SciFi and Fantasy Book Club discussion

1. Authentic Aquarius – The Changeling by Victor LaValle – Traits: Independent, risky business, fighting for a cause ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I'm glad I didn't go back and re-read the synopsis before I started this one. It was a complete surprise and was an amazing read. I loved it!

finished:

9. Lively Libra - diplomatic, harmonious = Balance/Scale = Nucleation by Kimberly Unger - Reason = Is the Scale just mindless, extra-terrestrial bacteria? Or is it working - and killing - with a purpose?

so far, I've finished: 1, 4, 8, 9, 12, 13, 16, 17, 18, 19 = 10 out of 20
working on 2

and another finished (I was reading this one and the one above neck and neck)

2. Popular Pisces - dreamy, artistic = Fish = The Swords of Haven by Simon R. Green - Reason = a main character is named Fisher

I really enjoyed this one. It was a guard/cop buddy trilogy (I just started on books 4-6) with the two being a married couple

so far, I've finished: 1, 2, 4, 8, 9, 12, 13, 16, 17, 18, 19 = 11 out of 20

Read two more books, I'm now at 3/20 😂

3. Active Aries - optimistic, adventurous - March 22 – April 20
✔ Those Left Behind by Joss Whedon
- One more space adventure on Serenity, but I'm not sure I'm into the story in this format :/

15. From the ground up
✔ Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
- Fun, but mostly recycled YA tropes. Not to self: don't trust BookTok anymore 😅

2. Popular Pisces - dreamy, artistic - February 21 – March 21
→ Pesme snova: Retrospektiva - drugi tom by George R.R. Marti, or in English Dreamsongs
Had to DNF this one :/

finished

6. Compassionate Cancer - emotional, imaginative = Crab =Widdershins by Charles de Lint - Reason = one of the main characters is an artist

so far, I've finished: 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, 12, 13, 16, 17, 18, 19 = 12 out of 20

3. Active Aries - optimistic, adventurous

✔️Bush Runner: The Adventures of Pierre-Esprit Radisson

6/20

12. Capable Capricorn - protective, noble

✔️Hard to Be a God

7/20

14. Playing with fire

✔️Voices from Chernobyl: The Oral History of a Nuclear Disaster

8/20

Finished

14. Playing with fire = The Machine Dynasty Omnibus by Madeline Ashby - Reason = Amy is playing with fire as her failsafe doesn't work

so far, I've finished: 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17, 18, 19 = 13 out of 20

17. Spring into action -A Thousand Ships by Natalie Haynes – Retelling of the Trojan War through the eyes of the women affected by it. ⭐⭐⭐⭐

I thoroughly enjoyed this retelling of the Trojan War from the perspectives of the women and Goddesses that had a part in the Trojan War. As with most of the feminist re-tellings, there were many tragic stories and few of the women had anything like a happy ending.

16/20

15. From the Ground Up

✔️The Overstory

9/20

Since my last update (in March, oops!) I have read 9 more and I am up to 14/20.

1. Authentic Aquarius - innovative, revolutionary - A Coup of Tea, I like a pun.
4. Tender Taurus - soothing, dependable - System Collapse, Murderbot is soothing.
7. Limelight Leo - dramatic, humorous - When You Are Engulfed in Flames, describes David Sedaris and these essays/stories.
8. Veracious Virgo - attentive, analytical - The Moor, A good description for the MCs of this mystery.
9. Lively Libra - diplomatic, harmonious - Translation State, Diplomacy and training of 'diplomats' definitely a part of the story
10. Spirited Scorpio - complicated, powerful - Ghost Story, describes both Harry Dresden and the stories he gets caught up in.
12. Capable Capricorn - protective, noble - The Brightest Fell, good description of Sir Toby Daye.
15. From the ground up - Slow River - mc built herself up again from the ground up.
18. Sweet summer child - What Abigail Did That Summer, (and I had to first read Foxglove Summer which was not on my physical TBR, so 2 summers for the price of one)

Checking in with 16 of 21 read:

By rating:
5 Stars
1. Authentic Aquarius A Wizard of Earthsea (LeGuin)
4. Tender Taurus Winterfair Gifts in Miles in Love (Bujold)
11. Sweet Sagittarius The Hobbit (Tolkien)
13. A Breath of Fresh Air A Hat Full of Sky (Pratchett)
19. Reap What You Sow A Civil Campaign (Bujold)

4 Stars
2. Popular Pisces The Farthest Shore (LeGuin)
5. Gentle Gemini Brothers in Arms (Bujold)
6. Compassionate Cancer Farside Cannon (Allen)
8. Veracious Virgo Ethan of Athos (Bujold)
9. Lively Libra Diplomatic Immunity (Bujold)
12. Capable Capricorn Leviathan Wakes (Corey)
16. In Deep Waters Pawn (Zahn)
17. Spring into Action The Warrior's Apprentice (Bujold)
20. On Thin Ice The Vor Game (Bujold)
20. On Thin Ice Cryoburn (Bujold)

3 Stars
10. Spirited Scorpio The Ring of Charon (Allen)

This is looking great! I'm impressed that you're able to make series fit so well :)

Economondos wrote: "Checking in with 16 of 21 read:

By rating:
5 Stars
19. Reap What You Sow A Civil Campaign (Bujold)..."

I finished reading A Civil Campaign today and I agree with you 100%! It's a five star book and meets the prompt. I'm also impressed you managed to fit so many of the books into the challenge. I'm doing a Vorkosigan series read this year and I am so glad to have finally picked them up.

Tina Reads wrote: "I finished reading A Civil Campaign today and I agree with you 100%! It'..."

It is a favorite series of mine and has been for 20 years (when there were fewer books in it). Memory to A Civil Campaign is a comfort read for me. Those books got me through some really stressful times before I retired.

finished:

10. Spirited Scorpio - complicated, powerful = Scorpion = ✔️Shards of Earth by Adrian Tchaikovsky - Reason = machine/exoskeleton called a scorpion is major to the story

so far, I've finished: 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17, 18, 19 = 14 out of 20

10. Spirited Scorpio - complicated, powerful

✔️The Loner: Three Sketches of the Personal Life and Ideas of R.B. Bennett, 1870-1947

10/20

I finally made some progress on this challenge after several months of nothing, and I'm now at 12/20. I'm not sure I'll get to 20 this year. Current additions:

Authentic Aquarius - innovative, revolutionary: Unbowed by Wangari Maathai - this ended up being a great fit for the theme. Wangari was certainly innovative and revolutionary. I learned a lot about Kenyan history in the 20th century, and her life and persistence in the face of obstacles is inspiring.

Active Aries - optimistic, adventurous: The Girl Who Sailed the Stars by Matilda Woods. Another great fit - this was certainly an adventure, and the main character stays optimistic.

Spirited Scorpio - complicated, powerful: Seven Fallen Feathers: Racism, Death, and Hard Truths in a Northern City by Tanya Talagan. This was a tough story to read but, indeed, very powerful.

finished:

7. Limelight Leo - dramatic, humorous = Lion = ✔️A Tapestry of Lions by Jennifer Roberson - Reason = Shape changers and father sits on the Lion throne

so far, I've finished: 1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17, 18, 19 = 15 out of 20

Almost done with the Challenge. Just finished up #15 From the ground up - Feet of Clay. Another 5 star romp through Ankh-Morpork.
My review here.

Last one up will be The World of Pooh: The Complete Winnie-The-Pooh and the House at Pooh Corner. And I will get to that soon. Really. Honestly.

Two more down (neither are my original choices). Six more to go.

9. Veracious Virgo - attentive, analytical: The Tainted Cup by Robert Jackson Bennett (one main character specializes in being attentive and the other in being analytical in order to solve the mystery)

16. From the ground up: Sheine Lende by Darcie Little Badger (the ground is important to the story in multiple ways)

The Tainted Cup and Sheine Lende are both at the top of my TBR pile. Do I read them now or save them for next year's challenge? Hmm...

I really enjoyed The Tainted Cup. Sheine Lende was also good, but I found the end part dragged a bit.

Completed my first challenge ever! And made a review for each of these.

Here they are by rating:

5 Stars
1. Authentic Aquarius: A Wizard of Earthsea (LeGuin)
4. Tender Taurus: Winterfair Gifts in Miles in Love (Bujold)
11. Sweet Sagittarius: The Hobbit (Tolkien)
13. A Breath of Fresh Air: A Hat Full of Sky (Pratchett)
18, Sweet Summer Child: The World of Pooh (Milne)
19. Reap What You Sow: A Civil Campaign (Bujold)

4 Stars
2. Popular Pisces: The Farthest Shore (LeGuin)
3. Active Ares: Podkayne of Mars (Heinlein)
5. Gentle Gemini: Brothers in Arms (Bujold)
6. Compassionate Cancer: Farside Cannon (Allen)
7. Limelight Leo: The Game of Fox and Lion (Chase)
8. Veracious Virgo: Ethan of Athos (Bujold)
9. Lively Libra: Diplomatic Immunity (Bujold)
12. Capable Capricorn: Leviathan Wakes (Corey)
16. In Deep Waters: Pawn (Zahn)
17. Spring into Action: The Warrior's Apprentice (Bujold)
20. On Thin Ice: The Vor Game (Bujold)
20. On Thin Ice: Cryoburn (Bujold)

3 Stars
10. Spirited Scorpio: The Ring of Charon (Allen)
14. Playing with Fire: Birth of Fire (Pournelle)

Congratulations Economondos!

Congratulations for finishing the challenge!

Congrats Economondos, great job!

14. Playing with fire – The Library at Mount Char– Char in title, coup that leads to disaster, the Brass Bull BBQ ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Very weird and unique novel. I enjoyed it and am sorry I didn't read it sooner.

18. Sweet summer child

✔️Cat's Eye

12/20

Very good non-sff literary novel that sat on my shelf unread for about 35 years. I did start it once or twice but never got past early scenes of little girls being cruel to each other.

Finished:

20. On thin ice = ✔️The World of Ice & Fire: The Untold History of Westeros and the Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin - Reason = world of Ice? That'll do it and maybe I'll finally finish reading this? I did finally.

so far, I've finished: 1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17, 18, 19, 20 = 15 out of 20

CBRetriever wrote: "Finished:

20. On thin ice = ✔️The World of Ice & Fire: The Untold History of Westeros and the Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin - Reason = world of Ice? That'l..."

Good job. Congratulations!!

Congratulations CBRetriever!

oops, should be

so far, I've finished: 1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17, 18, 19, 20 = 16 out of 20

So 3, 5, and 11? Going prime! (Oh, wait, 16. Drat)

unfortunately I already read 17

I think he meant a total of 17 being the next prime number. Then 19, 23, 29 etc.

DivaDiane wrote: "I think he meant a total of 17 being the next prime number. Then 19, 23, 29 etc."

I got that which is why I posted that I'd already read number 17

Ah! So only 2 more till the next prime number! (I guess I was unsure because you had read prompt number 17 and u thought you meant that.)

9. Lively Libra - diplomatic, harmonious

✔️The Gradual

13/20

finished

11. Sweet Sagittarius - idealistic, wanderlust = Archer = Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas - Replaced by ✔️Cyador's Heirs - Reason = main character is in charge of training a leading a squad of archers

and

16. In deep waters = ✔️The Sea Watch by Adrian Tchaikovsky - Reason = mostly set in the deep ocean - this will be first read in Kindle format

so far, I've finished: 1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 = 18 out of 20

while reading the book in #11, I realized it had a lot to do with archers, so I replaced the book that was in the middle of a multibook omnibus

I've read three more and I'm up to 17/20.

2. Popular Pisces - dreamy, artistic - As Death Draws Near. MC is an artist, her fiancé/husband is dreamy.
13. A breath of fresh air - Ill Wind. The title was just too perfect to pass up.
20. On thin ice - The Serpent's Tale Set in winter and some generally precarious situations.

12. Capable Capricorn - protective, noble - Wicked Problems Traits: Protective and steadfast characters who believe that their POV is true and just. ⭐⭐⭐⭐

After putting this one down twice because I was in a reading slump, I finally was able to finish it! It's no longer on my Pile of Shame! LOL

20. On thin ice – Babel - Revolution within the British empire makes for some tough decisions. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I thought this might be over-hyped, but it was an amazing novel. The characters, setting, and plot were all well thought out and realized, making this a great way to end my challenge.

Challenge Completed. Woot!

Tina Reads wrote: "... Challenge Completed. Woot!"

Congratulations Tina! It sounds like you found some great reads for it.

Tina Reads wrote: "20. On thin ice – Babel - Revolution within the British empire makes for some tough decisions. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I thought this might be over-hyped, but it was an amazing novel. The characters, setting, and p..."

Congratulations, Tina!

Raucous wrote: Congratulations Tina! It sounds like you found some great reads for it."

Thank you! I actually did find some great reads in the bunch. It was mostly four stars and six (6!!!) five star reads. I am really happy with my choices and that I ended it on such a great note. I hope your challenge goes so well!

Kaia wrote: "Congratulations, Tina!."

Thank you, Kaia!

I finished the last three and completed the challenge! My TBR at the beginning of the year was 165 and it was at 160 when I finished the last read for the challenge. So, that's a win.

link to see all my picks: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

11. Sweet Sagittarius - idealistic, wanderlust - Walking the Tree.

17. Spring into action - The Apocalypse Codex.

19. Reap what you sow - Seasonal Fears

I just finished

5. Gentle Gemini - adaptable, curious = Twins = ✔️Night Angel Nemesis by Brent Weeks - Reason = protecting the King's twin sons

and I only have this one to go to complete the challenge

3. Active Aries - optimistic, adventurous = Ram = Legacies by L.E. Modesitt Jr. - Reason = main character is involved with nightsheep and especially a ram