Looking for a new book to read
POSTED BY: amygdala
UPDATED: Wednesday, November 30, 2005 04:52
VIEWED: 27073
PAGE 8 of 8
Two good series not mentioned here:
Nancy Springer's Books of Isle: there's five of these and they're fantastic. However, they were published a long time ago and I don't know if you can get them anymore. I got them at a used bookstore.
Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman's Death Gate Cycle: There's seven of these and they're incredibly compelling. Very good work.
Also, if you wanna read something brand spanking new, check out my "Getting Book Published" thread for info on the book I just got published.
I give to you the Seeker of Serenity, the Valkyrie Warrior, the Gourmet Cook and the Truth Scoper.
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Quote:
Originally posted by amygdala:
Just an update on how the reading goes:
* Just caught up with the latest book in the Song of Ice and Fire trilogy (see multiple mentions above): 'A Feast for Crows'. In Martin's own words "This one was a bitch". Well, it's no picnic for readers either. Don't get me wrong - I love this guy, I adore the series. What aSoIaF might lack in the deep and meaningful, it makes up for in an intricate, enthralling plot of betrayal and counter-betrayal, some kick-ass characters, a nice sense of history and some nifty foreshadowing in place from the very first page.
But the series does seem to be slipping out of control. What I believe was originally meant to be four volumes is now likely to become seven (this latest was number four). We've waited almost five years between this book and its predescessor for (wait for it): just half the planned novel. AFfC was to be part of the next book "A Dance With Dragons" until the length became unmanageable. The choice was made to split aDwD into two separate novels, with each book only following characters in certain geographical areas, presumably over the same time period. For good reasons, I'm sure.
So what was wrong? Mostly, it just didn't feel like a whole book. Sure, it's not really meant to be, but that means it lacked that nice sense of semi-completion the others gave as they ended, allowing the wait for the next book to be that much more bearable. Causes probably included the the omitted characters (arguably some of the most interesting), as well as the paucity of significant events that resulted from only a few stories being told. Another big problem for me was the fact that at the end of the book, several characters were left in fairly dire situations, and I find the thought that these might only be resolved two books later fairly infuriating.
I think my negative reaction is due in part to the previous novel "A Storm of Swords", which was just brilliant. My expectations were high, and you can't get it so right all the time. I do have to say though, that this latest novel also *felt* wrong in places, the writing seemed to lack the subtlety of previous volumes. But I guess there is the possibility that this is an intentional phenomenon - as the story progresses, secrets are revealed.
I kinda had mostly the same response to AFFC becoz where's Jon, Bran, Stannis and Beric while knowing at the same time in the back of my head they'll be in the next book. However, that was nothing compared t o the fact we'll have to wait two more books before the story continues from AFFC.
Still, ihave beilief that Martin will wrap up the series in 6/7 books strongly just base on books 1-3 (i really think everyone should dowhat Martin suggested on his site, which is to get Crows and Dragons (the next, as yet unfinished book yet overlapping Crows) when it comes out and exacto the pages and put chapters in the order we like (put Bran after Cersei, then Jon, you get what i mean).
I've just finished reading the Merchant Princes, bk 1 & 2 by Charles Stross ( The Family Trade and The Hidden Family), and i highly recommend it for its take on contemporary urban/modern alternate world fantasy. Its got computers, airships (bk 2), world hopping and explosions. Well, plot and storywise, it starts out strongly, has a strong lead and secondary characters but meanders for the last last half of Bk 1 and most of Bk 2. I'm eagerly awaiting the continuatio/conclusion (not sure if its a trilogy/open ended series).
Stay crunchy. even in milk.
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Someone mentioned it allready but I thought I would second "American Gods" by Neil Gaiman a truly amazing book that has become a favorite of mine.
a sequal also recently came out entitled "Aninsi Boys" also a joy to read
not exactly fantasy or sci-fi but at the moment I'm reading "the snow fox" by a women name susan Schaffer, I'll pretty much eat up an medievel asian period novel
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I love all the Dan Brown books.
On the recomendation of others here, I ordered the first George R.R. Martin Book.
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Oh, Dan Brown, definatly!
Don't know if it's been mention, but Simon R. Green has a series. Called "The Nightside Series," I think. Some sci-fi--though, sadly, not much--and some really odd fantasy bits.
It's my 2 cents worth, though I have more than 2 cents....Not with me! But in my dresser drawer, where you'll never be able to find it. So there.
...
Wow..I'm really tired. 
Cheers,
~ForeverShiny~
~~~~~~~~~~~
Can't stop the signal!
"No, Cap'n, I think it's shiny!"--Kaylee, o'course.
"Yeah, but she's our witch, so cut her the hell down." --Mal in "Safe."
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well I've come to love anything done by Michael Stackpole and R.A. Salvatore. Mostly fantacy but Stackpole wrote a lot in both the Battletech and Star Wars universe. Also Highly recomend Webers' Honor Harington series. Just finished the newest book. I loved it from the getgo, there is more character development as time goes on.
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David Webber, the Honor Harrington series
Rober Jordan, the Wheel of Time series
Terry Pratchett, the Discworld series
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Just did a quick browse of everyone's recommendations, and I only have one question. Doesn't anybody else here read Anne McCaffrey? Her Dragonrider series is my favorite, but she also writes some other fascinating stuff involving telepathy and telekenisis (The Damia series). And, IMHO, her "Ship Who ..." series is a thought provoking look at how people with physical impairments might live in the far off future. Her "Dinosaur Planet" series deals with cryogenics. If you like Elizabeth Moon, you should probably read this series since she co-authored two of the later ones.
I also second the recommendations for the Honor Harrington series. I read the first two or three, and really enjoyed them. Ended up getting side-tracked (so many books, so little time), but plan to go back to them someday.
Diana Gabaldon is definitely more historical romance than scifi/fantasy, but enjoyable nonetheless. Especially if you like Scottish history.
That's my 2 cents worth. You can take it or leave it, as you please.
"I love my captain."
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