originally posted by Auna
I missed the changed format from the past books with the humorous first chapter - warning sign that this book is more serious.
I enjoyed the book, though I was smacking my head going duh, should have seen that coming as it was happening. I was expecting it to be in the next book, not this one.
originally posted by skeoke
Saw it coming, but from previous experience :here - I think: assumed I was wrong.
Seemed to be more of a straight line story, less sub-plots. I like sub-plots.
Still think we might be wrong about the Half Blood Prince, though. In the end.
But, then again… JK is not Janny. We'll see.
originally posted by Auna
I'm really hoping this was a feint in the wrong direction and not the whole truth. Otherwise, it becomes a bit too black and white for my tastes (I'm spoiled by Janny!)
On a side note… if you are into public forums… seems a lot of people are trying to blurt spoilers so take care if you haven't read HP yet.
originally posted by Kris
spoiler for HP…
I agree that the first part of it wasnt as good as some, but the end had me staying up late to see what would happen. The thing is that I halfway think he's not really dead b/c there are so many "subtle" hints pointing toward it (telling Malfoy the best way to hide is to be assumed to be dead being the main one) until you hit the last 2 chapters, and then I wasn't so sure. I really don't think Snape is evil, and I'm still not sure about the death, although I can see it working for the plot either way. So all in all it was a pretty average, though not bad, book.
Anyway, I don't know if this has been covered in the myriad posts before this, but I suggest reading Robin Hobb's work. Nothing can touch Janny's work but I still enjoyed reading it.
originally posted by Cheryl Detmer
I like black and white, good vs. evil. Makes things less complicated but I like it either way. I can't read HP spoilers. I need to read these books. I started to buy one the other day in the series and a woman was rude and gave her opinion on the subject matter at a store and I didn't want to buy the books from that store after that. I will buy them at Bookstop next time I shop. Sorry Jana is hearing this story yet again. 
I really wanted to buy a few of the HP books that day though, shouldn't have let her discourage me like that. Robin Hobb is great too. I recommend her very much.
originally posted by Auna
Honestly, in this day and age, you need to read the books asap before going out in public because some people find it amusing to spoil it, others speak without realizing others may not have read it yet. Someone I know just admitted to putting the spoiler in his Instant Messenger name! So be careful all ye who are waiting on the movies or the end of the series and don't want it spoiled.
I don't mind black & white stories, they can be good. I just enjoy it better when we can see the other side's point of view even if we don't agree with it.
originally posted by Bruce
Finished "November Mourns" by Tom Piccirilli a very good horror novel. For less than 300 pages you have moonshine running, ghosts, snake handlers all told in a very poetic style.
I was thinking of getting Harry Potter books 5 &6 on Friday but Robin Hobb's new book got here today from the UK, so Harry will just have to wait a week or two.
originally posted by Auna
I enjoyed Robin Hobb books I've read so far too.
originally posted by gweggiepants
Just finished up with TK and caught myself up with all the serial stories/webcomics I follow (the internet is wonderful, free stories and art with nifty merchandise that i cant afford)…now I just have to decide whether to read the next harry potter or to jump into the george r r martin series my friend told me about and i've seen mentioned in here "a game of thrones" i think it was called
if anybody here is interested in reading some fun webcomics (free to all with bandwidth to burn…but the starving artists do accept donations) check these out. some have pretty serious storylines, some dont
I highly recommend
megatokyo (www.megatokyo.com) by fred gallagher
alpha shade (www.alpha-shade.com) by chris and joe brudles
inverloch (www.seraph-inn.com) by sarah ellerton
misfile (www.misfile.com) and building12 (www.building12.net) both by chris hazelton
and for ireverent geeky fun i like Tao of Geek (www.taoofgeek.com) by liz walsh
I read alot more webcomics than this…but these are some of my personal favorites
I know that webcomics aren't exactly books…but I'm not sure where else on this board a discussion of them would go
i just love webcomics because i cant afford to buy all the books i want…but i get new stories and new characters to love all for free (not including the donations)
Southern Fire by Juliet McKenna is a pretty decent read…very human, and moving in ways I did not expect, a well developed world and setting, with rich characters.
Beware: the ending is going to leave you wanting the sequel. Some readers may lag through the detailed notes on dress and fashion, however, those passages are given for cultural import, and so were not empty, in my opinion.
originally posted by Cheryl Detmer
I bought Southern Fire today. Since Janny said it was pretty good, I thought I'd try it. I like the cover. I have one or two books by her that I haven't got to yet but plan to read. I had to exchange a book I'd gotten this weekend that turned out to be a Forgotten Realms reprint from way back that I already had read. They fool me with the new covers that look so nice then I find out later it's a reprint. Must be more careful about that. I was able to exchange it for Juliet's book.
originally posted by Frank T Davis
Cheryl,
Is "Southern Fire" a fantasy novel? If so I will likely purchase it from Amazon.
Thanks,
Frank
originally posted by Cheryl Detmer
Yes, it was in the fantasy section. I was about to buy it this weekend but then Janny said it was good so I did it. I liked what I read the book was about so I was interested in getting it.
originally posted by Frank T Davis
Just finished reading "Avenger" by Frederick Forsyth. This book like all of his work is excellently done. He is one of the top notch writers about international espionage. His character descriptions and plot development are exceptional. And he has a very unique way of tieing everything together.
If you're interested in being well entertained while getting some insights into terrorism and the horrors that occurred after the fall of the iron curtain, this is a must read. Re our fantasy standards it is a relatively short though dynamic book that will take you no time to read.Published in '03, my wife picked up the hardback for me at BAM for only $8. US.
Frank
originally posted by Auna
Another book that will leave you wanting the sequel is Michael A. Stackpole's "A Secret Atlas". I just finished reading it and it's really good until the end where all hell breaks loose for our heroes (boo!). The next one isn't out till February (waa!). If anyone read the DragonCrown War Cycle, this is in similar vein with very complex political intrigue and interesting characters and abilities.
originally posted by Cheryl Detmer
I might should get that one later Auna. I'll get to meet him at Dragon Con. I'll need to bring a book of his. Might go buy that one. Thanks
originally posted by Frank T Davis
Comments please re the fantasy writing of Jacqueline Carey. Am considering the purchase of her "Kushiel's Dart" but wanted to get your input prior to doing so.
Thanks,
Frank
originally posted by Frank T Davis
Just finished reading Laura Resnick's three books: "In Legend Born", "The White Dragon" and "The Destroyer Goddess". I would call them a trilogy but she chose not to. The books are very well done. I really enjoyed them. They were very straight forward and easy to read. Excellent fantasy.
Frank
originally posted by Selene
Frank,
Do you know if that concludes the series/duology? Or are there more books to come?(From what I understand, the last two were supposed to be one novel, "In fire forged", but it was split in two due to being too long…)
/Selene
originally posted by Wayne
Selene,
That is what I understood also from meeting Laura at a con few years ago. I do believe that was it for the series though. Unfortunately. I enjoyed her writing very much and do recommend her books.
Frank,
As for Carey heard she is good but still have not read the series yet. All three sitting in the to be read area. But cannot remember who told me that I would like her. But did buy them on their recommendation. May try to squeeze her in since nothing new that I am desperately waiting for coming out soon.
Wayne