What fantasy/science fiction book are you reading RIGHT NOW?
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Oh, ok.
So...
Without spoilers, I found the first series to be the worst.
I read them chronologically instead of in publication order. (Thanks Fist. )
Intervention, then the "Jack The Bodiless" series, and only then the Pleistocene series.
They work much better that way, you're more invested, and the later writing is better too...
--A
So...
Without spoilers, I found the first series to be the worst.
I read them chronologically instead of in publication order. (Thanks Fist. )
Intervention, then the "Jack The Bodiless" series, and only then the Pleistocene series.
They work much better that way, you're more invested, and the later writing is better too...
--A
- peter
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Am very excited. Very! For the first time in years I've started on a series that truly floats my boat in the fantasy sense. I'm two thirds through the first book in the Sword of Shadows series by J V Jones and it's great. It's a sort of blend of almost historical dark-ages fantasy with elements of paganism and barbarian stuff thrown in; pretty adult in nature but enough sorcery in there for it to satisfy the fullest of full on fantasy buff. A great quest saga with all of the elements in place, but used to great effect and often with a twist (the use of sorcery for example is dangerous - very dangerous - to the user (to the point where it can tear them apart, physically). I just love its adult and realistic playing of the old tropes. If magic and sorcery were real things in the world, this is what it would be like!
Your politicians screwed you over and you are suprised by this?
....and the glory of the world becomes less than it was....
'Have we not served you well'
'Of course - you know you have.'
'Then let it end.'
We are the Bloodguard
....and the glory of the world becomes less than it was....
'Have we not served you well'
'Of course - you know you have.'
'Then let it end.'
We are the Bloodguard
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I re-read the Arawn Cycle and enjoyed it so much that I'm reading a sequel trilogy, the Galand Cycle. Lots of fast-moving adventure, very good character development, and a cool magical element that "works" in an intriguing way, you get really interested in the main character figuring out how to do new stuff. There are two more books out in the series, and then prequels... I am surprised this author doesn't get more attention. He seems incredibly prolific, and the series I'm reading keeps getting better. A lot of series start pooping out around book 4 1/2 or so, but reviews confirm that Robertson is on a roll with this one.
I re-read the Arawn Cycle and enjoyed it so much that I'm reading a sequel trilogy, the Galand Cycle. Lots of fast-moving adventure, very good character development, and a cool magical element that "works" in an intriguing way, you get really interested in the main character figuring out how to do new stuff. There are two more books out in the series, and then prequels... I am surprised this author doesn't get more attention. He seems incredibly prolific, and the series I'm reading keeps getting better. A lot of series start pooping out around book 4 1/2 or so, but reviews confirm that Robertson is on a roll with this one.
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ahhhh... if only all our creativity in wickedness could be fixed by "Corrupt a Wish." - Linna Heartlistener
ahhhh... if only all our creativity in wickedness could be fixed by "Corrupt a Wish." - Linna Heartlistener
- Fist and Faith
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Yeah, takes place in the year 2069. An incorruptible career diplomat for the United States named Benton Hawkes had just brokered a fair deal between economic rivals Australia and New Zealand, which angers the U.S. Senate Majority Leader Michael Carri, who stood to profit handsomely from a deal more tilted in favor of New Zealanders.Fist and Faith wrote:Is it scifi? Space combat?
So, Senator Carri lets Hawkes know he wants to send him to negotiate a very nasty, violent, labor dispute happening within the mining complexes on Mars. Carri yells at Hawkes that the Earth's economy will be ruined if the flow of materials from Mars is halted, and that it's Hawkes' duty to go to Mars and settle matters. Author Shatner doesn't come right out and say it, but one gets the feeling Carri wouldn't mind if Hawkes got killed on that mission.
Hawkes refuses Carri, and retreats to his mountain estate for some rest, but militia people of unknown affiliation invade his compound with the treacherous help of Hawkes' government-supplied aide. Hawkes and his loyal employees kill the aide and the militia people, but at the cost of more than half of Hawkes' employees dead, Hawkes' mansion and barns burned down, and Hawkes' beloved black Laborador retriever cut into two pieces by rapid weapon fire from the treacherous aide.
So Hawkes is mad enough to go to Mars, thinking he'll find out there who was behind this invasion. While on a transport ship to Mars, he discovers the government gave him a new aide, Dina Martel, that he is reluctant to trust, and halfway to Mars the transport ship is attacked by invaders who board the transport ship wielding high-voltage metal staffs and also swords (yes, swords, which aren't electrified). That's where I'm at, halfway through the book.
[Shatner can't make me love the characters like Anne McCaffrey could have, nor can he plot with the creative tension of someone like Ray Bradbury. But, it's not too bad. I'll keep reading.]
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Have progressed on to the second book in J V Jones' Sword of Shadows series, namely A Fortress of Grey Ice.
I'm just blown away by this series. I've never read any of her material before and I'm stunned that something this good could have slipped under my radar. The series has been out for twenty years now and should in any fair world be a household name up there with JK.
She has another series in print, The Book of Words that I will most definitely be checking out.
I'm just blown away by this series. I've never read any of her material before and I'm stunned that something this good could have slipped under my radar. The series has been out for twenty years now and should in any fair world be a household name up there with JK.
She has another series in print, The Book of Words that I will most definitely be checking out.
Your politicians screwed you over and you are suprised by this?
....and the glory of the world becomes less than it was....
'Have we not served you well'
'Of course - you know you have.'
'Then let it end.'
We are the Bloodguard
....and the glory of the world becomes less than it was....
'Have we not served you well'
'Of course - you know you have.'
'Then let it end.'
We are the Bloodguard
- Fist and Faith
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- peter
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I've been picking up the Sword of Shadows series for around 3 dollars a pop on eBay. Best 3 dollars I've spent in a long time. First book is called 'A cavern of Black Ice' in case anyone is tempted to give it a whirl. I'm halfway through the second book in the series and am amazed at the author's inventiveness. Reminds me much of Donaldson's ability to keep coming up with really interesting sub-groups of people. On the strength of the first two books I give this series an A* rating.
Your politicians screwed you over and you are suprised by this?
....and the glory of the world becomes less than it was....
'Have we not served you well'
'Of course - you know you have.'
'Then let it end.'
We are the Bloodguard
....and the glory of the world becomes less than it was....
'Have we not served you well'
'Of course - you know you have.'
'Then let it end.'
We are the Bloodguard
- Fist and Faith
- Magister Vitae
- Posts: 23742
- Joined: Sun Dec 01, 2002 8:14 pm
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https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B004XMQU ... b004xmqub4
First of a great 4-book series.
First of a great 4-book series.
All lies and jest
Still a man hears what he wants to hear
And disregards the rest -Paul Simon
Still a man hears what he wants to hear
And disregards the rest -Paul Simon