Guess that answers it. Thanks guys.
For what it's worth, I'm a big Abercrombie fan and found "Best Served Cold" to be an unsatisfying book — it felt forced and lacked the spark of his original series
I was not referring to "Best Served Cold," actually. I was referring to "The Blade Itself."
lostlobster wrote:For what it's worth, I'm a big Abercrombie fan and found "Best Served Cold" to be an unsatisfying book — it felt forced and lacked the spark of his original series
I was not referring to "Best Served Cold," actually. I was referring to "The Blade Itself."
Somebody else was talking about "Best Served Cold" and I was responding to them.
Too bad you didn't like "The Blade Itself." Maybe try it again sometime. I don't think he's a brilliant stylist, but I enjoyed the hell out of that series.
[Fantasy]
I'd recommend giving "The Darkness That Comes Before" by R. Scott Bakker a try. It's the first book of the "Prince of Nothing" trilogy. There's a second trilogy, "The Aspect-Emperor," in the making (with one book out), set around 20 years later in the same world.
The first book is.. for lack of a better word, dense. Bakker is clearly a history lover, and he really likes to populate his world with, eh, stuff. I recommended the book to my brother, but he called it slightly boring, which is understandable. It's slow to build, most definitely. I think I might have a very forgiving taste in books, as I didn't believe I would like it after the first hundred or so pages, but I pushed through and I grew very fond of the story and the characters. And it gets better, not worse, which is too often the case with Fantasy.
It's grim, often incredibly dark, so I wouldn't call it a happy ending type of series. It's also really political at times (centering around the book's world, not ours, though for all I know there might be analogues to our own controversies), and not what I would call "in a bad way."
If I had to compare it to something, I think it'd be along the lines of Steven Erikson's "Malazan Book of the Fallen" series. And though I've only read the first book of that one, they do seem similar.
In any case, it's received as beloved a place on my shelf as SoIaF, which says a lot.
Edit: In terms of violence and gore, a fair comparison would be Abercrombie's "The First Law" (thanks for reminding me, posters above). As "bad," if not worse.
Bakker and Erikson are both trained academics - Bakker just finished his doctorate in Philosophy, and Erikson has, I believe, a master's degree in Anthropology. I made my way through the first of Bakker's books, but it was tough. Erikson is a much easier read, but I'm planning on working my way through the rest of Bakker's series at some point.
Am I the only one that is into fantasy that didn't like Steven Erikson's "Malazan Book of the Fallen"? I read the first book and it about killed me to make it through it. I keep thinking I was doing something wrong because I saw it recommended to people who liked other stuff that I loved.
The series seems to get near universal praise.
Tanglebones wrote:Bakker and Erikson are both trained academics - Bakker just finished his doctorate in Philosophy, and Erikson has, I believe, a master's degree in Anthropology. I made my way through the first of Bakker's books, but it was tough. Erikson is a much easier read, but I'm planning on working my way through the rest of Bakker's series at some point.
It shows. For both of them.
I hope you do get back to it. The world is so involved that you really need all three of the first trilogy to appreciate it. And I recognize how preposterous that sentiment is, really, but I guess I just liked it that much.
No, I believe it - I just have a huge backlog of stuff to read, and much less time to read it in, since I've gone from a subway-based commute to a driving commute.
One more that's worth mentioning in the current vein of grimdark fantasy books: Brian Ruckley's Winterbirth series - it's another coming of age gone horribly wrong fantasy story that tends towards beating on its characters too much, but the pacing was good, and I enjoyed all three books.
Brian Ruckley's Winterbirth series - it's another coming of age gone horribly wrong fantasy story that tends towards beating on its characters too much, but the pacing was good, and I enjoyed all three books.
Hadn't heard about him, or it, at all. Thanks, I'll check it out!
Am I the only one that is into fantasy that didn't like Steven Erikson's "Malazan Book of the Fallen"? I read the first book and it about killed me to make it through it. I keep thinking I was doing something wrong because I saw it recommended to people who liked other stuff that I loved.
The series seems to get near universal praise.
I am trying to red the first one. I get the impression that there might be something in there that I would like, if only I would work at it, but I am unsure if I want to put that much work. It's like my wife and mother-in-law, who have said that "you will like brussel sprouts, you just have to eat enough of them*."
*For me, replace them with "the horrid things that taste like I imagine my socks would taste after I did a 6-hour forced march with a 75lb backpack."
Bakker and Erikson are both trained academics - Bakker just finished his doctorate in Philosophy, and Erikson has, I believe, a master's degree in Anthropology. I made my way through the first of Bakker's books, but it was tough. Erikson is a much easier read, but I'm planning on working my way through the rest of Bakker's series at some point.
It shows. For both of them.
I hope you do get back to it. The world is so involved that you really need all three of the first trilogy to appreciate it. And I recognize how preposterous that sentiment is, really, but I guess I just liked it that much.
Am I the only one that is into fantasy that didn't like Steven Erikson's "Malazan Book of the Fallen"? I read the first book and it about killed me to make it through it. I keep thinking I was doing something wrong because I saw it recommended to people who liked other stuff that I loved.
The series seems to get near universal praise.
Nah, I could totally see how you'd think that. And I don't think it's near universal. I've talked to a few that didn't enjoy it at all, but loved "The Darkness That Comes Before." We're all different. And as clichéd as that is, I firmly believe it to be true.
I am trying to red the first one. I get the impression that there might be something in there that I would like, if only I would work at it, but I am unsure if I want to put that much work. It's like my wife and mother-in-law, who have said that "you will like brussel sprouts, you just have to eat enough of them*."
*For me, replace them with "the horrid things that taste like I imagine my socks would taste after I did a 6-hour forced march with a 75lb backpack."
I think what it was is that I don't remember one character in that book I liked or cared about. It's been two or three years maybe since I tried, and I don't think I can remember any of the plot.
It just sounded like something I would like. Just didn't click with me.
mudbunny wrote:I am trying to red the first one. I get the impression that there might be something in there that I would like, if only I would work at it, but I am unsure if I want to put that much work. It's like my wife and mother-in-law, who have said that "you will like brussel sprouts, you just have to eat enough of them*."
*For me, replace them with "the horrid things that taste like I imagine my socks would taste after I did a 6-hour forced march with a 75lb backpack."
I think what it was is that I don't remember one character in that book I liked or cared about. It's been two or three years maybe since I tried, and I don't think I can remember any of the plot.
It just sounded like something I would like. Just didn't click with me.
If you're interested in giving it a shot again at some point, skip Gardens of the Moon, and go straight to Deadhouse Gates - Erikson's much more assured as a writer at that point, and there's not too much plot from the first that you'll miss out on.
I like to think that Glasshouse is set in the same universe/timeline (as Accelerando) though:)
Yes, I suppose it could be...
Accelerando is a bit of a mess, but I enjoyed it. He never really found a good way to end it.
Yeah, it's clear that he took a bunch of short stories and smushed them together into that novel.
If you're interested in giving it a shot again at some point, skip Gardens of the Moon, and go straight to Deadhouse Gates - Erikson's much more assured as a writer at that point, and there's not too much plot from the first that you'll miss out on.
If I stumbled across an audiobook version at the library or on Overdrive, I might try again because I can just absorb and not have to fight reading it. But I don't think I'll try reading the real books again any time soon.
EDIT before posting: I looked at my bookshelf and I actually have Deadhouse Gates sitting there unread. Don't know why I bought it.
Speaking of poetry, I've been enjoying Here, Bullet by Brian Turner recently.
I'm on a bit a Greek mythology kick recently, so to all the fantasy readers who post here, I hugely recommend Christopher Logue's adaptations of the Iliad. These aren't straightforward translations of Homer, but adaptations using contemporary language and metaphor. They're fast-moving, vivid, and in Logue's version the Greek gods are terrifying. I'm also enjoying David Malouf's new novel Ransom, which is essentially the Iliad told from Achilles' perspective.
Have you checked out Songs on Bronze by Nigel Spivey? Very readable, nuanced retellings of some of the classic myths.
Also, Gods Behaving Badly is a fun little beach read.
I'm pretty sure the narrator of the audiobook was.. ill-fitting. I didn't give him a *real* chance, though, but my first impression wasn't good.
Which is a shame, because I love audibooks.
Edit: Audibooks? Odd coupling, that!
Thanks for the recommendations kincher, I'll check those out.
Edit: Audibooks? Odd coupling, that!
Heh, my mom's library has a link to Overdrive on their page and they spelled it "autobooks" (see left side nav). Been that way for a couple of years. But it's a pretty small rural town, so I just find it quaint.
I use her library because they actually are part of a TN cooperative for Overdrive that has better selection than the Nashville library does most of the time. You'd think all library's using Overdrive would have the same selection, but it's not necessarily true.
Thanks for the recommendations kincher, I'll check those out.
My pleasure. I just requested Ransom from the local library. If you are digging that, I think Spivey's book will be right up your alley.
Yeah, whenever the publisher pulls their thumb out and puts it on Kindle, I'll read it. But I'm not going to be blackmailed into buying the hardcover instead.
This one's a bit out of left field, but friend gifted me a Jim Butcher novel after I mentioned liking Dresden. It's called Darkest Hours; the bit that put me off was that it is a Spider-Man book. I love comics, but usually avoid linked novels like the plague.
It's pretty good, as it turns out. It reads a lot like a Dresden book, first person perspective with plenty of character analysis. Peter Parker is written like a more innocent version of Harry. The plot is comic book stuff, set at some non-canon point during J. Michael Straczynski's run, after Amazing Spider-Man 500. Wikipedia can tell you what you need to know.
Peter is partnered with Felicia Hardy, the Black Cat, and the most interesting part of the narrative is the ongoing sub-plot that has her force Peter to analyse how he thinks about and treat his villains. I got into comics as I am obsessed with heroism, so this was right up my street.
Spider that sounds pretty good, I will have to check that out.
Hey guys, hope this isn't too self-serving, I am selling a bunch of the books mentioned here in the trading thread. Coldstream already got a bunch of the Warhammer books, but there are plenty left plus stuff from Abercrombie, Stross, Melville, Huston, etc...
I thought Abercrombie's First Law trilogy was pretty good, just have to get 1/3rd of the way into that first book for it to grab you. A pretty good start for the author, I haven't read his latest book.
The Malazan books are too long in my opinion and overly complicated for no reason. Erikson will go off on a tangent for 75% of a book like in Midnight Tides that finally ties back into the 'main' story near the end. Granted this hasn't stopped me from reading them and I am on the 6th book but I do find myself thinking sometimes 'what is the point of this' or 'just get on with it', not the sign of a great author.
Right now I am reading 'Double Eagle' by Dan Abnett, pretty good stand-alone book about fighter pilots set in Warhammer 40k, but then again all Abnett stuff is good.
Before that I took a chance and read Hobb's 'Soldier Son' trilogy. Had never ready any of her stuff but of course you see it everywhere. Not impressed and I actually quit halfway through the third book and just gave up. Way too much whining and internal dialogue, didn't really care about any of the characters. I only picked up the third book to see if it got any better from the second and it didn't. One of those trilogies that starts out well and then craters.
I always mention it in these threads since it came out - if anyone likes fantasy and has not read Rothfuss's The Name of the Wind yet, go get it. I have not seen anyone say they didn't like it and it is probably the best book I have read in at least two years (after that my memory is fuzzy!).
Been on a bit of a Michael Lewis kick lately. Finished The Blind Side (better than the movie, as are most books) last week and am almost done with Moneyball. Got The Big Short waiting in the wings.
Having downloaded an e-reader app on my android phone this morning, I started reading The Road by Jack London. I'm finding it quite entertaining, which is a surprise, as I generally don't enjoy literature from that era. Perhaps Red Dead Redemption just has me in the right mindset, but it's pretty good.
Been on a bit of a Michael Lewis kick lately. Finished The Blind Side (better than the movie, as are most books) last week and am almost done with Moneyball. Got The Big Short waiting in the wings.
Let us know what you think about Big Short when you're done with it. It's waiting on my to-buy list.
John Dies at the End by David Wong.
Yep, that David Wong.
I read this a long time ago when it was still available for free on the internet. It's this perfect blend of humor and horror, hilarious and creepy all at once.
Before that I took a chance and read Hobb's 'Soldier Son' trilogy. Had never ready any of her stuff but of course you see it everywhere. Not impressed and I actually quit halfway through the third book and just gave up. Way too much whining and internal dialogue, didn't really care about any of the characters. I only picked up the third book to see if it got any better from the second and it didn't. One of those trilogies that starts out well and then craters.
The 'Soldier Son' trilogy is probably her weakest set of books but her first books, the 'Farseer Trilogy' are great. Definitely one of my favourite fantasy series of all time.
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