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Here is a spot you can say anything you want that doesn't fit in the other discussions (unless, of course, it breaks the rules).

When I created this group, I had to choose a country for the group and as you might guess, I chose my own country as the group's origin. So technically, our group is Canadian and today is Canada's birthday! So Happy Canada Day to everyone Canadian and from around the world - have a generally happy day~

Yayy! Happy Birthday! I actually just got back from Canada a couple weeks ago. I was in Stratford for the Shakespeare Festival. Very beautiful country.

Samuel wrote: "Yayy! Happy Birthday! I actually just got back from Canada a couple weeks ago. I was in Stratford for the Shakespeare Festival. Very beautiful country."

Wow! I live really close to Stratford - about a 15~20 minute drive. What did you see at the festival and how did you like it?

We saw All My Sons, A Little Night Music, and Macbeth. They were all fantastically done, and I'm seriously thinking about returning next year. So much talent in such a little town.

Samuel wrote: "We saw All My Sons, A Little Night Music, and Macbeth. They were all fantastically done, and I'm seriously thinking about returning next year. So much talent in such a little town."

I usually try to see one or two plays a year so I'm glad you liked them all! I can't decide what to see yet. Last year I saw The Sound of Music and it was phenomenal.

Must be nice to be able to get there in less than half an hour. I'd be there everyday. ^.^

Happy Canada Day Jenna.

Angela wrote: "Happy Canada Day Jenna."

Thank you :)

This is the somewhat ridiculous estimated over scheduling I've agree to. I needed to map it out see if it's even plausible. Should be interesting especially since Night of Knives is the only sub 500 page book in the bunch.

Beyond redemption 7/3-7/11
house of chains 7/6-7/25
Shadow Throne 7/12-7/25
Prince of valor 7/26-8/5
Midnight Tides 8/6-8/31
Guns of Empire 8/9-8/31
Red seas under red skies 8/10-8/31
The Dragon's Path 9/1-9/14
Republic of Thieves 9/1-9/21
Night of Knives 9/6-9/22
The darkness that comes before 9/15-9/30
The thorn of Emberlain 9/22-10/2
The King's Blood 10/1-10/14
The Bonehunters 10/6-10/27
The Warrior Prophet 10/15-10/31

Scott wrote: "This is the somewhat ridiculous estimated over scheduling I've agree to. I needed to map it out see if it's even plausible. Should be interesting especially since Night of Knives is the only sub 50..."

Wow....this is the other reason I started HOC a few days early.

Jenna wrote: "Wow....this is the other reason I started HOC a few days early. "

Ya but at least you've already knocked out GB 2+3.

Haha wow Scott good luck with that. I started reading Elantris in addition to finishing Memories of Ice after seeing Jenna's review for it and reading the summary. It's the first Sanderson book I've read.

Scott wrote: "Jenna wrote: "Wow....this is the other reason I started HOC a few days early. "

Ya but at least you've already knocked out GB 2+3."

True, and they are both pretty big books.

Eric wrote: "Haha wow Scott good luck with that. I started reading Elantris in addition to finishing Memories of Ice after seeing Jenna's review for it and reading the summary. It's the first Sanderson book I'v..."

I hope you enjoy it! I think it's a good place to start with Sanderson. A bit more simplistic than some of his other world-building.

Yea I don't want to read any really long or multi book series until I finish the malazan series. I do want to eventually read Sanderson's way of kings series but am hesitant to since it's supposed to be a ten book series. My dad is reading the second book now and he really likes it but he was really dissapointed when I told him there were going to be ten books... He thought it was a two book series and now he might have to wait forever between each book like song of ice and fire. Hopefully sanders writes faster than Martin though since with ten books I feel like I might be in my sixties by the time it's over and my dad might not even live long enough to finish it.

Eric wrote: "Yea I don't want to read any really long or multi book series until I finish the malazan series. I do want to eventually read Sanderson's way of kings series but am hesitant to since it's supposed ..."

Sanderson writes a lot faster than GRRM, but he also has more series in progress.

Elantris was excellent.

If nothing else this exercise will finish off or bring me up to date on 4 series and put me halfway through the Malazan recommended reading list.

How is the mistborn series?

Eric wrote: "How is the mistborn series?"

I really enjoyed the series. It's easy to read, but there is still plenty of world-building.

Am I the only person in the world that did not enjoy the Mistborn series? I read the first book and really did not feel like continuing with series. I have heard so much praise for it though.

After that I haven't felt like starting anything else by Sanderson. But are his other works anything like the Mistborn?

Eli wrote: "Am I the only person in the world that did not enjoy the Mistborn series? I read the first book and really did not feel like continuing with series. I have heard so much praise for it though."

What didn't you like about it?

With a lot of Sanderson's books, I think you can tell that he is the author, but he explores some different things (like fantasy vs. sci-fi, adult vs. YA, trilogy vs. standalone vs. long series).

I am not actually sure what the problem was for me. I just remember being bored.

I recently had the exact same experience with Daniel Abraham's Long Price quartet, which I have also heard many good things about. I read the first two books before giving that up. But I can't really put my finger on the problem.

Eli wrote: "I am not actually sure what the problem was for me. I just remember being bored.

I recently had the exact same experience with Daniel Abraham's Long Price quartet, which I have also heard many go..."

I think Mistborn is a great introduction to adult fantasy. For me, I read it when I was just getting back into the genre a number of years ago, but if you read it after being fully immersed in the genre, I can see why you would be bored. There is a lot of repeated information to make sure you understand the world-building which makes reading nice and easy, but if you have been reading more complex and less explained worlds, it could seem tedious. If I went back and read the original trilogy now, I don't think I would enjoy it as much as when I read it the first time. It was just a really good fit for the level I was at then.

I was bored when I returned to Robin Hobb's Farseer Trilogy with the third book. I just felt that somehow my intelligence was underestimated and there was way too much back story from the previous two that was just repeated over and over.

That might be it. I picked it up just after finishing The Wheel of Time, which was the first time I encountered Sanderson's name. But I think I was also reading Joe Abercrombie's First Law around that time. Maybe my expectations for the Mistborn series were a little off, too.

Eli wrote: "That might be it. I picked it up just after finishing The Wheel of Time, which was the first time I encountered Sanderson's name. But I think I was also reading Joe Abercrombie's First Law around t..."

I REALLY need to read First Law soon.. I kind of feel that I can't really say I'm a "grimdark fan" until I've read it.

Oh, yes you do! That was a thrilling read for me. I read the whole series back to back in a couple of weeks and went through a bit of a despairing withdrawal time afterwards. It's one of my absolute favourites.

the first Law is a must!:) I also read the whole trilogy in like a month which is light speed for me. Some of the best written characters in this book. Id be happy to comment if you decide to do a thread for this

I liked Mistborn. I didn't love it. I've read the first three to date. When book seven comes out I'll finish the second era. With the exception of book 3 at the end I never had that have to read it feeling. Stormlight Archive on the other hand is my favorite series this side of Malazan.

Jenna wrote:
I was bored when I returned to Robin Hobb's Farseer Trilogy with the third book. I just felt that somehow my intelligence was underestimated and there was way too much back story from the previous two that was just repeated over and over.


That's blasphemy of the highest order! I've read these books 6 or 7 times already and they are just as good as ever! You shall burn in hell over this blasphemy!!!!!


~kidding... kinda...~


In all seriousness though, she's the author with the best character writing skills I've ever come across in the fantasy genre and there's no character more alive in my mind than either Fitz or the Fool. I know them more intimately than I know most people I actually interact with daily in my life and that's all down to Robin Hobb's prowess as a character writer.


Regarding Mistborn? It's pure girl-power and I love it! I always use that trilogy to try to convert girls I know into serious fantasy readers. It sometimes work, surprisingly enough.

Dan wrote: "Jenna wrote:
I was bored when I returned to Robin Hobb's Farseer Trilogy with the third book. I just felt that somehow my intelligence was underestimated and there was way too much back story from..."

Hahahahahaha! Oh I just laughed a lot. I am sorry for not loving the last of the Farseer Trilogy. I still enjoyed it a lot after the first quarter of repeat information. It probably didn't help that I was just finishing up GotM at the time.

I do love Fitz in a very strange way. He is so stupid and annoying, but somehow I still love him and just groan whenever he does something he's not supposed to do. Which is all the time.

Surprisingly, what initially got me back into the fantasy genre was Lies of Locke Lamora. Not very girl power, and it was quite inappropriate for sheltered "child" me at 18. I loved it so much and haven't even thought of taking a break from the genre since. I did read Mistborn shortly after when I had only read a couple series.

I thought assassin's apprentice was really good. Unfortunately Royal assassin was pretty bad for the first 80% minus a few scenes with the wolf and the fool. I haven't been able to push myself to read the third even though there was a lot of good things in that last 20%.

Fitz just does the same dumb things over and over again and his angst is as bad as any YA title after a while. More fool and wolf!

Scott wrote: "I thought assassin's apprentice was really good. Unfortunately Royal assassin was pretty bad for the first 80% minus a few scenes with the wolf and the fool. I haven't been able to push myself to r..."

I feel like you're completely missing the point of the character and how real he actually is and feels. He's a real person and he's flawed as hell and that's what makes him so damn relatable when comparing to some other fantasy characters who are awesome but are just too Godlike.

Having a very average person(mentally if not magically) as the main character is obviously not for everyone though so I'm just gonna leave it at that.

Jenna wrote: "Dan wrote: "Jenna wrote:
I was bored when I returned to Robin Hobb's Farseer Trilogy with the third book. I just felt that somehow my intelligence was underestimated and there was way too much bac..."

Waaaait a minute. ~goes back and rereads her posts~ You've only read the first trilogy in this world of hers?!?! Oh my God girl, what are you waiting for?? Get on with it and read Ship of Magic ASAP!!!! No Fitz in that trilogy but it's in this same world and one of the main character is very familiar... Oh, I better not say anything else. Just read it, trust me.


/ends full fanboy mode

Dan wrote: "Jenna wrote: "Dan wrote: "Jenna wrote:
I was bored when I returned to Robin Hobb's Farseer Trilogy with the third book. I just felt that somehow my intelligence was underestimated and there was wa..."

Haha, I know I am a bit behind on my Robin Hobb, but I have so much to read! And so little time.

Dan wrote: "I feel like you're completely missing the point of the character and how real he actually is and feels."

I love lots of flawed characters I just don't like his character a lot of the time. But even beyond that book two for me was the same court drama over and over again. It was maddening, again for me.

We'll just have to agree to disagree on Farseer. You obviously love it which is fine and I freely admit it's well written but it drove me nuts.

Dan, I like most of Robin Hobb's work as well! I preferred the Ship of Magic series though.

I still haven't read the last Rain Wild Chronicles book. I was a bit put out as I was reading City of Dragons, thinking not much is happening here. That one was actually a bit boring and felt like a filler book to me. This did annoy me. I was getting to nearly the end of the book and then this feeling of dread descended on me when I realised it couldn't possibly be the last book and it wasn't. I guess I just assumed it was going to be a trilogy.

Eli, I haven't read Mistborn, but did try The Way of the Kings and didn't overly enjoy it. Rated it two stars and never felt the inclination to want to carry on with the series.

Angela wrote: "Dan, I like most of Robin Hobb's work as well! I preferred the Ship of Magic series though.

I still haven't read the last Rain Wild Chronicles book. I was a bit put out as I was reading City of Dr..."

I really liked The Way of Kings, but I have heard both sides of people loving it and people really disliking it.

Jenna wrote: "Dan wrote: "Jenna wrote: "Dan wrote: "Jenna wrote:
I was bored when I returned to Robin Hobb's Farseer Trilogy with the third book. I just felt that somehow my intelligence was underestimated and ..."

What's truly a shame about only having read the first trilogy is that you are missing on the most important thing about these books: The Fool's and Fitz's relationship. It's probably the most beautiful thing I've ever experienced in a work of fiction. Very subtly written, only someone who can write characters as well as she does can write relationships like this.

And then you have cute little Bee's relationship with Fitz in the newest trilogy and, oh my God, I really need that third book!!! I can't believe it's only out next year, that wait is killing me.

Uhm, I feel like I may have, somehow, digressed here a bit. Just a bit, mind you...

Dan wrote: "Jenna wrote: "Dan wrote: "Jenna wrote: "Dan wrote: "Jenna wrote:
I was bored when I returned to Robin Hobb's Farseer Trilogy with the third book. I just felt that somehow my intelligence was under..."

I will get to them when I finish up a couple more series I have on the go.

I felt the same about the Fraser Trilogy, I found it lacking in intrigue and just seemed repetitive to me. May have to give another trilogy from Hobb a go when my list gets shorter.

Way of Kings and Mistborn on the other hand I loved. Sanderson is always my go to when I need a break from the grimdark and am just looking for a fast paced classic style epic fantasy.

Jenna wrote: "Dan wrote: "Jenna wrote: "Dan wrote: "Jenna wrote: "Dan wrote: "Jenna wrote:
I was bored when I returned to Robin Hobb's Farseer Trilogy with the third book. I just felt that somehow my intelligen..."

Yay! Haha, sorry about being annoying regarding it, I just really love the world of it. Let me know whenever you start it, I'm always up for talking about it at length.

@Angela: I completely understand you regarding the Rain Wild Chronicles. I think she just had more to tell than she anticipated at first and you can feel those books drag a bit towards the third book. You should get around to the fourth someday though, it's worth the read if you ever intend to read her newest trilogy about the Fitz and the Fool. It's not strictly necessary though.

BTW IMO and I know I'll get killed for this but the most overrated series for me is the king killer chronicles. I made it through The Name of the Wind but didn't continue. I really cannot see how people consider this one of the greatest fantasy series ever written.

Scott wrote: "BTW IMO and I know I'll get killed for this but the most overrated series for me is the king killer chronicles. I made it through The Name of the Wind but didn't continue. I really cannot see how p..."

~kills Scott~

Seriously, do you have something against fantasy being told in first person? Haha

Scott wrote: "BTW IMO and I know I'll get killed for this but the most overrated series for me is the king killer chronicles. I made it through The Name of the Wind but didn't continue. I really cannot see how p..."

I loved both The Name of the Wind and The Wise Man's Fear, but it's not one of my very favourite series.

Dan wrote: "Seriously, do you have something against fantasy being told in first person? Haha."

I had you in mind when I posted that, LOL.

To be more specific you're talking about the entire book being from the perspective of one character. So I had to look because that would be a funny conclusion I hadn't considered. However just from recent book history

Prince of Thorns
Dawn of Wonder
The Last Kingdom

All were 4 star efforts that I really liked. DOW I came really close to giving 5*'s. If you loved Farseer and KKC you should definitely read DOW which IMO was a far superior book that is the start of a series.

I loved The Name of the Wind. The Wise Man's Fear a little less. I do think Patrick Rothfuss has a certain way of writing that you either really love or don't take to at all. Also, one thing that annoyed me (especially in The Wise Man's Fear) was his tendency to get a bit long-winded about small things in the world-building that interest him, which I often found more than a little tedious. Still, I remain hugely expectant of the next book!

Oh, and I have been meaning to read Robin Hobb for a long time now. Is there a recommended reading order for her series?

Eli wrote: "Oh, and I have been meaning to read Robin Hobb for a long time now. Is there a recommended reading order for her series?"

Realms of the Elderlings
The .5 books are not generally part of the recommended reading order, but this is all of her books that take place in the same realm in order.

Jenna wrote: "Realms of the Elderlings
The .5 books are not generally part of the recommended reading order, but this is all of her books that take place in the same realm in order. "

Cool. Thank you! :)

@Scott - thank you for the recommendations, I'll check them out! I have already read Prince of Thorns though and it's very nice as well although it took me a while to get into it. That beginning is a bit jarring... I kept on reading though because Robin Hobb herself is the one whose recommendation made me read it in the first place and it eventually paid off very well indeed.


@Eli - I truly hope you enjoy those books, they are truly a wonderful masterpiece to me. The emotional pay-off in the 9th book(third of the third trilogy) specially is as emotional as I'll ever get with a book I believe, just wondrous.