Fantasy Book Club discussion

Goal 4/4

Incomplete and not up to date series. I would really like to finish 4 of these series if possible. A couple should be doable as only have one book to go.

The Others by Anne Bishop - 4 of 5
Dresden Files by Jim Butcher - 9 of 15
The Malazan Book of the Fallen by Steven Erikson - 4 of 10
The Tales of Bauchelain and Korbal Broach by Steven Erikson - 4 of 6
Cork O'Connor by William Kent Krueger - 11 of 16
October Daye by Seanan McGuire 10 of 11
Incryptid by Seanan McGuire 1 of 7
The Hollows by Kim Harrison - 12 of 13
The First Law Series by Joe Abercrombie -2 of 3
City of Dragons by Robin Hobb - 3 of 4
Draconis Memoria by Anthony Ryan - 1 of 3
Powder Mage by Brian McClellan - 1 of 3
Damien Seeker by SG Maclean - 1 of 2
Hidden Legacy by Ilona Andrews - 2 of 3

Series Completed for the challenge

Bloodsounders Arc by Jeff Salyards - January 2017
Graveyard Queen by Amanda Stevens - April 2017
Lady Julia Grey by Deanna Raybourn - May 2017
Slains by Susanna Kearsley - November 2017

Up to Date for the Challenge

Sebastian St Cyr by C.S. Harris
Gentleman Bastards by Scott Lynch
Lady Darby by Anna Lee Huber
October Daye by Seanan McGuire
Draconis Memoria by Anthony Ryan

Series Started

The Tales of Bauchelain and Korbal Broach by Steven Erikson - 2017
Incryptid by Seanan McGuire - 2017
Powder Mage by Brian McClellan - May 2017
Lady Darby by Anna Lee Huber - June 2017
The Seeker by SG MacLean - June 2017
The Faithful and the Fallen by John Gwynne - July 2017
The Band by Nicholas Eames - August 2017
Poldark by Winston Graham - August 2017
Sarantium Mosaic by GGK - September 2017
Horngate Witches by Diana Francis - October 2017
Lady Emily by Tasha Alexander - November 2017

Books read for this challenge


White Hot by Ilona Andrews - Aug 2017
Chains of the Heretic by Jeff Salyards
Dead Beat - by Jim Butcher
Proven Guilty - by Jim Butcher - April 2017
White Night - by Jim Butcher - May 2017
Discount Armageddon by Seanan McGuire
Deadhouse Gates by Steven Erikson
Memories of Ice by Steven Erikson May 2017
House of Chains by Steven Erikson July 2017
Midnight Tides by Steven Erikson Oct 2017
Blood Follows by Steven Erikson - March 2017
The Lees of Laughter's End by Steven Erikson - March 2017
The Wurms of Blearmouth by Steven Erikson - March 2017
The Healthy Dead by Steven Erikson - Aug 2017
Marked in Flesh by Anne Bishop
Malice by John Gwynne - July 2017
Valor by John Gwynne - Sept 2017
Ruin by John Gwynne - Oct 2017
Where the Dead Lie C.S. Harris - June 2017
The Anatomist's Wife by Anna Lee Huber- June 2017
Mortal Arts by Anna Lee Huber - July 2017
A Grave Matter by Anna Lee Huber - Sept 2017
A Study in Death by Anna Lee Huber - Sept 2017
As Death Draws Near by Anna Lee Huber - Oct 2017
Purgatory Ridge by William Kent Krueger - March 2017
Blood Hollow by William Kent Krueger - April 2017
Mercy Falls by William Kent Krueger - June 2017
Copper River by William Kent Krueger - June 2017
Thunder Bay by William Kent Krueger - July 2017
Red Knife by William Kent Krueger - Aug 2017
Heaven's Keep by William Kent Krueger - Sept 2017
Vermilion Drift by William Kent Krueger - Oct 2017
Northwest Angle
Red Seas Under Red Skies by Scott Lynch- June 2017
The Republic of Thieves by Scott Lynch - July 2017
The Seeker by SG Maclean - June 2017
Once Broken Faith by Seanan McGuire - Aug 2017
Silent on the Moor by Deanna Raybourn - March 2017
Dark Road to Darjeeling by Deanna Raybourn - April 2017
The Dark Enquiry by Deanna Raybourn - May 2017
The Waking Fire by Anthony Ryan
The Legion of Flame by Anthony Ryan
The Awakening by Amanda Stevens- April 2017
The Firebird by Susanna Kearsley - Nov 2017

I've got the last two of dagger and coin, I'm just not really enjoying it :(

Ditch it Helen, think of all the other books to get to instead of slogging thru ones you don't like!

I have an abandoned list Helen of series that just didn't work for me.

Finished Dead Beat Dresden Files 7. I'm nearly halfway with the series. Really loving the series overall and glad I've stuck with it.

I have a feeling I would like it.
I liked his Codex Alera series. I just can't star a new series before I get through some of my other planned reads.
: )

Glad to hear you liked the Codex Alera series Brenda. I plan to read that at some point.

Added a new series Incryptid by Seanan McGuire.

I read it with you Brenda, I think that's when we met.

January Round Up on Series.

Finished

Bloodsounders Arc by Jeff Salyards.

Moved forward

Malazan Empire series by reading Deadhouse Gates. 5/5 Loved it. Might just be my favourite fantasy book of all time that I've read.

Dead Beat (Dresden Files #7)

Started

Incryptid by Seanan McGuire

Helen wrote: "I've got the last two of dagger and coin, I'm just not really enjoying it :("

Helen I didn't find the motivation after the second book to push on with The Dagger and the Coin. I do mean to, but it just isn't a priority. Did you decide to just abandon the series?

Up to date briefly on The Others by Anne Bishop. Read Marked in Flesh. Rated 4/5. It's a good series. I did like the first couple of books more when action wasn't so far flung as it is starting to feel like it is now.

February Round Up on Series.

Series Finished

Nil

Series Moved Forward

Marked in Flesh (The Others #5) by Anne Bishop

Series Started

Nil

Wrap Up

Very slow progress this month as I've been reading mainly non fantasy in February.

Is The Others more adult or same-old-same-old of the vamp/WW genre?

It is adult and I think it's a very different take on shape shifters/ vampires. In her shape shifters are more wolf, bear, crow etc and have to learn how to change into human. Bishop makes these characters think as a wolf first. That being said, I feel it's still aimed at a female reader. Bishop is an author whom I disliked her fantasy work, but am finding her urban fantasy enjoyable. Really goes to prove for me that even if you don't like one series by an author you might like a different series they write.

I love your round ups. I was reading the series with the sister group but I just couldn't keep going. I didn't particularly like anyone :(

Thanks Helen, I may have been inspired to do the round up from others :).

I can see that with The Others. I think the two books were stronger than the second two.

Finished 3 Malazan novellas as per the Ultimate Reading Order.

Blood Follows
The Lees of Laughter's End
The Wurms of Blearmouth

Enjoyed them. I'm not much of a novella reader, but found these very humourous, with lots of dark humour.

Now ready for Memories of Ice in April

March Round Up

Series Finished

Nil

Series Moved Forward

Non Fantasy - Silent on the Moor - Lady Julia Grey #3
Non Fantasy - Purgatory Ridge - Cork O'Connor #3

Series Started

The Tales of Bauchelain and Korbal Broach by Steven Erikson
Blood Follows
The Lees of Laughter's End
The Wurms of Blearmouth

The Demon King (Demon King #1) by Cinda Williams Chima - Abandoned

Wrap Up

Happy with the month as moved forward on two series and started the Tales novella's. I completed The Demon King, but it wasn't for me, so I won't be continuing.

Moved forward in Dresden Files #8 - Proven Guilty 5/5. I'm really starting to love this series.

I've only read the first Dresden.

I've really got into the series Helen, but reading them slowly as a few have taken a while to get from the library.

I've finished my second series for the challenge. - Graveyard Queen by Amanda Stevens. Really enjoyed the series overall and I love that it's only been 6 books long.

Started a new series - The Waking Fire (Draconis Memoria #1) by Anthony Ryan. Enjoyable book and looking forward to the next book when it comes out.

I see this book on my thread ALL the time.

Angela wrote: "Moved forward in Dresden Files #8 - Proven Guilty 5/5. I'm really starting to love this series."

Glad to see you are enjoying this series, Angela. It does really get better and better. Harry Dresden is awesome!

Helen wrote: "I see this book on my thread ALL the time."

It was good Helen. I now understand why so many people seem to be reading it.

Cheryl wrote: "Angela wrote: "Moved forward in Dresden Files #8 - Proven Guilty 5/5. I'm really starting to love this series."

Glad to see you are enjoying this series, Angela. It does really get be..."

Thanks Cheryl. I really enjoy how the secondary characters get rotated through different books, so Harry isn't always working with the same characters.

Angela wrote: "Helen wrote: "I see this book on my thread ALL the time."

It was good Helen. I now understand why so many people seem to be reading it."

Good to know.

April Series Progress Report.

Series Finished

The Awakening (Graveyard Queen)

Series Moved Forward

Non Fantasy - Blood Hollow Cork O'Connor #4
Non Fantasy - Dark Road to Darjeeling Lady Julia Grey #4
Fantasy - Proven Guilty Dresden Files #8

Series Started

The Waking Fire Draconis Memoria #1

Wrap Up

I'm very pleased to have finally finished a series. Had a great month and enjoyed all the books I read.

Congrats!

Helen wrote: "Congrats!"

Thanks Helen. Halfway to my goal of 4. I might have to increase it by a couple as I'm just about to finish my 3rd series for the year in the next couple of days.

Another Dresden Files book completed. White Night 4/5.

Yay another Malazan book done! Memories of Ice 5/5.

May Progress Report

Series Finished

Non Fantasy - Lady Julia Grey Series

Series Moved Forward

Fantasy - White Night Dresden Files #9
Fantasy - Memories of Ice Malazan #3

Series Started

Fantasy Promise of Blood Powder Mage #1

Wrap Up

Finished a Malazan Book so that's always a great month. Also another series done!

Woo!

Thanks Helen,

One more to get my goal. Then I think I might increase the total!

Moved forward with The Gentleman Bastards series - Red Seas Under Red Skies 4/5, though more a 3.5 in that I found the second half of the book dragged a bit and the ending felt rushed.

I'm hoping the next book will be ok :S

Margret wrote: "I'm hoping the next book will be ok :S"

Me too.

Angela wrote: "Moved forward with The Gentleman Bastards series - Red Seas Under Red Skies 4/5, though more a 3.5 in that I found the second half of the book dragged a bit and the ending felt rushed."

I liked RSURS a lot. It was book three I struggled with and had to round up to a 4*. Neither was in the league of book 1.

Thanks for that Scott. I wonder what I'll think of the next book then given I did struggle a little with RSURS.

Started a new series - historical mystery.
The Seeker 5/5. Really good mystery read set in 17th century London.

Moved forward two books in non fantasy mystery series - Cork O'Connor by William Kent Krueger. Really enjoying the series.

June Progress Report

Series Finished

Nil

Series Up to Date

Non Fantasy Where the Dead Lie - Sebastian St Cyr #12

Series Moved Forward

Fantasy - Red Seas Under Red Skies - Gentleman Bastards #2
Non Fantasy - Mercy Falls Copper River - Cork O'Connor #5 and #6

Series Started

Non Fantasy The Seeker - Damien Seeker #1
Non Fantasy The Anatomist's Wife - Lady Darby #1

Wrap Up

Bit of a non fantasy month in June. Pleased to be up to date on another series and that I moved forward 3 books in two other series.

I'd like to read Gentleman Bastards it sounds good, I'll have to move it up in my TBR pile.

Cork O'Connor description here reminded me of Longmire. Have you read any of the Longmire series and if you have how do they compare?

I love the cover of the Seeker it immediately reminds me of Solomon Kane by Robert E. Howard

Thanks Kevin. The first book in Gentleman Bastards was great, the second okay, so fingers crossed I enjoy the third book.

I haven't read Longmire, but it's on my TBR. I put it there after I starting reading Cork O'Connor. It's actually the first contemporary mystery series I've read in a long time. I tend to read historical mysteries.

The Seeker was excellent. Historical mystery and I'm looking forward to reading the second book. It's only a duology as far as I can tell, which makes a nice change.

I've read a little over half of the Longmire series, started it because I'd seen the TV show and really enjoyed it. The show really follows the spirit of the books, they have the characters nailed. I'll have to finish Longmire before starting Cork O'Connor. The cover alone sells me on the Seeker!

That's wonderful to hear. I don't think you'll be disappointed by The Seeker1

I didn't realise there was a show for Longmire. I'll need to look that up.

Up to date on the Gentleman Bastards by Scott Lynch. 3/5 for The Republic of Thieves. I liked it, but too long and a slog at times.