The Jim Butcher Files: Dresden . Codex Alera . Cinder Spires & More

[CWatkinsNash]

I finally started it last night. Only was able to read a few pages before bed, though, and today I'm not going to have many uninterrupted blocks of time.

I almost didn't start it. I really considered returning it to the library and waiting, because it's going to be so long until the next one. I sort of wanted to savor the fact that it's out and delay gratification. But that didn't happen.

[alansplace]

I'm half way through a new freebie from Amazon Kindle First, Artful by Peter David. So far it's quite unusual and very interesting.

Publication Date: July 1, 2014

Oliver Twist is one of the most well-known stories ever told, about a young orphan who has to survive the mean streets of London before ultimately being rescued by a kindly benefactor.

But it is his friend, the Artful Dodger, who has the far more intriguing tale, filled with more adventure and excitement than anything boring Oliver could possibly get up to. Throw in some vampires and a plot to overthrow the British monarchy, and what you have is the thrilling account that Charles Dickens was too scared to share with the world.

From the brilliant mind of novelist and comic book veteran Peter David, Artful is the dark, funny, and action-packed story of one of the most fascinating characters in literary history.

I've always thought that Jim Butcher, with his four different vampire courts has a really fresh take on vampires but it seems he's not alone in fresh takes. Peter David has some new twists applied to vampires as well! Check it out, it's free to Prime members all month.

[CWatkinsNash]

Originally Posted by alansplace

I'm half way through a new freebie from Amazon Kindle First, Attachment 123901 Artful by Peter David. So far it's quite unusual and very interesting.

I've always thought that Jim Butcher, with his four different vampire courts has a really fresh take on vampires but it seems he's not alone in fresh takes. Peter David has some new twists applied to vampires as well! Check it out, it's free to Prime members all month.

That's the one I chose this month as well. I'll add it to my "short list".

[alansplace]

Originally Posted by CWatkinsNash

That's the one I chose this month as well. I'll add it to my "short list".

I'll champion the idea of moving it to the top of your short list. I just finished it and it was really a fun ride. Have you seen the new Showtime series called Penny Dreadful. It has some interesting similarities to Artful.

[varlog]

Making a fool of myself as usual... Is it possible to purchase Skin Games without DRM? as a straight epub? where?
I've read somewhere Jim Butcher is very concerned about stealing his work and insists on DRM. I'm prepared to accommodate to his unreasonable wishes but perhaps there is some other sane solution?

[alansplace]

Originally Posted by varlog

Making a fool of myself as usual... Is it possible to purchase Skin Games without DRM? as a straight epub? where?
I've read somewhere Jim Butcher is very concerned about stealing his work and insists on DRM. I'm prepared to accommodate to his unreasonable wishes but perhaps there is some other sane solution?

I'm unaware of any legitimate source for a non-DRM'd version of a Dresden Files novel, and I do not believe that there exists such a thing. But to learn how to remove the DRM yourself google Apprentice Alf (further discusion of DRM removal is counter to MobileRead rules).

I've heard Jim speak about web piracy of his novels and he seemed not at all concerned, to him it was just a fact. Most reports of authors demanding DRM on their work are not true and are due to the wording of the publishers contracts, not the author's desire.

[treadlightly]

Finally my turn came up at the library and I finished it last night.... whew!

I'll spoiler my opinion even though it isn't very spoilery:

Spoiler:

Lots of action, giant insects, and the plot was pretty tight. I did feel Molly's absence from the majority of the book. Loved the Mister at bath time joke!

I agree with taosaur's comment about the broken arm. Even if he felt no pain he should have had little strength.

This new skull should be interesting! I wonder if he'll let Bob near her

I gave it 4 stars.

[Toxaris]

Just finished. In my opinion it is not better than Dead Beat, but it is very good. I loved almost all elements.

Spoiler:

(Light)Saber of Faith! Butters! The brainchild! Hades! Karrin, finally...

There were also some parts I did not like though...

Spoiler:

The broken arm had hardly any real story impact and the relative easy defeat of the other Denarians.

In my opinion this book has many plot movements to set up a number of great books ahead of us. Wondering when (and if...) we see

Spoiler:

Ursiel, Lasciel and Nick

again

[danskmacabre]

I got Skin game recently and have been trying to read slowly to drag it out, but I've not been very disciplined in doing that. lol .

Anyway, I've thoroughly enjoyed the experience so far.

[CWatkinsNash]

Originally Posted by danskmacabre

I got Skin game recently and have been trying to read slowly to drag it out, but I've not been very disciplined in doing that. lol .

Anyway, I've thoroughly enjoyed the experience so far.

LOL I'm doing the same thing! Except I've been a bit more successful, but only because I have other stuff going on. I have a feeling that one evening soon, I'm going to just go nuts and plow through it, though. Then I'll start pining for the next one.

[danskmacabre]

Originally Posted by CWatkinsNash

LOL I'm doing the same thing! Except I've been a bit more successful, but only because I have other stuff going on. I have a feeling that one evening soon, I'm going to just go nuts and plow through it, though. Then I'll start pining for the next one.

Heh, glad I'm not alone with this.

I walk to work , which takes about 30 minutes, so I read for about an hour a day, plus maybe 30 minutes when I goto bed to get tired.

I've been reading it for a few days now and I expect I'll be done by the weekend at which point I'll start whining again to my friends about how the next book isn't out yet.
At least they had a week reprieve from my whining!

[alansplace]

[alansplace]

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by eschwartz

And since the countdown appears to have been neglected, I get to seize the opportunity! (At the very end of the day.)

Skin Game release date countdown:

157 DAYS!

Will post update in a few hours when it is tomorrow, my time.

Speaking of the countdown, I just have to say one thing about it... I told you so (that it wasn't coming out in 2013). Now I feel better for that no matter how late it is.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by Andy_T

Some interesting information I got from another thread (on goodreads):

Overview over different urban fantasy series, and how to organize them:

http://s3.postimg.org/bdjnau1xf/ufg2.png

Have now started "London Falling", but not far yet. Have not touched the fantastic stuff yet, so far only hard-boiled crime.

Best regards,
Andy

I notice at least one mistake on that chart. Discworld is not urban fantasy at all and doesn't belong.