Fantasy Book Club discussion

I have recently discovered Simon R Green's Nightside series, and after reading the first book, I am not sure whether to continue with the rest of the series. Has anyone read the series, and is it worth reading on? Would really like some input on this. Thanks.

I read until the grim descriptions started to get to me (maybe four books in?). I loved Shadow's Fall but don't seem to enjoy his series books as much. Just one opinion. :)

Chrissa wrote: "I read until the grim descriptions started to get to me (maybe four books in?). I loved Shadow's Fall but don't seem to enjoy his series books as much. Just one opinion. :)"

Are we talking "grim" as in depressing or gory?

Gory.

Its a definite NAY on my account..
I think that Simon R Green in general have a way of using the paranormal aspects of his stories in ways that are very unsubtle and often exagerated in a way that takes away any sense of wonder and replaces it with deep sighs and shakes of the head.
As the Nightside progresses Green has a habit of repeating by merciless accuracy the descriptions from previous novels. Each time i certain character appear, you can be sure to get redelivered that persons story.
Other than that i like the kind of story that nightside provides, so i stuck with it a while, i finally had enough when Time-travel began to be an important plot-device. Time-travel in itself is pretty nonsensical, and any explanations as to how it might work often become circular and fall a part. Green use it in a way where several different possible futures can reach back in time and try to alter the present. That is just so stupid, in so many ways that i couldnt let it go. If you open up for the possibility of several futures, and grant each future the possibility with meddling with its own make, you would get an infinite number of interactions into a somehow shared present, it just doesnt add up.
His other series, Secret Histories, is better, but share a lot of the same flaws..

If you are into Urban Fantasy i recommend Jim Butcher's Dresden Files, Ben Aaronovitch's Peter Grant series, Justin Gustainis's Hard Spell, Harry Connolly's Twenty Palaces, and Larry Correia Monster Hunter International..

Mab wrote: "If you are into Urban Fantasy i recommend Jim Butcher's Dresden Files, Ben Aaronovitch's Peter Grant series, Justin Gustainis's [book:Hard Spell|96532..."

My son and I have devoured Jim Butcher's Dresden Files, as well as, his Alera Codex Series. We love Jim.
I work for a public library, so I will certainly check out your other recommendations. Thanks.

I guess I'm in the minority here, but I say yay. I love the action and they are quick reads but still intresting. I would give them a chance.

Brandt wrote: "If you are into Urban Fantasy i recommend Jim Butcher's Dresden Files, Ben Aaronovitch's Peter Grant series, Justin Gustainis's Hard Spell, Harry Connolly's Twenty Palaces, and Larry Correia Monste..."

I'd add in Frank Tuttle's Markhat series--I've heard it called Dresden crossed with Sam Vines of Pratchett. I don't think that quite describes it, but it should give you a feel

I say yay, with the understanding that yes it's repetitive and way over the top. Remember nightside is meant to be a bit of a send up of the detective genre and how they are written. Detective novel series really do tend to repeat themselves a lot.

I'd also say Yea. And if you like them, probably his Eddie Drood books as well, which are pretty much the same thing except riffing on old James Bond movies rather than noir fiction. Was less impressed with the first two books in his new Ghost Hunters series, but I'm told the third book is better than the first two.

Long story short: If you liked the first one and you don't mind the fact that pretty much every subsequent book will read much the same, just with increased levels of pyrotechnics and ridiculousness, then press on.

I feel the series is very light from the sixth book I have read.

I tried the series while looking for a post-Dresden fix. Good overall, nothing mind blowing. The series gets a lot better after book one. His constant use of "... In the Nightside," drove me crazy but it goes away after book one. I say yea.

It's NOT quite Dresden level of heroic modern fantasy. Green tends to Deux Ex his way out of plot corners too much for my taste. Mind you, he IS a good writer. But his novels are popcorny if you don't like that. He tends to use similar intros for a lot of his novels in a series so you know the characters, it's a tad lazy. He's gotten better with the supernatural spy novels he's writing. But the overall plot is VERY similar. The twists and turns he takes are very different. Gore is part of his writing style, but it's very formulaic. Nightside is one of his weakest. But even that's not too bad. You can pick up almost any of the books except of the Lilith arc and just read.

I'd read it in short bursts with pauses so you don't burn out.

Speaking of which: Tales from the Nightside just came out -- mostly previously-published short stories, but at least one is new.

*nods* Looks interesting.

I've read a few Green novels and don't think much of any of them. I call them Tour Guide stories, he leads you from exhibit to exhibit until you get to the end and then the story wraps itself up without the characters having to do much at all.

I say yay - but only if you space them out - if you read them all at once there will be a slightly repetitive element.
I found them bizarre in a "never where" sort of way that I really enjoyed - but they are written in a "British taste" if that makes sense?

I say yay as well, but only if you know what you're getting when you start reading them. Don't expect some kind of grand storytelling. They are just fun, quick reads that are meant to entertain only.