The Official Book Thread
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Re: The Official Book Thread
by Firenze Sun Nov 03, 2019 3:50 pm
BarrileteCosmico wrote:Similar thoughts, my hype died down a little in the 2nd half as the novelty of the new POVs and world came off a bit. I liked it more than the original trilogy but less than the stand alone entries. That said I agree it's a very good foundation for the next few books and I'm excited to see where it goes from here.
Some specific thoughts:
- Spoiler:
As soon as Clover and Wonderful started making plans for the future I knew one would die. Lo and behold Clover was absolutely merciless.
The Weaver is originally some bald guy, I'm thinking Bayaz? What's his angle here? Also very intrigued by whatever he was dealing with. Or could it be Khalul?
Might be because I read the original trilogy forever ago but I completely forgot that Jezal had an illegitimate child, so the "revelation" that Savine and Orso were related hit me like a wall of bricks.
With every leader dying in the last pages, The Dogman has his days numbered, will be sad to see him go
The revolution angle ended up disappointing me a bit, hoping to see the series go full french revolution and reign of terror in the next few books
I'm not too concerned that I didn't love a Little Hatred, since Abercrombie literally already finished the three books in this trilogy and the wait will only be another 10 months. I remember being perplexed by the hype for the series after I first read The Blade Itself, so I'm certain this is going to be great too by the time it's over.
- Spoiler:
- Clover was my favourite POV just because he was an easy character to like, just like Logen. Despite being a piece of shit. Just like Logen. Still, I somehow didn't see it coming. Despite, as I've seen people point out, Clover literally telling you what sort of person he is in every single POV chapter he had. The Heroes is my favourite book from Abercrombie, so I was sad to see Wonderful go. Gotta say, Stour Nightfall was the complete opposite of what I expected going into the book, having read a few excerpts. In a good way though, I think.
RIP Jezal. I remember disliking him immensely back in the OG trilogy, coming to feel sympathetic and even like him as the books went along, like most I imagine. Him being killed at the end, I did see coming though. There's a recurrent feeling of the ol' time being a flat circle
throughout the novel. I reckon it's almost certain Bayaz just saw it as time for change and he just removes the pieces when he feels like it as usual.
Still, sucks to see a character tied to so much of the previous books killed off like that.
Definitely interested in seeing where things go in the future, a United North and Union going to war against Styria seems quite likely IMO and the reason for Bayaz' meddling currently.
Was surprised to hear that Khalul had basically lost all power in the series, I almost expected him to be more important this time around, but you get the feeling that won't be the case. We'll likely get some of him in a future standalone featuring Ferro. Maybe even Logen, after this trilogy is done, I reckon.
Well, it wouldn't be the first time Bayaz has been involved in public uprising. Again with the events repeating themselves, I imagine it'll have been Yoru Sulfur again since he can shapeshift, rather than Bayaz himself. But it could also have been agents of the other Magi, since there were some comments that they've started to clash with Bayaz.
Fav POV's:
Good: Clover, Savine, Orso
Alright: Rikke (she really grew on me as the books went, I hated her POV initially, would be higher if not for that), Vick
Didn't care much for: Leo, Gunnar Broad
RealGunner wrote:Do you guys just find any random epic fantasy series and read them?
Nope. I'm pretty picky, spend time looking into a series so much as possible without being spoiled and I also take into accounts recommendations from people I know that have read books. That said, I'm pretty down on reading in general lately as that approach has left me burned on a couple of occasions.
also, was reading some interview with The Witcher author about the upcoming show and at the end he said he thinks Joe ABercrombie is the best fantasy author today.
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Re: The Official Book Thread
by RealGunner Sun Nov 03, 2019 3:57 pm
GRRM has spoiled me so much that i can't get into any other series.
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Re: The Official Book Thread
by Firenze Sun Nov 03, 2019 4:03 pm
GRRM is never finishing the series, so I'll never start it. Guy is lazy AF. His work ethic is trash and he has no respect for his readers. I've read plenty of fantasy authors that have 10x his work ethic and are just as good writers. No excuses..
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Re: The Official Book Thread
by RealGunner Sun Nov 03, 2019 4:04 pm
No doubt there are many with 10x if not 20x more work ethic but the quality isn't the same imo. He is Tolkien level when it comes to world building.
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Re: The Official Book Thread
by BarrileteCosmico Sun Nov 03, 2019 4:44 pm
Firenze wrote:BarrileteCosmico wrote:Similar thoughts, my hype died down a little in the 2nd half as the novelty of the new POVs and world came off a bit. I liked it more than the original trilogy but less than the stand alone entries. That said I agree it's a very good foundation for the next few books and I'm excited to see where it goes from here.
Some specific thoughts:
- Spoiler:
As soon as Clover and Wonderful started making plans for the future I knew one would die. Lo and behold Clover was absolutely merciless.
The Weaver is originally some bald guy, I'm thinking Bayaz? What's his angle here? Also very intrigued by whatever he was dealing with. Or could it be Khalul?
Might be because I read the original trilogy forever ago but I completely forgot that Jezal had an illegitimate child, so the "revelation" that Savine and Orso were related hit me like a wall of bricks.
With every leader dying in the last pages, The Dogman has his days numbered, will be sad to see him go
The revolution angle ended up disappointing me a bit, hoping to see the series go full french revolution and reign of terror in the next few books
I'm not too concerned that I didn't love a Little Hatred, since Abercrombie literally already finished the three books in this trilogy and the wait will only be another 10 months. I remember being perplexed by the hype for the series after I first read The Blade Itself, so I'm certain this is going to be great too by the time it's over.
- Spoiler:
RIP Jezal. I remember disliking him immensely back in the OG trilogy, coming to feel sympathetic and even like him as the books went along, like most I imagine. Him being killed at the end, I did see coming though. There's a recurrent feeling of the ol' time being a flat circle
throughout the novel. I reckon it's almost certain Bayaz just saw it as time for change and he just removes the pieces when he feels like it as usual.
Still, sucks to see a character tied to so much of the previous books killed off like that.
Definitely interested in seeing where things go in the future, a United North and Union going to war against Styria seems quite likely IMO and the reason for Bayaz' meddling currently.
Was surprised to hear that Khalul had basically lost all power in the series, I almost expected him to be more important this time around, but you get the feeling that won't be the case. We'll likely get some of him in a future standalone featuring Ferro. Maybe even Logen, after this trilogy is done, I reckon.
Well, it wouldn't be the first time Bayaz has been involved in public uprising. Again with the events repeating themselves, I imagine it'll have been Yoru Sulfur again since he can shapeshift, rather than Bayaz himself. But it could also have been agents of the other Magi, since there were some comments that they've started to clash with Bayaz.
Fav POV's:
Good: Clover, Savine, Orso
Alright: Rikke (she really grew on me as the books went, I hated her POV initially, would be higher if not for that), Vick
Didn't care much for: Leo, Gunnar Broad
also, was reading some interview with The Witcher author about the upcoming show and at the end he said he thinks Joe ABercrombie is the best fantasy author today.
- Spoiler:
Yeah agreed, Jezal dying was a bit sad but a bit predictable. There was definitely a sense of "out with the old, in with the new" by the end, even before the mass killings.
I didn't get the sense that Styria was going to be a major piece next time around but who knows. Based off the ending I'd say it looks like The Leo + Stour vs northern bands that didn't like what Stour did, but I could very well be wrong.
Yeah also surprised Khalul was offscreened like that and I think there will be more to it.
Agreed with your POV listings although I didn't actively dislike any, Gunnar just seemed like Familiar territory as opposed to something new-ish.
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Re: The Official Book Thread
by BarrileteCosmico Sun Nov 03, 2019 5:06 pm
You might want to give The First Law a chance, just be aware that Abercrombie noticeably improves in every book, so the earlier stuff is weaker. It hits a lot of the same notes that GRRM does: low fantasy world, morally ambiguous characters, "subverted expectations" and inverted tropes, etc. I went through a similar post-GRRM hangover and this is one of the few that worked for me.RealGunner wrote:GRRM has spoiled me so much that i can't get into any other series.
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Re: The Official Book Thread
by M99 Sun Nov 03, 2019 10:24 pm
So I've read All The Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr and thought it was pretty good. Its historical fiction set in World War 2 and won the 2014 Pulitzer. I liked it better than The Book Thief which is similar. Netflix is gonna adapt it to a miniseries too.
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Re: The Official Book Thread
by Duronto-Roddur Fri Nov 08, 2019 6:53 pm
Books, Yaay 
. Anyone likes Erich Maria Remarque?
. Anyone likes Erich Maria Remarque?
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Re: The Official Book Thread
by Robespierre Sat Nov 09, 2019 2:07 pm
I am reading this and it's really interesting 
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Re: The Official Book Thread
by Blue Mon Nov 11, 2019 9:51 pm
Could never get into Fantasy books, on the hand been reading many Sci-fi books lately.
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Re: The Official Book Thread
by El Gunner Tue Mar 31, 2020 8:25 pm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4UQDKEHSeWQ
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Re: The Official Book Thread
by BarrileteCosmico Sat Apr 11, 2020 1:43 pm
So what's everyone been reading lately?
I just finished Jade City by Fonda Lee and was absolutely floored by it. The book is set on an Asian-inspired small island nation where 2 rival clans fight for supremacy of the streets and of Jade, a priced natural resource that enables fighters with enhanced strength and other attributes.
I was expecting to go into a pulpy kung fu saga but it was much more than that. Everything seems to have been thought in detail, the worldbuilding is excellent, from international espionage considerations to the very lowest level of clan life in the mom & pop businesses that they 'protect'.
The characters all have their own voice and flaws, and each is interesting in their own right. Even the villains start off as a bit 2 dimensional that but once their full intent is revealed I kinda found myself agreeing with them, and neither clan has a clear moral high-ground. The fact that there are so many well drawn characters means none of them feel safe, and I was genuinely at the edge of my seat throughout the higher stake scenes.
The book is fantasy, but very low level. While Jade is prominent throughout, the book is mostly about the conflicts and interactions between clans and within family members. Jade is used mostly to create a lived-in world and drive conflict rather than resolve it. It's also set in the current time which was a nice change of pace for the genre.
The book is the first of 3 (I think) but it's self contained. It starts off a bit slow but by about 1/3 of the way in it had gripped me.
Great quarantine read, definitely recommend.
I just finished Jade City by Fonda Lee and was absolutely floored by it. The book is set on an Asian-inspired small island nation where 2 rival clans fight for supremacy of the streets and of Jade, a priced natural resource that enables fighters with enhanced strength and other attributes.
I was expecting to go into a pulpy kung fu saga but it was much more than that. Everything seems to have been thought in detail, the worldbuilding is excellent, from international espionage considerations to the very lowest level of clan life in the mom & pop businesses that they 'protect'.
The characters all have their own voice and flaws, and each is interesting in their own right. Even the villains start off as a bit 2 dimensional that but once their full intent is revealed I kinda found myself agreeing with them, and neither clan has a clear moral high-ground. The fact that there are so many well drawn characters means none of them feel safe, and I was genuinely at the edge of my seat throughout the higher stake scenes.
The book is fantasy, but very low level. While Jade is prominent throughout, the book is mostly about the conflicts and interactions between clans and within family members. Jade is used mostly to create a lived-in world and drive conflict rather than resolve it. It's also set in the current time which was a nice change of pace for the genre.
The book is the first of 3 (I think) but it's self contained. It starts off a bit slow but by about 1/3 of the way in it had gripped me.
Great quarantine read, definitely recommend.
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Re: The Official Book Thread
by elitedam Sat Apr 11, 2020 3:09 pm
I haven't read any books in a while. It's weird. I usually go through phases where I'll read a ton followed by periods where I'll read nothing. Book-wise, that is. I always read a lot of short and long articles.
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Re: The Official Book Thread
by RealGunner Sat Apr 11, 2020 8:39 pm
Currently going through Orwell collection (i know i know)
Animal farm atm
Animal farm atm
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Re: The Official Book Thread
by El Gunner Sat Apr 11, 2020 9:18 pm
venture into David Foster Wallace next RG, you don't have to compel yourself to read Infinite Jest, just get to know him as an author, thinker and person.
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Re: The Official Book Thread
by Blue Sat Apr 11, 2020 9:35 pm
RealGunner wrote:Currently going through Orwell collection (i know i know)
Animal farm atm
There is no experience like reading a Orwell book, it makes you think infinitely. It is also like being connected to a like minded person.
“The best books are those that tell you what you know already.” It is one of the more low key quotes from 1984, but a brilliant one.
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Re: The Official Book Thread
by El Gunner Sat Apr 11, 2020 9:51 pm
^yea my Orwellian phase was also a big, big inspiration as i grew with my writing
a true Genius
a true Genius
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Re: The Official Book Thread
by M99 Sun Apr 12, 2020 12:46 pm
Going through Huxley. Finished Brave New World, reading Island now, next is Doors Of Perception.
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Re: The Official Book Thread
by Myesyats Sun Apr 12, 2020 9:47 pm
I'm re-reading Picture of Dorian Gray in Polish. My first read was in English.
After that I'm eyeing up 'War and Peace' by Tolstoy
Do you guys read books in your native language or English?
After that I'm eyeing up 'War and Peace' by Tolstoy
Do you guys read books in your native language or English?
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Re: The Official Book Thread
by Hapless_Hans Fri Apr 17, 2020 10:36 am
I'm reading English books always in English these days, other languages I have to read translations.
Most contemporary English language literature is rather easy to read from a point of language. It gets difficult and exhausting once you go back in time, to the 19th century for example.
Which is why most English books I read are contemporary lol.
Just finished "My year of rest and relaxation" by Ottessa Moshdegh. Amazing book, really, really very good.
I recommend it highly, not for the faint of heart but ultimately not quite as cruel as it's to be feared at first.
Most contemporary English language literature is rather easy to read from a point of language. It gets difficult and exhausting once you go back in time, to the 19th century for example.
Which is why most English books I read are contemporary lol.
Just finished "My year of rest and relaxation" by Ottessa Moshdegh. Amazing book, really, really very good.
I recommend it highly, not for the faint of heart but ultimately not quite as cruel as it's to be feared at first.
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Re: The Official Book Thread
by BarrileteCosmico Tue May 05, 2020 4:29 am
https://ebookclub.tor.com/
The Way of Kings by Sanderson is free for the next day. ES and j have hyped this series before to no end. If it sounds like something you might enjoy I would recommend you guys to download it so you can always read it when you want.
The Way of Kings by Sanderson is free for the next day. ES and j have hyped this series before to no end. If it sounds like something you might enjoy I would recommend you guys to download it so you can always read it when you want.
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Re: The Official Book Thread
by Warrior Mon May 18, 2020 8:19 pm
Libraries will open may 25th. I'll buy many famous books that are considered as must read. Feel free to suggest
I remember, long ago, some poster here, can't remember who, told me he had read The Three Kingdoms before. Apparently it's extremely long book with thousands of people but thankfully i already know all the important characters. The way it's written is it challenging to read like many classics or it's straightforward and clear as in Art of War ?
I remember, long ago, some poster here, can't remember who, told me he had read The Three Kingdoms before. Apparently it's extremely long book with thousands of people but thankfully i already know all the important characters. The way it's written is it challenging to read like many classics or it's straightforward and clear as in Art of War ?
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Re: The Official Book Thread
by M99 Sun May 24, 2020 9:51 am
Normal People is really good. Wasn't a big fan of the author's first novel (Conversations With Friends) but this was more my type. I don't think I ever rooted for two people to end up together and be happy more in any other book.
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Re: The Official Book Thread
by Hapless_Hans Sun May 24, 2020 1:01 pm
M99 wrote:Normal People is really good. Wasn't a big fan of the author's first novel (Conversations With Friends) but this was more my type. I don't think I ever rooted for two people to end up together and be happy more in any other book.
Why didn't you like the first one?
I'm not sure which I like better, Normal People is a more gentle coming-of-age story, maybe less arty despite the slightly mannerist thing with the time stuff in the chapters ("3 days later", "15 minutes later" etc)
But I thought the first one, in its laconic, dry tone, was very good too. Harsher. Both hit pretty close to home tbh.
Funnily, Normal People strikes me almost like a real girly Romance novel, but with ALL aspects of what determines love involved -class, money, psychoanalysis, depression, violence, miscommunication
I loved that sentence where he is quasi sexually assaulted by his old high school teacher and she says "oh you're so hard" which strikes him as thoroughly absurd as he isn't at all
Last edited by Hapless_Hans on Sun May 24, 2020 1:12 pm; edited 1 time in total
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Re: The Official Book Thread
by Hapless_Hans Sun May 24, 2020 1:10 pm
btw, while we're on the topic of books being turned into TV series
think I wrote it before somewhere, but I can only again strongly recommend "The Plot Against America" by Philip Roth.
It's easy to read, it's awesome, subtle, unassuming, beautiful but with a political alternate-history story that is just devastatingly eerie
The series adaptation by David Simon is surely good, looking forward to watching it, but I think you'd miss out on a great reading experience if you don't read the book first without having the fleshed out pictures appropriating your imagination
think I wrote it before somewhere, but I can only again strongly recommend "The Plot Against America" by Philip Roth.
It's easy to read, it's awesome, subtle, unassuming, beautiful but with a political alternate-history story that is just devastatingly eerie
The series adaptation by David Simon is surely good, looking forward to watching it, but I think you'd miss out on a great reading experience if you don't read the book first without having the fleshed out pictures appropriating your imagination
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