Books, Books, Everywhere.
January 31st, 2010 at 14:17
I had stopped reading new Fantasy during my self-imposed Fantasy hiatus, but I never stopped purchasing it. So I had nearly three years to begin stock piling a to-read pile that simply grew but never shrunk. I satisfied myself in re-reading the series I had so lovingly cherish; The Wheel of Time, The Star Wars X-Wing Series, The Black Jewels Series, The Nightrunner Series, and several others.
A few months ago I revisited this growing pile of books and re-discovered several gems within the dust. I picked up The Lies of Locke Lamora and eagerly began it. I’m currently not even 100 pages in but I’m regretting waiting so long to read this book. I had purchased it in 2006, not long after it had been released, and it had sat in the to-read pile for over three years.
I thought I had covered all the books in my to-read pile when I posted the list in the RYOB challenge.
Boy, was I wrong.
Initially I was going to use this blog post to ask for feedback on the books I have sitting on my to-read stack. So that I can make an informed decision on what books to consider to read next. Let’s just say that it’s daunting to even look at these stacks as they overwhelm my desk. My plea to my friends, strangers, followers, haters or anyone who comes across this blog, whether it be tomorrow or a year from today, to present any feedback they have on any of these books. Whether you’ve read the books, or have heard about them, any opinions are welcomed. Now I’m using this post to weed through this list and give myself a place to start.
I can’t even begin to figure out how I collected this many books of the Fantasy genre. Some likely caught my attention on the shelves, others likely caught my attention because they were on clearance, and more probably because the one of the bookstores I worked for was closing and I can’t pass up a good deal.
One thing you may notice is that I only have books #2 or #3 of a series, this is not by design. This is because I got too good a deal to pass up on the book. I’m looking for feedback especially on these series so that I can make the decision to find the first books and add them to the queue of books to read.
|
|
The Hidden Queen
Book 1 of the Changer of Days by Alma Alexander |
|
|
The Darkness that Comes Before
Book 1 of the Prince of Nothing by R. Scott Bakker |
 |
The Somnambulist
by Jonathan Barnes |
 |
Hell and Earth
Book 2 of the Promethean Age by Elizabeth Bear |
 |
Transformation
Book 1 of the Rai-Kirah Series by Carol Berg |
 |
Restoration
Book 2 of the Rai-Kirah Series by Carol Berg |
 |
Flesh and Spirit
Book 1 of the Lighthouse Duet by Carol Berg |
 |
Breath and Bone
Book 2 of the Lighthouse Duet by Carol Berg |
 |
The Sweet Far Thing
Book 3 of the Gemma Doyle Series by Libba Bray |
 |
The Magicians’ Guild
Book 1 of the Black Magician Trilogy by Trudi Cananvan |
 |
The High Lord
Book 3 of the Black Magician Trilogy by Trudi Cananvan |
 |
Kushiel’s Scion
Book 1 of the Imriel Trilogy by Jacqueline Carey |
 |
Kushiel’s Justice
Book 2 of the Imriel Trilogy by Jacqueline Carey |
 |
Graceling
by Kristin Cashore |
 |
The Drowning City
by Amanda Downum |
 |
Sinner
Book 1 of the Wayfarer Redemption by Sara Douglass |
 |
The Alchemist’s Code
Book 2 of the Venice Trilogy by Dave Duncan |
 |
The Elder Gods
Book 1 of the Dreamers by David Eddings |
 |
The Treasured Ones
Book 2 of the Dreamers by David Eddings |
 |
Jaran
Book 1 of the Jaran by Kate Elliott |
 |
Blood of Ambrose
by James Enge |
 |
Shadows Return
Book 4 of the Nightrunner Series by Lynn Flewelling |
 |
The Bone Doll’s Twin
Book 1 of the Tamir Triad by Lynn Flewelling |
 |
Hidden Warrior
Book 2 of the Tamir Triad by Lynn Flewelling |
 |
The Oracle’s Queen
Book 3 of the Tamir Triad by Lynn Flewelling |
 |
The Witches of Eileanan
Book 1 of the Witches of Eileanan by Kate Forsyth |
 |
Nobody’s Prize
Book 1 of the Nobody Series by Esther Friesner |
 |
Thief With No Shadow
by Emily Gee |
 |
Assassin’s Apprentice
Book 1 of the Farseer by Robin Hobb |
 |
A Woman Worth Ten Coppers
by Morgan Howell |
 |
The Glasswrights’ Apprentice
Book 1 of the Glasswright Series by Mindy L. Klasky |
 |
Path of Revenge
Book 1 of the Broken Man by Russell Kirkpatrick |
 |
Dark Heart
Book 1 of the Broken Man by Russell Kirkpatrick |
 |
The Mage’s Daughter
Book 2 of the Nine Kingdoms by Lynn Kurland |
 |
Swordspoint
by Ellen Kushner |
 |
Foundation
A Novel of Valdemar by Mercedes Lackey |
 |
Hood
Book 1 of the King Raven Trilogy by Stephen R. Lawhead |
 |
Scarlet
Book 2 of the King Raven Trilogy by Stephen R. Lawhead |
 |
Tuck
Book 3 of the King Raven Trilogy by Stephen R. Lawhead |
 |
The Company of Glass
Book 1 of the Everien by Valery Leith |
 |
Red Seas Under Red Skies
Book 2 of the Gentleman Bastards by Scott Lynch |
 |
Wildwood Dancing
by Juliet Marillier |
 |
Firethorn
Book 1 of the Firethorn Trilogy by Sarah Micklem |
 |
Heroes Adrift
Book 3 of the Heroes Series by Moira J. Moore |
 |
The Name of the Wind
Book 1 of the Kingkiller Chronicle by Patrick Rothfuss |
 |
Cast in Shadow
Book 1 of the Chronicles of Elantra by Michelle Sagara |
 |
Mistborn
Book 1 of the Mistborn Trilogy by Brandon Sanderson |
 |
The Fox
Book 2 of the Indevan-Dal Algara-Vayir by Sherwood Smith |
 |
Sea Glass
Book 1 of the Glass Series by Maria V. Snyder |
 |
Storm Glass
Book 2 of the Glass Series by Maria V. Snyder |
 |
Mona Lisa Awakening
Book 1 of the Mona Lisa Series by Sunny |
 |
Mona Lisa Blossoming
Book 2 of the Mona Lisa Series by Sunny |
 |
Mona Lisa Craving
Book 3 of the Mona Lisa Series by Sunny |
 |
Mona Lisa Darkening
Book 4 of the Mona Lisa Series by Sunny |
 |
Lucinda, Darkly
Book 1 of the Demon Princess Chronicles by Sunny |
 |
Lucinda, Dangerously
Book 2 of the Demon Princess Chronicles by Sunny |
 |
White Star
Book 2 of the Star Series by Elizabeth Vaughan |
 |
The King’s Peace
by Jo Walton |
What do you think? Have you ready any of these novels? Know anyone who has? What’s your opinion? Which should I backburner?
Tags: A Novel of Valdemar, A Woman Worth Ten Coppers, Alchemist's Code, Alma Alexander, Amanda Downum, Assassin's Apprentice, Black Magician Trilogy, Blood of Ambrose, Bone Doll's Twin, Breath and Bone, Broken Man, Carol Berg, Cast in Shadow, Changer of Days, Chronicles of Elantra, Company of Glass, Dark Heart, Darkness That Comes Before, Dave Duncan, David Eddings, Dreamers, Drowning City, Elder Gods, Elizabeth Bear, Elizabeth Vaughan, Ellen Kushner, Emily Gee, Esther Friesner, Everien, Farseer, Firethorn, Flesh and Spirit, Foundation, Fox, Gemma Doyle Series, Gentleman Bastards, Glass Series, Glasswright Series, Graceling, Hell and Earth, Heroes Adrift, Hidden Queen, Hidden Warrior, High Lord, Hood, Imriel Trilogy, Indevan-Dal Algara-Vayir, Jacqueline Carey, James Enge, Jaran, Jo Walton, Jonathan Barnes, Juliet Marillier, Kate Elliott, Kate Forsyth, King Raven Trilogy, King's Peace, Kingkiller Chronicle, Kristin Cashore, Kushiel's Justice, Kushiel's Scion, Libba Bray, Lighthouse Duet, Lucinda Dangerously, Lucinda Darkly, Lynn Flewelling, Lynn Kurland, Mage's Daughter, Magicians' Guild, Maria V. Snyder, Mercedes Lackey, Michelle Sagara, Mindy L. Klasky, Moira J. Moore, Mona Lisa Awakening, Mona Lisa Blossoming, Mona Lisa Craving, Mona Lisa Darkening, Morgan Howell, Name of the Wind, Nightrunner Series, Nine Kingdoms, Nobody's Prize, Oracle's Queen, Path of Revenge, Patrick Rothfuss, Prince of Nothing, Promethean Age, R. Scott Bakker, Rai-Kirah Series, Red Seas Under Red Skies, Restoration, Robin Hobb, Russell Kirkpatrick, Sara Douglass, Sarah Micklem, Scarlet, Scott Lynch, Sea Glass, Shadows Return, Sherwood Smith, Sinner, Somnambulist, Stephen R. Lawhead, Storm Glass, Sunny, Sweet Far Thing, Swordspoint, Tamir Trilogy, The Glasswrights' Apprentice, Thief With No Shadow, Transformation, Treasured Ones, Trudi Canavan, Tuck, Valery Leith, Venice Trilogy, Wayfarer Redemption, White Star, Wildwood Dancing, Witches of Eileanan
February 1st, 2010 at 10:36 am
Definitely push through more of the Kushiel series. Also I believe Barnes’ Somnambulist is on my list as well, we should read it together and have a mini book club! ;)
February 1st, 2010 at 10:40 am
Emmi, say no more! I would love to read the Somnambulist with a group. I know a few other people who would be interested to. As far as the Kushiel series goes, after that brief conversion I think I’m going to move Scion back up my list and give it a 2nd go around. I loved the first Trilogy so much that I would hate to not finish the continuation.
February 2nd, 2010 at 1:04 pm
I’ve started readin assassin’s apprentice, and so far have been having trouble getting in to it. It was a long time ago that I started though. I’ve read the Liveship Trilogy by Robin Hobb, which is one of my favorite series so far, so solely based on the author I’d recommend the farseer trilogy.
February 2nd, 2010 at 1:09 pm
Jochem- I feel like I’ve been missing out by not having read Robin Hobb’s works. I bought Assassin’s Apprentice so long ago that I can’t even begin to guestimate the date. It is definitely something I want to delve into. At the same time to know that her work is so extensive is a little daunting. One trilogy at a time, I suppose :)
Also- the following titles were recommended by my Facebook followers:
1. Graceling
2. Sinner
April 22nd, 2010 at 1:59 pm
I’ve read all the Black Jewels books and abolutely loved them, so I tried to read the Kushiel series, and only got a quarter of the book read befoe I put it down. I know a lot of people love those books and I love the story, but it was just way to hard for me to read. I had to re-read every page atleast twice, I was tempted to pick up the second book just to see if it read the same, I am way to annoyed to even try. Maybe it’s my level of reading or maybe it’s just because I’m more used to books Like J.R. Ward and Laurell K. Hamilton.
The Mona Lisa Books and Lucinda Books are great, yet I don’t see them as fantasy like The Black Jewels, more like sex and well, sex. There is a story and it’s a good one, but I think the sex sticks with you the most like Merideth Gentry books by Laurell K. Don’t get me wrong, I have all of them and I’ll keep reading them but if your not into lots of sex scenes, don’t put them on the top of your list.
I am looking for books like the Black Jewels and hope maybe you can help….
May 7th, 2010 at 9:19 pm
Hi Katie! Welcome to Figments of Fantasy.
I think with the Kushiel series, based on your tastes, it may feel like you’re biting off more than you can chew. Carey delves much deeper into the political part of Fantasy writing with that series and it can sometimes be overwhelming if that’s not what you’re used to. As an avid Wheel of Time reader this is the type of book I prefer.
I’ve tried several series that have not come close to what Black Jewels is. Like with the Sunny books- it’s all about sex. Bishop had a brilliant way of blending that into the world and into the plot without overwhelming the reader. I don’t know many who do it quite like her.
With that being said try Maria V. Snyder’s Study series (starts with Poison Study). She has a remarkable talent in writing. If that doesn’t do it to you, come back to me again and we’ll try and find another! At least until I run out of suggestions.
Cheers,
Jamie
Ps. Feel free to email me to discuss in more depth jamie(at)figments-of-fantasy(dot)com
May 19th, 2010 at 1:33 pm
Jamie,
Thanks for the help, I will look into Maria V. Snyders books.
:) Katie
July 13th, 2010 at 4:32 pm
Ooh! I love talking books!
Books that I’ve read include:
Patrick Rothfuss’s ‘The Name of the Wind’ is absolutely amazing. One of the best books I’ve ever read. It sort of reminds me of Patricia A. McKillip. (Who is my most favorite author.)
I found ‘Storm Glass’ by Maria Snyder to be predictable. The writing is only mediocre, but it’s still a satisfying read if you’re looking for something comfortable in its familiarity.
Marillier’s ‘Wildwood Dancing’ was very enjoyable. A nice fairytale sort of story.
Trudi Canavan’s ‘Magician’s Guild’ is a series I’ve not thought about in a while. Honestly, I don’t really remember much about it except that it was surprisingly good. I remember thinking I wouldn’t like it.
‘Flesh and Spirit’ and ‘Breath and Bone’ are absolutely amazing! I’ve only just finished the series and I am so sad to see it finished. It’s the best thing I’ve read since Patrick Rothfuss. I actually emailed Carol Berg to tell her how much I liked it and she wrote back saying that it’s her favorite child right now. (She seemed so nice!)
Anyway, you’ve inspired me to put a dent in my own ‘To Read’ pile. I’ve had ‘The Lies of Locke Lamora’ in my Unread pile for a long time. Maybe I’ll start there! I hope my opinions help you out!
September 24th, 2010 at 7:54 pm
Thanks for the feedback Riley! And welcome to FoF!