Fantasy Book Club Series discussion

Whether you are reading our current series (Soldier Son) with us or not, please share what else you are reading this quarter of 2022 (July, August, September).

All genres welcome here. Please mark spoilers if you include any in your comments.

My first book this quarter was Siege and Storm by Leigh Bardugo, 7.5/10. The love triangle from the first book (Shadow and Bone) has a fourth corner now (and almost a fifth except for (view spoiler)[the untimely death in the battle near the end of the book of Prince & Heir Vasily (hide spoiler)]). And really, how many problems would be solved if people would just communicate!! (But that is not a problem unique to this book.) The sections with the pirates (er, privateers) were the best, and the story overall seemed to gain some depth. It was a fast read and I am interested to see where the story goes in book 3.

Next up is Gateway by Frederik Pohl, for a different Goodreads group, and then Shaman's Crossing by Robin Hobb for this group.

I am in the middle of musical genres.

I just finished re-reading Sharpe's Triumph, tried and discarded Master Assassins, and I'm halfway done Howl’s Moving Castle, a BR in another group. I'll be finished this in a couple of hours, and I intend to pick up a military sci-fi: Poor Man's Fight.

Midway through July, I finished both Gateway by Frederik Pohl and Shaman's Crossing by Robin Hobb.

Gateway earned 8/10. It was dated in some ways, and yet not. People are still people—selfish, screwed-up, sexual, scared, foolhardy, daring, loving—all the qualities we see in Rob/Bob Broadhead and the other characters on Gateway. Sigfrid is a scene-stealer, and the Heechee remain as mysterious at the end of the book as they were at the beginning. Maybe subsequent books in this series will shed more light.

My comments about Shaman’s Crossing are in the folder for the Soldier Son trilogy.

I also read The Man Who Was There by Donald Gabriel Barron, 4.5/10. This is a somewhat dated spy novel. The mystery at its heart was never fully fleshed out, and the revelations regarding who is spying for whom (and who isn’t) never seemed terribly surprising. The ending seemed especially unsatisfactory.

I’m reading the Leaphorn and Chee mysteries by Tony Hillerman, interspersed with my other books. I finished the 4th book in the series, People of Darkness, 8.5/10. Excellent mystery in this series, the first with Chee, filled with insights into Navajo traditions, a hint of romance, and solid detective work that is a blend of intuition and dogged perseverance in following the clues.

I’m now about halfway through the final book in The Kingdoms of Thorn and Bone, The Born Queen by Greg Keyes.

I've been rereading Steven Brust's Jhereg series, getting ready for the new one to be released in the spring. Right now I'm on Tiassa.

I also read a terrific military sci-fi by Elliott Kay that began with Poor Man's Fight and ended, (so far), with Last Man Out. That was a good series.

In between I've been rereading some historical fiction, Bernard Cornwell's excellent Sharpe series dealing with the Napoleonic Wars. He also has a new one coming out- in December.

Michelle wrote: "I've been rereading Steven Brust's Jhereg series, getting ready for the new one to be released in the spring. Right now I'm on Tiassa."

I’ve read through Tiassa and have Hawk on my shelf, but I feel like I probably need to go back and reread the earlier books to get the full flow of the story. I didn’t know he had yet another book coming out. I keep thinking he’ll wrap up the series and then I can reread/read them all.

There would be a lot of layering/plot points that you might have missed without starting from the beginning. I was surprised myself that he has another coming out. Surprised but pleased! I had read somewhere that he only writes in this series if the fancy strikes him. He had mentioned on his sight that several times he had thought that an installment would be the last. So far, so good!

Michelle wrote: "There would be a lot of layering/plot points that you might have missed without starting from the beginning. I was surprised myself that he has another coming out. Surprised but pleased! I had read..."
Yes, I did start from the beginning, quite a long time ago. Took a break, then read a few more, then decided to wait till the series was finished. Still waiting… 😆

Hopefully he will finish it! We've all been let down by authors before...

The Born Queen by Greg Keyes, 9.5/10. A completely satisfying conclusion to the series, with a happier ending for many of the characters than I expected or than they perhaps deserved.

Beyond the Blue Event Horizon by Frederik Pohl, 7/10, book 2 in the Heechee saga. This is a book of contrasts. There are the very human stories of the Herter-Hall expedition, of Wan, and even of Robin and Essie, which are engaging, frightening, frustrating, funny, and sad. These stories are set against a backdrop of alien technology and actions and serious theories and questions about physics, astrophysics, and astronomy. It is those theories and questions that require some pretty hefty infodumps, mostly handled by the Albert Einstein computer program/personality. While they are central to the overall story, they also pull the reader out of the flow of the characters’ lives, notwithstanding Pohl’s efforts to make Albert a unique character and relieve a little of the tedium of the infodumps. And then there’s the tantalizing final chapter—our first from the Heechee POV!

Ruin and Rising by Leigh Bardugo, 8/10. The best of the 3 books in the Shadow & Bone trilogy—less teenage angst and romantic triangles, more maturity as Alina grows in both the use and understanding of her power and its consequences. There were a number of scenes of small heroism and courage by primary and secondary characters. The climax was wonderfully unexpected and the “After” epilogue was a perfect closing of the circle.

The Sentinel by Lee Child, 6/10. A pretty typical Jack Reacher book—fast-paced, ridiculously impossible situations, several layers of scheming intrigue. It’s been a while since my last Reacher novel, but I think he seemed more careful about only maiming as opposed to outright killing people this time around.

The Dark Wind by Tony Hillerman, 8.5/10. The second book to feature Jim Chee. Excellent mystery and insights into Navajo and Hopi traditions.

Forest Mage by Robin Hobb, 8/10. Comments in our discussion thread about the Soldier Son trilogy.

I finished my re-read of Steven Brust's Jhereg series, so I'm ready for the new #16 in the spring.

I've been binging on Bernard Cornwell's historical fiction, so I'm rereading his Sharpe series. Excellent series dealing with the Napoleonic Wars. Last night I dove into #7, Sharpe's Havoc. I'm hoping to re-read all 22 before #23 comes out this December.

Kathi wrote: "The Born Queen by Greg Keyes, 9.5/10. A completely satisfying conclusion to the series, with a happier ending for many of the characters than I expected or than they p..."

I just finished this series (and the last book) last night. Very enjoyable. Looking for my next series to read.

Most of my reading in mid-August was short stories for the Better Worlds Books Challenge. I am not a big fan of short stories—they are just so, well, short! If they are good, I want more!

Invitation to Camelot, edited by Parke Godwin, is a collection of stories related to the Arthurian legends. I rated it 7/10. This collection of stories related to Camelot and the Arthurian legends are a mix of excellent (Their Son by Morgan Llywelyn, Uallannach by Parke Godwin, Nimuë’s Tale by Madeleine E. Robins, and Meditation in a Whitethorn Tree by Jane Yolen) and a little odd (The Minstrel’s Tale by Tanith Lee, The Camelot Connection by Elizabeth Ann Scarborough, and Winter Solstice, Camelot Station by John M. Ford).

The other collection is Black Stars, Amazon original speculative fiction by Black authors. My overall rating was 7.8/10.
The Visit by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, 8/10. In a world that turns the patriarchy upside down, two friends meet after years apart.
The Black Pages by Nnedi Okorafor, 8/10. An intriguing story, one that I wish were novella- or novel-length because I want more—more detail, more background, and more about what happens next!
2043... a Merman I Should Turn to Be by Nisi Shawl, 6/10. A good example of why I am not a fan of short stories. There was almost enough background to understand the setting and the state of the socio-political world, but I never felt like I understood what was going on and why. And the “end” only made me feel like there should have been more.
These Alien Skies by C.T. Rwizi, 10/10. The exception to the rule—a short story that feels like it’s complete in itself! And such an excellent story—exciting, touching, thought-provoking!
Clap Back by Nalo Hopkinson, 8/10. Thought-provoking story. I can look through a window like the one this story provides, but as a white person, I will never know what it means to be Black in this world.
We Travel the Spaceways by Victor LaValle, 7/10. Not sure what to make of this story. Science fiction? Tales of a person with mental illness? Not sure it matters, since I think the real story is about compassion and the need for love and acceptance.

After all those short stories, I returned to the Heechee Saga with Heechee Rendezvous by Frederik Pohl, 8/10. This book brings the Heechee out of storage, so to speak, and into the world. Some readers dislike Pohl’s style in these tales of the Heechee and of Robinette Broadhead, but I enjoy it. The hard science parts are not overwhelming and the human aspects—love, guilt, ambition, fear—are explored in creative and novel ways. Pohl does have a way of writing rather unlikable characters, or maybe just emphasizing the unlikable aspects of ordinary characters, or maybe just showing humans as they are, full of faults and fears and general messiness. Essie is a bit unrealistically smart, talented, and unselfish, but a marvelously grounding character for both Robin and the Albert computer program. This was originally the finale of the Heechee trilogy, but Pohl has gone on to write 2 more books in the Heechee saga, and I’m looking forward to reading them.

I started a trilogy related to the Arthurian legends (one of my favorite topics). Book 1 is In the Shadow of the Oak King by Courtway Jones, 8/10.

I’m getting read to travel for a couple weeks, so I’m debating what to bring along. Not sure what will be up next.

Kathi wrote: "The Born Queen by Greg Keyes, 9.5/10. A completely satisfying conclusion to the series, with a happier ending for many of the characters than I expected or than they p..."

You and Katy are the only people I've seen actually comment about the Kingdoms of Thorn and Bone series. I'm glad to you liked it. I thought the series was fantastic and very underrated.

I'm all about fantasy novels So far this quarter, I've read 6 books.

Kings of Heaven by Richard Nell, A superb ending to an unexpectedly excellent series.

In the Shadow of Lightning by Brian McClellan, A good beginning to a new series with an interesting magic system.

The Tower of the Swallow by Andrzej Sapkowski, The penultimate entry to what's been an underwhelming Witcher series.

The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin, An incredible first book in a series that I was expecting to be slightly disappointing after reading Jemisin's previous trilogy.

The Law by Jim Butcher, A quick Dresden Files novella. Decent but nothing critical to the overall story.

The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang, A brutal introduction to a world of nations at war with each other.

James wrote: "I'm all about fantasy novels So far this quarter, I've read 6 books.

The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin, An incredible first book in a series that I was expecting to be slightly disappointing after reading Jemisin's previous trilogy.
"

This series was the first (and so far, only) thing by Jemisin that I’ve read and I was very impressed! Looking forward to exploring more of her work. What do you recommend?

Kathi wrote: "James wrote: "I'm all about fantasy novels So far this quarter, I've read 6 books.

The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin, An incredible first book in a series that I was expecting to be slightly disapp..."

The only other thing I've read from her is her Inheritance Trilogy. The first two novels are pretty good, but the third is a letdown. There is a secondary character from the first two books who is very entertaining, but he becomes the main character in the third book and is just not enjoyable to follow at all.

James wrote: "You and Katy are the only people I've seen actually comment about the Kingdoms of Thorn and Bone series. I'm glad to you liked it. I thought the series was fantastic and very underrated."

I agree, very underrated. I enjoyed his alternate history series (Age of Unreason) but thought this was far better.

James wrote: "Kathi wrote: "James wrote: "I'm all about fantasy novels So far this quarter, I've read 6 books.

The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin, An incredible first book in a series that I was expecting to be s..."

Katy wrote: "Kathi wrote: "The Born Queen by Greg Keyes, 9.5/10. A completely satisfying conclusion to the series, with a happier ending for many of the characters than I expected ..."
Can someone please tell me where I can get a copy of this book it sounds interesting, I might try Amazon but if I can't I'll make another comment about this book.

Ryan wrote: "Can someone please tell me where I can get a copy of this book it sounds interesting, I might try Amazon but if I can't I'll make another comment about this book."

I wasn’t sure which book you were referring to, but both The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin and The Born Queen by Greg Keyes are available online from both used book stores (BetterWorkdBooks, Thriftbooks, etc.) and from Amazon. Both are parts of a series—Jemisin’s Broken Earth trilogy and Keyes’s Kingdoms of Thorn and Bone series.

Thankyou I might just do that go to Amazon.com.au which is the Australian version.

I'm re-reading daughter of the empire by Raymond E Feist A classic on it's own. Sometimes I read 3 books at once, all fantasy that is. And if I come across The Fifth Season I'll give it a whirl.

Ryan wrote: "I'm re-reading daughter of the empire by Raymond E Feist A classic on it's own. Sometimes I read 3 books at once, all fantasy that is. And if I come across The Fifth Season I'll give it a whirl."

That series has been on my shelf for a long time and I never seem to get to them. I’ve read several books by Feist’s co-author, Janny Wurts, and loved them!

I went on a military scifi binge reading the Frontlines series by Marko Kloos and enjoyed the heck out of it. I'm still rereading the Sharpe historical fiction series by Bernard Cornwell, which is terrific. And right now I'm rereading Flesh and Spirit by Carol Berg for a buddy read in another group. I must have read it twenty times, but I still love it.

Michelle wrote: "And right now I'm rereading Flesh and Spirit by Carol Berg for a buddy read in another group. I must have read it twenty times, but I still love it."

And that’s another book that’s been on my shelf that I haven’t read. I’ve enjoyed the other books by Carol Berg that I have read.

Kathi wrote: "Michelle wrote: "And right now I'm rereading Flesh and Spirit by Carol Berg for a buddy read in another group. I must have read it twenty times, but I still love it."

And that’s another book that’..."

I think this duet is my favorite out of all of her series.

Michelle wrote: "I think this duet is my favorite out of all of her series."

Good to know!

Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo, 8.5/10. An improvement over the Shadow & Bone trilogy. The author changes POV with each chapter, rotating among 5 of the 6 main characters, which adds depth and perspective to the narrative. Although they are still mostly teens, they are hardened gang-members with difficult backstories and a wide variety of well-honed talents. There are hints of romance (but only hints, thank goodness—no adolescent love triangles) amidst the planning and execution of the heist, including setbacks and plans B, C, D, etc. The plot moves right along and the flashbacks to fill in the histories of each character are handled well and fit seamlessly into the story. The “magic” of the Grishas is not explored in much depth; I guess the author assumes readers have already read the Shadow and Bone trilogy, so newcomers to the Grishaverse might be a bit at sea.
Looking forward to book 2 in this duology.

Renegade's Magic by Robin Hobb, 7/10. My comments are in the topic for our group read. I may revise my rating because this book as really stuck with me.

The Ghostway by Tony Hillerman, 8/10. A good mystery and excellent insights into life on the Navajo reservation.

Enchantment by Orson Scott Card, 7/10. Russian folklore, Sleeping Beauty, time travel—this book is a mishmash that somehow works as a pretty enchanting story. The main characters, Ivan and Katerina, are flawed humans, so they act in ways both petty and virtuous. The supporting cast (Esther, Ruthie, Uncle Marek, Sergei) is less well developed but interesting nonetheless. Baba Yaga is in a class of her own. The author can be a bit preachy at times but it didn’t detract too much from the story’s flow.

I’m now reading Cage of Souls by Adrian Tchaikovsky, which is the first thing I’ve read by this author.

I liked Enchantment when I first read it, but it's been eons!!

Before the end of September, I did finish Cage of Souls by Adrian Tchaikovsky, 7.5/10. This is the first book I’ve read by this author. Well-written, with an interesting world and society, but so many tantalizing unresolved plot points—a Soviet time-traveler, an unimaginable weapon that is “fired” for some unknown reason (and did anyone suspect what its effect would be?), the “made” people like Thelwel and Faith, the origins of the web-children, the Macathars, the Vermin, the Mazen, etc. And wow, it was bleak, bleak, bleak! Maybe a sliver of hopefulness at the end, but there was a lot of ugliness, death, and despair to plod through in order to get there. Stefan’s first person narrative was perfect for the story and the lengthy flashbacks to fill in his history certainly worked well.

And I squeezed in a reread of the first book in Ursula K. Le Guin’s Earthsea series, A Wizard of Earthsea, 8.5/10. A coming of age story, kind of bare-bones, and yet the world-building is more than adequate, as are the plot and character development. The author tells a rather simple story, but its themes of maintaining balance, developing confidence, acting in trust and loyalty, and accepting responsibility are timeless.