2025 & 2026 Reading Challenge discussion
ARCHIVE 2015
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Adrian: 50 (was35) books for 2015
River of Stars - Guy Gavriel KayI have to say I didn't enjoy this as much as the previous book Under Heaven. Somehow there wasn't quite the same feeling to the story. Still worth a read thiough for something a little different.
Half a King - Joe AbercrombieIt took me a while to discover Joe Abercrombie but I'm a definite fan now. This was as good as I had hoped and read in a couple of days flat. I don't do that too often...
The Dark Defiles - Richard K. MorganThis took me a little longer to get into than the previous books, but a good ending to the whole story.
Dark Fire - C.J. SansomI discovered the Shardlake books last year and am now steadily working my way through them. (I'm trying not to binge-read the whole series).
A bit different to my usual fare, but they are well writtenand I might even try some of the books he uses as sources at some point...
Mage's Blood - David HairI have to confess that although I did finish the book it was a bit of a slog at times. The story isn't bad but it didn't really grab me and I don't know that I'll bother with the others in the series.
Dreams of Gods & Monsters - Laini TaylorI feel like I've been waiting for ever for this..
Not the stereotypical happy ending, butall the better for that.
The Lascar's Dagger - Glenda LarkeThat reminds me...I must chase down the other books and series by this author. This wasn't half bad...
The Severed Streets - Paul CornellDecidedly dark in tone and a plot direction I hadn't expected. Looking forward to the next installment.
The Emperor's Blades - Brian StaveleyThis series looks really promising though I felt he didn't do much with one of the characters, thoiugh it looks as though he might be putting that right with the next book...
The Black Guard - A.J. SmithThis seemed to promise a lot when I first picked it up.
Didn't really grab me as much as it might have done though.
Sovereign - C.J. SansomAnother easily devoured book...I really do like this series but the principal charcater is aging with each boob so he can't last forever...
The Copper Promise - Jen WilliamsThis read a bit like a Dungeons and Dragons adventure at times, but it was enjoyable none the less. A nice change from some of the dark and deeply meaningful fantasy books...
The Fallen Blade - Jon Courtenay GrimwoodI put off trying this for ages. I was never sure how good it was going to be, but a pleasant surprise having now read it. It is actually quite good and well worth finding the others in the series.
The Mime Order - Samantha ShannonI didn't actually like this as much as the first book. I kept having this horrible feeling she was going to make a mess of the ending. It didn't turn out too bad, but it was harder work then the first book.
The Strange Affair of Spring Heeled Jack - Mark Hodderwonderful. A steampunk-ish story that had a good pacy story, a touch of the penny dreadful in places and you've got to love the messenger parrots with tourettes!
Lips Touch: Three Times - Laini TaylorThree modern fairy tales, I suppose you would call them. All written with the same intensity of feeling of the Smoke and Bone series. Excellent.
The Invisible Library - Genevieve Cogmanwhat a wonderful book! Where do I apply?!
An original idea, though I think I have a good idea where it's heading but could be the start of a wonderful series.
Adrian wrote: "The Invisible Library - Genevieve Cogmanwhat a wonderful book! Where do I apply?!
An original idea, though I think I have a good idea where it's heading but could b..."
Just finished Invisible Library, too. Lots of fun. I agree that where and how the author ended the book seems like it's book one of a series. I hope that the author gets a US book deal soon; I picked up a used copy through Amazon US. Luckily.
Bella wrote: "Adrian wrote: "The Invisible Library - Genevieve Cogmanwhat a wonderful book! Where do I apply?!
An original idea, though I think I have a good idea where it's head..."
According to her web site, the second book, "The Masked City", is in final edit stage and she's starting on book three..
Genevieve Cogman
The Mirror Empire - Kameron HurleyThis was hard work at times.
The last third of the book was a lot better than the rest and the rest of the series may be OK. Not sure whether I will bother though...
Heresy - S.J. ParrisInteresting...I've read factual books about Giordano Bruno so I wasn't sure about him being turned into a detective. This wasn't bad but I'm not sure it was as good as the Shardlake books. I will try the other books in the series though.
The Curious Case of the Clockwork Man - Mark HodderThis series is great fun, and I haven't come across a better last line in book...!
Hello Adrian,It appears that Sci-Fi and Fantasy novels are your favorites.
I don't know if you have ever read anything written by Glenn Cook, but I thoroughly enjoyed Chronicles of the Black Company. It is books 1-3 of the series. Book 1 is simply called "The Black Company".
Hi BarryI've seen "The Black Company" in the bookshops and thought it might be worth a look. Unfortunately, it's not available in the library round here so I'll have to track it down elsewhere.
Thanks for the recommendation, though.
The Path of Anger - Antoine RouaudThis was really good! I wasn't sure I was going to get on with this but it is well worth reading. There's not a lot of magic or fantastic creations but it isn't needed, tis just an excellent tale. Looking forward to book 2 which looks like being out this summer.
I hope you're enjoying the group, Adrian! You're doing great on your challenge so far.
Hi Cassandra,Well people seem to be reading my comments and no-one has argued with me so far, so it seems to be going pretty well :)
I'm trying to stay ahead of my target as life is getting busier now and I don't know if I'll be able to keep going at the same rate.
Cat Out of Hell - Lynne TrussThis was different, a light interval between more substantial books but not bad.
Company of Liars - Karen MaitlandThis was OK but promised more than it delivered and I definitely didn't like the ending,
Traitor's Blade - Sebastien de CastellThis was excellent, excellent humour, likeable characters and brilliant fuight descriptions. But...how did he beat the Saint...?
Expedition to the Mountains of the Moon - Mark HodderI'm not sure this is quite as good as the previous books but fun nonetheless.
Prophecy - S.J. ParrisThis series is promising, the second book is as good as the first and the history isn't too far from actuality.
Rex Regis - L.E. Modesitt Jr.Another easy read...these may not be the greatest pieces opf literature, but they are always an enjoyable read.
Ok, I've got to the poiint where, to my surprise, I am 16 books ahead of schedule on my challenge. I am, therefore, stretching the target to 50 books. I'm still ahead of the game at this point but it might be a more realistic target at the rate I seem to be reading.
The Outcast Blade - Jon Courtenay GrimwoodIf anything I enjoyed this more than the first book. I shall have to investigate his other books.
The Thousand Names - Django WexlerThis started out quite promisingly though the plot seemed a little too familiar. By about half way through I was beginning to find it a bit hard going. The rest of the series may be OK but I don't think I'm going to go out of my way for it. Shame....
The Secret of Abdu El-Yezdi - Mark HodderAnother excelent story. The thing about alternative histories is that you can never run out of them...
The Bones of Avalon - Phil RickmanNot bad....the author didn't take too many liberties with the main character and it seemed to be written with some serious intent. There are other books in the series and it might be interesting to see how he handles some of John Dee's more gullible parts of his life.
Knight's Shadow - Sebastien de CastellA second excellent book in this series and there are two more to come!
Children of Fire - Drew KarpyshynNot bad, if a little predictable in places. I'll probably try the others in the series.
Sacrilege - S.J. ParrisI'm not sure I enjoyed this as much as the others. I had a feeling the author was going a bit too far beyond the reality of the central charcater.
Maybe I'll come back to this series later...
The House of War and Witness -Mike Carey et alThis was filed under Fantasy in the library, though its more of ghostly fairy tale. Wichever way you want to categorise it, it's a lovely story and doesn't show any obvious gaps from having 3 authors.
Echo City - Tim LebbonI don't know whether you'd call this fantasy or SF but it's good. It also looks like its a story on its own; the author doesn't seem to be intent on taking the story any further than it needs to.
Another new author to investigate....
Between Two Thorns - Emma NewmanI'm afraid I didn't finish this...
It had possibilities while the story revolved around the first of the central characters, and then the author introduced Catherine...
After a third of the book of her feeling sorry for herself and not actually doing anything, I lost patience.
A shame really...
The City of Silk and Steel - Mike Carey & Linda & Louise Carey.Much better...
A lovely humorous patchwork tale of stories with a bittersweet ending. I want more like this...
In Dark Service - Stephen HuntI put off reading this book for some time as I wasn't sure about it. I'm still not sure...
It isn't too bad a tale and reasonably well written, but possibly a bit too long. I'm not sure I will chase down the sequel.
The Affinity Bridge - George MannI tried this on the strength of the book of short stories (see below). The full length novel is better, though it has its holes and weaknesses, but on the whole an enjoyable read. I'll try the others in the series...
2025 & 2026 Reading Challenge
Books mentioned in this topic
The Heretic Land (other topics)Drakenfeld (other topics)
The Vagrant (other topics)
The Revolutions (other topics)
The Watchmaker of Filigree Street (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Tim Lebbon (other topics)Mark Charan Newton (other topics)
Peter Newman (other topics)
Felix Gilman (other topics)
Natasha Pulley (other topics)
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I've actually been reading a lot more this year, though nowhere near what I used to. I've actually extended my target once already and may do so again if I carry on at this rate.