Reading roundup

[hamsterwoman]

44. Naomi Novik, Empire of Ivory -- I'm not sure what it is about these books that first makes me thing, "Huh, this plot doesn't sound all that exciting, I wonder if I'll like it" -- and then two hours later I'm halfway through the books and having a wonderful time in spite of the fact that, in fact, I don't care that much for the plot, as

Comments

[loupnoir]

I'm dying to read book 5 of Temeraire. I'll have to check our pathetic local library to see if they have it. Right now, I'm reading a "real crime" book.

[hamsterwoman]

SFPL doesn't have it yet... except in audiorecording form. There will probably be a million holds on it when they do acquire it... I might just succumb and spend some birthday cash on it if it ends up taking too long...

[etrangere]

it's been so long since I read Fionnavar I don't remember some of the characters you mentionned XD I remember being quite boggled by the arthuriana just because it felt so alien from the rest of the book. I liked the whole Wild Hunt aspect though, and the flying unicorns. Of course it might be mostly because I have a weakness for flying horsies...>_>;;

[hamsterwoman]

Heh -- it's only been about a year for me since The Summer Tree, but there was so much I didn't remember -- I think there's something "off" with the people and place and thing names used in the Fionavar books that makes them unusually difficult to remember 'cos they all run together.

I did like the Wild Hunt, the waking of it and the way they're not on anybody's side. The Arthuriana, yeah, just kind of came out of nowhere and was rather WTF...

[aome]

It was fun to read your analysis, since you're so much more familiar with the myths. I pretty much just took it all at face value. ;) I agree, though, that the first book isn't as strong as the others, although I'm not sure I could put my finger on why *I* thought so. I'll be curious to see what you think of the others. Which reminds me - I finished Jingo last night and enjoyed it a lot; need to type up my own thoughts at some point.

[hamsterwoman]

I think the first book is mostly just playing with the main idea of a modern demigod kid -- it's all "guess that monster" encounters, which I really enjoyed, but make for less compelling storytelling than a cohesive plot like Book #2.

Can't wait to read your thoughts on Jingo!

[jessib180]

I didn't read any of your spoilers cause I haven't read any of those books (although a couple of them did make it into my Amazon shopping cart after I read the Amazon reviews). But I'm wondering why you've got them numbered in the 40's. Is there a list you're working off? I'm always looking for more good reads!

[hamsterwoman]

I would definitely recommend the Temeraire books if you have any interest at all in dragon-centric fantasy (Empire of Ivory is #4 in the series, which starts with His Majesty's Dragon, or you can find the first three in an omnibus edition Temeraire: In the Service of the King. I got my omnibus for $10 at the Crown Books remainder place at the Westlake mall, so, if you're ever that way ;) and the Percy Jackson books are a lot of fun if you like YA fantasy and/or Greek myths. There are definite similarities to Harry Potter in structure and among the main characters, and they're a quick, fun, addictive read.

The numbering is just because I'm trying to keep track of how many books I'm reading each year -- started out as one of those "52 books a year" challenge things, although my actual numbers read per year seem to vary quite a bit. So, not from a list, but the earlier numbers are all under my "reading" tag.