I'm about halfway through Shards of Earth by Adrian Tchaikovsky. The setting feels vaguely Mass Effectish or Revelation Space-y - lots of planets, different alien species, transhumanism.
I'm really enjoying it so far. The characters are fun to hang with (which is my basic criterion for enjoying any book, I think). I'm not sure how the investigator person will factor into things yet.
I think I'm seeing the main plot finally - it's still sort of setttling down- the characters keep going from one distinctive, complicated, fascinating planet to another, getting into scrapes in each one and then zooming off somewhere else. I think I prefer it when locations are somewhat set up and then used later on rather than a road movie style. The political powers seem pretty much set up though, so I'll have to see where that goes.
Haven't seen any Peter F. Hamilton mentioned, so I'll throw his Night's Dawn trilogy, Commonwealth Saga duology, and Void trilogy out there as fun space-opera type sci-fi. His most recent trilogy, Salvation, was kinda bad though so I cannot recommend it.
MannishBoy wrote:While not as hard sci-fi as The Expanse, I'll recommend (because I'm currently reading book 11) Craig Alanson's Expeditionary Force. Sci-fi space opera with humor. Starts with Columbus Day.
Also like the Frontlines series by Marko Kloos which is included in Kindle Unlimited. Similar to Expeditionary Force in that it's about alien invasion/conflict at the start, but it's more serious in tone.
Or John Scalzi's Old Man's War.
I usually enjoy similar books to you but I recently finished Columbus day and I think Expeditionary Force is just too silly for me. I put it on the Star Wars end of science fiction. For example alien races, that look like human animals, that just happen to wear the similar (sometimes the exact same) types of clothing that humans do on earth.
Spoiler:alien, bipedal, farmer hamsters wearing overalls really had me rolling my eyes
The audiobook narrator's terrible "New England" accent just put over the top.
Totally fair. I put these in the category with the Bobiverse books. Silly but fun. I'm not normally into silly, but these are a fun ride for me. I think if nothing else, sarcastic humor is what does it. Kind of like the Zombie Fallout series that probably aren't exactly literature, but are nice as chasers.
Now that I think through those two series I see some common ground. Main character that starts out as "average guy" but grows into his role with help from others that constantly give him a hard time in smart ass ways.
I forgot probably a better recommendation for space opera. Again, not as hard science as The Expanse but still pretty politically involved: Louis McMaster Bujold's Vorkosigan saga. The first Miles book is where I started, but went back and did the ones written around his mom later. I'm not sure they would have grabbed me the same way without the humor/cleverness that came from Miles.
Has anyone read Martha Wells Witch King yet?
It comes out on May 30, Nathanial.
I have it preordered. Wells is an auto pre-order for me
It comes out on May 30, Nathanial.
Someone could have advance knowledge!
I have it preordered. Wells is an auto pre-order for me
I’ve never read her non-Murderbot stuff before. Can probably assume I’d love it though. I should give this new one a try.
I DO already have the next Murderbot book preordered.
DudleySmith wrote:I have it preordered. Wells is an auto pre-order for me
I’ve never read her non-Murderbot stuff before. Can probably assume I’d love it though. I should give this new one a try.
I DO already have the next Murderbot book preordered.
If you're a fan of Murderbot, I'd recommend her Raksura books. They give me some of the same feel as Murderbot while being a different genre, length, structure and are in 3rd and not 1st person.
Just completed the 5 book Space Assassins series.
I liked the series overall. The ending had some real issues. I don't think anyone will see the ending coming because it was really random. Overall I did like it though just didn't stick the landing.
Early on I notice there weren't many descriptions of anything. I had a hard time picturing what the ships and people looked like. He probably did this so everyone could makeup their own world. However, he became more descriptive with each book. By the end of the series I still wasn't sure what the ships looked like but I had clearer idea of the people.
There was one character that I liked but think she shouldn't have been added. She was basically a MacGuffin that moved the plot but in a unnatural way. It is like if you were reading the three little pigs but in the last house the big bad wolf was stopped by optimus prime instead of the house being made of brick. Again I liked the character but she is so jarring. Kind of makes me wonder if the author was forced to end the series early.
Oh I didn't say anything good about the book. Well the book is like Assassin Creed but in space and the assassins are more like jedi knights. Also magic rules the universe instead of science. They use magic to fly through space, clean their clothes, murder people, save people, and so on and so on. Maybe the closes things I can think of is SpellJammers but without all the space monsters. There are creatures but not many.
Anyway the book was fun but not a must read.
Wired writer really doesn't like Brandon Sanderson, Mormonism, Salt Lake City, cons, nerds, Hugh Jackman and fantasy.
I mean, I know not to feed the trolls, and Sanderson is not likely to win a Pulitzer but this piece is so far up its own ass that it forms a complete circle of pretentiousness.
I didn't take it that way. Fun read actually and it was a cool to know a bit more about the author whose books I've read so many of.
Wired writer really doesn't like Brandon Sanderson, Mormonism, Salt Lake City, cons, nerds, Hugh Jackman and fantasy.
I mean, I know not to feed the trolls, and Sanderson is not likely to win a Pulitzer but this piece is so far up its own ass that it forms a complete circle of pretentiousness.
I don't have any opinion of Sanderson having never read anything of his, though I don't have a great opinion of Mormons in general and am skeptical of anything done by anyone who wears their religious affiliation on their sleeves, but that said...
I begin to think, This is what I drove all the way from San Francisco to the suburbs
Yeah, I'll just close this article right now...
Okay, my estimate of Sanderson's character takes a bit of a hit :p. More so than from the article itself :).
Okay, my estimate of Sanderson's character takes a bit of a hit :p. More so than from the article itself :).
Really?
Forgetting the article's framing of Sanderson, there was just so much condescension and meanness directed at everyone in the article. From, this is what passes for Chinese food, to gah, they are using SALT! on their ramen. To the tired cliches of con attendees to the wink, wink, nod, nod, that Fantasy is not real literature.
I generally roll my eyes of the idea of coastal elites looking down their noses at people in the hinterlands stereotype, but the entire article reads as if someone asked ChatGPT to write in the style of a snobbish NY/SF book critic.
As far as Sanderson's religion, as an agnostic, I personally don't get the appeal, but I've never found his writing to be very religious in nature (in contrast to Orson Scott Card's works), though perhaps I'm missing elements that are there.
And while his church (along with most others) has some abhorrent views, and Sanderson has admitted to echoing those views more than a decade ago; he has also seemingly broadened his perspectives and views and has publicly stated that he does not agree with his church on LGBQTA issues now, but also believes that it is important to effort to change the organization from within.
I respect those who view that position as lacking, but in contrast of another high profile author that is currently digging in their heels on social issues, I view it as movement in the right direction.
It's also true that Sanderson is a rich white dude, and doesn't really need anyone to defend him as he'll be just fine. What I really objected to, was reading something that I interpreted as so dismissive of geek/nerd culture and from Wired magazine of all places.
I generally role my eyes of the idea of coastal elites looking down their noses at people in the hinterlands stereotype, but the entire article reads as if someone asked ChatGPT to write in the style of a snobbish NY/SF book critic.
Yeah, that's what I was trying to get at too. I only made it to that I drove from San Franciso line (which was right around the dig at local Chinese food) before closing the tab. f*ck people like that.
And while his church (along with most others) has some abhorrent views, and Sanderson has admitted to echoing those views more than a decade ago; he has also seemingly broadened his perspectives and views and has publicly stated that he does not agree with his church on LGBQTA issues now, but also believes that it is important to effort to change the organization from within.
But also, this is naive bullsh*t. Massive organizations don't change. Individual people might, but you gotta get a whole lot of them to change in order for something as massive as the mormon church to even notice. So all the while he's "changing" the mormon church from within, he's giving 10% of his income or whatever to them so that the can continue to enforce their sh*tty social views.
I felt he could have played himself as being in on the joke which is all I took the article as.
Robear wrote:It comes out on May 30, Nathanial.
Someone could have advance knowledge!
I may or may not have an ARC on the way for April 8th. WOOOOO
Badferret wrote:I generally role my eyes of the idea of coastal elites looking down their noses at people in the hinterlands stereotype, but the entire article reads as if someone asked ChatGPT to write in the style of a snobbish NY/SF book critic.
Yeah, that's what I was trying to get at too. I only made it to that I drove from San Franciso line (which was right around the dig at local Chinese food) before closing the tab. f*ck people like that.
Badferret wrote:And while his church (along with most others) has some abhorrent views, and Sanderson has admitted to echoing those views more than a decade ago; he has also seemingly broadened his perspectives and views and has publicly stated that he does not agree with his church on LGBQTA issues now, but also believes that it is important to effort to change the organization from within.
But also, this is naive bullsh*t. Massive organizations don't change. Individual people might, but you gotta get a whole lot of them to change in order for something as massive as the mormon church to even notice. So all the while he's "changing" the mormon church from within, he's giving 10% of his income or whatever to them so that the can continue to enforce their sh*tty social views.
Totally. I also get that it can be hard to leave one's lifelong church. I find it encouraging that he has at least moved in the right direction but understand that alone is not enough.
I felt he could have played himself as being in on the joke which is all I took the article as.
As I was first reading it, I really did wonder if the article was meant to be tongue in cheek, but my reading of it was that the author was being completely serious, and was generally baffled by why Sanderson, his fans, Utah and the fantasy genre even exist.
What a mean spirited article.
But also, this is naive bullsh*t. Massive organizations don't change.
Yes they do. It takes time, and progress moves at a glacial pace, but change happens if enough people push for it.
Case in point: I've copied-and-pasted below (spoilered for length) the Episcopal Church's webpage on the history of LGBTQ in the Church, and how the organization has gone from homophobic to accepting (including conducting same-sex marriages).
Now, you could argue that this is the bare minimum, and some of this stuff should have happened earlier, and I'd probabably agree. But I share it to show that change can and does happen in massive organizations, including Christian denominations.
https://www.episcopalchurch.org/who-...
Faithful Episcopalians have been working toward a greater understanding and radical inclusion of all of God’s children for nearly a half-century. In 1974, Louie Crew founded IntegrityUSA, a non-profit organization with the goal of full-inclusion of LGBT persons in The Episcopal Church. The next General Convention, in 1976, adopted resolutions stating that “homosexual persons are children of God who have a full and equal claim with all other persons upon the love, acceptance, and pastoral concern and care of the Church” (1976-A069), and that they “are entitled to equal protection of the laws with all other citizens” (1976-A071).Over the years, General Convention and Executive Council reaffirmed these resolutions, as well as calling the church to greater understanding, awareness, and inclusion of LGBTQ persons in the life of the church. In response to the AIDS crisis, the National Episcopal AIDS Coalition was created in 1988 to provide education and support for HIV and AIDS ministries across The Episcopal Church.
In 1994, General Convention amended the church’s canons to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation, providing equal access to the rites and worship of The Episcopal Church, including ordination. Nine years later the Diocese of New Hampshire elected the first openly-gay bishop in The Episcopal Church, the Rt. Rev. V. Gene Robinson. This was, arguably, a turning point for the church.
Despite continued pressure from sister churches of the Anglican Communion, as well as some within The Episcopal Church, General Convention stood with its LGBTQ siblings. In 2009 it acknowledged and affirmed same-sex couples in the life of the church; in 2012 it called for the repeal of discriminatory federal laws, increased legal protections for domestic partners, and recommended a liturgy for blessing the relationships of same-sex couples.
Also in 2009, TransEpiscopal, a group dedicated to fostering the full embrace of trans and nonbinary people in life and worship of The Episcopal Church, sent its first delegation to General Convention. That year, Convention expressed support for laws that prohibit discrimination based on gender identity. In 2012, the canons of The Episcopal Church were amended to prohibit discrimination in the ordination process based on gender identity and gender expression.
Finally, in the summer of 2015, just five days after the Supreme Court of the United States ruled that same-sex couples had the legal right to marry, General Convention voted to amend the canons of The Episcopal Church that regulate marriage, permitting any couple the rite of Holy Matrimony. They also called for a name-change rite to honor an important moment in the lives of anyone claiming their true identity.
The Episcopal Church warmly welcomes our LGBTQ siblings, but it would be disingenuous to say that the entire church is in the same place on this journey. As with all spiritual journeys, everyone walks at their own pace. Some Episcopal congregations are actively involved in LGBTQ ministry and their arms are open wide; others are more reserved, but their doors are still open to all; some are still wrestling with their beliefs and feelings. But we’re on this journey together, and The Episcopal Church is dedicated to full inclusion and equality in the church as well as in society as a whole.
A cynic might say that wired article was a character study of a mediocre writer struggling with his own mediocrity - while he visits some Mormon guy.
I may or may not have an ARC on the way for April 8th. WOOOOO
I can't get this from context. What ARC are you talking about, and do I want one too? 
Told you Robear!! Haha, victory is mine!
Martha Wells Witch King
It's out?! Cool!
Sanderson's response was charming. As a southerner, this reads like a very long, eloquent, "bless his heart...", said as Brandon sits on his porch, swirling his glass to hear the ice rattle in his sweet tea.
*After seeing several things about this piece I haven't read it. Don't really want to reward it with my measly click.
*After seeing several things about this piece I haven't read it. Don't really want to reward it with my measly click.
The YouTube algorithm has decided I might be interested in booktubers reading it aloud and interjecting the appropriate "wow, this guy is an asshole" noises at appropriate intervals, so I can direct you to a few different flavors of that if you're interested.
MannishBoy wrote:*After seeing several things about this piece I haven't read it. Don't really want to reward it with my measly click.
The YouTube algorithm has decided I might be interested in booktubers reading it aloud and interjecting the appropriate "wow, this guy is an asshole" noises at appropriate intervals, so I can direct you to a few different flavors of that if you're interested.
Nah, I'll just remain at my current level of blissful ignorance. Sanderson's always entertained me with his writing and occasionally his videos on YouTube. Now he seems to be nice to people who apparently sneer at him in articles. That's good enough for me at the moment. I don't have to get too deeply into the personal lives of entertainers. Sometimes it's fun, but not necessary.
bu... but... He salted his ramen! 
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