Indie Book Club discussion

For those of us who haven't experienced the "Steampunk" genre, you guys are in for a treat! Thanks to this author, Lindsay Buroker, this is now one of my favorite classifications of stories!

She has four books out now in this series and all are worth reading!

I've read her "Flash Gold" and "Hunted" stories, and thought they were both steampunk too, and fantastic. I have this one from PodioBooks and am going to be listening to it soon! I'm looking forward to it!

The podiobook version is pretty good. Her second is also available in audio form and she just did her kickstarter program to fund the third. I listen to them at work sometimes.

Man I need to pay attention when I post on my phone so weird things don't just randomly appear in my posts. Podia poke for podiobook?? Maybe I should sleep more or something lol.

I actually just finished this one a week or two ago. I thought it was all right. It didn't really impress me, but I'm curmudgeonly.

Here are a few discussion questions for the group.

What do you think of steampunk in general?

Which character is your favorite? Why?

If you were making a movie who would you cast for the Emperor's Edge team?

I think the blonde dude in the new Bond movies could probably make a decent Sicarius. I have no idea what his name is though.

Possibly the chick from Elektra as Amaranthe. Again not sure who it was and too lazy to look it up right now lol.

I think steampunk in general is one of the coolest genres to read (I have an active imagination!), and in my opinion, must be a royal pain in the a$$ to write. You have to know your stengths and weaknesses, and I'll be honest, my brain doesn't work that way. I love reading about it but could never write it. :) I'll stick to fantasy!

I'll have to go with Sicarius as being my favorite character. To see a cold-blooded killer who has only worked by himself in the past to suddenly be thrust in amongst a rag-tag group of people quite simply cracks me up.

Oh, Scott, I think you're referring to Daniel Craig. Yeah, I can see him being a good Sicarius. But if you were to ask me who I think would be a great Sicarius? Hmmm. I'll have to say that as soon as I read the character description for him that one person instantly sprang to mind, and its an animated character. Cold, sinister, tall, dark haired. Not quite as old, I'll warrant, but the food critic from Ratatouille (did I spell that right?). The way that character talks, moves, walks, etc. Just maybe 20 years younger.

Let's see. Amaranthe. I think Jennifer Garner would be a good choice. Will have to think about the others.

I think Pixar would do an awesome job bringing Emperor's Edge to life!

Jeffrey wrote: "I think Pixar would do an awesome job bringing Emperor's Edge to life at everything!"

Fixed.

Oh yeah, the book, let's see...

I'm a fan of steampunk, and now that I think about it, I don't believe I've read any really bad steampunk... maybe it just attracts the kinds of authors I like to read.

I definitely have to go with Sespian as my favorite character... but I've got a soft spot for clumsy nerds who are just trying to get by in a world full of beautiful and competent people. Of course, then there's Sicarius, being one of the cool and competent people... and Maldynado, and Amaranthe... and yeah, pretty much Akstyr is the only one I don't like, and only because he seems to suffer from massive mood swings and a lack of focus. I have a feeling that I should like him, but just don't.

I'll pass on the last question, as I have no idea about actors at all. Mathematicians from the last few centuries, sure, but actors... meh.

I went with Daniel Craig cuz of the short blonde hair. I'm not sure I've ever seen him in a movie.

I can almost see Books as a Dr Emmet Brown from Back to the Future type character.

I think Akstyr could be played by a lot of people, young punk with spiky hair doesn't really strike anything specific with me.

Dr. Emmet Brown for Books. LOL! I can totally see that! Maybe a little more plump!

Akstyr. Hmmm, I pictured him as a geeky, malnourished unkept punk. The nerdy computer hacker from the movie The Core comes to mind.

Wow. I've said it before and I'll say it again. I watch too many movies. :)

I've just read this so it's pretty well-timed as a BOTM for me. I'd never read steampunk before, but this popped up on a list of free books, it sounded intriguing and I started reading and... oh look, I've finished already! Great fun, not particularly deep but who cares, some great characters and lots of page-turning action - what's not to like? I really enjoyed the steampunk setting, I loved the way Amaranthe kept trying to talk her way out of trouble rather than reaching for the weaponry, I liked the academic Emperor (unusual twist that), and I liked Sicarius too, for his slightly nerve-wracking unpredictability. And the romantic element was extremely well-done, in keeping with the characters and the situation - very nice. A good read at a great price :-)

I loved it when Amaranthe and Sicarius meet for the first time and he simply asks her who she pissed off that wants her dead.

I'd definitely see this if it were ever to be made into a movie!!

Yeah, I definitely would go with Daniel Craig as Sicarius. He'd be perfect. Just watched Cowboys & Aliens yesterday, and I kept thinking he'd be great as everyone's favorite assassin.

Books. Hmmm. Still undecided about him.

LMAO!!!

I'm a fan of the steampunk concept, but the books are proving to be somewhat hit and miss for me. I've really enjoyed some, really disliked others. This is probably my favourite steampunk series at the moment.

I don't think I have a favourite character. I like Amaranthe, partly for being the only prominent and regularly returning female character in the series - though I find it hard to identify with her enforcer background and military air. I always want to see more of Sespian though! He's adorable and I am hoping he'll turn up more in the next couple of books.

Akstyr drives me bonkers, on the other hand, but I never do get along well with sulky teenagers.

I first heard of steampunk quite a while and was disappointed when all Wikipedia had to say was 'set in the era of steam.' To me this conjures up images of steam trains of settlers taking pot shots at buffalo from the windows as they travel across the Canadian prairie. Not likely accurate and these days frowned upon.

I'm also struggling through a steampunk sampler with the hope it will expand on Wikipedia's less than helpful words but am hopefully lost in long names and made up words. Sticking it out though.

I haven't made it through a BOTM since *points out something shiny* Bad Radio in January and committed to taking part in May. When I saw the genre was steampunk I shook my fist at Karma.

The Emperor's Edge has been a great surprise! Unencumbered by made up technology and innumerable long words I'll never remember its an amazingly smooth and enjoyable read. I will definitely read more in the series.

I have a hard time picking out a favourite character. Amaranthe is a woman I can definitely relate to. Her career choice as an enforcer has made her right at home in the all male group she finds herself in.

After reading some of the earlier posts I started picturing Daniel Craig as Sicarius and he definitely works. Not so much for his Bond roles but as the uncle in the steampunky movie of The Golden Compass.

I also picture the setting more like Miyazaki's Castle in the Sky and the characters almost cartoony to match.

I'm glad you enjoyed the book Elizabeth. The second book in the series can be found free on podcast if you are looking to continue the series and Lindsay has another steampunk series called Flash Gold.

I think my favorite character is Mal. Not because of what he does himself but for the comedy he brings to almost every situation. His interactions with books are generally my favorite (although to be fair I've read the four books in the series and this statement is the basis of the interactions throughout, I can't separate them in my head lol).

Oh yeah, I did a little video review of the Emperor's Edge for the Sword & Laser show. Check it out!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qZJAph...

I have read the complete series, even the short stories, ending with Forged in Blood II. This has become my favorite series and was sad to see it end. There has been discussions on who should be cast should this ever make it to the big screen. Sorry guys but Daniel Craig is way to old to play Sicarius. In the series he is only 35 and still has no wrinkles on his face. Although Craig has a hard, cut body he is still to lean. My picks are:

Amaranthe...............Nina Dobrev
Sicarius....................Chris Hemsworth (just pop in brown contacts)
Maldynado...............Joe Manganiello
Books.......................Chris O'Dowd
Basilard....................Danny Trejo
Akstyr.......................Devon Bostick
Sespian....................Josh Hutcherson

Ms. Buroker has started a new series entitled Rust and Relics. It seems promising and is in modern days. Hard to let the Edge characters go though!

Love your spot on casting choices, D! Especially Danny Trejo for Basilard. The only one I would change is James Marsters for Sicarius. He. Is. Sicarius. IMO, of course. :)

Ok, I haven't read any of the books but I have a big ? with this. How old is Sicarius? Because there is a huge difference of age between Hemsworth and Marsters.

That said, anything with Chris Hemsworth would be so worth watching!!!

Hmm...I thought Marsters was in his late 30's/early 40's but surprised to see he is 51. I think he could still pull it off. Blonde spiked hair, thin, fit, chiseled features. Yep.