Grimdark Fantasy discussion

Our New Year group read discussion!

*Please use spoiler tags here*

I read this book about a year ago. Happy to join in!

It's been on my radar for years, but I've never quite got round to it. Finally I'll be able to get to it!

I'm starting The Spider's War on the 26th and have done all 5 books in just over 4 months. Great series and not in the way one usually is for me. Abraham just has such a smooth writing style so that when he's describing a lot of subtle subterfuge in the plot your engaged while another author might cause you to be bored. I'll try to chime in when I can but avoid it when spoilers are involved.

I love Daniel's SF work (as Corey) so I am excited to read his fantasy work. I hope the series also have engaging characters. Will start reading in January. Can't wait!

Stephanie has kindly provided me with a link that will explain the races in deeper detail: http://www.danielabraham.com/books-by...

I'm informed that this link does not contain spoilers, however I cannot say the same for the rest of the site!

That is a useful link.

I started this book two days ago and am really liking it so far. It is one of those page turners. If it is because I must finish another group read for Jan 1st then I would probably already finished it by now.

After a short break to catch up with my reviewing duties, I'm jumping back into this! This type of fantasy is right up my street, I think I'll enjoy it.

Oh great! I hope more people will join since we still have more than one month.

I'm just over 100 pages in. Poor Geder, the man can't seem to catch a break!

I've been reading it for 10 days now, and have just under 100 pages left. That's not an indictment on the writing; I've always been a thorough reader with a somewhat plodding pace, and haven't had much leisure time available this week.

It's very enjoyable so far. Didn't have a lull in the middle 1/5ish of the book, which many authors are prone to do. But then again, I'm a bit of an Abraham fanboy and may be slightly biased.

I'm *nearly* halfway through. More and more of the scheming is coming to light. The characters are great, though I like Geder the most, he's just so awkward!

Yeah that Geder boy is really something.

Have you read the part when Cithrin met the Jahuru trader whatshisname? I am curious how he would look like.

I don't think so. I sure I would remember.

I am over 70% of the way through but finding it not to my taste. I have been reading it at night and end up falling asleep after 2 pages.
I do like that there are so many types of beings. The very beginning had me but then the Dawson chapters lost me.

I have heard some of my friends finding it very slow, its one of the reasons I did not pick it up ages ago. Turns out I should have read it!

Okay, so it turns out Geder is a little bit of a bastard. (view spoiler)[I was rather surprised he decided to burn the entire city!! But for some reason I'm still looking forward to his chapters most! (hide spoiler)]

Tracey, how do you hide a spoiler like that? I'm new to this whole discussion board thing on Goodreads.

if you look at the top right of the box you type in you'll see a link (in brackets) saying 'some html is ok'. click the link and it will bring up another box that shows you how to do all sorts of things, like hide spoilers, use bold or italics, add images, and loads more! Just type it in exactly like it says.

Tracey the Lizard Queen wrote: "Okay, so it turns out Geder is a little bit of a bastard. [spoilers removed]"

actually that was when I thought of him as an interesting character. previously he's just likable enough.
(view spoiler)[you did not see it coming at all. (hide spoiler)]

Silvana wrote: "Tracey the Lizard Queen wrote: "Okay, so it turns out Geder is a little bit of a bastard. [spoilers removed]"

actually that was when I thought of him as an interesting character. previously he's j..."

Definitely. He's became an interesting bastard.

Tracey the Lizard Queen wrote: "if you look at the top right of the box you type in you'll see a link (in brackets) saying 'some html is ok'. click the link and it will bring up another box that shows you how to do all sorts of t..."

Thanks! Testing now -- (view spoiler)[ test, test, test. (hide spoiler)]

Andrew wrote: "Tracey the Lizard Queen wrote: "if you look at the top right of the box you type in you'll see a link (in brackets) saying 'some html is ok'. click the link and it will bring up another box that sh..."

yes, just like that! :)

I have got just under 100 pages left, got to say this has turned uot to be one of my favourite epic fantasy series. Perhaps even better then ASoIaF!!! *gasp*

Tracey the Lizard Queen wrote: "I have got just under 100 pages left, got to say this has turned uot to be one of my favourite epic fantasy series. Perhaps even better then ASoIaF!!! *gasp*"

Which book are you on? Just the first one?

Heather wrote: "Tracey the Lizard Queen wrote: "I have got just under 100 pages left, got to say this has turned uot to be one of my favourite epic fantasy series. Perhaps even better then ASoIaF!!! *gasp*"

Which..."

Yes still the first one! I'm liking it that much...

Quite a few of my GR friends say the series only get better, so I have high expectations.

The book was a three for me, but I plan to read the next one. If it gets better, I definitely would. Glad you found it so enjoyable!

I am more than halfway in book 3 and it has not been disappointing. Better than ASoIAF? We shall see. I gave all ASoIAF books five stars except maybe book 4 but I have been setting quite a high standard for fantasy since then. If book 3-5 are five star ones then yes it is possible to be in the same level. So far only The First Law trilogy managed to be in that category.

Clara is more amazing each book. What a great character.

I feel like Daniel Abraham is the most underrated author in fantasy today. He writes stuff that is absolutely on par with Martin, Rothfuss, and Abercrombie. And yet a lot of people -- even people that read within the genre -- have never heard of him.

That is true. I would not know about him if I did not follow Martin's blog updates.

How are you all finding this? I had never heard about Abraham before seeing this group read, but I'd like to try and join in the time that's left!

Jon wrote: "How are you all finding this? I had never heard about Abraham before seeing this group read, but I'd like to try and join in the time that's left!"

You really should! I'm loving it.

Tracey the Lizard Queen wrote: "Jon wrote: "How are you all finding this? I had never heard about Abraham before seeing this group read, but I'd like to try and join in the time that's left!"

You really should! I'm loving it."

Okay, great! Hope I'll finish in time to join a bit in on the group read then :)