Kurt’s Comments (group member since Jan 11, 2014)

Kurt’s comments from the Beyond Reality group.

I will nominate the Crown of Stars series by Kate Elliott it has seven books in the Crown of Stars series. Book 1 King's Dragon is currently available for $2.99 for Kindle and Apple if that helps.

I'm reading Von Bek by Michael Moorcock. I finished the first story but have taken a break to read Horus Rising by Dan Abnett because I received a copy from NetGalley in exchange for a review. The Warhammer 40K universe the most grim dark of grim dark universes. It's my first Warhammer 40K book so lets see how it works out. After that I'll finish the other book.

I'm reading All You Need Is Kill by Hiroshi Sakurazaka. I finished and ARC for My Beautiful Life by K.J. Parker. The same author behind one of our January 2020 reads.

I did not like this book. It had a ton of mathematical babble and very little story. You can check my review on it. I don't care to read the other two after going through this.

I'm reading The Father of Lies by K J Parker. It's the second short stories collection from the Saloninus universe. The first being Academic Exercises from what I can tell. I finished Paradox Bound which was not fun to me.

For Science Fiction I'll nominate The Collapsing Empire by John Scalzi.

For Fantasy I will second Gloriana by Michael Moorcock.

For Science Fiction I will nominate Lock In by John Scalzi. I picked it up because of a Goodreads recommendation after it was on sale via Amazon and Apple. The story seems like it may be a thriller.

For Fantasy I will nominate A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab. The idea of multiple Londons with differing amounts of magic sounds interesting.

For Fantasy I will nominate The Blue Blazesby Chuck Wendig. An urban supernatural fantasy about someone contending against the underworld while trying to be a good parent.

For Science Fiction I will nominate All You Need Is Kill by Hiroshi Sakurazaka. A book that mixes Groundhogs Day with Starship Troopers sounds like fun summer time reading to me.

I read Made to Kill and Brisk Money both by Adam Christopher this month. I also read Doctor Who: System Wipe by Oli Smith. I'm currently reading an ARC of Steal the Sky by Megan E. O'Keefe it comes out in January 2016.

For Fantasy I will nominate The Grace of Kings by Ken Liu. It's medieval adventure with gods, royals and bandits. But its set in Asia not Europe so how it all comes together should be a fun read.

For Science Fiction I'll nominate Terms of Enlistment by Marko Kloos. A military science fiction story about what someone will do to escape poverty.

For Science Fiction I will nominate Empress of Eternity by L.E. Modesitt Jr.. We should read more classic authors in the group. This book is available on Kindle so it's not hard to find.

For Fantasy I will nominate A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab. It sounds like an interesting premise about different worlds with and without magic.

For Science Fiction I will nominate Count to a Trillion by John C. Wright. The description sounds similar to Interstellar but further in the future. I think this maybe have a better story than that movie.

For Fantasy I'll nominate Warbreaker by Brandon Sanderson. I have not yet read any of Mr. Sanderson s work but this sounds like a good place to start.

I will nominate Defenders by Will McIntosh for Science Fiction. Its sounds like it has some elements from an Avengers or X-Men movie.

I will nominate A Crown for Cold Silver by Alex Marshall for Fantasy. I read it already but I'm reading it again because I enjoy it the first time.

Nick wrote: "Kurt wrote: "Nick wrote: "Kurt wrote: "Justine wrote: "Kurt, isn't The Mechanical sci-fi? I have it on my TBR list and it looks amazing, but it looks pretty squarely sci-fi to me ra..."

Ok, no problem.

Nick wrote: "Kurt wrote: "Justine wrote: "Kurt, isn't The Mechanical sci-fi? I have it on my TBR list and it looks amazing, but it looks pretty squarely sci-fi to me rather than fantasy.

I coul..."

Than I'll nominate The Electric Church by Jeff Somers for Fantasy.

Justine wrote: "Kurt, isn't The Mechanical sci-fi? I have it on my TBR list and it looks amazing, but it looks pretty squarely sci-fi to me rather than fantasy.

I could be wrong, obviously, since ..."

Yeah, I was thinking it was sci-fi as well but the inclusion of alchemy along with the science made me think fantasy.

For Science Fiction I'll nominate Kingdom Come by J.G. Ballard. A future with a mall ,fascist, consumerism run wild and patriotism. It all mixes up for an interesting read.

For Fantasy I'll nominate The Mechanical by Ian Tregillis. When science and alchemy make magical robots what can possibly go wrong? Well, besides everything.

For Fantasy I'll nominate The Dark Tower I: The Gunslinger by Stephen King. This is one of those books that will eventually be an HBO television show. So you might as well read the first book now.

For Science Fiction I nominate Stand on Zanzibar by John Brunner. This book was said to be very close to what was predicted for our time. Why not see how true that is?

It's very ironic that this discussion comes up. I just added the first books in the Malazan series to my to read list. But here's the thing, where do you start? The books of the Malazan Empire are written by Ian C. Esslemont and Steven Erikson. According to Goodreads the Malazan series starts with Forge of Darkness by Erikson as the Kharkanas Trilogy. Than book three is the first book in the Malazan Empire by Esslemont with Night of Knives. Than The Malazan Book of the Fallen starts that series from Erikson. So where would you start? Sorry Candiss I remember the Eternal Champion thing we had a while back. While not as confusing as that was this is still a twister.

Candiss wrote: "Kurt wrote: "For Science Fiction I'll suggest A Darkling Sea by James L. Cambias. It will be released in February 2015 so by April it should be available for everyon..."

Ok, I just saw on the Goodreads page about it that it was being released in lFebruary. I figured they must have had an Advanced Reader Copy for so many people to give it many positive reviews. I didn't realize I was looking at the paperback edition.