Fantasy Book Club discussion

Cherryh is probably best known for her science fiction, but like Bujold, she's also written some darn fine fantasy. Her Fortress series is one of my favorites and I would love to see more. In her earlier writing career she also wrote some great stuff. The Morgaine Saga is kind of a combination scifi/fantasy series that is very intriguing.

Any other Cherryh lovers out there?

Me! Mostly for her SF, but yes, her fantasies are fine stuff. I'd particularly recommend The Paladin, which is a standalone in a vaguely Japanese setting. It's a gem!

I absolutely love CJ Cherry's books, SF or Fantasy. I wish her fantasy works were as widely read as her SF, they have given me hours of pleasure and stand up incredibly well under re-reads.

She is my favorite SF author and among the top 3 fantasy authors (all tied for #1). She's 2.5 years older than I. May she keep writing and live longer! I cannot imaging life without a Cherry pre-order.

She's also starting to make some of her back catalog available electronically. She's been heavily revising the Rusalka trilogy, and just added Chernevog; Yvgenie will be coming soon.

http://www.closed-circle.net/ebook-ca...

I have to admit that I still haven't read any of the Foreigner books -- at this point, there are so many of them that it gets a bit daunting. And I really wish more of her back catalog was available electronically -- especially the Morgain, Alliance/Union and Chanur books -- even though I still have an entire shelf of those lovely old DAW paperbacks.

I loved the Fortress series; I'd love to find out more about Otter.I really must read more of hers.

Joseph wrote: "She's also starting to make some of her back catalog available electronically. She's been heavily revising the Rusalka trilogy, and just added Chernevog; Yvgenie will be coming soon.

http://www.c..."

If you decide to read Foreigner, start with #1. They're fairly easy reads, so not at all daunting. I've reread them once. I love that series as well as some of her other scifi and fantasy, but especially the Fortress series.

I have never disliked any of her books and have reread a number of them multiple times.

Is the Foreigner series complete?

Helen wrote: "Is the Foreigner series complete?"

No, but each book ends in a place where you can stop reading. Us die hard fans are always looking for the next book, though.

I cannot find any forthcoming books on Amazon. I she going to do all of her new publishing through Closed Circle Publications?

Kernos wrote: "I cannot find any forthcoming books on Amazon. I she going to do all of her new publishing through Closed Circle Publications?"

I think Closed Circle is going to be mostly for back catalog stuff. From reading her blog, it sounds like she has one or two more Foreigner books in the pipeline; maybe they just haven't been listed yet.

I think the Foreigner series is my favorite, though I've enjoyed many of her books. I'm glad she keeps returning to that world, even if I haven't had a chance to read the last couple due to time constraints. (Durn it! Haven't been able to read too much lately as it is!)

Helen wrote: "Is the Foreigner series complete?"

I spoke with her on face book. It's not finished because of some publisher problems. And probably won't be finished

Mindy wrote: "Helen wrote: "Is the Foreigner series complete?"

I spoke with her on face book. It's not finished because of some publisher problems. And probably won't be finished"

Are you talking about Foreigner or Fortress? Foreigner is still very much active and ongoing. She had some publishing problems with Fortress.

The publishers for UK versions of Fortress are numptys. They released parts 1,2,4 & 5 on kindle but not part 3, I was so cross.

What are "numptys"?

I assume it's British slang for idiots (which I must promptly appropriate for my own vocabulary).

It is indeed, I caught it off a colleague.

LOL I thought that was idjet.

Thus far, I've only read her Faded Sun trilogy and her Cyteen trilogy, both of which I absolutely loved. I just purchased her Dreaming Tree duology and very much look forward to reading more of her work. I'm appreciative of every recommendation of C.J. Cherryh's body of science and fantasy fiction!

Kernos wrote: "LOL I thought that was idjet."

Eedjit :)

I love CJ Cherryh too and have read most of her stuff.
especially the Foreigner series.

Do any other authors remind you of Cherryh, esp her ability to do aliens and their cultures. One I'd suggest is Julie E. Czerneda

Kernos wrote: "Do any other authors remind you of Cherryh, esp her ability to do aliens and their cultures. One I'd suggest is Julie E. Czerneda"

I've not read her yet, but have her new book.

In some respects perhaps Sherri S Tepper or Julian May.

Czerneda, definitely, also Sarah Zettel, past question.

Janny wrote: "Czerneda, definitely, also Sarah Zettel, past question."

I am not familiar with her Janny. Looking at her page she does SF and Fan. Which novels would you suggest starting with?

Kernos wrote: "Janny wrote: "Czerneda, definitely, also Sarah Zettel, past question."

I am not familiar with her Janny. Looking at her page she does SF and Fan. Which novels would you suggest starting with?"

I liked both. They are quite excellent in different ways. For SF, try starting with The Quiet Invasion, since that fits in with what you already like about Czerneda and Cherryh. I found it solidly good as any hard SF out there, with good characters and tight plotting, around excellent ideas. This is a VERY under appreciated author, IMO. (I've read all her works in SF, and Fantasy)

Zettel's fantasy is definitely not cookie cutter/certainly not YA - her Isavolta series is 'loosely' connected in that, the stories center around different characters, often shifting sides/angle of view. You don't really have to start with any one of them, they all stand alone/but flesh out the others. How would I describe the fantasy - maybe a blend of Juliet Marillier and Kay, spiced with intrigue and complex motivations, mixed into Russian folk myth, with (as she expands) a multi-cultural outlook that borrows from backdrop India, China, Russian Europe - and a cross over to early 20th century USA/Great Lakes...a very innovative blend of fantasy fairy tales and cultural ideas. You definitely can't predict her plots.

She's branched off lately into Arthurian, but these books are definitely romances.

Both Czerneda and Zettel sound perfect for my taste! Thanks for the recommendations, Janny!

With regard to Sheri S. Tepper, I haven't read but one of her novels and wasn't drawn in enough for me to seek out more of her work. Does anyone have a recommendation that might change my opinion?

Lady wrote: "Both Czerneda and Zettel sound perfect for my taste! Thanks for the recommendations, Janny!

With regard to Sheri S. Tepper, I haven't read but one of her novels and wasn't drawn in enough for me ..."

Lady, Tepper does many different types of book. I would suggest either Grass or Beauty to dip your toes.

Thanks Janny. I looked at Zettel's SF and they sound compelling, esp those in hardcover.