Fantasy Book Club discussion

Where did February go? Holy cow! I'm more than halfway through Downbelow Station (Company Wars, #3), halfway through Gardens of the Moon, and will be starting Magician: Master as soon as I finish Downbelow Station. Also you can check my current month list if you're really interested :).

Like many I'm sure, I am reading The Wise Man's Fear. It is quite funny actually. I am finding myself laughing quite a bit. I do not remember laughing as much with The Name of the Wind. Of course that could be because I read it two years ago and just don't remember.

One book that I am not going to read and avoid not like everyone else is The Wise Man's Fear. I read a spoiler that makes me hate the main character even more now than ever. I am right now reading Dragons of Eden by Carl Sagan, it is what won him the Pulitzer award then on to We Have Always Lived in the Castle.

Before We Have Always Lived in the Castle, I am going to read the Collected Stories of Drizzt, which will make me as happy as those The Wise Man's Fear.

Group read (FBCS) of "Gardens of the Moon", group read/reread of "Edith Wharton's "Ethan Frome", and re-read of Thomas Hardy's "Jude the Obscure" and Charlotte Bronte's "Jane Eyre". I am quite excited for the release of the new film version of "Jane Eyre" later this month!

Just finished Things Fall Apart, then reading the sequel No Longer at Ease.

Reading Fire Study by Maria Snyder, and I've just started the sci-fi Light by M. John Harrison.

Reading Cursor's Fury by Jim Butcher, simultaneously trying to read The Ring of Solomon and The Sworn

I'm finishing Syren - 5th book of Septimus Heap series and I loved it a lot and recommend it to everyone who likes young adult fantasy (maybe this is even children fantasy). I hope I'll start reading our March book soon The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms, but I also wish to read The Angel's Game because I read The Shadow of the Wind and loved it. =)

Finished The Great Hunt and read I am Number Four and Torment over the past couple of days...no, I haven't done anything except read - it's been wonderful! Just about to start Red Seas Under Red Skies which I am very excited about!

Finishing up with The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms-plan on reading Gardens of the Moon next and then on to the rest of the Hunger Game series, Catching Fire and Mockingjay

Halfway through Sea of Silver Lightthen planning to read In the Shadow of Swordsfollowed by The Collected Stories: The Legend of Drizztand [book:Sandstorm|8869598.

Robert wrote: "Halfway through Sea of Silver Lightthen planning to read In the Shadow of Swordsfollowed by The Collected Stories: The Legend of Drizztand [book:Sandstorm..."

Just finished the Collected Stories of Drizzt, hope you really enjoy it, as it was a great read for me.

Mare wrote: "I'm finishing Syren - 5th book of Septimus Heap series and I loved it a lot and recommend it to everyone who likes young adult fantasy (maybe this is even children fantasy). I hope I..."

I loved The Shadow of the Wind as well, so HAD to get The Angel's Game. I liked it a lot!

I am reading Wise Man's Fear. And tomorrow I am going to buy Game of Thrones because I keep seeing it mentioned. Going to start asap-looking forward to it.

Traci wrote: "I am reading Wise Man's Fear. And tomorrow I am going to buy Game of Thrones because I keep seeing it mentioned. Going to start asap-looking forward to it."

I hope you are going to read the rest of the books because if you read one a month, then you could read A Dance with Dragons when it comes out.

Maggie wrote: "I loved The Shadow of the Wind as well, so HAD to get The Angel's Game. I liked it a lot! "

In reviews people say Shadow is better book and some of them are even disappointed in Angel's Game, but I don't think I will be - I'm easily impressed =D

Mare wrote: "Maggie wrote: "I loved The Shadow of the Wind as well, so HAD to get The Angel's Game. I liked it a lot! "

In reviews people say Shadow is better book and some of them are even disappointed in Ang..."

I heard the same thing, and I agree that it isn't quite as good as Wind, but it was still very good

This month is Stone of Tears by Terry Goodkind and The Art of War by Niccolò Machiavelli... still... ~sigh~

And in a somewhat newer vein, Worlds of Weber by David Weber, The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton, and I'll probably continue re-reading the Wheel of Time with The Great Hunt.

I am now officially reading Steven Erikson's tenth, and final, volume of the "Malazan Book of the Fallen" series, "The Crippled God." I just received it in the mail this morning!

Currently, Scott Lynch's "Red Seas Under Red Skies". Next, it'll be his third in the "Gentlemen Bastards" series, "The Republic of Thieves". I just have to find a used paperback copy of it!

Lady wrote: "Currently, Scott Lynch's "Red Seas Under Red Skies". Next, it'll be his third in the "Gentlemen Bastards" series, "The Republic of Thieves". I just have to find a used paperback copy of it!"

is it out already??? Wow am I out of it...lol

Lady wrote: "Currently, Scott Lynch's "Red Seas Under Red Skies". Next, it'll be his third in the "Gentlemen Bastards" series, "The Republic of Thieves". I just have to find a used paperback copy of it!"

It's not out yet. I heard something about maybe November this year, but I don't know how solid that is.

Kevin wrote "Just finished the Collected Stories of Drizzt, hope you really enjoy it, as it was a great read for me."

I know I will enjoy it as I have read most of the stories that were published in the anthologies. I am looking forward to reading the ones I have not had chance to read yet. I may even re-read some of the older ones to refresh for my review.

Robert wrote: "Kevin wrote "Just finished the Collected Stories of Drizzt, hope you really enjoy it, as it was a great read for me."

I know I will enjoy it as I have read most of the stories that were published ..."

Well, there is three that was not published in any anthologies, one being published in the book for the first time, so read the book for those in worth it.

Of course. It is R.A. Salvatore after all. The only books he wrote that I didn't enjoy as much as the rest were The Legacy, Siege of Darkness, Starless Night, and Spine of the world. All the rest were awesome.

I am wondering. I love the writing of RA Salvatore and the Drizzt books are my favorite series. But the later books have turned much darker. And even though his skills as a writer improves with each I find myself missing the lighter adventures of his earlier work. Which do you perfer?(sorry that this is so off topic but this has been on my mind lately and not just in relation to the Drizzt books)

Well has he have said about the later books, epsically starting with the Orc King, before he has always felt that he was writting especially with the character of Drizzt as a way for him and the reader to connect, but lately, espeically the deaker books, he has come to realize that all this time, espeically now he has written Drizzt as a way for him to coneect to and understand the world as a whole. Plus he has always wanted to be like Drizzt, but could not.

Maybe we should start another topic somewhere for discussing this.

Traci-As I am getting used to the darker side of fantasy these days, I enjoy the newer books just as much as the older ones. I do like the lighter side of fantasy myself. I enjoy rooting for the main characters and seeing them success. I really do feel Mr. Salvatore is keeping up with the times as darker fantasy is becoming more popular and yet still give the reader hope within his stories of a lighter adventure. Alas, I have not lost hope that all fantasy will go in a darker direction as I really enjoy reading Rosemary Jones and she keeps her fantasy light and comical which is a wonderful change.

Right now I am powering my way through the Warriors series by Erin Hunter. I read all of the books once already a while ago but right now, I'm entertaining myself while I wait for the next one to come out.

I'm also reading Little Brother by Cory Doctorow. It is one of the ORCA books and I'm going to vote, later in the month I think.

I'm visiting a Tanith Lee goth classic. The Secret Books of Paradys: The Book of the Damned, The Book of the Beast, The Book of the Dead, The Book of the Mad. Not a read for anyone who wants fast paced adventure and sword wielding heroes. I love the old style prose and slow build up of horror.

Reading The Demon King

I just finished The Last Ringbearer (review here), the War of the Ring and its aftermath from the losers' POV. Word to the wise, best to avoid unless you have a thing for overwrought metaphor and spy novels.

I'm half-way through my reread of Dust of Dreams and hope to begin The Crippled God later this week.

Terence wrote: "I just finished The Last Ringbearer (review here), the War of the Ring and its aftermath from the losers' POV. Word to the wise, best to avoid unless you have a thing for overwrough..."

Oh, my friend, are you ever gonna dig TCG! I am about one-fifth of the way through it, and savoring every morsel. It is seriously good!

I finished The Mortal Instruments, now I'm starting Clockwork Angel and Beastly. The movie was good.

@Christopher: Fingers crossed. He hasn't disappointed yet :-)

The Sentry - Robert Crais (mystery)

and for my Fantasy Fix, I'm reading my way through the Elfquest Comic books. All of them are available online at Elfquest.com

Working on The Well of Ascension now. I was thoroughly impressed by Mistborn: The Final Empire, and in fact rank it among my all time favorite fantasy reads.

Benjamin wrote: "Working on The Well of Ascension now. I was thoroughly impressed by Mistborn: The Final Empire, and in fact rank it among my all time favorite fantasy reads."

I also very much enjoyed the Mistborn trilogy and would encourage you to try his other novels, all of which have a slightly different feel.

Did you know that Sanderson's got a new Mistborn novel coming out this November? It's called Alloy of Law and takes place quite awhile after the trilogy.

Lindsey wrote: "Benjamin wrote: "Working on The Well of Ascension now. I was thoroughly impressed by Mistborn: The Final Empire, and in fact rank it among my all time favorite fantasy re..."

I heard it takes place 300 years after with gunpowder and other technology of the likes.

I'm starting the 2nd installment of The Tide Lords Quartet by Jennifer Fallon, The Gods of Amyrantha. I'd recommend it to anyone hungry for an entertaiing read. I couldn't put the first one down.....

@Lina I haven't heard of that series or author but it sounds good. Iam going to add it to my too long wish list.

I'm about half way through Bone Song by John Meaney and am loving it -- a gothic necro noir detective story. Yes, I'll be moving on to the sequel Black Blood as soon as I'm finished with the first.

Joy wrote: "I'm visiting a Tanith Lee goth classic. The Secret Books of Paradys: The Book of the Damned, The Book of the Beast, The Book of the Dead, The Book of the Mad. Not a read..."

Wow, I haven't read those in years. Have you read The Secret Books of Venus (Faces Under Water is the first), another 4-book series along the same line? I think my favorite Tanith Lee remains the Flat Earth books (Night's Master et al.).

@Traci

She's an Australian author, I've enjoyed her books very much, I would recommend her first book Medalon followed by Treason Keep then Harshini from the Demon Child Trilogy. I don't remember how I started reading these books, but its pretty much a heroine, Gods, Demons (not a dark fantasy imo) but very enjoyable.

But if you wanted to start with The Immortal Prince, then I think that's alright too, although a lot of readers say if you're not a fan you shouldn't start with The Tide Lords Quartet. (I disagree)

There's also the Hythrun Chronicles
The Demon Child Trilogy, although written before the Hythrun Chronicles, are set in a time before the Demon Child ever existed. (I hope I'm making sense =)

Some people would recommend starting with the Hythrun Chronicles, Wolfblade then Warrior followed by Warlord.
These include characters you read more about in the Demon Child Trilogy.

These books are entertaining reads, with very interesting magical worlds and politics to go along with it.
The most political Series, however, is The Soldiers Son Trilogy, no magic, but the plot and characters are very engaging. I enjoyed those just as much as her other novels.

I really hope I gave her work justice in my recommendations =) and looking forward to discussing more books with you Traci =)

If you also check out her website, www.jenniferfallon.com she's got some fun things going on over there, quizzez, movie ratings lol.

I do have a question, have you read The Broken Kingdoms yet?

Joseph wrote: "Have you read The Secret Books of Venus (Faces Under Water is the first), another 4-book series along the same line? I think my favorite Tanith Lee remains the Flat Earth books"

Actually I came by Lee's work through The Fairy Tale Series as created by Terri Windling http://www.goodreads.com/series/49798.... Her style fits the classic adult fairy tale and I loved White As Snow. I'm not sure what makes a story a fairy tale as apposed to just fantasy fiction but I know it when I read it.

Actually I came by Lee's work through The Fairy Tale Series as created by Terri Windling http://www.goodreads.com/series/49798-fa... Her style fits the classic adult fairy tale and I loved White As Snow. I'm not sure what makes a story a fairy tale as apposed to just fantasy fiction but I know it when I read it.



I love those! My favorite was probably Thomas the Rhymer: A Romance by Ellen Kushner. I'm not sure if that was technically part of the series, but it had a Thomas Canty cover and was based on a folk ballad, so I'm counting it . . .

I finished The Wise Man's Fear at the beginning of the month, now it's onto a reread of A Game of Thrones in preparation for next month's TV premiere. I'm going to have to go through this thread and check out other books to add to my huge TBR pile...

Joseph wrote: "My favorite was probably Thomas the Rhymer: A Romance by Ellen Kushner."

I'm glad you mentioned Kushner, an old favorite. I read Swordspoint and its sequel and because you mentioned her I visited her page and found The Privilege of the Sword the third of the story line. Oh, and Thomas Rhymer isn't part of the Terri Windling editions but I agree, It fits perfectly. I read it several years ago.

Jennifer wrote: "now it's onto a reread of A Game of Thrones in preparation for next month's TV premiere."

I have this on my to-read list when I saw it was made into a TV series. I don't know if I want to read it now. Every time I've read the books first I end up hating the TV interpretation. True Blood has been the only show I've not gone ballistic about because of poor/cheap/not-even-close script writing or really terrible acting.