Reading roundup

[hamsterwoman]

63. Lois McMaster Bujold, A Civil Campaign -- I love this book! It was the first Vorkosiverse book I read, and, without knowing anything about this bevy of characters prancing around, or the setting, or the history, or anything, it hooked me completely on the cast and the universe and the series.

Comments

[etrangere]

I might answer to your a Civil Campaign review later on (so much thing to say), but on the Thief:

it's a very cute book, very fun and clever, not that good on world building, and no the plot isn't that believable, but it plays well and is entertaining (and it's YA). Queen of Attolia is where I fell in love with the series, and that's the one I'm curious to see your reactions to.

I don't think I would have compared Gen with Miles, too smart for their own sake though they may be. Gen's so much generally shifty and avoidant in ways Miles ain't but that's an interesting comparison I'll need to keep in mind.

[hamsterwoman]

I'm definitely planning to read on to Queen of Attolia (is that one not YA?) and the third, so you'll get to see my reactions I'm sure. And what you say about "The Thief" makes sense -- I seem to recall someone saying it was even skippable, although lizbee disagreed.

I would very much like to see what you have to say on the subject of ACC! (if you end up having the time and inclination to write them down) As you can probably tell by the length of the review/thingy I'm very much in a mood to talk about Vorkosiverse things. :D

[etrangere]

is that one not YA?
Oh, it is, technically. But it's also a very different kind of book, with a plot emphasis highly different.

[hamsterwoman]

*intrigued*

I just filled up on books, but I expect these one will go quickly. Except for the last Fionavar book, which, god, I should finish already to put out of its misery. :P And then I will go and read Queen of Attolia.

[adelynne]

Oh, yay, for reading The Thief series! (I keep rereading King of Attolia as my comfort book whenever I get sick.) Unfortunately, my friend still has my copies of the first two books, so I can't comment more coherently - I remember their key moments and plot, but not enough down to the detail. I was actually occasionally thrown by the watch in ancient pseudo-Greece, I will say.

[hamsterwoman]

I was actually occasionally thrown by the watch in ancient pseudo-Greece, I will say

It was quite odd! But I never got a particular sense of what era they were in, so the anachronisms didn't bother me as much as they might have if it was more clearly moored in some historical timeframe.

Everybody seems to love these books! It makes me quite optimistic about the next two :D

[sheiannasherra]

Oooo... don't want to read too much since I'm always looking for new things to read!
Lois McMaster Bujold: I've really got to remember to put some of her books on hold since, for some reason, I've never read any of them. (an oversight I shall have to rectify!)

Jonathan Kellerman: I haven't read anything of his in ages! I can't imagine why I haven't since I've always enjoyed his books.

Hurrying of to the Library website to put some things on hold!

Yes, OFF to the library website! *headdesk*

[sheiannasherra]

Adding: Just put Brothers In Arms & Borders Of Infinity on hold at the library and *sigh* yes, they got book 4 asoiaf in before book 3!

[hamsterwoman]

LMB is wonderful, I really do recommend her most highly, especially for those who are already sci-fi fans! I've read the series all out of order, so it can definitely be enjoyed that way. If your library has more than just the two books, the first in the Miles series proper is Warrior's Apprentice, but I would also definitely recommend reading Cordelia's Honor which is about his parents. Brothers in Arms is wonderful -- I myself read it only recently, and loved it (predictably), and it introduced a character who quickly became one of my favorites. (The quote in the icon is from that book.)

I like Kellerman's stuff! It's quick, light reading, but not totally brainless, and he has a deft hand with characters and setting and dialogue -- I think he is a better writer than a lot of the modern mystery folks, and I actually enjoy his books on that level as well, not just the plot.

*sigh* yes, they got book 4 asoiaf in before book 3! Drat! I would definitely advise not looking/reading ahead. Book 3 is a big one in terms of massive

[sheiannasherra]

Not to worry, I'm not even tempted to peek at the 4th first! Besides I've got a few others that are ready for pick up including a couple by Christopher Moore. (fun literary munchies) Sadly, the local library doesn't have either Warrior's Apprentice or Cordelia's Honor but if I don't mind a trip to the downtown library (which I don't usually go to because it's so hard to find parking there) I can order Warrior's Apprentice through the library exchange program.

[hamsterwoman]

I keep hearing this -- and it's making me really excited about the next two! :D

(Also, I'm guessing I've scared all my Vorkosigan-saga-reading f-listers off commenting on that part of the post with my miles-long screed... :P But at least I'm getting more folks into Vorkosiverse with my squeeing about it, so that counts for something.)

[hamsterwoman]

I just wanted to make sure you didn't give up on the Megan Whelan Turner books :D

Oh, no danger of that! I actually liked The Thief well enough to continue on even without folks telling me how much more awesome QoA and KoA were! :D

ACC is almost certainly my favorite in the series. Memory may well be the best book, but I much prefer the hilarious "comedy of biology of manners" to the wrenching choice between your heart's desire and your heart