The Sword and Laser discussion

So, thanks to Rob for reminding me! We've decided to do a little March Madness contest for the April fantasy pick. Here's how it works:

Pick 1 (one) fantasy book that you would like to read. Leave it as a comment in this thread.

On Friday the 4th I will pick the top 16 selections, and they'll enter the (Leigh) Brackets! Hehe.

We're selecting bracket software now, but we'll update you guys with the voting procedures shortly!

A Dirty Job by Christopher Moore

"...they'll enter the (Leigh) Brackets! "

Nerd.

(Sounds like fun)

Daniel José Older, Shadowshaper

Peter S. Beagle, The Last Unicorn

Or anything by Peter S. Beagle, really.

Durarara!! x1 by Ryohgo Narita

The Aeronaut's Windlass

I'll second The Aeronaut's Windlass and Shadowshaper

The Black Company

The Deed of Paksenarrion

Nice Dragons Finish Last

Stormdancer by Jay Kristoff

Is steampunk fantasy? I think of it as fantasy so Karen Memory by Elizabeth Bear.

If not, I'll pick something else.

Seraphina by Rachel Hartman.

Michele wrote: "Is steampunk fantasy? I think of it as fantasy so Karen Memory by Elizabeth Bear.

If not, I'll pick something else."

Looks like fantasy to me.

Assassin's Apprentice

A Book of Tongues

It's a dark fantasy/wierd west novel with gunslingers, witches, and old gods.

Sky wrote: "Assassin's Apprentice"

We read that a couple years ago Sky. You might want to nominate something else.

Dragonflight

John (Taloni) wrote: "Dragonflight"

We also did Dragonflight a couple years ago.

For those of us that "March Madness" means absolutely nothing, could someone give a brief explanation.

I assume the 16 will be grouped into (4 groups of 4), then how does it work?

Ok Thanks. :-)

I keep hearing about the Malazan series from friends and want to read it eventually, so I'll nominate Gardens of the Moon by Steven Erikson

I'll nominate Lovecraft Country by Matt Ruff.

Tassie Dave wrote: "Ok Thanks. :-)

I keep hearing about the Malazan series from friends and want to read it eventually, so I'll nominate Gardens of the Moon by Steven Erikson"

There have been many other groups that have read it.

Oh cool Veronica, I'm glad my reminder paid off.

Man it's so hard to pick just one to nominate though. I like the Malazan idea, or Dark Tower which is one of my all time favorites.

But I think I'm going to nominate Theft of Swords by Michael J. Sullivan.

Mr. Sullivan has been on the show once or twice, is active on Goodreads and I really enjoy his Riyria books. And the narrator is fantastic for anyone who does audio.

I'm not sure that this is exactly fantasy but The Evolution Man: Or, How I Ate My Father is a comic tale about cavemen.

Also have we done The Princess Bride?

TRP wrote: "Also have we done The Princess Bride?"

Yes back in September of 2010
http://swordandlaser.wikia.com/wiki/T...

Full list of books we have read is here:
http://swordandlaser.wikia.com/wiki/B...

The Mirror Empire by the amazing Kameron Hurley

Kushiel's Dart is my vote

The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin.

Silvana wrote: "The Mirror Empire by the amazing Kameron Hurley"

This.

Dara wrote: "The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin."

This.

The Hero and the Crown

I'd be happy discussing the already-nominated The Mirror Empire or The Fifth Season. But I nominate Swordspoint by Ellen Kushner.

Nights of Villjamur by Mark Charan Newton

Dara wrote: "The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin."

We already read a book by N.K. Jemisin. That doesn't mean we can't read another one of course, just saying.

Anne wrote: "Dara wrote: "The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin."

We already read a book by N.K. Jemisin. That doesn't mean we can't read another one of course, just saying."

I'm aware. The Fifth Season was such a wonderful book and would prompt a lot of interesting discussion.

Wylding Hall by Elizabeth Hand.

A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab.

Joanna wrote: "But I nominate Swordspoint by Ellen Kushner."

Co-signed.

I've been wanting to read Three Parts Dead by Max Gladstone

...but I wouldn't be sad about The Fifth Season

I'll vote for Three Parts Dead by Max Gladstone too.

I would love an excuse (not that I need one) to re-read The Eyre Affair. This one has both Sci-Fi/Fantasy elements that I think this group would enjoy.

So many good suggestions!

Joanna wrote: "I'd be happy discussing the already-nominated The Mirror Empire or The Fifth Season. But I nominate Swordspoint by Ellen Kushner."

Hmm... I already lemmed that for Vaginal Fantasy.

A classic: Tom's Midnight Garden by Philippa Pearce. A short but beautiful book.

Dreamer's Pool by Juliet Marillier

I nominate Prince of Fools, the first book in the series. This series is more accessible than Mark Lawrence Broken Empire Trilogy.

The Buried Giant by Kazuo Ishiguro

Clyde wrote: "The Deed of Paksenarrion"

Great trilogy (and omnibus) but I think it probably needs to be kept to Sheepfarmer's Daughter for a monthly pick.

Stephen wrote: "I nominate Prince of Fools, the first book in the series. This series is more accessible than Mark Lawrence Broken Empire Trilogy."

Seconded, though I still like Prince of Thorns, and I've already voted - but I withdraw my original vote in favor of Prince of Fools (thorns)