Kevin's Watch

I found Bank's Look to Windward at the local used bookstore--should I snatch that up asap?

Yeah, some people have difficulties finding Bank's books - of any kind.

I have not read Look to Windward, but Player of Games is definitely a must.

Ryzel,

Good to see you around.

Yes, it has been quite a while now.

Ainulindale wrote:Reading China Mieville's new collection, Looking for Jake.

How is it so far? Is it actually out yet, or did you just get an advance copy?

How is it so far? Is it actually out yet, or did you just get an advance copy?

U.S. version comes out next week. The UK edition (which is also probably the easiest way to get in Hardcover) were made available at Worldcon, which is where I grabbed mine.

I haven't started yet, I have been trying to catch up onr eviews for books I have read in the last couple of weeks the last couple of days. Grrr......

I see that you have a Secret Life avatar

Ainulindale wrote:

How is it so far? Is it actually out yet, or did you just get an advance copy?

U.S. version comes out next week. The UK edition (which is also probably the easiest way to get in Hardcover) were made available at Worldcon, which is where I grabbed mine.

I haven't started yet, I have been trying to catch up onr eviews for books I have read in the last couple of weeks the last couple of days. Grrr......

I see that you have a Secret Life avatar

Cool, thanks for letting me know. I've read all 3 of the Bas-Lag books as well as King Rat, so anything new from Mieville is welcome.

I just started reading "Secret Life" today (and enjoyed the first few stories I've read so far) and I love the cover art, so I figured I'd make a little avatar out of it.

I have just started reading "The Family Trade" by Charles Stross, which features a woman that is transported into an alternate world.

Orphans of Chaos by John C. Wright. I really think he should stick to writing fantasy. Quite good. And The Gate of Gods by Martha Wells. I hope I didn't make the mistake of starting this before reading Elementals which is likely my next delve. Big holiday weekend and start of the fall college football season means reading will diminish a bit over the coming weeks. Luckily not too many more books on my to buy list.

Orphans of Chaos by John C. Wright. I really think he should stick to writing fantasy. Quite good.

I read that a few weeks ago, and your right, I thought it was a fantastic book and can't wait for the sequel, although publisher splits are starting to become bothersome

I'm reading Iain M Banks' The Algebraist.

I read the first chapter a couple of weeks ago and found it kind of hard to get into. However, since I'm a huge fan (after I've finished this, I just have to read Consider Phlebas, which I own, and The Player Of Games, which I don't... and then I've read everything he ever had published), I carried on with it last night.

And it's starting to get good.


(So much for lurking )

Murrin wrote:I'll be starting Jeff VanderMeer's City of Saints and Madmen today.

If you like City of Saints and Madmen, definitely get a hold of "Secret Life". I just finished reading Secret Life (and reviewed it for FBS) and it's absolutely brilliant.

After I read Secret Life, I just had to re-read City, which I'm in the middle of right now.

Hi guys!

I just read Dune: The Butlerian Jihad. . .

Frank Herbert was undoubtedly one of the most prolific creative minds to ever see the light. To say that the man was a genius would be like saying that Harvard and Oxford are good schools. It doesn't begin to do justice to the man and the talented writer he was. The Dune saga will indubitably be considered the monument of science fiction for years to come. And if anything ever surpasses Dune, I just wish to be alive to read it.

In their previous effort, Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson fell short on several levels. Although entertaining, Dune: House Atreides, Dune: House Harkonnen, and Dune: House Corrino never came close to capturing the essence of the original Dune novels. It was neat to return to Herbert's universe and characters, but the books themselves left a lot to be desired.

Which explains why it took me so long to give Dune: The Butlerian Jihad a chance. And what a pleasant surprise to discover that this one more than lives up to the hype. This compelling story about humanity struggling for freedom would certainly have made Frank Herbert proud. With this book, the authors have managed to capture much of the essence of the original Dune series. And that is quite a feat.

Dune: The Butlerian Jihad is, in my humble opinion, the perfect starting point for any newcomers interested in the Dune saga. It is much more accessible than the original series, which could generate interest in a younger fan base that has not yet read the classic novel. And for aficionados, it is quite a treat to see the plotlines that will ultimately converge in Dune.

This book goes back in time: 10, 000 years prior to the events chronicled in Dune. As the title implies, The main story revolves around humanity's rebellion against the thinking machines' tyranny. And it's a multi-layered epic saga which should satisfy most readers.

New concepts such as the evermind, the cymeks, the Cogitors, the Sorceresses of Rossak, the Titans, etc, give another dimension to this tale. And the revelations concerning the Zensunnis and the Zenshiites give us a bit of insight concerning the people who will one day become the fearsome Fremen. And we finally discover what atrocious role the atomic warheads stockpiled on numerous worlds for centuries played in the war against the thinking machines. And just how enormous the price to pay turned out to be. . .

All in all, a terrific novel and a very good addition to the Dune saga. For more, check out the weblog!

Patrick
www.fantasyhotlist.blogspot.com

I think the Dune prequel novels have been compeltely abysmal - I'm sorry Frank!

I finished the first story in City..., Draden, In Love - very good, if a little gruesome. Interesting the switch halfway through - it seems fairly innocent and romantic, and then... well, I don't want to spoil it for anyone.

Re-reading "A Cavern of Black Ice" by J.V. Jones.

Still on City of Saints and Madmen - amazing book; I'm very into it - I even spent an hour and a half last night decyphering the coded paragraph in The Man Who Had No Eyes, heh.

Murrin wrote:Still on City of Saints and Madmen - amazing book

Glad to hear you like it. That was pretty much my reaction as well. VanderMeer's style is definitely very strange, but amazing at the same time.

Reading Grass, by Sheri S.Tepper.

Oh, good! That was my favorite read of last year, LM. How far along are you?