What are you reading Thread

I'm a bit ashamed to say the only things I really remember from Half-Blood Prince are

Obvious plot twist spoilers are obvious:

I do remember it being top notch though.

I don't want to get ahead of things since you've yet to finish the Mistborn trilogy but Stormlight Archive has been filling the void it left very nicely!  Another fascinating world and magic system, arguably even better cast, and a brilliant conflict.  All the things that made Mistborn amazing, the mysteries about the world and its lore, the clashes of the classes and injustices that the elite commit, the political machinations, and the character journeys are back, yet not in a way that retreads already covered ground.

No, I'm never going to stop raving about Stormlight Archive, not until everyone on this forum has read it.  So never!

I have to say I almost feel a little bit jealous though Drunka, you're going to be going from one brilliant conclusion to a fantasy series right to another one! Deathly Hallows and The Hero of Ages, one heck of a dream combo right there!

I'm really hoping so! I've honestly got no idea what to expect from Hero of Ages, which is a rare and wonderful feeling these days.

I'm 100 pages or so into Broken Heart, the most recent David Raker novel by Tim Weaver, and I think it might be my favourite. You can definitely see where Weaver's magazine and critic origins shine through, plus it's all set near where I live!

All I shall say about Hero of Ages is expect the unexpected. Speaking of which I'll be very interested to hear what you figure out and what surprises you as everything comes to a close!


And on the unexpected, the last section I read of WoR before I forced myself to put the book down to get some sleep was something else entirely. I honestly don't think I've ever had a vocal reaction on that level while reading a novel before, and yet with the last section I read I soon realised I was actually crying out in shock constantly.

Sanderson's ability to misdirect is something else. He frequently plays up ones expectations only to either shatter them brilliantly or have them occur in ways you never expected in a way that leaves one stunned. And I love it.

I realise I'm banging on about Stormlight Archive quiet a bit (although that last applies to the delicious Mistborn as well), it's just one of those things I have to express somewhere, ya know?

(butts in)

I spent most of November re-reading Discworld novels - specifically, the Granny Weatherwax adventures. God they're good. The greatest modern celebrities, in my opinion, didn't die in 2016.

After which I read Urban Grimshaw and the Shed Crew, a non-fiction novel about disadvantaged kids, which manages to tackle the subject matter without being bloody miserable. Might appeal to Drunka and Muss with their woolly liberal tendencies.

(butts out again)

And so today I finally finished quiet possibly the best novel I've read this year, Words of Radiance!






The Way of Kings was an excellent story opener, building a complete world and core cast of characters.  Words of Radiance went on to do what the best sequels do; take what had previously been established and build on it even further.  The world had been built, the characters had been established, now it was time to see where their journeys would take them.  By the end of the story, well, I won't spoil it but suffice to say I await the third Stormlight Archive instalment coming next november with baited breath.  


And yet despite the world building that had taken place in the prior book Radiance proved there is still so much of this world left to see.  Entire nations and cultures, legends and history, factions only just now openly making their presence known, and many mysteries left to see solved.  


The cast became even more enjoyable this time round as they took centre stage, particularly Shallan who received the smallest of roles out of the main trio last book receives the (arguably) biggest one this time around and proved herself ever bit a leading lady.  Kaladin continued to develop in an extremely satisfying way that I can't really go in to without massive spoilers for both books, and Dalinar, well he had the least screen time this go around, even then his development near the end was supremely satisfying.  

Meanwhile the Interludes between each of the five parts, with their snapshots of the larger world and denizens within, remained fascinating as ever.  Sanderson continues to be able to rip me away from the main characters at cliffhangers that leave me dying for more and immediately absorb me in the life and world of seemingly unrelated people.  The world needs more of Lift and her "awesomeness"!  I can only hope she has a bigger role as the series progresses.




Overall Stormlight Archive, two extremely large books in, is becoming one of the finest fantasy sagas I've had the pleasure of reading with an engrossing world, lovable (yes, even grumpy Kaladin) and fascinating characters, glorious action, and a new sense of adventure. I again reiterate that anybody that has enjoyed Fantasy should give it a look.  Especially those who've read and enjoyed the Mistborn trilogy.

I don't know when I will get around to read all these I got today

Good books! There are a few character moments the show kinda ruins, though it's not quite in the Harry Potter league of if-you're-not-reading-you're-a-scrub.

There's plenty of fresh storylines to enjoy in the books that weren't represented in the show, so you'll definitely enjoy them.

This is the sort of thing that keeps me up at night: what colour do you reckon the next book will be, looking at that set?

I'm going for muted orange.

Last night, I finished reading Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.
This means that, over the last few months of 2016 I reread the entire story for the first time since initial release. I realised, all over again, on a very powerful level, that Harry Potter is very, very good.

I really like the way magic works here. It's very literary; sure, there are the flashy spells and the dragons, which translate well to film, but at the deeper level is stuff like Lily Potter's saving Harry and the allegiances of wands. This is magic in a very classical sense, and it all wraps up in a very pleasant overall narrative where aggressively pursuing power is ultimately no match for love, and trust, and friendship.

I'm very excited for more now. The Fantastic Beasts series should make good films, as they're focusing on monsters and grown-ups who can act rather than drawn out magical plans and the internal thoughts of teenagers. Plus, I only have to survive another 11 months before I can watch the Cursed Child.

Jimbob wrote:

This is the sort of thing that keeps me up at night: what colour do you reckon the next book will be, looking at that set?

I'm going for muted orange.

I've got my money on transparent personally, if you catch my drift  



------------


Finished Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban over the holidays before starting Elantris on New Years Day.  Another book that greatly benefit from a reread by an adult rather than a child, themes and nuisances that flew right past child me were clear as day here.  Most obvious being that, despite its slightly comedic portrayal, how much damage Snape's childhood (which isn't fully elaborated on until later in the series) really left.  And of course

Ending spoilers, for the few that for whatever insane reason have yet to read this masterpiece:

Perhaps time travel may have been a mistake (however I personally like how it was written out of the story, especially considering the disastrous repercussions the butterfly effect can have, some things are taboo for a reason), however the foreshadowing of things to come, some very obvious (in hindsight the ending of Azkaban was actually the beginning of the dramatic shift in stakes the series would see come to the forefront in book four) and some not so obvious (Sirius being James best friend, again alluding to the reveals later in the series) was barely a shade off masterful. As was the way all the threads of the book came together to form a cohesive conclusion at the end.


Overall I'm very impressed how well this series seems to have aged. At the start of this reread with book one I was left slightly questioning, I'm no longer left with those questions and am happily strapped in for the rest of the ride.


Also fun fact, Azkaban was the first time I didn't enjoy a movie adaptation, and the last time I went out of my way to watch the movies. Which, of course, makes sense. This is where the series starts really fleshing out its characters and world, it only gets better from here!

I really appreciate the movies for their aesthetic, so I'm glad they exist. I can't help but picture the wands, spells, creatures and locations the way the films present them, and I love all the music, and visiting the studio really feels like stepping into that world for me. That said, they don't have a thing on the books and they do a number on most of the characterisations.

Have you seen Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them yet Athers? As it was written as a film and not a book first, it works really well and it's really nice having a story about adult witches and wizards who can do competent magic, and seeing creatures and characters from the series' past is nice.

Athrun888 wrote:

Jimbob wrote:

This is the sort of thing that keeps me up at night: what colour do you reckon the next book will be, looking at that set?

I'm going for muted orange.

I've got my money on transparent personally, if you catch my drift  

In fact

Pretty crazy that since the last ASoIaF book, we've had two new Star Wars films and a new play and film from Harry Potter, two series which were supposedly done.

Not really reading anything at the minute BUT I did put down a preorder for the Bloodborne official artworks book which isnt out until May 23rd, also about time I bought You died: The dark souls companion which I'll do tomorrow.

Is that the one from Keza MacDonald?

The dark souls book is, aye.

I've heard nothing but great things about it, just not been something for me, yet.

The_Jaster wrote:

Not really reading anything at the minute BUT I did put down a preorder for the Bloodborne official artworks book which isnt out until May 23rd, also about time I bought You died: The dark souls companion which I'll do tomorrow.

You Died is a smasher! I've also got the Dark Souls II Design Works and have ordered the Dark Souls equivalent with Christmas money. If and when I get round to playing Blooders, I expect I'll want that book as well.

Drunkalilly wrote:

I really appreciate the movies for their aesthetic, so I'm glad they exist. I can't help but picture the wands, spells, creatures and locations the way the films present them, and I love all the music, and visiting the studio really feels like stepping into that world for me. That said, they don't have a thing on the books and they do a number on most of the characterisations.

Have you seen Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them yet Athers? As it was written as a film and not a book first, it works really well and it's really nice having a story about adult witches and wizards who can do competent magic, and seeing creatures and characters from the series' past is nice.

Nay, not yet, I'll probably check that out with Dr Strange and Rogue One when they hit bluray. It's definitely on my radar!

I just finished The Hero of Ages. I'm not ready to talk about it properly yet, maybe tomorrow.
I think Mistborn just became one of my favourite fantasy series of all time. Maybe even my favourite.

Yeah Hero of Ages was something else. I honestly struggle to think of a story I've seen come to a more satisfying and brilliant conclusion. I still feel The Final Empire was the strongest individual read out of the trilogy, that said the amount of moments in HoA that were Pure Awesome and/or Pure Brilliant made it just as compelling a read as Empire.

I have to ask,

Massive spoilers:

I think one could comfortably read The Final Empire and be done and think it was a cracking book, whereas the other two are definitely parts of a trilogy. That said, what a trilogy it was! There's nothing else like it! Little bit Game of Thrones, little bit X-Men, lots of swashbuckling and evil empires and class warfare, with an interesting take on religion.

Athrun888 wrote:

I have to ask,

Massive spoilers:

Right!

Spoiler:

Spoilers natch:

At the risk of being a tad early jumping the horse, any idea when you'll be reading the second Mistborn series? I imagine it'll be a while of course, I've actually yet to start them myself after almost a year because digesting the trilogy took a while, just curious.

Not sure. I'm gonna take another crack at reading some of the Tolkien stuff this year.

That said, I loved this book so much I don't think I'll be able to resist if I see The Alloy of Law in the shops. It would also be nice to finish them in time to read one when it's released.