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

[DuckieTigger]

Originally Posted by AlbertaCowboy

I dunno, DUckie. Here's Jim's Spiderman novel. I haven't read it, but maybe you could take one for the team and review it for us

http://www.amazon.ca/The-Darkest-Hou.../dp/1416510680

Thanks a lot. Just what I need, a book that is not availlable as ebook.

It will be here next Friday, I think. Wonder if I can still read on paper - have not done it in a while.

Hopefully it will not be a disappointment. Probably won't be with Jim Butcher.

I will report back.

[eschwartz]

Originally Posted by pwalker8

A number of authors like to have a couple of series going so they don't get burned out on one or the other. David Weber does that.

Yeah

Originally Posted by Brandon Sanderson

I love writing and my idea of a vacation from writing is to write something else, but any one book will come and go.

Originally Posted by DuckieTigger

Yes, I do agree that it is beneficial and possibly faster than only writing one sereis at a time. That is if he can stay on track and only work on one book each and alternate. The other problem is that Jim said before that he got so many ideas that he could never write all in a lifetime.

And why is that a problem???

[eschwartz]

Originally Posted by AlbertaCowboy

While I dearly want a neverending lineup of Harry to continue, I'd sure rather he pulls a "Bill Watterson" (of Calvin & Hobbes fame), and quits while he's on top. I've had my heart broken in the past when previously adored authors, namely R.A. Salvatore and Ian Rankin, just stopped producing quality stories with their characters. Give me the twenty ish Dresdens that are amazing, and I'll not grieve over fifty potential "mehs".

Salvatore and Feist for me.

Also, scarily enough, Terry Pratchett. His latest book was just Not The Same -- I still haven't finished it.

I know -- it is practically sacrilege.

[DuckieTigger]

Originally Posted by eschwartz

And why is that a problem???

It is a problem when he writes so much extra that it will take another 20 years to finish the Dresden Files.

[eschwartz]

Originally Posted by DuckieTigger

It is a problem when he writes so much extra that it will take another 20 years to finish the Dresden Files.

That assumes that he would spend all that time writing other stuff instead of Dresden. Then again, this is all assumption.

Considering that there are somewhere in the realm of ten books left, I already assume it will take the better part of two decades...

Just so long as they don't come out too far apart I am OK.

[alansplace]

priscellie.com/store

[alansplace]

[BuyMore]

^ Lol. But that's totally possible, right?

Possible or not, I think the sketch is awesome.

[alansplace]

[DuckieTigger]

^ I like that one. He looks old, but not too old.

[DuckieTigger]

I have given the Moon Shadow series by Maria E. Schneider a try while waiting for the next Butcher book. Though it is labeled as urban fantasy, a lot of the action takes place in suburban settings. Some is still happening in city, so it would still count - not being too picky about how it is labeled. Reading order so far is:

1. Under Witch Moon
2. Under Witch Aura
3. Under Witch Curse
4. Ghost Shadow

You can get them DRM free either from Maria's own store (link above) or at Amazon, Kobo, and B&N (I don't recommend B&N, they are more expensive and don't even have all of them as ebook) and first two in ScribD. Under Witch Moon is currently on sale for $0.99 in all three stores that carry them (except B&N) and also available in ScribD. That, I think, is a relatively low risk to see if the series is for you. I am not done yet with it, close to the end of the second book so far. I don't have enough time as I would like right now to indulge in the pleasure of reading as much as I would like (blame my too busy work schedule, which is still better than the opposite of not enough work). The magic is similar to Harry Dresden, and yet it is different. Interesting is that there is not a defined hard line in either being magical or not - from the sound of it everybody can learn the magic. Some just have more talent compared to the ones that don't have any. Some magic or talent has to be present in a person to create a spell, but not necessary to use it. And there is different kinds of magic, different elements (earth, water, air, fire), and different ways to draw and utilize the magic out of each element.

You always follow around a young witch (at least as far as I have read, and I see no reason for it to change), Adriel. If something happens in a different place, it usually has to be explained later to her through a conversation. That is just how I like it same as Butcher's Dresden Files. Maria has the ability to even make boring passages interesting to read - there is not really anything boring going on. Even inventing and testing out spells has its humor in it. Sometimes a little painful for Adriel. That is what makes it funny. A lot of OOOPS, and fighting is usually risky as most opponents have to be outsmarted rather than outmuscled. Cursing is limited to non-curse words. Yes, a lot of cursing going on, but very clean language. Not only does it make reading a lot nicer ( I came to dislike books that throw in the f-bomb regularily very annoying), but has a practical reason as well. (careful some minor spoiler concerning cursing, open at your own risk)

Spoiler:

Certain curse words and cursing do not go well with evil spells - as it gives even more power for evil to surface. I suppose, if you are evil minded, you would need to curse a lot to give extra power to the spells. Main character (Adriel) is not too interested in evil, other than undoing it. You will see cursing from Adriel in the form of her saying: Aztec Curses, Moonlight Madness, or Mayan Sacrifices. It is clear they are curses, but to me they are not offending. That is a plus on clean language in my book.

Here is the first few lines of the first book, Chapter 1:

Being a witch isn’t easy. It’s smelly, grueling work. I’m not talking about magic. Magic is a power that comes from natural forces. I’m talking about witchery, the chemical reactions for spells. Mind you, I dabble in magic; most witches do, but the bulk of my work involves a lot of formulas. It’s a chore like any, much like caulking a house–messy, stinky and the results don’t last forever.

Yes, spells wear out. They sometimes glue themselves to the wrong thing or dry too fast or don’t dry at all. When I’m finished, I need a bath and in some cases, just as paint needs turpentine, I need special solutions to rid myself of the chemicals that have made themselves at home on my person.

At present, I was working on a spell for protection. It was an easy spell and thankfully cleaner than most.

Well, needless to say, after hoping for a cleaner than most spell, it turns out to go downhill from there. Nothing is ever as easy as it seems ...

As for the reading order. I talked to Maria a little bit about it, and it is not really necessary to read in order, but it is recommended as the story evolves and characters evolve. If you got any more question from the horses mouth, drop her a PM, she is usually happy to answer any questions you may have.

[FizzyWater]

Originally Posted by alansplace

I don't know why, but I always pictured Ebenezar as too thin, looking almost malnourished. But this drawing is so beautifully done, I'll happily replace my mental picture of Ebenezar with this one.

[alansplace]

[Nyssa]

Originally Posted by alansplace

Thats about how I pictured her, but with "older eyes".

[eschwartz]

Please explain -- I wasn't aware Ivy was a wizard. Not sure what she is, but that ain't it...