Now Reading... - Page 76

jaimek · May 30th, 2011, 03:03 PM

I think what bothers me about the trilogy is that it feels half-baked - like the author had a storyboard of good ideas/episodes, but she was never able to connect them in meaningful ways, so you get really awkward transitions and events that seem to happen out of convenience, or forced, rather than occurring as a natural course. Like if she had let it percolate in her brain a while longer, or had stronger editing, it could have been a much stronger story.

I did enjoy it, but it was kind of frustrating.

ashaman7122 · June 1st, 2011, 11:04 AM

Just finished -- The King Of Plagues by Jonathan Maberry...another DMS wham-bam thrillride!

On deck -- The Cold Dish by Craig Johnson

Akumu · June 1st, 2011, 11:13 AM

Finished Mistborn. Despite my cringing at some parts ("Vin paused" auuuugh), I overall enjoyed it and am looking forward to reading the next book in the trilogy.

Now halfway through Graveminder by Melissa Marr (delightfully creepy so far) and just started A Suitable Boy by Vikram Seth.

booB · June 2nd, 2011, 12:37 AM

I realize this is not "proper" use of the Now Reading thread, but I just wanted to take this opportunity to mention that at least four people at my job are now reading A Song of Ice and Fire for the first time. Three were not previously fantasy fans.

Pellaz · June 2nd, 2011, 02:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by booB

I realize this is not "proper" use of the Now Reading thread, but I just wanted to take this opportunity to mention that at least four people at my job are now reading A Song of Ice and Fire for the first time. Three were not previously fantasy fans.

metalprof · June 2nd, 2011, 09:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by booB

I realize this is not "proper" use of the Now Reading thread, but I just wanted to take this opportunity to mention that at least four people at my job are now reading A Song of Ice and Fire for the first time. Three were not previously fantasy fans.

Check back in with them in August, after they've had July to read ADWD, and they start asking, "When is the next book coming out??"

On topic: I'm halfway through Dust of Dreams by Erikson. This one seems to cause a larger number of instances than usual of me thinking. "Who the hell are these characters, where are they, and why do I care?"

Ken

TheLongshot · June 2nd, 2011, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by booB

I realize this is not "proper" use of the Now Reading thread, but I just wanted to take this opportunity to mention that at least four people at my job are now reading A Song of Ice and Fire for the first time. Three were not previously fantasy fans.

I'm actually reading the second book of Dreamsongs (don't have the first one. I found this copy cheap in a bookstore) and I'm now up to where he's writing screenplays.

As an update, I finished Orson Scott Card's "The Memory Of Earth", which has an interesting take on faith and what happens when your "god" starts failing and needs to ask for some help. I also finished Vonda McIntyre's "Starfarers" (which is available for free from her site). She also had some interesting ideas of what would happen in the wake of the Soviet Union falling and what would and would not be socially acceptable in society. Course, it only starts getting interesting at the end of the book, with three more following.

Bamafan · June 3rd, 2011, 02:07 PM

Follow up to my most recent post: I just finished The Long Price quartet by Daniel Abraham. This was an outstanding series! This is a very character driven series in which the both the protagonists and antagonists are very well fleshed out. There aren't any truly evil characters in the series; the reader feels some degree of sympathy even for the players who have committed atrocities. I have been trying to figure out a way to summarize the series without much success. The major conflict is between 2 neighboring countries, one that has no military tradition or standing armies but has weapons of mass destruction that they have used in the past, and the other which is militaristic but lacks the andats, summoned creatures of devastating capabilities. The books explore what happens when the andats are suddenly removed from the equation and the chaos that ensues.

I think I enjoyed this series as much as Song of Fire and Ice or Robin Hobb's Royal Assassin series. Highly recommended.

Akumu · June 3rd, 2011, 02:19 PM

^ I was actually checking out A Shadow in Summer a few weeks ago! I'll definitely look into them now.

Finished Graveminder. Spectacular. I was already biased because I loved her YA series, but this was even better. It really reminded me of Neil Gaiman in places.

ApolloFC · June 3rd, 2011, 03:59 PM

In the middle of Harry Potter Book 5.. audiobooks ftw (i buy the books too, I just don't read them). Figured everybody else has read the series I might as well join in. Haven't even seen the movies past this book either.

TheLongshot · June 3rd, 2011, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Akumu

^ I was actually checking out A Shadow in Summer a few weeks ago! I'll definitely look into them now.

I actually have that one as a free e-book. Should get to it eventually.

Akumu · June 7th, 2011, 03:30 PM

Just started Assassin's Apprentice by Robin Hobb.

jaimek · June 7th, 2011, 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Akumu

Just started Assassin's Apprentice by Robin Hobb.

I love that book. Even if you read nothing else of hers, that alone is worth it.

I've started my GRR Martin reread in advance of the DWD release next month, starting with Clash of Kings, since I've read GOT so many times I don't really need to re-familiarize myself with it...

Bamafan · June 7th, 2011, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Akumu

Just started Assassin's Apprentice by Robin Hobb.

I agree with jaimek, this is wonderful series. The Fool is one of my all time favorite characters.

Justin Gaines · June 8th, 2011, 02:51 PM

I read about a half dozen disposable fiction novels on vacation, but now I'm working on:

It's an interesting look at the history and social relevance of comic books.

jhallum · June 9th, 2011, 08:01 AM

Just finished Mustaine: A Heavy Metal Biography

I didn't know a bunch of pages about doing drugs, drinking alcohol and screwing women could be as engrossing as it was.

In between all that are observations about various people in the industry, as well as a hard look about where he's been. I felt like he was as hard on himself by the end as he was on other people in the industry, though his biases definitely show and all of his little idiosyncracies are definitely on parade as you progress through his life.

He must be a real bear to work for and to work with....

Justin Gaines · June 9th, 2011, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jhallum

I didn't know a bunch of pages about doing drugs, drinking alcohol and screwing women could be as engrossing as it was.

You must have missed Motley Crue's The Dirt

jhallum · June 10th, 2011, 07:44 AM

Aaaand Finished Deadline by Mira Grant last night in one sitting. I'd been waiting for this one for a year, as Feed, it's predecessor, was quite a brilliant book, completely worthy of being a Hugo nominee. Not as utterly amazing as Feed, but still really good, and a couple really good plot twists at the end. Really looking forward to the third book in the series...now a good year away.

Akumu · June 11th, 2011, 01:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaimek

I love that book. Even if you read nothing else of hers, that alone is worth it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bamafan

I agree with jaimek, this is wonderful series. The Fool is one of my all time favorite characters.

Both of you were right, this was really good. I'll hop onto the next book once I've made a solid dent into the books I have lying around - I put a personal ban on buying/borrowing new books until I've finally gotten some others out of the way.

Now reading: Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke.

Pellaz · June 12th, 2011, 06:39 PM

Finished Off Armageddon Reef and continued right into By Schisms Rent Asunder -- really enjoying these.

Locust0311 · June 13th, 2011, 01:15 PM

Finished Team of Rivals, highly recommended for anyone who enjoys Civil War history or just history in general. It paints an amazing picture of the kind of man Abraham Lincoln was.

Up next, based on Glenn's recommendation is Steve Berry's The Templar Legacy.

Justin Gaines · June 15th, 2011, 01:18 PM

Rereading Game of Thrones for the umpteenth time. I want to go through the whole series in preparation for book 5 next month.

happytimes · June 15th, 2011, 02:53 PM

Just finished up an anthology from Norvell Page (the old pulp magazine writer) about a crime-fighter character called The Spider. Very Green Hornet-ish but a little better, methinks. Now starting a series by Larry Correia called "Monster Hunters, International" and was curious if anyone else has read this and has an opinion?

ashaman7122 · June 15th, 2011, 06:31 PM

Finally gave in: Fatal Error by F. Paul Wilson

booB · June 16th, 2011, 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Justin Gaines

Rereading Game of Thrones for the umpteenth time. I want to go through the whole series in preparation for book 5 next month.

If it turns out that you don't have the time, you can always read the chapter summaries on www.towerofthehand.com . This is what I intend to do now, whenever I need a refresher.

May 30th, 2011, 03:03 PM	#1876 (permalink)
jaimek incorrigible Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Wilmington, NC Posts: 1,887	I think what bothers me about the trilogy is that it feels half-baked - like the author had a storyboard of good ideas/episodes, but she was never able to connect them in meaningful ways, so you get really awkward transitions and events that seem to happen out of convenience, or forced, rather than occurring as a natural course. Like if she had let it percolate in her brain a while longer, or had stronger editing, it could have been a much stronger story. I did enjoy it, but it was kind of frustrating. __________________ "He'd be the sort to stand on a hilltop in a thunderstorm wearing wet copper armour and shouting 'All gods are bastards!'" - Terry Pratchett

June 3rd, 2011, 02:07 PM	#1883 (permalink)
Bamafan Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Heart of Dixie Posts: 698	Follow up to my most recent post: I just finished The Long Price quartet by Daniel Abraham. This was an outstanding series! This is a very character driven series in which the both the protagonists and antagonists are very well fleshed out. There aren't any truly evil characters in the series; the reader feels some degree of sympathy even for the players who have committed atrocities. I have been trying to figure out a way to summarize the series without much success. The major conflict is between 2 neighboring countries, one that has no military tradition or standing armies but has weapons of mass destruction that they have used in the past, and the other which is militaristic but lacks the andats, summoned creatures of devastating capabilities. The books explore what happens when the andats are suddenly removed from the equation and the chaos that ensues. I think I enjoyed this series as much as Song of Fire and Ice or Robin Hobb's Royal Assassin series. Highly recommended. __________________ "Scoot to the edge of the table". Proud co-sponsor of Haken, Kingcrow and Myrath

June 3rd, 2011, 03:59 PM	#1885 (permalink)
ApolloFC Sax-Man Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Greensboro, North Carolina Posts: 1,230	In the middle of Harry Potter Book 5.. audiobooks ftw (i buy the books too, I just don't read them). Figured everybody else has read the series I might as well join in. Haven't even seen the movies past this book either. __________________ One And The Many For fans of Led Zeppelin/The Doors/Jack White/Black Crowes/Allman Brothers

June 8th, 2011, 02:51 PM	#1890 (permalink)
Justin Gaines Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Northern VA Posts: 3,598	I read about a half dozen disposable fiction novels on vacation, but now I'm working on: It's an interesting look at the history and social relevance of comic books. __________________ Justin Gaines News Editor/Senior Columnist, www.hardrockhaven.net On Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/justinsgaines Last edited by Justin Gaines : June 8th, 2011 at 02:51 PM. Reason: Context

June 9th, 2011, 08:01 AM	#1891 (permalink)
jhallum Computer guy Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 233	Just finished Mustaine: A Heavy Metal Biography I didn't know a bunch of pages about doing drugs, drinking alcohol and screwing women could be as engrossing as it was. In between all that are observations about various people in the industry, as well as a hard look about where he's been. I felt like he was as hard on himself by the end as he was on other people in the industry, though his biases definitely show and all of his little idiosyncracies are definitely on parade as you progress through his life. He must be a real bear to work for and to work with.... __________________ Co-Sponsor Haken -- PP XII MaYaN -- PP XIII

June 1st, 2011, 11:04 AM	#1877 (permalink)
ashaman7122 Crazy on a ship of fools Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 1,488	Just finished -- The King Of Plagues by Jonathan Maberry...another DMS wham-bam thrillride! On deck -- The Cold Dish by Craig Johnson

June 1st, 2011, 11:13 AM	#1878 (permalink)
Akumu Look at the tree. Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: CT Posts: 532	Finished Mistborn. Despite my cringing at some parts ("Vin paused" auuuugh), I overall enjoyed it and am looking forward to reading the next book in the trilogy. Now halfway through Graveminder by Melissa Marr (delightfully creepy so far) and just started A Suitable Boy by Vikram Seth.

June 3rd, 2011, 02:19 PM	#1884 (permalink)
Akumu Look at the tree. Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: CT Posts: 532	^ I was actually checking out A Shadow in Summer a few weeks ago! I'll definitely look into them now. Finished Graveminder. Spectacular. I was already biased because I loved her YA series, but this was even better. It really reminded me of Neil Gaiman in places.

June 7th, 2011, 03:30 PM	#1887 (permalink)
Akumu Look at the tree. Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: CT Posts: 532	Just started Assassin's Apprentice by Robin Hobb.

June 10th, 2011, 07:44 AM	#1893 (permalink)
jhallum Computer guy Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 233	Aaaand Finished Deadline by Mira Grant last night in one sitting. I'd been waiting for this one for a year, as Feed, it's predecessor, was quite a brilliant book, completely worthy of being a Hugo nominee. Not as utterly amazing as Feed, but still really good, and a couple really good plot twists at the end. Really looking forward to the third book in the series...now a good year away. __________________ Co-Sponsor Haken -- PP XII MaYaN -- PP XIII

June 12th, 2011, 06:39 PM	#1895 (permalink)
Pellaz Tigron of Immanion Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 8,734	Finished Off Armageddon Reef and continued right into By Schisms Rent Asunder -- really enjoying these. __________________ http://www.paulcashman.com pellaz1@comcast.net Proud sponsor of Solution .45 (and kinda Primordial), Therion (again!), Tyr, Orphaned Land, Amorphis, Sonata Arctica, Mercenary, Therion, PoS, Nightwish and Devin Townsend Band, PPUSA III-present WREKage, 11:59pm Fri nights http://www.wrekage.org 91.1 FM Atlanta -- Atlanta radio's home of metal for more than 20 years, also streamed live and archived for a week! WINNER: Best of Atl. non-commercial radio show, 2012

June 13th, 2011, 01:15 PM	#1896 (permalink)
Locust0311 Shopping Ape Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Alpharetta, GA Posts: 254	Finished Team of Rivals, highly recommended for anyone who enjoys Civil War history or just history in general. It paints an amazing picture of the kind of man Abraham Lincoln was. Up next, based on Glenn's recommendation is Steve Berry's The Templar Legacy. __________________

June 15th, 2011, 01:18 PM	#1897 (permalink)
Justin Gaines Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Northern VA Posts: 3,598	Rereading Game of Thrones for the umpteenth time. I want to go through the whole series in preparation for book 5 next month. __________________ Justin Gaines News Editor/Senior Columnist, www.hardrockhaven.net On Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/justinsgaines

June 15th, 2011, 02:53 PM	#1898 (permalink)
happytimes Franky Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Indianapolis Posts: 81	Just finished up an anthology from Norvell Page (the old pulp magazine writer) about a crime-fighter character called The Spider. Very Green Hornet-ish but a little better, methinks. Now starting a series by Larry Correia called "Monster Hunters, International" and was curious if anyone else has read this and has an opinion? __________________ Frank Remington "Loud Is Beautiful" Cordial Host of: "The Lunatic Fringe" www.progpalaceradio.com

June 15th, 2011, 06:31 PM	#1899 (permalink)
ashaman7122 Crazy on a ship of fools Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 1,488	Finally gave in: Fatal Error by F. Paul Wilson