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Dennis
Great Reader
9933 Posts |
 Posted - 24 Aug 2012 : 08:23:35
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quote:
Originally posted by Dennis
quote:
Originally posted by Dennis
Reading The Rise of Nine, Book III of The Lorien Legacies, aka I Am Number Four series by Pittacus Lore. I'm now on Chapter 10. The book starts immediately after the events in The Power of Six. Marina (Seven), Six, Ella and her Cepan/foster father, Crayton, embarks on a journey to India to find Eight, who may be the one foretold to be as powerful as Pittacus Lore, Lorien's greatest Elder, and may be their ticket to victory against Setrakus Ra, the leader of the Mogadorians. Meanwhile, John (Four) and Nine are taking a short rest after their mad escape from the Mogadorian's cave-hideout, only to be captured again by a bunch of police officers in league with the Mogadorians.
Lots of action compared to its predecessors; but Lore slows down to put more emphasis on characterization at just about the right doses.
Now on Chapter 16. Despite the rather predictable plot (as in all novels for YA, anyway), the book still gives a couple of surprises to the reader. All the major characters' personalities are clearly differentiated that it's easy to tell who's telling/doing what: the serious meet the funny; the reserved meet the confident; the wild meet the wilder.
There's one thing that annoys me: there are so many baubles in the Chests, yet the Garde don't know how to use them and constantly complain about it. The Elders should have put in An Idiot's Guide to Loric Gadgets.
So far, it's proving to be a fun read. And if you're like me who found Marina (Seven) in the previous book an utter bore, fret not, she's improving here. A little.
The POVs of Four and Six provide much juice to the story.
There is one question that hasn't been answered yet: Where is Number Five?
The beginning and the middle are quite good. The actions of the characters and how they're individually depicted make sense. But towards the end, everything looks...ridiculous. Six, Four, Eight and Nine are way too powerful that there's practically no one who can stand in their way (literally stopping bullets and swatting cars and helicopters as if they were flies). For me, that's a no-no for developing the heroes in any story. There's really no sense of danger, and thus, it takes away the fun. |
Every beginning has an end. |
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Marc
Senior Scribe
662 Posts |
Posted - 24 Aug 2012 : 17:37:46
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Death's Heretic
the best of the Pathfinder Tales I've read so far |
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Artemas Entreri
Great Reader
USA
3131 Posts |
Posted - 24 Aug 2012 : 23:01:10
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| Started Book 3 of Joe Abercrombie's The First Law Trilogy: The Last Argument of Kings |
Some people have a way with words, and other people...oh, uh, not have way. -Steve Martin
Amazon "KindleUnlimited" Free Trial: http://amzn.to/2AJ4yD2
Try Audible and Get 2 Free Audio Books! https://amzn.to/2IgBede |
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Thauranil
Master of Realmslore
India
1591 Posts |
Posted - 25 Aug 2012 : 12:20:59
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| Finished Halo Evolution volume 2. a good bunch of short stories from the Halo universe. |
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The Red Walker
Great Reader
USA
3567 Posts |
Posted - 27 Aug 2012 : 02:54:05
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Just finished The Hammer and The Blade.
Started When the Villain Comes Home.
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A little nonsense now and then, relished by the wisest men - Willy Wonka
"We need men who can dream of things that never were." -
John F. Kennedy, speech in Dublin, Ireland, June 28, 1963
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Mournblade
Master of Realmslore
USA
1288 Posts |
Posted - 27 Aug 2012 : 17:40:55
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quote:
Originally posted by The Red Walker
Just finished The Hammer and The Blade.
Started When the Villain Comes Home.
Just finished Kim Stanley Robinsons' 3012.
Now I am pretty much reading all the FR novels I need to catch up on.
I am reading Thousand Orcs now. |
A wizard is Never late Frodo Baggins. Nor is he Early. A wizard arrives precisely when he means to... |
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Dennis
Great Reader
9933 Posts |
Posted - 28 Aug 2012 : 12:14:13
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quote:
Originally posted by Dennis
quote:
Originally posted by Dennis
quote:
Originally posted by Dennis
Reading The Rise of Nine, Book III of The Lorien Legacies, aka I Am Number Four series by Pittacus Lore. I'm now on Chapter 10. The book starts immediately after the events in The Power of Six. Marina (Seven), Six, Ella and her Cepan/foster father, Crayton, embarks on a journey to India to find Eight, who may be the one foretold to be as powerful as Pittacus Lore, Lorien's greatest Elder, and may be their ticket to victory against Setrakus Ra, the leader of the Mogadorians. Meanwhile, John (Four) and Nine are taking a short rest after their mad escape from the Mogadorian's cave-hideout, only to be captured again by a bunch of police officers in league with the Mogadorians.
Lots of action compared to its predecessors; but Lore slows down to put more emphasis on characterization at just about the right doses.
Now on Chapter 16. Despite the rather predictable plot (as in all novels for YA, anyway), the book still gives a couple of surprises to the reader. All the major characters' personalities are clearly differentiated that it's easy to tell who's telling/doing what: the serious meet the funny; the reserved meet the confident; the wild meet the wilder.
There's one thing that annoys me: there are so many baubles in the Chests, yet the Garde don't know how to use them and constantly complain about it. The Elders should have put in An Idiot's Guide to Loric Gadgets.
So far, it's proving to be a fun read. And if you're like me who found Marina (Seven) in the previous book an utter bore, fret not, she's improving here. A little.
The POVs of Four and Six provide much juice to the story.
There is one question that hasn't been answered yet: Where is Number Five?
The beginning and the middle are quite good. The actions of the characters and how they're individually depicted make sense. But towards the end, everything looks...ridiculous. Six, Four, Eight and Nine are way too powerful that there's practically no one who can stand in their way (literally stopping bullets and swatting cars and helicopters as if they were flies). For me, that's a no-no for developing the heroes in any story. There's really no sense of danger, and thus, it takes away the fun.
Just finished reading this. I had to drop and leave it for a couple of days and seriously considered not picking it up again. Which, come to think of it, was probably the best thing to do. But I thought giving it another try wouldn't hurt that much.
Sigh. I was wrong. In the last few chapters there are too many deus ex machina that would shame even Elminster Aumar.
Lore, or rather James Frey, has done well in giving individual voices to Six, Four, and Seven, the ones telling the story. But towards the end, they sound so alike that Frey shouldn't have bothered dividing the POVs into three. And the cocky Nine who's never learned when to shut up only succeeds in making me more annoyed.
I'm not certain if I'll deign to read the sequel...
This book truly has a promising start, but is marred by an illogical, wearisome ending. Out of ten possible stars, I give it 5. |
Every beginning has an end. |
Edited by - Dennis on 28 Aug 2012 12:26:42 |
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Clad In Shadows
Learned Scribe
Canada
158 Posts |
Posted - 30 Aug 2012 : 23:01:06
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Finished Charon's Claw. Onto something different:
Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Friend |
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Artemas Entreri
Great Reader
USA
3131 Posts |
Posted - 01 Sep 2012 : 00:42:51
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| Finished up The Last Argument of Kings by Joe Abercrombie. What a book! AMAZING |
Some people have a way with words, and other people...oh, uh, not have way. -Steve Martin
Amazon "KindleUnlimited" Free Trial: http://amzn.to/2AJ4yD2
Try Audible and Get 2 Free Audio Books! https://amzn.to/2IgBede |
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Artemas Entreri
Great Reader
USA
3131 Posts |
Posted - 02 Sep 2012 : 19:02:18
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| Started Terry Brooks' Bearers of the Black Staff |
Some people have a way with words, and other people...oh, uh, not have way. -Steve Martin
Amazon "KindleUnlimited" Free Trial: http://amzn.to/2AJ4yD2
Try Audible and Get 2 Free Audio Books! https://amzn.to/2IgBede |
Edited by - Artemas Entreri on 02 Sep 2012 19:02:38 |
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Dennis
Great Reader
9933 Posts |
Posted - 03 Sep 2012 : 04:22:20
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Reading Bad Company by K.A. Mitchell. A wonderful book populated by charming, real characters, whose struggles, sense of humor, concept of love, and ways of carrying out their responsibilities mix well to make the book a certified page-turner. |
Every beginning has an end. |
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DragonReader
Senior Scribe
USA
371 Posts |
Posted - 04 Sep 2012 : 14:10:19
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Just got back from vacation in Turkey. Didn't have alot of time to read but I read:
"Fallen" by Tim Lebbon
and
"Dragon Time and Other Stories" by Ruth Nestvold
Now reading "Game of Throne" by George R.R. Martin |
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Thauranil
Master of Realmslore
India
1591 Posts |
Posted - 04 Sep 2012 : 14:52:22
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| Just finished rereading my entire collection of One Piece. Just the thing after all those serious books. |
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Captain Grafalcon
Learned Scribe
Brazil
131 Posts |
Posted - 11 Sep 2012 : 03:08:38
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| Just finished the third book in the Avatar series (Waterdeep, Troy Denning).Now for the fourth book, Prince of Lies(James Lowder). |
"Surely you recognize that armies carrying banners are almost always thieves—until they win."
Jarlaxle, mercenary leader of Bregan D'aerthe. |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36971 Posts |
Posted - 11 Sep 2012 : 04:00:16
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| Had jury duty today, which gave me some reading time (a jury has not yet been empaneled; they're still selecting). I finished Harry Potter book 7, and started on a new book, Live Free or Die, by John Ringo. |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
I am the Giant Space Hamster of Ill Omen!  |
Edited by - Wooly Rupert on 11 Sep 2012 04:01:19 |
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Thauranil
Master of Realmslore
India
1591 Posts |
Posted - 11 Sep 2012 : 07:15:17
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Just finished Star Wars Choices of One. A good enough sequel to Allegiance, I quite enjoyed it.
Always good to read more about Grand admiral Thrawn and.... whoever the rest of the characters were. |
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mattymoron
Acolyte
USA
6 Posts |
Posted - 11 Sep 2012 : 08:22:35
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| I'm currently reading Test of the Twins, the last book in the DragonLance Legends trilogy. Just starting part 2. |
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Dennis
Great Reader
9933 Posts |
Posted - 11 Sep 2012 : 09:02:11
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Recently finished re-reading The Well of Ascension, Book II of the Mistborn trilogy by Brandon Sanderson. I still love it, as much as I did the first time I read it.
A coming-of-age tale of amazing adventure; of following one's destiny amidst the sneering, doubts, and brutal opposition of others; of love and letting go; and of trust and betrayal, The Well of Ascension follows the exploits of Vin, a thief turned Mistborn, as she stands beside her partner Elend Venture in rebuilding the ruined city of Luthadel and protecting it from three opportunistic kings whose armies of humans and monsters rally to take it and its hidden cache of atium, the world's most precious metal.
Tindwyl, a Terriswoman who specializes in the study of kings and nobles, once told Sazed, a Terrisman and Feruchemist, “Other men are strong like bricks—firm, unyielding, but if you pound on them long enough, they crack. You ... you're strong like the wind. Always there, so willing to bend, but never apologetic for the times when you must be firm,” (p. 644). This applies to Vin, too. In fact, it applies to her more. She's brought up in two extreme, contradicting environments, so as the story unfolds, we see that she's learned well when and how to yield, and when and how to stand her ground.
It's sometimes easy to forget that Vin is a female, what with all her might, choice of clothes, nearly unflagging courage, ruthlessness, and constant comparison to a male Hero of Ages. However, as facets of her personality are revealed, the aspects that greatly relate to her gender, we're reminded that we're not reading about a hero, but a heroine. Sazed probably puts it well when he talks about the prophecy about the Hero of Ages: “He left ruin in his wake, but it was forgotten, Sazed thought, turning to watch her fly. He created kingdoms, and then destroyed them as he made the world anew. We had the wrong gender all along,”(p. 712).
The love triangle of Vin, Elend, and Zane, also a Mistborn, adds spice to the story. Vin's confusion, and eventually, her final decision, helps emphasize the overarching lesson of this tale: trust. Kelsier's crew were not built on threats, on promises of wealth and power, nor on everlasting glory. Their friendship was built on trust. In the first novel and in the early part of this book, Vin struggles in trusting others. She was “conditioned” by his brother never to trust anyone, and to never forget that everybody betrays each other. But as she sees more of the world, of the people, she realizes one thing that in the end helps her save the people she cares about, the world, and herself.
Many of the supporting cast have been clearly drawn, specially the pompous but good-deep-within Breeze, the Terrisman Sazed, the reliable Ham, and the grim Clubs. OreSeur/TenSoon, a kandra (shape-shifting 'monster') with a complicated personality, has been a fun addition to the cast. You wouldn't want him to be the bad guy, and you'd empathize with his fears and torn loyalty.
No epic saga is deemed epic without far-reaching, destructive battles. And all these Sanderson handles with finesse. The 'building up' part is rather long; but I think it's just appropriate, as it gives us time to understand better the players.
I really like the twist at the end, even though I kinda expected it after first reading Book I, The Final Empire. Sanderson is, without a doubt, a shrewd man. He presents some solid moral conundrums but doesn't preach. Rather, he lets the readers see the possible answers' effects to the characters (as they make their decisions) and to the world at large. It's not a matter of what's right or wrong; but what needs to be done at a given point in time. Vin lets us see why selflessness may not be the solution to the world's plight.
This is one of the books that I will never get tired reading over and over...
Out of ten possible stars, I give it 9.5.  |
Every beginning has an end. |
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LastStand
Learned Scribe
130 Posts |
Posted - 11 Sep 2012 : 09:10:21
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quote:
Originally posted by Thauranil
Just finished rereading my entire collection of One Piece. Just the thing after all those serious books.
You reread all 670+ chapters? I don't know if I could take on such a enormous endeavor...or even if I like One Piece that much.
I'm about halfway through Dune by Frank Herbert, and finding it a very good read.
Was there ever a Dune RPG? I was wondering while I read it, that it would make an interesting d20 game. I even see some similarities to Dark Sun. |
"Don't. The battlegrounds that you and I have returned from alive are too different."
~ Claymore ch106 |
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Thauranil
Master of Realmslore
India
1591 Posts |
Posted - 11 Sep 2012 : 16:56:40
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quote:
Originally posted by LastStand
quote:
Originally posted by Thauranil
Just finished rereading my entire collection of One Piece. Just the thing after all those serious books.
You reread all 670+ chapters? I don't know if I could take on such a enormous endeavor...or even if I like One Piece that much.
I'm about halfway through Dune by Frank Herbert, and finding it a very good read.
Was there ever a Dune RPG? I was wondering while I read it, that it would make an interesting d20 game. I even see some similarities to Dark Sun.
Ha ha yeah I did. I have great stamina when it comes to reading.
Dune is a very good series. There was an old Pc game series based on it and also a TV series not am not sure if there was an RPG. |
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The Red Walker
Great Reader
USA
3567 Posts |
Posted - 11 Sep 2012 : 21:17:19
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Finished Shadowbane: Eye of Justice...good stuff!!
Elminster Enraged ....ohh boy...what a dooozie!
Ended my self imposed Bob Salvatore break....and started
Gauntlgrym...man he sure can whip up interestung characters! |
A little nonsense now and then, relished by the wisest men - Willy Wonka
"We need men who can dream of things that never were." -
John F. Kennedy, speech in Dublin, Ireland, June 28, 1963
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Quale
Master of Realmslore
1757 Posts |
Posted - 11 Sep 2012 : 21:25:25
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| Great North Road and Stories of Your Life and Others |
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Yoss
Learned Scribe
USA
259 Posts |
Posted - 12 Sep 2012 : 10:19:20
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quote:
Originally posted by Gavinho
Just finished the third book in the Avatar series (Waterdeep, Troy Denning).Now for the fourth book, Prince of Lies(James Lowder).
This is my plan, but i've been slow going at Waterdeep, like it's taken weeks to make it halfway through. I keep falling asleep and waking up thinking, hmm, I'd rather go re-read Blackstaff for some reason. I should just go do that instead. |
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Bakra
Senior Scribe
628 Posts |
Posted - 12 Sep 2012 : 15:28:06
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Finished Elminster Enraged: yay, I was right.
Finished Star Wars 501st: How would our modern society handle a true human clone?
Finished Death in the Silent Places: Go Lions!
Started Shadowbane :Eye of Justice — yippy it finally arrived at B&N
Started C++ Without Fear: I needed a new hobby .
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I hope Candlekeep continues to be the friendly forum of fellow Realms-lovers that it has always been, as we all go through this together. If you don’t want to move to the “new” Realms, that doesn’t mean there’s anything wrong with either you or the “old” Realms. Goodness knows Candlekeep, and the hearts of its scribes, are both big enough to accommodate both. If we want them to be.
(Strikes dramatic pose, raises sword to gleam in the sunset, and hopes breeches won’t fall down.)
Enough for now. The Realms lives! I have spoken! Ale and light wines half price, served by a smiling Storm Silverhand fetchingly clad in thigh-high boots and naught else! Ahem . .
So saith Ed. <snip>
love to all,
THO
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31799 Posts |
Posted - 12 Sep 2012 : 16:54:27
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quote:
Originally posted by Bakra
Started C++ Without Fear: I needed a new hobby .
Oooo! That's not such a good book to start with if you're just breaking into programming with the C++ language.
I can make some more appropriate recommendations, if you're interested. |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium -- Volume IX now available (Oct 2007)
"So Saith Ed" -- the collected Candlekeep replies of Ed Greenwood
Zhoth'ilam Folio -- The Electronic Misadventures of a Rambling Sage |
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Artemas Entreri
Great Reader
USA
3131 Posts |
Posted - 12 Sep 2012 : 18:12:00
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| Read a few short stories: The Hundredth Kill by John Marco, Perfect Shadow by Brent Weeks, and Allanon's Quest by Terry Brooks. |
Some people have a way with words, and other people...oh, uh, not have way. -Steve Martin
Amazon "KindleUnlimited" Free Trial: http://amzn.to/2AJ4yD2
Try Audible and Get 2 Free Audio Books! https://amzn.to/2IgBede |
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Bakra
Senior Scribe
628 Posts |
Posted - 12 Sep 2012 : 20:50:03
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quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
quote:
Originally posted by Bakra
Started C++ Without Fear: I needed a new hobby .
Oooo! That's not such a good book to start with if you're just breaking into programming with the C++ language.
I can make some more appropriate recommendations, if you're interested.
Sage,
I would welcome any suggestions you or anyone else would provide. |
I hope Candlekeep continues to be the friendly forum of fellow Realms-lovers that it has always been, as we all go through this together. If you don’t want to move to the “new” Realms, that doesn’t mean there’s anything wrong with either you or the “old” Realms. Goodness knows Candlekeep, and the hearts of its scribes, are both big enough to accommodate both. If we want them to be.
(Strikes dramatic pose, raises sword to gleam in the sunset, and hopes breeches won’t fall down.)
Enough for now. The Realms lives! I have spoken! Ale and light wines half price, served by a smiling Storm Silverhand fetchingly clad in thigh-high boots and naught else! Ahem . .
So saith Ed. <snip>
love to all,
THO
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31799 Posts |
Posted - 13 Sep 2012 : 03:08:33
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quote:
Originally posted by Bakra
quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
quote:
Originally posted by Bakra
Started C++ Without Fear: I needed a new hobby .
Oooo! That's not such a good book to start with if you're just breaking into programming with the C++ language.
I can make some more appropriate recommendations, if you're interested.
Sage,
I would welcome any suggestions you or anyone else would provide.
First and foremost, you should find The Design and Evolution of C++ by Bjarne Stroustrup and published by Addison-Wesley Pub Company. The 1st and best Edition was released in 1994, so it might be difficult to track down.
Next, and provided you've not already done so, I'd suggest you also track down a copy of The C++ Programming Language, again written by Bjarne Stroustrup and also published via Addison-Wesley Pub Company. The 3rd Edition is the most requisite source, and it's been available since 2000.
I'd follow that up with Programming: Principles and Practice Using C++, again by, you guessed it... Stroustrup and published by Addison-Wesley in 2008.
That should provide you with a suitable grounding in programming with C++. There are more intermediate and advanced sources, but you may not be ready for those yet. Hehe.  |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium -- Volume IX now available (Oct 2007)
"So Saith Ed" -- the collected Candlekeep replies of Ed Greenwood
Zhoth'ilam Folio -- The Electronic Misadventures of a Rambling Sage |
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The Red Walker
Great Reader
USA
3567 Posts |
Posted - 13 Sep 2012 : 03:15:14
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Finished Gauntlgrym
Started Neverwinter |
A little nonsense now and then, relished by the wisest men - Willy Wonka
"We need men who can dream of things that never were." -
John F. Kennedy, speech in Dublin, Ireland, June 28, 1963
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Clad In Shadows
Learned Scribe
Canada
158 Posts |
Posted - 13 Sep 2012 : 14:57:27
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Just started the Year Of Rogue Dragons omnibus by RLB.
Good stuff so far! |
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What are you Reading? 2011
Topic Locked
