SciFi and Fantasy Book Club discussion

Check-in and First Impressions thread.

No Spoilers please

Also, if anyone would like to lead this discussion, feel free to chime in and let us know.

First impression?
japan setting, ninja, with that "christian" era.

I've already read this book, but it's been a while and I've never had the opportunity to discuss it with other readers. I'm looking forward to seeing what everyone thinks.

I remember the opening being strong; and for me it was a unique read because I haven't indulged in that many stories set in medieval Japan.

I'll pull it off the shelf again when I get home today, to start refreshing my memory...

I also remember really enjoying the book. It's been a while so maybe I'll return to it.

I liked this one when I read it a bit ago. I think someone from here recommended it. (during the awesome "Eon" discussion maybe?) The second one was OK, but I haven't read the third.

This was a very vivid story with lots of drama and intrigue. I do confuse it with several other books set in the same time and place. The similarity didn't ruin the book though. It's a setting I enjoy.

I read this book a few years ago. I found it at the library for sale shelf; I had never heard of it before. I remember reading the first few pages and being sucked into it. Full of rich, poetic language.

I'm also one of the people here who have already read this book and think it was very good, so, I'm looking forward to your opinions..:)

I've got it on hold for me at the library. Looking forward to starting it soon. It sounds good.

It seems I may be in the minority on this one, but I wasn't that impressed.

I thought it was ok in the beginning, and there were some things I thought were fairly decent about it - but I thought the romance was eye-rollingly bad and it mostly just killed it for me.

I really enjoyed it when I read it, but I had also just finished a really bad book so maybe I felt it was better than it really was.

I'll be starting this book in the next couple of days.

I've read the first chapter and I am interested enough in the characters and the world to keep going. I'm not so impressed by the writing though. I realize it is stylized to add to the "fuedal Japan" feel, but I'm not sure the author is skillful enough to pull that off well. To me it feels a bit forced. But I'm willing to see where it goes since it seems like it will be a quick read. I'm worried about falling into the Eon trap though. The first one is ok and full of intersting concepts so you keep going hoping the next book will be the one where the ideas really get to take off, but they just never do.

This book is a good effort by the author. Hearn is a good story teller and she doesn't eschew reality just for the sake of a happy ending. Sometimes I wish she'd provide more details on things like the martial arts training or the practices of the monks, but her books pack a very viceral punch, although some of them are better than the others. In my opinion, this book and the one that follows immediately after are her best works in the series.

I had a hard time getting into the first 10-15 pages but after that I'm engaged now, I'm probably only about 30-40 pages in. I haven't read anything in this setting before, and have also just come off reading a really bad book, so maybe that'll artificially inflate how much I like this one, lol.

by the "Eon" trap are you referring to Greg Bear's Eon? I recently re-read that, interested in seeing where the next two books take it, but it sounds like it's frustrating.

Actually, I was referring to Eon by Alison Goodman that was previously read in this group. It introduced a really interesting and original magic system and then never really got into it because both books were from the perspective of a character who didn't know how to work with her magic. It was incredibly frustrating and just never delivered. I will have to check out Greg Bear's Eon though.

I read the sample and really liked it. Unfortunately when I went online I realized Penguin Publishing is still up to their pricing tricks and want $12.99 for the Kindle version vs $10.20 for the paperback. So I'm going to bow out for now.

I've read the first few chapters and so far... it's okay.

The beginning packed a whole lot of melodrama very quickly, and it's also a huge cliche. Not promising.

But, I'm increasingly interested in fantasy worlds that are not based on western Europe, so the Japanese-influenced setting is a big draw. The main character is a bit lacklustre so far, but some of the supporting cast are making up for it.

So I'm still reading.

Thank you!

I really really liked the first couple chapters. So much so that I sat up until midnight reading it. Should finish it soon.

Anyone who is reading it or read it in the past wanna be our group discussion leader? There's sure to be lots to discuss.

I just started this book yesterday so I am not very far. I have a couple weeks off for the holidays so I should be able to find the time to finish it quickly after Christmas.

I actually quite enjoyed reading this book. I loved the characters and the setting and do plan to read more of the series eventually. Not a perfect story -- but very likable.

I just started this book and so far I'm enjoying it. I like the feudal Japan setting. It does seem to be a bit exaggerated, but overall I'm enjoying the story. I'm about a third of the way in. It doesn't seem like something where I will pursue the rest of the series, but I like this one well enough.

I am captivated by this story. I want to just ignore the world and lose myself in it.

It was a really neat story. I loved the unique atmosphere. I can't remember ever reading a fantasy book set in a feudal Japanese setting.

I have to say that there was a quality that reminded me of Guy Gavriel Kay's Under Heaven. While it is set in 8th century China, both books had a lyrical, poetic quality to writing style as well as the story. Perhaps GGK was inspired by Lian Hearn.

Starting this today for the "Official Re-read."

Off to a great start, I was immediately caught up in the story. The writing really works for me, painting color and describing surroundings. Somehow the style is making it feel like I'm seeing old Japan (faux-Japan. :-> )
I wish I could get a geographical sense of their travels but can not make out names on that map, can anyone else? Looked on the author's website; didn't see a clearer version.

https://www.lianhearn.com/
https://www.lianhearn.com/across_the_...

I found a better map - in the front of the fifth book. It is not super clear, but certainly clearer.

In the free ebook sample of

Heaven's Net Is Wide - #5

Just started and read the first 2 chapters (~17%). Interesting start especially Takeo's part of the story. I've read some other fiction set in feudal Japan (some mysteries and a YA series when I was younger) and find the era interesting. So, I am looking forward to how it is woven into this story.