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This had probably come up before but the Riyria Revelations series by Michael j Sullivan is fantastic as well

I haven't quite finished it yet but I'm reading Mistborn: The Final Empire and it's rocking my damn socks off.

Suuuuuch a good book <3 Yes!

Last one I read was Contested Will: Who Wrote Shakespeare? . A really interesting study of the controversy/conspiracy theory that Shakespeare didn't actually write the works attributed to him.

I am nearing the end of "the dragonbone chair" by tad Williams. I needed a break from the whole grim dark thing that so many books have going on and I figured a romp in late 80s high fantasy would do me well. It started off slow but where I am now (about 3/4 through) I must say the pace has really picked up. I'm quite enjoying myself (although rather often just guessing at pronunciation of quite a few things)

Just finished Retribution by Mark C Newton. Its the secind book in his Drakenfeld series which is shaping up to be a really good Fantasy detective series. Loved it. It was a slow burner but a really good plot .

Okay so my reading has been really slow as of late due to various things, mostly university.

I've read:
- Firefight
- A Darker Shade of Magic
- The Mime Order
- The Fangirl's Guide to the Galaxy: A Handbook for Girl Geeks

All of which will be reviewed soon :)

I'm currently reading The Mirror Empire and I like it but thus far I am not in love with it. However, I'm only 35% in so that could very well change.

Assuming Audible books count.... Most recent was Good Omens. Prior to that A Dirty Job by Christopher Moore. I just recently started reading Christopher Moore. I find him really funny.

hybrid.creature wrote: "I'm currently reading The Mirror Empire and I like it but thus far I am not in love with it. However, I'm only 35% in so that could very well change."

That book was really interesting. It is so full of interesting world-building ideas and concepts. But I always felt a little distanced by the book, so I get the "like, not in love" part.

Genre-related, the most recent were:

- Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch (well, almost ;) )

- Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell

I just swung by the library to pick up a new release and another spare LOL

- A Darker Shade of Magic

- Retribution Falls

I think half the group added A Darker Shade of Magic after you mentioned it yesterday.

Did you enjoy Jonathan Strange. I loved it and despite its length I actually read it twice. TV series on BBC at some point this year.

I LOVED Jonathan Strange, and I'm not really a fan of the "Victorian" writing style. I wrote a (lengthy) review on it, but in short: First I liked it well enough, then I was really liking it, then I was REALLY liking it, and then I loved it LOL Looking forward to the BBC series!

That's funny about A Darker Shade of Magic :) Maybe it will be an unofficial BOTM, considering how many people aren't reading the Ancillary books haha Or if it winds up being a future choice, I'll be all prepared to give my thoughts!

Definitely a potential future BOTM nomination , it sounds like a book that will cover a lot of members interests.
Jonathan Strange is one of those books that really grows on you as you read. It seems quite a slow winding plot but before you know it you can't put it down and some parts catch you out by suddenly upping the action.
I actually quite liked the secondary characters in it.

Yeah it was very meandering at first, but still pleasant. And seemingly episodic, but really it all ties together nicely in the end.

And Jonathan Strange himself isn't introduced until around page 200-something and then he becomes the primary character LOL

I like that none of the characters easily fell into the traditional archetypes and tropes--even though I obviously love those tropes because I obsessively read and watch genres that cover them well :)

hybrid.creature wrote: "I'm currently reading The Mirror Empire and I like it but thus far I am not in love with it. However, I'm only 35% in so that could very well change."

I'm with you on Mirror Empire in the 'like not love' - I just finished it yesterday, and I did enjoy it. But I was disappointed because there were so many really original and interesting ideas that I felt didn't live up to their full potential. Don't want to get into specifics, though, because spoilers!

I will still probably pick up the sequel when it comes out in October - I might be able to get more into it, now that I have a handle on all the different characters and factions.

@Andrew Just such a shame she hasn't gotten round to releasing the follow novel yet

Also Jonathan Strange must be popular - there's a very long waitlist (that I am on) for it at my local library!

I think I read that it took her 10 years to write the first one, so I guess we shouldn't hold our breath on the next! LOL It's a shame because the world and characters are quite rich.

Really, Jennifer? I guess because the BBC Series is starting to get more press on being released this year! I got mine from the library just 1-2 months ago without any wait at all!

I have a first edition sitting at home so no wait for me :-)

Last one I read was Private Vegaswhich was disappointing. Truly not some of Patterson's better work.

The last one was The Pat Hobby Stories by F. Scott Fitzgerald, which is truly a brilliant book.

I just finished a reread of Firebird, by Kathy Tyers. This is, hands down, my favorite book of hers.

Just finished Half the World by Joe Abercrombie, the sequel to one of our group reads last year. Overall I really enjoyed it. Great plot and nice little (if a little obvious) twists.
Bit more YA teen angst thrown in this time though and one section got a little painful for it. Overall though well worth a look if you liked the first

Just finished Gaiman's The Graveyard Book today and I'm glad to say I devoured it. It was a fantastic premise for a novel and a terrific cast of characters that carried the book really well and provided a perfectly eclectic mix of horror, suspense and humour. My current favourite dark novel for kids and I was delighted to discover that it is a much better work than Coraline even though I also enjoyed it.

I really enjoyed The Graveyard Book :) I read it 2 or 3 times. You're right, it is a really endearing kids book that also has genuinely creepy suspense and even tinges of horror.

I did find myself wanting to know so much more about Silas and mysterious dark societies and other myths-made-real that were only barely mentioned. This happens to me in other Gaiman books too. I can't tell if his worlds are so immersive I want more, or if his ideas are so clever but he doesn't explore them enough LOL

Andrew wrote: "I really enjoyed The Graveyard Book :) I read it 2 or 3 times. You're right, it is a really endearing kids book that also has genuinely creepy suspense and even tinges of horror.

I did find mysel..."

I agree with you completely, Andrew, I'd happily read a textbook on the lives of Silas and the Honour Guard. I had the same experience when I read American Gods, I really wanted to explore the world more and "meet" all the other gods although he did answer that call with Anansi Boys. I think his ideas are clever but perhaps he has so many that he doesn't have enough time or pages to keep writing about them. I'd say his shopping lists are interesting. :)

He let his imagination completely lose un Fortuanatelt the Milk if you want a look at qhat his shopping lists(and trips) are like.
Based on the last story in Trigger Warning I'm confident American Gods two is on its way at some point

It's an exciting prospect anyway. I assume it will be on the newer gods like he suggested originally. Paul, do you ever wonder how they picked up on Irish myth? Sanderson seems to be fairly aware of it as well since there are some references to it in Steelheart and Firefight.

Sure every American is brought up on the stuff;-). But seriously I just think Gaiman and Sanderson are that good. They read everything

Haha, yes! I have read American Gods I think 4 times, mostly under the implausible delusion that I will experience more of the clever world-building than I did the first time.

14 mins left in The Martian I also read Curtsies and Conspiracies

I just finished A Darker Shade of Magic. I really enjoyed it, both on its own merit, and for being a breath of fresh air in what can be an awfully muddled fantasy genre. I had a few misgivings about the ending, but it seems to promise further adventures. 4 stars, easy :)

I will try to get my hands on Vicious soon since Schwab did a fine job entertaining me!

Next up I start Retribution Falls.

I've just finished Sanderson's The Final Empire and all I can say is that is blew my mind and it was honestly what I expected the man to do anyway. I also finally realise what he meant when he wrote, "I am hope", when he signed it. At least, I hope I know who he was talking about :). I have the next two ready to go but I might wait a week (if I can) before I do. Sanderson left two other short notes in each book that I also need to read so I can understand their meaning. :)

Great to hear A Darker Shade of Magic is worth the read. I'm looking forward to it

Andrew wrote: "I just finished A Darker Shade of Magic. I really enjoyed it, both on its own merit, and for being a breath of fresh air in what can be an awfully muddled fantasy genre. I had a f..."

Lots of talk about A Darker Shade of Magic, maybe a possible contender for next months BOTM.

It's lighthearted fun in spite of its occasionally gritty and even brutal scenes.About 18th or 19th century England (or a version of it) with people who speak in fairly close to modern vernacular, but who cares lol

There were a few moments that were a tad clunky, but overall just likable and believable characters with a unique and natural magic system and setting. I enjoy that it was standalone, but still promises more.

Not to go too far into detail, I just don't want to overhype it ;)

Thanks Andrew :-)Definitely picking it up in the next month

Andrew wrote: "I just finished A Darker Shade of Magic. I really enjoyed it, both on its own merit, and for being a breath of fresh air in what can be an awfully muddled fantasy genre. I had a f..."

LOVE THAT BOOK! Vicious is really good too!

I am just about finished "The Red Knight" by Cameron and am thoroughly enjoying it. It definitely does the gritty thing well. Also just finished the Dragonbone Chair by Tad Williams and enjoyed a break from all the grim dark I've been reading for something lighter

Also has anyone ever read the Tales of the Ketty Jay series by Chris Wooding. Kinda steampunk-ish, fantasy, sci-fi mash-up quadrilogy. Such a fun read, likely the most fun I've had reading in the last few years

I still have an ARC of Ill Made Knight by Cameron on my shelf. Keep meaning to start it

Lancer wrote: "Also has anyone ever read the Tales of the Ketty Jay series by Chris Wooding. Kinda steampunk-ish, fantasy, sci-fi mash-up quadrilogy. Such a fun read, likely the most fun I've had reading in ..."

I've read the first, LOVED it! I really want to read the rest of them :)

Kritika- Good to hear! I will be keeping my eye out for it on shelves in the stores unless it becomes available a the library :)

Lancer- That's funny, I had just said the other day that I started reading the first one! :D Too soon to judge I suppose, but from the very first chapter it's a lot of fun without painfully slow world-building. And reminds me entirely of Firefly, so you can't go wrong there.

There are lots of similarities with firefly but enough to stay original. The series has so many moments that make you laugh out loud and some of my favourite characters ever. And the setting is something that you don't see often and almost never done well. Cannot recommend this series enough.

Lancer wrote: "I am just about finished "The Red Knight" by Cameron and am thoroughly enjoying it. It definitely does the gritty thing well. Also just finished the Dragonbone Chair by Tad Williams and enjoyed ..."

LOVED Red Knight. That's a fantastic series. Working through the rest of it.

Leading up to the release of Dragon Age: Inquisition I started throwing the novelizations into my reading list, and today caps that venture with the completion of Last Flight. Perhaps that says enough already, but my love for Thedas will always color any foray I take there, and this has been no exception. In ways that only readers of a certain loyalty can ascribe then, I was uniquely poised to enjoy how David Gaider came into his own as a novelist (and puzzle out the shortcomings that would have been pitfalls failing prior investment) and the contrasting contributions of two otherwise unknown authors in Patrick Weekes and Liane Merciel. As someone driven to know and taken by the whole of the story of the world, these pieces mattered and added undeniable depth, but I wouldn't hold anyone else to that standard- don't start the story here (the heart of the matter lies elsewhere).

The Skull Throne is next!

So I finished Retribution Falls! I rather liked it. Pulpy and light, but a suspenseful page turner with twists and turns. A little heavy on the melodrama on a couple parts, and Captain Malcolm Reynolds Darian Frey was little too much of a jerk/liar/betrayer that randomly stopped being so, without the sensible "origin story" of his Browncoat counterpart.

But even so, I really, really enjoyed it. It wasn't supposed to be a masterpiece, it was supposed to be a fun adventure in a "believable" world. 4-stars :) And I liked the "magic" of deamonism. And whatever is going on with the Reavers Manes.

Definitely look forward to reading the next in the series! But not for a month or two I guess.

Next up, I give Pandora's Star a shot!

As the series goes on you get more of the back story, I liked crake and bess's the best. You are spot on that it's not supposed to be a masterpiece just a good old fashioned fun time!