Currently rereading KKC and getting annoyed with the depiction of women.

It’s like all the female characters are only there to be some kind of “wish fulfilment” for the MC. they’re all just there to be either impressed or saved by the MC. And most of them are just these weird cardboard cutouts of tropes we’ve seen before.

Auri, the broken but kind outsider, who only our MC really sees and takes care of. Fela, the super attractive but shy woman, who consistently needs to be saved by the MC. Devi, who is dangerous and threatening, but still has a soft sport for the MC. And, of course, Denna, the manic pixie dream girl who is scared of attachment, but has a special place in her heart for the MC.

It just gets really tiresome. It’s even worse because for a lot of them there would be a good foundation there to develop them more, but it’s always just predictable, toothless and entirely in service of the MC’s coolness factor.

What really gets me tho is the constant insistence by Rothfuss …

1. Read the post title.
2. Understand the post title
3. Read the post description
4. Read it again
5. Understand it
6. Think about what books you have read that fit into what is being asked.
7. If no books that fit what the op is asking immediately come to your mind, you might not be the right person to give a recommendation
8. Do not recommend books that are kind of close to what OP is asking if OP is asking something specific. Especially without giving a caveat such as “this recommendation does not fit into your x criteria but does fit into y.
9. For good luck, read the post one more time.

Too often I see comment sections where 20 to 30 percent! Of comments recommend at least one book that does not fit a clear requirement that OP has outlined in the post without mentioning that the book has elements that do not fit the request. And that 20 to 30 percent is only based on the books I have already read or have researched and know have elements that do not fit the request.

I understand there are some …

I’ve started the book and just like his other books, his characters are pure British comedy gold. I’m not sure what others read his books for, but I honestly think the inner monologues are the bast part of his writing. So why all the hate? This book deserves some love…who’s with me!!

Below is an example of just one part of one monologue that had me absolutely delighted when I listened to it.

That he, Balthazar Sham Ivam Draxi, learned adept of the nine circles, suzerain of the secret keys, conjurer of unearthly powers, the man they dubbed the Terror of Damietta—or at least had dubbed himself the Terror of Damietta in the hope that it would stick—one of the top three necromancers in Europe, mark you—possibly four, depending on your opinion of Sukastra of Bivort, who he personally considered an absolute hack—should have been apprehended by buffoons, tried and condemned by dullards, then pressed into humiliating servitude alongside such abject morons as these.

The past few years I’ve been making my way through this subs most popular recommendations like The Cosmere, Wheel of Time, Realm of the Elderlings, First Law, Malazan etc. with mixed results. Some series I absolutely devoured while others I didn’t feel particularly compelled to read more after the first book.

I had never heard of the Greenbone Saga before seeing it recommended on this sub and honestly didn’t see it recommended too much compared to some of the other series.

But when I finally started with The Jade City I was absolutely gripped from the first chapter and was totally pulled into this wonderfully crafted world. The series is set in Janloon which is basically based on a mix of Hong Kong, Taipei, and Singapore and is ruled by clans of “Greenbones” who can use magic granted to them by Jade. Lee created a society where the importance of jade is felt from the smallest of interactions to geopolitical international relations. Jade and the powers granted is everything in this …

Picture me, a fresh guy coming off of military service totally lost in life, just some schmuck who hasn’t really done anything worthwhile.

Hating life, feeling hopeless.

Is this it…?

Recently I picked up ‘The Devils’ and it rocked my world. It literally is one of the greatest books I have ever read in my life!

I read that and then the entire First Law trilogy, and now I am part way through The Heroes.

I love Shivers, Whirrun of Bligh, Finree dan Brock, and many others (is Bayaz supposed to be good? I hate him so much lol)

But anyway, I love all of these characters and the story, and I think it is so cool that this is the main fantasy story of my time, the one I care about the most!

BTW* * I have listened to a ton of all of these stories via the Steven Pacey audiobooks, and he is an absolute MASTER of his craft, so fucking amazing seriously

also side note: how is Glokta my favorite character ever…?!

I’m looking for fantastic books, not good, not even great, I’m talking about the books that make you neglect everything else in life and just read. I can only think of a handful of them. Please comment with books YOU Actually Couldn’t put down.

Hoping to find a few good recs.

For me it’s the following: Name of the Wind (but not WMF) Best Served Cold Davinci Code, not really fantasy The First 3 ASoIAF Project Hail Mary

Reading this article really was eye opening. What an insightful author to have this knowledge of the effects a digital age would have.

https://www.thefp.com/p/things-worth-remembering-how-to-save-all-the-lonely-people-david-foster-wallace

I think books are helpful for people who are experiencing loneliness. I love finding that perfect book to give a as gift and I enjoy my book club and being a frequent visitor at my local library.

Holy crap. This book was amazing. It just kept going. And going. The blend of bucolic theoric life, mad anachronisms, philosophical ramblings, genuine adventure, godlike powers and lowly mundane heroes. Haven’t enjoyed a book this much in a cerebral, rather than “whoo! Sci fi! Lasers! Aliens!” way since the Terra Ignota series. Highly, highly reccomend.

for me it’s Kage Baker. I wish there were more books in her company series, but I’d gladly take any books she wrote if she were still alive and writing.

There are numerous books in SFF where the magic turns out to be advanced science. Are there any books that reverse this trope?

Like where society believes what they’re doing (energy, computation, transportation etc) is science based but is actually magic? Maybe from the gods or some other sources?

Hey guys! I had truly been a complicated sci-fi enjoyer but recently I got a new job and now I am having a hard time adjusting to my new lifestyle. I had to give up some of my hobbies because I don’t have energy for them. I desperately want to at least keep reading, yet every time I pick up a book - which I’m totally sure I should enjoy - I just feel so exhausted after a few pages. So that’s why I am asking for sci-fi books that you feel like are easy to read and enjoy. You know, books that you don’t have to wrestle with, books where text isn’t 60% terminology, books that you could read after a shitty workday. Would be a huge plus if it’s something positive, reaffirming, peaceful. I heard Becky Chambers has some nice cozy books and these are already on my readlist, but maybe you guys have more ideas? Would be happy for any suggestions!

Also giving virtual hugs to all folks who are also struggling to find energy for their once beloved hobbies. I now …

Juxtapose this against Elon Musk’s [WRONG] interpretation of what The Culture was:

https://recommentions.com/elon-musk/books/culture-by-iain-banks/