Hey!! Let's get some action going! What are we reading?

[CRussel]

Originally Posted by RobertLCollins

Yesterday I finished The Forgotten Beasts of Eld. I quite enjoyed it. It was lyrical and well-written, and I was caught up with the heroine and the story. I'm happy I finally got to this book.

Ah, what a delightful reminder. I read that book back in the 70's, and quite enjoyed it at the time, but it had completely fallen off my radar. I'm glad to hear it has stood the test of time (sadly, some of my 70's reading has NOT.) I'll have to see if one of my libraries has it.

As I continue with Defender, I have to wonder if I'm the only reader of the series who couldn't give a flying fig about Bren's Mospheiran family? I actually skip over all the long letters between him and his family, ignoring Barb completely and Toby 90% or so.

[pdurrant]

Originally Posted by pdurrant

Next up: Closer to Home by Mercedes Lackey. Another in her Valdemar fantasy series. And also the latest F&SF.

And I've finished the F&SF. And it was very good. Another Five star for me, the fourth in a row. Perhaps I should re-subscribe, even at £5/issue.

To the Beautiful Shining Twilight: Lovely fantasy.
The Province of Saints: Excellent SF
Joe Diabo's Farewell: Odd historical, but good.
The City of Lost Desire: Very wonderful fantasy
The Right Number of Cats: Odd. The poorest on in the book for me.
Survey: SF that's disturbing in a good way.
Blue as Blood: Very good SF.
The Washer from the Ford: Very good Fantasy.
Tactical Infantry Bot 37 Dreams of Trochees: Excellent SF
Fifteen Minutes from Now: More SF that's disturbing in a good way.
The Fall from Griffin's Peak: Very good Fantasy.

In short, I like them all, and there was only one short one that fell significantly short of the others (for me).

Still reading Closer to Home.

[CRussel]

Originally Posted by stuartjmz

As I continue with Defender, I have to wonder if I'm the only reader of the series who couldn't give a flying fig about Bren's Mospheiran family? I actually skip over all the long letters between him and his family, ignoring Barb completely and Toby 90% or so.

Oh, I think we're all fed up with Barb by where you are in the series.

Spoiler:

But at the risk of spoilerage -- even Barb is somewhat redeemed as the series goes on. And Toby even more so. But at the point you're at? Yeah, highly annoying.

[Dngrsone]

Originally Posted by CRussel

Oh, I think we're all fed up with Barb by where you are in the series.

Spoiler:

But at the risk of spoilerage -- even Barb is somewhat redeemed as the series goes on. And Toby even more so. But at the point you're at? Yeah, highly annoying.

I am in complete agreement.

[HLS]

Reading Red Dragon will start Andromeda strain and Juror #3 soon

Originally Posted by CRussel

Oh, I think we're all fed up with Barb by where you are in the series.

Your spoiler was actually a very encouraging teaser, something to look forward to. Thank you!

[CRussel]

Originally Posted by stuartjmz

Your spoiler was actually a very encouraging teaser, something to look forward to. Thank you!

It was meant to be, so thanks for the confirmation. I just finished listening to Peacemaker (#15) as I work my way through the entire series in a reread via Audible. I'm enjoying it all over again.

The Pursuit of Italy was another very satisfying read from David Gilmour. It also took me to 20 completed of my 78 for this year's GR Challenge. That means I've got 6 days per book for the remaining 58, so it's back into Urdu poetry, Jungle Book in Hindi, and Le Petit Prince for now, before trying La forma dell'acqua and Il gattopardo. I hope 6 days each will be enough.

[pdurrant]

Originally Posted by pdurrant

Still reading Closer to Home.

And very good it was too. Although it's part of a series, I was pleased to find that it had a complete story arc in itself.

Next up: Uncompromising Honor by David Weber.

[Strether]

Originally Posted by CRussel

It was meant to be, so thanks for the confirmation. I just finished listening to Peacemaker (#15) as I work my way through the entire series in a reread via Audible. I'm enjoying it all over again.

I've always thought of Barb as the most annoying female character in all of SF literature, Charlie's spoiler notwithstanding. I gave my sister-in-law the first three books for Christmas and I see this morning that she's downloaded the second book, which is encouraging. I think one's perception of Bren changes after the first book; his place in the story changes and he becomes more interesting.

Jim

[CRussel]

Originally Posted by Strether

I've always thought of Barb as the most annoying female character in all of SF literature, Charlie's spoiler notwithstanding. I gave my sister-in-law the first three books for Christmas and I see this morning that she's downloaded the second book, which is encouraging. I think one's perception of Bren changes after the first book; his place in the story changes and he becomes more interesting.

Jim

Certainly, Bren becomes far more than simply the narrator as the series progresses. And as a character, more interesting and nuanced. Unlike so many series, where the same old tropes keep getting repeated, we see real progression in characters and situations as the series grows. (As for annoying? There's some serious contenders, but Barb-daja is certainly up there!)

[Dngrsone]

I hated Barb. I wasn't a fan of Bren's mother, and Toby didn't help any at all.

Ilisidi, on the other hand...

Originally Posted by Dngrsone

Ilisidi, on the other hand...

Five books down, into book six, Ilisidi is my FAVOURITE character, by a comfortable margin.

[CRussel]

Oooh, that one's tough. Ilisidi could well be my favourite, but I'm also strangely drawn to Geigi as well.