The Fantasy/Sci-Fi Books Thread Book • Page 36

Monarchies of God was a pretty great series. I think @OwainGlyndwr and @theagentcoma would love if you haven't checked it out already. Quite possibly the densest high fantasy I've read despite each book being around 300 pages. Absolutely no hand holding.

 

Well that's on my list now, thanks!

 

@Vivatoto did you see it recommended on r/fantasy? Pretty sure that's where I found out about it because it was only a few days ago haha. I picked up the collected volume, it sounds amazing. Your recommendation of it is pretty much all the confirmation I need anyway. Will report back when I've read them!

 

I saw it on one of these lists from this website Best Fantasy Books | #1 Guide to the best fantasy books, games, movies, and more! Which I've used as a pretty constant resource. I also got all kinds of excited when I saw how cheap the kindle books were, haha. I bought the first two separately than the last three collected because Amazon has it set up in a confusing way. They're very quick, but challenging reads.

Also I know a lot of people compare Malazan with the Black Company and I always felt they were different enough that I wouldn't even make the comparison, and I feel like this is the missing link between the two.

 

Oh damn a front cover blurb from Erikson himself, now I have no choice but to buy it

 

Was reading a thread in the books subreddit about authors that people refuse to read and there was some uh, pretty discouraging stuff about N.K. Jemisin.

 

@theagentcoma yeah I saw that too, and tbh it tracks with my impression of her online—I've never read any of her books, and I don't follow her or really interact with her on Twitter or anything, but the few times her tweets etc. have come across my feed they've given me the impression that her online presence is pretty unpleasant. That's a very one-dimensional take on my part, and I've heard great things about her books, and that impression hasn't stopped me from wanting to read her writing—but it has kept me from actively reading her books, effectively bumping them down the TBR list a ways. I'll likely still get to them eventually, but I don't feel a particular urgency based on the (admittedly shallow) impression I've gotten from her as a person.

Same thing applies to the writer of the Baru Cormorant books, actually. I've only heard good things, but interactions with the author on Reddit have left me disinclined to dive into the books.

Probably not fair to either of them; but then again, I've only got so much time in the day anyway, and Dune's not going to read itself.

 

Link?

 

https://www.reddit.com/r/books/comm.../?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3 That's the main comment I saw about her, and there's more information/feedback in the replies.

I will say: I think it's a complicated thing, being a public figure, especially in the modern era of lightning-fast communication and instantaneous reactions. Judging Jemisin (or anyone) on limited non-personal interactions is by nature very shortsighted, and I think everyone in this position deserves the benefit of the doubt for sure. So I'm not walking around hating Jemisin or thinking she's a terrible person or whatever. But when the topic comes up, I will admit that some of what I've seen has made me less enthusiastic about reading her books.

 

@Vivatoto reading some of the reviews for the Kharkanas books and a common complaint is that it's overly philosophical and the inner monologues drag on. Did it feel that way to you? I'm thinking of actually picking the first one up.

 

Well, I mean, we both agree that Erickson becomes a better writer as The Book of the Fallen goes along, and I think a HUGE part of that is how philosophical he gets. There is nothing I love more than him waxing philosophical. So yeah, it's there, but it's fucking great. And nothing drags, I can't even comprehend where that opinion comes from. Also, I think most of his philosophical writing came in Toll the Hounds (the book where I believe he reaches a new level) and The Crippled God, so if you were fine with it there, you'll have no issues with Kharkanas.

That does answer some questions for me though, The Witness is way more straightforward, he must have been responding to those complaints. Which sucksss

The only bad thing I have to say about Kharkanas is that we have no idea if a third book is even coming, so you're not going to get any closure. Still worth it.

 

This is good to know. And yeah I do remember Toll the Hounds being particularly dense. I don't really have a problem with it, but it was a common complaint in bad reviews.

I don't even know why I read them tbh. I freaking love Erikson. I'm like 98% sure I'm about to start a reread lol. It's just that I have an Amazon gift card burning a hole in my wallet and I was thinking maybe I'd start the Kharkanas stuff or maybe just wait a few weeks for the new one.

 

Has anyone read Joe Abercrombie's First Law trilogy?

Does it stay so communication heavy? I feel like I can't see any of the world most of the time, just know that people are talking.

 

Maybe this is a dumb idea, but I would be super down for a chorus fantasy books Christmas gift exchange with you fine people

 

Now that's a fun idea if we can make it work!

 

The tricky part would be finding books @Vivatoto hasn't read yet, haha. But yeah I think it'd be neat, I like you guys.

 

Cool idea, I'd be down for it.

 

Let's do it but it has to be bad fantasy books with poor reviews

 

everyone’s getting my manuscript then!

 

No no he said bad fantasy books

 

Okay for real, if there's interest in a little informal book exchange for Christmas, I'll organize it. Comment if you're in and if you'd prefer actual good books or theagentcoma's idea for terrible books—or if you have any other parameters or suggestions. If there are at least a few people willing to do it I'll randomize and figure out how to orchestrate shipping addresses. (Out of my depth here, but I figure it'll just be a few of you and I trust you guys. So far.)

 

I’m down for whatever. I have a big used bookstore near me so I can go any which way for good prices.

 

Joke's on you, I'm gonna orchestrate it somehow so that you all help me complete my Cosmere leatherbound collection.

 

I’ll print off pictures of the cover and tape them to the mass market paperback

 

I'm down. And I vote for good books. I have one in mind. My thought process was what the hell can I be sure no ones read and I'm pretty sure I found it. Priory of the Orange Tree was my first thought, because it's a perfect 1 book epic, but then I remembered I was literally recd it in this thread.