Associate
- Joined
- 26 Oct 2002
- Posts
- 1,714
I've just finished The Long Earth, but am undecided about Long War the reviews seem mixed at best. Your thoughts on Long War?
Currently reading Rule 34 by Charles Stross.
What book are you reading...
- Thread starter agnes
- Start date
I've just finished The Long Earth, but am undecided about Long War the reviews seem mixed at best. Your thoughts on Long War?
Currently reading Rule 34 by Charles Stross.
Associate
- Joined
- 26 Oct 2002
- Posts
- 1,714
doh, meant to press edit!
I quite liked it, but it does read more like a middle act, setting up for a final act. It's still an enjoyable read, but not quite as good as the first. If you liked the setting of the first one, you'll also enjoy the second one. It's more about exploration and exploitation of the Long Earths (and the effects that human expansion has), and the ramifications for the original Earth. There's also a long range expedition story, a military expedition to pull back the seceding townships, and a fix the Long Earth ecosystem story.
I rate Stross very, very highly. I'm not interested in his fantasy series, but his SF stuff ranges from good to brilliant. And of course the Laundry files. I wish he'd do a follow up to "Iron Sunrise".
Rule 34 isn't bad, and I warmed up to it when everything got put into place and the story started really motoring along, with some clever twists along the way. As with a lot of Stross books, the setting is just as much fun to read about as the story. His characters are always great, and the psychopathic baddie is brilliant.
Last edited:
Soldato
Don't know what to pick up next so some assistance would be good;
Laundry Files - Charles Stross (getting first in the series and onward)
Cockroaches - Jo Nesbo second book
Owner Trilogy - Neil Asher
Post Office - Charles Bukowski
The Graveyard Book - Neil Gaiman
Republic of Thieves - Scott Lynch
Seasons of War - Daniel Abraham (just finished the first in this series and it was a real struggle)
Any suggestions are much appreciated as I'm yet to purchase anything and want a good, fun and engaging read!
Cheers in advance!
Laundry Files - Charles Stross (getting first in the series and onward)
Cockroaches - Jo Nesbo second book
Owner Trilogy - Neil Asher
Post Office - Charles Bukowski
The Graveyard Book - Neil Gaiman
Republic of Thieves - Scott Lynch
Seasons of War - Daniel Abraham (just finished the first in this series and it was a real struggle)
Any suggestions are much appreciated as I'm yet to purchase anything and want a good, fun and engaging read!
Cheers in advance!
Out of you list, I've only read the Laundry files, but I can say they are terrific books and I really enjoy them. They are very clever, a lot of fun, and well written.
Soldato
currently reading phoenix conspiracy by richard l sanders on kindle. fourth book in the series, pretty good stuff not as good as the in her name series but still a nice read.
Soldato
Riding Rockets: The Outrageous Tales of a Space Shuttle Astronaut
Once you get passed the male chauvinism there's some seriously good accounts of what it's like to fly into space on a shuttle, along with with some harrowing details around the Challenger incident.
Mullane (mission specialist) prides too much on the caveman thing though. Really annoying.
Once you get passed the male chauvinism there's some seriously good accounts of what it's like to fly into space on a shuttle, along with with some harrowing details around the Challenger incident.
Mullane (mission specialist) prides too much on the caveman thing though. Really annoying.
Just finished Assassin's Apprentice by Robin Hobb. Was a bit hesitant to read this as I'm not a fan of books written in the first person perspective, however it was bought for me so I thought I'd give it a try. Overall, I enjoyed it, but there was about 70-100 pages in the middle where it went nowhere and got quite dull. It did pick up again towards the end though. Some of the story progression was a little bit frustrating as were some of the characters, but it was good enough for me to want to read the next 2 in the trilogy.
Decided to pick up the Diablo Sin war trilogy, just to delve into the universe abit more (never played diablo or d2 but really enjoyed/enjoying 3 so thought it was worth a try), have gotten through two of the books last week and plan to start the third later today, then perhaps move on to other books in the series.
Roll on feb, Michio Kaku is just pure brillaint
http://knopfdoubleday.com/book/89414/the-future-of-the-mind/
http://knopfdoubleday.com/book/89414/the-future-of-the-mind/
Soldato
I think they are vastly overrated and inked he writes the singular most amazing book on earth as instalment 3 there is no way it will finish either a) satisfactorily or b) even in 3 books.
Really disappointed with the series after the hype.
Really disappointed with the series after the hype.
Caporegime
I agree with you. I've now read approx. 1100 pages ( between the two books ) and the plot seems to be advancing at a glacial rate. I'm no better informed regards the lore/history of the world than I was after the first few chapters of the first book. It's really hard to see just how Rothfuss can provide closure to this series in a satisfying way for the reader. I have my own theory as to what he will do .... but I won't say it here as I don't want to give away any spoilers.
Really depends what you mean by similar, and what your tastes are normally. If you've already bought the Name of the Wind and The Wise Man's Fear then you may as well start them and see what you think. The first book is a better read, in my opinion, and of a more digestible length. These books are in no way terrible, but I don't quite see the fascination that many seem to have with them.
But who am I to say what's good ? For instance, I can't read Robin Hobbs books, just don't resonate with me in the slightest. However, I wouldn't say she was a bad author and accept that many people do enjoy them.
If you like more realistic, gritty fantasy then have a look at Joe Abercrombie, Scott Lynch, GRR Martin ( of course ), Mark Lawrence and Brent Weeks. Brandon Sanderson is also very popular, but his books are less gritty. They have more of an emphasis on world building, epic plots and magic. At least he writes like a man possessed - so you don't have to wait a decade for him to finish a series ( I'm looking at you George ! ).