I'm reading Gemmel's Echoes of the Great Song. Again.
(I would love to have a TBR pile...
)--A
What fantasy/science fiction book are you reading RIGHT NOW?
Moderator: I'm Murrin
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I'm Murrin
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Just finished Naomi Novik's upcoming Empire of Ivory.
Last year, Naomi Novik burst into the fantasy scene with three highly entertaining novels which earned her the John W. Campbell Award. Temeraire/His Majesty's Dragon, Throne of Jade, and Black Powder War were a veritable breath of fresh air in an otherwise often stagnating genre, each installment showing more potential than its predecessor. Using the Napoleonic Wars as a backdrop, Novik revitalized the oldest cliché in fantasy -- the dragons. And in so doing, she created something fresh, hip and extremely original.
Hence, it was somewhat of a tall order to follow this up. Indeed, Empire of Ivory needed to live up to the high expectations generated by the first three volumes in the series. And once more, Naomi Novik, writing with the skills of a veteran and with remarkable panache, rose to the occasion!
A tragedy has struck His Majesty's Aerial Corps. An epidemic of unknown origin is decimating the dragons' fleet, forcing most of the survivors into quarantine. Which leaves England virtually defenseless against Bonaparte's encroaching armies. As France's sorties become bolder and more frequent with each passing day, it's up to Laurence and Temeraire, along with a few uninfected dragons, to find a cure to the deadly contagion. Their mission takes them to distant Africa, where they believe a cure might be discovered. Yet in the heart of that mysterious continent lies a secret which could change everything. . .
Once again, Novik builds on existing storylines and comes up with a number of fascinating new plotlines. In previous reviews I claimed that some facets of Novik's earlier Temeraire novels hinted at a lot more depth than meets the eye. And Empire of Ivory demonstrates that it is indeed the case, and no doubt about it.
Check out the blog for the full review!
Patrick
www.fantasyhotlist.blogspot.com
Last year, Naomi Novik burst into the fantasy scene with three highly entertaining novels which earned her the John W. Campbell Award. Temeraire/His Majesty's Dragon, Throne of Jade, and Black Powder War were a veritable breath of fresh air in an otherwise often stagnating genre, each installment showing more potential than its predecessor. Using the Napoleonic Wars as a backdrop, Novik revitalized the oldest cliché in fantasy -- the dragons. And in so doing, she created something fresh, hip and extremely original.
Hence, it was somewhat of a tall order to follow this up. Indeed, Empire of Ivory needed to live up to the high expectations generated by the first three volumes in the series. And once more, Naomi Novik, writing with the skills of a veteran and with remarkable panache, rose to the occasion!
A tragedy has struck His Majesty's Aerial Corps. An epidemic of unknown origin is decimating the dragons' fleet, forcing most of the survivors into quarantine. Which leaves England virtually defenseless against Bonaparte's encroaching armies. As France's sorties become bolder and more frequent with each passing day, it's up to Laurence and Temeraire, along with a few uninfected dragons, to find a cure to the deadly contagion. Their mission takes them to distant Africa, where they believe a cure might be discovered. Yet in the heart of that mysterious continent lies a secret which could change everything. . .
Once again, Novik builds on existing storylines and comes up with a number of fascinating new plotlines. In previous reviews I claimed that some facets of Novik's earlier Temeraire novels hinted at a lot more depth than meets the eye. And Empire of Ivory demonstrates that it is indeed the case, and no doubt about it.
Check out the blog for the full review!
Patrick
www.fantasyhotlist.blogspot.com
I hope the Gap and Earthsea reads don't overlap with the release of SRD's COTC3V2, due in October if I remember correctly!Avatar wrote:Me too.frankELF wrote:In anticipation of the Gap reading group starting, I'm rereading The Real Story, by SRD.
And Wizard of Earthsea for the Hangar Earthsea read. *sigh*
--A
Kokopelli would be a cool avatar for me.
Trees, by Joyce Kilmer
- I think that I shall never see,
- A poem as lovely as a tree. (STOP READING poem FOREVER, here! Go look OUTDOORS.)
Trees, by Joyce Kilmer
- I think that I shall never see,
- A poem as lovely as a tree. (STOP READING poem FOREVER, here! Go look OUTDOORS.)
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Prince of Amber
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It seems we are on parallel paths in this parallel universe. I'm on to Forbidden Knowledge now also.Avatar wrote:Oh they do.
Anyway, onwards and upwards...onto Forbidden Knowledge.
--A
By the way, there is no truth to the non-existent rumor that the never-written 6th book of the series was to be named - The Gap into Spark Plugs.
Ahem!
Kokopelli would be a cool avatar for me.
Trees, by Joyce Kilmer
- I think that I shall never see,
- A poem as lovely as a tree. (STOP READING poem FOREVER, here! Go look OUTDOORS.)
Trees, by Joyce Kilmer
- I think that I shall never see,
- A poem as lovely as a tree. (STOP READING poem FOREVER, here! Go look OUTDOORS.)
[Mod Edit: Fatal Revenant reviews may contain spoilers for the novel. Read at own risk.]
I was eager to read the second volume of The Last Chronicles of Thomas Covenant. Though a vast introduction, The Runes of the Earth, with its cliffhanger ending, left fans begging for more. Hence, I couldn't wait to return to the Land once more, and see where Fatal Revenant would take this tale.
The sequel begins right where The Runes of the Earth ended. But if you are hoping for a happy reunion between Linden and Thomas Covenant and her son Jeremiah, you are obviously not familiar with Stephen R. Donaldson's work. Revelations are made that will break Linden's heart, and she must find the strength within herself to persevere.
As was the case with the previous trilogies in the Covenant saga, Donaldson's narrative conjures up vivid and magical images. Vast in scope and vision, Fatal Revenant answers many questions that were raised by its predecessor.
I truly enjoyed the manner with which the author brought Fatal Revenant to a close, even though it is more or less anti-climatic and yet another cliffhanger. I expect some readers to find this off-putting, but I thought it was apropos to end it in such a fashion.
Given the author's career, I was expecting a bit more character growth in this second volume. And yet, other than where Stave is concerned, there is not much growth to speak of. Still, since Linden and her companions find themselves into dire straits at every turn, this might explain why. . .
One facet of this novel which could have been better is the pace. Donaldson's Covenant books have never been known for their fast-paced narrative, but various portions of Fatal Revenant are sluggish and break the overall rhythm of the story.
Nevertheless, fans of the Thomas Covenant saga should love this new installment.
Fatal Revenant is for aficionados who crave high fantasy tales with depth and substance.
Check out the blog for the full review!
Patrick
www.fantasyhotlist.blogspot.com
I was eager to read the second volume of The Last Chronicles of Thomas Covenant. Though a vast introduction, The Runes of the Earth, with its cliffhanger ending, left fans begging for more. Hence, I couldn't wait to return to the Land once more, and see where Fatal Revenant would take this tale.
The sequel begins right where The Runes of the Earth ended. But if you are hoping for a happy reunion between Linden and Thomas Covenant and her son Jeremiah, you are obviously not familiar with Stephen R. Donaldson's work. Revelations are made that will break Linden's heart, and she must find the strength within herself to persevere.
As was the case with the previous trilogies in the Covenant saga, Donaldson's narrative conjures up vivid and magical images. Vast in scope and vision, Fatal Revenant answers many questions that were raised by its predecessor.
I truly enjoyed the manner with which the author brought Fatal Revenant to a close, even though it is more or less anti-climatic and yet another cliffhanger. I expect some readers to find this off-putting, but I thought it was apropos to end it in such a fashion.
Given the author's career, I was expecting a bit more character growth in this second volume. And yet, other than where Stave is concerned, there is not much growth to speak of. Still, since Linden and her companions find themselves into dire straits at every turn, this might explain why. . .
One facet of this novel which could have been better is the pace. Donaldson's Covenant books have never been known for their fast-paced narrative, but various portions of Fatal Revenant are sluggish and break the overall rhythm of the story.
Nevertheless, fans of the Thomas Covenant saga should love this new installment.
Fatal Revenant is for aficionados who crave high fantasy tales with depth and substance.
Check out the blog for the full review!
Patrick
www.fantasyhotlist.blogspot.com
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aliantha
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Hmm, should this review be in the FR forum? I don't see any spoilers, but I admit that I didn't get too close. And we have some Watchers who are *very* sensitive about FR spoilers...
And we have some Watchers who are *very* sensitive about FR spoilers...
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Sorry, but since this post is the same as all of Pat's others in this thread--and since he's mentioned the review in other forums already--I don't think it needs any different treatment. I'll put a note at the top for the benefit of those who are less forgiving of spoilers than I am, but I'm leaving it here.
Almost done with 'Salem's Lot. A bit of a grind in parts, and wonderfully scary in other parts, overall enjoyable.
But after watching 7 seasons of Buffy and 5 seasons of Angel I'm kinda all Vampire-d out.
Once I'm done with the 'Lot, it'll be time to continue my journey to the Dark Tower with DT5, Wolves of the Calla.
But after watching 7 seasons of Buffy and 5 seasons of Angel I'm kinda all Vampire-d out.
Once I'm done with the 'Lot, it'll be time to continue my journey to the Dark Tower with DT5, Wolves of the Calla.
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*nod*
You will understand why you had to read Salem's Lot, duke. That is one connection you're pretty much hit over the head with.
I like your turn of phrase there.
Following Fist's list, I am beginning the third book in Le Guin's Earthsea series, The Farthest Shore, while preparing to write a dissection of the 5th chapter of the first book in the series, A Wizard of Earthsea, for the group read over on the Hangar.
...I am curious how much of said chapter will have flown right past me, being a virgin to the series and not knowing future events others already know...
You will understand why you had to read Salem's Lot, duke. That is one connection you're pretty much hit over the head with.
*grin*duke wrote:Once I'm done with the 'Lot, it'll be time to continue my journey to the Dark Tower with DT5, Wolves of the Calla.
I like your turn of phrase there.
Following Fist's list, I am beginning the third book in Le Guin's Earthsea series, The Farthest Shore, while preparing to write a dissection of the 5th chapter of the first book in the series, A Wizard of Earthsea, for the group read over on the Hangar.
...I am curious how much of said chapter will have flown right past me, being a virgin to the series and not knowing future events others already know...
