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What else are you reading? (September)
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Kelly
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Sep 01, 2009 06:06AM
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I just finished The Well of Ascension by Brandon Sanderson (sequel to last month's fantasy Book of the Month). Thought it was okay - more or less the same strengths and same weaknesses as the first book, but (thankfully) a much better ending.
Now I'm re-reading The Vor Game by Lois McMaster Bujold for the series discussion (that book's discussion will start in exactly 2 weeks).
Now I'm re-reading The Vor Game by Lois McMaster Bujold for the series discussion (that book's discussion will start in exactly 2 weeks).
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Starting The Dark Is Rising.
After that ... perhaps Heroes Die
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I've also been trying to start Simulacron 3. Been wanting to read it for years but I might hold off a little longer until after I reread The Vor Game.
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I'm playing it by ear this month as far as a reading plan. Decided to knock off quite a few short novels this week and next. I'll tackle something longer after the Labor Day weekend.
http://www.goodreads.com/review/list/...
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Finished The Sword and the Flame by Stephen R. Lawhead and gave it 2 stars. Predictable, clichéd, and not very well-written (although I realize it's one of Lawhead's earlier books).
Then dove into The Mountains of Mourning and now starting The Vor Game.
Then dove into The Mountains of Mourning and now starting The Vor Game.
Quiet here --- maybe because of the holiday weekend?
I'm still slogging my way through The Hero of Ages by Brandon Sanderson. I think I should have taken a longer break between books 2 and 3 in this series, because I am just not motivated to read.
I'm still slogging my way through The Hero of Ages by Brandon Sanderson. I think I should have taken a longer break between books 2 and 3 in this series, because I am just not motivated to read.
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I haven't decided what's next. I may start trying to catch up with the Lois McMaster Bujold read by starting Barrayar. I'm not sure.
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Just started The Well of Ascension by Brandon Sanderson. Other than the Miles series and Brokedown Palace by Steven Brust, I will not be reading our BOTMs for a while, so I plan to finish the Mistborn series and then, who knows?
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Has anyone else read this book? I'd be interested in learning how much information about Charles Dickens is accurate.
Regards,
Allan
I finished The Hero of Ages last night. I would have given it two stars, but the ending (the last 20 pages or so) was so stunning that I ended up giving it 3 stars after all.
Normally I'd read SF next, but I have so much fantasy lined up that I think I'll jump right into a quick re-read of Imager by L.E. Modesitt Jr., to refresh my memory for Imager's Challenge. I've also started reading the online serial of Makers by Cory Doctorow on tor.com to get a quick SF fix once in a while.
Normally I'd read SF next, but I have so much fantasy lined up that I think I'll jump right into a quick re-read of Imager by L.E. Modesitt Jr., to refresh my memory for Imager's Challenge. I've also started reading the online serial of Makers by Cory Doctorow on tor.com to get a quick SF fix once in a while.
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You just reminded me that I bought this hardcover new earlier this year. I really need to squeeze it in as I love Modesitt's work.
It's a good solid example of Modesitt's fantasy, so typically his style and his characters that it's almost predictable. Still very good. Book 2 is coming out next month.
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I finished Imager's Challenge by L.E. Modesitt Jr. yesterday. Great second book in what is shaping up to be a good series. Now I'm about 80 pages into Agent of Change by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller, which is a lot of fun so far.
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Still have never read anything by Modesitt... might have to pick something up next time I'm browsing at the used book store.
I'm starting the third book in Brandon Sanderson's Mistborn trilogy. Since I'll be spending some time over the next several days in airports and on airplanes, I'm packing The Golden Key by Melanie Rawn, Jennifer Roberson, and Kate Elliott in case I finish The Hero of Ages.
I'm starting the third book in Brandon Sanderson's Mistborn trilogy. Since I'll be spending some time over the next several days in airports and on airplanes, I'm packing The Golden Key by Melanie Rawn, Jennifer Roberson, and Kate Elliott in case I finish The Hero of Ages.
Kathi, Modesitt can be hit or miss, but if you get any of his standalone SF, you can't miss. And I'm starting to think that this current Imager series may be some of his best fantasy - I'm definitely liking it better than the Corean books and the few Recluce books I've read.
I read the Sanderson trilogy and thought it was merely okay. I thought book 2 was a drag, and book 3 was decent - but the end of that third book was simply amazing. It was a long slog to get to the pay-off though. I still think Elantris is his best book.
I read the Sanderson trilogy and thought it was merely okay. I thought book 2 was a drag, and book 3 was decent - but the end of that third book was simply amazing. It was a long slog to get to the pay-off though. I still think Elantris is his best book.
Stefan, I agree somewhat about the Mistborn books (haven't read Elantris). I really liked Book 1 a LOT but Book 2 felt like a lot of going in circles, raising questions to be answered (I hope) in Book 3. I still gave it 4 stars, but a "7" would maybe have been more accurate.
My review of book 2 is here:
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/68...
I am avoiding the discussion topic about books 2 & 3 in the Mistborn series until I've finished book 3.
My review of book 2 is here:
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/68...
I am avoiding the discussion topic about books 2 & 3 in the Mistborn series until I've finished book 3.
Now I'm about 80 pages into [book:Agent ..."
I loved Agent of Change and the whole story arc of that series. In fact I just reread it last month. The whole highly stylized and mannered Liaden universe appeals to me. I found Agent of Change itself to be entertaining.
I loved Agent of Change and the whole story arc of that series. In fact I just reread it last month. The whole highly stylized and mannered Liaden universe appeals to me. I found Agent of Change itself to be entertaining.
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I'm starting the third book in Brandon Sanderson's Mistb..."
Kathi, I truly loved Jennifer Roberson's contribution to The Golden Key! What a gem of a story - wish there were more of it.
Janny wrote: "Kathi, I truly loved Jennifer Roberson's contribution to The Golden Key! What a gem of a story - wish there were more of it."
As you probably know, there originally were apparently plans for 3 related novels, one by each author. Those plans seem to have died, so I'm reading _The Golden Key_ as a stand-alone when I finish the last Mistborn book.
As you probably know, there originally were apparently plans for 3 related novels, one by each author. Those plans seem to have died, so I'm reading _The Golden Key_ as a stand-alone when I finish the last Mistborn book.
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As you probably know, there originally were apparently..."
The Golden Key does stand alone very well.
The sigh of wonder comes after - I really REALLY wish we could have seen that posited novel sequel by Roberson. That portion stood out prominently, for me. she does not work quickly....I'd heard of her proposal for Karavans way back in the mid nineties, and when it did not appear, had given up on seeing it...but then she finally came out with two books - and the wait proved to be well worth it.
If anyone is not familiar with her work - her Tiger and Del books are fantastic fun, and the point where she truly hit her stride as a writer. She's done a few historicals - I truly enjoyed Lady of the Glen (a retelling of the massacre at Glencoe, done with historic accuracy) and Lady of the Forest (a retelling of Marion/Robinhood with some lovely themes sewn in, where in fact, Robin is post traumatic shock from his war experience, on return from Crusade...a very different perspective on an old folk legend).
The Golden Key and Karavans rank among the best works of fantasy available.
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There is a sequel to Lady of the Forest, Lady of Sherwood.
I actually think Lady of the Glen is the better of the historicals.
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There is a sequel to Lady of the Forest, Lady of Sherwood.
I actually think Lady of the Glen is the better of the historicals."
Chris, I would agree with you there, the Glencoe retelling was better. She based her research on Prebble's nonfiction book, which is extremely well done with regard to accuracy.
And yes, I did read the sequel to the Robinhood tale, thanks for reminding me the book ran to two parts.
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I'm right now about halfway through Making Money by Terry Pratchett, and The Child Thief by Brom, and the odd thing is I'm liking the former a lot LESS and the latter a lot MORE than I thought I would. (This is my first Brom experience as I generally don't do horror, unless tricked.)
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It is, it is! It's pretty dark, more than I'd usually choose for myself, but stories like this make me glad "Peter Pan" is in the public domain. :-D
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(think there's a slight difference between the US and here in the UK on it)
I just saw a page count and I think I'm getting much more text than I expected. It says 496pp! That can't be right can it?
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