Books Fantasy Reads

Read Age of Legend from Sullivan. Good read but he is becoming an one-trick pony with every book having the impossible journey. Saying that, some interesting things happened, some questions got answered, but there are so many other questions. So let's start:

Obvious is obvious, but finally, it is confirmed that Malcolm/Turin is Erebus/Kile.

We finally got to see another God, Muriel. It also got confirmed that she is Erebus' daughter, however it seems that 'the feather from the sky' thing hasn't happened yet. She is in bad terms with Malcolm though, but I doubt it really is something with the rape.

I was always in the camp Trilon is Yolric, however still don't know who is him supposed to be.
- He mentioned that he has an older and a younger sister. Could they be Muriel and Mara, in which case he might be Ferrol.
- But he also claims that he is older than Gods, so he is not Ferrol. Could he be a brother of Malcolm (gods can be mentioned to be the Gods of elves, men and dwarfs)?
- Tri (tre, three). Could he be a combination of Drome, Ferrol and Maribor? And maybe he thinks that he killed Turin, but now having doubts? In which case, he is not the Ancient One (Ancient One being Uberlin in this case).
- If he is a brother of Turin, then he likely has had a big fallout with him, probably the reason why the other continent was destroyed. I guess somehow Turin imprisoned him, and lead the rest to the new continent, maybe deciding to not directly use superpowers again (but influence things from behind).
- But then everything Yolric does is to find proof that Gods are real. Which destroys my theory, unless he thinks that he killed Gods (or at least Malcolm), but now is having doubts that this happened.
- He could also be Uberlin, but this doesn't work with him being older than Gods.

Related:
- Who are the Gods? I believe they are super-powerful mages who survived (if not caused) the last apocalypse, but they are not the creators. I don't think that they even created the three races (four with goblins), more like guided them. It is also hinted that the races lived in peace with each other in the east continent, until something happened (Turin-Trilos fallout).
- Could Turin and Eaton be the Elan gods, and they actually had a fallout for a woman (Elan).
- There is something more to Paedera. She is either Mari, or Elan.

Did everyone catch who is Mawyndyle's mother? I think it is clear that his servant is also his mother.

I guess we will have to wait until the end of the series to get these answers.
 
Read Age of Legend from Sullivan. Good read but he is becoming an one-trick pony with every book having the impossible journey. Saying that, some interesting things happened, some questions got answered, but there are so many other questions.

I guess we will have to wait until the end of the series to get these answers.

Mike Sullivan admitted that Yloric is a unravelled thread. He's not related to Erebus/gods but is a distinct thread is what I get from authors comments. But I think he and Erebus are aware of each other. Yolric knows the world corrects itseld and malcon's reaction to the name "The Three" proves he knows or atleast is aware of who Yolric is too.

As to the books the author is getting repetitive. The first book (Myth) sets the stage, 2nd (Swords) is a journey and third (War) is a climatic battle. The second trilogy follows the same blueprint. Legends sets the stage, Death will be the journey and Empyre will be a war/climax.

Myth and Swords were good, War was average and Legends was a disappointment. I may read the last two just to complete this, but I'm not looking forward to it.
 
Just finished the first three books in the Tower of Babel series by Josiah Bancroft. The blurbs from Goodreads on each of the books:

Senlin Ascends
The Tower of Babel is the greatest marvel in the world. Immense as a mountain, the ancient Tower holds unnumbered ringdoms, warring and peaceful, stacked one on the other like the layers of a cake. It is a world of geniuses and tyrants, of airships and steam engines, of unusual animals and mysterious machines.

Soon after arriving for his honeymoon at the Tower, the mild-mannered headmaster of a small village school, Thomas Senlin, gets separated from his wife, Marya, in the overwhelming swarm of tourists, residents, and miscreants.

Senlin is determined to find Marya, but to do so he'll have to navigate madhouses, ballrooms, and burlesque theaters. He must survive betrayal, assassination, and the long guns of a flying fortress. But if he hopes to find his wife, he will have to do more than just endure.

This quiet man of letters must become a man of action.

Arm of the Sphinx
The Tower of Babel is proving to be as difficult to reenter as it was to break out of. Forced into a life of piracy, Senlin and his eclectic crew are struggling to survive aboard their stolen airship as the hunt to rescue Senlin's lost wife continues.

Hopeless and desolate, they turn to a legend of the Tower, the mysterious Sphinx. But help from the Sphinx never comes cheaply, and as Senlin knows, debts aren't always what they seem in the Tower of Babel.

Time is running out, and now Senlin must choose between his friends, his freedom, and his wife. Does anyone truly escape the Tower?

The Hod King

Fearing an uprising, the Sphinx sends Senlin to investigate a plot that has taken hold in the ringdom of Pelphia. Alone in the city, Senlin infiltrates a bloody arena where hods battle for the public's entertainment. But his investigation is quickly derailed by a gruesome crime and an unexpected reunion.

Posing as a noble lady and her handmaid, Voleta and Iren attempt to reach Marya, who is isolated by her fame. While navigating the court, Voleta attracts the unwanted attention of a powerful prince whose pursuit of her threatens their plan.

Edith, now captain of the Sphinx's fierce flagship, joins forces with a fellow wakeman to investigate the disappearance of a beloved friend. She must decide who to trust as her desperate search brings her nearer to the Black Trail where the hods climb in darkness and whisper of the Hod King.

As Senlin and his crew become further dragged in to the conspiracies of the Tower, everything falls to one question: Who is The Hod King?

My Observations

I found the first two books quite innovative and the action moves at a pretty good clip. The third book tended to drag in the first half or so, then exploded into action in the final third. Bancroft says the series will end in one more book. I'll be waiting for it.
 
I've started A Little Hatred and the first chapter drew me in. However I'm now having to consult the wiki as it's been so long that I'm seeing surnames and trying to figure out who their relatives were. "Dan Brock you say? I seem to recall a Dan Brock..."
 
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Death's Merchant
- Justan Henner

A books I'd gladly compare to Gardens of the Moon of Malazan. Epic doesn't really do this justice. For all the Malazan fans in here, dig in.

8/10
 
I have finished the Dragon Republic, I really like it even if I don't really get its MC. I like this book better that the previous one, though it may be because I haven't seen obvious big borrowings, either the author has learnt to make them her own or I don't know/recognize her references in this book.
 
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Orconomics (Dark Profits - Book 1)
- J Zachary Pike

Picked this for being a winner at SPFBO 2018.

Started off as a satiric comedy fantasy book that takes digs at capitalism. Heroism (as in defeating evil monsters) has become a business with people investing in quests for a share of loot and then packaging these shares to be traded at exchange. Not quite subtle dig on MBS crisis. They even have names like Goldson Blaggs, Citistate, JP Gorgon etc to rub it in.

The author creates a nice satiric mix of a modern capitalistic society in ancient fantasy world. You get the usual variety of races, gods, religion. The plot starts off as a stereotypical group of washed up fallen heroes banded together for a suicidal quest. Then they add in a unique flavouring of a capitalistic rich company with declining profits creating a crisis so that they can get profits back. The initial 80% of the book goes off lightly in world, character and quest introduction and meanders along making you wonder if the plot would actually pick up at all. Good new is it does. Bad news is that the pick up leads directly to a shattering epic climax that you didn't see coming and drops off as a cliffhanger leading to Book 2.

World building is superb. Writing is uneven in pace and author pays more attention to taking digs at Capitalism rather than moving the plot along. But the climax makes up for it but leaves you to read book 2 to fully understand the plot.

It's interesting enough for me to dive into Book 2 (Son of Liche) right away.
 
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Son of a Liche (Dark Profits - Book 2)
- J Zachary Pike

Continuing from Orconomics, this is one of the rare series where second book was better than the first.

Author weaves a strong tale continuing the blend of modern capitalism and ancient fantasy. This book has lot more meat and depth than the earlier book. We get to know the characters more and in detail.

What I love the most is the way the author seamlessly shifts the POV as a continuation of last sentence of current POV to the first sentence in next POV. Delightful to read.

The book paints the picture through 5 different POV each adding a bit to overall picture seamlessly and ties them all together masterfully. Pace picks and drops at par with events and at no point you feel like you need a break.

Brilliant!
 
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Orconomics (Dark Profits - Book 1)
- J Zachary Pike

Picked this for being a winner at SPFBO 2018.

Started off as a satiric comedy fantasy book that takes digs at capitalism. Heroism (as in defeating evil monsters) has become a business with people investing in quests for a share of loot and then packaging these shares to be traded at exchange. Not quite subtle dig on MBS crisis. They even have names like Goldson Blaggs, Citistate, JP Gorgon etc to rub it in.

The author creates a nice satiric mix of a modern capitalistic society in ancient fantasy world. You get the usual variety of races, gods, religion. The plot starts off as a stereotypical group of washed up fallen heroes banded together for a suicidal quest. Then they add in a unique flavouring of a capitalistic rich company with declining profits creating a crisis so that they can get profits back. The initial 80% of the book goes off lightly in world, character and quest introduction and meanders along making you wonder if the plot would actually pick up at all. Good new is it does. Bad news is that the pick up leads directly to a shattering epic climax that you didn't see coming and drops off as a cliffhanger leading to Book 2.

World building is superb. Writing is uneven in pace and author pays more attention to taking digs at Capitalism rather than moving the plot along. But the climax makes up for it but leaves you to read book 2 to fully understand the plot.

It's interesting enough for me to dive into Book 2 (Son of Liche) right away.


That looks like the most interesting fantasy book I've ever seen.
Are there interesting and compelling characters though? Or is it really all about the world building and metaphor?

Oh it looks like the 2nd is better. Maybe if I'll check out the 2nd one before the end of 2019
 
Time to update my completed list for 2019 till date. 40th week running and 38 books read with 1 reading.

Fantasy:

The Dirty Streets of Heaven (Bobby Dollar Trilogy by Tad Williams)
Happy Hour in Hell (Bobby Dollar Trilogy by Tad Williams)
Sleeping Late on Judgement Day (Bobby Dollar Trilogy by Tad Williams)

The Crown Tower (Riyria Chronicles by Michael J Sullivan)
The Rose and the Thorn (Riyria Chronicles by Michael J Sullivan)
The Death of Dulgath (Riyria Chronicles by Michael J Sullivan)
The Disappearance of Winter's Daughter Riyria Chronicles by Michael J Sullivan)

Theft of Swords (Riyria Chronicles #1-2 by Michael J Sullivan)
Rise of Empire (Riyria Chronicles #3-4 by Michael J Sullivan)
Heir of Novron (Riyria Chronicles #5-6 by Michael J Sullivan)

Age of Myth (Legends of First Empire #1 by Michael J Sullivan)
Age of Swords (Legends of First Empire #2 by Michael J Sullivan)
Age of War (Legends of First Empire #3 by Michael J Sullivan)
Age of Legends (Legends of First Empire #4 by Michael J Sullivan)

Kellanved's Reach (Path to Ascendancy trilogy by Ian C Esselmont)

Red Sister (Book of the Ancestor trilogy by Mark Lawrence)
Grey Sister (Book of the Ancestor trilogy by Mark Lawrence)
Holy Sister (Book of the Ancestor trilogy by Mark Lawrence)

The Traitor God (Age of Tyranny by Cameron Johnston)

The Heir of Eyria - Osku Alanen

Kings of the Wyld (The Band by Nicholas Eames)

The Copper Promise (Jen Williams)

Death's Merchant (Common Among Gods by Justan Henner)

Orconomics (Dark Profit Saga #1 by J Zachary Pike)
Son of Liche(Dark Profit Saga #2 by J Zachary Pike)

Here be Dragons (David P McPherson)


Sci-Fi:

Consider Phlebas - Iain M Banks
Rejoice, A Knife to the Heart - Steven Erikson
Tiamat's Wrath (Expanse series by James Corey)
Skyward (Skyward #1 by Brandon Sanderson)


Superhero:


Fid's Crusade (Chronicles of the Fid by David H Reiss)
Behind Distant Stars (Chronicles of the Fid by David H Reiss)
Starfall (Chronicles of the Fid by David H Reiss)

Big In Japan (Gailsone books by Casey Glanders)
Red Rook (Gailsone books by Casey Glanders)
Head of the Dragon (Gailsone books by Casey Glanders)

Soon I Will Be Invincible (Austin Grossman)

Fiction:

Past Tense (Jack Reacher#23 by Lee Child)
 
Used to really love fantasy novels when I was younger.

David Gemell was my favourite author and loved the Drenai series. I think Druss is the greatest character ever created. Everyone I knew who read Legend wanted to be Druss but you can't because he is so good. I think this would make an amazing movie but I'm not sure whether they would be able able to fully capture the essence of the character on screen.

My second favourite Gemmell character is Dace from Darkmoon, although I like all the character's Gemmell wrote but I haven't read all his novels.

Really liked the Lord of the Rings and when I finished it, it was like saying goodbye to an old friend and don't think they should have cut it for the movie.

Another really good series which I started reading but only good up to about the 6th book was The Wheel Of Time by Robert Jordan. I will finish it one day.
 
Used to really love fantasy novels when I was younger.

David Gemell was my favourite author and loved the Drenai series. I think Druss is the greatest character ever created. Everyone I knew who read Legend wanted to be Druss but you can't because he is so good. I think this would make an amazing movie but I'm not sure whether they would be able able to fully capture the essence of the character on screen.

My second favourite Gemmell character is Dace from Darkmoon, although I like all the character's Gemmell wrote but I haven't read all his novels.

Really liked the Lord of the Rings and when I finished it, it was like saying goodbye to an old friend and don't think they should have cut it for the movie.

Another really good series which I started reading but only good up to about the 6th book was The Wheel Of Time by Robert Jordan. I will finish it one day.
Who could play Druss? Arnie? He's almost too larger than life to capture.
 
Who could play Druss? Arnie? He's almost too larger than life to capture.
Arnie back from the Conan day would have been a good shout as Druss. I think they would have to CGI him and I don't know how good that would work.

If they could find someone like Arnie from Conan it would be great but I think if it ever happened but I think they might have to give it to a relatively unknown as I wouldn't want them giving it to someone who would ruin the perception I have of Druss.
 
Arnie back from the Conan day would have been a good shout as Druss. I think they would have to CGI him and I don't know how good that would work.

If they could find someone like Arnie from Conan it would be great but I think if it ever happened but I think they might have to give it to a relatively unknown as I wouldn't want them giving it to someone who would ruin the perception I have of Druss.
Oh yeah I forgot about the earlier adventures. I mostly remember him from was it Legend where he turned up to help them hold Dros Delnoch?
 
Oh yeah I forgot about the earlier adventures. I mostly remember him from was it Legend where he turned up to help them hold Dros Delnoch?
You're right. He was older in Legend. I think it was good that Legend is the first in the series, as you hear about Druss as an old man and get excited about what adventures that he had leading up to it.

It was a book my father insisted that I read that I wasn't too fussed about in the beginning but I took his advice as he normally has a good opinion on fantasy novels and I was amazed by the character.
 
I think Druss is the greatest character ever created

In your dreams, Laddie. Jon Shannow, Waylander and Skilgamnon are all legendary and at par with Druss imo.

Who could play Druss? Arnie? He's almost too larger than life to capture.

There are couple of good WWE stars who can play him. Rock, Stone Cold, Bautista. With long hair and beard they can pull it off.
 
In your dreams, Laddie. Jon Shannow, Waylander and Skilgannon are all legendary and at par with Druss imo.



There are couple of good WWE stars who can play him. Rock, Stone Cold, Bautista. With long hair and beard they can pull it off.
I enjoyed Waylander, although I read it about 15 years ago and until recently hadn't read many since. Haven't read Wolf in the Shadow so not sure about John Shannow but will read soon as I am just recently getting back into books. Thought Olek Skillgallon was amazing. How do you think the Swords of Night and Day would fair against Snaga hypothetically speaking?

I've thought about the Rock but he something just doesn't seem to fit. Stone Cold or Bautista may be able to be the old Druss but would you bring in a different actor to play young Druss or use CGI?

Edit: Waylander might have chance against Druss if he shoots him from distance with his crossbow but I don't think anyone would stand a chance if they got within range of Snaga in my opinion.
 
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I've started A Little Hatred and the first chapter drew me in. However I'm now having to consult the wiki as it's been so long that I'm seeing surnames and trying to figure out who their relatives were. "Dan Brock you say? I seem to recall a Dan Brock..."

Just doing the same. Hard work trying to recall some of the minor characters while also avoiding spoilers. It's good though. Damn good.
 
Yeah, having problems with remembering some of the names too. Now, near 40 percent of it, and really, I was expecting much more. I hope it gets better, but so far it might be his worst book. Surprisingly, there is little to no humour (or at least it isn't working for me). That is weird, black humour is Abercrombie's best trick on his books.

Glokta's daughter is superb though. I am enjoying her chapters, but not much the rest of the book.

Anyone knows how many years this takes after Red Country? I would guess a decade or so.
 
Anyone read the P.I. Garrett books by Glen Cook? Similar to Dresden Files?
I did, the whole series, about 2 years ago. It is similar in many respects to Dresden, but also quite different.

Like Dresden in the very beginning, Garrett is a private investigator who checks out stuff on behalf of clients. Unlike Dresden, however, he has little magical power, and mainly survives due to a quick wit, friends, and luck. Garrett goes against all kinds of powered beings, gods, monsters, mercenaries, and other bad guys. There is a lot more humour in Garrett than Dresden, but the Garrett books are much more episodic (i.e., each book is largely standalone, though incidents in previous books may be referred to). Dresden has by far the superior world building and story.
 
Yeah, having problems with remembering some of the names too. Now, near 40 percent of it, and really, I was expecting much more. I hope it gets better, but so far it might be his worst book. Surprisingly, there is little to no humour (or at least it isn't working for me). That is weird, black humour is Abercrombie's best trick on his books.

Glokta's daughter is superb though. I am enjoying her chapters, but not much the rest of the book.

Anyone knows how many years this takes after Red Country? I would guess a decade or so.

Hard to tell. Shivers is still around but is a lot older and grey haired now. The only indication of time I recall is Gorst being noted to still train for several hours a day even 30 years or so after the tournament from original book. Also Leos mother claims he was conceived on the battlefield which I think refers to The Heroes?

Having finished it now, I absolutely loved it, his characters are always so engaging. Roll on the next one, God I hope Bayaz ends up getting his comeuppance, insufferable prick :lol::lol:
 
Hard to tell. Shivers is still around but is a lot older and grey haired now. The only indication of time I recall is Gorst being noted to still train for several hours a day even 30 years or so after the tournament from original book. Also Leos mother claims he was conceived on the battlefield which I think refers to The Heroes?

Having finished it now, I absolutely loved it, his characters are always so engaging. Roll on the next one, God I hope Bayaz ends up getting his comeuppance, insufferable prick :lol::lol:
I'm about 50% in and the time thing is confusing me. I gathered it's around 20 years since The Heroes given Leo's age and that comment, but Gorst still being an absolute beast makes it seem like it can't be that long.
 
I'm about 50% in and the time thing is confusing me. I gathered it's around 20 years since The Heroes given Leo's age and that comment, but Gorst still being an absolute beast makes it seem like it can't be that long.

I'm sure it's mentioned at some point that he's still formidable despite his age but yeah it's not clear.
 
Think I am going to have to read an in depth summary of his previous books before tackling this one.
 
I did, the whole series, about 2 years ago. It is similar in many respects to Dresden, but also quite different.

Like Dresden in the very beginning, Garrett is a private investigator who checks out stuff on behalf of clients. Unlike Dresden, however, he has little magical power, and mainly survives due to a quick wit, friends, and luck. Garrett goes against all kinds of powered beings, gods, monsters, mercenaries, and other bad guys. There is a lot more humour in Garrett than Dresden, but the Garrett books are much more episodic (i.e., each book is largely standalone, though incidents in previous books may be referred to). Dresden has by far the superior world building and story.
Thanks! Going through Jack Reacher books at the moment but will pick this up once I get saturated with Jack Reacher.
 
Finished 'A Little Hatred'. Liked it, especially the second half of it, but it is closer in quality to 'Before they are hanged' or 'Red Country' rather than 'The Last Argument of Kings', 'Best Served Cold' or 'The Heroes'. Still, a decent read, though I have to say that the set of characters is not as good as in the original trilogy, and the humour is kind of lacking. Large spoilers ahead:

RIP King Jezal. Unexpectedly so, until I read the name of the chapter (Long Live the King) and I knew what will happen. I believe he is only the second protagonist from the original trilogy who has died so far (after Marshall West).

RIP Wonderful! This death was totally unneeded, and it makes even more painful considering that she was killed from one of the 'good' characters.

I believe that Bayaz is involved in everything again. He killed somehow Jezal, and I guess he started both the war with the North and the rebellion. No idea why bar making chaos. He is still the most interesting character in the series though, and while I hope he will get eventually killed, I guess Joe is just going to make him even more powerful by the end of the series. You have to be realistic about these things.

Predictions:
'I saw a wolf, and I saw a lion, and the lion ate the wolf, and the lamb ate the lion and the owl ate the lamb'.

Next book is gonna be a war between the Union and an alliance of Angland - North. Leo probably will feel betrayed that the Union didn't help him, and didn't even send money but increased the taxes, and together with the Young Lion, now king of the north, will raise a war against Union (maybe Bayaz will manipulate him to do so). The union lead by the new King Orso (the young lamb) will win though.

And then the final book will have the Owl vs Lion. Owl is probably Savine (I don't think Joe will introduce a new main character, he never does that).

Have we seen the end of Logen Ninefingers? He should be old now, but as long as he goes berserk (Bloody Nine), there is nought which can stop him.
 
Started Shadow of the Torturer by Wolfe but not 100% sure if it really is for me.

A bit off topic but as Halloween approaches can someone recommend Horror Books with Fantasy elements or the other way round?
Something set in dark medieval times would be cool.
 
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Vicious
- V.E Schwab

Two bright college kids crack a theory behind people who are rumoured to have gained superpowers and trying it on themselves with a bloody trail of bodies left behind as a consequence. The characters are few, but well etched. They way author builds the characters as shades of grey which gets even more ambiguous as novel progresses is brilliant.

Writing style is stark and beautiful. There are no flowery descriptions and fancy words, just simple sentences that cut through straight to the heart. The way book is structured in multiple small chapters gives the reads of sense of flipping through cards as the story cuts across characters, locations and timelines.

At the end you end up cursing the simplistic beauty of the book and wished the author had written more pages and not leave you wanting for more!

9/10
 
Just finished The Magicians Land and thoroughly enjoyed the whole trilogy. Looking for recommendations again. Something character focussed. I've done the obvious ones: Farseer, Gentleman Bastards etc. How did people find Johnathan Strange and Norrell?
 
I really liked Johnathan Strange and Norrell. But I had a hard time reading it at first because it feels quite disjointed or more actually it is at the beginning more like reading 4 panel comics, it is hard to sustain interest after few ones. It went better when I decided to just read one or two chapters.
 
It took me ages to get into it, but then about halfway through I was hooked. The mini series was okay too, when your done.
 
Reading the second book in 'The Grim Company' from Luke Scroll. This series is pretty good. Not excellent or a must-read, but now that I have finally run out of the obvious books to read, I have to be happy with the leftovers.
 
I really liked Johnathan Strange and Norrell. But I had a hard time reading it at first because it feels quite disjointed or more actually it is at the beginning more like reading 4 panel comics, it is hard to sustain interest after few ones. It went better when I decided to just read one or two chapters.
It took me ages to get into it, but then about halfway through I was hooked. The mini series was okay too, when your done.
Cheers guys. I'll give it a whirl.