Athena Posted July 11, 2013 Posted July 11, 2013 (edited) Great review ! I've wishlisted this book, it sounds like something I'd enjoy reading. Edited July 11, 2013 by Athena Quote
Karsa Orlong Posted July 11, 2013 Author Posted July 11, 2013 I'm sure you'll enjoy it So I finally got my TBR list down to 60 . . . and have immediately bought some more books On Basilisk Station by David Weber (free on Kindle) The Honor of the Queen by David Weber (free on Kindle) The Thousand Names by Django Wexler (great name!) Okay, so I only 'bought' one of them, the other two were free The one I paid for is another punt, only just been published, but it sounds like my kind of thing Naturally, none of these were the ones I planned on getting Quote
Athena Posted July 12, 2013 Posted July 12, 2013 So I finally got my TBR list down to 60 . . . and have immediately bought some more books x Recognisable! XD I hope you enjoy your new reads ! Quote
Timstar Posted July 12, 2013 Posted July 12, 2013 So I finally got my TBR list down to 60 . . . and have immediately bought some more books At least you got it down before buying more, unless most people on here Kindle freebies are a dangerous way to get it high again though! Quote
Little Pixie Posted July 12, 2013 Posted July 12, 2013 I'm sure you'll enjoy it So I finally got my TBR list down to 60 . . . and have immediately bought some more books Hee hee. I wonder what that feels like. Quote
poppyshake Posted July 12, 2013 Posted July 12, 2013 Django Wexler!??!!??! he's made that up surely Quote
Kidsmum Posted July 13, 2013 Posted July 13, 2013 So I finally got my TBR list down to 60 . . . and have immediately bought some more books Kindle freebies are a dangerous way to get it high again though! Whoah!!!....you guys ...... Life in the fast lane Totally agree with your opinion of the cover art of Blood Song, Steve, i looked at it & thought there's a guy who needs a fringe Good job it didn't put you off though seeing as you enjoyed the book so much Quote
Karsa Orlong Posted July 13, 2013 Author Posted July 13, 2013 Django Wexler!??!!??! he's made that up surely I think he's actually a villain from a Bond movie Totally agree with your opinion of the cover art of Blood Song, Steve, i looked at it & thought there's a guy who needs a fringe I know, it's awful! The US cover's only marginally better Quote
Karsa Orlong Posted July 15, 2013 Author Posted July 15, 2013 Book #39: The Mauritius Command by Patrick O'Brian From Amazon: Captain Jack Aubrey is ashore on half-pay without a command — until his friend, and occasional intelligence agent, Stephen Maturin, arrives with secret orders for Aubrey to take a frigate to the Cape of Good Hope, under a Commodore’s pennant. But the difficulties of carrying out his orders are compounded by two of his own captains — Lord Clonfert, a pleasure-seeking dilettante, and Captain Corbett, whose severity can push his crews to the verge of mutiny. Based on the actual campaign of 1810 in the Indian Ocean, O’Brian’s attention to detail of eighteenth-century life ashore and at sea is meticulous. This tale is as beautifully written and as gripping as any in the series; it also stands on its own as a superlative work of fiction. Thoughts: This is the fourth book in O'Brian's 'Aubrey/Maturin' series and it's another rollicking good yarn. Jack Aubrey, now married with kids, is floundering at home, living with his mother-in-law, an age without being at sea, and can't wait to get away. Well, who couldn't? Fortunately, his friend and ship's doctor (and spy), Stephen Maturin arrives with news of an impending mission that will take Jack and the crew of the frigate Boadicea around the Cape of Good Hope and into enemy waters. It seems that the French are intent on disrupting the trade routes from the East Indies. Based on real events, Jack takes command of a small squadron of ships, outnumbered by the French, and finds himself lumbered with two contrasting captains who do not see eye to eye. After struggling with the first book in the series, I find I have been completely won over by O'Brian's tales. His prose is hypnotic and flows seamlessly from one event to another. It requires concentration, but the rewards are huge. From the characters, through the dialogue, to the settings, and the nautical background, I found this such an immersive book, it just sucked me completely into its time and place. It is full of humour, drama and excitement. The several naval battle sequences are thrilling. I often balk at blurb on books that proclaim it to be the 'best' of such and such genre, so I'm not quite ready to go along with the assertion that O'Brian is the greatest historical novelist of all time (mainly because I haven't read all the others ) but what I can say is that, in terms of the feeling of being completely in that time and place, in terms of there being absolutely no anachronisms that kick me out of the experience, these books are exemplary 9/10 Quote
Karsa Orlong Posted July 15, 2013 Author Posted July 15, 2013 Plan update: Bring Up the Bodies by Hilary Mantel - finished 13/06/13 Emperor: The Gates of Rome by Conn Iggulden Prophecy by S. J. Parris - finished 18/06/13 The Mauritius Command by Patrick O'Brian - finished 14/07/13 The Black Dahlia by James Ellroy - finished 27/06/13 The Odyssey by Homer Something by David Gemmell, to be decided (probably either Hero in the Shadows or The First Chronicles of Druss the Legend) A Deepness in the Sky by Vernor Vinge The Technician by Neal Asher - finished 04/07/13 Pompeii by Robert Harris The Silver Spike by Glen Cook - finished 22/06/13 The one no-one saw coming: To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee Another one finished off the plan. And now on to . . . oh wait, I've gone off plan again Made a start on Django Wexler's How to be a Bond Villain The Thousand Names Quote
Timstar Posted July 15, 2013 Posted July 15, 2013 Glad your still liking the series! I'm sure you've told me before but have you ever read any of the Sharpe series? They sound very similar but not sure about the style of writing. Quote
Karsa Orlong Posted July 15, 2013 Author Posted July 15, 2013 I haven't read any of the Sharpe books yet, no - I'll definitely give them a try one day, cos I like Cornwell's writing, as you know. His writing style is very different from O'Brian's, I'd say What's the best one to start with? Quote
Timstar Posted July 15, 2013 Posted July 15, 2013 I'd say Sharpe's Eagle, it's the first one he wrote and my personal favourite. Quote
Little Pixie Posted July 15, 2013 Posted July 15, 2013 Made a start on Django Wexler's How to be a Bond Villain The Thousand Names You`ve probably already discussed this, but for someone too lazy to look back through your thread, how have you picked the books for your plan ? And has it made your reading faster `cos you don`t procrastinate as much in picking a book ? Just had Xiao-xiao on my lap - it does make typing problematic. Quote
Karsa Orlong Posted July 15, 2013 Author Posted July 15, 2013 You`ve probably already discussed this, but for someone too lazy to look back through your thread, how have you picked the books for your plan ? And has it made your reading faster `cos you don`t procrastinate as much in picking a book ? Yeah, I have found that to be the case, it definitely removes a lot of the agonising over what to read next. I've just been going through my TBR pile and list a few that grab my attention - or should that be 're-grab my attention', cos I have to assume they'd done that already at some point for me to have bought them in the first place . . . Just had Xiao-xiao on my lap You can get pills for that, you know. Quote
Little Pixie Posted July 15, 2013 Posted July 15, 2013 Yeah, I have found that to be the case, it definitely removes a lot of the agonising over what to read next. I've just been going through my TBR pile and list a few that grab my attention - or should that be 're-grab my attention', cos I have to assume they'd done that already at some point for me to have bought them in the first place . . . You can get pills for that, you know. Ba-boom-tish. I`ve got books in piles in buying order ; I think I could grab a couple from each location to start a mini-TBR list. I find I do waste an awful lot of time perusing books to read next. Quote
Karsa Orlong Posted July 16, 2013 Author Posted July 16, 2013 I`ve got books in piles in buying order ; I think I could grab a couple from each location to start a mini-TBR list. I find I do waste an awful lot of time perusing books to read next. It's worth a try. I've quite enjoyed doing things this way, although I am occasionally deviating from the current one Quote
Karsa Orlong Posted July 17, 2013 Author Posted July 17, 2013 Perusing the Malazan forums and just been reminded of this, from David Eddings' The Belgariad: "What was that?" Belgarath asked, coming back around the corner."Brill," Silk replied blandly, pulling his Murgo robe back on."Again?" Belgarath demanded with exasperation. "What was he doing this time?""Trying to fly, last time I saw him." Silk smirked.The old man looked puzzled."He wasn't doing it very well," Silk added.Belgarath shrugged. "Maybe it'll come to him in time.""He doesn't really have all that much time." Silk glanced out over the edge.From far below - terribly far below - there came a faint, muffled crash; then, after several seconds, another."Does bouncing count?" Silk asked.Belgarath made a wry face. "Not really.""Then I'd say he didn't learn in time." Silk said blithely. Good ol' Silk Quote
Karsa Orlong Posted July 17, 2013 Author Posted July 17, 2013 Love Silk! One of my favourite characters ever Quote
Karsa Orlong Posted July 17, 2013 Author Posted July 17, 2013 Went on Amazon with the intention of ordering R. Scott Bakker's The Darkness That Comes Before (cos Waterstone's didn't have it, before Kay says anything ) and somehow managed to end up ordered the three-volume complete set of Robert E. Howard's 'Conan' stories instead The Coming of Conan the Cimmerian The Bloody Crown of Conan The Conquering Sword of Conan I had often thought of getting the 'Complete Chronicles' hardback, but these versions are apparently more comprehensive and better presented, and it also means that I can get rid of the Kindle version that's been sitting on my TBR list for ages, Conan the Reaver, which is incomplete anyway, and riddled with spelling mistakes Quote
poppyshake Posted July 17, 2013 Posted July 17, 2013 Lol .. I'm not that bad am I? .. you was almost implying I nag Ahh the temptation of the internet .. it's too easy isn't it? If I go into Waterstone's I know when I've picked up three books .. I can feel the weight .. but on the internet I shovel the books into my basket like there's no tomorrow. Conan the Cimmerian? .. Did he move from Barbaria then? This is pushing 'the one no-one saw coming' even further back isn't it? Quote
Karsa Orlong Posted July 18, 2013 Author Posted July 18, 2013 Lol .. I'm not that bad am I? .. you was almost implying I nag Neigh!! Er, I mean 'Nay!' Ahh the temptation of the internet .. it's too easy isn't it? If I go into Waterstone's I know when I've picked up three books .. I can feel the weight .. but on the internet I shovel the books into my basket like there's no tomorrow. Very true! I was a bit worried with the Conan books, though, cos Book Depository said they were 'currently unavailable', and Amazon only had a couple of copies of each one. So I panicked and jumped in with both feet Conan the Cimmerian? .. Did he move from Barbaria then? Arnie has a lot to answer for This is pushing 'the one no-one saw coming' even further back isn't it? Probably! Quote
Athena Posted July 18, 2013 Posted July 18, 2013 I hope you like the books! I own a few books about Conan so would be interested to hear what you think of the ones you just bought . Quote
Karsa Orlong Posted July 18, 2013 Author Posted July 18, 2013 ^^ Well they've arrived, so I'll probably read a bit over the weekend Quote
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