dogandbooks

For anyone who thought Chloe next to books was cute, she was on the Hodderscape blog yesterday with her wings http://hodderscape.co.uk/the-hunters-kind-cosplay-how-to-turn-your-dog-into-rii/ Catherine

I had trouble picking a Dumbledore quote, one option got me Lovegood, the other Weasley. Weasley seems about right, no one would notice another ginger hanging about the place! Catherine

I will post more thorough and coherent thoughts later, but I just wanted to say I finished this last night and it was wonderful. The second half is full of twists and surprises and the whole thing is just a beautiful read. I really loved it! Edited to add my more detailed thoughts. I don't think these contain spoilers, but just to be on the safe side I'm linking to where I posted them on twitter! http://t.co/0H14oYwPWz Catherine

Thanks, Peacefield and Echo! It's good to be here!

Thanks, Marie! She is indeed, and she uses her powers to get treats!

Thanks, bobblybear! Yours is a gorgeous pup!

The Hollow Gods is a fantasy quartet the first book of which, Smiler's Fair, came out last year and book two, The Hunter's Kind, is published 2 July 2015. These are the spoiler-free thoughts I wrote when I finished Smiler's Fair earlier this year: The prologue is immediate and powerful and ensures you are going to stick with this story. Then it's a bit of a slow-burning fuse, which is great because by the time the plot threads start going BOOM (and there are a lot of twisty, intriguing booms) you're invested in the characters. Who are all awesome, even if it takes a while to see it (took me ages to warm to Dae Hyo but he'd become a favourite by the end). Eric is brilliant, love his determination to be himself. He's also the character I'd most like to be friends with. Nethmi finds her inner badass (not spoiling how or why). Krish is so many things I can't say without spoiling, but I do kind of want to hug him at times. And then by the end the world is changing and the stage is set for even more epic awesomeness. Also, it has a map! And this is my commentary on The Hunter's Kind (I was lucky enough to get an advance copy). I'm posting a link to it because while it just teases Hunter's Kind it does contain SPOILERS for Smiler's Fair: http://t.co/VBgDYu7Gao Catherine

I'm reading this at the moment as it came highly recommended by book-people whose opinions I trust and I'm not regretting the purchase! It feels familiar, because it's woven from the same threads as the fairy tales I know and love, but they're making a wholly new and beautiful cloth. I'm 150 pages in, but it's superb so far! Catherine

Right with you, Karsa! I remember Stephen as sort of ticking along quietly yet very importantly as the story progressed and then BAM he steps centre stage. I don't feel like it will feel that impact-full in the adaptation. Strange was always my favourite of the two, but I haven't connected with how he's portrayed the way I did with him in the book. Catherine

I'm two episodes behind now, but this is precisely why I'm two episodes behind. I remember loving the book both times I've read it and loving how real it felt, as if I were reading history and not fiction (to the extent that I remember making a note to look for one of the books mentioned in a footnote only having to stop and remind myself the book didn't actually exist!). But I feel like that's not coming across in the adaptation. I feel like the plot is confusing in a way it wasn't in the book and I'm bored rather than enthralled and entertained. I'm sure I'll get back to it eventually! Also, does Lady Poole strike anyone else as more of a sulky teenager than a sick young woman? I'm okay with most of the casting but she really bugs me. Catherine

Thanks, frankie! Although that expression is profound and weary boredom, getting her to look perky next to the TBR is hard these days! Thanks, Nollaig! She wields her cute like a weapon sometimes And the fluffy is very important! Catherine

Karsa, it is actually better than that review makes it sound. And I've found that since I finished it it's been rattling around my brain making me love it more. And The Hunter's Kind (book two in the quartet) has me even more enthralled. I'll admit to liking some of the characters more than others, but then there is at least one I didn't much care for in Smiler's Fair which I've become fond of in Hunter's Kind. Catherine

As requested, here is the most recent photo of Chloe vs the TBR pile (althogh since this was taken Hunter's Kind came off the top and Uprooted went on). She's starting to get bored with having her photo taken next to the TBR. Catherine

Thanks Signor Finzione, she knows she gorgeous and uses it to her advantage! I followed you back as well And that's a tricky question! There's the usual big names, Neil Gaiman, Terry Pratchett, Robin McKinley [this is the point yesterday when I disappeared into an all-day training session, so starting from here today!], JK Rowling, Philip Pullman, PL Travers, Tolkien, Jasper Fforde. But I also loved Garden Spells, Daughter of Smoke and Bone trilogy, Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell, Smiler's Fair (I'm reading The Hunter's Kind at the moment and it is glorious and I'm excited for Uprooted next). And beyond fantasy there's the joy of Charlotte Bronte and Jane Austen and I quite like Bill Bryson's history writing. Hi Garcia24, thanks for the welcome, and right back at you, fellow Catherine! Hi Athena, followed you back as well I'd say historical fiction/history is what I read the most of after fantasy. Yes, frankie, yes I will Catherine

Thanks, Karsa Orlong, chesilbeach and vodkafan! Lovely to have such a warm welcome! Michelle, I was going to tweet you that I'd got up the courage to join, but you've noticed now