Deornoth 
Favourite Authors: Martin, Erikson, Tad Williams, Tolkien, Greg Keyes
Comments (Listed from the latest to the oldest)
| Sep 19, 2006 |
| Soldiers Live by Glen Cook 'There will be at least two more 'Black Company' novels (can't remember the names! Just google 'Glen Cook'...) but Cook has other writing commitments so these won't be seen for a while yet...' |
| Apr 13, 2006 |
| Ship of Magic by Robin Hobb 'Another great Robin Hobb book that focuses on people/places only hinted at in the assassin books. I thought the liveships were written very well and want to find out more about where their origins. Where the book falls slightly is that it is very difficult to find common ground with any of the characters, their characters change very quickly and I couldn't decide whether I was rooting for them or hoping that they would fail.
Overall, a very good book though and I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the series.
9.5 out of 10' City of the Dead by Brian Keene 'Great book. Lots of action with an interesting new take on the zombie genre, the ending is a little abrupt though |
| Mar 30, 2006 |
| Iron Council by China Mieville 'I haven't quite finished this but thought I would post anyway. Another strong New Crobuzon tale that falls victim to the authors political biases. You don't have to look too hard to realise that New Crobuzon is London and Parliament is Britain's own. Strong characterisation and descriptive prose make up for this (although I skimmed some of the more flowery stuff and didn't lose out) and I hope that China revisits New Crobuzon very soon.
8 out of 10' Cell : A Novel by Stephen King 'Stephen King's take on the classic zombie tale, this time with people succumbing to a murderous pulse sent through mobile phones. A pulsating start (with the main character in the middle of Boston when it all kicks off) slows into a meander and then ramps up to an exciting finish. Everyone should have a look but this book isn't up to his normal high standards. After I read 'IT' I couldn't look at a clown but having read 'Cell' I'll still happily use my phone... 8.5 out of 10' |
| Mar 29, 2006 |
| The Warrior-Prophet by R. Scott Bakker 'Superior sequel to 'The Darkness that comes before'. All the elements of the first book are there but the philosophizing takes a back seat to the action. The skin-spies are a worthy and original take on the classic shape changer cliche. Bakkers take on magic is also very original. The final battle is a bit anti-climatic but the real action takes place elsewhere.
9 out of 10' The Bonehunters by Steven Erikson 'This series get better with every book written. The action goes back to Seven Cities where a host of characters old and new are gathering. Some questions are answered but, as ever, new ones are raised. The siege of Y'Ghatan is stunning, Erikson writes the best battle scenes in fantasy Soldiers Live by Glen Cook '"Soldiers live and wonder why..." All the loose ends are tied up, the Black Company wins through but at what price? If you have read the other books in this series then you have to read this one! We bid farewell to some characters which is sad but it's an amazing end to a sublime series. Note - These books are hard to pick up in England, try Borders or the Forbidden Planet Megastore in London. 10 out of 10' Water Sleeps by Glen Cook 'This isn't the conclusion to the Black Company, there is still one more book to go after this one! 'Water Sleeps' tells the tale of the surviving Black Company and their efforts to rescue their comrades trapped in a stasis field on the Glittering Plain. Another good solid book in the series although it suffers in that nothing ever seems to go wrong for Sleepy and co, would have made the story more exciting if sometihng went wrong for them every now and then... Worth reading if you are a fan, the origins of the company are revealed and they are not what you expect. 9 out of 10' |
| Feb 20, 2006 |
| The Dark Tower by Stephen King 'What an ending! How could Rolands quest finish like that? A stunning finale from a master on top of his game. People may moan about the departure of Roland's enemies but it was never about them, just the gunslinger and his story cannot be belittled.
10 out of 10' Blood Follows by Steven Erikson 'Erikson crams into just over one hundred pages what lesser authors would have trouble fitting into a book ten times the size. Fast paced, witty and suprising. The face off at the end is a more than fitting finale She Is the Darkness by Glen Cook 'Much better than 'Bleak Seasons'! Things start to happen, the plot thickens and the reader is left with a real cliffhanger at the end. Murgen finally grows his own voice as Company Annalist and becomes a viable alternative to Croaker. Glen is right back on track with this book! 9.5 out of 10' The Tyranny of the Night by Glen Cook 'OK start to Glen Cook's new series but could have been so much more. Too much time politicizing at the expense of the action is the main problem but the characters are as well defined as ever and the battles (when they come) are as nailbiting as anything in 'The Black Company'. Looking forward to reading more of these, just to see where the story takes us. 7.5 out of 10' |
| Jan 14, 2006 |
| A Feast for Crows by George R.R. Martin 'Masterful. Even though there are only two books left to go, Martin keeps introducing the plot twists and killing off major characters. He gets right into the heads of the most evil characters and reminds you that they are human too, I almost felt sorry for Cersei (but not quite!) when the book finished and I saw what had happened to her. 700 pages seemed like half that considering how easy the book was to get into and how difficult it was to put down. Ten out of ten (although I wish I could give it more!)' |
| Jan 3, 2006 |
The Night Boat by Robert McCammon 'A gripping read but somehow feels rushed. You also end up feeling as if the islanders somehow deserved to be ripped up by zombies 
Good but not his best...
7 out of 10' They Thirst by Robert McCammon 'IMHO this book ties with Dracula for 'best vampire novel ever'! |
| Dec 16, 2005 |
| Bleak Seasons by Glen Cook 'Slightly below par addition top the chronicles of the Black Company. After 'Dreams of Steel' did we need another retelling of the Siege of Dejagore? The reason for Murgen's wanderings through time is anti-climatic as well. However, this book does throw up enough new stuff about certain characters to be a worthwhile read. 8 out of 10' |
| Dec 13, 2005 |
| Dreams of Steel by Glen Cook 'Another amazing tale in the series that is slightly let down by Croakers absence and the taking over of the Annals by Lady. These books are best when written to the cynical tones of Croaker!:-\ The story itself is up to Cooks usual standards though with a suprising twist at the end... 9 out of 10' |
| Nov 10, 2005 |
| A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin 'This series is particularly bloody and deals with gritty adult themes (incest for starters). If you are more into Erin Hunter (guessing you are judging by the name!) then maybe this isn't for you. What other stuff do you read?' |
| Nov 1, 2005 |
| Woken Furies by Richard Morgan 'Another scorching tale of Takeshi Kovacs that is somehow shaded by the authors need to pontificate about his political beliefs. When the story makes it into the light the reader is blown away by the sheer power of it. An enthralling but sometimes frustrating read. 8 out of 10' Desperation by Stephen King 'Slow moving novel that builds up into something truly terrifying. Interesting to see how the characters band together and interact and not finding out everything about Tak somehow makes it more believeable. Nice to see Christianity tackled the way it is as well. Read this in conjunction with 'The Regulators' 9 out of 10' |
| Oct 24, 2005 |
| Song of Susannah by Stephen King 'A return to form after a slightly disappointing 'Wolves of the Calla'. The Ka-Tet is split, Susannah must be rescued and Calvin Tower protected from his own stupidity. Amazing fight scenes (how many times can Balazar and his men come back?) and Stephen King introduces himself as a character in a way that serves to tie all of his books together instead of falling flat. Given his car accident a few years ago, the end section is all the more poignant.
10 out of 10' Wolves of the Calla by Stephen King 'This isn't the best book in the series, a lot of the plot devices seem to hang rather limply and you find out that you have to read the next book in order to make real sense of what has happened in this one. Having said that though, the story itself makes up for this! Roland's quest for the Dark Tower is halted by a farming community's plea for help. 'Wolves' shows the constant reader how a Gunslinger earns his keep... 8.5 out of 10' |
| Oct 13, 2005 |
The Healthy Dead by Steven Erikson 'Still haven't managed to find a copy of Blood Follows  Still looking...' Wizard and Glass by Stephen King 'Roland and his ka-tet move into an alternate America (devastated by the superflu) where he tells the story of his youth. This does drag on a bit but then the ending hits you and you realise why it had to be this way |
| Oct 3, 2005 |
| The Waste Lands by Stephen King 'Third in the compelling series by Stephen King. Having gathered all the companions together, Roland and co set out along the path of the Beam to try and reach the Dark Tower. Scary and touching at the same time, this series is a fantasy classic. Blaine the Mono ranks up there as one of the most evil villains in fantasy literature and the run down antiquity of Roland's world is strangely haunting. Beware though, if you don't like sex scenes, excessive swearing and gratuitous violence then this series probably isn't for you! 10 out of 10' |
| Sep 29, 2005 |
| The Drawing of the Three by Stephen King 'Roland of Gilead begins to gather together companions to aid him on his quest for the Dark Tower. A great read that doesn't give anything away about the Tower itself (possibly because King didn't know himself while he was writing this book!). Interesting new characters as well in Eddie Dean and Odetta Walker. The only thing that spoiled it for me was the slightly anti-climactic encounter with serial killer Jack Mort. If this guy was so evil, surely he could have put up more of a fight? Nine out of Ten' |
| Sep 28, 2005 |
| The Regulators by Stephen King 'Tangible visions from an autistic boy's imagination invade a suburban street in a horror version of '24'. Once again King explores dark realms and shows us that humanity has the greatest capacity of all for evil. 10 out of 10' Shadow Games by Glen Cook 'The Black Company journies back into it's forgotten past on it's final pilgrimage to Khatovar. On it's journey, old enemies are rediscovered and the Company remade. This book was a welcome upturn in the series after the 'ok but not great' "Silver Spike". Croaker and friends are what really make this series and his relationship with The Lady was a definite page turner. Looking forward to reading more: 9 out of 10' |
| Sep 7, 2005 |
The Black Company by Glen Cook 'I totally agree with you  Very hard to get into but ultimately refreshing and original.' The Sword of Shannara by Terry Brooks 'I will finish it, I hate to have books on my shelf that are unfinished! I read Brook's short story in Legends 2 and that was pretty good so hopefully this will get better |
| Sep 6, 2005 |
| The Sword of Shannara by Terry Brooks 'A slow and plodding beginning that hasn't persuaded me to pick up the book and gve it another try. Also a little too LOTR for my liking. Maybe I'm missing out here and I will probably give it another go sometime.... 6 out of 10' |
| Aug 23, 2005 |
The Gunslinger by Stephen King 'Cool. A strange haunting tale about.... well, I don't know actually as this is only the first book of seven!  Still very good though (if slightly disjointed), I will be reading the rest to see how this one turns out. 10 out of 10' |
| Aug 2, 2005 |
A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin 'Then how come you haven't ever made similar mention of Baron Harperin ('The Diamond Throne' et al) being a paedophile? I'd be interested to know how you justisfy Eddings writing things like that but have issues with Martin  ' A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin 'Going to have to disagree with you there I'm afraid |
| Jul 1, 2005 |
The Blood Knight by J. Gregory Keyes 'Have just heard that 'The Blood Knight' is scheduled for an August 2005 release. I'm going to be in New York in August so should be able to get it nice and early!  ' |
| Jun 28, 2005 |
| Fool's Fate by Robin Hobb 'A tumultuous end to a stunning fantasy epic. After having gone through the events of this book alone, Fitz deserves his reward at the end. I particularly liked the way things were tied up with Burrich although it was sad to say the least! This book and series deserves far more praise than I could ever give it. 10 out of 10' Fool's Fate by Robin Hobb 'Hello Admin? How come I've suddenly got less comments than before? I wasn't being abusive... I think! Is this an issue of space?' |
| Jun 20, 2005 |
Golden Fool by Robin Hobb 'Another enthralling read from Robin Hobb, ties off some of the plot lines from Fool's Errand and seems to set things up nicely for the final installment (reading it right now!). You should read the Liveship books before this as there are some spoilers if you don't. I haven't read the Liveship books and now know what happens to the rest of the characters.... The whole homosexual thing seemed a little contrived as well, it had been hinted at in previous books but not enough to warrant what happened in this book.
However, these were minor problems that didn't really detract from my enjoyment of the book as a whole. I'm sad that the whole thing will be coming to an end soon.
10 out of 10' |
| Jun 9, 2005 |
| The Silver Spike by Glen Cook 'The weak link in the Black Company books (at least, those I have read so far!). An interesting story that suffers from a lack of the Company, people that we have come to know and love over the last three books. Case makes a good narrator but there isn't the connection that we have with Croaker et al. The book redeems itself by tying up some loose ends with Raven and introducing Old Man Fish. And Toadkiller Dog!!! Still as evil as ever (would liked to have seen some more background about him though)
8 out of 10' Fool's Errand by Robin Hobb 'I haven't been so captivated by a series since reading 'Memory, Sorrow and Thorn'. Fifteen years after the events of the Assassin books, Fitz is called back to save the Kingdom again, a kingdom that has never known of the sacrifices he made for it. And there is yet more loss for Fitz to bear.... Amazing books. Can't wait to read the next. 10 out of 10' |
| May 23, 2005 |
Assasins Quest by Robin Hobb 'Slow to start off with but once Fitz decides where he's going then the story really takes off. The bittersweet conclusion leaves things open for Fitz to return for more adventures. I'm really glad I gave this series another chance. It may not be to everyones taste but I found it compelling reading. A definite 10 out of 10  ' |
| May 16, 2005 |
| The Anvil of Ice by Michael Scott Rohan 'Sorry but you are wrong! It's one of those double surnames Have you read any of these books? What did you think?' |
| May 15, 2005 |
Royal Assassin by Robin Hobb 'A strong second book although it suffers from being slightly too long. It would have been even better if some editing had made the story a little tighter.
Having read the book, I cannot bear to think what else might go wrong for Fitz (how much can go wrong for one person? ) but I know that I am going to have to read the next book to see how it all ends....  ' |
| May 11, 2005 |
| Fool's Fate by Robin Hobb 'Does Fitz end up with Molly in the end? I can't go through the rest of the books without knowing ' |
| May 10, 2005 |
| Assassins Apprentice by Robin Hobb 'A second reading made all the difference with this book. I'm still not mad keen on it but Robin Hobb has created something beautiful here that cannot easily be put down. Vivid characterization makes up for a slow plot and some of the more stupid things that Fitz does (who can blame him though? He's only a child). I will definitely be reading more of this series. 8.5 out of 10' The White Rose by Glen Cook 'Final book of a series that is difficult to get into but impossible to put down. I admire Glen Cooks use of language, he tells you only what you need to know but succeeds in painting vivid and memorable pictures. Favourite characters were Croaker (of course) and Toadkiller Dog (possibly one of the most evil creatures I have ever read about) My only quibble was how easily the Dominator was beaten at the end (considering how powerful he was made out to be). 9.5 out of 10' |
| Apr 19, 2005 |
| Domes of Fire by David Eddings 'I was so looking forward to reading this after having finished 'The Elenium' but gave up on it (at least for now) after what seemed like far too much talk of travelling! Even Flute's magical powers couldn't move the book any faster onto the action and fine storytelling that Eddings does best.
Sparhawk - tell me that this gets better?:-\' A Darkness at Sethanon by Raymond E. Feist 'I've got a problem with Raymond E. Feist. I find his stories transcend the word 'epic' and go on to a whole new level. This is no different, a colossal story that goes beyond the world of Midkemia, huge battles and well written characters. All of this unfortunately is let down by a slightly dry approach to the writing style. A shame really as this story has real potential. 8 out of 10' Seeress of Kell by David Eddings 'I can't believe it's over King of the Murgos by David Eddings 'Wow! I wasn't mad keen on 'Guardians of the West' but this more than made up for it. Well plotted with some suprises in store! Silk, a member of two royal families... I love this book. 10 out of 10' Demon Lord of Karanda by David Eddings 'Another great book from Mr Eddings. Great to see characters develop and what fate awaits them, especially when they don't realise. Poor Silk! The Thousand Orcs by R.A. Salvatore 'Sorry guys. I found it impossible to take this book seriously after the first character I was introduced to went by the name of 'Tred McKnuckles' The Reality Dysfunction by Peter F. Hamilton 'Don't get me wrong! It could have done with some editing but I really enjoyed it and was interested in the whole life after death thing. It's just I found parts of it offensive and uncomfortable to read. IMHO there was no need for Peter F Hamilton to have his say on why he didn't believe in God (and in such an unsubtle way). The book was good enough already and this just detracted from it. You are right though, probably the best he has written.' The Darkness That Comes Before by R. Scott Bakker 'Just wondered, did you take your name from the evil mole in 'Duncton Wood'? No offense meant! |
A fitting end to a classic series with suprises right to the very end. People might say the 'happily ever after' ending is the easy way out. I disagree, don't you guys think they all deserved a little happiness after everything they had been through? 10 out of 10'| Mar 14, 2005 |
| Demonstorm by James Barclay 'Wow! What a way to end the series! Barclay isn't afraid to kill off a character if it makes his story more exciting and quite a few bow out (all bar two of them in fact!). Action packed, sad but heart warming. 10 out of 10' Planet of the Warlord by Douglas Hill 'Last book in the Last Legionary series and it bows out on a fitting high note. These books are quite hard to track down but are well worth searching for. 8 out of 10' Day of the Starwind by Douglas Hill 'Not sure if this is the same Douglas Hill that had already been entered! The Adventures of Tom Bombadil by J.R.R. Tolkien 'Tom Bombadil always seemed like an unnecessary piece of whimsy in "Fellowship of the Ring" and these poems merely confirm what I always thought. Poems are well written, just not to my taste. 7 out of 10' Smith of Wooton Major by J.R.R. Tolkien 'A haunting and magical tale that far exceeds it's earliest promise. One that I will read again and again. 10 out of 10' The Dead and the Damned by Jonathan Green 'Good for light reading but nothing too substantial. The links between stories are a bit tenuous and appear tacked on. 6 out of ten' Talon of the Silver Hawk by Raymond E. Feist 'I actually enjoyed this book more than Magician! Feist's style seems more suited to concentrating on just one or two characters rather than a whole world! I really enjoyed watching Talon grow and really felt for him when he suffered the inevitable setbacks. Looking forward to reading King of Foxes. 9 out of 10' New Spring by Robert Jordan 'While some people questioned the decision Jordan made writing this (while he still hasn't finished WOT!), this is a worthwhile addition to the series. Good world building and interesting insights into what makes Lan and Moraine tick! Still some questions unanswered though so I wonder if there will be any more prequels? 9 out of 10' Sorceress of Darshiva by David Eddings 'Still trying to collect this series so read this one completely out of order! Didn't stop me enjoying it though. One of the great things about Eddings is that you can pick up one of his books and get straight into the story no matter where you start from! The Broken Sword by Poul Anderson 'Very good book that suffers slightly from a conclusion that is too obvious very early on in the book. Full of action though and very readable. 8.5 out of 10' |
| Feb 13, 2005 |
| The Darkness That Comes Before by R. Scott Bakker 'Epic tale in the style of Steven Erikson. A bit heavy handed with some of the Dunyain background and the names do take some getting used to! However, the well plotted story and dramatic battle scenes make up for this. 9 out of 10' |
| Feb 12, 2005 |
| Gardens of the Moon by Steven Erikson 'I'm glad you gave it go but sorry you didn't like it. Not everyones cup of tea I guess There is a plot but it doesn't become apparent this early in the series. Didn't you find at least one character likeable? I thought Paran and the Bridgeburners were cool and even the most wicked characters had a good side...' |
| Feb 4, 2005 |
| Warriors of the Tempest by Stan Nicholls 'A fitting ending to the trilogy and bravely leaves some questions unanswered. Not the best books ever but entertaining ones that I will come back to. 8 out of 10' Legion of Thunder by Stan Nicholls 'More like it. Still in that fast/furious style but the plot starts to make a bit more sense. A bit heavy handed on the 'environment message' however and Glen Cook or Steven Erikson do the 'band of brothers' thing much better. A good read though. 7 out of ten' Bodyguard of Lightning by Stan Nicholls 'Fast and furious, also funny (you get to find out if Orcs actually eat humans) but strangely shallow (maybe because it's only a couple of hundred pages long). Worth checking out though. 7 out of 10' |
| Jan 24, 2005 |
| Waylander by David Gemmell 'Good book but Gemmell has done better I think. I don't know why this one didn't get me in the same way that his others have. Seven out of ten' A Fortress of Grey Ice by J.V. Jones 'Gripping yet seems to suffer from too many plotlines, maybe some of the new characters didn't need to be included? Some sublime moments though, especially the fight with Tanjo Ten-Arrow. Eight out of ten' Shadowheart by James Barclay 'This one picks up straight from Elfsorrow so you might want to read that first. The action doesn't stop for a minute and although the outcome is certain, you are never entirely sure until the very end of the book. One question though. The blurb on the back cover says that three of the Raven are dead. Ilkar and Ren died in the last book, who was the third? Was it Aeb? Ten out of ten' Nightchild by James Barclay 'An improvement on the first two which were great to start off with! Another swashbuckling tale from an author who is not afraid to give his characters a tough time. Ten out of ten' Shadowmarch by Tad Williams 'A triumphant return to fantasy from Tad Williams. This is a slow starter that sacrifices action for intricate world building and character development, this is a gamble that totally pays off! Epic in every sense of the word, only another year (at least) to wait for the next installment... Ten out of ten!' |
| Jan 7, 2005 |
| The Charnel Prince by J. Gregory Keyes 'It's well worth the wait, believe me! I don't think I have ever been so eager to see how a story ends. Have you read Shadowmarch yet?' Magician by Raymond E. Feist 'I wasn't saying that I didn't like it, I reallly enjoyed it in fact! It's just that I felt that the writing style let it down in places (IMHO). It's a good book though and one of the best that Feist has written.
BBC Top 100 books? Magician made it and unsuprisingly enough, LOTR won best book. The scope was too wide to see more than a few sci-fi/fantasy books make it. I would be interested to see a fantasy top 100 Fevre Dream by George R.R. Martin 'As a Christian, it was the whole comparison between holy communion and vampiric bloodletting that struck me as just a little bit cheap. Still a good book though!' |
| Jan 6, 2005 |
| The Charnel Prince by J. Gregory Keyes 'Just finished reading this a couple of days ago. A definite ten out of ten, no doubt about it! A good, solid 'second book in the trilogy' story. Questions from the first book are answered whilst more are raised in preparation for the finale. Perhaps my only criticism would be that the identity of the enemy was a little too obvious and not that plausible (maybe this will be resolved in the next book). A nice touch of irony was that Muriele's curse bought her husband's killer back to life and to the throne. Can't wait for the next installment.' Magician by Raymond E. Feist 'In England you can only buy it as one volume. I don't know if reading it as two volumes would have made me enjoy it more. It was more the writing style than the size of the book...' |
| Dec 23, 2004 |
| The Hellbound Heart by Clive Barker 'Freddy vs Jason made me laugh out loud, totally making fun of itself. I like films that don't take themselves too seriously.' |
| Dec 21, 2004 |
| Shadows Linger by Glen Cook 'Big improvement on the first book but the sparseness of the writing stopped me getting a feel for the characters when it really mattered. Having said that though, the chapters about Marron Shed were heartbreaking in places. 9 and quite a lot out of ten!' The Hellbound Heart by Clive Barker 'I'm the opposite, the more gore the better as far as I'm concerned!! The Hellbound Heart by Clive Barker 'Seven movies? I thought there were only four... The first Hellraiser film was excellent so I can only imagine what the book must be like.' |
| Dec 1, 2004 |
| The Sapphire Rose by David Eddings 'What an ending to this series! Even though there was the suggestion of deus ex machina being employed to steer the plot through tricky patches, this was done in a way that added to the underlying themes rather than detracted. I loved the sense of camaraderie between the knights and am looking forward to seeing how Talen fares as a Pandion knight (I am sure he will become one). Also good to see the villains get what they deserved but I did feel sorry for Martel. Interesting if slightly overbearing ideas on theology which verged on overshadowing the story at times.
Another ten out ten for David Eddings, I am looking forward to reading the Tamuli next...
' Midnight tides by Steven Erikson 'Thanks! I thought it was...' |
| Nov 30, 2004 |
| Winter Warriors by David Gemmell 'Pretty good Gemmel book. Another page turner that is full of action, good plotting, characterisation etc. However, I got the impression that Gemmel spread his characterisation too thinly. Instead of concentrating on a couple of characters, several got the same attention and the book felt lacking in emotive depth as a result. Still a good read though, just not one of his best. Seven and a bit out of ten' |
| Nov 24, 2004 |
| Contest by Matthew Reilly 'Cross between Die Hard and Predator. The action just doesn't stop, not for one second. Brilliant
Ten out of Ten' Ice Station by Matthew Reilly 'Wow again! You start off thinking this is going to be a sci-fi novel. By the time you find out that it isn't, you don't care as you are too busy following a devastating trail of gun fights, explosions and betrayal. I don't normally read thrillers but am so glad I made an exception here! Ten out of ten' The Colour of Magic by Terry Pratchett 'Not my favourite. It's almost like Terry Pratchett had a trial run before getting down to business. Still good fun though, I'm sure the Luggage will go down in history as a fantasy icon! Seven out of ten' Guards! Guards! by Terry Pratchett 'I don't know about the graphic novel but the novel itself was very very funny. The Dirty Harry quote was hilarious and reminds you what these books are all about. Ten out of ten' Eric by Terry Pratchett 'Has to be my favourite out of all of them. Laugh out loud funny and anyone who has read Dr Faustus will enjoy it all the more. Ten out of ten' A Feast for Crows by George R.R. Martin 'Just saw on the website that GRRM is looking at having Feast for Crows finished by the end of the year. Hope so! Bets on it coming out over here March/April time?' A Storm of Swords by George R.R. Martin 'The fact that this book had to be split into two smaller volumes seems to suggest that GRRM is being too verbose. Surely he could have lost a few words? Read the book(s) and you will see that this is not so. Everything inside is totally necessary to advancing the plot and it does so in a way that is masterful. Just want to see how it all ends now... Nine out of ten' A Clash of Kings by George R.R. Martin 'Robert is dead but the question of succession isn't easily solved and Westeros slides into civil war. And the Others are coming... Some people think this book is filler. Personally, I think that enough questions are answered (and new ones raised) to say that this is not the case. Having said that though, the story sometimes comes close to overdosing on political intrigue. Nine out of ten' A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin 'Wow. Something a bit fresher and more original than some of the chunky tomes filling up the bookshelves (you know what I mean!). Nothing is certain and no character is safe, this makes for a book you cannot put down until it's finished and only then because you are picking up the following book instead! Ten out of ten, no doubt about it' Noonshade by James Barclay 'Another slow starter but once you get past this, you're in for an action packed treat of a read! The author seems to pay more attention to the characters this time (instead of just the battles) and the result is a book that is gripping on all levels. My favourite bits were where the author took more of an in depth look at the cultures of the dragons and the protectors. Can't wait to get hold of the next book! 9 out of 10' |
| Nov 22, 2004 |
| The Black Lance by Nick Perumov 'How can this be allowed? Why isn't this guy being sued or something?' |
| Nov 16, 2004 |
| AVP - Alien vs. Predator: The Movie by Marc Cerasini 'Just got back from seeing this film!!!! Truly excellent. Nothing deep amd meaningful, just aliens and predators pounding on each other with a group of human explorers dying in a variety of ways. Cannot wait for this to come out on DVD. 10 out of 10' |
| Nov 15, 2004 |
| The Black Company by Glen Cook 'Very difficult to get hold of over here and even more difficult to get into once you get hold of a copy! The story of a lost cause written in a bleak style... Having said that though, if you stick with it, "The Black Company" is a good read that is full of memorable characters, gripping plot and some of the most hilarious magical battles you will ever read! I'm off to find the next one! Eight and a bit out of ten!!' |
| Nov 13, 2004 |
| Hero in the Shadows by David Gemmell 'He wasn't the first fantasy writer but he was the first person to write fantasy novels to such acclaim. Because of this, everyone since has to measure up to him in one way or another. Shame really as everyone deserves judging on their own merits and fantasy is too diverse to be restricted to Tolkien comparisons...' |
| Nov 10, 2004 |
| Legends 3 by Robert Silverberg 'I bought this version (Legends spread across two smaller books) for the Tad Williams short story and the Terry Pratchett tale. I wasn't impressed by Pratchett but 'The Burning Man' was well worth it! Also good to see a Robert Jordan story that actually has an ending!
Nine out of Ten' Elfsorrow by James Barclay 'Slow to start off with but picks up quickly. Gripping, exciting and tragic all at the same time. I'm not reading these in order but it doesn't matter as the author supplies enough information to make this work as a stand alone novel. The ending leaves you in no doubt what it means to be Raven... Ten out of ten!!' |
| Nov 1, 2004 |
| The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien 'The book that every other fantasy book begs, borrows or steals from. Not even 'a' classic, it's THE classic fantasy novel. Despite some ropey bits, I don't think anything else can beat it.
10 out of 10' The Dragonbone Chair by Tad Williams 'Turns the concepts behind LOTR on their head. Nothing is what it seems. A slow beginning suddenly becomes a rollercoaster read that doesn't let up until the end of the fourth book. Simon may annoy you now (he did with me) but see what he becomes... 10 out of 10' The Lays of Beleriand by J.R.R. Tolkien 'There was so much more to Tolkien's poetry than what you find in LOTR and The Hobbit. Read this book and see what I mean. 9 out of 10' The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien 'If it wasn't for this book, I wouldn't be posting comments here. It inspired me to seek out and read as much fantasy as possible to try and find something comparable. Nothing has ever come that close but I keep reading anyway! :o) 10 out of 10' Farmer Giles of Ham by J.R.R. Tolkien 'I prefer the Middle Earth books but enjoyed this. An enthralling tale that wouldn't be out of place in a collection of real myths... 9 out of 10' Unfinished Tales by J.R.R. Tolkien 'Only read this if you're a real fan. I am and I thought it was brilliant! 10 out of 10' Magician by Raymond E. Feist 'Pretty cool book if a bit long winded (although to be fair it does cover twelve years!). I enjoyed it but while the main events/intrigue were stunning, the bits in between were just a little too slow for my taste and made reading the book more of a chore than a pleasure. Overall though, worth persevering with! 8 out of 10' |
| Oct 31, 2004 |
| Gardens of the Moon by Steven Erikson 'It's worth it though! I'm glad I stuck with it :o)' |
| Oct 26, 2004 |
| The Scar by China Mieville 'An amazing read. A character who you never even meet in Perdido Street Station is expanded upon and comes to play a pivotal role in an earth shattering discovery. Incredible visual descriptions coupled with a profound sense of bleakness make this a book that you will always remember.
10 out of 10' The Reality Dysfunction by Peter F. Hamilton 'A good beginning to the Night's Dawn trilogy if a little bit too long in places. Obviously well though out as regards the plot and how things like the invasion of Lalonde might realistically take place. The only thing that really got to me (as a Christian) was the underpinning themes of devil worship and the notion that the 'enlightened' parts of humanity had somehow outgrown the need for Christianity. Hey, I appreciate that everyone has an opinion and the right to voice it. In this case though, it just felt clumsy and detracted from what had the potential to become a worthwhile read. 7 out of 10' Broken Angels by Richard Morgan 'Has all the same ingredients, just not as good as the first. Although Kovacs started off as a soldier, his life as a detective just makes for better reading. So much more could have been made made of the alien spaceship parts of the book. 7 out of 10' Altered Carbon by Richard Morgan 'I've learnt the hard way NEVER to buy a book just because the cover looks cool!! In this case though, I got a cool cover with a very cool book to match. Takeshi Kovacs must solve a case in a future earth where all the odds are against his succeeding. Fast paced plot with very plausible future technology. Be warned though, if you're sqeamish or don't like mention of graphic sex, this book may not be for you... 10 out of 10 ' Bitten by Kelley Armstrong 'I enjoyed reading this, the plot worked well for me and the characters were well written. Only problem that I had was that sometimes character development took over from the plot when there was no need. Still 8 out of 10 though' Absolution Gap by Alastair Reynolds 'If you've read this far then you will read and enjoy the final part. Loose ends are tied up and the creation of the religious society on Hela is a breathtaking feat. The ending is a bit of a cop out though, read it and you will see what I mean.' Redemption Ark by Alastair Reynolds 'The Inhibitors start their war against Mankind using a weapon of immense power. Various fractured elements of humanity must flee and resolve their own conflicts if they are to survive. Human characterization really makes this story (Clavain in particular) and this makes up for the overly drawn out 'chase through time'. 8 out of 10' Chasm City by Alastair Reynolds 'My favourite book by Reynolds. Not really connected to the main storyline but a still a tight, exciting tale with a twist that you see coming but still grips you when it counts! 9 out of 10' Revelation Space by Alastair Reynolds 'Ever wondered why we have never been contacted by an alien race? This book gives a chillingly plausible explanation. Very good story that suffers from too much 'hard science'. 8 out of 10' |
| Oct 21, 2004 |
| Calibans Hour by Tad Williams 'Ok but not brilliant. All he really does is retell 'The Tempest' but some of the characterisation is good. A suprising ending too...' Tailchasers Song by Tad Williams 'Not as good as Memory, Sorrow and Thorn but still very good indeed. A book I will always go back to.' Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman 'I loved this book. Take a trip into a bizarre London that is strangely plausible and familiar... Definitely a ten out of ten' Smoke and Mirrors: Short Fictions and Illusions by Neil Gaiman 'A really interesting set of short stories all of which will alter your outlook on something or other. My favourite was the one about Snow White, seems the evil queen wasn't so bad after all...' Coraline by Neil Gaiman 'For kids but everyone should read this book anyway. Very creepy in a way that only kids books can be. 9 out of 10' American Gods by Neil Gaiman 'An amazing read that shows you something new every time you read it. Makes you think really hard about everything. 9 out of 10' Dawnthief by James Barclay 'Good book! I really enjoyed reading about The Raven and the way each member interacted with the others. The battle scenes were intense as well! I'm looking forward to reading more of these but there were bits that bugged me. At times, the book seemed just a little bit too drawn out, some of the battles/travelling could have been trimmed to make a tighter more gripping read. Also, Erienne's reaction to the death of her husband seemed out of character and made for a jarring read that interupted the flow. Still a good book though and I would give it 8 out of 10. (PS Does anyone know the order that these books run in? Is Dawnthief the first one?)' |
| Oct 19, 2004 |
| Perdido Street Station by China Mieville 'Steam punk on a whole new level that sets a defining standard for the genre. A compelling read that is strangely moralistic for such an alien landscape. If you're bored with whatever you are reading right now, give this a go.' Viriconium by M. John Harrison 'This edition has all of the Viriconium stories in it and I will guarantee that you have never read fantasy like this. Just when you think you've got your head round it, everything is turned upside down and your preconceptions are shattered. One out of ten for legibility, twelve out ten for evocative fantasy that will make you feel like you've woken up from the wierdest dream...' Guardians of the West by David Eddings 'A good opening book to the series, I will definitely be reading the others. Time has passed and this is reflected in the way the characters have changed, Polgara & Errand being good examples of this. Some things stay the same though and the reader gets to revisit old favourites such as Durnik and Garion (eleven years older but is still being run rings round by Ce'Nedra...) I really enjoying getting to know the characters all over again and am looking forward to the next book. However, I can't give it top marks as, being the first book in a series, it asks mny questions that aren't answered. Nine out of ten though...' |
| Oct 12, 2004 |
| Deadhouse Gates by Steven Erikson 'What did you thnk of the ending?' |
| Oct 11, 2004 |
| Shadowmarch by Tad Williams 'I think the book is going to be great although it will have to go some way to beat Memory, Sorrow and Thorn. I think writing a novel is different to writing an on-line serial and this will show in the book....' Shadowmarch by Tad Williams 'Yep, but it got cancelled (I think!)' The Briar King by J. Gregory Keyes 'I loved this book. Just the right mixture of magic, intrigue and action. The world building could not be faulted and there were just enough characters to make the story interesting without being confusing. I really can't wait for the next installment...' The Ruby Knight by David Eddings 'Good follow on from the first book. I know people say that Eddings is repetitive and predictable but I defy anyone to solve the mystery of Flute before they finish this book! :o) Characters move on and their interactions become more indepth as they proceed, I particularly liked Kurik's acceptance of his son (bit of a tear jerker) I couldn't fault this book but it lacked that certain something that has made me give books in the Belgariad full marks so I'm going to give it nine out of ten. Really looking forward to seeing how this ends....' The Diamond Throne by David Eddings 'So different from the Belgariad but just as cool. This world is a little more adult, things aren't resolved as easily and the stakes are much higher. This book has everything that sets it apart as written by Eddings. The depth of characterization is amazing and you find yourself flicking through pages just to see if your favourite made it through the book (Talen in my case). The sense of thousands of years of epic history is awe inspiring, there are heavier reads but anyone who thinks Eddings is simply light frothy fantasy needs to think again! The only thing that bugged me was the Baron Harparin's pederasty. Maybe things like that were commonplace in the middle ages (that this book borrows from) but it is not something that deserves publicity in a book today. It had the feel of being tacked on to make the Baron appear evil and came across as contrived and detracting from the book as a whole. Still gets eight out of ten from me though.' |
| Sep 28, 2004 |
| Dragon Slayer by William King 'The forces of Chaos are advancing so Felix and Gotrek travel to pit their wits/axes etc against the ravening horde. Same old story yet again. Don't get me wrong, it's a fun (but light) read. It's just that if I hadn't found these books for sale (10p each!) at my library then I wouldn't have gone anywhere near them...
5 out of 10' Daemon Slayer by William King 'Full length novel rather than a short story collection. This is better as the characters have the chance to develop over the course of the book. More of the same plotwise though. 6 out of 10' TrollSlayer by William King 'A series of short stories linked together to form one novel. Good fun to read but nothing original and nothing that makes you think about what you are reading. Ideal for when you are waiting for the next book in a series to come out. 6 out of 10' The Singer and the Sea by Michael Scott Rohan 'Another stand alone tale that suffers slightly from tenuous connections to Castle of the Winds. The story focusses on a minor character from the first book who was developed sufficiently then to warrant sympathy now. Still, an entertaining read just not the best of the books. 5 out of 10' The Castle of the Winds by Michael Scott Rohan 'Wierd. This book is set one thousand years before the original trilogy but you have to read the original trilogy first to understand why certain things happen in this book. Despite all this, I really enjoyed reading this book. It's a stand alone novel so things happen a lot quicker, smithcraft still features but not at the expense of the story. Worth a read, eight out of ten.' The Hammer of Sun by Michael Scott Rohan 'The final book in the first trilogy. If you have read the first two then you will want to read this as all the loose ends are tied up and secrets are revealed. Starts off slow but picks up as the story progresses and a new continent is discovered. The final battle is suitably apocalyptic in tone. Nine out of ten' The Forge in the Forest by Michael Scott Rohan 'This is more like it! Epic in every sense of the word although the language can be a little dry at times. Cracking battle scenes.' Hover Car Racer by Matthew Reilly 'Try 'Contest' first, a father and his daughter are sucked into a 'last man standing', winner takes all contest against five of the deadliest aliens in the universe... If you like these then try 'Ice Station' and 'Area 7'. Be warned though, these aren't sci-fi but are regular thrillers instead. Enjoy!' |
| Sep 27, 2004 |
| The Anvil of Ice by Michael Scott Rohan 'A really good idea here. A pre-Atlantis world where magic comes from the gods but men who can shape metal (smiths) are feared almost as much. The story follows Alv, a foundling who has this ability. Good characterization and a panoramic plot is let down by the author's insistance on describing every single step involved in making a sword for example. Worth reading though as the following books get better. 6 out of 10.' Enchanters' End Game by David Eddings 'The grand finale! Even though I had a fair idea of how the story was going to end, I still had a tense old time getting there in what was an action packed and compelling read. All the loose ends were tied up neatly in a way that demonstrated the power of the prophecy rather than being a cop out. The only thing that bugged me here was that Eddings felt the need to tell the reader what happened to a whole load of minor characters, all of whom seemed to have ended up fighting in the war. I appreciate that the final battle touched everyone but sometimes I think it is better to leave a few questions unanswered. None of this properly detracted from my enjoyment of the book though. It was a brave move by Eddings to make Torak's death so heartbreaking but it really paid off! In a world of fat epics, everyone should make time to read these underestimated classic tales. TEN OUT OF TEN!!! (Off to read the Elenium now...)' |
| Sep 24, 2004 |
| Castle of Wizardry by David Eddings 'I read these books years ago and never went back to them. Reading them now, I cannot understand why I did this. I have the first two books of the Elenium to read next, how do they compare to the Belgariad?' The Treasured One by David Eddings 'You'll have my vote! Sparhawk - Sorry I had to go like that, I'll mail you asap and give you my address. How does this series compare to the Belgariad (only Eddings books I have read so far)?' Bane of the Black Sword by Michael Moorcock 'Oh yeah, the other book is "The sword and the stallion"' Bane of the Black Sword by Michael Moorcock 'Corum's wife dies of old age, he gets VERY depressed and holes up in his castle. Then, he is summoned by the descendants of the Mabden to help them in their fight against the Fhoi Myore (monstrous demons from another dimension) and Gaynor the Dammed his old enemy. Epic quests, colossal battles and tragic love. I loved it even though I prefer authors building their own worlds instead of obviously pinching stuff from myth. My copy has all three books in one. The books are "The Bull and the Spear", "The Oak and the Ram" but i can't remember the name of the other one. Definitely worth a look if you like Moorcock. What other of his books have you read? ' Bane of the Black Sword by Michael Moorcock 'Have you read "The Bull and the spear" etc? Classis Corum mixed with Celtic myth :o)' Castle of Wizardry by David Eddings 'Book number four! Another compulsive read, brilliant! It suffered slightly from being a set up for the final book, rather than having clear cut conclusions like the others, but Eddings' insights into his characters more than made up for this. I particularly liked the growing relationship between Relg and Taiba. Ce'Nedra's continued maturity also makes for good reading. Her casting aside her fears for Garion and the aftermath of Silk's meeting with his mother are heartbreaking moments. Building up nicely for the finale. Ten out of ten again!' |
| Sep 23, 2004 |
| Heir to the Empire by Timothy Zahn 'This book, and the others by Timothy Zahn, are the best Star Wars spin offs ever written.' Magician's Gambit by David Eddings 'Castle of Wizardry is even better! I didn't think it could be possible :)' The Silmarillion by J.R.R. Tolkien 'If you can get past the first couple of chapters then you are in for a real treat. Silmarillion casts Middle Earth in a whole different light, read it and you will never look at LOTR in the same way. Ten out of Ten!' Magician's Gambit by David Eddings 'Book three of the Belgariad. I don't think Eddings can write a bad book, this is another installment so thrilling that I had to keep reading until I finished. Garion finally accepts who he is and we see him start to consciously use his powers (with varying degrees of success!) We also gain an insight into the mind of Ce'Nedra and this makes her character a little more sympathetic to the reader. There was nothing that I didn't like about this story! Ten out of Ten.' |
| Sep 22, 2004 |
| A Nomad of the Time Streams by Michael Moorcock 'Moorcock deconstructs notions of benevolent empire by placing a British Officer in various alternate histories. Good stories with a message that is sometimes subtle, sometimes overemphasised. 8 out of 10 from Me' Bane of the Black Sword by Michael Moorcock 'Erekose was alright but you could tell that those were among the first books that Moorcock wrote. My favourite has to be Corum, Elric was cool but a little too angst ridden for me!' Midnight Falcon by David Gemmell 'I enjoyed this too but much prefer Gemmel when he is building/adding to his own world of the Drenai...' Legend by David Gemmell 'A genre classic. A stirring tale that broke the LOTR mold and is still inspiring readers even now. We all know how the story is going to end but the fun is in getting there...' Pawn of Prophecy by David Eddings 'Fantasy grounded in a small element of reality allows the reader to suspend disbelief more effectively. More authors should take note of the way Eddings has achieved this.' Queen of Sorcery by David Eddings 'I take back my last comment about Garion and Polgara's argument having just seen it resolved in 'Magician's Gambit'! Garion grew up in the end but don't you think they were just a little hard on him?' Seeress of Kell by David Eddings 'Cool. I thought the issue of the prophecies would have been resolved at the end of the Belgariad but apparently not...' Seeress of Kell by David Eddings 'Fair enough :) It's just that I haven't read through that far yet (haven't even found any of these hints...) Given that the Belgariad (at least) is about the nature of prophecy, does there need to be that much suspense? We know the story will end one of two ways (not sure if this applies to Mallorean though), surely that is suspense enough?' Pawn of Prophecy by David Eddings 'Sometimes the most simple thing is the most effective. I also like the fact that the magic also seems to rely on science at the same time. Makes it more plausible.' Queen of Sorcery by David Eddings 'Started reading it last night, so compelling that I am already halfway through it!' |
| Sep 21, 2004 |
| Queen of Sorcery by David Eddings 'Book Two of the Belgariad. Well worked continuation of the overall story. I enjoyed the introduction of Ce'nedra (spelling?) and the time spent in the court of the Nyissan Queen. The only thing that bugged me was that the argument between Garion and Polgara wasn't properly resolved, even at the very end. Other character's reactions to him lacked understanding too, almost like they were expecting him to grow up too quickly. These were only little quibbles though, I absolutely loved the story and am now waiting to get home from work and start on 'Magician's Gambit'....' Seeress of Kell by David Eddings 'Thanks for the spoiler! :) I don't suppose you fancy letting those of us who haven't read that far know who it is who dies as well... ?' Deadhouse Gates by Steven Erikson 'I think Sparhawk is allowed to comment if he wants, even if he hasn't read the book he still has an opinion and that is what this site is about. You may disagree with this but I think Eddings is comparable to a certain extent regarding depth of emotion, characterisation and the sheer sense of epic history that is prevalent in both books. My personal preference is for Erikson though and my favourite is a tie between this and "Memories of Ice". Have you read 'Blood Follows' or 'The Healthy Dead' ?' |
| Sep 20, 2004 |
| Gardens of the Moon by Steven Erikson 'GOTM has everything in it that you like about Eddings and it is a good read IMHO. However, be warned that it is a sometimes grim read and although there is an ending, it's not necessarily a happy one. There are a lot of characters to get your head around as well! From my own point of view though, I'm glad I gave it a chance!' King of Foxes by Raymond E. Feist 'I guess you're right but it also depends on personal interpretation of the book in question (what makes this site so cool!)' A Feast for Crows by George R.R. Martin 'No, just regular fantasy' |
| Sep 10, 2004 |
| Use of Weapons by Iain M. Banks '"It was a good battle and they almost won". A twist in the tale to eclipse any other. An amazing book' A Feast for Crows by George R.R. Martin 'The original anti-hero, Steerpike of the Gormenghast trilogy' A Feast for Crows by George R.R. Martin 'It's 'Otherland'. Good books but Memory Sorrow and Thorn were my favourites. I haven't read Cryptonomicon (did I even spell that right?) but I did read Snowcrash. It was ok but too much like Neuromancer for my liking. I do like alternative history though so will check out the baroque books when they come out in paperback. Have you read The Briar King by Greg Keyes?' A Feast for Crows by George R.R. Martin 'I thought it held the plot up instead of contributing to it...' Pawn of Prophecy by David Eddings 'If he's comparable to David Gemmell then I will have to check him out and let you know what I think. Legend was great wasn't it? Have you read any of the Waylander series? Intrigue etc has it's place but sometimes I just want to be entertained by a book! Not too sure about the Feist comparison though. I tried to read Krondor: The Betrayal and it was like reading an RPG; go here, kill this man, steal this jewel and so on. Maybe I should have read Magician first? I'm always looking for new books to read (why I'm on this site!) and get inspiration for my own work, thanks for any recommendations that you give me! I love your enthusiasm for Eddings, it has reintroduced me to books I thought I would never come back to.' |
| Sep 9, 2004 |
| Pawn of Prophecy by David Eddings 'No I haven't! When I buy fantasy books, I'm always influenced by the cover (reason why I avoided WOT for so long!). Is he the guy who wrote 'Elfsorrow'? What are his books like and who would you say they are most similar to?' A Feast for Crows by George R.R. Martin 'I only read one of the trilogy and found that Thomas Covenant really annoyed me. I know he was a leper, and had to be extra careful because of it, but I found the whole denial thing overdone. Book itself wasn't bad though!' A Feast for Crows by George R.R. Martin 'I've read Memory, Sorrow & Thorn; amazing books that I wish Tad would revisit soon! Are you going to buy Shadowmarch when it comes out? I've heard some really good things about Guy Gavriel Kay as well so reckon I'll check him out too. The Malazan Empire series are hard t oexplain simply because there is so much happening in them! An empire bent on world domination but torn apart from within, Gods plotting against other gods, wars that are hundreds of thousands of years old and the stories of mere humans caught up in all this. There are five books already published (out of ten) but the difference here s that you know this series is going to end! Check out the Tor website for the first chapter of "Gardens of the Moon". I reckon if you like Martin then you'll love this as well.' |
| Sep 8, 2004 |
| Legends 2 by Robert Silverberg 'Haven't finshed this book yet but what I've read so far has been well worth what I paid! My favourites have to be "Homecoming" and "Sworn sword", it's a shame that Robin Hobb's longer novels don't grab me in the same way as this shorter piece. "Sworn sword" will keep you going for a little longer while you're waiting for "A Feast for Crows" to arrive and is a thoughtful tale about the nature of loyalty. Also worth checking out are "Monarch of the Glen" and "The happiest dead boy in the world.' Pawn of Prophecy by David Eddings 'I hadn't read this book since i was a teenager and wasn't sure how I'd find it (preferring Erikson and Martin these days). I needn't have worried. Reading this book was like meeting a long lost friend and just picking up where we left off. The characters and story are as enthralling now as they were when I was thirteen. The plot was a little bit too linear for my tastes but that doesn't detract from the book as a whole. Now all I have to do is fnd the rest of the books in the series... 9 out of 10 from me I reckon' |
| Sep 7, 2004 |
| Assassins Apprentice by Robin Hobb 'The problem I had (as well as nothing seeming to happen) was that Fitz came across as a little too stupid... Some of the things he did made no sense to me and didn't contribute to the plot. I hate knocking books too much though if other people like them. It was well written and a good example of world building, just not for me.' The Cavern of Black Ice by J.V. Jones 'A great read and I will definitely be buying the next in the series. I found the characters well rounded and the twists in plot suprising yet realistic. I even found myself telling characters not to do things/go places! The only complaint I would have is that in some cases, too much time was spent in description. We know it's cold, why does JV Jones have to tell us in so many different ways? Looking forward to reading the next one. 8.5 out of 10' Gardens of the Moon by Steven Erikson 'It does get better but I see where you're coming from! It is a grim read but that only makes the character's humanity more touching.' |
| Aug 26, 2004 |
| Deadhouse Gates by Steven Erikson 'Just heard that there are discussions about making this into a film! I for one can't wait. I know this is more jumping on the LOTR bandwagon but these books are some of only a few fantasy novels that have the quality to make such a transition. Please lert this be true! :)' The Shadow Rising by Robert Jordan 'If you liked the first three books then you can't help but like this as well. It has everything that made the first three books so readable, well plotted storyline and characters that you care about. The only (small) complaints I would have are the length of the book and overly descriptive language where there is no need. Both made for a slightly distracting read at times. Otherwise, a very good book. 8 out of 10.' |
| Aug 24, 2004 |
| To Green Angel Tower by Tad Williams 'I'm with you! All the plot lines concluded and in such an amazing way. So there are a number of standard plot devices (kitchen boy becoming king, marrying the princess etc) but who cares when they are handled in such a gripping way. Can't wait for Shadowmarch... :)' Stone of Farewell by Tad Williams 'My favourite book in the series! We get to find out more about the Sithi and Troll people as well as being introduced to new characters. What I love about this series is that Tad keeps the suspense going right up until the very end of the last book. We're pretty sure that 'good' will triumph but we don't know how and the forces of evil constantly seem to have the upper hand. However, I would agree with others who say that there is too much description in these books. If you were taking a long journey by foot, would you notice every tree etc that you passed?' Child of an Ancient City by Tad Williams 'Not the best book I've ever read. The story was ok but came across as being disjointed, possibly because it was co-written? The sad tales weren't particularly sad either. In fact, one of them made me laugh out loud! Buy it if you're a fan of either Williams or Hoffman but don't expect too much.' |
| Aug 23, 2004 |
| The Dragon Reborn by Robert Jordan 'Concludes nearly all the events of the last two books and sets up plot lines for the future. Okay, Rand didn't really feature most of the time but the story isn't just about him is it?
The only thing that I found irritating is the introduction of Faile. Very strong character etc but I found the whole 'romantic interest' thing forced and contrived. Other than that, a great book!' The Great Hunt by Robert Jordan 'The first book was about world building, The Great Hunt is action and adventure all the way! Seriously, don't blink or you'll miss something! While I'm less keen on the rest of the series, everyone should read these first books for genuine classic fantasy.' The Eye of the World by Robert Jordan 'Very slow to start off with and predictable as well. Does the reader really want a description of every single village that is visited? Well, I didn't... However, it really picks up as the story progresses. I was gripped for the rest of the book. And it gets better!' Shadowmarch: Volume One by Tad Williams 'I'm really looking forward to this coming out in print. Tad always starts off slow but before you know it, you're three or four hundred pages in and loving it! If this is only half as good as Memory, Sorrow and Thorn then it will still be one of the best new releases this year!' The Hedge Knight by George R.R. Martin 'I read the original story in Legends but only managed to pick up one of the comics. Thank goodness for collections like this! I loved this story and the way it fitted in to the 'main' Westeros saga was very cleverly done. I can't remember what book it was in but Ser Duncan eventually becomes Lord Commander of the Wall. I hope George RR Martin finds time to tell us how this happened...' Fevre Dream by George R.R. Martin 'Do they have the Fantasy Masterworks Series in America? Fevre Dream is one of the books in this series. It was a very good read but not one I would pick up again, the (I thought!) derogatory reference to Christianity struck me as a cheap shot. I would recommend it though to anyone who wants a slightly different take on the Vampire mythos' |
| Aug 17, 2004 |
| A Feast for Crows by George R.R. Martin 'Thanks for that, should keep me going :) Thanks for the recommendations as well.' The Healthy Dead by Steven Erikson 'As far as I know, there are only 900 signed copies of this book available. It's expensive for its size so only buy if you're a fan! Having said that, I bought my copy and am pleased to say that Erikson maintains his excellent standards throughout. A tight, concise, well written tale that is funny as well! Learn a lesson from Emancipor Reese, never knock on a necromancer's door when drunk....' |
| Aug 16, 2004 |
| Deadhouse Gates by Steven Erikson 'I'll come back to you when I've read Eragon :)' |
| Aug 13, 2004 |
| Deadhouse Gates by Steven Erikson 'Good point but it is also just as important to maintain interest in long time fantasy fans, people aren't just going to read Paolini's stuff over and over. What are they going to read as they get older or perhaps want to try something different?Archetype may be the correct word but a lot of fantasy fiction is stereotypical you have to admit. Fair play to Paolini for feeding his family with what he made from his book but that doesn't really have any bearing on the book itself and it's relative merits.
So, you haven't read any Erikson? Funnily enough, I haven't read Eragon (on my to do list!). Why are we having this discussion if we have no basis for informed opinion? :o)' Royal Assassin by Robin Hobb 'I know where you are coming from. I am trying to write a book as well and know what it takes. Good luck! People who can't accept negative reviews should find a fan site where everyone loves Robin Hobb etc....' Deadhouse Gates by Steven Erikson 'Ok. For a start, how do you think Erikson started out? In order to be considered successful, any author has to create feeling in the hearts of his readers and I think Erikson has achieved this (one each so far). You're right in that Paolini creates a lot of new fans but at the same time Erikson has revived the interest of fantasy fans (like me) who were tired of stereotypes. There's only so many times you can read LOTR! I was so glad to discover Erikson! (And Martin as well) Paolini has started off well but it remains to be seen how his next book does. Erikson has written five great books so far. I really don't think you can compare the two right now. Not being funny, but have you read Deadhouse Gates? If you haven't then you should, it's got everything that you look for in a book and the intensity of emotion is unparalled.' |
| Aug 12, 2004 |
| Royal Assassin by Robin Hobb 'He read it and he's saying what he thinks. That's what this site is for isn't it?' Deadhouse Gates by Steven Erikson 'Sales figures do not come into it, clever marketing does not make one book better than another. I really agreed with what you said to that Phoenix guy as well, you've got to come up with a better argument than this...' Assasins Quest by Robin Hobb 'I'm with you!' Assasins Quest by Robin Hobb 'People have different tastes. I'm glad you liked it by Sparhawk didn't. So what? (Although it does beg the question why he read all three of the books...)' Assassins Apprentice by Robin Hobb 'Read it the whole way through, didn't have what I like in a fantasy novel, had a little too much of what I don't like in fantasy novels. Simple as that. Don't just assume a bad review means that someone hasn't concentrated on the story, some of us are capable of informed opinion!' |
| Aug 3, 2004 |
| A Feast for Crows by George R.R. Martin 'Thanks for that! I'll give it a go...' |
| Jul 30, 2004 |
| The Master Mind of Mars by Edgar Rice Burroughs 'It is so difficult to find his books over here. Well, seems to be for me anyway! I wouldn't mind giving some of his stuff a go... :)' King of Foxes by Raymond E. Feist 'I may be stretching the term a little (heck, a lot!) but I would say LOTR is historical fantasy as it was the end result of Tolkien's desire to provide a history to go with the 'Elvish' languages he was creating. Pretty much everything in the book happens because of 'previous history'. Elves and dwarves may be mythical creatures but they are also an important part of any people's cultural history so maybe shouldn't be discounted so easily. That's what I think anyway! :) I'm honestly not as sad as this :) I'm at work and very bored...' |
| Jul 29, 2004 |
| A Feast for Crows by George R.R. Martin 'How do you get to these on his site? I can never find them.
Thanks!' A Feast for Crows by George R.R. Martin 'Another year to wait? Not sure I can :) Does anyone have any recommendations for books to read in the meantime? I'll start off by suggesting Steven Eriksons Malazan Empire books...' King of Foxes by Raymond E. Feist 'It's different for me. It's the world itself that makes me feel like I'm reading fantasy. Believeable names (people, places), well thought out history/geography and 'alien races' (eg elves) are what do it for me fantasywise. Don't get me wrong though, magic does have a very important role but look at LOTR for example, how much magic is actually employed there? Not as much as you think but it's still regarded as classic fantasy.' Stolen by Kelley Armstrong 'Definitely better than the first! You kind of know what is going to happen at the end of the first but you don't know what is going to happen in the next! Different characters as well, not just werewolves, and that makes the story a bit more varied. Read it!' |
| Jul 28, 2004 |
| Stardust by Neil Gaiman 'Pure Magic. Like living in a dream...' |
| Jul 27, 2004 |
| King of Foxes by Raymond E. Feist 'I don't know about that. I've always believed that any work of fiction (whatever genre) is fantasy simply because it's a work of fiction and not fact (even if it's based on reality). What do you think?
It's also about perception, a world without magic can still appear magical...
PS I'm not stalking you around the board! You're making some interesting comments and I'm bored at work :)' Nine Princes in Amber by Roger Zelazny 'I know what you mean. I will always stick with the first ten or so books and forget the rest. Another guy who has discovered the magic formula and is milking it? I think so.' A Clash of Kings by George R.R. Martin 'That's the great thing about the fantasy genre compared to any of the others, scope is only limited by imagination. I love my gentle fantasy just as much as the grittier stuff, I think the praise directed towards Martin is symptomatic of the negative feeling about Jordan's neverending behemoth. Want to read something magical? Check out 'Stardust' by Neil Gaiman. Pure fairytale like you haven't heard since you used to have bedtime stories read to you. There is a sex scene but it is written beautifully instead of graphically. Read it!' A Clash of Kings by George R.R. Martin 'There's room enough for both I think! I guess it's up the individual what they read.' |
| Jul 26, 2004 |
| Midnight tides by Steven Erikson 'Erikson switches the action to another continent but links it to the main story by telling of the Tiste Edur, a race that has been slowly introduced in the preceding books. Erikson has given the reader an amazing insight into an alien culture, interspersed with a tale of inexorable tragedy. Having real trouble waiting for the next book....' House of Chains by Steven Erikson 'The Genabackan campaign is over (for now), back to Seven Cities! This book takes a relatively minor character and turns him into one of the main ones! In a way, this book is slower than "Memories of Ice" but the story keeps coming, questions are answered and more questions keep cropping up.WOW!' Deadhouse Gates by Steven Erikson 'Walk every footstep with Duiker as he follows the Chain of Dogs. Stand on the walls of Aren as Coltaine is betrayed. Share every single emotion of every single character. I have never read a book that left me feeling so drained. Absolutely fantastic, keep them coming Mr Erikson!' Gardens of the Moon by Steven Erikson 'A real breath of fresh air to the genre, has a little something for everyone no matter what their tastes are. The beginning does throw you in at the deep end but doesn't it make you feel good that Erikson believes you can keep up (rather than spoon feed you everything)? And there are still another five more books to be published! Wheel of Time still won't have finished by then :)' Nine Princes in Amber by Roger Zelazny 'What's wrong with Terry Pratchett? Fair enough, he's lost his way in the last few books but the first ten or so were excellent parodies that completely redefined comic fantasy. Is it just a question of taste or something else?' |
| Jul 22, 2004 |
| Crossroads of Twilight by Robert Jordan 'What does LOL actually mean?' |
| Jul 15, 2004 |
| Pawn of Prophecy by David Eddings 'Can anyone help? I read the Belgariad years ago and my favourite character was always Silk. His cynical attitude was what made the series stand out for me as something original and not formulaic.
Can anyone tell me, did he ever find anyone in the later books? I thought it was sad that he couldn't be with the lady he loved...' The War of the Flowers by Tad Williams 'Definitely not one for the kids, at least to start off with. Miscarriage and terminal cancer (as well as the very frightening Irrha) mark this as another change in style from Tad's earlier books. Having said that though, it still has all the bits that make it another masterpiece. Original world building and characterization as well as a disturbing twist in the tale make this a gripping read. An added bonus is that this is a complete story so you don't have to spend years waiting for it to finish! Treat yourself to an amazing read and buy this book!' |
| Jul 8, 2004 |
| Crossroads of Twilight by Robert Jordan 'Jordan's series is unique in that, if you are going to comment on it, you have to judge it as a series and not based on individual books alone. Yes, I came mightily unstuck reading this book and gave up (just going to have to read the whole lot again!) but I really believe that all of this is going to make a lot more sense when book 11 comes out.
You wouldn't judge a single book based on how good a single chapter was, same deal with Wheel of Time. Anyone who has come this far will surely give it the benefit of the doubt?' A Feast for Crows by George R.R. Martin 'If that was true, then Jon could end up marrying Dany and keep up the tradition of Targaryen's marrying each other.' |
| Jul 7, 2004 |
| A Feast for Crows by George R.R. Martin 'I like that idea. However, do you think that Jon would give up command of the Wall for a life in the south? (No matter what the real circumstances of his birth)' |
| Jul 6, 2004 |
| Midnight tides by Steven Erikson 'Is the body of the Tiste Edur found (near Coral) in Memories of Ice, that of Midik Buhn (killed in this very book by your namesake??) I think it is but am not sure... Ideas anyone? ' |
| Jul 5, 2004 |
| A Feast for Crows by George R.R. Martin 'Check out www.georgerrmartin.com for updates from the man himself! He's the man who knows so don't take any notice of Amazon etc....' |
| Jul 1, 2004 |
| A Feast for Crows by George R.R. Martin 'Go to www.westeros.org and follow the links to read a chapter from "Feast For Crows". Can't remember how you get to it but the site itself is cool to look around.' |
| Jun 29, 2004 |
| A Feast for Crows by George R.R. Martin 'I know what you mean. Jordan is good for a bit of light reading but dozens of sub plots don't actually make a good story... Anyway, when Martin finally finishes the series. Who do you think will rule Westeros? Will it be one ruler or will there be seperate kingdoms like before? I think Dany is too obvious to end up as the Queen of Westeros (still has one more betrayal to come?). Tyrion would be an interesting choice but I think fate has other plans for him. Jon is another one who is too obvious and commands the Wall in any case. What do you all think?' |
| Jun 25, 2004 |
| The Truth by Terry Pratchett 'Good solid Terry Pratchett fare but not as good as his earlier work. When he was satirizing heroic fantasy he made us all realize we were taking our beloved fantasy books just a little too seriously. The jokes were extremely funny as well. However, now he is holding the Discworld mirror more closely to our world some of the subject matter doesn't sit so well with the reader. We know our flaws and those of the world around us, do we need reminding? (Jokes are becoming very samey as well) That's what I think anyway! If you want a fun read with a message then you could do much worse than give him a try. His books just aren't for me anymore.' |
| Jun 10, 2004 |
| Memories Of Ice by Steven Erikson 'Made the mistake of picking this up without having read the previous two first. Realized my mistake, read the first two and am now a fully confirmed Erikson fan! This is a man who really thinks in the long term and is not afraid to leave a reader asking questions before springing answers two or even three books later on!
Amazing world building and characterisation, I would be hard pressed to choose between him and G RR Martin right now.
Question: The Tiste Edur body found by the Malazans (near Coral?). Is this the body of Midik Buhn - Tiste Edur killed by the Elder God Mael in book 5?' Shadow of the Seer by Michael Scott Rohan 'Suffers slightly from tenuous linking to the other books in the series, perhaps there were more closely linked stories that could have been told? Having said that though, I would recommend this to anyone who has read and enjoyed The Anvil of Ice etc. A thrilling and evocative story with strong new characters as well as interesting insights into someone more well established....' |