I think that confusion of the Peripheral cuts both ways. I was very happy that I had read the book - twice - before watching the show, because it seemed to me that the show dumped you into the world the same way the book did. So I think simply being familiar with the story and settings are the keys. Doesn't matter where you start, you need to immerse into it several times for it to make full sense.
Book 12 in Charlie Stross's "The Laundry" series is out. "Season of Skulls", so you know it's part of The New Management subset of books and characters, rather than The Laundry itself. It continues the story of Eve and her friends and relatives - I don't want to give away any surprises so I'll leave it at that - and to my mind it's a bit better paced than the previous one. Although that one did have a very satisfying ending. 
Anyway, this is a world that just begs to be an RPG setting. Or a set of movies. A film trilogy titled "Case Nightmare Green" is something I'd love to see before I pass.
Anyway, this is a world that just begs to be an RPG setting.
There actually has been a Laundry RPG, published by Cubicle 7. The core book came out in 2010 but the last supplement was released in 2015 and they've since lost the license, so the published materials are several very major setting developments behind the books.
I've heard rumors of a new edition or an upcoming new RPG from another publisher, but only rumors.
Interesting.
farley3k wrote:Can someone recommend a good sci-fi book that is more about exploring a galaxy etc. rather than personal relationships (Long Way to an Angry Planet) or that use space as a backdrop for political stuff (Expanse falls into this category for me. You could have set the whole thing in medieval Europe and not lose anything - to me)
I am thinking something like the original Star Trek books - but when I try to read those they are so poorly written it is hard to read them.
I enjoyed Red Rising by Pierce Brown, but on the other hand, I never felt compelled to read more of the series.
Edit - I also enjoyed The Last Watch and it's sequel
I second the Red Rising series. It's a 6 book series and the last book is scheduled to be released on July 23rd so you'll have the whole series to read. It's not perfect but I definitely enjoyed it and I've recommended it to 2 coworkers and they've enjoyed it as well. I'm planning on starting a re-read of the first 5 books this week so I can refresh my brain.
I enjoyed the hell out of Red Rising first book. I kinda lost steam with the 2nd book...
I enjoyed the hell out of Red Rising first book. I kinda lost steam with the 2nd book...
I really do need to re-read the series. The first book was fantastic and could be a great standalone read. The story changes a lot in the 2nd book from what I remember and I was a little disappointed but the 3rd book got me hooked back in. The fourth book is really the beginning of a new trilogy and I've really liked the characters and world building he does as well as the plots are fairly deep and intriguing.
I read the John Dies at the End series of books by Jason Pargin (aka David Wong) for the first time, without any idea of what they were (the cover and inner jacket of the 3rd book caught my eye). The plots are ridiculous (in the best way). There are some memorable witty lines in the series. Some of the word choices in the first book didn't age well (very "of its time" of the early 2000s), but isn't present in subsequent books. The second (This Book is Full of Spiders) was my favorite; it was actually horrific (IMO) whereas the others were more like parodies of that.
Just finished Witch King, the new Martha Wells. I enjoyed it, but not as much as her other stuff. The characters are memorable and cool, and the plot is clear and fun in an adventury way, but the main thread is missing the relateable aspects that the Raksura and Murderbot have - the POV character is a bit too competent and formidable which gives it a different energy. It feels like a competently created, fun story, but is missing some special sauce to make me really attach to the characters. It has a similar feel to Wheel of the Inifinite.
I will say that I found the setting quite confusing - it's in the aftermath of an empire's invasion, occupation and overthrow, and there are multiple political, cultural and racial groups milling around trying to pick up the pieces and deal with the betrayals, collaborators, genocides and fallen structures of the previous generation. It feels like a fascinating setting that could support some other stories if I could get my head around it all.
Looks like a bunch of Will Wight books are free: https://twitter.com/Wario64/status/1...
Looks like a bunch of Will Wight books are free: https://twitter.com/Wario64/status/1...
Next book in the Cradle series drops next week. I just recently came across these and really enjoy them. Combination of old school Kung-fu movie and Wuxia influences with a dash of scifi... Totally surprised me.
Looks like a bunch of Will Wight books are free: https://twitter.com/Wario64/status/1...
They're also available on Kindle Unlimited, which is how I devoured them last month!
I'm going to wait on the last book as it's been just long enough since I read them that I really need to reread them, but to soon to start a reread. Maybe next year...
Just an FYI, the next of the Cradle series is the last of the Cradle series. He's said he may revisit the setting/characters, but the that run of books is over.
Just an FYI, the next of the Cradle series is the last of the Cradle series. He's said he may revisit the setting/characters, but the that run of books is over.
But remember that all of his books are set in the same "multiverse". So bringing them into other books he writes really won't be that much of an issue, and it is fun to find the easter eggs.
The last Cradle book, Waybound was released early today due to complicated mistakes with Amazon's upload process. I thought it was a great ending to the series.
anyone recommend other Wight's series?
Traveler's Gate Trilogy was a neat story. The protagonist was a little empty, but he creates a fun world to play in. Plus, like Zaque said, it's just one of the worlds in the Cradle universe. In fact, WoW (World of Will) says that
when Simon puts on the mask, he's about as strong as an Underlord in Crade.
Yeah, Traveller's Gate was pretty good. Elder Empire was an interesting concept (Pairs of concurrent stories with different protagonists), but didn't really work for me as a whole.
I just bought 15 books on Audible during this sale. Sorted my wish list by price and didn't spend over $5 on anything. Just filling in some series I was behind on. Several were sub $3. Total before tax was $53 I think.
Think it ends tomorrow so check your wish lists. Not everything is that cheap, but I can't remember that many things at once that I was interested in being that cheap. Supposedly everything is on sale, but some are discounted much more than others.
I spent about 45 myself! I felt bad because I have 12 credits but I didn't want to waste theme on titles that were worth less than them while on sale.
I am reading Before we go live by Stephen Flavall. I only bought it as it’s by my favourite slay the spire player Jorbs but halfway through it is a lucidly written but heartbreaking account of what being a professional strategy streamer is like. I always knew it was bad in professional gaming but wow.
I spent about 45 myself! I felt bad because I have 12 credits but I didn't want to waste theme on titles that were worth less than them while on sale.
I think I have 10 credits. Have bought some stuff on the 2 for 1 credit deals out of my annual credits.
If it's less than $7 or $8, IMO it's better to buy with cash vs credit for me.
My problem is I'm listening to more podcasts vs books right now and have a very large backlog between Audible and my library accounts.
Me too, Mannish. I have 5 credits - but don't ever want to use them if the book is less than $10. I have also been listening to a lot of really long books, and have limited listening time, so it's taking me longer than usual to get through them.
Finished The Peripheral and loved it. Anyone know how Agency holds up? Reading On Tyranny again, as the government-related national holidays always bring it to mind. Not sure where I am going next.
I actually liked it a little better. Now that the scene is set, you can get more invested in what's going on, rather than having to work extra-hard to figure out the setting.
its an interesting read especially knowing it was rewritten after Trump was elected, but Robear has the right of it. Less time learning the tech and more time with the story itself...
EvilDead wrote:I spent about 45 myself! I felt bad because I have 12 credits but I didn't want to waste theme on titles that were worth less than them while on sale.
I think I have 10 credits. Have bought some stuff on the 2 for 1 credit deals out of my annual credits.
If it's less than $7 or $8, IMO it's better to buy with cash vs credit for me.
My problem is I'm listening to more podcasts vs books right now and have a very large backlog between Audible and my library accounts. :)
I feel your pain! Too much media and too little time...
Finished The Peripheral and loved it. Anyone know how Agency holds up? Reading On Tyranny again, as the government-related national holidays always bring it to mind. Not sure where I am going next.
Agency felt very different, but great too. Pertinent to the current day moment - this is a good time read it.
Anyone read anything eerie lately? Enjoyed Leech by Hiron Ennes and looking to start Our Wives Under The Sea by Julia Armfield. Also thoroughly enjoyed Seven Empty Houses by Samanta Schweblin.
Anyone read anything eerie lately? Enjoyed Leech by Hiron Ennes and looking to start Our Wives Under The Sea by Julia Armfield. Also thoroughly enjoyed Seven Empty Houses by Samanta Schweblin.
Also enjoyed Leech.
If you like that sort of thing, try the horror novels of T Kingfisher (Ursula Vernon) - The Twisted Ones, The Hollow Places, What Moves the Dead, and A House With Good Bones.
Pages