SciFi and Fantasy Book Club discussion

The first day of calendar spring 2010.

I started it with Crown of Shadows by Celia S. Friedman Coldfire Trilogy, Book 3. I am looking forward to learn how the story unravels with Calesta and Tarrant at the centre.

Reading Sense and Sensibility, Little Women, and A Storm of Swords. Still awaiting Book 2 of The Dreaming Dark, Shattered Land so I can continue with that series. I'm sure more will be added before long!

Dance of the Assassins - intriguing YA near-future mystery set in a theme-park 19thc London.

Since my last post I've read:
The Other Lands by David Anthony Durham - solid high fantasy.
The Sad Tale of the Brothers Grossbart by Jesse Bullington - good dark fantasy, but I never really connected with the story.
The Drowning City by Amanda Downum - urban fantasy in a high fantasy mode. A nice, light, fun read.
Lamentation by Ken Scholes - interesting heroic fantasy story but the characters felt more like puppets than people.
Yellow Blue Tibia by Adam Roberts - frenetic, comedic sci-fi conspiracy fiction.

Next I'm going to take a crack at Warbreaker by Brandon Sanderson.

I'm almost halfway through Servant of the Underworld by Aliette de Bodard, a murder mystery set in the Aztec Empire at its height. The beginning was a little slow, but the story has gotten stronger as it progresses.

I just stared A Storm Of Swords. I'm loving the series so far.

Beniowa79 wrote: "I'm almost halfway through Servant of the Underworld by Aliette de Bodard, a murder mystery set in the Aztec Empire at its height. The beginning was a little slow, ..."

This sounds really good. Rats, my library doesn't have it. I will have to put it on my "to-read-someday" shelf.

I'm currently enjoying Miles in Love by Lois McMaster Bujold.

The other handful of books for March include:



I update my current-month shelf after I finish reading each book so its contents change frequently.

Mayakda, the book isn't available in the US yet, which might be why your library doesn't have it. I had to buy it from bookdepository.com. I think it's coming out here in September.

I just finished Servant of the Underworld, by the way. It has a few weaknesses, but it's quite good. A pretty strong debut novel for de Bodard.

Jon wrote: "I'm currently enjoying Miles in Love by Lois McMaster Bujold.

The other handful of books for March include:

, is supposed to come out in November - I'm trying to forget this fact so I don't get too impatient

Beniowa79 wrote: "Mayakda, the book isn't available in the US yet, which might be why your library doesn't have it. "

That would explain it. :)

I am reading Dhalgren by Samuel Delany. I am not sure if this is fantasy, Sci-Fi, a literary masterpiece or a big joke. But, I am enjoying it tremendously for reasons I've yet to fathom.

Jon wrote: "I update my current-month shelf after I finish reading each book so its contents change frequently. "

What a good idea! I will copy it.
(Loved Breath and Bone, btw)

I am currently readingIn Great Waters by Kit Whitfield. It has been characterized as a Philippa Gregory Tudor novel in an alternate continuity where all the royals are part-merfolk. That's about the size of it, but I should also add that the world building is very good. I'm also liking the characterization especially Anne. She's growing into herself as a strong woman who understands the priorities of a ruler.

I'm actually looking to read some horror stuff. Can anybody here recommend a good Sci-Fi Horror novel? "In Space No One Can Hear You Scream" type stuff?

Dirk,

I don't know "In Space No One..." but Kit Whitfield's first novel Benighted is amazing, horror and alternate world, if that's enough sf content for you.

This month:
and now reading

Horror in space? Well there's Death Troopers and Sly Mongoose.

Starting Shapechangers by Jennifer Roberson tonight.

Jackie,
I loved that series when I read it maybe 20 years ago! I should probably reread it. Thanks for the reminder!

Reading Oath of Swords by David Webber and having some amusing flashbacks to Star Wars and He-Man
lol
I am enjoying the book though - liking the mystical aspect in it

Dirk wrote: "I'm actually looking to read some horror stuff. Can anybody here recommend a good Sci-Fi Horror novel? "In Space No One Can Hear You Scream" type stuff?"

Dirk, have you seen Event Horizon (1997)? It starred Lawrence Fishburne and Sam Neill.

I'm finishing up God Emperor of Dune and then moving on to Heretics of Dune and Chapterhouse Dune. In February I started re-reading Dune and the original trilogy. The last time I read the series, "God Emperor" was the last book in the series!

Also....This is my first club join and post on GoodReads!

Welcome then. Hope you like it here.

Hey David - welcome!

I started Hominids by Robert J Sawyer last night - it's pretty fun so far.

David wrote: "I'm finishing up God Emperor of Dune and then moving on to Heretics of Dune and Chapterhouse Dune. In February I started re-reading Dune and the or..."

Welcome David!

makes me want to reread Dune - always meant to read the whole series, though I've only read Dune and Dune Messiah so far.

Tina wrote: "Dirk wrote: "I'm actually looking to read some horror stuff. Can anybody here recommend a good Sci-Fi Horror novel? "In Space No One Can Hear You Scream" type stuff?"

Dirk, have you seen Event Hor..."

I have. Can't remember it too well, but I do recall it was creeeeepy. I obviously enjoyed "Alien" too. Haven't seen Pandorum yet, though.

Dune, I picked up at the library recently. It's been years since I've read it!

I'm reading the last book of the Night Angel trilogy. I'm really sad it's almost over. :(

The Speed of Dark by Elizabeth Moon -- excellent

Also reading The Help by Kathryn Stockett -- also excellent

Cindy wrote: "Hey David - welcome!

I started Hominids by Robert J Sawyer last night - it's pretty fun so far."

My husband and I both enjoyed the Neanderthal books by Sawyer. Actually, I haven't met a Sawyer book I didn't love!

I recently finished The Seeds of Earth by Michael Cobley, which reminded me a bit of David Brin's Uplift books. Decent space opera, but nothing ground-breaking. I'll probably read the sequels after the final book in the trilogy comes out.

Just finished Dragon Keeper by Hobb, that is to say, skipped and skimmed through it. I hadn't realized it was in the Liveship milieu, and that trilogy never really grabbed me, and neither did this. I am wondering now if I prefer her first-person writing.

Also finished The Sparks Fly Upward, which is book 3 in Diana Norman (aka Ariana Franklin's) Makepeace historical trilogy. This was set in guillotine-era Paris. Liked it a lot.

Also The Hippopotamus Pool which is book 8 in the hilarious Amelia Peabody Victorian Egyptologist mystery series. I love this so much I am deliberately putting off reading the next book so I don't finish the series too quickly.

Judy wrote: "My husband and I both enjoyed the Neanderthal books by Sawyer. Actually, I haven't met a Sawyer book I didn't love!"

Yes, it was really fun! Except for a violent scene at the beginning, the rest was just escapist joy. Parallel worlds and advanced Neanderthal culture - brilliant!

I just started The Windup Girl.

Mayakda,
I admire your willpower in holding off on a book. It is something I have never been able to pull off.

Erick wrote: "Mayakda,
I admire your willpower in holding off on a book. It is something I have never been able to pull off."
Ha ha. If only I had the same willpower with salty snacks.

Trice wrote: "makes me want to reread Dune - always meant to read the whole series, though I've only read Dune and Dune Messiah so far."

Hah. Chapterhouse Dune is a really weird place for it to end, but it's still pretty good. Just stay far away from the new Dune books. Bleh.

I'm currently working my way through a bunch of Alastair Reynolds (Redemption Ark, Absolution Gap, Chasm City) and continuing on with David Weber in The Honor of the Queen, while also testing the waters with Haven by Justin Kemppainen. Whew! That's a lot of reading while working on the sequel to my own book. :p

Just read and loved this!


(Not as brilliant as Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell but good page-turner and more accessible)

I just rediscovered Sheri S. Tepper. I read her novel Grass, but hadn't looked for any newer works. I just read The Fresco and The Visitor and loved them! I never know just what I'm going to read month by month, it depends how often I can get to the library and what's in stock.

Speaking of - many of the group's chosen books aren't in my library system - any suggestions on how to get the books I need? Preferably for free, as I am ridiculously broke. I have occasionally spent all day in a bookstore reading and put the book back on the shelf upon finishing, but that's not always practical. :)

So far I've read Fire by Kristin Cashore, The Prestige by Christopher Priest, Four and Twenty Blackbirds by Cherie Priest and I just finished Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder.

I want to read the rest of the Study books (Magic Study and Fire Study) in March, and maybe start on her Glass series (starting with Storm Glass).

I'm also shooting to get through Perfume: The Story of a Murderer, The Stolen Child: A Novel as well as Mainspring, assuming university doesn't interfere too much with my reading. xD

About 90 pgs to go in Wings

I really enjoyed 'The Magicians and Mrs. Quent' and really hated 'The Stolen Child'. I don't know why, but that just struck me as funny. I think I'm just very tired...

Meanwhile, I'm still reading Desperation. I think I only started it this weekend, and I've been sick so haven't felt like reading much, but it feels like it's taking forever.

blackrose wrote: "I really enjoyed 'The Magicians and Mrs. Quent' and really hated 'The Stolen Child'. I don't know why, but that just struck me as funny. I think I'm just very tired...

Meanwhile, I'm still rea..."

I hope you feel better soon. I read Stolen Child pre-goodreads and haven't remembered enough to rate it but I think I remember it as ok to good, although a wee bit too literary and (possibly over-angsty). It reminded me of Faerie Tale, though I probably liked that better ( even if it was more "low-brow").

Just finished up Under the Dome which was great. Now I'm trying to read some of the 2009 Nebula nominees starting with Boneshaker

Julia wrote: "Dirk,

I don't know "In Space No One..." but Kit Whitfield's first novel Benighted is amazing, horror and alternate world, if that's enough sf content for you.

This..."

Thanks for the recommendations. Will definitely check some of these out.

Greyweather wrote: "Horror in space? Well there's Death Troopers and Sly Mongoose."

I know of Death Troopers. Never read it though. The cover looks pretty epic! Is it good? Sly Mongoose looks cool too. Thanks for the recommendations.

Mayakda wrote: "I hope you feel better soon. I read Stolen Child pre-goodreads and haven't remembered enough to rate it but I think I remember it as ok to good, although a wee bit too literary and (possibly over-angsty). It reminded me of Faerie Tale, though I probably liked that better ( even if it was more "low-brow"). "

I am feeling better, thank you.

I think one reason why I dislike 'Stolen Child' so much is because it wasn't even remotely what I was expecting. From it's adverts and whatnot I was expecting more fantasy, less overwrought psycho-drama. Honestly, I don't remember much about it expect how mind-numbingly boring I found it. I only finished it because I have some sort of sickness which compels me to finish a book once I've started it, regardless of whether I'm enjoying it or not. A sickness, I say!

Then again, perhaps I'm just a low-brow kinda gal. :>

So far this month I've finished American Lightning, Anonyponymous: The Forgotten People Behind Everyday Words, and The Pluto Files: The Rise and Fall of America's Favorite Planet.

I'm currently reading 2061: Odyssey Three and The Andromeda Strain.

I've got lined up 3001: The Final Odyssey for sure and then maybe Rendezvous with Rama, The Loved One, and Vile Bodies. My boyfriend's supposed to loan me some Sherlock Holmes too, so we'll see what all gets finished. :)

Finished Crown of Shadows by Celia S. Friedman Coldfire Trilogy, Book 3.
No more than an average fantasy with a few irritating things, such as too much of religion, description and explanation of every emotion some protagonists felt, as if the readers are stupid and cannot decide for themselves what a particular type of a smile of a particular character in a particular situation might mean. It is like: Dave smiled wryly. Then she would launch into explanation what it means. When it happens in the beginning when you get to know characters it might be OK but doing it all over trilogy? Too much.
The ending is good, but that's really it. I would not recommend it as a good fantasy to my friends.

Started Under the Dome by Stephen King.

I finished The Windup Girl today - I liked it, but the plodding filler bits really grated.

I'm starting The Midwich Cuckoos by John Wyndham and To Say Nothing of the Dog by Connie Willis.

Just re-read Harry Potter books 4-7 because my daughter kept asking me HP question. I forgot how great they are.