SciFi and Fantasy Book Club discussion

This month I didn't quite hit my reading goals, so a lot of books I was planning on reading last month are now this month's goal. But I DID read some books worth sharing.

1. Off to Be the Wizard, Spell or High Water, and An Unwelcome Quest
I ran through the audio books of this trilogy. They are not deep texts, but they were perfectly geektastic and just what I needed after reading too many depressing books in a row. Fans of Douglas Adams and Terry Pratchett will like this author. I am now listening to Master of Formalities by him and am loving that too.

2. Bad Magic
Disclaimer: This is a middle grades/YA book, but it is well written. It is the lovely adventure of a boy shipped off to a summer camp for kids with discipline issues. He of course has a crazy family, so crazy adventures ensue. The whole book sort of themes around Shakespeare's The Tempest which is also lovely. I enjoy this author. (ps: I teach adolescents, so I try to keep up in books for students so I can make great recommendations to them.)

3. The Raven Boys
This series has been around for a while, but I never bothered to check it out. It was amazing. The plot has great characters, great plot twists, and great mythological/pagan background. It is distinctly YA for those who dislike that genre.

4. Kill Switch
This is the latest book in John Mayberry's adult Joe Ledger series. It is probably my least favorite book in the series, which is not to say I didn't like it. I just loved the other books better. I was curious if this book would connect this series to Mayberry's other YA series, and it did but not in the way I expected.

Currently I am reading Limbus, Inc.: Book II, The Hidden Oracle, and hope to soon read Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children plus all of last month's left over list.

I’ve recently read the first three books in the Discworld series. They’re quite funny, although I found the humor in the first two books to be the over-the-top kind that, while amusing, takes me out of the story. I prefer a more subtle humor that's a more natural part of the story. It was kind of growing on me by the second book, though.

I thought the humor in the third book toned down some of the ridiculousness and did a better job of enhancing the story rather than being a distraction, but I thought the story itself was pretty generic. I can definitely see the potential though, and I’m enjoying the series enough to continue.

My reviews:
Book 1 – The Color of Magic
Book 2 – The Light Fantastic
Book 3 – Equal Rites

Now I’m taking a break to read Sharp Ends, the recently-published anthology set in Abercrombie’s First Law universe. I was waiting to read it during the business trip I was supposed to take next week, but the trip happily got postponed indefinitely and I couldn’t stand to wait any longer.

@YouKneeK: I found the magician/Rincewind arc to be over-the-top too, but I think you will like the Watch/Sam Vimes arc. Look for the discworld reading guide

I just started The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay. I'm liking it so far.

Silvana wrote: "@YouKneeK: I found the magician/Rincewind arc to be over-the-top too, but I think you will like the Watch/Sam Vimes arc. Look for the discworld reading guide"

Thanks Silvana, I’m looking forward to trying all the different subseries. It seems like everybody has different favorites, so I’m curious to find out where I’ll fit in. The Watch seems to be the one I see the most favorable comments about.

I have the chart with the colorful blobs (which seems to have been modeled off a chart found in the Unseen University in the 2nd book) saved for frequent reference. :) After some internal debate, I ultimately decided to read the series in publication order.

I listened to Red Rising, which is narrated by the excellent Tim Gerard Reynolds. Despite a slow/predictable start, I really enjoyed it (My Review).

I've also continued with my reading of the Saxon Stories, which continue to be great with Sword Song (My Review).

Rob wrote: "I listened to Red Rising, which is narrated by the excellent Tim Gerard Reynolds. Despite a slow/predictable start, I really enjoyed it (My Review). ..."

Did you listen to the song at the end?

Sarah Anne wrote: "Did you listen to the song at the end?"

Yeah. Well most of it. I didn't care for it much the first time when the narrator sang. The version at the end was better at least.

Rob wrote: "Sarah Anne wrote: "Did you listen to the song at the end?"

Yeah. Well most of it. I didn't care for it much the first time when the narrator sang. The version at the end was better at least."

I thought so, too. I read it with my in person group and nobody had listened to that song.

Some of my current/semi-current reads

Stank Delicious
the 5th book in the Hard Luck Hank series.....space, action humor, etc

Harmony Black
a side series by Craig Shaeffer featuring the FBI Agent/witch Harmony Black who used to be an antagonist in the Daniel Faust series...on the mostly serious side but with some humor mixed in and lots of supernatural goodness

Villainous
of the White Knight and Black Valentine series about a hero and villain who are retired and married and raising a teenager despite everyone trying to keep bringing them back ....lots of fun

Sarah Anne wrote: "I've gotten caught up in the enthusiasm of some friends, so I've dropped everything to read The Forbidden Library by Django Wexler. It's good so far."

Met the author at Norwescon last year! A really nice guy. Have had this book on my list for a while.

Just finished up Deadline and have started on The Library at Mount Char.

Kim wrote: "Just finished up Deadline and have started on The Library at Mount Char."

I really liked The Library at Mount Char. I am still hoping there might be a sequel one day.

i am re-reading old sci-fi, currently on Asimiv's Caves of Steel :)

This is a great series. Trouble is I am getting through it too fast!
Foxglove Summer by Ben Aaronovitch

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Phrynne wrote: "I really liked The Library at Mount Char. I am still hoping there might be a sequel one day."

It's interesting so far. I've also started reading Barsk: The Elephants' Graveyard.

I completely loved Barsk. It caught me by surprise.

Been blowing though Alex Verus series starting with Fated at the speed of light Just started Hidden (book #5). So far the series has been straight 4s, still tempted to give book 4 a 5 I'm unsure. In this order of quality so far 4>1>3>2. I have heard people compare this to the Ben Aaronovitch series before, and Dresden. It's closer to Dresden if I had to pick one, but a less snarky/pop culture. In many ways it feels more serious and mature than most Urban Fantaties I have read and not in a Grimdark or basically erotica way that might originally imply. Somehow despite Dresden having superior books that I have enjoyed more I think I will be looking forward to this series more than Dresden as it's gripping me better...which is saying something.

Phrynne wrote: "This is a great series. Trouble is I am getting through it too fast!
Foxglove Summer by Ben Aaronovitch

https://www.goodreads...."

Out of curiosity, are you a big police procedural fan? Because honestly this book and series in general was weird, it's very much a genre fusion and I liked it, but didn't love it. So far everyone I know who loved it often read police procedural novels as well.

Aaron wrote: "Been blowing though Alex Verus series starting with Fated at the speed of light Just started Hidden (book #5). So far the series has been straight 4s, still tempted ..."

I am a big UF fan. By that, I do not mean the marshmallow romancey drivel that so often gets pimped out as UF today.

I am just getting started on both Alex Verus and Rivers of London and I enjoy them both, though not, so far, as much as I love Dresden. I am trying to find time this year to specifically catch up these two series because I think they are done so well.

And, since you mention it, I love police procedurals.

Aaron wrote: "Been blowing though Alex Verus series starting with Fated at the speed of light Just started Hidden (book #5). So far the series has been straight 4s, still tempted ..."

Yes I do like police procedurals and I am sure you are right that it contributes to my enjoyment of Rivers of London. I have recently started Alex Verus and am enjoying it.

I've only read the first Rivers of London. I wasn't impressed, does it get better?

Sarah Anne wrote: "I've only read the first Rivers of London. I wasn't impressed, does it get better?"

Yes it does. And I would really recommend the audio version.

And has anyone else read the Matthew Swift series by Kate Griffin? It is like Dresden but set in London and is really good! The author is a pen name of Claire North who wrote The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August

Phrynne: 1) that's a sweet ride you're. 2) "Sandy" dan Glokta is an alpha survivor. the only author I was happier to find than Joe Abercrombie was GRRM.

sorry Phyrnne the comment I replied to was old (4 months)

Don wrote: "sorry Phyrnne the comment I replied to was old (4 months)"

:)
What was my comment?

I'm reading Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (first timer here) and also David Gemmel's Shield of Thunder

Phrynne wrote: "And has anyone else read the Matthew Swift series by Kate Griffin? It is like Dresden but set in London and is really good! The author is a pen name of Claire North..."

I've only read the first two and I'm absolutely dying to get to the others. The second was a 5 star read for me. I absolutely love Claire North's Touch and I couldn't believe how good the audio was. She also writes YA as Catherine Webb. I haven't read these.

Sarah Anne wrote: "Phrynne wrote: "And has anyone else read the Matthew Swift series by Kate Griffin? It is like Dresden but set in London and is really good!

I have read Waywalkers and enjoyed it but not sure if these books are a bit too young.
I loved Touch as well. So original.

I read Touch the first time and then sold my in person group on reading it. I listened the second time and they were both wonderful experiences. It's a very clever book. The same narrator does Harry August and I have to try that.

Phrynne wrote: "Sarah Anne wrote: "I've only read the first Rivers of London. I wasn't impressed, does it get better?"

Yes it does. And I would really recommend the audio version."

I second the audio versions. They are some of the best I have ever heard. Unfortunately I think you might have to be a Brit to appreciate all the subtle differences in accents.

Phyrnne, you were enjoying "the last argument of kings" and were concerned for the long term safety of "the bloody nine" and "Golkta". have you inspected "the red night" by miles Cameron for possible consumption?

Don wrote: "Phyrnne, you were enjoying "the last argument of kings" and were concerned for the long term safety of "the bloody nine" and "Golkta". have you inspected "the red night" by miles Cameron for possib..."

Ah yes. I remember:)
The Red Knight sounds really good. I have marked it to read. Love the cover too:)

I'm re-reading The Steel Remains by Richard K. Morgan. I read it in 2013 and after that I tried to get into the second book in the series, but failed for some reason. Now I decided to start from the beginning again and get through the second book as well so that I can finally read the third and final book of the series, too.

Sarah Anne wrote: "I've only read the first Rivers of London. I wasn't impressed, does it get better?"

It gets better, but not dramatically so. Get to maybe book 3 before you decide(though I liked 2 a good bit personally)

I've recently finished and found amazing Dreams from My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance by Barack Obama. I'm so glad I read it!

I've read some graphic novels Avengers: The Children's Crusade and Wonder Woman: The Hiketeia. I liked the Wonder Woman.

Currently I'm reading She Came From Beyond!: A Novel, which is fun! So far anyway, it has a Galaxy Quest/ MST3K vibe.

Both these books I'm reading are just plain weird. I think I might follow them up with a nice, normal non-fiction.

Kim wrote: "Both these books I'm reading are just plain weird. I think I might follow them up with a nice, normal non-fiction."

I think Barsk will start to coalesce for you soon. I read it with another group and most of us hit a groove around Chapter 12 and loved it from there.

The 3rd book in The NO LAND FIT FOR HEROS series by Richard Morgan (The Dark Defiles) was hard for me to get through too but it is well worth it in the end

I finished reading all of the available books in the Demon Cycle Saga by Peter V. Brett. IMO, book 4 (The Skull Throne) was enjoyable, but not as good as earlier books in the series.

I'm now listening to The Innocent Mage by Karen Miller. It's very slow going. I'm about half-way through the book, and there has yet to be a significant step forward in the plot. At this point, I'm not sure if I'll bother with the second book in the series (a rarity for me).

I finished Outlander, it was amazing. Not what I would call fantasy, more historical romance, which is not a genre I would usually read, but I am so glad I read it. Their is so much action and one of the most despicable villains I have ever read.
Now I am starting The Emperor's Blades, so far it is interesting although I am only 50 pages in.

Just finished Orion (and it was great to read some Bova again; it had been a while!) and have just begun Hidden Empire. Am still reading Dhalgren as well, though that is starting to feel more like a job than a joy, to be honest.

I finished Rivers, the debut novel of Michael Farris Smith first thing this morning only because I couldn't trust my drooping eyelids not to miss a word of the finale last night. What a great book! Imagine a world where Hurricane Katrina was just the beginning of an endless string of climatic catastrophes. This is the world Farris Smith has created for us. My review is here.

My review of Cursed by Benedict Jacka

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Finished with Barsk: The Elephants' Graveyard and while I'm waiting for my library to get The Road to Little Dribbling I'm reading The 14th Colony.

I finished The Jewel and Her Lapidary by Fran Wilde and didn't like it at all. Didn't connect with the characters and the story and setting just weren't interesting. It was under 100 pages, but still it was a slog to get through.

I finished the Red Rising trilogy, listening to both Golden Son and Morning Star in the last few weeks. I liked each book better than the last, and ended up really enjoying the series, especially in audio.

Golden Son Review
Morning Star Review

I also read Attack on Titan, Vol. 19 via Crunchyroll. I enjoyed it, but considering it was supposed to end at 20 volumes, it seems to be moving too slow (My Review).

Finally caught up on Alex Verus and finished the 7th book. A high quality series though-out(book 4, and it's looking like book 8 are my favorites so far), though I am raving mad that the 7th book ends on a big turning point and it's going to be months until the next one is out.

Also almost done with Sector Eight, another very highly rated Lit-RPG...only it's pretty terrible. All of the other Russian Lit-RPGs I have read so far feel like real books, Alterworld being a bit first book syndrome but still polished. This...feels like fan-translated webfiction and trust me I have read a lot of that. Only it gets worse, it's not even that good of fan-translated webfiction. The world building and dialog is all disjointed, the characters don't really make sense, the pacing is all over the place and I have no idea what the author is doing besides writing words on a page about how combat in eve-online...err I mean Perimeter Defense works, I am completely baffled at how it's rating is so high. I'm going to finish it, and it still might get a 2/5 from me if it does some more clever things but it's on track for a 1/5 right now and considering how much I wanted to like this that is not a good thing.

Edit: 136, that's how many days I made it into the year before I read my first 1/5. congratulations Sector 8 :( :( :(

I'm reading Royal Airs by Sharon Shinn. It's the second novel in her Elemental Blessings series. Not *quite* as engaging as the first book, but still lovely.

I finished Age of Myth by Michael J. Sullivan. It's the start of a new epic fantasy series.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...