The Sci-fi & Fantasy Thread

[Beerserker]

Discuss any written works in the Sci-fi and Fantasy Genre.

[Beerserker]

So did anyone read the new Goodkind book "The Omen Machine? I have to rant about it, but only if other people here have read it.

[Al_The_Strange]

Last sci-fi book I read was PKD's "Martian Time Slip." I like the guy's work, but this story was rather weird.

On the weekend, I started "The Hunger Games" on a train trip. The writing style's rather simplistic imo, but the story looks highly entertaining (even if it is a "Battle Royale" rip-off ). I'll continue reading it once I'm finished with my current James Patterson book. Might check out the movie soon too.

[Beerserker]

Originally Posted by Al_The_Strange

Last sci-fi book I read was PKD's "Martian Time Slip." I like the guy's work, but this story was rather weird.

On the weekend, I started "The Hunger Games" on a train trip. The writing style's rather simplistic imo, but the story looks highly entertaining (even if it is a "Battle Royale" rip-off ). I'll continue reading it once I'm finished with my current James Patterson book. Might check out the movie soon too.

I haven't read The Hunger Games either. I got the impression it was a little "Young Adult". Maybe not though. I'll probably watch the movie.

[rickah88]

Hah! I knew you'd start this thread! Good job!

I haven't read a Terry Goodkind books since Stone of Tears. The Wheel of Time series has just dominated my fantasy reading schedule for ahwile. I also took a break from fantasy a few years ago, to get caught up on Grisham, Brown, & Crichton. Then our little boy came onto the season 14 months ago, and book reading time has really suffered!

I did just finish Towers of Midnight(WoT), and The Lost Symbol(believe it or not I like this more than DaVinci Code!). I'm now about halfway through a nice Knights Templar book called Brethren by Robyn Young.

[Hucksta G]

I'm about half-way through the second book of The Dark Tower series, seems alright so far. Was looking for a new series to read after A Song of Ice and Fire, it will be hard to live up to that series.

[My_Two_Cents]

Originally Posted by Hucksta G

I'm about half-way through the second book of The Dark Tower series, seems alright so far. Was looking for a new series to read after A Song of Ice and Fire, it will be hard to live up to that series.

You picked an excellent series to try, as I would rate the Dark Tower series on par or only slightly below LoTR. In other words, it's probably one of the greatest fantasy series ever written.

[P@t_Mtl]

Been on a Barsoom reading spree for the last month or so because of the movie John Carter. I am just about to complete book 9.

[Al_The_Strange]

Originally Posted by Beerserker

I haven't read The Hunger Games either. I got the impression it was a little "Young Adult". Maybe not though. I'll probably watch the movie.

I've yet to see how far the book will go in terms of violence or adult content; I suspect it won't have much. But it is a bit bleak at times (and surprisingly witty other times).

Originally Posted by Hucksta G

I'm about half-way through the second book of The Dark Tower series, seems alright so far. Was looking for a new series to read after A Song of Ice and Fire, it will be hard to live up to that series.

Originally Posted by Ricshoe

You picked an excellent series to try, as I would rate the Dark Tower series on par or only slightly below LoTR. In other words, it's probably one of the greatest fantasy series ever written.

Good job. I gave the first book a try, and couldn't get into it at all.

Originally Posted by P@t_Mtl

Been on a Barsoom reading spree for the last month or so because of the movie John Carter. I am just about to complete book 9.

I plan on checking those out sometime too. Loved the movie.

[Gaius Marius]

Currently reading the Mistborn Trilogy by Brandon Sanderson. Very good series, with some interesting elements (the magic system especially!). On book two, Well of Ascension.

[Beerserker]

Originally Posted by Gaius Marius

Currently reading the Mistborn Trilogy by Brandon Sanderson. Very good series, with some interesting elements (the magic system especially!). On book two, Well of Ascension.

Never read any Brian Sanderson, but I soon will as I'm about to restart the Wheel of Time series. I hear he managed to pull it together rather admirably.

[Beerserker]

Anybody got recommendations on authors or series? Obviously I'm looking for good writing/story/characters, but I also seem to like the darker, grittier stories. Obviously guys like Martin, Goodkind and Abercrombie are good examples. So anybody got anything?

[rickah88]

Originally Posted by Beerserker

Never read any Brian Sanderson, but I soon will as I'm about to restart the Wheel of Time series. I hear he managed to pull it together rather admirably.

He did, and continues to do so! Obviously Jordan had the basic plot outlined and Sanderson had to fill in the holes, but he's done a great job.
Very akin to seamless branching IMO.

[Hucksta G]

Originally Posted by Beerserker

Anybody got recommendations on authors or series? Obviously I'm looking for good writing/story/characters, but I also seem to like the darker, grittier stories. Obviously guys like Martin, Goodkind and Abercrombie are good examples. So anybody got anything?

You could try the Stephen King Dark Tower Series, like I'm doing?

[Beerserker]

Originally Posted by Hucksta G

You could try the Stephen King Dark Tower Series, like I'm doing?

I will one day. I read the first three back when there only were three, and never continued on as more came out. I wish my dad had not given those away (along with a s***load of my other books too).

Originally Posted by rickah88

He did, and continues to do so! Obviously Jordan had the basic plot outlined and Sanderson had to fill in the holes, but he's done a great job.
Very akin to seamless branching IMO.

I'm starting back up tomorrow. I hope it holds up for me after all these years. And even more I'm hoping that the middle books wont seem to drag so bad now that I can string them together. I seem to recall that the wait between books often made me forget the many secondary, and bit characters and it ended up seeming like random Aes Sedi #1 talking with random Aes Sedi #2.

Anyway, you need to get on that Sword of Truth series. I'm amazed that you could stop after Stone of Tears. That and Wizard's First Rule truly changed my ideas about what a fantasy novel could be.

[rickah88]

Originally Posted by Beerserker

I'm starting back up tomorrow. I hope it holds up for me after all these years. And even more I'm hoping that the middle books wont seem to drag so bad now that I can string them together. I seem to recall that the wait between books often made me forget the many secondary, and bit characters and it ended up seeming like random Aes Sedi #1 talking with random Aes Sedi #2.

Anyway, you need to get on that Sword of Truth series. I'm amazed that you could stop after Stone of Tears. That and Wizard's First Rule truly changed my ideas about what a fantasy novel could be.

Yeah I've always said the WoT books are 85% history/detail and 15% dialogue! Maybe even 90/10!!! But I love every word of it!
It does take some concentration, at least for me, to keep all the minor characters straight.
Interesting side note. Years ago when Mr. Jordan was still in the clinic for treatment, the website Dragonmount.com was taking up donations on his behalf. I figured since I never got the chance to meet Mr. Jordan I could, at the very least, submit a small $25 donation. I figure even though I paid for all the books, he had given me so many hours of enjoyment....so it was the least I could do. Anyway, I came to find out last year that my name had been selected to be used in Towers of Midnight. I don't have a very common last name so I guess that's why they used it. Well I was floored when I saw it!
I guess that goes to show, one good turn deserves another. I emailed Mr. Sanderson, thanking him for using my name. He promptly replied, thanking me for the donation.
Talk about a memorable event!

I will get back on the SoT series...I'm really getting a chance to get caught up on some my reading....Thank God!!

[Beerserker]

Originally Posted by rickah88

Yeah I've always said the WoT books are 85% history/detail and 15% dialogue! Maybe even 90/10!!! But I love every word of it!
It does take some concentration, at least for me, to keep all the minor characters straight.
Interesting side note. Years ago when Mr. Jordan was still in the clinic for treatment, the website Dragonmount.com was taking up donations on his behalf. I figured since I never got the chance to meet Mr. Jordan I could, at the very least, submit a small $25 donation. I figure even though I paid for all the books, he had given me so many hours of enjoyment....so it was the least I could do. Anyway, I came to find out last year that my name had been selected to be used in Towers of Midnight. I don't have a very common last name so I guess that's why they used it. Well I was floored when I saw it!
I guess that goes to show, one good turn deserves another. I emailed Mr. Sanderson, thanking him for using my name. He promptly replied, thanking me for the donation.
Talk about a memorable event!

I will get back on the SoT series...I'm really getting a chance to get caught up on some my reading....Thank God!!

Wow, that's really great! You are immortalized in fiction. Well your name is anyway . That is one thing I have heard about Sanderson, he is very fan friendly. Hooray for karma!

[P@t_Mtl]

Originally Posted by Hucksta G

You could try the Stephen King Dark Tower Series, like I'm doing?

I tried three different time to start the first book and get into this series and just can't. The only book from King I was ever able to finish and not feel bored was The Stand.

[rickah88]

Originally Posted by P@t_Mtl

I tried three different time to start the first book and get into this series and just can't. The only book from King I was ever able to finish and not feel bored was The Stand.

Great book! Perhaps my favorite from King(with nods to Salem's Lot).
I hope the movie, that was scheduled for 2013, get's rolling soon! I thought I heard AHNOLD was going to be in this?

Edit: Sorry I was thinking of The Last Stand...oh well!

[Hucksta G]

Originally Posted by rickah88

Great book! Perhaps my favorite from King(with nods to Salem's Lot).
I hope the movie, that was scheduled for 2013, get's rolling soon! I thought I heard AHNOLD was going to be in this?

Edit: Sorry I was thinking of The Last Stand...oh well!

Last I heard The Stand was being directed by Affleck.