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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36779 Posts |
 Posted - 30 Apr 2015 : 17:32:08
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I finished the Thrawn trilogy last night. There are a couple more Thrawn books, but I don't recall enjoying those as much as the earlier trilogy.
I just started a new one called The Grace of Kings. I'd heard some good things about it, before it came out, so I decided to give it a shot.
I'm only a few chapters in, thus far, but I am enjoying it. Instead of the typical fantasy approach of being a variant of medieval Western Europe, with magic and such, it's instead a variant of medieval China and Japan*, with an Eastern feel to the fantasy elements that are applied.
One of the blurbs calls it a wuxia version of Game of Thrones, and so far, that seems accurate.
*(It feels more like a fantasy China, but it's set on a bunch of islands, which is more like Japan). |
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Artemas Entreri
Great Reader
USA
3131 Posts |
Posted - 02 May 2015 : 03:58:54
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| Finished Conan the Conqueror. This one had some wicked dark sorcery scattered throughout. |
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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Kajehase
Great Reader
Sweden
2104 Posts |
Posted - 02 May 2015 : 19:53:41
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quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
I finished the Thrawn trilogy last night. There are a couple more Thrawn books, but I don't recall enjoying those as much as the earlier trilogy.
I just started a new one called The Grace of Kings. I'd heard some good things about it, before it came out, so I decided to give it a shot.
I'm only a few chapters in, thus far, but I am enjoying it. Instead of the typical fantasy approach of being a variant of medieval Western Europe, with magic and such, it's instead a variant of medieval China and Japan*, with an Eastern feel to the fantasy elements that are applied.
One of the blurbs calls it a wuxia version of Game of Thrones, and so far, that seems accurate.
*(It feels more like a fantasy China, but it's set on a bunch of islands, which is more like Japan).
Love Ken Liu's short stories. |
There is a rumour going around that I have found god. I think is unlikely because I have enough difficulty finding my keys, and there is empirical evidence that they exist.
Terry Pratchett |
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Artemas Entreri
Great Reader
USA
3131 Posts |
Posted - 02 May 2015 : 20:43:37
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| Starting Conan the Avenger. |
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 Red Walker
Great Reader
USA
3563 Posts |
Posted - 02 May 2015 : 20:44:10
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quote:
Originally posted by The Red Walker
The Name of the Wind: The Kingkiller Chronicles Day One.......just started it and having a hard time putting it down!
Read that and the second book....and I can't remember reading better fantasy books, ever.....
Until I just finished Brian Sandersons Way of Kings and am almost through with Words of Radience......WOW!
Great stuff |
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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Artemas Entreri
Great Reader
USA
3131 Posts |
Posted - 03 May 2015 : 01:00:22
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quote:
Originally posted by The Red Walker
quote:
Originally posted by The Red Walker
The Name of the Wind: The Kingkiller Chronicles Day One.......just started it and having a hard time putting it down!
Until I just finished Brian Sandersons Way of Kings and am almost through with Words of Radience......WOW!
Brandon? |
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 - 05 May 2015 : 17:59:30
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| Finished Conan the Avenger. |
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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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36779 Posts |
Posted - 05 May 2015 : 18:28:54
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quote:
Originally posted by Kajehase
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
I finished the Thrawn trilogy last night. There are a couple more Thrawn books, but I don't recall enjoying those as much as the earlier trilogy.
I just started a new one called The Grace of Kings. I'd heard some good things about it, before it came out, so I decided to give it a shot.
I'm only a few chapters in, thus far, but I am enjoying it. Instead of the typical fantasy approach of being a variant of medieval Western Europe, with magic and such, it's instead a variant of medieval China and Japan*, with an Eastern feel to the fantasy elements that are applied.
One of the blurbs calls it a wuxia version of Game of Thrones, and so far, that seems accurate.
*(It feels more like a fantasy China, but it's set on a bunch of islands, which is more like Japan).
Love Ken Liu's short stories.
This is the first thing by him that I've read... But I'm really digging the book; unless it goes off in some really unexpected direction, it's going to make my list of my favorite new reads from 2015. |
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! |
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Kajehase
Great Reader
Sweden
2104 Posts |
Posted - 05 May 2015 : 18:56:14
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It's his first novel (and on my to-buy-list), and the first in a trilogy. He's also translated (Hugo-nominated) The Three-Body Problem by Cixin Liu from Mandarin.
Somebody interested in checking out some of Ken Liu's stuff for free can do so in audio form over at Podcastle.org. |
There is a rumour going around that I have found god. I think is unlikely because I have enough difficulty finding my keys, and there is empirical evidence that they exist.
Terry Pratchett |
Edited by - Kajehase on 05 May 2015 18:58:56 |
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Entromancer
Senior Scribe
USA
388 Posts |
Posted - 05 May 2015 : 19:42:35
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The Books of the South by Glen Cook, first book being Shadow Games.
The Crippled God felt like a great big homage to The White Rose. |
"...the will is everything. The will to act."--Ra's Al Ghul
"Suffering builds character."--Talia Al Ghul |
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Artemas Entreri
Great Reader
USA
3131 Posts |
Posted - 05 May 2015 : 19:59:57
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quote:
Originally posted by Entromancer
The Crippled God felt like a great big homage to The White Rose.
Did you enjoy The Crippled God? PM me if you have thoughts on the book with spoilers. |
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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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36779 Posts |
Posted - 05 May 2015 : 21:07:02
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quote:
Originally posted by Kajehase
It's his first novel (and on my to-buy-list), and the first in a trilogy.
A trilogy? Really? I'm curious about what the other books will cover, because this one seems very much a standalone novel. |
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! |
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Artemas Entreri
Great Reader
USA
3131 Posts |
Posted - 06 May 2015 : 15:33:32
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| Starting Conan of Aquilonia. |
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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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36779 Posts |
Posted - 06 May 2015 : 15:39:34
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So The Grace of Kings has made my list of best new reads of 2015. 
Just started a new one this morning, Blood and Iron. |
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 06 May 2015 20:09:37 |
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sno4wy
Senior Scribe
USA
466 Posts |
Posted - 06 May 2015 : 17:38:39
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| I'm having a hard time getting through The Herald. I'm 40% of the way in and it finally caught my interest. Honestly, the entire Sundering series has been somewhat underwhelming, especially if you compare it to a series like War of the Spider Queen. I really loved The Reaver though, but was disappointed by Denning's The Sentinel. I greatly enjoyed Denning's works in the past, so I was saddened to see how artificial the relationships (especially the romantic interests) developed in the book. Anyhow, I digress. After finishing the Sundering series, I'm planning on going back and reading some 3.5 stuff. |
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Artemas Entreri
Great Reader
USA
3131 Posts |
Posted - 06 May 2015 : 17:59:15
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quote:
Originally posted by sno4wy
so I was saddened to see how artificial the relationships (especially the romantic interests) developed in the book.
IMO romantic developments in Realms books are just a waste of pages. Realms books are too short to spend time on that fluff and they are always too cheesy anyway. |
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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sno4wy
Senior Scribe
USA
466 Posts |
Posted - 06 May 2015 : 18:16:01
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quote:
Originally posted by Artemas Entreri
quote:
Originally posted by sno4wy
so I was saddened to see how artificial the relationships (especially the romantic interests) developed in the book.
IMO romantic developments in Realms books are just a waste of pages. Realms books are too short to spend time on that fluff and they are always too cheesy anyway.
To me, romantic relationship development is the same as any other kind of interpersonal relationship development in the sense that if an author chooses to incorporate it, I'm going to form opinions on how well he/she does it. It was especially disappointing in Denning's book because the existence of a romantic attachment is pivotal to the endgame of the plot. |
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Artemas Entreri
Great Reader
USA
3131 Posts |
Posted - 06 May 2015 : 19:56:07
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quote:
Originally posted by sno4wy
quote:
Originally posted by Artemas Entreri
quote:
Originally posted by sno4wy
so I was saddened to see how artificial the relationships (especially the romantic interests) developed in the book.
IMO romantic developments in Realms books are just a waste of pages. Realms books are too short to spend time on that fluff and they are always too cheesy anyway.
It was especially disappointing in Denning's book because the existence of a romantic attachment is pivotal to the endgame of the plot.
Ouch! Double disappointment then. |
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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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36779 Posts |
Posted - 06 May 2015 : 20:23:47
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quote:
Originally posted by sno4wy
I'm having a hard time getting through The Herald. I'm 40% of the way in and it finally caught my interest. Honestly, the entire Sundering series has been somewhat underwhelming, especially if you compare it to a series like War of the Spider Queen.
I'll agree that the Sundering series has been underwhelming... But for me, it's still orders of magnitude better than the War of the Spider Queen. The books weren't bad, but only one of them even approached being enjoyable -- and sadly, that one book only flirted with enjoyability before dropping the ball.
For me, the War of the Spider Queen is an excellent example of things that shouldn't be done in a shared setting -- and it puts several of these things in one series.
It's not the fault of the authors -- they were handed a bad assignment. WotC could have done a lot more with that series, but I remain convinced it was nothing more than a money-making exercise, and the higher-ups at WotC simply didn't care about making it worthwhile. |
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! |
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HardKano
Learned Scribe
Canada
158 Posts |
Posted - 07 May 2015 : 11:49:41
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| Finished Horselords, reading Dragonwall. |
There is only one thing that will never change : Evolution |
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sno4wy
Senior Scribe
USA
466 Posts |
Posted - 07 May 2015 : 15:34:20
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quote:
Originally posted by HardKano
Finished Horselords, reading Dragonwall.
I really liked this series. Good to see someone else reading an older series more recently. :D |
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Artemas Entreri
Great Reader
USA
3131 Posts |
Posted - 08 May 2015 : 03:34:40
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| Finished Conan of Aquilonia. |
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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HardKano
Learned Scribe
Canada
158 Posts |
Posted - 08 May 2015 : 11:14:40
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quote:
Originally posted by sno4wy
quote:
Originally posted by HardKano
Finished Horselords, reading Dragonwall.
I really liked this series. Good to see someone else reading an older series more recently. :D
Haha thanks ! I work my way in the Realms novels and i presently give a blitz in the older ones :P |
There is only one thing that will never change : Evolution |
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Artemas Entreri
Great Reader
USA
3131 Posts |
Posted - 08 May 2015 : 16:30:11
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| Starting the final book in the original Conan series, Conan of the Isles. |
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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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36779 Posts |
Posted - 10 May 2015 : 04:57:58
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In addition to the other stuff I'm reading, today I finished a Shadowrun ebook called DocWagon 19. I quite enjoyed it -- it seems like it's just a TV host doing a ride-along with a DocWagon team, but it turns out there's a lot more going on.
For those not familiar with the Shadowrun setting, DocWagon is a private ambulance service. That doesn't sound all that interesting until you consider that the Shadowrun setting is a blend of cyberpunk and urban fantasy... So DocWagon teams are heavily armed, their vehicles are armed and armored, and going in to help a client frequently means walking into a combat situation.
This particular team includes a decker (a hacker who actually sends his consciousness online), a rigger (they use direct connections to their brains to operate vehicles and drones), a mage, someone who is just regular muscle, and an adept (kinda like a magically-empowered D&D monk).
It's not that long of an ebook, so it's a good place to start, if you're wanting to get a taste of the setting. And now is a good time, too, since they've relaunched it, some 20 years in-setting after the original run of source material and fiction (also about 20 years ago, real time). |
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! |
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Caladan Brood
Senior Scribe
Norway
410 Posts |
Posted - 10 May 2015 : 07:55:47
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| Miles Cameron, The Red Knight. About halfway through. |
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Kajehase
Great Reader
Sweden
2104 Posts |
Posted - 10 May 2015 : 21:12:08
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quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
quote:
Originally posted by Kajehase
It's his first novel (and on my to-buy-list), and the first in a trilogy.
A trilogy? Really? I'm curious about what the other books will cover, because this one seems very much a standalone novel.
I may have gotten things mixed up a little. In the interview with him I heard this, he spoke of it as part of a series, not trilogy (but it's fantasy, so I think my mistake is understandable  ). Apparently it's supposed to be called The Dandelion Empire or some such. |
There is a rumour going around that I have found god. I think is unlikely because I have enough difficulty finding my keys, and there is empirical evidence that they exist.
Terry Pratchett |
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Artemas Entreri
Great Reader
USA
3131 Posts |
Posted - 11 May 2015 : 00:42:51
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| Reading through the Al-Qadim Caravans boxed set. |
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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Entromancer
Senior Scribe
USA
388 Posts |
Posted - 11 May 2015 : 16:33:44
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| Going back to the The Stealer of Souls by Michael Moorcock. The novel that got me back into fantasy after I finished Potter and The Dark Tower. |
"...the will is everything. The will to act."--Ra's Al Ghul
"Suffering builds character."--Talia Al Ghul |
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Kajehase
Great Reader
Sweden
2104 Posts |
Posted - 11 May 2015 : 20:39:53
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| Myself, I'm reading two Swedish history books (about the Thirty Years War and Arvid Horn, respectively), and the most recent Pathfinder novel, Firesoul by Gary Kloster. |
There is a rumour going around that I have found god. I think is unlikely because I have enough difficulty finding my keys, and there is empirical evidence that they exist.
Terry Pratchett |
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What are you reading? (2014) (and 2015)
Topic Locked
