Fantasy Buddy Reads discussion

Jan 25th.

spot!

This is lowest priority, but I think there is a lull in early February for me, so I might join late...

Omg. Okay maybe.

I might :)

Iain is in so deep he’s scheduling in things he’s planning on being late for 😂

I'm in so deep that I'm struggling to find any more Buddy Reads to do, lol... I have a problem...

13 days left in the month, and only 6 confirmed Buddy Reads... I could add this in... and I could add Inda back in... most of the rest are mid-series...

Iain wrote: "I'm in so deep that I'm struggling to find any more Buddy Reads to do, lol... I have a problem...

13 days left in the month, and only 6 confirmed Buddy Reads... I could add this in... and I could..."

You and I really need an intervention:):):) Hahaha!!!

Oh, I've read this book before. It was pretty cool, thought, I wished I had understood better. I'll read it again, someday. I only read the first and second book, since they were available at my local library. Never had the chance to read the third book.

Simi wrote: "Oh, I've read this book before. It was pretty cool, thought, I wished I had understood better. I'll read it again, someday. I only read the first and second book, since they were available at my lo..."

I just checked and they are up to 7 right now...

Choko wrote: "Simi wrote: "Oh, I've read this book before. It was pretty cool, thought, I wished I had understood better. I'll read it again, someday. I only read the first and second book, since they were avail..."

Oh wow O-O I cannot believe the author has wrote seven books in the series. Crazy.

Then, I might read the series later on in life (maybe when I retire or something).

Simi wrote: "Choko wrote: "Simi wrote: "Oh, I've read this book before. It was pretty cool, thought, I wished I had understood better. I'll read it again, someday. I only read the first and second book, since t..."

Opppssss!!! I think I was talking about a whole another series, I am sorry!!! This one only has the 3... Sorry!!!

Starting later today.

I knew it. It's ok, Choko.

I know it's only a beginning but the narrative feels flat so far. A dying man is travelling thorugh a battlefield and all I feel is polite disinterest. I should be devastated, sorry for him, petrified, all the above and instead - nothing.

Wasn’t planning on joining but been meaning to read this for a long time and had an audible credit to burn. So here I am.

Great o hear Bill!

About 20% in. I have to agree with you about the narrative feeling flat. I really like the worldbuilding but the story hasn’t grabbed me yet.

I reached the woman's POV and I think that I like her more but I am also able to say what was so putting off about the opening sequence: absolute lack of exposition. OK, I know, I know, showing no telling. But when all the author shows is an incomprehensible picture it really doesn't make it easier for the reader to develop an emotional attachment. The second POV is much better in this regard, it balances explanation with action (so to speak). I also very much like (even if I don't understand it completely) (view spoiler)[the idea that magic is not innate but kind of surgeoned (hide spoiler)] that it requires personal sacrifice. Very fresh.

I reached chapter 8. Worldbuilding is the strongest point of this book by far. The story has not managed to grip me yet. And I find Samarkar's chapters much more interesting than Temur's.

I feel the same way. I think it is because Samarkar is actually processing what is going on where Temur is purely reacting. I really like that Temur’s family each has a moon that exist as they do.

The moon thing is great. But that's what I mean - the world is full of wonders brought together very nicely (because it doesn't always work, especially when an author has truly amazing imagination and tries to pack too much into one novel). But the way the story is told is too slow even for me. And I am usually very fond of slow-burners (take Guns of the Dawn or The Curse of Chalion). Here nothing happens and there is no beauty to this nothingness, no purpose either. When something does happen, it happens so fast or in such a manner that it is very hard for me to discern where it fits in the larger tale. For now it is my conclusion that Bear is not a skilled story-teller.

I read her more recent release Karen Memory and the storytelling and character purpose is much stronger in that. So I’m hoping she improves in both aspects as this book/series goes on.

I feel like especially after reading hundreds of fantasy books that the author has to give me more of a reason about why a character should be the ruler other than they are the heir.

Bill, you should try Inda then. It is about a society with a silly assumption that second sons are second best.

Back to Bear, once the two protagonists met the story if not picked up then at least consolidated. But I am prejudiced a bit at this point and so I snickered inwardly how swiftly Temur's narrative changed to match Samarkar's. Suddenly the reflection is there. Why couldn't that be the case from the beginning?

PS but where justice is due: (view spoiler)[I love the idea that sky changes with the conquest! (hide spoiler)]

I absolutely loved Inda. As a series it’s tied with Malazan as my favorite.

You are way past me now. Will catch up tonight.

I zip through because somehow the story still doesn't grip me. 2 stars so far. But I don't lose hope that it will dramatically change towards the end.

Finally about to start this. :)

I finished with a great pang of disappointment. Aside from occasional ingenious world-building ideas, cover is one of the biggest advantages of this book.

The forming love triangle towards the end was the last thing I needed to consolidate my opinion.
I will continue the series but halfheartedly.

Mayim wrote: "I finished with a great pang of disappointment. Aside from occasional ingenious world-building ideas, cover is one of the biggest advantages of this book.

The forming love triangle towards the end..."

Aw, that's too bad. It sounded promising from the description.

I know I had high hopes. But apparently it gets better.

Just about to start this one, curious to see how it turns out.

I liked it better than Mayim but it still dragged for much of the book. The worldbuilding was absolutely fantastic though.

On the worldbuilding (view spoiler)[ the sky changing with the conquest was great. I also loved how they referred to the different peoples the monkey, lizard and mushroom people. (hide spoiler)]

Like Mayim said the story comes together when the characters come together. I did like getting to see them interact with a host of different people.

Hoping the evil wizard guy becomes a little less mustache twirly in the second book.

mustache twirly! lol! :D you are so right!

So I said I was going to start this and I was the one who set it up with Mayim, but I'm going to have to be THAT person and give up on this buddy read. I'm still reading Legend and I need to start Oathbringer tomorrow so I can bring in a shit ton of points for the Jaghut Guardians (but mostly because OB is a higher priority).

Et tu, Jenna?!?

I was planning to read this as a filler Buddy Read this week... Bill and Mayim are lowering the expectations for me... we'll see... reading Spellslinger right now... might squeeze this in before Kushiel's Chosen...

Yeah we'll I moved on to Sevensweaters already.

Alas... I'm done with Sevenwaters... I might check in to see how it goes for the rest of you... my February is jam packed... between all the extra stuff I signed up for in January and the InCryptid reads I setup with Choko...

It's very meh. I continue because I hate abandoning series. Not that I'm going to dwell on this book. :) I'm also overbooked :D

Are we planning on doing Book 2 in February?

I thought about March because my February is insane. Would it suit you?

March is good for me. Whatever date works best for your schedule.

Will have to check Bill as I have no idea what's going to happen beyond February. Could you wait a couple of days so that I can sort my life out?

I need to stop joining things... for reals, this time... I've got 20 reads scheduled in February now...

Mayim wrote: "Will have to check Bill as I have no idea what's going to happen beyond February. Could you wait a couple of days so that I can sort my life out?"

No rush at all. We can sort it out at the end of February.

Iain wrote: "I need to stop joining things... for reals, this time... I've got 20 reads scheduled in February now..."

I had to stop once I hit 10. I like the buddy reads but need to have some freedom to read what I want too.

Thanks so much Bill!

I'm on chapter 18/33 of the audiobook, and have enjoyed it well enough so far... pretty small cast...

Weirdest thing is having to look up a word mid-sex scene...

alluvial fan

noun
noun: alluvial fan; plural noun: alluvial fans

a fan-shaped mass of alluvium deposited as the flow of a river decreases in velocity.

alluvium

noun
noun: alluvium; plural noun: alluviums

a deposit of clay, silt, sand, and gravel left by flowing streams in a river valley or delta, typically producing fertile soil.

Wikipedia: Alluvium is loose, unconsolidated soil or sediments, which has been eroded, reshaped by water in some form, and redeposited in a non-marine setting.

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The more I google'd it, the less appealing the word became...

Haha. That will get you right out of the mood.

I finished the book... quick read... then the producers had a little promo saying "If you liked this book, try Theft of Swords, the start of the Riyria Revelations series"

Doesn't sound like you guys would appeciate that comparison (I haven't read it yet... its on my BR list in May)

I'm about half way through the book and have been enjoying it. But I haven't gotten to the love triangle yet. Really having fun with the setting though and the animals are awesome. Don't know if he'll reappear but I really like Sube (the dog)

Just checking in if people still plan on continuing this series and if there is a time that will work? The buddy read calendar fills up fast.