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What bothered me: the obviously repeated use of photo reference, and the OBVIOUSLY same costume.

It is not well known - and these two covers may have nothing to do with this - but, there is a well used photo studio in NYC used by many cover illustrators/publishers.

This is altogether too obviously the same origin...or an incredible co-incidence, you pick, if you can blow up the images to mass market paperback size you will see what I mean.

It is a sure sign the field is getting BIG, when cover treatments are no longer unique to each story. Yeah, I'm old fashioned, in that I enjoy the variety of true originality.

I haven't cracked either book, yet, to have a clue if the figures match the stories.

But the hooded figure with sword, shown front faced, and 3/4 view is altogether over used at the moment, too. The repeat treatment of the hooded figures does explain why I didn't browse these titles, but went in for them based on other reasons. If somebody has read these and wants to comment, warn me, I would prefer to avoid premature spoilers.

Janny
I am thinking maybe it could the economy. Cheaper to use a generic template and add some fluff to make it unique to the book.

I just emptied my book jar (yes, I save change for books :)) and used it for a small order - so arriving in the mail any day now should be Nation, for the upcoming discussion, The Gaslight Dogs, which I'm very much looking forward to, whether the group votes to read it or not, and The Sandman Presents: The Furies, because a friend recommended it (I was skeptical about a Sandman book not written by Neil Gaiman, but I'm assured that this one is worth the read so I'm giving it a shot!).

I have the first three of C. J. Cherryh on order and they've been shipped. I also have heard so many good things about Dorothy Dunnett that I bought The Game of Kings and am starting it today. Really looking forward to it.

Aren't we reading The Last Stormlord in this group? I have it on my Nook.

I splurged and took advantage of a B&N coupon last week and bought Under Heaven by Guy Gavriel Kay. I could spend a month reading Kay and a month ready Wurts and still not get caught up with just their books! :)

Sandra wrote: "I have the first three of C. J. Cherryh on order and they've been shipped. I also have heard so many good things about Dorothy Dunnett that I bought [book:The Game of Kings|112077..."

Sandra - the Dunnett book will blow your mind, but you have to get to the end of it! It's on my most incredible reads list.

Janny wrote: "Sandra wrote: "I have the first three of C. J. Cherryh on order and they've been shipped. I also have heard so many good things about Dorothy Dunnett that I bought [book:The Game ..."

Good. I have just barely started.

I'll second Janny's comment! Stick with it because the first 200 pages or so will have you scratching your head trying to figure out what's going on... trust yourself that you WILL figure it out and get into it, and the payoff is sooooo worthwhile :)

Sandra wrote: "Aren't we reading The Last Stormlord in this group? I have it on my Nook."

I have read the Last Stormlord and thought it was a wonderful book I have also read Stormlord Rising which I sent for from Australia. Can't wait for Stormlord's Exile.

Janny wrote: "What bothered me: the obviously repeated use of photo reference, and the OBVIOUSLY same costume.

It is not well known - and these two covers may have nothing to do with this - but, there is a well..."

There have been at least 4 covers produced by English publishing houses using the cloaked figure although the original Oz cover was much better.

B&N has free shipping on orders over $10 and an extra 15% on one item, so I ordered the next two books in Dunnett's Lymond Chronicles.

I'm reading #1 and love the sarcasm and wit. And hilarious shenanigans.

Picked up Every Patient Tells a Story: Medical Mysteries and the Art of Diagnosis

Ken,
I really enjoyed Every Patient Tells a Story. Hope you do too.
marty

I just received a copy of The Devil in Green by Mark Chadbourn, the first book in his Dark Age trilogy. As I understand it, this trilogy follows his earlier Age of Misrule trilogy, which I read and reviewed last year. I'm planning to check it out later this month, after I work through a few more Malazan books.

Been watching Treme on HBO lately, it's really good BTW. Decided to find out more about Katrina and the aftermath in New Orleans. Apparently this book was kinda of a muse for the series.
Picked up Breach of Faith: Hurricane Katrina and the Near Death of a Great American City

I hit the used bookstore today and came out with Alphabet of Thorn by Patricia McKillip,Palimpsest by Catherynne Valente, and Myths and Legends, edited by Anthony Horowitz, an anthology of myths from various world cultures that was just a few bucks and looked like a fun little collection to have.

The once a year huge used booksale, sponsored by a newspaper for charity is in a couple of weeks, there are always a few gems, lots of elbows and reaching for the same book. I'll be there list in hand big bag for the haul.

Again, I am a TV zombie. Been watching The Pacific and found out it was partly based on a couple of books. So I ran out and picked them up
Helmet for My Pillow: From Parris Island to the Pacific
With the Old Breed

Apparently the Old Breed is supposed to be spectacular

Most recent acquistions: Charnel Prince by Greg Keyes, The Gaslight Dogs by Karin Lowachee, and Under Heaven by Guy Kay.

Did I say I bought all 8 of Janny Wurts Mistwraith series? I'm addicted.

I just received The Dragon Variation and Mouse and Dragon, both by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller. The first book contains the first 3 novels in the internal chronology of their Liaden series, and the second book is the latest one in that series. I recently read Agent of Change, the first published book in the series (although it happens later in the internal chronology) and enjoyed it tremendously. (It's also our SF Book of the Month in June.)

Had to take advantage of Memorial Day sales and a gift card, so I stopped at both the used book sale and a big box. Somehow I came home with 28 books, including a couple by Janny Wurts, 2 more of the Malazan books by Steven Erikson, some of the Weather Warden series by Rachel Caine--does anyone know anything about this series?, Kushiel's Dart (Shel, I don't know when I'll actually get around to reading it), and some thrillers for my husband.

Kathi wrote: "Had to take advantage of Memorial Day sales and a gift card, so I stopped at both the used book sale and a big box. Somehow I came home with 28 books, including a couple by [author:Janny Wurts|859..."

Sounds like a good time. The only ones I can speak for are Janny's. But if it's the Mistwraith series, you have to read them in order. But it's a great ride.

The Weather Warden series is kind of fun. However the character is interested in looks and fashion in a way I am not. Her relationships with men are also a big part of the story. I eventually quit following them but light and easy to read for when you need that.

I've enjoyed the Weather Warden books, though they started falling off in quality around book 6... I liked the first two, loved the next three, and then the last few were ok. I haven't felt like I need to buy the latest book, but I'll probably pick it up if I see it used somewhere.

As a science teacher, I like the series because I can geek out about the meteorology bits ;)

I just received Shadows's Son by Jon Sprunk, which looks interesting. It probably will be my next read, after I finish METAtropolis: The Dawn of Uncivilization, a multi-author shared world anthology which has been pretty good so far, apart from (editor) John Scalzi's story.

Stefan wrote: "I just received Shadows's Son by Jon Sprunk, which looks interesting. It probably will be my next read, after I finish [book:METAtropolis: The Dawn of Uncivilizatio..."

So that one wasn't good?

Sandra AKA Sleo wrote: "So that one wasn't good?
"

I still need to read the 5th and final story in METAtropolis: The Dawn of Uncivilization, so can't give a final opinion yet, but of the first 4 stories, 2 were great, 1 was okay, and one was just horrible. So I guess that works out to "pretty good so far" - but I'll write up a full review once I'm done with the final story.

Had a $45 dollar credit so I picked up some books today
Small Favor
Chainfire
Naamah's Kiss
Making Money

I just received a copy of The Queen of Sinister, book 2 in the second trilogy by Mark Chadbourn. I've been reading an anthology of dragon short stories for the last few days, and by now I'm a bit dragoned out, so I started in on the Mark Chadbourn book right away, then will go back to the dragons.

"Dragoned out" lol!

Ok once again a huge used book sale in the good cause of a charity was worthwhile, there are always some finds, very reasonable prices allows one to take chances. I found two books that I had been looking for a long while.

Apologies on not using the add book/add author feature

In no particular order:

- Swan Song by Robert McGammon
- Valis- Philip K. Dick
- Feersum Endjinn - Iain M. Banks
- Night Walk - Bob Shaw
- Gray Lensman - E.E. Doc smith
- Damnation Alley - Roger Zelazny
- The instrumentality Of Mankind - Cordwainer Smith
- Oribitsville Departure- Bob Shaw
- A Wreath Of Stars - Bob Shaw
- The Elric saga - Michael Moorcock
- The Cross-time Engineer saga (5 books) - Leo Frankowski
- planet of Exile - Ursula K. LeGuin
- Neanderthal Planet - Brian Aldiss
- Martian Time Slip - Phillip K. Dick
- The rolling Stones - Robert Heinlein
- The ship who sang - Anne McCaffrey
- The Hounds of Skaith 2 - Leigh Brackett
- I, Robot - Isaac Asimov
- The Dreaming Void - Peter F. Hamilton
- Grey Beard - Brian Aldiss
- Star Swarm - Brian Aldiss
- Assassin's Quest - Robin Hobb
- Spook Country - William Gibson
- War of honor- david Weber
- At All costs - David Weber
- Eon _ Greg Bear
- Borders of Infinity - Lois McMaster Bujold
- The Short Victorious War - David Weber
- Nightwalk - Bob Shaw
- The Dying Earth - Jack Vance
- The Sharing Knife - Lois McMaster Bujold
- The legend that was earth-James P Hogan

At one point I had read half the books I own, not anymore...

Bookbrow wrote: "Ok once again a huge used book sale in the good cause of a charity was worthwhile, there are always some finds, very reasonable prices allows one to take chances. I found two books that I had been ..."

Wow! Looks like an awesome shopping trip :) Assassin's Quest is an amazing book, just know that it's the third of a trilogy that you'll REALLY need to read the previous books first.

The only others on your list I've read are The Ship Who Sang (which I liked but didn't love when I read it in high school), Borders of Infinity (Miles! Yay!), and Planet of Exile (which I have bound into one volume with two other of LeGuin's novels, and it's my favorite of the three).

Even though I have a few books at home waiting on me, nothing was really sparking my interest, so I ordered a few things recently, including The Second Coming by David H. Burton for a group read.

The others, that I ordered yesterday, I realized are all IR and YA books. I guess I was in the mood for something light and fun when I was doing the browsing bit:

Case of the Missing Marquess: An Enola Holmes Mystery by Nancy Springer
The Alchemyst: The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel by Michael Scott
The 13th Reality, Vol. 1: The Journal of Curious Letters by James Dashner
Thirteenth Child by Patricia C. Wrede

and, as a special treat, the UK children's edition of The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman. I already have the US edition, but I saw a (illustrated by Chris Riddell instead of Dave McKean) and I liked it so much better, I just had to have it for myself. :)

And I'm also waiting for 'The Warded Man' to become available through my library.

Shel wrote: "Bookbrow wrote: "Ok once again a huge used book sale in the good cause of a charity was worthwhile, there are always some finds, very reasonable prices allows one to take chances. I found two books..."

HI Shel,
Assassin's Quest was a great find as I have read the first, have the second but didn't have the third. Yeah, I look forward to this sale which is once a year.

cool. You're in for a treat, then. One of my favorite trilogies :) Depressing, though.

Shel wrote: "cool. You're in for a treat, then. One of my favorite trilogies :) Depressing, though."

I found it poignant and sad, but not depressing. I love Nighteyes.

Mawgojzeta wrote: "I recently bought Fatal Revenant and The Runes of the Earthbut have no intention of reading them until the final two books come out. I believe that is 2013. In the me..."

Sane here, I have been buying them when they came out but waiting till the last book is out before I procede

Picked up The Mirrored Heavens

Ken wrote: "Mawgojzeta wrote: "I recently bought Fatal Revenant and The Runes of the Earthbut have no intention of reading them until the final two books come out. I believe that ..."

I don't have that kind of patience/self-control....but it sounds like a good plan.

I just made a trip to the local thrift shop to drop off some donated clothing - couldn't resist a peek at the used book section, and picked up The Faded Sun Trilogy by C.J. Cherryh, along with an Italy travel guide (going in August!!) and a copy of The Secret Garden, which was one of my favorites as a kid that I'm happy to get my hands on again.

Shel wrote: "I just made a trip to the local thrift shop to drop off some donated clothing - couldn't resist a peek at the used book section, and picked up The Faded Sun Trilogy by C.J. Cherryh, al..."

Great haul, Shel, those are some of my favorite books.

Marty wrote: "
I don't have that kind of patience/self-control....but it sounds like a good plan. "

Once I crossed the 35 year old mark I just didnt feel I had to rush out and buy a book to read immediately. There are only 2 things I rush for. A Star Wars movie or the next Wheel of Time book.

Ken wrote: "Marty wrote: "
I don't have that kind of patience/self-control....but it sounds like a good plan. "

Once I crossed the 35 year old mark I just didnt feel I had to rush out and buy a book to read i..."

Not all of us reach that level of maturity, Ken. I am well past 35 and I still rush out to buy books, speaking of which I just bought Masters of Fantasy from Baen Books, which has a Janny Wurts War of Light and Shadow story in it, called Child of Prophecy. :/

My order from Alibris came recently:
Hell and Earth: a Novel of the Promethean Age
Ink and Steel: a Novel of the Promethean Age
A Mankind Witch
Sword and Shadow (Sword in Exile, Book 3)
By Slanderous Tongues (the Doubled Edge, Book 3)
And Less Than Kind (the Doubled Edge, Book 4)
Whiskey and Water: a Novel of the Promethean Age
Restoration
River of the World (Selling Water By the River)
Spiral of Fire (Mages of Garillon, Book III)

Obviously, bits and pieces of several series that I've been collecting.

I turn 35 the day Patrick Rothfuss's The Wise Man's Fear comes out. Will I be mature and patient like Ken, or will I run out like Sandra, to happily buy myself the best birthday present ever. Hmm... 35 is going to be very interesting!

Laurel wrote: "I turn 35 the day Patrick Rothfuss's The Wise Man's Fear comes out. Will I be mature and patient like Ken, or will I run out like Sandra, to happily buy myself the b..."

::chuckles:: I think you deserve a birthday present! After all, the money spent on books doesn't count... kind of like the calories you eat standing up.

Sandra AKA Sleo wrote: "After all, the money spent on books doesn't count... kind of like the calories you eat standing up..."

Oh, I like that philosophy! :)

Just got Falkenberg's Legion and King David's Spaceship and am starting the first today. It is the first in a series of four of which I've had the other 3 for ages and love them. Military sci fi by Jerry Pournelle. Used from Amazon. I ordered the same day and it came faster and I already read it: Tales of Pain and Wonder by Caitlin R. Kiernan, a fabulous fantasy/horror author. The last time I went to the local used book store I picked up a charming fantasy by an author new to me - The Charmed Sphere by Catherine Asaro. Will have to get the rest of that trilogy.