Steve's Bookshelf 2013

[Timstar]

Plus he writes some of the best action scenes: the ones in Red Country took my breath away at times, they are so exciting and terrifying, too.  And the scene during the storm is so vivid.  Real 'big screen' writing, if you like

 

I agree, I really felt like some of the scenes could be transposed directly to film, especially the bit on top of the carriage. Nail biting tension!

 

 

Maybe you could watch Deadwood before you re-read Red Country.  Seriously - assuming you haven't seen it before, of course 

 

 

I have Deadwood on my lovefilm list, my Brother recommended it to me.

[Karsa Orlong]

So I got a little confused with the titles being mentioned by joe Abercrombie, am I correct in assuming the best place to start with his books is The Heroes? Sorry for asking, my mind is barely functioning at the moment, so I'm a tad confused.

 

You should start with The Blade Itself, Devi, which is the first book in his 'First Law' trilogy 

[Karsa Orlong]

I'm glad too! Even though I personally preferred the style of the first four books, I know others (like you and Tim) much prefer the other two. I like that there's something for everyone, and that the Western/War styles might encourage people to read his other books who otherwise might not have done.

 

Just so long as he doesn't do a chick flick next . . .  

 

 

That's so true. That's what everyone says when they talk about his books: "I loved Logen Ninefingers!", "Glokta is my favourite character EVER!", "Bayaz is awesome!" It's always the characters that people remember; very rarely do they say "oh, yeah, he builds tension really well in THIS scene", etc. I love character-driven stories so much. I think it's part of why I loved the Broken Empire, because it gets you really invested in the main character.

 

Thing is, I think he does build tension really well, too, even in scenes like the one in Red Country where they're negotiating around the camp fire (although it would have been even better with some Blazing Saddles farting going on  ), and there were even a couple of scenes in this one that rivalled the scene in the cabin in The Heroes, which is still one of the scariest scenes I've read in a fantasy novel  

 

 

(Speaking of the BE: voting is open for the final round of the Goodreads Choice Awards, and Emperor of Thorns is in the final ten for Best Fantasy! )

 

Jolly good!  I shall head over there and vote

 

 

I've never seen it or heard of it before! At first I thought you meant Torchwood, and got confused.

 

http://www.hbo.com/deadwood

 

[Karsa Orlong]

I agree, I really felt like some of the scenes could be transposed directly to film, especially the bit on top of the carriage. Nail biting tension!

 

Oh yeah, that and the bit where:

 

 

Lamb and Savian where surrounded in the fort.

 

 

Nails were bitten during that bit.  Or at least they would've been if I hadn't been holding the book open

 

 

 

I have Deadwood on my lovefilm list, my Brother recommended it to me.

 

It's great, the first season particularly.  It's got that typical HBO slow-burn, takes it's time for the first few episodes and then suddenly you're hooked 

[Timstar]

Oh yeah, that and the bit where:

 

 

Lamb and Savian where surrounded in the fort.

 

 

Nails were bitten during that bit.  Or at least they would've been if I hadn't been holding the book open

 

Absolutely!

 

Also, Temple is one of my favourite fictional characters ever, definitely my top Abercrombie. Cosca and Lamb being close seconds.

 

 

It's great, the first season particularly.  It's got that typical HBO slow-burn, takes it's time for the first few episodes and then suddenly you're hooked 

 

 

Cool, can't wait to see it Sooo many series to watch

[Signor Finzione]

I'll add Deadwood to my list of series I want to watch. Although I already have two full series of Boardwalk Empire on the box that I've only watched two episodes of . . .

 

Bit off-topic, but thought you'd be interested to know that Anthony Ryan's Blood Song has won Amazon's award for Best Fantasy of 2013.

[Karsa Orlong]

Bit off-topic, but thought you'd be interested to know that Anthony Ryan's Blood Song has won Amazon's award for Best Fantasy of 2013.

 

That'll go down well on SFF Chronicles

[pontalba]

I don't think I've heard of Joe Abercrombie before, but he is on my list now!  Great reviews.

[Karsa Orlong]

Just make sure you don't buy this by mistake!

 

Best Served Cold

 

[Signor Finzione]

Just make sure you don't buy this by mistake!

 

Best Served Cold

 

 

  Yeah, that doesn't look nearly as exciting as the one I read . . .

[Karsa Orlong]

What is going on with the post at the moment?  Privatising Royal Mail has obviously worked wonders.  Not content with the delay on my Book Depository delivery a few weeks back, I recently had to wait 11 days from dispatch to delivery of an item from Amazon.  So I pre-ordered the new Rush blu-ray and decided to pay extra for 1st class post (because obviously I have to have it NOW ) - it was sent out on Saturday with an expected delivery of yesterday, and it hasn't arrived yet  I was all excited about watching it tonight as well  

[Little Pixie]

I had a free trial of Amazon prime with my Kindle - one lot of goodies was dispatched a few days after they said, and one book did arrive the next day, but was delivered to next door ( I got the `you`re not in ` card through the door and rushed out, the delivery bloke hid in his van. )

 

A friend in Madrid just had her Birthday and hadn`t had post for 2 weeks ( I just got an email thanking me for a book, delivered a week after her Birthday ) - it seems to be a Euro-postal problem, imo.

[pontalba]

Just make sure you don't buy this by mistake!

 

Best Served Cold

 

 

Red Country is presently residing in my cart on Amazon......   I'll click tonight or tomorrow.

[Signor Finzione]

Aww, Steve, you must have done something to offend the Royal Mail in a past life! It really sucks when you're looking forward to something and it doesn't come on time.

 

It happened to Dan the other week with his new game, after he'd paid for guaranteed next day delivery (he'd booked the day off work to play it, bless him). Not only did it not turn up till the day after, it was also delivered to next door instead of us! Frustrating.

 

I've heard the film is very good, though.

Edited November 19, 2013 by Signor Finzione

[vodkafan]

As you know. I work for Royal Mail. Nothing has changed yet re privatisation. I can only think it is the general time of Christmas that is causing delays. The tracked Amazon is coming through us at NDC  but the normal untracked 1st and second class Amazon, which we normally handle, has been diverted to about a dozen temporary places spaced around the country.....that happened last week (ie they have only been up and running for 7 days) so maybe it is that. 

[Devi]

You should start with The Blade Itself, Devi, which is the first book in his 'First Law' trilogy 

Thanks!

[Karsa Orlong]

Red Country is presently residing in my cart on Amazon......   I'll click tonight or tomorrow.

 

Yay!    Although I should probably advise that although it is a stand-alone story, some of the characters carry over from his previous books, so you will miss out on that side of things.  It won't ruin it, you'll just lose some of that history, particularly with regards to one character

 

 

 

Aww, Steve, you must have done something to offend the Royal Mail in a past life! 

 

They're probably all Jack Vance fans

 

 

It happened to Dan the other week with his new game, after he'd paid for guaranteed next day delivery (he'd booked the day off work to play it, bless him). Not only did it not turn up till the day after, it was also delivered to next door instead of us! Frustrating.

 

I've heard the film is very good, though.

 

Noooo, not the film Rush, the band Rush

[Signor Finzione]

Noooo, not the film Rush, the band Rush

 

Ohh. Oops.

[Timstar]

Always assume it's the band with Steve

[Signor Finzione]

Always assume it's the band with Steve

 

Yeah, I should have known! I was watching the Thor 2 trailer earlier, so I must have Chris Hemsworth on the brain.

[poppyshake]

Red Country is presently residing in my cart on Amazon......   I'll click tonight or tomorrow.

Me too .. though I am buying it for Alan for Christmas  Bit cheeky of me but he does like Joe and I will try not to show too much of an interest until he's read it .. I'll give him a month and then it's every man for himself   

[Karsa Orlong]

Me too .. though I am buying it for Alan for Christmas  Bit cheeky of me but he does like Joe and I will try not to show too much of an interest until he's read it .. I'll give him a month and then it's every man for himself   

 

Has he read The Heroes yet?    I think he read Best Served Cold, didn't he? 

 

 

Newsflash:  The Jack Vance Fan Club, aka the Royal Mail, has delivered Rush stuff.  I know what I'm doing for the rest of this evening  

 

Tut, get your minds out of the gutter  

[Signor Finzione]

Newsflash:  The Jack Vance Fan Club, aka the Royal Mail, has delivered Rush stuff.  I know what I'm doing for the rest of this evening  

 

Tut, get your minds out of the gutter  

 

So it IS the film Rush, and you DO fancy Chris Hemsworth! I knew it.  

[poppyshake]

Has he read The Heroes yet?    I think he read Best Served Cold, didn't he?

No and yes ... does it matter then?  Do I need to put The Heroes in my basket too?

Newsflash:  The Jack Vance Fan Club, aka the Royal Mail, has delivered Rush stuff.  I know what I'm doing for the rest of this evening  

 

Tut, get your minds out of the gutter  

 

[Karsa Orlong]

Do I need to put The Heroes in my basket too?

 

Oh hell yes!