The HFC Book Club! Book Discussion Thread!

LeoDeSol wrote:I am looking at the Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordon too. Any opinions on that?

1. Too many characters to keep track of
2. Jordan died before he could write the last book

LeoDeSol wrote:I am looking at the Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordon too. Any opinions on that?

They pissed me off.

The first books were very enjoyable and I looked forward to the release of each new one. There were a lot of characters/groups/places/history but they were all memorable (The Ways were freaking awesome).

But then it seemed to me like Jordan gave up and started pushing out books because he had to. Plotlines and characters just kept piling up and getting no closure and the books kept getting bigger while covering less actual story at the same time. I got to the end of Book 9 and was angry because I'd waited 2 years for what felt like a literary cut n' paste and I haven't bought any more since.

That said, I will probably get the final book to see what happens to everyone because they are good characters and I'm still interested in them.

You could give them a try since you won't have to wait for each new book and the slowdown in later books may not bother you as much that way.

You could also try the Song of Ice and Fire series by George R.R. Martin if you haven't yet. I'm somewhat worried about it though because it seems to be running into the same problems as WoT, i.e. too many plotlines and growing waits between books.

------------------

Has anyone tried the Malazan Book of the Fallen series? I've just started the first book and I'm wondering how it holds up over time.

You could also try the Song of Ice and Fire series by George
R.R. Martin if you haven't yet. I'm somewhat worried about it though
because it seems to be running into the same problems as WoT, i.e. too
many plotlines and growing waits between books.

Love G.R.R.M. and I am really anxious for the next S.o.F.a.I. book as well. I have Dreamsongs in my 'too read' pile too, and my wife said she really liked it.

I may hold off on the Wheel of Time then. It is such a long series, and if I get sucked in, it needs to start and finish well. I can't handle another Dark Tower debacle right now. That had to be one of the worst book endings in history and that series was sooooo drawn out.

I decided to hold off on the Sookie books and picked up book 5 of Steven Erikson's "Malazan Book of the Fallen".

About half way through so far, and it is quite good.

9 Books out so far and I would lump them in the "fantasy literature" category. Really solid stuff IMHO. Witty dialogue, gritty world, political intrigue and the rest. Gods, shapeshifters, cannibals, and ever redefining concepts of power.

The first book takes some work. The author drops you in the middle and does not make extra efforts to give you a map or define the world, by the end however I was hooked. Just a lot of rereading in the first book.

Zee wrote:

LeoDeSol wrote:I am looking at the Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordon too. Any opinions on that?

They pissed me off.

The first books were very enjoyable and I looked forward to the release of each new one. There were a lot of characters/groups/places/history but they were all memorable (The Ways were freaking awesome).

But then it seemed to me like Jordan gave up and started pushing out books because he had to. Plotlines and characters just kept piling up and getting no closure and the books kept getting bigger while covering less actual story at the same time. I got to the end of Book 9 and was angry because I'd waited 2 years for what felt like a literary cut n' paste and I haven't bought any more since.

That said, I will probably get the final book to see what happens to everyone because they are good characters and I'm still interested in them.

You could give them a try since you won't have to wait for each new book and the slowdown in later books may not bother you as much that way.

You could also try the Song of Ice and Fire series by George R.R. Martin if you haven't yet. I'm somewhat worried about it though because it seems to be running into the same problems as WoT, i.e. too many plotlines and growing waits between books.

------------------

Has anyone tried the Malazan Book of the Fallen series? I've just started the first book and I'm wondering how it holds up over time.

I did not notice your last bit there before my post. I give it an A for books 2,3,4. Jury is still out on 5 but so far it is entertaining in itself, just took a step away from the "main story"

I think it is on Par and in the style of GRRM in the sense that he creates a full CAST of characters and the story it told through them. Reading an extra chapter just to see who you get to catch up with next .

I have tried to read the Wheel like 4-5 times now. Never gotten past the first book.

Rave wrote:Damn I just got Duma Key......haven't started it yet. Oh well. I know what you mean about the Dark Tower series, some good, some bad. I liked The Cell, until the end. Boy was I annoyed. Just finished "The Bright Forever", that was pretty good oddly enough, albeit a bit disturbing.

Rayve (aka Spudd)

It's not horrible or anything. I think I finished it because it is still a page-turner. Maybe you will like it better than I but I did not find it scary in the least nor did I find the characters to be all that compelling. But still king.....if you know what I mean.

Zahrim wrote:I highly suggest those wanting to read a great series (only 2 books are out so far) to pick up these 2 books by James Clemens:

Shadowfall


Hinterland


Great books, very interesting characters and a great world so far.

My wife enjoyed these and also read his other series:

The Banned and the Banished:
Wit'ch Fire
Wit'ch Storm
Wit'ch War
Wit'ch Gate
Wit'ch Star

Can you tell us a bit more about these? Style, basic setting etc?

Shadowfall and it's sequel are the story of a broken man, who used to be a Shadowknight, that gets caught up in the murder of one of the 100 gods. He is accused of her murder, but as he held her in his arms, she hid a powerful magic within him.

I can't really say much more...this book and Hinterland are very powerful and difficult to put down. My wife loved both books as well. There are 100 gods, they live amongst mortal man and are worshipped (man collects everything that the gods excrete (blood, tears, sweat, urine and feces) because each gives man powers to help serve and protect.

The world that James Clemens created is unlike any other I've read about, very unique and he paints it very nicely.

LeoDeSol wrote:I may hold off on the Wheel of Time then. It is such a long series, and if I get sucked in, it needs to start and finish well. I can't handle another Dark Tower debacle right now. That had to be one of the worst book endings in history and that series was sooooo drawn out.

I was lucky with the Dark Tower series, I didn't start reading it until after the big break in the middle and I was somewhat spoiled about the ending so I was ready for it. Still pretty unsatisfying though.

Brandon Sanderson is finishing the Wheel of Time series and, according to his FAQ, expects the last book to be released next year. Apparently it's another door-stop sized one, though, and it might have to be split into two volumes so I'd take that 'next year' as really really tentative.

He has a book that he's releasing under Creative Commons (y'know, free) if you want to test out his style and see if you like it. I haven't read it or his Mistborn series, so I have no opinion, but I really like that he has his various drafts of the free book available so people can follow his writing process.

Sinsational wrote:I decided to hold off on the Sookie books and picked up book 5 of Steven Erikson's "Malazan Book of the Fallen".
...
The first book takes some work. The author drops you in the middle and does not make extra efforts to give you a map or define the world, by the end however I was hooked. Just a lot of rereading in the first book.

I'll say! I haven't had so many made up names thrown at me since LotR. The first bit of book 1 sure grabs you though, and with your A grade I think I'll pick up the next few books as well for some nice long winter reading.

Zee wrote:

LeoDeSol wrote:I may hold off on the Wheel of Time then. It is such a long series, and if I get sucked in, it needs to start and finish well. I can't handle another Dark Tower debacle right now. That had to be one of the worst book endings in history and that series was sooooo drawn out.

I was lucky with the Dark Tower series, I didn't start reading it until after the big break in the middle and I was somewhat spoiled about the ending so I was ready for it. Still pretty unsatisfying though.

Brandon Sanderson is finishing the Wheel of Time series and, according to his FAQ, expects the last book to be released next year. Apparently it's another door-stop sized one, though, and it might have to be split into two volumes so I'd take that 'next year' as really really tentative.

He has a book that he's releasing under Creative Commons (y'know, free) if you want to test out his style and see if you like it. I haven't read it or his Mistborn series, so I have no opinion, but I really like that he has his various drafts of the free book available so people can follow his writing process.

Sinsational wrote:I decided to hold off on the Sookie books and picked up book 5 of Steven Erikson's "Malazan Book of the Fallen".
...
The first book takes some work. The author drops you in the middle and does not make extra efforts to give you a map or define the world, by the end however I was hooked. Just a lot of rereading in the first book.

I'll say! I haven't had so many made up names thrown at me since LotR. The first bit of book 1 sure grabs you though, and with your A grade I think I'll pick up the next few books as well for some nice long winter reading.

Zee, I would recommend it. I know different people have different likes but I just cannot recommend this series enough. I am 3/4 of the way through the fifth book now and am torn, I don't want it to end but cannot wait to crack the first page of the next one!

Hi all,

I am currently reading "Orcs" by Stan Nicholls. Its a nice view into the other side of the battle. The book represents orcs in a different way as you travel through the adventures of an Orc warband. I have also recently finished reading the Dragonlance trilogy. This was definitely the best trilogy I have ever read. Im sure many of you have already read them but if you havent and are a fan of the Dungeons and Dragons world, read Dragonlance.

Zahrim wrote:Shadowfall and it's sequel are the story of a broken man, who used to be a Shadowknight, that gets caught up in the murder of one of the 100 gods. He is accused of her murder, but as he held her in his arms, she hid a powerful magic within him.

I can't really say much more...this book and Hinterland are very powerful and difficult to put down. My wife loved both books as well. There are 100 gods, they live amongst mortal man and are worshipped (man collects everything that the gods excrete (blood, tears, sweat, urine and feces) because each gives man powers to help serve and protect.

The world that James Clemens created is unlike any other I've read about, very unique and he paints it very nicely.

Thanks Zahrim, your description is intriguing. Another series to put on the list.

Well I finished reading the 2nd book for the DK Frankenstein series. I tried to make it last a while, ofcourse it only lasted 4 days. (Yes that's taking it slow) lol

Anyway, I've read up on it and I guess the 3rd book isn't coming out until 2009. Thanks DK. However for all you comic book fans you might be interested in the Dean Koontz Frankenstein: Prodigal Son Comic Books. The Publisher is The Dabel Brothers. The art is amazing and it obviously sticks to the books.

I have never in my life bought comic books, but I think this is a series I am willing to purchase. You can get them on Amazon and The Dabel Brothers website as well.

Currently I am reading 1984 and I have to say its easily one of the best books i've ever read. It was written by George Orwell, who also wrote the classic Animal Farm. For those of you who haven't heard of it, it takes place in the year 1984 in London, England... or rather London, Airstrip One. The world has been divided between 3 super powers and privacy no longer exists. This takes tyrannical dictatorships to the next level. If you have ever heard the phrase "big brother is watching you" and never understood what it meant, then read this book!

Balamac wrote:Currently I am reading 1984 and I have to say its easily one of the best books i've ever read. It was written by George Orwell, who also wrote the classic Animal Farm. For those of you who haven't heard of it, it takes place in the year 1984 in London, England... or rather London, Airstrip One. The world has been divided between 3 super powers and privacy no longer exists. This takes tyrannical dictatorships to the next level. If you have ever heard the phrase "big brother is watching you" and never understood what it meant, then read this book!

Hey Bal,

If you find 1984 agreeable than you might want to check out Brave New World by Huxley.

Ulfaro wrote:Such a Pretty Fat: One Narcissist's Quest To Discover if Her Life Makes Her Ass Look Big, Or Why Pie is Not The Answer
http://www.amazon.com/Such-Pretty-Fat-Narcissists-Discover/dp/0451223896/ref=pd_sim_b_5

Officially a thread-killer

Viscera wrote:

Balamac wrote:Currently I am reading 1984 and I have to say its easily one of the best books i've ever read. It was written by George Orwell, who also wrote the classic Animal Farm. For those of you who haven't heard of it, it takes place in the year 1984 in London, England... or rather London, Airstrip One. The world has been divided between 3 super powers and privacy no longer exists. This takes tyrannical dictatorships to the next level. If you have ever heard the phrase "big brother is watching you" and never understood what it meant, then read this book!

Hey Bal,

If you find 1984 agreeable than you might want to check out Brave New World by Huxley.

Actually I have a suggestion for both of you. If you liked these books at all, try reading "We" by Yevgeny Zamyatin (We (Amazon)). Many say this book is the inspiration for 1984. It was written in 1920, but if you ask me, it's held up even better than 1984.

The book itself is incredibly well-written, but the prose really sets it apart from what you typically see from this genre. It's translated from Russian, so it's interesting to talk to someone who's read the original as there are some oddities in the writing that add even more flavor if you know something about the Russian language.

I highly, highly suggest.

Cheers,

L.

Viscera wrote:Last week while away on business I picked up The Road
by Cormac McCarthy at the airport and had a tough time putting it down
until I finished it. It is a bleak book thematically and tonally. I was
most impressed with the style in which it was written. Very "show don't
tell". The two main characters are never given names but are man and
boy (or some variation there of), dialogue is embedded into the prose
without traditional punctuation, and the pacing is at times languid and
at times frantic.

I don't want to put out any spoilers at all
but my main comment would be this. If you are a father this book will
likely tear you up. The toilsome road the father travels in this book
to care and protect his son makes a persons real life "sacrifices" seem
quite small and to me were a small inspiration.

Anyone read this? Anyone have a book or novel they would like to recommend?

Peace

If you liked this one, I would pick up Blindness by Jose Saramago (Amazon Link). They're making it into a movie, but I don't think there's any way they can do it justice, and I'm sure they'll actually tone it down a bit. Some of the scenes in the book are just not the material Hollywood would put on a screen.

The basic premise is that the entire world goes blind, and then the ensuing breakdown of society. It is an excellent analysis of just how close to animals we really are. It's a difficult read in some spots but that just adds to the story as the author makes you squirm at what people are capable of. That's where I think Hollywood will f it up.

I wouldn't read it right after "The Road" though. I agree with your review and also thought it was an excellent book. I will say though that at some point you wonder what's driving the characters forward. There wasn't enough in my opinion to show why they keep going.

Cheers,

L.

As a last one (just found this thread so I'm probably overdoing it), I encourage everyone to read "The Master and Margarita" by Mikhail Bulgakov (Amazon Link) if you haven't already.

Rather than post my commentary, here's the description from Wikipedia which I think sums it up nicely:

"The Master and Margarita is a novel by Mikhail Bulgakov, woven around the premise of a visit by the Devil to the fervently atheistic Soviet Union. Many critics consider the book to be one of the greatest novels of the 20th century, as well as one of the foremost Soviet satires, directed against a suffocatingly bureaucratic social order."

This is one of my favorite books, period. It's deep, it's funny, and incredibly hard to put down. The Devil AND the Soviet Union? What else can you ask for? I found out after I read the book that the Rolling Stones song "Sympathy for the Devil" is supposedly inspired by the book, and now the song has an entirely different meaning to me.

Cheers,

L.

Sit down for this one because I have a shocker....

I don't read fiction.

Ulfaro wrote:Sit down for this one because I have a shocker....

I don't read fiction.

Pauvre, pauvre Ulfaro...

I don't read fiction.

You my friend are weird as hell......the only reason i read is because of fiction i get enough non fiction in my everyday life!

Paranoia wrote:

I don't read fiction.

You my friend are weird as hell......the only reason i read is because of fiction i get enough non fiction in my everyday life!

My husband (Connacht, who should be returning to WAR shortly) doesn't either. He reads mostly history, particularly military-related, books. And I can confirm that he is weird as hell, too. Though, I think that applies to both of us, so it's ok

Averna wrote:

Paranoia wrote:

I don't read fiction.

You my friend are weird as hell......the only reason i read is because of fiction i get enough non fiction in my everyday life!

My husband (Connacht, who should be returning to WAR shortly) doesn't either. He reads mostly history, particularly military-related, books. And I can confirm that he is weird as hell, too. Though, I think that applies to both of us, so it's ok

LOL.....that's sounding like me...I read history, technical, 3D stuff, photography ...hell...non-fiction!