The Children of Gods and Fighting Men - Forum discussion

So - I'm STILL reading The Dragonbone Chair - but I'm nearly finished it now. Don't blame me - it's over 900 pages.

I'm going to read my arc of Anna Smith Spark's novella next.

How is everyone else getting on?

About 100 pages into Lovecraft Country by Matt Ruff, really enjoying it! Absolutely bleak but compelling depiction of racism in the US in the 50s, mixed in with some slow creeping Lovecraftian horror. Also reading Michael Easter's "Comfort Crisis" (n/f) which is pretty good so far.

Ethan wrote: "About 100 pages into Lovecraft Country by Matt Ruff, really enjoying it! Absolutely bleak but compelling depiction of racism in the US in the 50s, mixed in with some slow creeping Lovecraftian horr..."

I haven't heard of either of those - but they sound good. Let me know what you think when they are finished

Shauna wrote: "So - I'm STILL reading The Dragonbone Chair - but I'm nearly finished it now. Don't blame me - it's over 900 pages.

I'm going to read my arc of Anna Smith Spark's novella next.

How is everyone el..."

I have completely succumbed to the Sarah J. Maas hype again so I am reading Crescent City 3 and honestly having the best time of my life hahah. Exactly the type of popcorn read I needed!

I will be reading the Fletcher & Smitch novella soon as well, I am nervously excited!

My one Pre-order came in on Feb 6, The Tainted Cup by Robert Jackson Bennett, one of my "You write it, I'll read it" authors. 2024 is my year to read Bernard Cornwell books. I started with the Last Kingdom series and already up to book 11. Each book is a snappy 300 pages, give or take a few. I now know how to fight in a Shield Wall.

Esmay wrote: "Shauna wrote: "So - I'm STILL reading The Dragonbone Chair - but I'm nearly finished it now. Don't blame me - it's over 900 pages.

I'm going to read my arc of Anna Smith Spark's novella next.

How..."
I got the first book in Crescent City for Christmas - I'm really looking forward to get to it

Finally got back into reading a good amount. Now onto The Trouble with Peace (Joe Abercrombie) and The Words of Kings and Prophets (who knows?)
Both excellent so far

Shauna wrote: "Esmay wrote: "Shauna wrote: "So - I'm STILL reading The Dragonbone Chair - but I'm nearly finished it now. Don't blame me - it's over 900 pages.

I'm going to read my arc of Anna Smith Spark's nove..."

It's just the best type of brain candy, I will always be trash for Sarah J. Maas haha. Hope you enjoy House of Earth and Blood when you get to it. Have you read her other series?

Esmay wrote: "Shauna wrote: "Esmay wrote: "Shauna wrote: "So - I'm STILL reading The Dragonbone Chair - but I'm nearly finished it now. Don't blame me - it's over 900 pages.

I'm going to read my arc of Anna Smi..."

I read A Court of Thorns and Roses years ago and thought it was okay. I did like Fourth Wing - and I do agree - sometimes a bit of brain candy is fun. I think someone said to me Crescent City was a bit more adult? I don't know if that's true, but I liked the blurb anyway and thought I'd give it a go.

Keith wrote: "Finally got back into reading a good amount. Now onto The Trouble with Peace (Joe Abercrombie) and The Words of Kings and Prophets (who knows?)
Both excellent so far"

I need to get back into Joe Abercrombie. I haven't read all of that series yet. I'm currently reading Kingdoms of Death because I want to get up to speed with this series before the 6th book is released.

Shauna wrote: "Esmay wrote: "Shauna wrote: "Esmay wrote: "Shauna wrote: "So - I'm STILL reading The Dragonbone Chair - but I'm nearly finished it now. Don't blame me - it's over 900 pages.

I'm going to read my a..."

Aaah I see! Well, Crescent City is definitely a bit more adult, but I still think most of Sarah J. Maas works have crossover appeal (which is exactly what I enjoy about them, such a easy reading!)

I asked because with the second book in the Crescent City series, Maas has practically started her own Cosmere thing, so now crossovers are happening. Definitely worth the read though, so much sheer fun!

Esmay wrote: "Shauna wrote: "Esmay wrote: "Shauna wrote: "Esmay wrote: "Shauna wrote: "So - I'm STILL reading The Dragonbone Chair - but I'm nearly finished it now. Don't blame me - it's over 900 pages.

I'm goi..."

That is really cool. Do you need to read her series in order of publication then - or can you just dive in anywhere?

So - nearly at the end of the month. I can't believe it.

I finished The Dragonbone Chair and I'm about 40% through Kingdoms of Death (which is amazing)

Next up is The Stone of Farewell and I also want to read In the Shadow of Their Dying soon.

How's everyone else getting on with their February reads?

Shauna wrote: "Esmay wrote: "Shauna wrote: "Esmay wrote: "Shauna wrote: "Esmay wrote: "Shauna wrote: "So - I'm STILL reading The Dragonbone Chair - but I'm nearly finished it now. Don't blame me - it's over 900 p..."

I personally did ACOTAR > Throne of Glasss > Crescent City, which was perfect for me. But so long as you read book 2 of CC after reading ACOTAR, you should be fine! And the series work very well on their own, especially ACOTAR and ToG

Esmay wrote: "Shauna wrote: "Esmay wrote: "Shauna wrote: "Esmay wrote: "Shauna wrote: "Esmay wrote: "Shauna wrote: "So - I'm STILL reading The Dragonbone Chair - but I'm nearly finished it now. Don't blame me - ..."

Okay. Do you have to read ACOTAR though? Or can you read without?

Shauna wrote: "Esmay wrote: "Shauna wrote: "Esmay wrote: "Shauna wrote: "Esmay wrote: "Shauna wrote: "Esmay wrote: "Shauna wrote: "So - I'm STILL reading The Dragonbone Chair - but I'm nearly finished it now. Don..."

I mean, you can certainly read Crescent City on its own, but a large part of my enjoyment in book 2 and 3 came from the crossovers... so it's up to you! The story itself will make perfect sense without prior knowledge, so at least there's that.

Shauna wrote: "Ethan wrote: "About 100 pages into Lovecraft Country by Matt Ruff, really enjoying it! Absolutely bleak but compelling depiction of racism in the US in the 50s, mixed in with some slow creeping Lov..."

So the Matt Ruff one I really recommend - it's essentially a series of short stories that revolve around the same arc. The Lovecraftian theme sort of peters out about 1/4 of the way through and it becomes more Stephen King-esque. Which is obviously still a good thing. The interspersing of visceral racism faced by the protagonists is really powerful, and the intermittent horror adds to it. 4/5 from me!

Michael Easter's Comfort Crisis is pretty good, though it can probably be summed up in 'People should be able to be bored, hungry and cold. Exercise more and set yourself epic challenges from time to time.'

Just starting the Bobiverse trilogy now!

Just started Demon Daughter by Lois McMaster Bujold which came out late last year that escaped my attention. #12 in the Penric & Desdemona novella series, one of my favorite series.

Ethan wrote: "Shauna wrote: "Ethan wrote: "About 100 pages into Lovecraft Country by Matt Ruff, really enjoying it! Absolutely bleak but compelling depiction of racism in the US in the 50s, mixed in with some sl..."

I looked up Comfort Crisis there after reading your review - it sounds great. Might need to give it a go! I def need to exercise more and - well writing these books is my epic challenge - but I think i could do with a physical one atm! I'm doing a lot of sitting down at the moment.

Esmay wrote: "Shauna wrote: "Esmay wrote: "Shauna wrote: "Esmay wrote: "Shauna wrote: "Esmay wrote: "Shauna wrote: "Esmay wrote: "Shauna wrote: "So - I'm STILL reading The Dragonbone Chair - but I'm nearly finis..."

Okay - that's cool. I read ACOTAR and thought it was good but didn't continue with the series. However, Crescent City did sound good. I'll maybe give it a go anyway. I'm going on holiday soon and need something a bit lighter. This could fit the bill

Stephen wrote: "Just started Demon Daughter by Lois McMaster Bujold which came out late last year that escaped my attention. #12 in the Penric & Desdemona novella series, one of my ..."

Oh gosh - another series I need to look up!!

The Novellas are set in The World of the Five Gods series, but you don't really need to read the novels to enjoy the Penric and Desdemona series. I pre-ordered Dreams of Fire and it hit the app 14th of March.

Shauna wrote: "Ethan wrote: "Shauna wrote: "Ethan wrote: "About 100 pages into Lovecraft Country by Matt Ruff, really enjoying it! Absolutely bleak but compelling depiction of racism in the US in the 50s, mixed i..."

Cool!

If you want a fun physical challenge, I'm running a céilí in the Europa on St. Patrick's Day for MNDA - should be good fun and plenty of dancing haha!

Reading Darksoul by Anna Stephens, hard getting into a second novel in a trilogy after about 2 years away. But I loved the first one so not giving up.
Also reading Babel which unsurprisingly is very good

Keith wrote: "Reading Darksoul by Anna Stephens, hard getting into a second novel in a trilogy after about 2 years away. But I loved the first one so not giving up.
Also reading Babel which unsurprisingly is ver..."

I still need to read Babel!!

Ethan wrote: "Shauna wrote: "Ethan wrote: "Shauna wrote: "Ethan wrote: "About 100 pages into Lovecraft Country by Matt Ruff, really enjoying it! Absolutely bleak but compelling depiction of racism in the US in t..."

Oh how wonderful!! Are you the caller? Or are you dancing?

Stephen wrote: "The Novellas are set in The World of the Five Gods series, but you don't really need to read the novels to enjoy the Penric and Desdemona series. I pre-ordered Dreams of Fire and i..."

Thanks very much! Only 1 week to wait until it comes out. If you want to read the first chapter, you can find the link to the extract on my linktree!

Shauna wrote: "Ethan wrote: "Shauna wrote: "Ethan wrote: "Shauna wrote: "Ethan wrote: "About 100 pages into Lovecraft Country by Matt Ruff, really enjoying it! Absolutely bleak but compelling depiction of racism ..."

I'm the caller! Will probably jump in for step about at end of the night :-D

Hi everyone - I’m on holidays until the 6th April. I’ve been a bit quiet - but will be back with more book chat and reviews once I’m home!

Hope you had a nice break Shauna. Reading The Girl and The Stars now, a.book you need to give your full attention but once you too it is very good. Feel I need to read this trilogy before letting myself get into The Book that wouldn't Burn

Keith wrote: "Hope you had a nice break Shauna. Reading The Girl and The Stars now, a.book you need to give your full attention but once you too it is very good. Feel I need to read this trilogy before letting m..."

I have read the first book in that trilogy - but after it, I really wanted to re-read the whole Red Sister trilogy to get my head back into the world.

Talking of Mark Lawrence - I'm very excited for The Book That Broke the World. That's out this week!

Yes, I am very tempted to skip ahead and start reading that series. I will patiently wait though