The Fantasy/Sci-Fi Books Thread Book • Page 49

I just started Mistborn. Looking forward to hearing about this Ska Rebellion

 

Honestly I think ska would pair really well with some of the action scenes in Era 2 tbh

 

I just finished Nicola Griffith's Spear and it was a brilliant retelling of Arthurian legend. So much lore and world-bulding packed into a book less than 200 pages AND gave me sort of Wizard of Earthsea vibes with naming and the way the story is told. Was a really great, quick read!

 

I remember seeing a blurb about that (and the cover) and being super interested in it — I'm a huge fan of Arthurian legend, and as my username suggests, I like Welsh stuff — but I think something about it kept me from putting it in my wishlist and now I don't remember what it might have been. So your endorsement is probably enough to tip it over the side haha. Seems fun, and I love a quicker read to offset some of the doorstoppers in the genre.

 

It's definitely a good read and was short enough that I didn't feel like I was pushing back my TBR. There were times where there was perhaps some language issues as they use a lot of Welsh interpretations but it really did scratch that Le Guin itch for me. If it's a tipping out - the illustrations in the book are beautiful!

 

So I've been watching a youtube channel from a guy called Josh Strife Hayes, and he mostly focuses on playing bad mmo's, which I am finding endlessly interesting. He has a full playthrough for a game that literally has no other players in the world called Otherland. The game is obviously shit, but my god the setting is fucking cool.

Anyway, I bring this up because he mentioned that the mmo was based on a series by Tad Williams. That clicked with me, but for some reason I didn't put it together that it was the Osten Ard writer until I finally looked it up. So yeah, those books sound fucking amazing and I'm going to read the hell out of them.

 

Well, I'm sold, haha. I'll check it out for sure. Thanks for the rec.

 

I've always thought his Otherland stuff looked cool. I thought it was so neat that a guy who wrote (writes) big epic fantasies also got into weird multidimensional science fiction stuff that by all accounts is just as good.

 

Most of my book friends on the site are in here, but I shared in the book thread that I just surprise dropped my first poetry collection today and wanted to make sure you all saw.

 

This is really exciting, way to go! Just picked it up for Kindle. I promise I'll read it much sooner than everything else I've promised you all that I'll read.

 

No worries at all, bud, haha. I’ve got your manuscript sitting on my desktop and feel bad about it daily

 

Haha just reference how long it took me to read yours when you feel bad. By my reckoning you've got until August 2, 2023.

 

that poor book needs so much work

 

Grabbed the kindle version. I'm like your dad, lol, I've never actually read a poetry book. I have nothing against them, for some reason I've just always had issues wrapping my mind around them. My brain can't think that way and it's a flaw. I'ma read this next.

 

I included that “review” specifically because I find it hilarious. My dad almost solely reads Jack Reacher novels.

 

Yeah I loved that. Very nice touch.

 

The first McClellan trilogy (Powder Mage) is solidly alright. The first book in the second McClellan trilogy (Gods of Blood and Powder) is already 400% better. It's wonderful to see such a jump in improvement. You do kinda need the first one to read the second, though. It's ten years after and involves a few characters (and hints thus far many others will be returning).

 

The Broken Binding box is doing great things with their series so far. Can’t wait for Book 3!

 

So I just started Malazan, and while I can follow the general outline, it is absolutely jam packed full of words that have no context behind them, so I definitely understand why it's got the reputation it has. I kind of laugh whenever I start a fantasy novel, as they're all nonsense to start as you learn the terms, but this takes it to a whole new level. I'm only about 75 pages in and just meeting Whiskyjack ,but it is dense as all hell but I think I am following the broad strokes.

I guess the only things I would say I am confused on so far (and I'm sure it's RAFO), is who the 2 people were that released the hounds that Ganoes was investigating, (and found and then spared the fishergirl) as they seemed like bad guys, but then I am pretty sure that girl is now Sorry who is with Whiskyjack and quick ben who are good guys and aren't the people who found her? So when did she escape those people and then who is the woman who for lack of a better term, possessed her and that's why she's creeping everyone out...

Also Topper is a Tiste Andii, or at least has their blood, (yet good?) but the leader of the Tiste Andii is bad and is the leader of the floating moon city? So are the Tiste Andii good or bad guys or is it a race in which they could be either?

LOL - this is going to be interesting but I am absolutely fascinated by the writing style, each scene is extremely cinematic and enthralling and it's jumping from intrigue to intrigue so overall I like it.

 

hell yeah welcome to the wild ride

I've lost track of how many times I've said it in this thread, but Erikson wrote Gardens like 10 years before the second book, so his writing style improves dramatically from the first book to the second. He really does just throw you in the deep end without a map and just says "lol figure it out". It took 3 attempts for me to finish it over like 5 years.

I also always mention this, but this site is an invaluable resource:

Malazan Reread of the Fallen – Tor.com

It's a read through of the book by someone new to the series and someone who has read the books before. They share their thoughts after EVERY chapter, and there are a bunch of comments on each entry. Sure, it doubles the reading you'll be doing, but it really helps things fall into place if you're just sort of flailing along.

As for the stuff you mentioned, a lot of it is definitely RAFO. Anomander Rake is a badass, that's all you need to know. You'll learn more about the Tiste Andii and the other races.

Also there are no good guys

 

I just wanted to share something I found here, because I know I've asked for help a bunch of times with similar issues. I was able to get my hands on the UK version of the audiobooks of The Name of the Wind and The Wise Man's Fear, read by Rupert Degas, as well as the audiobook for The Slow Regard of Silent Things read by Patrick Rothfuss, all for $16.99. The website I ordered from is: https://motionaudiobooks.com/

The audiobooks are mp3 CD versions, which does make for a few extra steps, but I thought that was a phenomenal price and well worth it for me. I only ordered the first two audiobooks and the third one read by the author came as a free bonus.

I thought it would be another resource for anyone who had trouble finding and/or affording something on Audible.

 

Heard this being talked a lot in here so bought it. Kindle Daily Deal in the UK!

Deal of the day: The Shadow Of The Wind (The Cemetery of Forgotten Series Book 1)
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B002U3CB5M/ref=cm_sw_r_awdo_dl_7D73RBH21FYDNTBEFZCB

 

My second favorite book ever! I hope you enjoy!

 

Ohhh that’s high praise! Now I’m just curious to your favourite!

 

The Lord of the Rings.