Israel SciFi and Fantasy Book Club discussion

Did you just read an amazing that book that you would like to recommend? Tell us about it here.

Or are you in the mood for a really good book about time travel/dragons/ zombies/ kids killing other kids for the entertainment of society (etc) then maybe someone here can help you find the right book.

Just remember, no spoilers.

I've just ordered another copy (lost the first on when we made aliyah) of Her Majesty's Wizard by Christopher Stasheff. Poetry and Shakespeare in an exciting fantasy. It's perfect for my now 12yo. Great for any age of course, but the 12yo is now able to appreciate most of the references in it.

Lorelei wrote: "I've just ordered another copy (lost the first on when we made aliyah) of Her Majesty's Wizard by Christopher Stasheff. Poetry and Shakespeare in an exciting fantasy. It's perfect for my now 12yo..."

Lorelei, I think I have one of his books on my shelf but I don't believe I ever read it. I'll have to check which book it is. Now I'm curious about it and I'll have to give it a try.

I was recently impressed by Genevieve Valentine's debut Novel, Mechanique: A Tale of the Circus Tresaulti.

I had heard some of her short fiction on Podcasts and truly enjoyed her Novel.

It manages to deal with many SiFi tropes such as a post apocalyptic world and steampunk technology without dwelling to long on those issues, they are just background for a good story about people.

I loved Mechanique, definitely a rec, though I thought the Steampunk and the war-setting were actually pretty interesting in and of themselves, which is unusual - generally it really is so much background and the same story could have been told in a different setting. Not here, I don't think.

I haven't heard about Mechanique, it looks like an interesting book. Another book goes to my gigantic to-read list...

If mentioning to-read lists, can anyone give advice which new author should I read first among :
Peter Brett, Scott Lynch, Brent Weeks, Joe Abercrombie (Rothfuss is out of the battle for the the time being, he has to finish his trilogy first). They are quite battling themselves in my to-read list.

Regarding the recommendations - I would highly recommend Brandon Sanderson as a fan of his works.

Nimrod wrote: "I haven't heard about Mechanique, it looks like an interesting book. Another book goes to my gigantic to-read list...

If mentioning to-read lists, can anyone give advice which new author should I ..."

Oh wow, this is a tough one since you just named almost all of my favourite fantasy authors. (and please don't leave Rothfuss out..)

Scott Lynch's books are a lot of fun and I recommend them to all of my fantasy-reading friends, at least those who I don't think would be put off by all the swearing.

Brent Week's The Black Prism was also fantastic, especially since he pulls off some awesome Sanderson-like surprises. I haven't read his first series and I'm not sure if I will because it sounds like it might be too dark for my taste.

I also really enjoyed Peter Brett's books, though they have bit more of an epic-fantasy feel to them than the others on your list. And Peter is also a great guy who really cares about his fans, which I have to admit, also influences the way I feel about his books.

Abercrombie's books are very popular but didn't really appeal to me. I read The Blade Itself but didn't continue with the rest of the series.

And I think you should add The Adamantine Palace to your list.

i like the Percy Jackson series its REALLY good. Also Eragon is amazing and harry potter. ... "D

Simcha, don't worry, I won't put Rothfuss aside.Unless a first book from a series can be read as a standalone, I prefer reading series once it's fully completed. I'll probably start his trilogy a month or so before the third book in the trilogy would be released.

Scott Lynch's books (at least locke lamora) sounds like they have something in common with Sanderson's style. (btw - I don't like audiobooks)

Brent weeks's books looks very interesting, I can pick that you don't like dark fantasy, even though I'm not that sure that The Night Angel is that dark.

Pete is really a great guy (so as the others),and his series looks great, indeed.

Abercrombie's books fascinates me. I'm curious why you you didn't like his book.

The Adamantine Palace is also on my list, but I'm not intending to read it in the near future.I'm not holding Stephen Deas in high regard as the others I've mentioned.

I have other books to read before that, I guess somewhere around the end of the year I'll pick one of the four, at the moment I'm leaning towards Weeks (Night Angel) or Abercrombie, mainly because each series has been completed.

Nimrod wrote: "Simcha, don't worry, I won't put Rothfuss aside.Unless a first book from a series can be read as a standalone, I prefer reading series once it's fully completed. I'll probably start his trilogy a..."

I had actually started the first Night Angel book but I guess I just had my fill of assassin stories and the story didn't really hook me. It was pretty dark as well. But since I enjoyed The Black Prism so much I've been thinking of giving his other series another try.

As for Abercrombie, his books are extremely violent and graphic. Lots of detailed torture scenes and the like. Not my thing. But also nothing much happens in the book and none of the characters are particularly likeable. Altogether it was not a combination that won me over. But, as I said, many other people seem to enjoy his books.

As I promised, a (spoiler less) review of the book "The Rook": http://edvalotan.net/2012/07/24/at-he...

Great review !!!

I really wondered why this book was named "The Rook", because the book description doesn't mention anything in regard to chess,but now from reading your review I understand why it's called that way.

Edva wrote: "As I promised, a (spoiler less) review of the book "The Rook": http://edvalotan.net/2012/07/24/at-he...
"

I bumped up The Rook on my list, so I guess I'll read it much sooner that I thought I would :)

Nimrod wrote: I bumped up The Rook on my list, so I gues..."

Enjoy!

Thanks :)

I've reread a book in Hebrew lately. It's a tough read, but I really enjoyed it: Dunno if I've reviewed it or not, but it's pretty darn good.

I have recently received my pre-ordered copies of Scott Sigler's THE ROOKIE and The Starter.

I don't like sport much and am not interested in American Football but I loved The Rookie so much on podio book I just had to get these books.

These are aimed at YA readers so there is none of Sigler's usual gore and colourful language but there is still some violence and, of course, heart-pounding action.
Sigler is so inventive with his aliens I would love to see a CGI master artist put them on the big screen.