Sword & Sorcery: "An earthier sort of fantasy" discussion

Any new release is fair game. For this genre, anything after 2000 is "new" given that it was born ~1930. Some recent discussions indicate the below will be tackled...but you are invited to read/discuss anything:
1-Seven Princes by John R. Fultz,
2-King of The Bastards by Brian Keene and Steven Shrewsbury
3-Stealer of Flesh by William King

S.E. wrote: "Any new release is fair game. For this genre, anything after 2000 is "new" given that it was born ~1930. Some recent discussions indicate the below will be tackled...but you are invited to read/di..."

Barbarian Crowns was also mentioned as a new release to read:

Half way through Seven Princes; the pace just stepped up a lot. It reads as a dark Young Adult book; the ~7 prince characters match many tropes, and the good/evil intentions are clear cut (so the characterization is not deep). Fultz's passion for poetic wording works well for me. It is epic in scope and has sudden deaths of characters you may not anticipate, making it feel like a Games-of-thrones slanted toward a PG-13 rating.

I had heard that Fultz's prose in these books was quite colorful, similar to Clark Ashton Smith. Some reviewers stated it was dark and bloody at times as well, although I do not consider that a detriment, as long as it does not wander into torture-porn territory! As for shallow characterizations, I think Fultz was writing more pulp adventure in the 1930's and 40's style, rather than modern Jordan or Martin type epics. Of course, I have only read the first few chapters...

I had heard that Fultz's prose in these books was quite colorful, similar to Clark Ashton Smith. Some reviewers stated it was dark and bloody at times as well, although I do not consider that a detriment, as long as it does not wander into torture-porn territory! As for shallow characterizations, I think Fultz was writing more pulp adventure in the 1930's and 40's style, rather than modern Jordan or Martin type epics. Of course, I have only read the first few chapters...

Damn double post...!

Double post.... Clark Ashton Smith... Double Shadow?

The opening part of Seven Princes struck me as being very reminiscent of Smith, and almost could've worked as a standalone piece. (Which I intend as a major compliment, to be clear.) I did enjoy the trilogy as a whole.

I look forward to reading all three books. I generally prefer smaller stand alone novels in the old-school S&S tradition, but I am intrigued by this trilogy. However, I am still working my way through Barbarian Crowns, and I also stumbled over a copy of The Green Man by Henry Treece that has my attention as well-too many good books on the go!

s.wagenaar and Joseph, I agree that opening chapter is worthy as an excellent stand alone CASlike story. I don't usually read huge tomes, but this one reads quick, which one may not expect when it is compared to CAS. I'm halfway thru and it seems more inspired-by Smith --- it is a narrative style, but is not as dense.

Looking for some newer S&S? Download Steven Shrewsbury's Overkill for 99c now. Fun S&S for under a dollar!

Well, I've finished Stealer of Flesh . My full review can be found here, but basically I won't be recommending it to anyone or reading any of the sequels.

Lee wrote: "Well, I've finished Stealer of Flesh. My full review can be found here, but basically I won't be recommending it to anyone or reading any of the sequels."

I am only 10% into "Stealer of Flesh". Seems ok now, but I've been reading the reviews. We'll see....

I just finished Seven Princes; review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

In short, it was fun enough for me to give it four-stars, but I tend to be forgiving. I am glad to read it, since it was burning up my to-read pile for way too long.

I liked Stealer of Flesh well enough, as a way to kill a few hours.

S.E. wrote: "I am only 10% into "Stealer of Flesh". Seems ok now, but I've been reading the reviews. We'll see...."

It doesn't get any worse after that first 10% so you'll likely either continue to think it's OK or like it.

S.E. wrote: "I tend to be forgiving."

I'm not sure that I am. One star reviews are rare but so are five star reviews. My two-stars here reflect that I was happy to finish reading the book without feeling compelled to do so. I was aware of some flaws whilst still being entertained enough to keep reading. Finally it reflects the fact that I'm already beginning to forget details of the book. Anything I 'like' would make a greater impression on me.

I read Seven Princes right after it came out. I am a fan of Fultz short stories, and had looked forward to reading his trilogy. It's been a bit, but I know that I enjoyed the read. I liked many of the primary characters and several of the concepts and subplots. I don't think I found the over-arcing plot of the Shaper of much interest, but I also didn't think it was a major part of the first book. As a first book I thought it did well to introduce world, magic, peoples, and characters, and it stands fairly well on its own as a single read. Perhaps most telling of my final impression though, is that, while I eventually bought book 2 and even started it, I haven't gotten past the first chapter I think, and I've read several other titles since.

I liked the Legend of Fire and Ice: The Comet Appears.
I enjoyed the read. I liked the characters and the storyline. The story full of magic and fight.

Short excerpt of the book:
The cat man was not idle either, he used his magical power again by whispering a new spell. He created three arm long, blade sharp spears made of ice, that were floating in the air. He aimed them at one of the approaching monsters. The ice spears pierced the chest of the robust creature and killed it immediately.

AlamoJack wrote: "I agree with Lee on this one. I suggested this book for our Sept-Oct reads because I thought it looked like a good S&S book. It was decent, with some good points. I enjoyed the second and third cha..."

Nice to know I'm not alone. I haven't read any of King's other work but Dan Abnett's Riders of the Dead is worth looking out for in terms of Warhammer set S&S.

AlamoJack wrote: "I've heard good things about [Dan Abnett's] Warhammer 40K books but not much out his fantasy writings."

His Fell Cargo was excellent, if you can find it.

AlamoJack wrote: "Thanks for the Abnett recommendation."

My pleasure.

I think he's on record as saying that Games Workshop tend not to give him too many fantasy commissions. His success with his 40k work probably led GW to steer him more exclusively in that direction (especially since 40k is more popular anyway).

Possibly less S&S, but I also have a copy of The Ambassador to read at some point. I enjoyed Graham McNeill's End Times short story ( With Ice and Sword ) so I'm hoping that could be good too.

AlamoJack wrote: "Two more books for the to-read pile, thanks!"

The problems of GoodReads.

Finished Stealer of Flesh...and I thought it was ok. Had lots of potential that kept being developed...and then not used.

Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

S.E. wrote: "Finished Stealer of Flesh...and I thought it was ok. Had lots of potential that kept being developed...and then not used.

Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show..."

A very fair review. Two votes for 'OK' then.

Lee, Stealer of Flesh is currently free on the kindle, and it is short ... So it is worth a look. This had the potential to be great. I wonder if someone here has read the remaining six in the series to comment.

S.E. wrote: "Lee, Stealer of Flesh is currently free on the kindle, and it is short ... So it is worth a look. This had the potential to be great. I wonder if someone here has read the remaining six in the seri..."

Already read my free copy thanks SE!

I haven't read all six, but I read at least two or three. As with the first, I found them pleasant enough diversions; I'll probably get around to the rest of the series at some point or another.