Into the Forest discussion

Here is the place to discuss retellings, traditional tales, or books inspired by the mythology, folklore, or fairy tales with the theme Creating order out of chaos

I recommend The Steerswoman by Rosemary Kirstein

Going to the Babylonian creation myth for this one.

The Seven Tablets of Creation by Leonard William King

Would welcome some recommendations on this...

When We Were Birds and Sign Here are both on my TBR, but I'm not sure either fits the theme (though they are related to it...)

Vita Nostra is kind of about this (as much as anything that metaphysical can be about ANYTHING that structured). I get the feeling that it's upcoming sequel, Assassin of Reality will be centering more on it.

Ryan wrote: "Vita Nostra is kind of about this (as much as anything that metaphysical can be about ANYTHING that structured)."

Thank you! I've been wavering on this one, not quite sure it is for me!

Andy wrote: "Ryan wrote: "Vita Nostra is kind of about this (as much as anything that metaphysical can be about ANYTHING that structured)."

Thank you! I've been wavering on this one, not quite ..."

It is a VERY divisive book, and it can be a rough read at times, but I found it really fulfilling by the end, and a WILDLY original take on the "magical school" trope.

This is a tough one, and I think it can be interpreted in multiple ways. Several of my ideas are post apocalyptic novels that integrate folklore.

-Notes from the Burning Age by Claire North is a post apocalyptic novel where mythic beasts protect the Earth from humans. It's also a political novel.
-Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. Butler: Classic dystopian novel, about a young girl creating a religion that helps bring people together.
-Kalpa Imperial: The Greatest Empire That Never Was by Angélica Gorodischer: a series of shorts about a city that rises and falls and rises and falls.
-Merlin's Booke by Jane Yolen: I might be misremembering, but I feel like this collection of Arthurian legend short stories would work, because it shows how building the realm of Camelot brought order to the chaotic tribes.
-Maybe Trail of Lightning by Rebecca Roanhorse? After a climate change apocalypse, the Dinétah rebuild while the rest of the Earth is in chaos.

Thank you so much! :)
Silly me, the books I was suggesting were options for "Descent into the Underworld"!
I am atill unsure about this, I might just wait and see if I read randomly something that fits, if not, I'll choose something towards the end of the year! :)
If arthurian legends work, maybe The Crystal Cave could work... I've been meaning to try Mary Stuart!
I am going to read Kindred soon, if I like it, I could try Parable of the Sower! I am generally not for apocalyptic bools! ;)

I have not read the other books mentioned but Imo Parable of the Sower and Trail of Lightning would count

Back when we were still creating the challenge Anansi tales were mentioned, so when we decided on themes I looked up themes of Anansi tales on one them was creating order out of chaos.
So booked based on or inspired by Anansi mythology would count.
Also creation mythology

Andy wrote: "Thank you so much! :)
Silly me, the books I was suggesting were options for "Descent into the Underworld"!
I am atill unsure about this, I might just wait and see if I read randomly something that ..."

I loved The Crystal Cave as a teen. I haven't read it since then, but I think it would work!

Thank you! :)

I'm using Lonely Castle in the Mirror. Seven children go through a portal knowing nothing about each other, or where they are, or what's going on, but they work together and finally work out all of that and more. Kind of. Odd book, and maybe not what the prompt really meant, but I gave it four stars and I want to include it.

Cheryl wrote: "I'm using Lonely Castle in the Mirror. Seven children go through a portal knowing nothing about each other, or where they are, or what's going on, but they work together and finally..."

I started that one but abandoned it about halfway through. I really liked the premise but had trouble connecting to the characters. They all felt a bit flat to me, but I feel like that might be a me thing, not a book thing.

They do develop, as does the story. It's one of those tricky ones, with the intentional progressions. I almost dnf'd it myself but am glad that I didn't.

Cheryl wrote: "They do develop, as does the story. It's one of those tricky ones, with the intentional progressions. I almost dnf'd it myself but am glad that I didn't."

Good to know! Maybe I'll try it again on audio this year.

I think I am going to read Creation Stories: Landscapes and the human imagination for this one, I love anything connected to myth and the natural environment

That does look interesting. I am interested, too, in psychology. And my library system does have this, so yay.

I read The Sea Priestess by Dion Fortune.

I find it hard to rate this book. I liked the writing style and while I enjoyed reading it, I didn't find myself wanting to pick it up again. I think Fortune's tale is so entwined with her teachings that there was likely a lot in the story that went over my head. Pretty writing but nothing too extraordinary.

Gobbelino London & A Contagion of Zombies is my pick for Creating Order Out of Chaos. It's the second book in the series, and quite entertaining.

While there's a lot of chaos in the book, the protagonists do a lot of... getting things back on track.

Ozsaur wrote: "Gobbelino London & A Contagion of Zombies is my pick for Creating Order Out of Chaos. It's the second book in the series, and quite entertaining.

While there's a lot of chaos in th..."

That looks fun!

Margaret, the Gobbelino series is a lot of fun, but can get a bit dark in some places. The relationship between Gobbelino and Callum is awesome!

Someplace to Be Flying would count as it’s inspired by a First Nations/Native American myth/legend
It would also count for Shapeshifters

I've been unsure how to interpret this theme but I opted to count The Bone Shard Emperor by Andrew Stewart because there are elements of a chaotic world with ancient mythological beings (Alanga) returning, a rebellion against the Empire underfoot, (chaos) and bone shard magic that works by carving commands into the bones of constructs, which take logic (order).

This was a re-read for me in anticipation of the follow-up, The Bone Shard War coming out soon. I've really enjoyed everything about these books and look forward to the final installment!

Erin wrote: "I've been unsure how to interpret this theme but I opted to count The Bone Shard Emperor by Andrew Stewart because there are elements of a chaotic world with ancient mythological beings (Alanga) re..."

I started the final book (an arc) and had to put it down for an assignment, but I was enjoying it! I plan to finish it on audio.

Margaret wrote: "Erin wrote: "I've been unsure how to interpret this theme but I opted to count The Bone Shard Emperor by Andrew Stewart because there are elements of a chaotic world with ancient mythological being..."

Nice, that is great to hear! I'm planning to read it soon as it landed on my e-reader but I have some library books queued up first so I'll probably save it for a bit but really looking forward to it.

Andy wrote: "Would welcome some recommendations on this...

When We Were Birds and Sign Here are both on my TBR, but I'm not sure either fits the theme (though they are related t..."

I read this for last years challenge for the Caribbean prompt. It’s interesting but I’m not sure if it has a creating order out of chaos theme.
To be honest I’m still not sure what to read for this prompt

Jalilah wrote: "To be honest I’m still not sure what to read for this prompt ..."

I read Sisters of the Lost Nation and really enjoyed it, and I think you would too!

Thank you both!
For now I am veering towards thinking "last books in series" seem to fit the prompt... ;)

Hah! Yes, that makes sense!

Margaret wrote: "Jalilah wrote: "To be honest I’m still not sure what to read for this prompt ..."

I read Sisters of the Lost Nation and really enjoyed it, and I think you would too!"

Thank you! My library has ordered it and I’m now in the cue!
In the meantime I have Tread of Angels which I think might also count

Jalilah wrote: "Thank you! My library has ordered it and I’m now in the cue!
In the meantime I have Tread of Angels which I think might also count..."

Ah, yes, I think it would!

Margaret wrote: "Jalilah wrote: "Thank you! My library has ordered it and I’m now in the cue!
In the meantime I have Tread of Angels which I think might also count..."

Ah, yes, I think it would!"

Oh good! I’m in the mood to read Rebecca Roanhorse again after taking a break from fantasy for a while! I know I’ll always like her books!

Tread of Angels was great but I’m not sure if there is really a creating order out of chaos theme in it.

Jalilah wrote: "Tread of Angels was great but I’m not sure if there is really a creating order out of chaos theme in it."

It's probably more like creating chaos out of order. :)

Weren't the Angels trying to enforce order in the wild west?