I is out of books!

[xenith]

So I need some recommendations. For good fantasy, or SF even, or pretty much anything, except historicals of dubious historicalness and I don't seem to like that paranormal romance thing, or things sent in present day US or generic big cities, or books where people stand around talking rather than doing things, but other than, I read pretty much anything.



(OK what I do like: SF/F mostly, with interesting characters in an place that feels real; who are doing things (adventure over introspection),; that doesn't seem like something I've read a dozen time over; dark is good, but not bleak; light can be good, but not humorous; and for bonus points: airships, sailing ships, cruise ships that hit an iceberg on their maiden voyage, terriers, raptors (bird sort) or old houses; and a twist at the end that makes the whole story change can be good; and not first person; or 800 pages long)

Comments

[kaelajael.livejournal.com]

See, I would recommend "The Time-travellers wife", but its set in present day US and could be classified as a paranormal romance.

Or I'd say "The boy in the striped pyjamas", but that might be in th category of dubious historicalness...

They're currently my two favourite books though :)

[monissaw.livejournal.com]

I tried the "Time Travellers Wife" but took it back to the library :\

"The boy in the striped pyjamas" looks interesting though. (Puts a hold on it at library.) The problem with historicals is when they touch on anything I know about, then my suspension of disbelief gets easily jolted. Unless I believe the author knows what they're talking about.

[editormum.livejournal.com]

I just finished book three of Jennifer Fallon's Tide Lords series. Definitely hits most of your points, especially twist ending!

The Cecilia Dart-Thornton series (that had book four last year) had airships, but was rather slow I thought.

Most other stuff I've been reading has been paranormal. Really enjoy Patricia Briggs though.

[editormum.livejournal.com]

Should also say I liked the first two books of the Jenn Fallon series! And the fourth is out in December too.

[monissaw.livejournal.com]

I've read one of Jennifer Fallon's books (Lion of Senet I think) and didn't much care for it. Too many characters doing too much at once, and the only one that interested me got killed off. I don't think I'm her target readership.

Patricia Briggs looks promising though. Any books in particular?

[editormum.livejournal.com]

I've only read the new ones and I like them. The Mercy books and, most recently, the spin off/side step from that, the Alpha and Omega series. Mercy is a mechanic who happens to be a Native American coyote shapeshifter raised by werewolves. :)

[monissaw.livejournal.com]

I've requested a couple :)

[aulus-poliutos.livejournal.com]

Hm, not 800 pages long makes it a bit difficult since a lot on my shelves is of the door stopper variant. Sor GRR Martin and Steven Erikson are out, and so is Scott Bakker (he's probably too bleak anyway).

Lois McMaster Bujold, The Curse of Chalion and The Hallowed Hunt might be to your taste. Greg Keyes Kingsdoms of Thorn and Bone tetralogy (four books, but in the 500 page range), maybe something by David B. Coe or Guy Gavriel Kay, (my faves are The Lions of Al-Rassan and The Last Light of the Sun, though the latter very much a question of taste). More battle and action oriented is Paul Kearney's The Ten Thousand and David Gemmell's Troy trilgoy.

Scott Lynch's first book, The Lies of Locke Lamorra is set in an Fantasy town, but the sequel, Red Sails under Red Skies has quite some nautic stuff. Airships? Hm, Tobias Buckell's Crystal Rain, maybe - he's on my To Buy list.

A bit differnt is S.L. Farrell's A Magic of Twilight (first in the Nessantico trilogy).

[monissaw.livejournal.com]

I had GRR Martin in mind when I said 800 pages :) I'm keeping his for next year when I'm not trying to read 8 books a month.

The others, I've already read most of those authors -- you're on my wavelength ;) I'll check the remainder out. Thanks!

[monissaw.livejournal.com]

By Patrick Rothfuss?

Library has a copy. Seven actually, and they're all out. This is a good sign :)

[tmclarke.livejournal.com]

Jay lake has two great books out right now that sound like just the thing for you. MAINSPRING and ESCAPEMENT.

Setting is Earth-like, but with the difference that the world really does run on clockwork, factually and demonstrably. He creates a totally believable world cand drags you right into it. And there's dirigibles and ships and adventure, and people doing things.

[monissaw.livejournal.com]

Hmm, I can get Mainspring. Thanks!