I have a recommendation for fans of Fantasy, The Deverry Cycle by Katherine Kerr. It's a massively interwoven story of a group of souls reincarnating over centuries in the land of Deverry which is based off of Celtic myth and legend. It's REALLY long, contains over a dozen books and was written over the course of 20+ years. The overall story ending was a bit weak, but I really enjoyed the series as a whole and every individual slice of the overall story fits together really well.
Book Recommendation Thread
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Yeah, I agree. The characters are all very well written.
The niggle is Merlin
My only other complaint is a quirk of the writing - some parts switch focus much to quickly, and by thee time I get a feel of who's PoV it is, we've already switched to the next. But again, its something that only makes me roll my eyes and keep reading.
The niggle is Merlin
actually being a woman, but no feminine traits or thought processes being evident. Obviously he's an android, and he's very aloof in general, and he did mention he'd spent quite some time practicing the man act, so while its completely understandably it still sort of stuck out for me that this guy is actually a girl, but no hint of this is left. Apart from that one time with the "Rugby" which was told in a past tense detached kind of way, and even that was less "This is a girl" and more "Oops, forgot I was still attracted to men. Gotta fix that."
Actually, that detached feel to the Merlin introspection is always present and intentional so I can't really complain. Its part of who he is.
Actually, that detached feel to the Merlin introspection is always present and intentional so I can't really complain. Its part of who he is.
My only other complaint is a quirk of the writing - some parts switch focus much to quickly, and by thee time I get a feel of who's PoV it is, we've already switched to the next. But again, its something that only makes me roll my eyes and keep reading.
Red Rising
I'm just gonna copy/paste my review from Goodreads. Observant people can figure out my real name, but what are you gonna do? Friend me on facebook? =p
"This is the book that makes you laugh in the face of other dystopian fiction. Hunger Games? Yawn. Divergent? Loo-hooser!
I read the first installment of this trilogy in one sitting. This is one of those books that you don't simply read, but *feel*. It evokes laughter, rage, and tears. Despite the grimdark tone of the book, there are moments of beauty that make you think that Red Rising has transcended genre and become something more.
What has it become, precisely? I don't even know. But I *do know* that this author has captured my love much like Scott Lynch, Joe Abercrombie, Jim Butcher, and Patrick Rothfuss. Mr. Brown is an author to watch and I for one am clamoring for the second installment already."
I'm just gonna copy/paste my review from Goodreads. Observant people can figure out my real name, but what are you gonna do? Friend me on facebook? =p
"This is the book that makes you laugh in the face of other dystopian fiction. Hunger Games? Yawn. Divergent? Loo-hooser!
I read the first installment of this trilogy in one sitting. This is one of those books that you don't simply read, but *feel*. It evokes laughter, rage, and tears. Despite the grimdark tone of the book, there are moments of beauty that make you think that Red Rising has transcended genre and become something more.
What has it become, precisely? I don't even know. But I *do know* that this author has captured my love much like Scott Lynch, Joe Abercrombie, Jim Butcher, and Patrick Rothfuss. Mr. Brown is an author to watch and I for one am clamoring for the second installment already."
I'm glad the $10.65 Kindle Edition price put me off enough that I read the preview first. I didn't like the preview, and I don't think I'd like the book. It seemed like it might be interesting enough if you were willing to give slack to the number of flaws in the beginning, I was not willing. Also, there are a lot of similarities to the Hunger Games.
I didn't mean for it to come across like that. As two stories in the same genre, both novels have elements in common as well as obvious differences. I know the Hunger Games didn't particularly break any new ground itself. But I think people who liked the Hunger Games would be more apt to like this one than people who did not. I'm in the latter group.
As I start reading Words of Radiance, I have no real idea who is who because of the names. Too many damn strange names. Even though I haven't read it since 2011, I have no issues with the events and stuff but the bloody NAMES...
I remember the events and the epic battle with super armor at the end. I remember some red-head that stole something from a scholar noble. I remember the slave wood-shield ladder guy and the storm thing. I just have no effing clue who is who anymore except Dalinar. Hell, I even remember the racism stuff that the scholar was uncovering and some old prophecy was wrong about their enslavement of some race or another because of misinterpretation of the look of the true enemy.
But who did what? No idea other than the old soldier general guy.
I remember the events and the epic battle with super armor at the end. I remember some red-head that stole something from a scholar noble. I remember the slave wood-shield ladder guy and the storm thing. I just have no effing clue who is who anymore except Dalinar. Hell, I even remember the racism stuff that the scholar was uncovering and some old prophecy was wrong about their enslavement of some race or another because of misinterpretation of the look of the true enemy.
But who did what? No idea other than the old soldier general guy.
He's justified, but something about it rubs me the wrong way. That said the first book was his book so we learned a lot about him. Words of radiance is Shallan's book and to be fair I like her a lot more now than I did after reading the previous book. I know who the third book is about and I look forward to learning more about that particular character. All that said My favorit characters (in order) are Dalinar, Szeth, Shallan, Lift, and Kaladin
Just finished Words of Radiance myself. I have to say it was awesome. I was one of the people who didn't care for Shallan, but she's a much stronger character now that we see her backstory. I'm more disappointed with Kalidin; as the first book's main character I'd hoped he'd carry more of his development forward. He got there by the end in suitably epic fashion, but Shallan was consistently ahead.
Biggest change in feelings: Szeth. Started out pitying him, went to hating him, then went back to pitying him. He's getting taken for a ride AGAIN, the poor bastard.
Oh, and Dalinar's bit at the end was great.
Biggest change in feelings: Szeth. Started out pitying him, went to hating him, then went back to pitying him. He's getting taken for a ride AGAIN, the poor bastard.
Oh, and Dalinar's bit at the end was great.
I finished a a while ago but forgot about this thread.
You guys obviously missed the awesomeness of Adolin. He was pretty boring in the first book but he has gone up to Dalinar tier with his actions through the book. Went from side character to bro-tier to Dalinar-tier.
Jasnah, Adolin, and Dalinar are the only ones I will probably remember when the next book comes around since they are heads and shoulders above the others. Oh and Wit, that guy too. Whats his face wind guy and redhead illusionist are alright and important to the plot but boring; I really hope they don't get together. It is one of the only antiships that I ever developed. Really don't like the idea of KaliShal.
You guys obviously missed the awesomeness of Adolin. He was pretty boring in the first book but he has gone up to Dalinar tier with his actions through the book. Went from side character to bro-tier to Dalinar-tier.
Jasnah, Adolin, and Dalinar are the only ones I will probably remember when the next book comes around since they are heads and shoulders above the others. Oh and Wit, that guy too. Whats his face wind guy and redhead illusionist are alright and important to the plot but boring; I really hope they don't get together. It is one of the only antiships that I ever developed. Really don't like the idea of KaliShal.
I've finished Words of Radiance too. It was okay but I don't see why everyone is head over heels for it.
The revelation about Shallan's shardblade didn't make much sense IMO. If Sanderson wanted a climatic reveal about the nature of shardblades, he shouldn't have had a point of view character running around with one for the last two novels.
The revelation about Shallan's shardblade didn't make much sense IMO. If Sanderson wanted a climatic reveal about the nature of shardblades, he shouldn't have had a point of view character running around with one for the last two novels.
I just finished Please Don't Tell My Parents I'm a Supervillain and loved every minute of it.
It's a crazy character driven superhero story, with very little world angst (that is, this is not worm and the universe isn't out to get you in a grim dark kind of way). It's just a fun, fun story.
It's a crazy character driven superhero story, with very little world angst (that is, this is not worm and the universe isn't out to get you in a grim dark kind of way). It's just a fun, fun story.
So, I finally got around to reading Words of Radiance. Good times! I thought the Shallan parts of the Way of Kings were the weakest so this book came as a pleasant surprise! The Shallan parts were strong, the Kaladin parts were good as they both continued to struggle with the massive pile of hell their lives have been. Shallan generally coped better but then Kaladin is a lot more straightforward and monofocused.
Overall my favorite character is still Kaladin, even if his powerset isn't my favorite. After that it's now Shallan, Hoid, Dalinar, and various divers others in that order.
Also I have a theory but I'll spoiler it
Overall my favorite character is still Kaladin, even if his powerset isn't my favorite. After that it's now Shallan, Hoid, Dalinar, and various divers others in that order.
Also I have a theory but I'll spoiler it
Is it just me or does anyone else think that the Horneaters are Parshendi/Parshmen who managed to become more human and/or interbred with humans?
Since the Stormlight archive is getting the nod I figured I'd point out some more work by Sanderson.
Final Empire (Mistborn) and it's sequel The Alloy of Law
Steelheart
Good story, with an interesting universe, and fun characters. I really liked the Professor by the end.
Legion
A more modern story with a character who might be insane....or a genius.
Warbreaker which is free so take a look.
Final Empire (Mistborn) and it's sequel The Alloy of Law
Steelheart
Good story, with an interesting universe, and fun characters. I really liked the Professor by the end.
Legion
A more modern story with a character who might be insane....or a genius.
Warbreaker which is free so take a look.