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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36968 Posts |
 Posted - 25 May 2013 : 14:12:30
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quote:
Originally posted by Thauranil
Been reading only sporadically since my exams are coming up but I recently found a new manga series called Yotsubato, about an extremely curious and somewhat hyperactivity 5 year girl. Its cute and funny , just what I needed to help me relax .
I've been thoroughly enjoying Yotsubato&!, myself. In large part, I picked it up because of the creator, Kiyohiko Azuma. He also did Azumanga Daoih, which I quite enjoyed in both manga and anime formats. My wife, who isn't really into anime, also liked the anime of Azumanga Daioh. |
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LastStand
Learned Scribe
130 Posts |
Posted - 25 May 2013 : 14:15:09
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quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
Have any of my fellow scribes been reading the Scott Lynch books based on the character of Locke Lamora?
I ask because I've been hearing both a great lot of praise for them and plenty of excitement for the upcoming release of the third book in the series -- The Republic of Thieves. I'm just curious about what other scribes may think about these books.
I started it a while back, but got sidetracked by another novel. From what I've read so far it's pretty good - the writing and the plot. Very witty, but with quite a bit of swearing.
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"Don't. The battlegrounds that you and I have returned from alive are too different."
~ Claymore ch106 |
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Artemas Entreri
Great Reader
USA
3131 Posts |
Posted - 25 May 2013 : 17:51:57
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quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
Have any of my fellow scribes been reading the Scott Lynch books based on the character of Locke Lamora?
I ask because I've been hearing both a great lot of praise for them and plenty of excitement for the upcoming release of the third book in the series -- The Republic of Thieves. I'm just curious about what other scribes may think about these books.
Scott Lynch is an amazing fantasy author and his The Lies of Locke Lamora is one of the best (if not THE best) debut fantasy novel I have ever read. Fantastic characters, brilliant dialogue, interesting renaissance-esque city-state fantasy setting, and deep plots. Everyone should try out Scott Lynch! 
*I'm really glad Scott's next book in the Gentlemen Bastards series is coming out this year because he was beginning to suffer from GRRM Syndrome. |
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
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Edited by - Artemas Entreri on 26 May 2013 00:22:34 |
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Renin
Learned Scribe
USA
290 Posts |
Posted - 26 May 2013 : 12:09:12
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quote:
Originally posted by Clad In Shadows
I love King's weird endings. The ending to The Dark Tower is one of my all time favourites.
Count me as one of those that finds The Dark Tower magnificent. I was more than pleasantly stunned to see the 'after' part of the ending, and I just loved it then. |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36968 Posts |
Posted - 26 May 2013 : 14:41:46
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quote:
Originally posted by Renin
quote:
Originally posted by Clad In Shadows
I love King's weird endings. The ending to The Dark Tower is one of my all time favourites.
Count me as one of those that finds The Dark Tower magnificent. I was more than pleasantly stunned to see the 'after' part of the ending, and I just loved it then.
I read the first book, back in the days when it was still new and I was eager to read anything by King... That book, and those days, are part of why I'm no longer such a King fan, and mostly ignore him now. |
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Dennis
Great Reader
9933 Posts |
Posted - 26 May 2013 : 17:40:22
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quote:
Originally posted by Dennis
I’m now on chapter 4 of The Spectral Blaze, Book III of The Brotherhood of the Griffon series by Richard Lee Byers. I must admit, I’m starting to regret my original decision (two years ago) to skip this book because of all the “dragonborn crap.” There are more, quite more to it than dragonborn crap.
There are few writers who perfected the art of politics and intrigue in storytelling. And I consider Richard to be one of them.
After two busy weeks, I’m finally able to pick this up again. Though the outcomes of three different, separate campaigns of the Brotherhood and their allies are somewhat predictable, Richard still manages to throw in some surprises here and there, with a healthy dose of humor.
It’s sad to see the Imaskarans reduced to near-husks of their former, mighty selves . . .
I’m curious, is that giant worm that swallowed Biri whole the same type of worm that ate Samas Kul? If so, that doesn’t sound quite right. Biri’s practically a novice in a Red Wizard’s standard, while Zulkir Samas Kul, despite his lack of love for war and violence, was a formidable wizard in his own. How she survived the same creature that killed him is a mystery . . .
I must admit, the idea of xorvintal is plain petty, boring, and nonsensical. At least Brimstone and that new lackey of his partly agree with me. And I am glad there is more in the story than just about the said ridiculous draconic game. |
Every beginning has an end. |
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Renin
Learned Scribe
USA
290 Posts |
Posted - 26 May 2013 : 22:35:25
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quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
I read the first book, back in the days when it was still new and I was eager to read anything by King... That book, and those days, are part of why I'm no longer such a King fan, and mostly ignore him now.
No harassment here, but I'm curious if you could expand on this?
The Gunslinger, in it's first publishing form, is greatly rough. He has since re-edited it, and rewritten certain parts when the books were re-published a decade ago when he was able to finish 5,6, & 7.
However, if it's more about how his books can end, yeah, I can understand people not being a fan of that.  |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36968 Posts |
Posted - 27 May 2013 : 01:18:56
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quote:
Originally posted by Renin
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
I read the first book, back in the days when it was still new and I was eager to read anything by King... That book, and those days, are part of why I'm no longer such a King fan, and mostly ignore him now.
No harassment here, but I'm curious if you could expand on this?
The Gunslinger, in it's first publishing form, is greatly rough. He has since re-edited it, and rewritten certain parts when the books were re-published a decade ago when he was able to finish 5,6, & 7.
However, if it's more about how his books can end, yeah, I can understand people not being a fan of that.
I read both The Gunslinger and Misery around the same time, and I really didn't care for either book. Even some of his books that I have enjoyed, particularly It, have had elements I didn't like... I've no issue with sex and profanity, for example, provided that it works for the story -- but sometimes I think he uses both gratuitously. Sometimes his writing style grates on me, too -- going back to It, for example, there's a part in the Walking Tours section where an entire paragraph is just one seriously painful run-on sentence, and there's another place (I think it was when they were washing the rags, after cleaning the blood out of Beverly's bathroom), where there is a single paragraph that takes up a page and a half.
He's also had continuity issues; like the fact that The Tommyknockers happens after It, but in The Tommyknockers, Derry is still thriving, there's still something going on in the sewers, and one character even sees Pennywise.
And part of the plot of Dreamcatcher involved yet another alien spacecraft in rural Maine. So It and The Tommyknockers both had this plot element, and then we go with it yet again... And with Dreamcatcher having ties to the Castle Rock tales, that means we also involve a whole lot of other supernatural activity in one very small vicinity.
Don't get me wrong, King can tell one hell of a tale... Salem's Lot, in particular, shows how to write a vampire tale.
But I've gotten bored with him, and I think he's over-hyped.
I enjoyed, to varying degrees, Dan Brown's first four novels, too. But The Lost Symbol was such a huge disappointment to me that I've yet to bother with Inferno. I fear that Dan Brown, too, has moved into the over-hyped category, and I'm bored with Robert Langdon and his collection of incredibly brainy yet incredibly sexy one-time female sidekicks. |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36968 Posts |
Posted - 27 May 2013 : 01:24:08
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On topic for what we are reading... I finished Without Remorse, this afternoon. Having a toddler sleeping on you provides some good reading time.
I started a Timothy Zahn book, The Icarus Hunt. I actually intended to grab Dune, next, but I only had about two minutes to grab a book, and it wasn't in any of the places I thought it was (I later found it in the most unexpected of places -- already on the shelf! Who puts books there?  ).
The Icarus Hunt isn't terribly long, though, and I expect to have plenty of time to read during my workday mañana -- second shift on a national holiday is pretty slow. I may be able to get to Dune then.
After that, I think I'll finally circle back to Krynn and read that last trilogy. |
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Edited by - Wooly Rupert on 27 May 2013 01:24:42 |
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Entromancer
Senior Scribe
USA
388 Posts |
Posted - 27 May 2013 : 15:16:51
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Speaking as a King fan, I found Dreamcatcher hard to read and couldn't even finish Tommyknockers. Wooly, have you tried Stephen King and Peter Straub's The Talisman? It is a pretty good fantasy novel, as is its sequel Black House.
Dennis, what did you think of Tchazzar? |
"...the will is everything. The will to act."--Ra's Al Ghul
"Suffering builds character."--Talia Al Ghul |
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Dennis
Great Reader
9933 Posts |
Posted - 27 May 2013 : 15:43:46
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quote:
Originally posted by Entromancer
Dennis, what did you think of Tchazzar?
He is insane. I didn’t really care for him, nor for any dragon for that matter (bet it FR or other settings). I commend Richard though for at least bringing out the human, lucid side of Tchazzar for a few moments. The contrast helps emphasize how deep into the realm of insanity he’s sunk in. |
Every beginning has an end. |
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Renin
Learned Scribe
USA
290 Posts |
Posted - 27 May 2013 : 15:44:41
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Yeah, Dreamcatcher falls apart hardcore in the end.
LOVED The Talisman, and yes, Black House as well.
That said, I finished the Best of the Realms Elaine Cunningham. MAN, I miss those characters so much!!!
The only possible thing that could happen is that there is enough elven blood in Dan to keep him alive over the 100 year jump....or see Arilyn with a child from Dan, and essentially raising it with Elaith's overlooking resources.
I can wish.
Onto Bury Elminster Deep! |
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Dennis
Great Reader
9933 Posts |
Posted - 27 May 2013 : 15:48:49
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quote:
Originally posted by Dennis
quote:
Originally posted by Dennis
I’m now on chapter 4 of The Spectral Blaze, Book III of The Brotherhood of the Griffon series by Richard Lee Byers. I must admit, I’m starting to regret my original decision (two years ago) to skip this book because of all the “dragonborn crap.” There are more, quite more to it than dragonborn crap.
There are few writers who perfected the art of politics and intrigue in storytelling. And I consider Richard to be one of them.
After two busy weeks, I’m finally able to pick this up again. Though the outcomes of three different, separate campaigns of the Brotherhood and their allies are somewhat predictable, Richard still manages to throw in some surprises here and there, with a healthy dose of humor.
It’s sad to see the Imaskarans reduced to near-husks of their former, mighty selves . . .
I’m curious, is that giant worm that swallowed Biri whole the same type of worm that ate Samas Kul? If so, that doesn’t sound quite right. Biri’s practically a novice in a Red Wizard’s standard, while Zulkir Samas Kul, despite his lack of love for war and violence, was a formidable wizard in his own. How she survived the same creature that killed him is a mystery . . .
I must admit, the idea of xorvintaal is plain petty, boring, and nonsensical. At least Brimstone and that new lackey of his partly agree with me. And I am glad there is more in the story than just about the said ridiculous draconic game.
I just finished it today. What a fun ride! Having read books 4 and 5 prior to this, I already knew of Jhesri and Tchazzar’s intertwined fate, as the author always makes it a point to drop some important references to his previous books. Still, it was awesome to finally “see” how Jhesri managed to defeat the insane Red Dragon.
Most of the scores of the book come from how the characters are sufficiently fleshed out despite the very limited word count, most notably (in no particular order) Jhesri, Shala, Gaedyn, Tchazzar, Halonya, Aoth, Cera, Khouryn, Alasklerbanbastos, Biri, Medrash, Balasar, Oraxes, and Meralaine. The romantic undertones helped keep the tension between some couples. Betrayal and honor are no alien themes to fantasy. But Richard handled them quite fine; they’re believable and interesting at the same time.
I am having a feeling the last words of Meralaine bear some weight and will be explored more in (hopefully) more future books. Perhaps Brimstone, in the grand scheme of things, was just a pawn of some unknown, hidden greater entity.
Handling three near-nonstop war campaigns while leading it to the one that truly matters is no easy feat. Yet again, we see how plausible, convincing, and fun they all are in Richard’s deft hands.
Here’s to more Brotherhood books!
Eight out of ten stars. |
Every beginning has an end. |
Edited by - Dennis on 27 May 2013 15:51:17 |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36968 Posts |
Posted - 27 May 2013 : 17:07:05
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quote:
Originally posted by Entromancer
Speaking as a King fan, I found Dreamcatcher hard to read and couldn't even finish Tommyknockers. Wooly, have you tried Stephen King and Peter Straub's The Talisman? It is a pretty good fantasy novel, as is its sequel Black House.
I had it, but lost it in the fire and never bothered to replace it, since I'd not read it.
I liked The Eyes of the Dragon. |
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Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
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I am the Giant Space Hamster of Ill Omen! |
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Volathar
Acolyte
Turkey
15 Posts |
Posted - 28 May 2013 : 10:03:37
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About to finish "The Fountainhead" by Ayn Rand.
Will move on to "Neverwinter" & "Charon's Claw", afterwards. |
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Dennis
Great Reader
9933 Posts |
Posted - 28 May 2013 : 12:30:02
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Contrary to what my instincts told me, I still grabbed Brandon Sanderson’s The Rithmatist. Ha! I should have known better. I barely managed to reach chapter 2. The concepts of Rithmatics may be fun to some, but it sure sounds ridiculous to me. I wouldn’t have minded it that much if the story focuses more on some more important factors. Unfortunately, Rithmatics (duh, I should have known with the title itself) is very integral to the story that hardly any line passes without it being mentioned. So, yes, I’m dropping it. Sanderson is great, but sometimes, his idea of ingenuity borders on the absurd. |
Every beginning has an end. |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31799 Posts |
Posted - 28 May 2013 : 15:13:11
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I've heard the same said about Way of Kings... but I still thoroughly enjoyed that book. In fact, I'd go so far as to say that, for me at least, it ranks as one of the best modern-fantasy tales I've ever read.
I have high hopes for The Rithmatist -- doubly so because I know Narnra has also been wanting to read it as well.  |
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Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
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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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Thauranil
Master of Realmslore
India
1591 Posts |
Posted - 28 May 2013 : 15:40:37
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quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
quote:
Originally posted by Thauranil
Been reading only sporadically since my exams are coming up but I recently found a new manga series called Yotsubato, about an extremely curious and somewhat hyperactivity 5 year girl. Its cute and funny , just what I needed to help me relax .
I've been thoroughly enjoying Yotsubato&!, myself. In large part, I picked it up because of the creator, Kiyohiko Azuma. He also did Azumanga Daoih, which I quite enjoyed in both manga and anime formats. My wife, who isn't really into anime, also liked the anime of Azumanga Daioh.
Glad to hear that you liked it as well.
I have heard of Azumanga Daioh myself. I think I ll try that out next. |
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Thauranil
Master of Realmslore
India
1591 Posts |
Posted - 28 May 2013 : 15:44:40
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But before I get a cuteness overload i am reading Shadows of Treachery , a Horus Heresy anthology.
I have just read the first story so far but what a beginning it was. A truly epic and heroic tale of a brutal war in space, the heart of the Warhammer 40000 experience. I hope to read more from the author, a John French, in the future. |
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Artemas Entreri
Great Reader
USA
3131 Posts |
Posted - 29 May 2013 : 00:50:06
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| Finished Phantom and starting Confessor. Almost finished! |
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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Renin
Learned Scribe
USA
290 Posts |
Posted - 30 May 2013 : 06:13:42
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quote:
Originally posted by Entreri3478
Finished Phantom and starting Confessor. Almost finished!
I am truly curious as to what you think once they are all read and done. |
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Jorkens
Great Reader
Norway
2950 Posts |
Posted - 30 May 2013 : 11:55:02
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This seems like a good time to reread some Jack Vance.
RIP. |
No Canon, more stories, more Realms. |
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Captain Grafalcon
Learned Scribe
Brazil
131 Posts |
Posted - 30 May 2013 : 14:29:56
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| Just finished The Last Threshold. Starting The Captive Flame(Richard Lee Byers). |
"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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Thauranil
Master of Realmslore
India
1591 Posts |
Posted - 30 May 2013 : 15:08:54
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| Time to go back to Midkemia, just got my hands on Rides a Dread legion. |
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Dennis
Great Reader
9933 Posts |
Posted - 30 May 2013 : 15:18:20
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quote:
Originally posted by Captain Grafalcon
Starting The Captive Flame(Richard Lee Byers).
One of Richard's best. |
Every beginning has an end. |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36968 Posts |
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Artemas Entreri
Great Reader
USA
3131 Posts |
Posted - 31 May 2013 : 01:46:03
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quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
Just started Dune, yesterday. I've never ready it before.
This book is on my imminent To Read list |
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 - 31 May 2013 : 01:47:58
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quote:
Originally posted by Renin
quote:
Originally posted by Entreri3478
Finished Phantom and starting Confessor. Almost finished!
I am truly curious as to what you think once they are all read and done.
I'll finish Confessor tomorrow, but I've enjoyed the series as a whole. I thought Pillars was pretty bad and Naked Empire was only slightly better, but the books after that felt like they were back on track for me. |
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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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31799 Posts |
Posted - 31 May 2013 : 03:04:58
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I've been reading up on Adrian Tchaikovsky's "Shadows of the Apt" series... so I decided yesterday to pick up the first book:- Empire in Black and Gold.
And I must say, I'm thoroughly enjoying it so far. |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
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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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Sightless
Senior Scribe
USA
608 Posts |
Posted - 31 May 2013 : 03:37:06
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quote:
Originally posted by Entreri3478
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
Just started Dune, yesterday. I've never ready it before.
This book is on my imminent To Read list
I should warn you, if you read any book in the series after Heritic, it becomes increasingly non-linear in plot. And strange, very, very, strange.
This is coming from a guy that read the entire series. But I strongly recommend it, especially for Sci-fi fans. It's influenced both fantasy and sci-fi as much as Tolkien has. As for me, I'm almost finished with the Wheel of time series.
I am also finishing two books on Regressio analysis as part of my series on teaching the blind on how to use SPSS, a pass time of mine, so that we can get more into the research field. |
We choose to live a lie, when we see with, & not through the eye.
Every decision, no matter the evidence, is a leap of faith; if it were not, then it wouldn't be a choice at all. |
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What are you reading? (2013)
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