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[fjtorres]

Originally Posted by eschwartz

Thanks for the suggestion! It sounds fascinating...

Can't find in the Baen free library (guess it's been a few years, huh?) and it doesn't appear to be in the baenCDs, so I may have to buy this.

Rick Cook.
Wizard's Bane used to be in the library.

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rick_Cook

Basic plot is a fantasy world of magic where humanity is an endangered species because the endless war between the wizards of light and dark has left the bulk of the population prey to magical creatures. With the end maybe a generstion or two away, the mightiest wizard of good casts a spell to search across universes for a wizard capable of saving humanity, knowing the act will end his life.

What he gets is Walter Irvin Zumwalt, Wiz to his friends, stereotypical pencil-necked geek and UNIX system software programmer; pretty much useless in his own world--totally helpless, as a baby Sparrow, in a world of magic.

Now I'm off to reread the set. It's been a while...

Too bad it's not on KU.

[eschwartz]

Originally Posted by fjtorres

Rick Cook.
Wizard's Bane used to be in the library.

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rick_Cook

Basic plot is a fantasy world of magic where humanity is an endangered species because the endless war between the wizards of light and dark has left the bulk of the population prey to magical creatures. With the end maybe a generstion or two away, the mightiest wizard of good casts a spell to search across universes for a wizard capable of saving humanity, knowing the act will end his life.

What he gets is Walter Irvin Zumwalt, Wiz to his friends, stereotypical pencil-necked geek and UNIX system software programmer; pretty much useless in his own world--totally helpless, as a baby Sparrow, in a world of magic.

Now I'm off to reread the set. It's been a while...

Too bad it's not on KU.

Yes, I had found it.

Sadly, it seems only one ebook is available period on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Rick-Cook/e/B0...rnid=618072011
The first one.

[fjtorres]

Originally Posted by eschwartz

Yes, I had found it.

Sadly, it seems only one ebook is available period on Amazon:.

Baen has the first four on their website, DRM free, in kindle format.
They'll even email to your kindle.

They're all pretty much standalone and the first is the second best. (My favorite is WIZARDRY COMPILED. More programmers, more mayhem. And baby dragons.)

[eschwartz]

Originally Posted by fjtorres

Baen has the first four on their website, DRM free, in kindle format.
They'll even email to your kindle.

I know the drill.

It's a bit of a pity, because I like using the Amazon storefront for the integration.

I will be sideloading it, I don't hold of the emailing thing -- not if I want covers and KF8. (OK, there is quiris' app for extracting covers, but I don't need that many tools if it is going to be manual.) Plus I hate the PDOC banner.

They're all pretty much standalone and the first is the second best. (My favorite is WIZARDRY COMPILED. More programmers, more mayhem. And baby dragons.)

But I'd guess that they are even better in order, kind of like Discworld. Mayhem is always good. And dragons, you say?

[jbcohen]

Baen is a very good publisher, although Iwas unaware that that they would email my paperwhite for me. I have only one qualm about htem, their book prices are too high for me, let me explain I will not pay anything more than $8 for any book, I simply do not care who wrote it or how good or bad it is, no one is worth more than that. Their book prices tend to be around $9 each, that's too much. You can get around that if you buy the monthly bundles, of which I have done a few times, however I am reading thrillers these days rather than sci-fi and/or fantasy books. Other than that they are a great publisher.

I read the first three Harry Potter a while after they were the rage and never really finished the series, becuase of the book prices. I was then and still are now simply not willing to pay more than $8 for any book, no matter who wrote it. Kindle Unlimited removes price of the book from consideration, other than the fact that I will probably like to read = > $10 worth of books. I do not think that this will be that dificult considering the amount of time that I put in on reading books (typically 28 hours a week).

[shalym]

Originally Posted by jbcohen

Baen is a very good publisher, although Iwas unaware that that they would email my paperwhite for me. I have only one qualm about htem, their book prices are too high for me, let me explain I will not pay anything more than $8 for any book, I simply do not care who wrote it or how good or bad it is, no one is worth more than that. Their book prices tend to be around $9 each, that's too much. You can get around that if you buy the monthly bundles, of which I have done a few times, however I am reading thrillers these days rather than sci-fi and/or fantasy books. Other than that they are a great publisher.

What are you talking about? Even when you click on "New Arrivals" and look at the books added in the last 3 months, most are under your $8.00 threshold. http://www.baenebooks.com/c-66-new-arrivals.aspx

Shari

[fjtorres]

Baen's pricing policy for *their* ebooks is $8.99 on titles only available in HC, $6.99 on recent mmpb releases and $4.99 on older titles.
eARCs run $15.

They carry titles from other publishers at different prices.

[fjtorres]

Originally Posted by eschwartz

But I'd guess that they are even better in order, kind of like Discworld. Mayhem is always good. And dragons, you say?

There is a "little red dragon" and a "dragon book".
(Renaissance Fair references, gaming references, the stooges of course... and a most curious pizza...)

And book five's blurb is "...first thing is we have to save the dragon from my wife..."

They're not out and out farce like HEROICS FOR BEGINNERS and the other John Moore fantasies but (techie) whimsy abounds.

[eschwartz]

Originally Posted by fjtorres

There is a "little red dragon" and a "dragon book".
(Renaissance Fair references, gaming references, the stooges of course... and a most curious pizza...)

And book five's blurb is "...first thing is we have to save the dragon from my wife..."

They're not out and out farce like HEROICS FOR BEGINNERS and the other John Moore fantasies but (techie) whimsy abounds.

Yeah but book 5 isn't available as an ebook. Googling "Wizardry Quested ebook" got me nothing but pirate sites -- which is something I don't usually expect from Baen books.

Also, I see books 3&4 are available only as a combined edition -- but it's only $4. Awesome price for a two-iin-one!

[fjtorres]

Originally Posted by eschwartz

Yeah but book 5 isn't available as an ebook. Googling "Wizardry Quested ebook" got me nothing but pirate sites -- which is something I don't usually expect from Baen books.

Also, I see books 3&4 are available only as a combined edition -- but it's only $4. Awesome price for a two-iin-one!

Well, it is the weakest of the set. The closest to generic fantasy in the series.

No significant plot threads remain open so if you think of it as a tetrology you're set.
If you're a completist, pick up the paperback.

[Tarana]

I can't change my previous vote, but we've decided to go with the KU and I will get the audible deal then. I'll get it towards the end of August. I'm going to be laid up for 2 months after leg surgery, so I should be able to wind my way through a lot of Ed McBain. The TTS helps.

As far as keeping books, I know from experience, that I'm not much of a rereader. I know as soon as I finish a book whether I will likely reread it again in the future. My Mom never rereads, so not an issue for her at all.

[eschwartz]

Originally Posted by fjtorres

Well, it is the weakest of the set. The closest of generic fantasy in the series.

No significant plot threads remain open so if you think of it as a tetrology you're set.
If you're a completist, pick up the paperback.

Completist.

But I guess the fifth can always be put on hold, if it is basically an auxiliary bolted-on story (not integral to a complete storyline finished in the first four).

for the suggestion and explanations.

[fjtorres]

Originally Posted by eschwartz

for the suggestion and explanations.

Wait until you read the first two. Your tastes might be different.
But I hope you do enjoy it.

And now, to get back on subject: the ratio seems to be holding steady at nearly 20% so that looks to be the measure of KU's heavy reader appeal. Not bad.

[Tarana]

let me explain I will not pay anything more than $8 for any book,

I am not trying to deter you from your goals, but I would remind you that most paperbacks for the latest thrillers are now $8.99 regular price. A few were $7.99, a couple $9.99. I noticed that on the bookstand at the grocery store just this week.

[jbcohen]

Originally Posted by shalym

What are you talking about? Even when you click on "New Arrivals" and look at the books added in the last 3 months, most are under your $8.00 threshold. http://www.baenebooks.com/c-66-new-arrivals.aspx

Shari

Hmm, will take another look perhaps I have been looking in the wrong place.