Sci-fi and Heroic Fantasy discussion

Welcome to the new month

I have finished (after nearly 6 weeks) Great North Road. Unlike with many huge books, I didn't find my attention wandering, and I was always happy when I found the time to get back into the story. It fills the 900+ page slot for my Bingo (1087 pages).

Finished Unforgiven

Now on to my Middle Grade BINGO slot - Loki's Wolves by K.L. Armstrong

I just started Winter King by Bernard Cornwell. It's an Arthurian series.

Completed:
text:

Audible:

==========================================
Authors: Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Hafsah Faizal, Essa Hansen, Nalo Hopkinson, Intisar Khanani, Victor LaValle, Ann Leckie, Barbara Nickless, Nnedi Okorafor, C.T. Rwizi, Nisi Shawl, Christian White, Yessoh G.D.
Narrators:
Adjoa Andoh, Ellen Archer

Michelle wrote: "I just started Winter King by Bernard Cornwell. It's an Arthurian series."

I have Cornwall's Arthurian trilogy in my TBR pile - along with Lawhead's 5-book series, and Mallory, and maybe a dozen other Arthurian titles.

I have finished the anthology Rogues. Martin and Dozois work well together as editors and have gathered another high quality collection of stories for this anthology. The stories included cover science fiction, fantasy, crime, historical fiction and even some psychological horror. There were none that I didn't enjoy and many that are short stories that fit within other series.

Finished the Dream Hunters, I think I actually liked the comic version more than the illustrated short story version. It was interesting how parts of the text were left out since you had the visuals, in fact there were at times 2-3 pages in a row without any text at all.

So next in the Sandman series is The Kindly Ones by Neil Gaiman. I'm reading these very slowly since I only have a few left unread :)

I've read:


which was pretty disappointing. On the plus side, the ONInet was an interesting idea. On the other side, the general plot is the same (view spoiler)[(find clues on a retro-themed quest, get the girl) except this time other characters actually do the work (hide spoiler)], and the author just wrote "I realized the I was seeing [actor name] playing [character name] in [movie name]" over and over to plug the required number of retro references. Also the main character has basically become an immature version of the 1st book's bad guy, impossible to root for.

I'm now reading which is pretty fun, Liu always has interesting ideas. The kids are definitely not alright.

I have started reading Sand.

Half way through Jurassic Park. I don't often read a book after seeing the movie but someone at another site told me there were a fair number of differences, and I like Crichton, so I gave it a shot and am thoroughly enjoying it.

Tony wrote: "I have started reading Sand."

Love Sand...took my fear of drowning to all new depths! Greatly excited since Howey says he writing a sequel!

Natural: How Faith in Nature's Goodness Leads to Harmful Fads, Unjust Laws, and Flawed Science was a really good, balanced look at the word 'natural' & how it is & has been used, as well as what it means to various people in different contexts. While a lot was fairly obvious, Levinovitz has some excellent insights & put this huge topic into a manageable form. I gave it a 5 star review here:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I finished Crisis on Infinite Earths. I have read it before, including when it was first released as individual issues - this time I read it with the 50+ crossover issues. It adds a lot to the story, although getting the best order to read the crossovers in can be difficult, and it adds over 1000 pages of story of varying degrees of relevance.

Finished Loki's Wolves, at first I didn't quite buy into the concept for some reason but as it went along I found myself quite enjoying it. If you like Rick Riordan's stuff this is kinda similar.

Back to Greek myth with Troy by Adèle Geras.

Tony wrote: "Michelle wrote: "I just started Winter King by Bernard Cornwell. It's an Arthurian series."

I have Cornwall's Arthurian trilogy in my TBR pile - along with Lawhead's 5-book series, and Mallory, an..."
I’ve just started another Arthurian series, The Crystal Cave, or should that be Merlin. really enjoying this book so far.

I loved The Wicked Day, which I think was the last in that series, Jeff. I've read it multiple times.

Good to hear, I look forward to reading more

Hello all, been a while. Im currently reading Dissolution by C.J. Samsun which is the first book in the Matthew Shardlake series. Its historical fiction and a mystery about a lawyer and Cromwell supporter who also solves mysteries. This one sees the murder of another of Cromwell's commissioners while on an official visit to a monastery. Matthew Shardlake is sent to investigate.

Michelle wrote: "I just started Winter King by Bernard Cornwell. It's an Arthurian series."

Cornwell is easily my favourite author of all time! Hope you enjoy the Warlord Chronicles! If you like them I highly recommend his Saxon Stories series and Grail Quest books too.

Jeff wrote: "I’ve just started another Arthurian series, The Crystal Cave, or should that be Merlin. really enjoying this book so far."

The Mary Stewart series? It's been a very long time since I read them, but my recollection of them is good.

NekroRider, he's tops in my book, too! Have you read the phenomenal Sharpe series?

I really liked Stewart's Merlin books. I've never read The Wicked Day since I didn't see it until so long after I'd read the original trilogy.

I've only read part of Cornwell's Sharpe series, maybe half a dozen of them, but I've really liked them all. Sharpe is an excellent character & the view of the British army as well as life at the times is fantastic.

so far I've been enjoying the re-reading the Harry Potter series, Spiderwick Chronicles and The Outsiders.

Jim, there's a new Sharpe coming out in December! I'm so excited!! I can't link, but it's Sharpe's Assassin.

There are two listed, but here's one: Sharpe's Assassin

Jim wrote: "There are two listed, but here's one: Sharpe's Assassin"

That's it! I pre-ordered both the kindle version and the physical book.

Tony wrote: "Jeff wrote: "I’ve just started another Arthurian series, The Crystal Cave, or should that be Merlin. really enjoying this book so far."

The Mary Stewart series? It's been a very long time since I ..."
Yes, Mary Stewart. Looking forward to tracking down the others. I imagine there a discussion thread about Arthurian series, any pointers finding it? I’ve read TH White and have Sword at Sunset

Jeff wrote: "Tony wrote: "Michelle wrote: "I just started Winter King by Bernard Cornwell. It's an Arthurian series."

I have Cornwall's Arthurian trilogy in my TBR pile - along with Lawhead's 5-book series, an..."

I liked The Crystal Cave so much that when I applied for a university scholarship and I had to write some small essays on some books I'd read recently I used that one. I never did get around to reading the rest, I have a tendency for "saving" books I expect to be good for special times, which is a silly habit I'm trying to break. After all, I won't have time to get around to ALL books so better read the ones I'm most looking forward to...

Jeff wrote: "I imagine there a discussion thread about Arthurian series, any pointers finding it?"

I don't think there is an Arthurian thread, at least not in this group. You are welcome to start one - I'm sure there will be a number of people who would contribute. If you're not sure of how to start a discussion thread, I'm happy to start one for you.

Oddly enough I am currently reading (very slowly, because I'm not finding much reading time at present) 'The Great Captains ' by Henry Treece, which is a retelling of the Arthur story. It is an early attempt to relocate Arthur where he would have been if he existed at all, in the dark ages just after the fall of Rome.

It must be a trend ;). That Bernard Cornwell King Arthur book that I just finished was the first Arthurian book I've read in years.

I finished The Squire, and then got in the mood for Caligula. I think I have been going through ancient Rome withdrawal or something.

Against Three Lands by George Phillies

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4...

Finished book 1 earlier this week. I get why some people don’t like it, but then again, it’s so well written and it is getting a bit more interesting as I read on.

I tried the first three times, and gave it up. I like my protagonists to be likeable!

Finished The Helmet of Horror, a very existential & philosophical retelling of the Minotaur and the Labrynth, I'll admit I didn't understand a good chunk of it, but there were interesting bits, definitely not the worst of the Canongate books and at least the tie to the mythology it is based on is very clear.

The next Canongate myth retelling I found on OpenLibrary is Baba Yaga Laid an Egg by Dubravka Ugrešić. The challenge for me here is that I'm not that familiar with the Baba Yaga folklore. I know who she is and her characteristics but not the actual stories that go along with it.

I understand completely Michelle :)

I did find his actions a bit comically cringy at times, even rolled my eyes thinking “oh come on”. edgy for the sake of it.

The 2nd book has less of that so far and is following an older, more mature Jorg.

I’m just curious at this point whether he gets some sort of epiphany and starts being a decent human being or kills everyone.

The writing is very good either way, even though the protagonist is a piece of work.

I'm currently on the last book of the Seraphim Trilogy by David Dalglish. It's:

-Skyborn
-Fireborn
-Shadowborn(currently reading)

I finished Golden Son. At a few points during that reading I wondered whether I would continue with the series. In the end I reflected that I have grown fond of some of the chracters, including the main protagonist Darrow, and that I want to see how the various plots evolve. So I have now started with the third volume, Morning Star.

@Avery (the Page master)
I now have another book to start reading,thanks.

Finished Troy, this time told from the POV of servants and grooms inside of Troy, which was an interesting take since they could only watch what was going on from a distance, and also as they were not directly involved in the war, still had to deal with day to day things like taking care of kids, figuring out who to marry, while the gods would inexplicably wander by randomly, explaining what is and what will happen, and then the characters promptly forgetting they saw anything. Maybe I've read too many Troy books so far, but didn't like it as much as McCullough's or Miller's take on the tale.

Now on to sorta Norse mythology, how could I resist reading a YA novel about a young Marvel Loki when I saw it sitting there in the library - Loki: Where Mischief Lies by Mackenzi Lee

I discovered Andy Peloquin through a friend and read the silent champions series. Was an incredible read. Moved onto the queen of thieves series from Peloquin. Highly recommended author

Finished Dissolution, which I mentioned before, over the weekend and loved it, easy 5/5 stars! Great historical fiction/mystery 👍

Currently back on Horus Heresy with A Thousand Sons. Honestly so far in the series can't say there's been a single Horus Heresy book that I haven't had a ton of fun with. Love this series. This is the last one I have at home rn though, so must procure more!

Michelle wrote: "NekroRider, he's tops in my book, too! Have you read the phenomenal Sharpe series?"

I haven't mostly because I'm normally less into historical fiction that takes place outside of Europe (and if I remember correctly some of the Sharpe books do) with some exceptions, but I've read I think everything medieval or ancient (Stonehenge) Europe that he's done + his Shakespeare novel (Fools and Mortals) and love it all! Maybe one day I'll try out Sharpe books though!

Been meaning to get into the Horus Heresy series, but when I can’t really find them here. Then when i saw over 50 books in the series…panic kicked in.

Marius wrote: "Been meaning to get into the Horus Heresy series, but when I can’t really find them here. Then when i saw over 50 books in the series…panic kicked in."

Yeah, they can sometimes be hard to find. The first 3 (Horus Rising, False Gods, Galaxy in Flames) are normally the easiest to find and have been rereleased a few times. Books 4 and 5 I was able to get my local SFF bookstore to order in for me. The one I'm currently reading I lucked out finding at a used book sale. Definitely worth poking around used bookshops that carry decent SFF collections. They'll usually have a Warhammer, Forgotten Realms etc. section. But after book 5-ish I mostly had to resort to grabbing them off Book Depository. I'm really hoping they'll rerelease more of them soon!

Also, haha yeah there are a lot of them, but for me I kind of love it because I find it fun to have a couple super long series to read over a few years.

That said, I would start with the first 5 books (Horus Rising, False Gods, Galaxy in Flames, Flight of the Eisenstein, Fulgrim) which will introduce you to the first main events/revelation of heresy. Then you can decide where to go from there.

There are different ways of reading the series that don't require reading them all. I personally am reading them all in order of publication including short stories anthologies (of which there are quite a few) just because I'm definitely "that guy". I've also personally enjoyed some of the books that others don't seem to like as much in the series (ex. Battle for the Abyss and the Dark Angels books)...but I'm also just kind of "that guy" and I wouldn't say my tastes always reflect consensus.

But general consensus is that there are books you can skip that don't relate directly to the main events (such as legion histories/character histories or peripheral events). You could also read according to particular legions you're interested in.

For some lists of books covering major events with recommendations of where to skip (although I don't agree with skipping Fulgrim as it covers a major event and some revelations...I'd also read Mechanicum for some interesting details + most seem to enjoy it):

https://blog.basementofdeath.com/2018...

Also a decent list towards the bottom of this thread: https://www.reddit.com/r/40kLore/comm...

If you don't mind secondhand copies, the BookFinder website is an excellent resource for searching online - it scans almost all of the major online booksites, including Abebooks and eBay. It lists new copies as well.

https://www.bookfinder.com/

I have finished Sand, which I thoroughly enjoyed. Interesting to have an apocalyptic book that doesn't go into any detail of what type of apocalypse it was - so it was clearly generations earlier.

Finish Loki: Where Mischief Lies, it was fun and cute and shows how he ended up deciding that if everyone is going to assume he's a villain anyway, he might as well be one.

Still in Norse mythology mode, back to The Blackwell Pages trilogy with - Odin's Ravens by K.L. Armstrong

I'm re-reading Michael J. Sullivan's Nyphron Rising

The blue wrote: "@Avery (the Page master)
I now have another book to start reading,thanks."

lol You're quite welcome. I'm now finished with the trilogy, and I do believe you--or anyone--would like it if you're into fantasy with dark twists with an academia beginning and a apocalyptic war conclusion with a bittersweet ending.