SciFi and Fantasy Book Club discussion

I recently finished The Causal Angel finishing out the trilogy by Hannu Rajaniemi. Although I usually like to spread out a series, I read these all in a row to try to keep my brain loaded with all the complex ideas he throws around.

It's a lot to chew, but I enjoyed them.

Hey everyone! First post, yay!

Although I am overwhelmed with relocating, I try to read as much as I can. Nowadays it is mostly about zen and death. I am currently reading Zen and Karma by Taisen Deshimaru.

My latest scifi read was the fifth book in Marko Kloos' Frontlines. It was an OK book. Nowhere near as good as the first two books of the series though.

Oganalp wrote: "My latest scifi read was the fifth book in Marko Kloos' Frontlines. It was an OK book. Nowhere near as good as the first two books of the series though. "

That's interesting; I felt the first book was the weakest and each book was a little better than the last. Andrew was too much of a brat in the first book.

Just finished Deadhouse Gates... wow, just wow.

If anyone was on the fence about continuing the Malazan series after Gardens of the Moon, I would encourage you to keep going. I'm not sure I've ever read anything better.

I gave up on the Frontline series after (barely) finishing the first book. Not really interested in military sci-fi just for then battles, I like the substance people like Peter Hamilton and others bring to the genre.

I'm just half-way through The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet.
I do like character-based sci-fi and it's an easy, fun read, but it's pretty light on plot right now and I feel the diversity and tolerance message is layered on a little too thick. Or maybe the better word would be too intentionally.

David wrote: "That's interesting; I felt the first book was the weakest and each book was a little better than the last. Andrew was too much of a brat in the first book.."

My problem was with the character development in book 4 and 5. Book 5 felt like an anthology of radio chatter and military jargon. Yes, the first book had its flaws as well but it had this feeling of "getting somewhere" whereas that feeling was lost in the last two books.

Still, it entertained me to some level; the overall series.

Sakuko wrote: "I'm just half-way through The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet.
I do like character-based sci-fi and it's an easy, fun read, but it's pretty light on plot right now and I feel the..."

I felt the same way as you do. The writing was too heavy-handed for me to have any interest in continuing the series.

But I have read so many reviews where people think this is the best scifi evar! that I sometimes wonder if we were reading the same book.

I just about to start reading Raelia. The first book in the series didn't exactly blow my mind but I got to the end and just had to read book two.

I'm also re-reading The Way of Kings in conjunction with the Tor re-read. It's kind of like watching a movie with the commentary turned on.

Esther wrote: But I have read so many reviews where people think this is the best scifi evar! that I sometimes wonder if we were reading the same book.


I can imagine it. It's very beginner friendly, so to speak.
I like my sci-fi a little meatier, too, but I'm not hating the book either. It's pretty much what it says it is, a soap opera in space.

Sakuko wrote: "Esther wrote: But I have read so many reviews where people think this is the best scifi evar! that I sometimes wonder if we were reading the same book.

I can imagine it. It's very beginner friend..."

A soap opera in space is OK. I don't watch them on TV so it is not a surprise I don't want to read them.
I am a big Firefly fan and a lot of comparisons were made, mainly on the basis of the ensemble cast. But this author's writing is a universe and a half away from the quality of Joss Whedon's.

MadProfessah wrote: "I gave up on the Frontline series after (barely) finishing the first book. Not really interested in military sci-fi just for then battles, I like the substance people like Peter Hamilton and others..."

People like Frontlines a lot because it's a bit different from most of the other military sci-fi which is normally about the best captain ever off on a solo mission or commanding a small group, the best admiral ever commanding a large fleet, or the most kick-ass group of space marines on special missions to save the world. Then you have Frontlines a kind of bleak portray of an above average grunt with his boots on the ground somehow surviving though luck and skill. I personally find the series a bit too dry and depressing for my tastes but I'm still liking it enough to be current on it and I can appreciate why some people really love it.

I love Frontlines too. Great action, straightforward plot and good pacing. Nothing wasted on that book. No excessive fat. The MC was believable and relatable, not corny or Marty Stu. I enjoy readable yet non fluffy SF.

Anyway, been a while since my last SFF book. Tried to read Kings of the Wyld that turns out to be the most overhyped book of the year. Many people were like omg this book is so funny and rocking and stuff but I had just one snort after 26%. Story and characters were meh, monsters here and there, the MC used to be badass and had former badass friends blablaboringseenthatbefore. I had more laugh reading ASoIAF.

I am reading Lock In by Scalzi after this, and reread A Game of Thrones for a "What If" book club discussion.

Esther wrote: "But I have read so many reviews where people think this is the best scifi evar! that I sometimes wonder if we were reading the same book."

Same here. It was a decent SF beach read but way off the point where I would rush out and buy the sequel.

Here is my review for Knife of Dreams

I just started Roadside Picnic and am completely hooked.

Reading Christian Nation by Frederic C. Rich. Scary stuff, esp now.

Swan Song. I am not sure if it is the right time to read this one...but I am.

The Witchwood Crown is the next novel in Tad William's Osten Ard series, it will be published next Tuesday.
I've reviewed it at my blog.

yay for new Osten Ard book!

I just finished listening to Red Sister by Mark Lawrence and it was amazing. He just keeps getting better and better. I completely disappeared into the world he created. The narration by Heather O'Neill perfectly captured the characters.

I'm nearing the end of my WoT reread with The Gathering Storm. While I didn't enjoy it quite as much as my first read, it's still one of my favorite of the series. ★★★★★ - (My Review)

Since my last post (June 8), I’ve finished:

* The first four books in the Temeraire series, plus a short story set between the first two books. I’m really enjoying this series. The books hold my interest from beginning to end and, despite having a lot of travel in them, never reach the point where they feel tedious. I’ve seen a lot of mixed reviews though; others have found them quite boring.

I think the main characters are great, if the secondary characters are maybe a little neglected, and there’s always something interesting going on. I did have some complaints about the fourth book, described in my review. Below are my reviews for all the books I've read so far. Any spoilers are contained within spoiler tags, including spoilers for previous books in the series.
Book 1: His Majesty’s Dragon
Short Story: Feast or Famine
Book 2: Throne of Jade
Book 3: Black Powder War
Book 4: Empire of Ivory

* Between books three and four of Temeraire, I read Zodiac by Neal Stephenson. I liked it, but wasn’t engrossed by it. I think I liked the writing style, but I was only moderately interested in the story or the characters. My review.

My next book will be Victory of Eagles, the fifth book in the Temeraire series.

YouKneeK wrote: "I read Zodiac by Neal Stephenson. I liked it, but wasn’t engrossed by it. I think I liked the writing style, but I was only moderately interested in the story or the characters."

I haven't read Zodiac, but you don't mind his writing style you might try The Diamond Age: or, A Young Lady's Illustrated Primer. Of the four Stephenson books I've read, I think I liked that one the most (though it's been over ten years since I read it). It seems to have been much better received in general.

YouKneeK wrote: "Since my last post (June 8), I’ve finished:

* The first four books in the Temeraire series, plus a short story set between the first two books. I’m really enjoying this series. The books hold my i..."

Since June 8th of this year?!

I hate you just a little bit.

David wrote: "I haven't read Zodiac, but you don't mind his writing style you might try The Diamond Age: or, A Young Lady's Illustrated Primer. Of the four Stephenson books I've read, I think I liked that one the most (though it's been over ten years since I read it). It seems to have been much better received in general."

I don’t think I’ve heard anybody talk about that one, so I’m glad to hear you liked it! I’d like to read it eventually, especially since it’s on the group bookshelf, and now I'll do a better job of keeping an eye out for it. Snow Crash was the one I was particularly interested in reading, but I read Zodiac instead because it went on sale after I’d been on hold for Snow Crash at the library for a couple weeks.

Trike wrote: "Since June 8th of this year?!

I hate you just a little bit."

Nope, June 8th of next year. I’m moving through time backwards.

They were all reasonably short books, though. I also spent about 10 hours on airplanes, plus the time sitting around at airports. Starting tomorrow, my pace should slow down to a rate you’ll approve of -- being on call during quarter ends means I’m lucky to read 5 pages without an interruption. :)

YouKneeK wrote: "Snow Crash was the one I was particularly interested in reading, but I read Zodiac instead because it went on sale after I’d been on hold for Snow Crash at the library for a couple weeks."

Snow Crash is a good pick too. The Diamond Age is actually set in the same world as Snow Crash except far in the future of the events of that book. They're not really connected apart from one or two themes of the setting, though.

David wrote: "The Diamond Age is actually set in the same world as Snow Crash except far in the future of the events of that book. They're not really connected apart from one or two themes of the setting, though. "

Oh, that’s great info, thank you, I didn't know that. I usually like to read books like that fairly close together even if the stories aren’t dependent on each other.

I really like Stephenson. I've only read a few of his books so far, but of the ones I have read The Diamond Age: or, A Young Lady's Illustrated Primer is the only one I haven't enjoyed. I was really excited for it too as I figured it'd be in a similar vein to Snow Crash.

In terms of my enjoyment for the ones I've read I'd rank them:

1) Snow Crash
2) Cryptonomicon
3) Seveneves
4) Reamde

I guess I have to rank Diamond Age 5th, but it's better to say it's "last"

Rob wrote: "I really like Stephenson. I've only read a few of his books so far, but of the ones I have read The Diamond Age: or, A Young Lady's Illustrated Primer is the only one I haven't enjoyed."

I see a lot of mixed reviews of his books. Unlike with other authors, I never see much of a consensus that a certain book is his best and a certain book is his worst. That’s one reason I’ve been so curious to try his work.

I think I was expecting something a little more controversial or unique when I read Zodiac, but nothing about it really stood out to me that much.

He's definitely not for everyone. Most of his books are overly long and tangent prone. I think a lot of it has to do if you enjoy the tangents and/or the subject matter of the book. Apparently I do.

I agree that most people I encounter seem to have a different favorite, however I don't know anyone besides myself who loved Snow Crash and didn't like Diamond Age.

In fact most people recommended I read that book since I liked Snow Crash so much.

Of course I havent read Snow Crash in like 15 years now, so I worry it won't hold up to my memory of it.

I own a few of his other books that I just havent got around to yet, but I may do his new book (which he co-authored) The Rise and Fall of D.O.D.O. instead

YouKneeK wrote: "I see a lot of mixed reviews of his books. Unlike with other authors, I never see much of a consensus that a certain book is his best and a certain book is his worst. That’s one reason I’ve been so curious to try his work."

Rob wrote: "He's definitely not for everyone. Most of his books are overly long and tangent prone. I think a lot of it has to do if you enjoy the tangents and/or the subject matter of the book. Apparently I do..."

That's pretty much it. Stephenson doesn't seem particularly interested in following the normal rules and conventions of storytelling. He writes about whatever he finds fascinating, using whatever structure he feels like. If you're not fascinated by whatever subject he's decided to interrupt the story to write a 10-page data dump on at this particular moment, you're not going to have a good time.

YouKneeK wrote: "I think I was expecting something a little more controversial or unique when I read Zodiac, but nothing about it really stood out to me that much."

I suggested The Diamond Age partly because it exhibits his strengths (a story full of fascinating geeky sci-fi ideas) with relatively few of his weaknesses (extreme length and multi-page data dumps), but if you're looking for the Full Stephenson Experience, you could also try Seveneves. That's my other favorite of his, and one of his more polarizing.

Yeah, I wasn't trying to discourage him from the Diamond Age. I was simply weighing in with my own opinion.

I think that's one of his better received ones, and not as tangent prone as some others from what I recall. It's hard for me to pick a book of his to be the "right" book. I tend to recommend Snow Crash the most, but a few I've recommended that too didn't like it, while liking some of his other books better.

Seveneves is almost like a trilogy in 1 book the way it's structured. I like the final part the best of the three, but I enjoyed the whole book. Many people seem to wish the whole book was just one of the 3 parts instead.

It definitely has the tangent thing too. In my case I didn't enjoy those tangents as much as I had those in other books.

I think his tangent on beards in Cryptonomicon is still my favorite.

I have only read three and would be hard pressed to pick a favorite. They are all good but in different ways. I think I would list them in order as:
Anathem
Cryptonomicon
Snow Crash

AndrewP wrote: "I have only read three and would be hard pressed to pick a favorite. They are all good but in different ways. I think I would list them in order as:
Anathem
Cryptonomicon
..."

If that's your ranking, then I would guess that you're very patient and like ponderous, intellectual books? :)

Of all the Stephenson books I've read, I liked Diamond Age best.

Regarding the various comments on Stephenson and info dumps / tangents… When I read Zodiac, I was expecting info dumps since I see that comment about him so often, but Zodiac really doesn’t have any. Info dribbles at the very most.

It looks like Zodiac might have been one of his earlier works, so maybe he grew into the info dumps. There was science, and I learned some things, but it felt like a seamless part of the narrative.

David wrote: "if you're looking for the Full Stephenson Experience, you could also try Seveneves. That's my other favorite of his, and one of his more polarizing."

Thanks, I actually own that one but had held off because it’s pretty long and I thought it might be better to try such a polarizing author with a short book. But it looks like I missed out on the polarization altogether with that choice. :)

I’ll probably cycle back around to Stephenson within a year or so. I’m contradictory because I’ll read a whole series more-or-less in a row but, aside from that, I space out my reading of an author’s unrelated works.

YouKneeK wrote: "Since my last post (June 8), I’ve finished:

* The first four books in the Temeraire series, plus a short story set between the first two books. I’m really enjoying this series. The books hold my i..."

Love the Temeraire books :)

Anathem is probably my favorite Neal Stephenson.

Finished Christian Nation, now unable to sleep at night.

Then read The Hobbits: The Many Lives of Bilbo, Frodo, Sam, Merry and Pippin.

Currently on Re-Reading Harry Potter (2008 edition, with updates). It's surprisingly readable for such a scholarly book, and the author's style is very interactive and friendly (can't recall the exact sentence that recently made me laugh, but it was something like "I am in danger of lapsing into X. This will not do.").

Rob wrote: "I'm nearing the end of my WoT reread with The Gathering Storm. While I didn't enjoy it quite as much as my first read, it's still one of my favorite of the series. ★★★★★ - (My Review)"
I love Robert Jordan's work (may he rest in peace) and the world he created. However, Brandon Sanderson really brought back the pace the series needed after book 9 and 10. The writing became direct and "less details - more actions".

Oganalp wrote: "I love Robert Jordan's work (may he rest in peace) and the world he created. However, Brandon Sanderson really brought back the pace the series needed after book 9 and 10. The writing became direct and "less details - more actions". "

Yeah, I agree. Although I do feel like Jordan himself was picking up the pace with Knife of Dreams. However, he was set on ending with book 12 (Memory of Light), and I would be surprised if what Sanderson did in 3 books wouldn't have taken Jordan at least 4.

I read Anansi Boys by Neil Gaiman. My review:

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

Just finished volume 1 in the Chaos Walking series by Patrick Ness, The Knife of Never Letting Go and reviewed it - https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1811505728.

Pam wrote: "Just finished volume 1 in the Chaos Walking series by Patrick Ness, The Knife of Never Letting Go and reviewed it - https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...."

Good review. I agree with so much of what you said.

I am listening to Joe Morton read Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison. I am avidly listening, but it's not something I'm enjoying, so far.

Last night I finished Al Franken, Giant of the Senate by Al Franken, which I thoroughly loved. I laughed out loud often and cried a little, too.

(How do I link my reviews?)

Julia wrote: "(How do I link my reviews?)"

You could really just copy the review link and paste it here without doing anything fancy. Those of us who are putting it behind text like "My review" are just pasting that link within the html syntax like this:
<a href="ReviewLinkGoesHere">My review.</a>

If you aren't sure where to find your review link, there are a lot of ways to get there, but I usually go to my profile to get my latest reviews all in one spot since I'm lazy about posting after each book. Under each review there's a "see review" link. Right-click that link and copy the link, or you can just click on it to go there and then copy it out of your address bar. Right-clicking is faster, though, especially if you need to copy several.

YouKneeK wrote: "Julia wrote: "(How do I link my reviews?)"

You could really just copy the review link and paste it here without doing anything fancy. Those of us who are putting it behind text like "My review" ar..."

...and if you forget the technical details, there is a set of examples/reminders if you click the link
"(some html is ok)"
that is just above the upper right corner of the comment bok (on the web page. I don't know about the phone app.)

In June I read The Wise Man's Fear (★★★★★), The Left Hand of Darkness (★★★), MaddAddam (★★★★★), Trapped (★★★★), and Too Like the Lightning (★★½).



This year I am minding my progress on my many unfinished F&SF series. Here is my mid-year report:

Series started in 2017 (6): Shades of Magic, Malazan, Abhorsen, Kingkiller Chronicle, Arbai, Terra Ignota

Progress on series started before 2017 (7): Magic 2.0, The Iron Druid Chronicles, Oxford Time Travel, Hyperion Cantos, Vorkosigan Saga, Temeraire, Wayfarers

Finished series (1): MaddAddam