/sffg/ - Science Fiction and Fantasy General

File: bc8c6ec8e0ff3df821ff44e75cb75cb3.jpg (193KB, 1400x743px) Image search: [Google]

193KB, 1400x743px

Are we allowed ask for advice about our own works in these generals and share them with others? Assuming that they're fantasy/sci-fi, that is.

File: 2481269202_4af9b268ec.jpg (136KB, 353x500px) Image search: [Google]

136KB, 353x500px

>>9556572
Daily reminder that the only fantasy worth reading is the one from Wolfe

>>9556608
Sanderson*

At least he is consistent

File: 41pR4zRv1SL._SX302_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg (34KB, 304x499px) Image search: [Google]

34KB, 304x499px

A fun lark from Wolfe. I wish that I could rate this a 4 (or even 5) for the quality of the prose and the immersive world Wolfe has created, but my enjoyment was hampered at several points by Wolfe's fucked up gender politics. Having read something like 8 or 9 of his books now, I'm seriously sick of Every. Single. Female. Character. being either a naïve child, a magical entity/godess (who is usually trying to kill or seduce the protagonist), or literally a prostitute. I am seriously starting to get the feeling that Gene Wolfe does not view females as fully human. It's fucking horrible.

>>9556644

>Gene Wolfe does not view females as fully human.

So at least there's one redeeming thing about those books?

Jokes aside, I agree. It's not even a matter of being a feminist or whatever. It's just as soon as a female character appears in some novels, you just know they're there to get fucked or be some kind of plot device. It's dull.

Where do I start with Lord Dunsany?

>>9556614
Except his characters are shit and his dialogue is cringe to the max.

Wait what the fuck, this powder mage...
>You can't kill a god
Is Adam fucking back?
Did he reborn into the arch diaaselse's body?
How the fuck? Weren't those gods just super sayian sorcerers?

>>9556644
> Gene Wolfe does not view females as fully human.

I don't see the problem.

Female warriors ruin books.

File: Averoigne.jpg (122KB, 297x400px) Image search: [Google]

122KB, 297x400px

Tonight I read The Holiness Of Azadarac by Clark Ashton Smith (1931), a tale of time travel in a secondary world, Averoigne, that is modeled on a region in 12th and 5th century France. At the outset, a renegade Christian bishop plots to intercept a young Benedictene monk who has fled his mansion after obtaining proofs of his pagan practices and demon worship, including that of Iog-Sotot (Yog-Sothoth). The narrative concerns what happens to this nephew after he is caught and transported back seven hundred years at the same location. This is a tale of the tension between the pagan and Lovecraftian versus Christian morality. It is also of a light and playful tone, as CAS plays with the cliches and archetypal characters of medieval literature; the venial cleric and his henchman, the young and naive monk, and the machinations and heaving charms of a femme fatale sorceress. Overall it's an entertaining short story that feels like it's told with a nod and a wink, worthy of two thumbs up.


On another note, I've begun a treatise of CAS that incorporates these little summaries and demonstrates his chameleon nature, an article which has doubtless already reached levels of autism.

>>9556700
It's magic

File: joshi.jpg (75KB, 267x400px) Image search: [Google]

75KB, 267x400px

>>9556729
Autism is a good thing in this instance, anon, godspeed.

File: IMG_2164.jpg (62KB, 1024x899px) Image search: [Google]

62KB, 1024x899px

IS CYBERPUNK DEAD?

>>9557137
As an actual book genre, probably. As an aesthetic, no.

>>9556572
>reddit's author of the year as the OP

You need to go back.

>>9556644
>complaining about gender politics in sci-fi

It's like i'm on reddit or reading goodreads reviews.

>>9557180
>or reading goodreads reviews
Because that's what it is.

>>9556729
what would be some good works to start with Clark Ashton Smith, if you don't mind me asking?

>>9556696
idk read the Penguin Classics volume? pretty good selection, find out what you like and go from there

I think there's a volume called Time and the Gods that includes several of his fantasy collections (including, confusingly, Time and the Gods)

File: blinning.jpg (262KB, 800x643px) Image search: [Google]

262KB, 800x643px

Does anyone do audio books?
I find them great when I'm commuting and at work.
Listened to all the Discworld books and finished the Wheel of Time books last week. Started on the Malazan series but it's a really slow start. I'm at the later half of the first book and it still feels pretty slow. Enjoying the Bridgeburners parts though.
Might put it on hold after the first book to re-listen the City Watch books again.

vini vinci

any WoT fans here?

>>9557316
>Does anyone do audio books?
yes
i use audible for what i can't find via piracy

File: CAS.jpg (104KB, 600x447px) Image search: [Google]

104KB, 600x447px

>>9557261
I'm reading from the Penguin collection The Dark Eidolon and Other Fantasies. This has short stories from a few of his different settings and styles, fantasy, horror and macabre. I think a lot of his work is public domain or available cheaply in e-book. There was a Fantasy Masterworks volume a decade ago which was more comprehensive and focused on his fantasy output. If you're in America maybe there is old Ballantine/Lin Carter editions at an online vendor near you (beautiful art, but probably falling apart at the binding, with amber pages.) There is a lot of self publishing going on as well,

His Zothique (dying earth), Averoigne (France), and Hyperborea (pre-historic) and Poseidonis (Atlantis) stories are of special interest to fantasy readers. Jack Vance and Gene Wolfe fans will be interested in the Zothique cycle. I know there are themed volumes that focus on these. Nothing has to be read in any order.

If you want one short story recommendation, The Tale Of Satampra Zeiros was the first thing I read.

>>9557330
I found audiobookbay has most of the popular stuff.

>>9556661
>It's dull
This, at least to some degree. Why even include the characters if it's just going to be a pair of walking tits? Jolenta in BOTNS is a fine example of this, did her existence actually contribute to the book in any way?

Some of the other females, Thecla, Thea and Dorcas are at least somewhat decent characters.

>>9557360
>Thecla
Whore, put out to Severian out of loneliness. Not a pure waifu.

>Thea
Whore, the consort of a greedy upstart.

>Dorcas
A naive loli, even though she's chronologically old enough to be everyone's grandmother

All your choices are terrible.

>>9557375
>out of loneliness
Yeeeeah, about that.

>Thea
Literally no way to actually know since she's so underdeveloped as a character.

>Dorcas
Agreed. But at least she's better than Jolenta which was the point I was trying to make.

File: Geralt.png (3MB, 1920x1080px) Image search: [Google]

3MB, 1920x1080px

Hey buds, couple questions:

Are the Witcher books by Sapkowski any good?

If so, what are the best translated versions I can buy?

Maytera Mint from BotLS is a well-developed female Gene Wolfe character.

File: 40889._UY500_SS500_.jpg (45KB, 500x500px) Image search: [Google]

45KB, 500x500px

Anyone else read this? I just finished it (it's the only Vance I've read) and I thought it was kinda shit. The writing is just not very good; shallow main character with no real sense of agency, dead end plotlines, and it all read like a list of bullet points with no descriptive segments to tie it together.

As for the linguistics itself, I'm a linguist myself and I can say it's all wrong. The central concept is based on the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis, which has been disproven. I don't really hold it against him cause they didn't know it was wrong back then, but as a modern reader I kept rolling my eyes when he would mention things like "if you teach people a language with 'harsh' sounds, they'll become violent". Furthermore there's some basic terminology he got wrong, like his use of the term polysynthetic to describe a language that clearly doesn't fit into that category.

Anyway I'm just rambling now. Would like to know what people think, and if the rest of Vance's work is like this too.

File: shauriatas_by_spiralhorizon-d8du6nw.jpg (187KB, 792x792px) Image search: [Google]

187KB, 792x792px

>>9556572
Shaeönanra did nothing wrong. Also, any TUC excerpts yet?

File: left hand.png (1MB, 1748x671px) Image search: [Google]

1MB, 1748x671px

I didn't see what's considered so feminist about this book to be honest.

>>9557501
How is letting immortal rape monsters out of their cage a good thing?

>>9557523
nonbinary genders

Stay in your containment thread. That one anon with a hard on for Stephen King is pathetic

>>9557390
>Are the Witcher books by Sapkowski any good?

To be honest, they really aren't that good.

>>9557726
>telling people IN the "containment thread" to stay IN the containment thread
Not to bright are we?

File: CVhub9rWUAAa5KT.jpg (36KB, 600x450px) Image search: [Google]

36KB, 600x450px

>>9556721
>Not wanting to lick the abs of a fit as hell warrior woman
Plebs need to leave

>>9557583
Because the Gods feeds on us. Mog-Pharau is the only way to attain REAL salvation.

>severian mentions mate, popol vuh and the margay cat

wait
is he supposed to be a dirty huehue? does he also eats sopa de macaco?

>>9557697
Yeah but the book only uses the gender thing as starting point to create a whole world with his politics and conflicts, it doesn't try to present a perfect society just because there're no men/women.

>>9557131
Thank you, it merely brings together the other summaries so far along with a couple of extracted passages and sentences highlighting points of interest, along with some retro book art - its at wordpress CS7850 for those interested.

>>9556696
The Gods Of Pegana (Dunsany does the ground down myth building that is commonplace now, but unheard of then) or The Book Of Wonder.

File: image.jpg (652KB, 1365x2048px) Image search: [Google]

652KB, 1365x2048px

>>9556644
Nice bait. In the spirit of discussion, I'll say this: books aren't written to appeal to you. They're works of art that are received by a highly variable audience. If you don't like it, that's fine. I suggest for your own peace of mind, don't take a step further in life with the idea in your head that artists must conform to your worldview. They never will.

And females are odd creatures. You're either female or you've never seen one if you disagree. In either case, good luck in the future.

File: once and future king.jpg (47KB, 310x499px) Image search: [Google]

47KB, 310x499px

Should I read Le Mort d'Arthur or something else arthurian before reading this one?

File: 1483511848388.jpg (88KB, 1214x403px) Image search: [Google]

88KB, 1214x403px

>>9557180
>>9558033
/r/The_Donald

File: image.jpg (109KB, 456x386px) Image search: [Google]

109KB, 456x386px

>>9558049
Did I strike a nerve? No, I don't support Trump, and I didn't support that stupid bitch that ran against him either. You are definitely female.

>>9558044
Nah, Once and Future King has everything you need.

Any good western books where the main character is thrown from our world into a fantasy world?

>>9558280
The Wizard Knight

>>9556572
Can anyone recommend books with real interesting/memorable characters?

Also if anyone has any writing advice in general I would like to hear it. I wanted to try writing but im not quite sure where to begin.

>>9558083
>image.jpg
Retarded applefag phoneposter.

I've been powering through the maddness of angels series. I really like the writing style and the urban fantasy setting. It's not too far up it's own ass, too.
I'm a huge sucker for things using the written medium interestingly. Especially in the narrative, the I/We pronoun switching is pretty good. I still havn't gotten over the footnote usage in the Bartimaes series.

>>9556644
Aunt Olivia from Peace is unironically the most interesting woman in /sffg/ literature.

>>9557836
Severian's continent is strongly implied to be Latin Subhumerica.

>>9558049
I refuse to believe this. There's no way that Operation Glomperstomper doubled this shithole's traffic.

>>9558428
>writing advice
Gene Wolfe says to memorize and learn absolutely everything about a really short piece of writing by somebody whose work you admire and then over a weekend try to rewrite their story exactly without looking at it. When you're finished you can compare and contrast how you and your favourite writer say the same thing.

>>9557726
>actually going around in other threads complaining about me
I'm almost flattered. You pretentious faggot.

>>9558572
>Operation Glomperstomper
This is an amazing name.

>>9558579

That sounds like a pretty interesting exercise.

File: image.jpg (33KB, 245x238px) Image search: [Google]

33KB, 245x238px

>>9558436
As if that's relevant. Didn't know redditors could get this mad without being directed to do so by tumblr. Seeing as how you probably look somewhat like pic related, you should really work on your attitude, honey, or else you won't get a man.

>>9558623
>mobile poster
>/co/mblr shit
>not a retarded ledditor
Wew lad.

File: image.jpg (131KB, 500x748px) Image search: [Google]

131KB, 500x748px

>>9558625
I'll leave you with your thoughts.

>>9558630
>image.jpg
>apple phone
>phoneposting
>he says while posting like the normalfag ledditor he is
MY SIDES

>>9558579
>>9558600
Literally fanfiction.

>>9558669
as much as your post is literally an ascii drawing of a penis

>>9558669
Nothing wrong with writing fanfiction anon, at least you are writing.

>>9558675
My post was always a penis on a metaphysical level.

File: 1471968300267.jpg (345KB, 1600x1067px) Image search: [Google]

345KB, 1600x1067px

>>9557726
>s-stay inside
>don't come o-out

>>9558703
>/lit/ is a safe space

I gave up on Prince of Thorns years ago at the nuke but it actually gets fun almost right after that

helps that they explain away some of the edgelord stuff

>>9557390
>Are the Witcher books by Sapkowski any good?
Short Stories yes
Early novels a bit
Later novels fuck no

That's mainly down to translation though apparently, so if you are a speaker of a language close to polish they're probably better.

>>9558280
Thomas Covenant if you want someone going "lol this obviously isn't real so I'm gonna just rape people"

>>9558049
Please leave, tumblr.

File: 1488898622744.png (358KB, 552x543px) Image search: [Google]

358KB, 552x543px

>>9558852
How do we kill the /co/mblr cancer?

FJCK OFF TUMBLR

>>9558869
>f j c k

>>9558814
Yeah, no. Let me know if you do find one like that though.

File: 6x16Illdoit2.jpg (611KB, 1280x720px) Image search: [Google]

611KB, 1280x720px

>people arguing about whether they're reddit or tumblr instead of arguing about malazan and prince of nothing

This new thread was a mistake. We need to go back.

What is /sffg/ reading?

>>9558886
The monarchies of God and CAS right now.

File: 1494668358776.jpg (301KB, 1280x1118px) Image search: [Google]

301KB, 1280x1118px

>>9558280

You're probably better off reading a manga with a story like that. Either way, Thomas Covenant is by far the best that there is as far as fantasy books go. Nothing even comes close. The only other stuff I can think of is Lovecraft's Dream Cycle since people are transported to another world there too, and those stories are amazing.

But world-within-a-world stories tend to be garbage bin tier. Just look at Harry Potter, Narnia and all that noise.

File: TOYOTOMI-HIDEYOSHI.jpg (91KB, 661x440px) Image search: [Google]

91KB, 661x440px

>>9558886

Taiko. Guess that's not exactly fantasy, but it might as well be.
I was frantically reading The Expanse to catch up to my friend (who was watching the show) so we could talk about it. But once he finished S2, I pretty much lost all desire to go on reading. It just doesn't seem that interesting.

>>9558886
Luna: New Moon

Too early to tell if it's good

>>9558921
>Moon: New Moon

Top title.

>>9558886
Children of Hurin

>I'm literally the only guy on /lit/ who has a 4chan pass
wow

>>9559239
Mine's won.

>>9559240
At first I didn't even notice since /lit/ is usually pretty dead this time of night anyway. Only when I went to a more active board did I notice some threads on page 1 haven't gotten replies for over an hour and then had to find out what was going on.

>>9559242
How does this relate to having a pass?

>>9559245
Different guy

Captcha's are broken right now for some reason.

I actually was rolling without my pass on (I'm lazy and switch devices) but I couldn't solve any captchas so I went and enabled.

For a good half hour I thought I was just shit at solving the captchas before I realized how dead 4chan was right now.

Not gonna lie. It's kind of spooky.

>>9559246
It's going to suck when my pass runs out, I barely notice having one.

WAKE THE FUCK UP /sffg/

So, who is the pulp master? Howard or CAS?

Is Sins of Empire any good?
Are there any Naila or twoshot PoVs?

>>9558921
>>9558886
I'm reading Luna: Wolf Moon.
It's okay.

just reading the house on the borderland lads

>>9558803
You spoilered the wrong thing redshitor.

File: T-rex Sama.jpg (37KB, 600x500px) Image search: [Google]

37KB, 600x500px

>>9558898
>Thomas Covenant is by far the best that there is as far as fantasy books go.
Do no trust dino fags. This fucking covenant shill is going all out trolling people into reading a shit book.

>>9559292
>>9558921
Is this good though?

>>9556644
>what is Pandora by Holly Hollander

Where's the fantasy smut that anon promised last thread, I've had my dick out for two days here...

>>9559438
Sadpanda.org/search-#tomboy

>>9559413
I think it's pretty good. Feudal court intrigue and power plays set into a corporate near-future hard-science-fiction setting. Even though it's a different animal you can see why they advertised it as "Game of Thrones on the Moon"
It paints an interesting moon-society.

>>9559543
Just downloaded.

File: 1495716114340.jpg (40KB, 500x500px) Image search: [Google]

40KB, 500x500px

>>9559543

People were also saying The Expanse was like Game of Thrones in Space and it was absolutely fucking nothing like it. Same thing happens with that French series, I forgot the name of it. Accursed Kings or some shit. There's nothing like ASoIaF.

>>9559543
>>9559564
I actually fucking hate ASOIAF but when people describe a book series as ASOIAF-like there's a fair chance I'll like it.

File: you_have_to_invite_me_in_by_alicexz-d6aknbh.jpg (69KB, 333x500px) Image search: [Google]

69KB, 333x500px

Is there anything out there that reads like it's set in the World of Darkness? The actual books released by White Wolf were all abysmal, and that's putting it lightly. Please no obvious shit like Anne Rice, Stephen King, or some YA bullshit I can find on Google.

>>9559571

We're in the opposite boat. I love ASoIaF (I've reread it about four times by now), but I generally dislikes all the works that are advertised to be like it. That's because they completely fail in giving fair and balanced POVs, which is probably what Martin does best. There's plenty of authors that put plenty of POVs in their books (see Malazan), but they usually all read exactly the same (see Malazan), and the books suffer from overcrowding and are ultimately shit (see Malazan)

>>9559564
>>9559571


There are superficial similarities. Enough to make people buy it. That's why they advertise it as such.
Like that book they advertised as: "It's like a cross between Jurassic Park and Game of Thrones." - quote by GRRM

>>9559590
At least Eriksson was able to finish his story and not get stuck with dozens of unresolved plot lines and no way to wrap them all like the fat man did.

File: 1495015061326.png (416KB, 500x737px) Image search: [Google]

416KB, 500x737px

>>9559599

I remember I picking up The Name of the Wind and reading either a quote by Erikson that went along the lines of: "It's a mature Harry Potter for an adult audience."

That's when I decided that Steven Erikson was an irredeemable piece of shit.

>>9559610
>"It's a mature Harry Potter for an adult audience."
It was a mature Harry Potter until it became a mature Harry Potter because Harry Potter had hentai sex with an elf for 99% of the book.

>>9559609

I would sooner read a good unfinished story than a bad one that's completed. Berserk is a good example (even though it's not finished). I'd prefer it if Miura died in some freak accident that left the work forever unfinished after the first hundred chapters. All he can do now is fuck it up. I feel the same way about Martin. No matter what he does, the ending to ASoIaF won't be satisfying. I think that's because people are used to it not having an ending.

Then again, I also think Sopranos had the best finale of any series.

>>9559619

I don't really see how it was more mature. Granted, I've never read the Potter books, but those movies get pretty fucking dark by the end. And there was nothing in the Name of the Wind that seemed particularly adult. Maybe his fascination with being a cuck and BDSM, but nothing much apart from that.

>>9559625
I suppose Harry Potter was older. His rival seemed to be a literal Malfoy clone so I suppose I assumed that that description was quite accurate.

>>9559337
Nah the nuke's super early and was discussed outside of spoilers the other day

Plus it's foreshadowed hard early on

>>9559349
Covenant isn't a dino book mate, the last book came out a whole 4 years ago

>>9559631

What is a dino book anyway? Something old?

>>9559635
Yeah basically, if it's pre-1980 you're nailed on to get a dino response

Dino poster used to have a point because there was one super obnoxious "old books only" poster but they're rarely here now so he just serves to stifle discussion.

>>9559286
Please respond

>>9559641

Yeah, I didn't get his reaction. I think Thomas Covenant is a fine recommendation. It might be a bit dark for some, but it has some spectacular moments and it's focused.

>>9559621
For me the fact that an author can't give his story a proper ending takes away a lot from my enjoyment and makes me question his merit.

You're expecting all the foreshadowing, misteries and plot lines to build up to and be part a of a greater scheme, especially in something like ASoIaF, but if he can't deliver and ending it makes me think that he was just pulling things out of his ass and never had a clear vision or direction.

>>9557324
noones read the wheel of time series at all?

>>9557324
>>9559684
Yes, it's a lovely epic. I enjoyed the slow parts. Sanderson butchered the ending but not to bad. What do you want to talk about?

>>9559680

I get what you're saying. That's one thing that's sort of a bummer about ASoIaF. We know he meant it to be a trilogy at the start and it clearly peaks at Storm of Swords. While I don't have the other two books with the same passion that others do, they don't fit with the first three. He matured as an author and that shows (especially in Jaime chapters), but it also feels like you're reading a completely different series. So many of the original characters have left the scene and/or changed dramatically, that you could almost look at the first three as a self-contained trilogy of sorts.

>>9559418
>by Holly Hollander
But we're talking Gene Wolfe.

>>9557316
Dont worry buddy the first book isn't that great, but usually they pick up towards the climax, if you can get through book one you should love deadhouse gates.

>>9559684
>>9559694

I've heard its a long and boring lotr knockoff.

I don't even like the lotr compared to the hobbit, so I skipped it.

File: 51RHTJxnhtL._SX322_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg (51KB, 324x499px) Image search: [Google]

51KB, 324x499px

anyone here read this? The description sounds like it could be interesting.

>>9559767
>the boys are back in town.

>>9559761
There are similarities but it's in no way a knockoff. It is fucking loooong and many find it boring, I won't deny that.

File: 1494878049940.jpg (22KB, 351x351px) Image search: [Google]

22KB, 351x351px

>>9559767

>the boys are back in town
>wild spelled as wyld

>>9559770
Yes, that's what it says on the picture. Thanks.

Stop being too stupid to understand Malazan and criticising it.

Can you guys enlighten me on why Abercrombie's Firs Law gets so much hate around here?
I obviously thought it was very well written and the characters were varied and fleshed out, and even though it played on the old fantasy tropes, it was still a satisfying read apart from that scene at the end where Logen throws himself out the window to follow his character development as it goes down the river.

>>9559812
First book is shit.
Abercrombie is good at writing ending but the middles are bad. Also Glokta doesn't get enough scenes and he is a good character but the rest really don't make it in my humble opinion.

>>9559819
*s

>>9559812

Plenty of people here like it. I personally found it okay, but entirely forgettable. It's not a brainy work that merits discussion, the world-building is nothing special, and most of the characters are annoying (Glokta is only superficially interesting because he's a freak, just like Tyrion). And as you've said, the ending is rather underwhelming.

>>9559806

Kill yourself, my man.

>>9559812
You know what's gonna happen by the middle of the second point and have to read another 700 pages of manufactured misery to get there.

>>9559812
First Law's entire thesis/twist is "no character develops, ever" and that isn't interesting to read over an entire trilogy.

Plus some of it's just outright bad writing like the guy who just sort of turns into a domestic abuser for the hell of it.

>>9559872
>turns into a domestic abuser for the hell of it
How is that not development?

>>9559894
Because he didn't have anyone to abuse before that happens.

>>9559872
>Plus some of it's just outright bad writing like the guy who just sort of turns into a domestic abuser for the hell of it.
This post reminds me that I don't remember anything from this book, most of it went in through one eye and out the other.

File: Brandon.png (693KB, 800x560px) Image search: [Google]

693KB, 800x560px

Does Brandon like playing the fool? I'm finally giving Way of Kings a shot, and it's nice. His prose isn't outstanding, but he's clearly a competent writer. But whenever I've heard him give a talk he always pretends he doesn't know the meaning of big words and/or how to do basic spelling. Is he just trying to blend in with the normies, or what?

>>9559872

West did nothing wrong

>>9559590
>see Malazan slipped in as much as possible
>low comprehension and retention anon is trying to start a thread long discussion about Malazan again, even though everyone told him he was wrong and should still with hand holding novels

>>9560100
Yeah they all read the same Felisin younger and Karsa, could not tell the difference desu

File: guys i drew a giraffe.jpg (20KB, 320x260px) Image search: [Google]

20KB, 320x260px

>>9558886
The Scar. Really enjoying muh undersea lobstermen city so far.

>>9559610
I think you're mixing up Magician Trilogy with name of the wind for "mature Harry Potter".

>>9559286
There is one of those

Anyone who knows shit about physics can explain to me the unfolding of the micro dimensions shit the
Trisolarians pull off with the protons in three body problem?

>>9560129
It's scifi, I am pretty certain there is no relation to real physics.

>>9559812
Because his whole process rests on the idea that "dude everyone is shit lmao"

Which gets tiring to read after the second book

>>9560120
Who?
I'd really fucking hate if Ididn't hear about Naluae after she got her uber powerup

should I read Discworld in publication order?

>>9560148
Not her

>>9560138
Even if it's sci-fi everything in the book is loosely based on real physics and theories so i'd be surprised if he just pulled that off his ass.

>>9559675
>>9559641
My reactions is that covenant is shit. I actually read the book (first one), so I'm talking from first hand experience. I had to force my way through that whining, repetitive, self doubting shit fest years ago.

Now we have some cunt that is shilling if hard as fuck, saying it's a "deep examination into the psyche of a broken man". Fuck that shit, it a nostalgic ride that give you boners as a young reader. If you read it as an adult for the first time you would see the writing is shit, the dialogue is repetitive and shit, and the world he paints is shit.

What tips us that you're a dino fag is the lovecraftian plug, also shitting on Harry Potter. Those that read potter as a child would behave like how you behave with Lord Leper's Bane, shilling it to everyone, and defending it. Even though it mediocre in current times. It was good when it came out, but it hasn't aged well.
with your focus on the philosophical, I'm 100% sure you're the "thing itself" and "buried giant" shill

File: THE MAN.jpg (25KB, 640x399px) Image search: [Google]

25KB, 640x399px

>>9560112

I'm not. I've never even heard of that, never mind read it. I just remember having that in the author recommendations section at the start of The Name of the Wind.

>>9560100

>everyone
>only you

I guess you missed that part yesterday where a whole bunch of people were saying they don't intend to finish the books ever. Yeah, man, it must be just me. Just can't understand BASED Erikson's complex world-building and plotting.

>>9560104

They're just different stereotypes, that's all. But that's all he's working with. Read a good series sometimes, anon. Maybe GRRM can clue you in on what good characterization is.

>>9560154
Colour of Magic is generally considered one of the weaker ones; I'd start with Guards, Guards

>>9559922
>most of it went in through one eye and out the other.
Eyes don't work that way anon... I think you need medical help..

>>9560154
Pub order but skip colour and light fantastic is a decent way

>>9560167
I would guess "something something string theory", but it is "loosely" based on what we think could possibly be possible.

Someone with an actual degree in physics, could probably shed a bit more light on it, but I doubt it is much more then that.

File: Sanderson Spurdo.jpg (66KB, 853x543px) Image search: [Google]

66KB, 853x543px

>>9559945

>>9560169

I'm not the person you think I am. Nevertheless, Covenant is fun and it has a lot of nice moments. But I guess the fact that you've only read the first book would explain your intense anger, since there's no real payoff at the end of that one. Harry Potter is unreadable garbage. I couldn't even get through the first book as a kid, and whenever I've picked up one of them at a friend's house I've felt complete revulsion. Lovecraft, on the other hand, is a timeless classic. As are Howard, Tolkien, Dunsany, etc. If you think the Silmarillion or Unknown Kadath are bad, you're a faggot.

File: Dino Squad.jpg (92KB, 950x534px) Image search: [Google]

92KB, 950x534px

>>9560200
When you "picked up this potter as a kid" were you 18 years old in 1999, maybe?

File: EucIfYY.gif (2MB, 235x240px) Image search: [Google]

2MB, 235x240px

>>9560228

Okay that was funny as fuck. But you've still got me confused with someone else, anon. I don't even like Thomas Covenant that much. But I think it's worth reading.

>>9560157
Fuck, does she at least appear in the book?

>>9559576
Twilight.

File: TheCrimsonKingCover.jpg (249KB, 586x823px) Image search: [Google]

249KB, 586x823px

Anyone else excited for this? It should be out soon.

What are some Sandersonian series apart from the Powder Mage trilogy?
I'm talking lods o magic and shit

>>9560241
_no

>>9560281
God fucking damn it go fuck yourself brian mcshitface, she was one of the best toons in the series

>>9560240
I read it, didn't like it nor the time it wasted. If the guy continues aggressively shilling it as God's answer to fantasy, I will try and block him.
I'm sure sometime later this year an anon will come and say "sffg" recommended him Lord Shill's Bane, and it was shit. We always have these idiots coming in here and complaining about shit one person rec'd them, and blaming us as a whole.

>>9560284
>toons
>playing league
>i like this toon
>reading comic
>someone says they like the toon with the smart armor
>reading novels
>best toon in the series
I guess it has to come full circle

>>9560276
Sandersonesque novels?
Powder mage, waking fire (aka dragon safari)

>>9560351

I really liked it when they traveled through that watery cave without sound and when the Troy guy turned into a tree. Come to think of it, my favorite moments were all in the second book. I mean of the first trilogy. I disliked the way the third book ended, and the other trilogy started off shitty, so I never went past that. But I still think that second one has some great moments. And in theory I very much like the idea of a character seeing the aftermath of their choices after decades have passed. Seeing him face up to his rape-baby had so much second-hand embarrassment and raw shame.

>>9560371
Yeah, already pointed out powder mage in my post, but I'll look into the waking fire, mark lawrence reviewed it on goodreads so it can't be too bad

File: 1495574824352.jpg (206KB, 1220x918px) Image search: [Google]

206KB, 1220x918px

>>9560438

>celebrity reviews author on goodreads
>author reviews other author on goodreads
>author reviews self on goodreads

>>9560387
You're just a deviant pervert aren't you? You like to read forced, mindbreak and blackmail tags on sadpanda?

>>9560449
Yeah, I like Mark Lawrence's books so I trust I'd enjoy the books he finds interesting.
Also, how much magic is in the waking fire?

>>9560486
Mark Lawrence is shit. He dropped the ball somewhere in the novels, it's just because I'm a completionist that I finished it.

>>9560268
not really excited, read nearly all the others but they come out so fast now, master of mankind was a letdown.

File: diablo.jpg (90KB, 640x360px) Image search: [Google]

90KB, 640x360px

>>9560484

A little, but that's not why I enjoyed those parts. I don't get turned on when I sit down to read novels or watch shows, and that's why I'm so annoyed by forced sex scenes nowadays.

On an unrelated note, does anyone know of any series that resembles Diablo? Not the exact story, just the Heaven vs Hell aspect. But it has to be fantasy, and no urban bullshit. And before you ask, no, I haven't read the Diablo books from Blizzard because I figured they're about as good as Diablo 3, which doesn't fill me with hope.

>>9560525

It really was. I'm not sure what went wrong. I was super hyped about reading a novel that covered the Webway and it was written by ADB of all people. Yet it sucked ass--couldn't even finish it. Also ADB really pushed the whole Emperor-is-a-piece-of-shit propaganda in this one. Wasn't even subtle about it. Like, slow down, cowboy. He's great when he's writing novels from the POV of the traitors, but the man cannot give an unbiased view of the Emperor or his loyal servants. You would think they'd have figured that out by now.

>>9560449
>author reviews self on goodreads
Some of them are really good at this tbf

Like they give a much better feel for what the book is than a general review

>>9560538

robert e howard honestly.

>>9560552
Yeah IDK what's with him and his bias desu. I want Konrad to do something cool again, he's had like 0 attention.

File: Konrad_Curze_sketch.jpg (670KB, 864x983px) Image search: [Google]

670KB, 864x983px

>>9560567

I thought that part where he confronts Sanguinius in Pharos was excellent. It was the highlight of the book, and it came out of fucking nowhere. I'm not sure how that was supposed to relate to the story in any way, lol. Pretty sure that author just thought, "Fuck, this story they gave me is pointless. Might as well throw the fans a bone and write this awesome confrontation between two Primarchs." Stole the show.

>‘There is no time, fool! The warp showed me that, everything happens at once. Don’t you see? That is how we see! Time is a book to be read at will. Tell me, why did you not turn? You could have snuffed Horus out like a candle. They offered you the galaxy as a plaything.’
>‘You overstate their offer. I will not be a slave.’
>‘You are a slave. A slave to Father’s will, and a slave to fate. Our only choice is what manner of slavery we shall embrace, and even that choice is an illusion.’
>‘There is always a choice.’
>‘There never is a choice,’ spat Curze. ‘Everything goes back to the beginning, round and round and round and round and round, clack clack clack, all the little cogs, turning turning turning turning.’
>The hammering from outside changed. Heavy combat weapons were being employed against the door, a bone-shaking crunching that boomed loudly with every dent put into the metal.
>‘Do you not think it should have been you? Should Father have chosen you as Warmaster, do you think?’
>‘What?’ said Sanguinius incredulously.
>‘It’s a fair question!’ protested Curze. ‘Roboute sees fit to declare you emperor! Do you not think the Emperor could not have seen fit to declare you Warmaster? You see, although I see your actions before you do, our shared abilities makes reading your intentions so very hard. Your fate is your fate, not mine, and I am genuinely curious. To tell you the truth,’ he laughed apologetically, ‘it is killing me. I have to know.’
>‘It should not have been me,’ said Sanguinius. ‘I am not perfect. I am not worthy.’ >Curze burst out laughing, so hard he could not control himself. His rank breath choked the room. ‘I am sorry! I am sorry, that is so marvelous. If you were not worthy, then what about Horus?’

10/10 desu senpai

>>9560552
>this book was shit /huge let down
>let me continue giving publishers more money so they know to do it again
Consumerism at it's best

>>9560605

>implying I've bought any of these

>>9560622
Someone did. And I'm sure they are like you, but they still continue buying and hoping they get better, then upping it to the net when they are finished and disappointed.

>>9560636

It depends. The Horus Heresy isn't a series that's gotten consistently worse. It's just hit and miss. Every so often you'll get a novel that's a perfect ten, followed by one that's fucking abysmal. And since they have different authors working at the same time, you can't predict what will be good and what will be bad. Sometimes one of them under-performs, sometimes another. And I'd still rather read the worst novels from Horus Heresy than pick up some random fantasy with a farmer boy that grows up to be le ebin magician's apprentice or whatever the hell else. Have you ever read any of them?

File: wild ride.jpg (1MB, 2000x3589px) Image search: [Google]

1MB, 2000x3589px

>>9560154
For when you develop a liking to a set of characters.

>>9560653
Naw. Years ago I wanted to, but was dissuaded by it's length. They 40k memes were too high.

>>9560658

If I hated the Mort with a passion but enjoyed a few of the Rincewind ones, what should I go for?

>>9560675
Wyrd Systers or the City Watch

>>9560670

You should. I went into it without knowing a single thing about 40K. I actually thought it was stupid and only liked fantasy Warhammer. But the novels turned out to be great. Keep in mind, you don't have to read all of them. You could easily follow a single arc and still understand what's going on. I don't know, I find them operatic and magnificent. And feelsy as fuck.

>>9560695
>>9560675
The City Watch books are my favorites

I'm liking the prose of shadow of the torturer but I don't give a FUCK about anything that's happening, the only character that was mildly interesting was that archivist guy I guess

>>9560841

Yeah, the prose is nice, but the characters are unbearable. I trust the others when they say the story is worth it, but I just couldn't get through the first book. The female characters are the absolute worst in anything I've ever read.

I read Clark Ashton Smith's The Vaults Of Yoh-Vomis (1931), a tremendous short story that combines science fiction and cosmic horror. The sole survivor of an archeological expedition to ancient Martian ruins dictates his story to a doctor, where he reveals the fate of his peers, and the cause of his curious-looking head wounds. The prose is superb - foreboding, mysterious, tense, gruesome. Clark distills the better parts of At The Mountains Of Madness and transposes them to Mars, but I was also reminded of the atmosphere of the first Alien film. Five stars all around.

>>9560846
Yeah holy crap they're literally WoT-tier, I'm expecting this noble girl to fold her arms under her breasts and tug her braid any moment now. I'm willing to forgive that for now because Severian is narrating from the perspective of a damaged kid's brain, but I'll probably quit if he stays so juvenile. I delayed reading Malazan for this...

>>9560191
I have a degree in physics and I assure you with all the authority it has on a Mongolian horse raising forum that it's utter bullshit. This "SUDDENLY SPACE MAGIC" crap that comes out of nowhere at the end was the final nail that killed the book for me, though I wasn't enjoying it much before that point either. Cannot fathom why people praise it so much.

>>9560675
you cant go wrong with small gods or the guards guards.
And one of the witch books was great if you like hamlet.

>>9560602
I should read Pharos, unremembered empire was amzing with the 2v1 primarch duel Konrad's my fave probably.

Can someone recommend a good standalone or series revolving around a stealthy character, whether a thief, assassin, whatever?

>>9561043
Riyria Revelations

Anyone here got the ARC for Age of Swords?

Is there much scifi that uses the plot of innocent to hardened warrior? So much fantasy has it but because of the focus on ship combat I haven't seen it in scifi.

Scalzi tries it in old man's war but that book has so many fucking timeskips in it that I gave up

I'm reading Magician (Feist) and the main story is really enjoyable but the book as a whole is unbearable because it's constantly changing to other way less interesting POVs

>>9560900
Good. I love when these fuckers listens to the shills that scream from the roof tops that x books is good. They always come here with pails of tears, and regret.

>>9561050
This or night angel trilogy

>>9561125
That's also a great series, though it starts up a bit slow

Lovecraft's Dunwich Horror is a satisfying re-read. The way he describes the rural geography at the beginning is downright cinematic, and the degenerated rustic setting is atmospheric. The way he writes here, not in the first person, but in a third person mode where he gradually teases out details of local rumors about the Whatelys, is very good.

>>9561132
>>9561125
>

>>9561050
>>9561125
thanks, guys. any others? the sneaky beaky aspect is the most important

>>9561201
lies of locke lamora

sequels less so (they're also worse)

>>9561222
Does LoLL stand on its own or will I need to at least read summaries of the rest to feel satisfied?

>>9561232
Yeah it'll standalone

It's all set in one city and the protagonist leaving the city is the end of the book

>>9561181
?

>>9561146
>sad lonely autistic anon doesn't want to make a goodreads account
>posts his thoughts in 4chan to be forgotten

>>9559694
i havent spoken to anyone else who's read it. and yeah the ending. it was butchered but i felt like it was as good as we could have hoped for really. ben thinking about writing a fan fiction sequel

>>9561525
It's a quite popular series, especially among fantasy fans less pretentious than this shithole. I really liked the very last part where Rand steal a new body and wanders off.

>writing a fan fiction sequel
You do that mate.

>>9560351
Heaven's sake anon. Half the posts mentioning Covenant in previous threads that you got upset over were probably mine. I don't think I actually recced it to someone more than one time (another anon recced it a few times), just brought it up as an example in a related convo. I read it for the first time earlier this year and gave it 3/5. Why do you feel it necessary to fly into an autistic rage whenever it's brought up? You can certainly caution anons that you found it unreadable, but I think your reaction is a bit overblown.

File: PhilipDick.jpg (16KB, 300x389px) Image search: [Google]

16KB, 300x389px

>muh drugs

>>9561503
>retard anon trying to be condescending to a post that's actually on-topic
>posts his thoughts in 4chan to be forgotten

>>9561540
>doesn't torture one's self with hot garbage which even the fans admit is filled with books where nothing happened
>you are pretentious for not being a sheep and reading it
Kys

>>9561546
That was the first book I ever wanted to burn. If I had a physical copy I probably would have. If I could have found a copy where I'm at, I probably would have bought and burnt it just to relieve myself.

>>9561634
I'm just saying it's sad that you post your well thought out reviews here to be forgotten. But w/e.

>>9558456
is there anything anyone could recommend that has something of this?

File: 304687.jpg (106KB, 318x473px) Image search: [Google]

106KB, 318x473px

>>9560538

Are there any sci-fi or fantasy books that are actually mystery stories (as opposed to just having something mysterious somewhere in the story)?

Like, I want detective novels set in a world with magic or in a cyberpunk world or in space.

>>9562190
Do androids dream of electric ship would be the obvious recommendation. Also The Caves of Steel by Asimov.

You can try Dresden Files for urban fantasy detective novels but they're not as good.

>>9562213
electric sheep*

What would you guys say are the best sci fi writers?

I would say Isaac Asimov and Arthur C. Clarke.

>>9562213
>Do androids dream of electric sheep
There's hardly a mystery, let alone the structure of a detective novel.

>>9562249
Heinlein. His sci-fi is almost disturbingly accurate considering how long ago it was written. Also, I agree with him politically so I'm probably biased.

File: 1433469319029.jpg (133KB, 600x600px) Image search: [Google]

133KB, 600x600px

>>9562249

>>9562259
What does it even mean to agree with him politically? Didn't he veer wildly from hippie free-love stuff to hard militarism depending on the book?

>>9562259
>Heinlein
It's written so long ago, the way he writes is so archaic it's almost impossible to tolerate it

>>9562271
Through most of his works his libertarian tendencies are noticeable. You can write a book about about fascism without supporting fascism.

>>9562277
>archaic
Not really, also not an argument.

File: 318271da980706f7a18a811c3456a77d.png (29KB, 633x758px) Image search: [Google]

29KB, 633x758px

>reading fantasy novel
>male fairy elves come looking for virgin maidens to dick
>no fantasy book ever had female elves looking for male virgins to fuck
Just end me now. Not even fantasy girls want kissless male virgins. Why even live?

>>9557324
It's a series I've come back to numerous times. I enjoy reading it.

>>9562306
>tfw you realize that most authors are cucks

>>9562306
Some of the Arthurian stories involve assorted temptresses trying to take Galahad's virginity. Not sure off the top of my head if any of them were faeries though.

>>9562277
Try his earlier works. They're quite enjoyable and are targeted at your reading level.

>>9562268
Who is that supposed to be? Am I supposed to know what sci-fi authors look like?

>>9562249
Well the ones I would recommend are Isaac Asimov, Alfred Bester, Kurt Vonnegut, Ada Palmer, Harlan Ellison, Stanislaw Lem, Strugatsky, Daniel Keyes, Aldiss, Dan Simmons, Arthur C Clarke (shorts only), George Orwell

Fun: Peter Watts, Zahn, Yoon Ha Lee

Good but not great: HG Wells, Le Guin, Cherryh, Ann Leckie

Did not like: Ernst Jünger, Mieville, Wright, Ted Chiang, CS Friedman (great fantasy, shit scifi)

Too old for it: Orson Scott Card, Lois Lowry

Literal shit tier: Aldous Huxley, Pierce Brown

>>9562335
I also liked William Gibson and PKD way back then but they probably aged badly.

>>9562306
>no fantasy book ever had female elves looking for male virgins to fuck
Gene Wolfe's The Knight

>>9562335
>Arthur C Clarke (shorts only)
But Rendezvous with Rama was pretty good...

>>9562346
I've only read the shorts insofar.

>>9562303
>Starship Troopers is fascist meme
Is Switzerland fascist now

File: 1489496832554.jpg (58KB, 500x448px) Image search: [Google]

58KB, 500x448px

>>9562334
>Who is that supposed to be?

>>9562190
Dresden Files
Altered Carbon
Three parts dead
Library at mount char
Shades of grey
Cabal the necromancer series

File: Plz kill me.jpg (126KB, 1106x1080px) Image search: [Google]

126KB, 1106x1080px

>>9562342
Do they want him just because he is a virgin though? (Adult, not shota) Or is it because seducing him would land a greater prize? (A victory, a boon, etc)

Face it. Women want chads, or guys with experience. You don't see them openly hunting for virgin cocks like in the doujins.
Just kill me.

>>9562190
Glen Cook has like 12 books of magic detective in fantasyland stuff

Book of Jhereg and the sequels are also mysteries, they're just reversed ones (the mc has to work out who his target is and how to kill them)

>>9562335
>Ada Palmer
Kinda sticks out in that list desu. She's only written three works of fiction and all in the past year. What lead you to put her there instead of "Good but not great"?

>>9562351
>Is Switzerland fascist now
I have no idea.

>>9562452
>What lead you to put her there instead of "Good but not great"?
Because it actually reminds me quite painfully of Fforde's Shades of Grey and I have been waiting since 2010 for that fucking sequel. I'd even take the prequel at this point.

>>9562428
This kinda happened in wise man fear, fairy whore came looking for human dick to ride. Although I don't think she was looking for a virgin specifically (his totally awesome music just kept her panties slipping off of their own accord), when she picked him up. Just like stories of old where seductress lead men astray into fairy land to die as old servants and have their tongues and manhoods removed.

Any of you lot know of good books with succubi? It's interesting what anon said, and I'm sure the closest things would be the modern day fae(demons). So any novels with literal semen demons looking for virgin dick to ride? It obviously has to have a story, not just be hentai.

It's been 8 years and 7 Things to do before you die in Talgarth still hasn't been released.

File: The_Complete_Science_Fiction_Treasury_of_H.G._Wells.jpg (51KB, 337x499px) Image search: [Google]

51KB, 337x499px

This is kinda depressing. I just read Wells' preface. He ends it by saying, essentially, "I stopped writing fantastic stories because the masses are too uncreative to appreciate it and Hitler is gonna kill us all anyway".

>>9562587
So he was a jew??---- __

>>9562631
Socialist, actually.

>>9559741
>But we're talking Gene Wolfe.
Har D. Har

>uni exams will be over soon
>can finally read all day soon again
thank kresimir

Pit, i forgot where i left off in the book

Why were the Predeii ageless and couldn't die? Weren't htye just realylreallyl powerful privileged? Is Daniel towsij9t now a powdermage predeii also basically immortal?

File: husbando.jpe.jpg (96KB, 690x730px) Image search: [Google]

96KB, 690x730px

>>9562335
>Mieville
t-take that back

>>9563681

He looks like a Romulan from the new star trek movies.

>>9562335
Why don't you like Ted? And why isn't Wells great?

>>9562249

Tao Lin is really good

Is it Gay-man or Guy-man?

File: image.jpg (1MB, 2592x1936px) Image search: [Google]

1MB, 2592x1936px

I got these today, another area olds and I had no idea there was a new Captain Future story commissioned. Steele wrote the infamous Death of Captain Future pastiche back in the 90s

>>9563756
>area olds
I really hate iPads sometimes
Reynolds

>>9556721
I remember reading a fantasy novella from my local library where the protag was a bikini-clad warrior women and it just got to the point where every villain she fought got embarrassed and refused to fight her until she put some clothes on, was quite funny desu wish I remembered its name

>>9562428
Queen Disire first slept with Able when he was boy
When he woke up the next morning he was a large powerful man

>>9563705
Ted's writing is in short chunks which makes me feel cockblocked. Write longer stuff, damn it.

Wells - I did not feel War of the Worlds. The Invisible Man has Griffin who is a wonderful bastard, though and I loved the Morlock/Eloi setup.

>>9563681
I feel like Wright and Mieville have a similar writing style.

The odd thing is that I don't like either of them but I did like the quirkiness and worldbuilding present in Ada Palmer and Jasper Fforde's (Shades of Grey only) stuff so perhaps it is a matter of persisting with the story past a certain point. The alternate explanation is that Mieville feels a little Urban fantasy-esque.

File: 42141515.jpg (124KB, 363x558px) Image search: [Google]

124KB, 363x558px

any light novels worth reading?

File: considering-suicide.jpg (22KB, 840x405px) Image search: [Google]

22KB, 840x405px

>>9563834

>>9563843
I don't really like Mishima but thanks

File: 1469340419458.jpg (39KB, 396x381px) Image search: [Google]

39KB, 396x381px

>>9563844
haha

File: waifu approval.jpg (184KB, 500x593px) Image search: [Google]

184KB, 500x593px

>>9561756

I just downloaded it, anon. Thank you. Looks great.

Fucking beginnings of books
I want shit to happen already instead of all this introductory bullshit reeeeee

>>9563897
Malazan. You are dropled feet first into the novel. No introduction, no explanations. You have to figure shit out as you go (like you would in real life).

>>9563904

>again with this meme

You realize being unable to tell a story and providing context isn't "being betterer," right? There are plenty of books that start in medias res and still provide the reader with enough information to figure out what the fuck is going on. Unlike the keep-the-wiki-open-if-you-want-to-get-anything Malazan way of going about it.

>>9563897

How many books have that, though, anon? Books after the 2000s tend to start off strong.

>>9557261
>>9557341
Satampra Zeiros was the first one I read too. Fairly standard fantasy horror, but better written than Howard or Lovecraft. If you enjoy it, try Black Abbot of Puthuum and Charnel God. There's more, but I forget which ones I've read.

Some of his work is great, but his habit of using the entire dictionary, especially antiquated medieval words, makes some of his stories annoying to read.

Useful link: http://www.eldritchdark.com/writings/short-stories/

>>9563904
Malazan: you have no idea what is happening until the author starts infodumping later on in the book

>>9563940

Malazan: every woman is just a guy without a dick that happens, and almost all of them are insane fighters/assassins/mages in positions of authority.

>what are women

>>9563952
At least some of them still get raped

>>9563913
>I'm too dumb to read a novel and understand it without a wiki
An hero now.

File: 1494539077802.jpg (37KB, 406x552px) Image search: [Google]

37KB, 406x552px

>info dumps

>>9564014
This entire thing is retarded. Yeah ok, Malazan doesn't start off with info dumps, but it does have fucking info dumps. It's not like there's some grand mystery that's to be connected. At most, the reader just needs to remember some basic detail, and then notice that there's an info dump on that detail maybe 3 books later. That system is retarded and doesn't make the series better or compel the reader to be intelligent. At most, it's what normal fantasy series do. At worst, it's frustrating for an in media res series.

People need to stop parading it around as a selling point for the series because it's not.

File: Frank_Frazetta_6.jpg (360KB, 1203x1600px) Image search: [Google]

360KB, 1203x1600px

>>9564396

>It's not like there's some grand mystery that's to be connected. At most, the reader just needs to remember some basic detail, and then notice that there's an info dump on that detail maybe 3 books later.

But that's the thing, anon. These stupid Malazan niggers are pretending like it's a series that's too complex to be understood by mere mortals. Like you need to be Preston Jacobs.

What they don't get is that there's a difference between having to expend extra energy to understand the true meaning of a work and its significance, and simply being denied the basic premise of a story. It's not like Erikson is against giving you info. Not at all. The problem is that he tells you the most meaningless crap. But the essentials? How many warrens there are, where they come from, how they work, what an Ascendant is, who the Chained God is? Yeah, let's not give the reader that information. Who cares.

And these people have the audacity to turn this on its head and say, "Yeah, man, that's all on purpose. You're supposed to spend hundreds of pages to get a hint of who the main antagonist is." WHEN IT'S NEVER EVEN PRESENTED AS MYSTERY. Erikson isn't shy about it because it's some big reveal. He is just such a bad storyteller that he has no idea what information takes priority, and when and how it should be presented. He's completely fucking clueless when it comes to structuring.

The only reason Malazan is popular is because it has emotive power and that it transcends the pants-on-head-retarded plot(s). And there's many narratives in this shitshow that aren't fundamentally connected in any way. And off again, on again stories. The man has no focus, no direction, no grand plan or purposeful technique by which to reach a finale. He's just rambling on, showing different aspects of the setting with various characters and locations, and desperately trying to present that as a cohesive narrative.

>>9564437
Get a load of this faggot.

File: Rat God.gif (2MB, 300x221px) Image search: [Google]

2MB, 300x221px

>>9564481

I am a man of humble ability, but I can see through raw, unshaped bullshit.

File: 1490106970942.png (29KB, 741x568px) Image search: [Google]

29KB, 741x568px

>>9564437
yeah why would the crippled god be a mystery, also if you can't work out what an ascendant is you are just dumb

>>9562306
Wise Man's Fear, my friendly friend

>>9564726

>also if you can't work out what an ascendant is you are just dumb

You can, but it's introduced far too late. That should be something that's put in there within the first hundred pages of the first novel.

Why do epic fantasy series' nosedive so hard over time? Blood Song, Kingkiller, PoN, Stormlight etc.
Unhewn throne is the only recent one I've read that hasn't had a really noticeable drop in quality after the first or second book. I guess I know the answer, that the MCs basically turn into Mary Sues, but why do they do this?

>>9564799
Most of those are cases where the first book was the first published novel of the author

They spend years working on it trying to get it published, then if it's a hit they're under huge pressure to put out a bigger sequel in a couple of years.

I don't like Kingkiller but it's a good example of this, the first book is nearly 10 years old already because the author just isn't used to working with time pressure.

Also I personally lost interest with unhewn throne in book two, way too many ironic coincidences early on.

>>9564437
>He's just rambling on, showing different aspects of the setting with various characters and locations, and desperately trying to present that as a cohesive narrative.

Honestly I didn't even see him making much effort to present it as a cohesive narrative. For me the books always seemed first and foremost about the various characters and whatever wacky situations they were in. I do agree the structure is pretty taxing at times with all the jumping around. But stuff like the nature of warrens, those details aren't the point and quite frankly those details are largely irrelevant, it's the characters that are the point.

File: 1495991445814.png (369KB, 757x942px) Image search: [Google]

369KB, 757x942px

Kek

File: Six Expressions of Death.jpg (120KB, 830x1329px) Image search: [Google]

120KB, 830x1329px

Just finished Six Expressions of Death by Mojo Mori. Absolutely fantastic, especially considering it's his first published work.

The story concerns a poor, rural Samurai and his investigation of a vagrant murdered in his lands, who at closer examination is obviously also Samurai traveling in disguise. It's only 218 pages and it's a stand alone work, so it's not particularly heavy reading. The pacing is perfect, I usually find myself skimming bits of exposition when I read, I didn't do that at all in this.
It has some very low key supernatural stuff in it, no wizards casting spells, but a definite touch of Buddhist and Shinto mysticism, and the plot is much more a murder mystery than Samurai drama.
The translation is also so good that I had to double check to see if it wasn't written in English. It was in fact published first in Japanese, the translation is just that good.

Definitely worth checking out if you want something to occupy a lazy evening.

File: 1493939515324.jpg (91KB, 459x612px) Image search: [Google]

91KB, 459x612px

>>9564842
GRRM never disappoints

>>9564799
Almost always because they don't plan ahead. Same shit with manga.

>>9558044
Read Le Mort D'Arthur and skip anything written after. If you want more Arthurian stuff then go back further.

>>9558044
Gawain and the Green Knight is short and easy to read, Mallory's a bit of a chore and Monmouth's unbearable

>>9564842
stupid fat fuck
I don't care anymore; there's always something else to read

>>9564842
>inb4 he dies and Sanderson continues it

>>9564879
Sanderson would probably be an improvement.

>>9564842
There's no way he's finishing the series, 6+ years to write this book, one more to go and he's not going to get any faster.

>>9564799
Is Kingkiller really that epic? It's only 2 books at the moment.

And I don't agree that Stormlight have dropped in quality, it's not great but it have been consistent. If anything I prefer the later parts.

New
>>9564901
>>9564901
>>9564901

>>9563834
I unironically believe the Haruhi novels are brimming with interesting ideas behind and in-between the wacky club hi-jinks and occasional low-key world threats. Probably never gonna finish, though.