Books
- Thread starter Sinfulwolf
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OP
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Re: Books
From the point of view of Death? I may have to look into this. Thank you Pale.
From the point of view of Death? I may have to look into this. Thank you Pale.
Re: Books
Ah. Well I'm awful at seeing things in shades of grey, so I suppose black-and-white would appeal to me. I wouldn't quite call it that, but, like I said, I'm bad at seeing grey so take what I say with a grain of salt.
Ah. Well I'm awful at seeing things in shades of grey, so I suppose black-and-white would appeal to me. I wouldn't quite call it that, but, like I said, I'm bad at seeing grey so take what I say with a grain of salt.
Shrike7
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Re: Books
So about a year ago, I got a hold of a handful of spare books from a friend that was freeing up space. I ended up reading this one book, loved it to death. Turns out it's book five in Steven Erickson's Malazan series, so I went and grabbed the whole set, eight novels and I think still counting, all in the 850-1000 page range. A good read for anyone who loves fantasy, in my opinion. Well written, memorable characters, amazing plot that keeps me guessing (which frankly, hasn't happened in years :/). It does start rather slow, however, so keep that in mind. My favourite part, however, is that the author assumes you're an intelligent person who's been paying attention. When something big happens, he doesn't spell it out for you, he tells you so-and-so is really whatever-for-whoever, and instead of the usual 'meaning blah blah blah must be yadda yadda', he just moves on, while you're still reeling from the impact. I love it!
So about a year ago, I got a hold of a handful of spare books from a friend that was freeing up space. I ended up reading this one book, loved it to death. Turns out it's book five in Steven Erickson's Malazan series, so I went and grabbed the whole set, eight novels and I think still counting, all in the 850-1000 page range. A good read for anyone who loves fantasy, in my opinion. Well written, memorable characters, amazing plot that keeps me guessing (which frankly, hasn't happened in years :/). It does start rather slow, however, so keep that in mind. My favourite part, however, is that the author assumes you're an intelligent person who's been paying attention. When something big happens, he doesn't spell it out for you, he tells you so-and-so is really whatever-for-whoever, and instead of the usual 'meaning blah blah blah must be yadda yadda', he just moves on, while you're still reeling from the impact. I love it!
Momiji
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Re: Books
Subtleness that doesn't often happen too much in literature.
Unfortunately hardcore Fantasy isn't really my thing when it comes to books. I prefer a touch of realism.
So about a year ago, I got a hold of a handful of spare books from a friend that was freeing up space. I ended up reading this one book, loved it to death. Turns out it's book five in Steven Erickson's Malazan series, so I went and grabbed the whole set, eight novels and I think still counting, all in the 850-1000 page range. A good read for anyone who loves fantasy, in my opinion. Well written, memorable characters, amazing plot that keeps me guessing (which frankly, hasn't happened in years :/). It does start rather slow, however, so keep that in mind. My favourite part, however, is that the author assumes you're an intelligent person who's been paying attention. When something big happens, he doesn't spell it out for you, he tells you so-and-so is really whatever-for-whoever, and instead of the usual 'meaning blah blah blah must be yadda yadda', he just moves on, while you're still reeling from the impact. I love it!
Subtleness that doesn't often happen too much in literature.
Unfortunately hardcore Fantasy isn't really my thing when it comes to books. I prefer a touch of realism.
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Re: Books
The Dresden Files: Read them. Jim Butcher creates some of the most believable characters and dialogue I've ever seen in a semi-fantasy or fantasy setting. Along with the incredibly well thought out universe, the interesting relationships between the characters, and the fact that the main character never comes off as unrealistic makes it one of the best reads I've ever had. I literally read through two of the books in a day.
The Dresden Files: Read them. Jim Butcher creates some of the most believable characters and dialogue I've ever seen in a semi-fantasy or fantasy setting. Along with the incredibly well thought out universe, the interesting relationships between the characters, and the fact that the main character never comes off as unrealistic makes it one of the best reads I've ever had. I literally read through two of the books in a day.
Momiji
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Re: Books
I..have...recommended...this..before...
I FEEL SOME FORM OF RAGEFUL EXPRESSION.
I..have...recommended...this..before...
I FEEL SOME FORM OF RAGEFUL EXPRESSION.
Copper
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Re: Books
Now, now, Mo. It's okay. Tass was just adding weight to your own recommendation and reinforcing it. Yeah, that's it!
And I enjoy the Dresden Files as well. Or at least, Jim Butcher. I've only read one of the Files but I've read a lot of his shorts. I have a spotty collection of them (Like 1, 3-6, etc etc) and with series, I like to get a good run of them first before I start reading them.
Try Simon Green's Nightside books if you like Dresden, too. Noir meets Fantasy meets Humor. Good times.
Now, now, Mo. It's okay. Tass was just adding weight to your own recommendation and reinforcing it. Yeah, that's it!
And I enjoy the Dresden Files as well. Or at least, Jim Butcher. I've only read one of the Files but I've read a lot of his shorts. I have a spotty collection of them (Like 1, 3-6, etc etc) and with series, I like to get a good run of them first before I start reading them.
Try Simon Green's Nightside books if you like Dresden, too. Noir meets Fantasy meets Humor. Good times.
Momiji
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Re: Books
Read more. All of the Dresden Files are extremely impressive and there is absolutely no excuse not to read them.
Read more. All of the Dresden Files are extremely impressive and there is absolutely no excuse not to read them.
Copper
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Oh, that's the plan. I just need more of them to read first.
And I have, albiet likely watered down versions, read the comic of Storm Front and his made-for-comic story, Welcome to the Jungle.
I love Bob.
Oh, that's the plan. I just need more of them to read first.
And I have, albiet likely watered down versions, read the comic of Storm Front and his made-for-comic story, Welcome to the Jungle.
I love Bob.
Goldstein
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Re: Books
I'll second Copper's Nightside recommendation, and throw in Simon Green's Secret Histories series as well. Except maybe for the third one.
Additionally, I'll recommend Neil Gaiman's Neverwhere as it is in the same vein of noir meeting fantasy meeting urban environments, London in this case. Actually, you know what, just read everything Gaiman did. Get the collection Fragile Things and start there.
I'll second Copper's Nightside recommendation, and throw in Simon Green's Secret Histories series as well. Except maybe for the third one.
Additionally, I'll recommend Neil Gaiman's Neverwhere as it is in the same vein of noir meeting fantasy meeting urban environments, London in this case. Actually, you know what, just read everything Gaiman did. Get the collection Fragile Things and start there.
Momiji
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Re: Books
I was gonna read the comic of Storm Front, but...
I didn't like the art style, and I didn't like the way they protrayed Dresden using that art style.
It's nice, but not what I imagined him as.
I was gonna read the comic of Storm Front, but...
I didn't like the art style, and I didn't like the way they protrayed Dresden using that art style.
It's nice, but not what I imagined him as.
Copper
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Well, up until then, all I had was the SciFi series to go off of, which I found rather amusing after I started reading it and saw the different interpretation of Murphy. (Rather, the show's interpretation of Murphy, as I'm certain the comic is more true to the book.) I like it, but then, I actually like that artist. To each their own, though. At least give Welcome to the Jungle a read, even if you don't like the art. The humor alone is worth it.
Well, up until then, all I had was the SciFi series to go off of, which I found rather amusing after I started reading it and saw the different interpretation of Murphy. (Rather, the show's interpretation of Murphy, as I'm certain the comic is more true to the book.) I like it, but then, I actually like that artist. To each their own, though. At least give Welcome to the Jungle a read, even if you don't like the art. The humor alone is worth it.
Momiji
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Re: Books
Once again, comics really aren't my thing. The furthest I've ever dipped into getting into comics is watching Atop the 4th Wall with Linkara. (who is a fantastic comic book critic, BTW. I would recommend watching Atop the 4th Wall if you like watching that sort of thing.)
Once again, comics really aren't my thing. The furthest I've ever dipped into getting into comics is watching Atop the 4th Wall with Linkara. (who is a fantastic comic book critic, BTW. I would recommend watching Atop the 4th Wall if you like watching that sort of thing.)
OP
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Re: Books
Not sure if I've recomended it yet but... the Gears of War books by Karen Travis. She has some how managed to make the situation seem even more bleak and hopeless in parts than the games did. Really well done.
Also, the first book "Aspho Fields" takes place between the two games with flashbacks to the battle that's mentioned in the games. And the second, "Jacinto's Remnants" takes place after the second game with flashbacks to the first year after Emergence Day.
Not sure if I've recomended it yet but... the Gears of War books by Karen Travis. She has some how managed to make the situation seem even more bleak and hopeless in parts than the games did. Really well done.
Also, the first book "Aspho Fields" takes place between the two games with flashbacks to the battle that's mentioned in the games. And the second, "Jacinto's Remnants" takes place after the second game with flashbacks to the first year after Emergence Day.
Momiji
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Re: Books
The Gears of War series of games I didn't like because the characters were too bulky and odd looking, and I preferred Rainbow Six: Vegas anyway. Still, I really enjoyed the atmosphere and the setting of Gears of War, so I might look into that book..
The Gears of War series of games I didn't like because the characters were too bulky and odd looking, and I preferred Rainbow Six: Vegas anyway. Still, I really enjoyed the atmosphere and the setting of Gears of War, so I might look into that book..
OP
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It somewhat explains in the books that with the bulky armour, training, and the fact that the gears are all well fed, they appear to be bulky compared to the Stranded and other civilians who are under-fed. They probably made the main characters that bulky just to push that point home.
It somewhat explains in the books that with the bulky armour, training, and the fact that the gears are all well fed, they appear to be bulky compared to the Stranded and other civilians who are under-fed. They probably made the main characters that bulky just to push that point home.
Momiji
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Even still, I don't like a lot of the dialogue or the characters in the game. Please tell me the book is better than the game in that regard?
Even still, I don't like a lot of the dialogue or the characters in the game. Please tell me the book is better than the game in that regard?
OP
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Different writer, different dialogue. I actually can't really find it in me to recommend the books to you Mo, because its mostly backstory for the games. You won't enjoy them as much, nor get as much out of them.
Still, she did a good job on everything in my opinion. The battles were quite well written, and the emotions more in the open than in the games. Which can be easier with books than games.
But, like I said Mo, it's hard for me to suggest you picking them up. I really like the series, and the books add that much more to what I think is a great setting. Now you said you liked the setting so you may enjoy the books. But its hard to tell.
All in all, there is probably something better for you out there.
Different writer, different dialogue. I actually can't really find it in me to recommend the books to you Mo, because its mostly backstory for the games. You won't enjoy them as much, nor get as much out of them.
Still, she did a good job on everything in my opinion. The battles were quite well written, and the emotions more in the open than in the games. Which can be easier with books than games.
But, like I said Mo, it's hard for me to suggest you picking them up. I really like the series, and the books add that much more to what I think is a great setting. Now you said you liked the setting so you may enjoy the books. But its hard to tell.
All in all, there is probably something better for you out there.
