I’ve never started the Name of the Wind because I only ever hear exactly 3 things about it. 1. It’s on of the GOAT fantasy series, appearing in top tens alongside ASOIAF and the Wheel of Time. But not explanation is given. 2. It’s a total self insert fantasy, where the main character is instantly good at everything and attracts all the ladies. 3. That the author will probably never finish the series.
I’m very confused as to why this is ranked so high.
Not a review, just wanted to thank Mark Lawrence for the trilogy.
He is probably never going to see this, but whatever, it’s not stopping me writing this cringy post: I loved the story of Honorous Jorg Ancrath from beginning to end.
Finished the trilogy within 20 days and Emperor of Thorns is the most engaging book I have ever read. I have finished it in 5 days, read more than 200 pages yesterday.
I’m glad he concluded the story and not milking it until it runs dry. It will remain a gem.
There are not many translated copies of these books, I was lucky to find them all. Can’t wait to start the Red Sister.
I think I got into the Witcher’s story the opposite way so many others did:
And I have to say: the Witcher books were a little bit of a letdown for me.
Don’t get me wrong, there was A LOT to love:
The clever writing. The author has a really fun tongue-in-cheek way of describing many things–from sex to jokes to the way people die both on and off screen–that feels very clever. There were plenty of times that I was pleasantly surprised by how neatly certain story elements were wrapped up or the way they played out. (Case in point, the aguara storyline in Season of Storms.)
The way it makes you think. Interestingly enough, it wasn’t the philosophical conversations that made me thoughtful. More than once, I found myself burning through a chapter or scene, only to …
Decided to give this a swing after seeing this post and loving it.
So, hey. what can I say? The thought of being swept off my feet by a taller-than-I-am orc lady is superb. Really just top shelf stuff right there. A total badass, axe-swinging gal. Snarky, sweet, but all the same deadly. I need some of that in my fantasy diet right about now!
Buut the issue is.. I’m clueless as to where to look.. Does anyone know of any good books where this kinda stuff roams free on it’s pages? If so, dial me in on it please!
Cheers fellas!
It’s often odd to me where people will draw the line. Sometimes they’ll accept that a mage can cast fireballs but die on the hill of medieval societies must be feudal societies. Or they’ll accept that supersymmetry exists and can be manipulated, but will draw the line at acid and rain drops falling in the same storm caused by said supersymmetry.
So, with that in mind, when was the limits of your suspension of disbelief challenged in a book?
I’m currently rereading the first 3 Stormlight Archive books so I can finally read The Rhythm of War. I’m on Words of Radiance.
I remember loving this series the first time I read it that I can’t even read any other fantasy books after because I thought nothing can compare to it.
I don’t know why I find these books so tedious now. I find myself rolling my eyes a lot during the Shallan parts. I used to like Kaladin but now I’m annoyed with him. I think after I’m done with Words of Radiance I won’t pick up the rest of the books anymore. I’m just sad and bewildered. I loved these books I don’t know why I’m starting to dislike them now.
“I spend a lot of time un-suiciding this suicide mission.”
Absolutely loved this book! I can see why everyone raves about this and why this got Goodreads Choice Award.
​
I have never read a science fiction with humor in it. This was my first time, and I was pleasantly surprised. It has humor in just the right places and does not overdo it.
​
I love how it managed to put in a mix of thriller, suspense AND comedy in what was supposed to be a strictly science-fiction.
The main characters are super-likeable. I absolutely loved Ryland Grace’s personality and how he did not take himself way too seriously. His ability to find comedy in very dire situations (I wish I could do that).
Eva Stratt is a freaking superwoman. I know she’s fictional, but her demeanor; the way she handles stuff, made me fall in love with her. An absolute badass.
The other characters were also likeable, though they didn’t get much development.
And of course, Rocky! Never …
*spoilers at the end*
I have always liked dystopian, and this one was horrendously twisted in all the best ways.
My favorite quote is “That the choice for mankind lay between freedom and happiness, and that, for the great bulk of mankind, happiness was better.” It raises the question, is freedom is even worth it? Does the truth really matter as long as you are happy? Is ignorance truly freedom, or is it just freedom from sadness?
It’s interesting how the book puts into perspective the fact that the government, or the one who has power, can change the very core of our beliefs. They can make you forget, remember, believe complete lies simply because it serves them. Not directly, but this is going on in our world right now. How many impressions of a person/concept have you developed simply by listening to others on the internet? Even though I try to find truth for myself, I admit I am guilty of going off of others.
What is truth? Is truth just defined by the one who …
I finished reading it weeks ago, but it just keeps circling back around in my head. This is one of those books that I know will change the way I think for years to come.
Here’s the setup (back of the book style, no spoilers):
Substance D is a new drug sweeping the nation and slowly destroying the minds of its users. As the connection between the two halves of their brains degrades, they grow increasingly disoriented and confused before suffering irreversible brain damage.
Fred is an undercover narcotics agent working to uncover where the new drug is coming from. But to find the source he has to pose as Bob Arctor, a user, and soon Arctor is as addicted as the junkies around him. Can he see through his paranoia long enough to tell which leads are real and which imagined? Or will he be consumed, like his friends, by substance D?
Despite the gritty, near-future setting and the serious themes, the book is funny pretty frequently because the dialogue is so good. Our characters may …
I love love love Neal Stephenson. His big crazy ideas a re perfect for me. Anathem is a top 3 book for me.
However, I cringe/get bored when he writes ‘cool’ characters like Hiro, Bud and the mc of the ecoterrorist one. Sort of like when the golden age authors wrote sex scenes. Please just be a nerd NS!
I’d love to hear your opinions!
Permutation City was one of the most interesting concept hard Sci-Fi books I’ve ever read.
And for something written by a mathematician, the text still flows rather well, not as wooden as some other hard-sci-fi guys where you feel the plot is just an excuse to show their ideas.
What other book of his would you recommend most highly?
!Oh great, now I’ll need to read the whole thing again, keeping in mind the reveal in the end. Way to throw everything I thought I knew about the main character out the window. I’m kicking myself for not figuring it out at least a chapter earlier.!<
This was my second Culture book (after Player of Games) and I just don’t know what to think. I’m not even sure which one I preferred. Neither has been exactly my cup of tea, but there’s still something there that makes me want to continue. I suspect these might be the kind of books that, while not being the most enjoyable and gripping reads, will end up staying in my mind long after finishing them, and those tend to grow on me in time.
The other Banks’ books I currently have are Consider Phlebas, The State of the Art and Excession. Which do you think I should read next? Excession sounds most enticing to me, but I’m thinking about attempting Consider Phlebas first, with the promise of …
Neither the capitalist hellscapes nor a post-scarcity quasi-communist utopias we usually get.
But optimistic sci-if that depicts a future where there’s still money and markets but no capitalist/ownership class. Business are non-hierarchical, worker owned, and democratically governed.
Resources are predominantly distributed through these businesses, rather than central planning.
This is a bit idle, as my to-read list is long enough already, but have you ever seen a sci-fi story that depicts such an economy? I never have.
Seems very few people are aware this is a political philosophy that even exists.
(Except, googling this, maybe Kim Stanley Robison’s Red Mars books? Should probably try reading those, then.)