Fantasy Buddy Reads discussion

Robert wrote: "Karkhanas (Erikson)- Just one book in advance of the release of the third in 2018..."

There's no release date for Walk in Shadow. One fantasy magazine speculated 2018 but there's zero chance it comes out next year. There were 4 years between books one and two. Unfortunately I think it's going to be the same.

Scott wrote: "Robert wrote: "Karkhanas (Erikson)- Just one book in advance of the release of the third in 2018..."

There's no release date for Walk in Shadow. One fantasy magazine speculated 201..."

Hmm. then maybe I'll put off reading Fall of LIght until they firm up the release date to keep myself fresh. I've head it's quite the slog.

Robert wrote: "Hmm. then maybe I'll put off reading Fall of LIght until they firm up the release date to keep myself fresh. I've head it's quite the slog. "

I liked it but he went too far with the political soap box. There's also some character inconsistencies for a few mainstays from the main series. That said well worth reading.

Robert wrote: "Takeshi Kovacs - 1/3 Gotta get back into this before it comes to Netflix as a show. (Altered Carbon).."

Me too!

I stopped watching GoT several seasons ago. I got tired of all the characters I liked dying while the ones I hated went merrily on. And I watch TWD so it's not that I can't deal with beloved characters dying...it's the imbalance. Yes, characters I like die every season on TWD but the bad guys do too. There never seemed to be any balance in GoT so it was just too frustrating.

I stopped watching TWD after the second season though I'm up to date with the comics pretty much (I read them bundled) in their semi-annual releases). Stopped because of the inconsistencies and goddammit, it's just too bleak to watch.

I still watch Game of Thrones even though I know it has been "fanfic" for quite a while now. I find I can separate them out easily enough given the number of characters either alive or not even included in the books as compared to the series.

I've never read the source material for either so any inconsistencies would obviously go over my head. I have other series and/or movies where I am familiar with the source material so I can sympathize on that front. I had to hold off on watching any more than the pilot episode of The Expanse series until there is more distance and time from when I finished the book. Once the details get hazy in my mind then I find I can enjoy the adaptation better.

And yes, TWD is very bleak. That's why I'm six episodes behind and waiting for the right mood to get caught up - though I'm running out of time before the next season starts.

Veronica wrote: "I've never read the source material for either so any inconsistencies would obviously go over my head. I have other series and/or movies where I am familiar with the source material so I can sympat..."

HIghly recommend A Song of Ice and Fire in book form. Of course though I"m a crazy person who has been reading (and rereading it) since 1997.

Anyone who has set up Buddy reads because of this thread, when you get a free moment please forward me details on dates etc so I can get things updated on our list

Margret wrote: "Anyone who has set up Buddy reads because of this thread, when you get a free moment please forward me details on dates etc so I can get things updated on our list"

I setup Inda and Niki setup Black Sun's Daughter. You can get the dates from the bookshelf which were properly added.

Thank you, sorry I am incredibly tired andI had thought there was more than the two series.

Margret wrote: "Thank you, sorry I am incredibly tired andI had thought there was more than the two series."

No worries. I'm a bit under the weather myself. We can each pop some cold/sleep meds and enjoy a foggy slumber.

I hope you feel better soon, must be school germs!

FYI I'm totally cool with anyone letting me know about series just by commenting on the Master, or "Add BR" by saying "added whole series under (blank) bookshelf", no need to add links or anything, just a quick heads up will do. I do tend to miss a few things here and there due to the fast-paced nature of the group nowadays so I apologize for that.

Margret wrote: "I hope you feel better soon."

U2

Iain wrote: "Malazan is a bunch of series: Book of the Fallen, Empire, Buechelain & Korbal Broach, Kharkanas, and Path of Ascendancy... the first 3 weave together... the last 2 come after... there's a master se..."

Yeah just had a look...uhhh deep waters. I'm glad I'm not tackling this alone.

I’m planning on reading miss Peregrin’s home for peculiar children, the ranger’s apprentice series, the lunar chronicles and the serafina books

For 2018, my very rough series targets are:

Glen Cook: The Black Company Books 4-9
Raymond E Feist: Riftwar
Terry Brooks: Shannara - 3 trilogies.
Stephen King: Dark Tower
China Mieville: Bas Lag
Roger Zelazny: Amber.

I've had the Black Company on my radar for a while now...
*checks out Bas Lag*

books and things wrote: "I’m planning on reading miss Peregrin’s home for peculiar children, the ranger’s apprentice series, the lunar chronicles and the serafina books"

I may join you for Lunar Chronicles Book 1. I'd like to see what all the hype's about.

Zaara wrote: "I've had the Black Company on my radar for a while now...
*checks out Bas Lag*"

I have been meaning to read Mieville for a very long time and though Perdido Street Station is the one that has been mainly recommended, I want to read them all.

I'd always thought of Perdido as a standalone. Hmmmm. All the best with it.

This is very cool thread Scott. I admire everyone's plans with all my heart and then at the same time I know my year is going to be pure chaos. Except for Malazan, which I plan to do with you all, the rest will be just... sheer serendipity.

Yeah I had a rethink now so if you have a look at my BR tracker it's clogged with a lot of thins for 2018 ( the big boys are definitely malazen wheel of time and game of thrones)

Ugh, there's SO many series I'd like to start but I have to be realistic about the number of new series I do start since I'm a slow reader. But my wishlist for 2018 looks something like this (steampunk and other cross-genres left out):

* N.K. Jemisin - don't know which series yet - recommendations welcome
* The Riyria Chronicles - Michael J. Sullivan
* Empire of Storms - Jon Skovron
* Moontide Quartet - David Hair
* The Stormlight Archive - Brandon Sanderson (the first book in 2018)
* The Long Price Quartet - Daniel Abraham
* Shattered Kingdoms - Evie Manieri
* Gentleman Bastard - Scott Lynch
* Blackthorn & Grim - Juliet Marillier
* Spellslinger - Sebastien de Castell
* Empires of Dust - Anna Smith Spark
* Guy Gavriel Kay standalone

And series I want to continue/finish in 2018:

* The Draconis Memoria - Anthony Ryan
* The Memoirs of Lady Trent - Marie Brennan

I keep signing up for things... I'm going to run out of space in my reading schedule at this rate... and then I keep seeing these Buddy Reads for middle books in a series and thinking "There's another series I want to try at some point"... it's almost a relief that I can't join in immediately... altho the next time someone mentions starting over I'll probably sign up for that as well...

Dani wrote: "Ugh, there's SO many series I'd like to start "

For what it's worth of the ones I've read this is how I would order them. I've either completed or have all of these up to date. Even the bottom one all 4 books were 3.75*'s for me so you really cannot go wrong.

* The Stormlight Archive - Brandon Sanderson (the first book in 2018)
* The Long Price Quartet - Daniel Abraham
* N.K. Jemisin - Broken Earth
* Empire of Storms - Jon Skovron
* The Riyria Chronicles - Michael J. Sullivan
* Gentleman Bastard - Scott Lynch
* Moontide Quartet - David Hair

Iain wrote: "I keep signing up for things... I'm going to run out of space in my reading schedule at this rate... and then I keep seeing these Buddy Reads for middle books in a series and thinking "There's anot..."

I'm too new to the group to have reached this stage yet but i can see it happening.
Also @Dani you have a seriously awesome list! I'm dibs on most of those with you. But I still have to read two books in Riyria Revelations first before getting to Chronicles. Shall we do Stormlight together? I'm gonna want/need company for that cuz I'm a total wuss when it comes to Sanderson.

I think I'm signed up for 37 books next year so far + 31 New Releases shelved... that's 68 books.. a little over 1/3 of my yearly reading at the moment... and I'm sure I'll sign up for plenty more..

Yep my numbers are chicken feed compared to that.

Like I parrot way too often... 2 months ago I didn't know what I was going to be reading 2 days from then... never mind next year... this planning ahead thing is new to me... and even this much feels overwhelming at times... I like flexibility in my schedule for whims and audiobook breaks...

My god, some of you lot are organised. I have over 200 books on my to be read pile and i don't know what I'm reading next. Just finishing The Copper Cat but feel a bit indifferent and not sure If Im up for the Iron Ghost next-
Thinking of the Troy series by David Gemmell, re-reading James Islington's ,The Shadow of what was lost as i read it when it first came out, loved it but cant remember very much, now book two is out. Age of Assassins is great- as was the core.

@Jack, Gemmell is good.

Thanks Zaara- read a few of his but not the Troy stuff, which has very positive reviews - too much to choose from

Scott wrote: "Dani wrote: "Ugh, there's SO many series I'd like to start "

For what it's worth of the ones I've read this is how I would order them. I've either completed or have all of these up to date. Even t..."

Thanks a lot, Scott. That's helpful.

Zaara wrote: "Iain wrote: "I keep signing up for things... I'm going to run out of space in my reading schedule at this rate... and then I keep seeing these Buddy Reads for middle books in a series and thinking ..."

Zaara I am happy to do a buddy read for Stormlight but I'm not intending to read beyond the Way of Kings in 2018 (on account of me being the world's slowest reader and wanting to read other stuff as well) so if you want to buddy up for the whole series I may not be your best choice.

Company for WoK sounds good, Dani. I'll hit you up regarding it in the new year, thanks.

Dani wrote: "Ugh, there's SO many series I'd like to start but I have to be realistic about the number of new series I do start since I'm a slow reader. But my wishlist for 2018 looks something like this (steam..."

I would recommend The Broken Earth trilogy. Her first trilogy was too ridiculous for me and her second one (a duology) was uneven (first book amazing, second book not so much). She is a perfect example of how an author can grow a lot over the years.

* Blackthorn & Grim - Juliet Marillier
* The Draconis Memoria - Anthony Ryan

I also want to continue these.

Silvana wrote: "Dani wrote: "Ugh, there's SO many series I'd like to start but I have to be realistic about the number of new series I do start since I'm a slow reader. But my wishlist for 2018 looks something lik..."

Thanks for your recommendation Silvana. You're not the first one to say this is her best work to date. Unfortunately, I bought the Inheritance trilogy at a sale and I don't own the Broken Earth trilogy yet so now I'm a little torn what to do.... :-/

*Unsolicited Advice Alert*
Do Blackthorn. I have those books. That way I'll be in on the party and Silvana can mix it up with us too.
Sorry. Couldn't resist...

Zaara wrote: "*Unsolicited Advice Alert*
Do Blackthorn. I have those books. That way I'll be in on the party and Silvana can mix it up with us too.
Sorry. Couldn't resist..."

Giving me unsolicited advice, how dare you Zaara!!! Haha, just kidding. I am planning to read B&G anyway, so I'd like to do a BR with you and Silvana. Would you guys be interested to BR all of them or want to do/start from a particular book? The earliest I could start book 1 is mid-November.

Broken Earth made my top 5 of all time. I haven't read her other works.

@Dani , 2018 November? Ima slate you right in...
;-)

Zaara wrote: "@Dani , 2018 November? Ima slate you right in...
;-)"

You jest, but some of us with extensive Buddy Read trackers already have 2 books in November 2018 (Malazan FULL LIST #11 and Drenai Saga #11)... Since I put all of Malazan into my tracker I have BRs through September 2020 with only 6 empty months along the way...

Touché....
*Dobby retires with ears flapping*
Its just...planning my reads that far ahead...for me, it's surreal.

I'm probably being over-zealous... if I get needy for more Malazan and read ahead all them Buddy Reads I'm tracking are pointless...

This also kind of assumes I'm not going to fall into another Goodreads lull in the next 3 years... where I spend WAY too much time playing Path of Exile for a 3 month league or 2...

Scott wrote: "Broken Earth made my top 5 of all time. I haven't read her other works."

Okay, I guess I'm going to cave and read the Broken Earth first then.

Iain wrote: "I'm probably being over-zealous... if I get needy for more Malazan and read ahead all them Buddy Reads I'm tracking are pointless...

This also kind of assumes I'm not going to fall into another Go..."

I've added the first Malazan to my tracker, then I kinda figure I'll see how I feel. I'll probably continue on, but didn't want to commit to them all straight up! Haha.

@Iain I've just emerged from a year+some months long GR hiatus...
@Siobhan I've done the exact same thing. Malazan 1 is in the tracker. Is ALL I'm saying right now ;-)
@Dani deciding what to read (and talking abt it) is the best part...no? Give Jemisin my best...

Unless by broken earth you mean broken EMPIRE in which case I will haunt your read *spitpalm* and I say that on OATH.

Cuz nothin' gonna tame my beast once the Jorg starts flowing...

Bloody app. sorry for the unnecessarily eager highlighting. Or maybe the app is just really good at psychoanalysing ppl...