Fantasy Book Club Series discussion

and here we are with a brand new fix!


I have to admit I am having a little trouble getting my brain wrapped around all this...Maybe there is just a plethora of characters right now, but I am having trouble connecting.

Hopefully once the action starts up it will be a bigger hook!

How far in are you? That doesn't sound like a typical Abercrombie start.

Lee wrote: "How far in are you? That doesn't sound like a typical Abercrombie start."

Not a typical start. He usually starts small and pans out. This book we're thrown right into a larger stage with a larger cast. But this book appears to be a more direct continuation of the events of the original trilogy while Best Served Cold was a completely different story. So in that sense there's no hand holding. We know the geography. We know who the major players are - and we see a few of them pretty early and then on top of that we have some new POV characters - and we are introduced to them rather quickly as well. Very little orientation which is fine if you've read the First Law Trilogy.

I can understand what you're saying Maggie. My feathers got a little ruffled because I wanted the book to stick with our little clique of original characters - but now we got these new guys and I don't know if they're going to be good as the old guys. And the old guys I like don't look like being POV characters this book, so I feel rejected. Damn you Abercrombie for making me care about your characters so much!

some of them are growing on me though! It seems we see the old crew only for seconds here and there, mostly to introduce the new people...Gorst is here though, and though we didnt really see things from his POV before, it's good to know him better

Maggie wrote: "some of them are growing on me though! It seems we see the old crew only for seconds here and there, mostly to introduce the new people...Gorst is here though, and though we didnt really see thing..."

Calder and Gorst look like being interesting characters yes. I'm listening to the Audible version. Gorst's high pitched voice really comes off...high pitched. Which is funny as Gorst is actually a master swordsmen and probably more of a hard killer than anyone. The characterization is good as ever. We just start with a bigger cast pretty early.

What about Stranger-come-Knocking? I like how he complains about the Northmen being all about violence. Abercrombie's humour is sharp as ever.

Stole this quote off someone else's update, but it belongs here.

"‘Armour …’ mused Whirrun, licking a finger and scrubbing some speck of dirt from the pommel of his sword, ‘is part of a state of mind … in which you admit the possibility … of being hit.’"

Finishing Mistborn tonight and will start this.

Very excited, i bought the book yesterday and it's smiling at me every time i walk into my living room. but i want to finish Lonesome Dove first. So i'll join probably this weekend!

Lee wrote: "Finishing Mistborn tonight and will start this."

Will be interested in your final verdict. You seem to be enjoying this book more than the previous 2

Hanne wrote: "Very excited, i bought the book yesterday and it's smiling at me every time i walk into my living room. but i want to finish Lonesome Dove first. So i'll join probably this weekend!"

Where in the world am I going to stick Lonesome Dove into my reading schedule!?!

LoL
Look at us Hanne, we are actually running late on the read after all the impatience of waiting.

David, book three is very good, the best in the trilogy by a mile. I am really enjoying the last half, it has many interesting things being revealed. It is hard to imagine that this evolved from the vanilla story of book one. Definately a four star read.

@David: i think you can fit it right between Heroes and Red country ;)

@Lee: yes yes, the danger of not reading series back-to-back is that you get sidetracked by other shiny things!

Hanne wrote: "@David: i think you can fit it right between Heroes and Red country ;)"

Oh that's sounds so Abercrombie. Unfortunately the exact same shiny thing that distracted Lee has already inserted itself into the suggested location.

Phew just finished that shiny thing.
I am so happy I gave it another go. I only started it again because I was on a plane and nothing else took my fancy on my kindle.

Right now on to The Heroes. Tomorrow.

Awesome fight scene at the end of this part. Is Abercrombie getting better or what?

Calder looks like he's made some nice friends. Always good to have a psychopath or two watching your back - I think.

you stray onto the details again, Lord Marshal. Masons and architects and so forth, did I speak about that?

Hello Bayez. If this not some of the best character writing I have EVER read, then I don't know what is.
He has me hanging off every word. AWESOME!

Calder is a surprise character already, I like him.

Lee wrote: " Hello Bayez. If this not some of the best character writing I have EVER read, then I don't know what is."

Agreed, and its ruining the other two fantasy books I'm reading at the same time. That will teach me to have 3 books in the same genre going at once.

Oh well, it will change tomorrow when I start Hamilton's Judas Unchained. Then there's also that lonely western on my bookshelf after that maybe.

Calder looks like being a standout character. Northern politics is a lot more complex than you think if you ask the question "Why doesn't Black Dow just kill him?"

You reading judas in a group? I want o read that too. But I also need to finish Under Heaven.

I think black Dow is certainty risking much keeping Bethods sons around, so assuming he has motives, I guess he didn't kill their Dad and he did dispose of nine fingers. Who knows with these Northmen. Some of Dows Carl's are pretty grim though.

Lee wrote: "I think black Dow is certainty risking much keeping Bethods sons around"

Yes, I'm pretty sure he's not doing it from the goodness of his heart. He would prefer NOT to keep them around I think. Bethod was liked, so possibly killing his sons wouldn't be too popular, and maybe Black Dow isn't politically secure enough to just off them without creating internal problems from tenuous allies and competitors. And Calder's father in law is a named man - so that gives him a slight measure of protection. At least his father in law won't stab him in the back. Maybe just look away while someone else does.

David Sven wrote: "You reading judas in a group? I want o read that too. But I also need to finish Under Heaven."

Not a group read. I don't have to start it yet. I can keep going with Legend until you're ready if you like. I also have the first book in The Vorkosigan saga to check out as well. When you ready I can just shift that to my lunch read and then start Judas. No rush.

Well that was a great start to he book. Loving it. Straight back into where we lest off the trilogy. I think northmen are giving us some great characters once again. Calder is fast becoming a fav, especially when you see him using his smirk and sharp tongue. You start to feel that he is one of the better men around (view spoiler)[ then he considers mercy for the boy holding the horses, but just says "kill him" (hide spoiler)].

David you are right, Black Dow can't afford to kill Calder with his family connections and so I think he is putting Calder in front of his other Carl's so that they'll make that decision or him. Ten ways seems an obvious choice for being sucked in to become the scapegoat to arrange his death.

So we have a new amazing untraditional fighting machine! Whirrun, with his father of swords and no armor. Abercrombie likes his ninjas doesn't he.

Not sure what role Brener van Gorst is going to play, but he is being set up for a messy ending I think.

Craw is a good character, reminds me of Dogman actually. What about this stranger come knocking!? Be interesting to learn more about these giants.

Steven Pacey's portrayal of Bremer is quite good. He has a normal voice for Bremer's inner voice, and then a high squeaky voice for his actual voice and the two going back and forth is a laugh. Not sure it would come off the same just reading it.

What about this stranger come knocking!?

Critter-come-boasting? Yeah. Pacey uses a similar accent to Friendly in the last book. Except a lot more forceful. Actually Pacey goes nuts when Black Dow is doing his nut - Brilliant. I'm going to make you want the audio version now aren't I?

Yes, I must admit to enjoying best served cold on audio. But I do miss being able to highlight quotes. I never remember the bits I like on audio.
Pacey is a great reader.

Tunny has a good grasp of chain of command

‘You have before you a perfect demonstration of the workings of the army – the chain of command, trooper, each man shitting on the head of the man below. The much-loved leader of our regiment, Colonel Vallimir, is just getting shat on by General Jalenhorm. Colonel Vallimir will shit on his own officers, and it won’t take long to roll downhill, believe me. Within a minute or two, First Sergeant Forest will arrive to position his bared buttocks above my undeserving head..."

so finally... i'm here!
Both Lee and George RR Martin let me know that this one is Abercrombie's best one yet, so my expectations are through the roof!

this is a good start to the book, not sure yet where this is going. but he's already creating a couple of characters i might really like: Tunny, Calder, Craw and his crew...

lovely to be back reading Abercrombie (i'm not sure what i'm going to do after we finish Red country?!). I'm especially a fan of Abercrombie's sense of humour:

"Think you're the best part of the egg, do you, Yolk?"
-
"Bit o'rain don't bother me none," grunted Agrick.
"You're young. Wait 'til you're out in all weathers at my age"
Agrick shrugged "By then I hope to have a roof, Chief"

Can't help it, i love it when Abercrombie gets cheeky

This book again shows me why I rate Abercrombie as the number one for character development. Even better than Our Lord Erikson.

This story is about a battle, three days of battle and thats about it. But the story around those three days, the interaction, the change of personalities over three days, brilliant. Wait.... hang on, I am giving up half my review here.

I have to say it is hard to pick a fav character.

I have to agree with the character development. But even the battles remind me of Bernard Cornwell's medieval battles which I consider to be among the best medieval battle depictions. A lot happens in those 3 days.

Hanne, you are going to be flat out keeping up with the one liners and various sayings in this book. The audio narration is fantastic, but I'm torn now between that and the ability to highlight on the kindle. This is probably one book I would consider whispersync (both versions) if it had it.

ooo i love the oneliners!
i'm actually not reading on e-reader right now. i have one, but i still prefer the really good books as an actual physical book. something about the smell, the feel and the fact that you can look at it afterwards when it's on your shelves.

David, i've never read Bernard Cornwell. anything in particular you would recommend.

Lee, i think Abercrombie himself (through Craw if i recall well) said it nicely: something about a war being 99% boredom and 1% terror. for us as readers though, i think the 99% boredom is just too interesting by half. i'm so curious what will happen next!

Hanne wrote: "David, i've never read Bernard Cornwell. anything in particular you would recommend. "

Try The Winter King. Its historical fiction that looks at separating the history of Arthur and Merlin etc from the myth - creating a possible believable history. Its a Trilogy but the first book is pretty much stand alone if you wanted to stop there. I've read and listened to the trilogy twice over now. The characterisation is excellent and you can tell hes well researched in his battle depictions. Not just the savagery and chaos, but also the tactics and strategy.

I do have to say when I started this I didnt think Id like it. By the end however I couldn't put it down. Great stuff!

David Sven wrote: "Steven Pacey's portrayal of Bremer is quite good. He has a normal voice for Bremer's inner voice, and then a high squeaky voice for his actual voice and the two going back and forth is a laugh. Not..."

The audio version is indeed quite awesome.

I'm coming along a bit slowly. All those days off in late November (holiday + illneses) meant fewer days spent alone in the car for an hour listening to this book. Enjoying it so far. Great characterization as is usual for Abercrombie.

So far I have a bit of a feeling like I'm watching a (very detailed) documentary on the Battle of Gettysburg or some other famous conflict. Very detailed accounts of the people behind the strategies, tactics, politics, and blunders that will decide the result of this confrontation. In all a very different book from the previous four, which is cool. I like an author with a bit of versatility, and Abercrombie has repeatedly proven that he can keep me on my toes.

I had a different reaction to the novel through Book 1. Although I thought Abercrombie's first 4 were amazing this one just didn't connect with me. Too many characters at once, and most of them I just couldn't care about. When compared to Glokta, a horrible person who Abercrombie somehow made me really like, the cast of this one just doesn't compare.

Gorst is the main exception. His scenes are great - absolutely hilarious and remind me of the reason I loved the previous books so much. Tunny is also enjoyable and maybe a few others but for the most part too many filler characters who I really don't care if they live or die (and honestly kind of hope they die so I can stop trying to keep track of them).

Eric wrote: "The audio version is indeed quite awesome"

Is it just me or does Calder sound and come across exactly like Tyrion from Game of Thrones.

David Sven wrote: "Eric wrote: "The audio version is indeed quite awesome"

Is it just me or does Calder sound and come across exactly like Tyrion from Game of Thrones."

Hm. That's an interesting point. The voice sounds similar, but I felt that Glokta had more in common with Tyrion than Calder does so far. Calder's nowhere near as bitter, and he doesn't have the noble/kind streak that really defines Tyrion. That's not to say there aren't some parallels, but the book smart, lover-not-fighter hero surrounded by dumb tough guys isn't uncommon in the genre.

Digging out old threads, because I'm reading that right now.

This one is quite different from the first trilogy and Best Served Cold: It stays in one place nearly in an Aristotelian fashion ("one place, one time") whereas the usual fantasy books roam around whole continents.
Instead, there are huge lists of different characters that you have to get used to. The 5 page chapters don't make it easier to get used to them, though a couple of them are already known.

Love to see Shivers again :)
And the hilarious Gorst replaces Glokta.

that is true, a really different sense of place about this one

Andreas wrote: "Digging out old threads, because I'm reading that right now.

This one is quite different from the first trilogy and Best Served Cold: It stays in one place nearly in an Aristotelian fashion ("one ..."

I thought it was fascinating how much Best Served Cold screwed up Shivers. Seriously, talk about a character who has obviously fallen far since we first met him. He went from refusing to kill Logan (in a fit of conscience that feels like a moment of redemption) to being the hardest of all hard men on the battlefield.