerful to cleanse the pallet.

I thought the prequels were ok. I’m not a huge big Star Wars fan though. I’ve watched all the movies at least twice but I feel like there is much better Science Fiction out there. The original trilogy is a lot of fun. With the newer movies I couldn’t get over how in The Force Awakens they just recycled the entire “we need to blow up the Death Star” storyline. I thought The Last Jedi was the best one; it was bold and took risks. Rogue One and Hans Solo were also really strong. Prequels are really difficult to pull off anyways. Steven Erikson has just learned this with the Kharkanus books not selling well. They have to add a new unexpected element in a entertaining and surprising way. The prequels are alright their are just elements that seem a little ham fisted (the love stories) and they seem to play things a little to safe. I believe you have to take risks to make a entertaining/clever film, but of course that upsets the fans that can’t see anything past the original trilogy.

They have a really talented, and fitting, lady who narrates these books. I’m probably enjoying this series more than I would by reading it just by the element the narrator brings. I really shouldn’t even be in this thread though. I preordered the audiobook (to support Brandon) but I am currently on another series right now. As soon as I finish it I’ll probably relisten the Skyward before diving into Starsight. I’m looking forward to it though!

Make sure you read the “secret epilogue”. Hopefully you don’t consider it a spoiler to say there is a additional section after the acknowledgements etc part of the book. The only other book (that I can think of) where I have seen a author include such a thing was Matter by Iain M Banks

Pretty sure that one is Dead Beat (my personal favorite of the series). Currently I’m on Sins of Empire by Brian McClellan. It’s taken my a while to get to this sequel trilogy because I thought the first trilogy was just ok. I must say I am enjoying this book far more and am having a lot of fun with it! Also rereading some Ray Bradbury short stories. Most people know him only for Fahrenheit 451 but I think his best work is his short stories. I have two volumes that have collected about two hundred of them.

There is a different time table for “big” authors instead of the “smaller”. With a Brandon Sanderson I know that Tor will move mountains to get it ready to be published quickly so everyone can line their pockets. The quickest turn around that I’ve ever heard of a author completing a final draft and publication was about four months. That was Martin’s Dance with Dragons. That situation was unique because he was turning in sections as he went and it was being edited as they came in. Brandon will want to do multiple drafts and this is now Tor’s flagship series. They will probably want extra time to get publicity out for the release. I’ve noticed recently the publishers want more time to”build up” anticipation and get the word out (for their big money makers).Tiamat’s Wrath by Corey was delayed by about three months just for that reason.

I’m curious how much a difference a tour really makes on book sales (especially for a established author). You would think that the sales division on the publisher would have many ways, in this digital age, to get the word out and people interested without the author traveling. He is absolutely correct and it is much better for him to be working on another Stormlight rather than touring. I appreciate him telling the publisher that the book will sell well without me and not giving in the pressure they must of put on him. I’ve never met Brandon and probably never will. I now live and Tulsa and it takes a lot to even get me to drive two hours to Oklahoma City. I don’t really see Brandon visiting My town anytime soon. I don’t need to meet a author to really enjoy their books.

Approaching the end of The Burning White by Weeks and will finish tomorrow. An absolute tour de force and the best thing the author has written. Unless things change dramatically my current ranking of the Lightbringer series is 5,3,2,4,1.

Oh yes I have! I just mentioned the recaps in case people feel daunted by the last book because they can’t remember what happened. The whole Dezin/Gavin/Prison/Black Luxin plot twists is one of my favorites of all of fantasy. Never saw any of that coming in the previous books

Malazan news has been slow, but I know many people who have commented on this thread are Brent Week fans. I’m currently listening to The Burning White (about 15 hours in) and it’s fantastic. The author was enormously helpful and has recaps included for previous installments to help jog your memory. The spelling may be off because I’ve been listening to it but Tia and Kip storyline is the most engaging so far. The Andross flashbacks are really interesting. The Dezin Guile storyline hasn’t taken off for me yet but they just arrived at the tower so I think it will start hitting its stride. I’m also not really a Gunner fan so that’s probably part of it. I already have the feeling this will be the best of the series.

Rereading Use of Weapons by Iain M Banks. There are two alternating storylines. One that goes forwards and marked with normal Arabic numerals (1,2,3 etc) in ascending order. The other in marked in Roman numerals and goes in descending order and thus goes back in time. This time I am reading the Roman numeral section in the chronological order so I am beginning in the back of the book. It’s a fun way to experience the story and make new connections. Although my favorite Culture book will always be The Player of Games.

@Wander89I saw the movie A Silent Voice. It’s a movie that I can appreciate that it was well done, and moving, but didn’t quite work for me. The following is just my feelings and I realize that many people feel differently about such things. If a film or book is going to deal with heavy and dark topics (like suicide and bullying) it needs to have something to balance it out. Something like comic relief or another lighter (or adventurous) plot line. Here are two examples of what I mean. In Kurasawa’s the Seven Samurai there is a lot of death and sadness but there is also that drunk oafish Samurai that offers some crude humor, but also a sense of adventure about defending yourself and your loved ones from harm. In the Korean blockbuster hit Along with the Gods: The Two Worlds there is a major element of the story which is very sad but the protagonist is also progressing through the Buddhist afterlife. Anyways I appreciate the recommendation though. I will admit it’s a powerful film.

I’ll definitely check out A Silent Voice. Never heard of it, thanks for the recommendation!

Even though I’m not a expert on anime films my favorite one is called Your Name. I just found out that the director has another film out in Japan and is coming to US theaters in January! They even have a subtitled trailer up: https://www.tor.com/2019/10/11/makoto-shinkais-weathering-with-you-gets-an-english-subbed-trailer/

No but I’m curious; do they bleed through normal notebook paper like a sharpie? What are the benefits over a normal ball point? How long does a normal cartridge last? A fountain pen is kind like a yeti cup or Hydro Flask water bottle (both around $50). Extremely cool but hard for me to justify the price with cheaper options available.

The Maxwell Institute Study Edition of The Book of Mormon. This book is the only way I will be reading the Book of Mormon in the future. It has quotation marks, proper paragraph breaks, it separates when the text is in poetry, it shows the differences between various texts (the original manuscript, printers manuscript etc in the footnotes), it has a really cool map, it includes the original chapter numbers that came with the plates (along with what we currently use). Much else as well. It makes the text just so much more easier to read and much more engaging. It’s like reading it for the first time. I can not recommend it enough for those wanting to study this text.

You’ve read his three Stand alones right? There is some important stuff going on that you may be lost on if you haven’t. I currently listening to the book now.

I kind of am hoping for John Banks to read the Witness books. I love what he’s done with the Esslemont books and his Books of Babel series. I think my personal favorite delayed explanation was of the Jade Statues. First introduced in book two and finally explained in book 10!

I’ve heard mixed things about it but you’ve inspired me. I’m now number 8 on the hold list at my library. I will try it!

It’s easy to sit in my recliner and criticize others in my air conditioned house. I have never been in war and hope I never will. I cannot imagine how much it changes and destroys individuals and societies. We all hope to rise above the horrors of war and “do the right thing”; who can say what we will do until we have to walk the path? Just my two cents. Lots of good points and comments. Especially Calderis who is insightful as usual.

It’s my understanding that we can talk about everything Dragonsteel except for the redacted parts (the redacted sections are only known by those who checked out the copy at the BYU library).

Thanks! I keep meaning to read these books again but something keeps on distracting me. It looks like I’ll have to at least reread House of Chains to prepare for the new Kara’s books when it hopefully comes out next year. Right now I’m currently alternating between rereading The Songs of a Dying Earth Anthology and The Devils Rosary by Quinn. The first is probably my favorite anthology ever and it’s been so long I might as well be reading them for the first time (you get more out of it if your familiar with the original Vance Dying Earth tales). The second is a collection of short stories that came out in the 1920’s and 30’s. Imagine a French Sherlock Holmes and Watson like character that solves mysteries with paranormal twist in a small town. There kind of fun if predictable at times...not in the same league as his contemporary Clark Ashton Smith. I’m also listening to The Broken Eye by Weeks to prepare for the conclusion of the Lightbringer series which I am very excited about!

My wife complains about me being a “visionary man”. My two sons also murmur against me for the same reason. Seriously though it was probably when someone said I sounded exactly like Bill Parcells. I was around 17 and he (Bill) was probably around 65 at the time.

Currently rereading The Blinding Knife to prepare for the last one. The Burning White is supposed to be massive. I think it will be almost a thousand pages. Also we will be getting a new Abercrombie this month so that’s another one to look forward to

Odium’s intro music: