SciFi and Fantasy Book Club discussion

I narrowed down my options to three books for next month's Member's Choice, but I just can't make up my mind.

Can you help me, please?

Visit my blog post and poll for more information.

Thanks!

Jon Moss

The Silent Tower was awesome. Hambly does exceptional characters, and this remains a memorable read for me, even years later.

I agree with Janny. Silent Tower is wonderful. On the other hand, I have not read the Kay book and also would like to get to it some day. Tough choice. :)

I wanted to read a Kay book for quite a time now and that would be a great opportunity to start with Kay and the book club for me.

As of this morning, the poll results at the blog favor GGK's The Last Light of the Sun; but if I include the sentiment expressed here in this thread, it's actually a tie between it and Silent Tower.

I personally am leaning towards the Hambly book, only because as a group we've only ever read one of her novels. We've read three of Kay's novels. The downside, though, is Silent Tower is only currently 'in print' as an ebook. An actual printed edition would have to be found via a library or through the used/out-of-stock book dealers.

Does that automatically make Silent Tower non-desirable as a group read?

Poll is still open, probably through tomorrow midnight, so please vote or express your opinion hear so I can make a final decision by Thursday morning.

Thanks for your help and comments thus far!

Jon

Jon wrote: "As of this morning, the poll results at the blog favor GGK's The Last Light of the Sun; but if I include the sentiment expressed here in this thread, it's actually a tie between it and Silent Tower..."

My vote stays firmly with The Silent Tower.

Hambly has a gorgeous style, every bit as well written as Kay's. Her characters and stories are always exceptional. There is NO reason I can see that she's slipped through the cracks - her work is the same caliber and standard of excellence as her (now) better known male counterpart in this runoff poll. She did not 'hide' her gender behind a genderless pen name or initials as so many!!!! women writers are still being asked to do. (Robin Hobb, Gemison, and yes, even Rowlings)

If you like Kay, very likely, Hambly will be a wonderful discovery. Worth the extra effort to search out the used book.

Books that were not cutout clones, or that were not 'coming of age' stories were RARE when this title came out. (It is neither a cutout clone and it is NOT a coming of age) It deserves to find its more ready audience, now.

I adore Guy Kay's work - but he's well loved and growing an audience apace - I suggest - give Hambly the well deserved read. I've only (yet) ever seen one of her titles selected for a group read, and that was close to four years ago.

The poll ended in a tie at my blog between Silent Tower and Last Light of the Sun.

Not to worry, though, because with the sentiment expressed here in this thread, I've settled on Hambly's The Silent Tower for my Member's Choice selection for next month.

I am also pleased to announce a bonus incentive to read this excellent novel: Barbara Hambly has agreed to participate in a Q&A with us next month.

Cheers,

Jon