What fantasy/science fiction book are you reading RIGHT NOW?

Post by **duchess of malfi** » Fri May 09, 2003 11:50 pm

Yes, I also find Martin to be addictive! Now hurry along, Good Ser, so you can join our Storm of Swords group read!

I've got to read those Pullman books someday -- I keep hearing lots and lots of good things about them!

Post by **Bannor** » Sat May 10, 2003 3:28 am

I'm anxiously awaiting the arrival of The Drowning World by Alan Dean Foster: author of Midworld and the Flinx books. Wonderful stuff!

Post by **Lord Mhoram** » Sat May 10, 2003 3:20 pm

Ser Mhoram...has a certain ring to it!

Post by **duchess of malfi** » Sun May 11, 2003 3:33 pm

That's because you are a true knight!

Post by **Lord Mhoram** » Sun May 11, 2003 4:13 pm

I'm thinking of making my title The Protector of Lord's Keep after this title.

Post by **Ryzel** » Sun May 11, 2003 6:22 pm

Bannor wrote:I'm anxiously awaiting the arrival of The Drowning World by Alan Dean Foster: author of Midworld and the Flinx books. Wonderful stuff!

I read some AD Foster myself, although I must say that the quality is variable. Personally I like Midworld, Icerigger, Nor Crystal Tears and Prism the best. The Flinx books are good, but the best one is probably The Tar-Aiym Krang.

Post by **duchess of malfi** » Mon May 12, 2003 10:23 pm

I finished up Kiln People while waiting for my power to come back this morning and think I'll start Firebrand by Marion Zimmer Bradley next. It's the novelization of the myths about Cassandra, a figure in both the Trojan War and the Oresteia.

Post by **duchess of malfi** » Wed May 21, 2003 4:41 am

I really enjoyed Firebrand by Marion Zimmer Bradley, now I'm moving on to Damnation Alley by Zelazny.

Post by **Lord Mhoram** » Wed May 21, 2003 7:50 pm

A Storm of Swords. I'm pacing myself, awaiting A Feast for Crows.

Post by **danlo** » Wed May 21, 2003 11:51 pm

We're prob at the same place in Storm of Swords, which I finally stared reading again after being lost in TIW & TOT...

Post by **duchess of malfi** » Sat May 24, 2003 2:49 am

The latest round of rumors over at ASOIAF indicate anywhere from another six months to A Feast For Crows to Martin only be about halfway finished writing it. So who knows when it will appear?

I finished Roger Zelazny's Damnation Alley and have moved on to rereading another book by the same author, Creatures of Light and Darkness, which might be one of the weirdest books ever written -- but also incredibly creative and cool. Who cares if you have to do multiple reads to figure out what in blazes is going on?

Post by **Dromond** » Mon May 26, 2003 4:46 am

Picked up 1st edition Foundations' Edge In the used book store Saturday. Reading the series again now. I just love the way Asimov ties everything together in his later books.

Post by **duchess of malfi** » Mon May 26, 2003 6:38 pm

I'm nearly done with the Zelazny book, I'm probably going to start a YA series called the Song of the Lioness by Tamora Pierce next...

Post by **Damelon** » Sat May 31, 2003 12:18 am

I was browsing around at Borders on my lunch hour. Of course I had to buy something since, when walking in, they handed me a paper bag giving me 10% off on any books purchased. I bought Iain Banks' Excession. I had read Consider Phlebas, by Banks, and liked it. So I thought I'd give it a shot.

Post by **duchess of malfi** » Sat May 31, 2003 12:57 am

Damelon, how was The Forever War? Amazon keeps recommending that one to me, too...
I've moved on to Tales From Watership Down, a short-story collection and sequel to the novel. I am enjoying it!

Post by **Earthfriend** » Sat May 31, 2003 1:38 am

Hi duchess!

duchess of malfi wrote:I'm nearly done with the Zelazny book, I'm probably going to start a YA series called the Song of the Lioness by Tamora Pierce next...

Creatures of Light and Darkness is great!

The way that guys mind worked - trully inspired! Have you read 'Lord of Light'? Wonderful book

Also i understand you are a huge Martin fan. Have you read 'Tuf Voyaging'? I think it's one of his very best, and way ahead of its time

By the by, ive just finished the first of the Alanna books - i had to read it for a uni subject (Kid's Lit.) I can see why they are so popular with YA's, but i found some of it's implicit ideologies quite disturbing. Have you read it yet, if so what do you think?

Post by **duchess of malfi** » Sat May 31, 2003 3:11 am

Earthfriend, I love both Zelazny and Martin. Of Martin I have read ASOIAF, and have recently purchased Windhaven, which I hope to read soon...I have not read the book that you mentioned, but maybe someday...and of Zelazny, I have read Lord of Light and think it's an absolutely wonderful read!

The Song of the Lioness irritated me somewhat. The main character had too many things going for her -- she seemed to be more of a superhero than a girl. It's not enough that she trains to be a fighter and a knight, does she really have to a magic user and a healer, too? I am also tired of the fantasy cliche of the character who happens to make his living as a thief, but is secretly a noble and heroic man. Bilbo was great -- but he wasn't really a thief either...but somehow the noble thief has become a fantasy staple. I also wish Allanna could have found a way to defeat the bully by using her brains rather than physical fighting. And dirty street fighting at that...but I think my main complaint is that I had wanted to read something light and fun, and this wasn't. I should have read something by Terry Pratchett instead!!

Post by **Brinn** » Sat May 31, 2003 3:26 pm

I'm reading Erickson's "Deadhouse Gates". Enjoying it more than "Gardens of the Moon" which didn't blow me away like I thought it would. Well worth delving into the sequel but not the spectacular read I was looking for....It was incredibly dense and may fare better after a reread or two.

Post by **Lord Mhoram** » Sat May 31, 2003 3:37 pm

Earthfriend--my link, Endless Shadows, is a Roger Zelazny board!

Post by **Earthfriend** » Sun Jun 01, 2003 2:39 am

duchess of malfi wrote:Earthfriend, I love both Zelazny and Martin. Of Martin I have read ASOIAF, and have recently purchased Windhaven, which I hope to read soon...I have not read the book that you mentioned, but maybe someday...and of Zelazny, I have read Lord of Light and think it's an absolutely wonderful read!
The Song of the Lioness irritated me somewhat. The main character had too many things going for her -- she seemed to be more of a superhero than a girl.... I also wish Allanna could have found a way to defeat the bully by using her brains rather than physical fighting.

I'll be interested to hear what you think of Windhaven, duchess. I found it a difficult but rewarding read, though i generally don't like collaborations. If you ever see 'Tuf Voyaging' anywhere it will probably be in a secondhand store - BUY IT IMMEDIATELY!!! I think you'll really love it

As to Alanna, i couldn't agree with you more! I thought Alanna was your standard, male fantasy hero, with a few 'bits' missing

And i, too, think that the lesson it has for its readers - namely, that conformity and violence is the answer - is quite inappropriate for YA's.

Kevin's Watch

Kevin's Watch

What fantasy/science fiction book are you reading RIGHT NOW?