originally posted by Sandtiger
Good to know - haven't read that one yet. I do love her work though.
Jana
originally posted by Clansman
Just started Transformation by Carol Berg. Incredible book. The mystery of the story has captivated me within the first few chapters. Thanks to Janny for the recommendation.
Best use of first person I have ever read, at least so far, except Huckleberry Finn, which is one of my all-time favourites.
originally posted by seljo
Just started Steven Erikson's Malazan series. Now, about half way through Book 1.
I started due to recommendations on the series from TONS of people, authors included.
So far, have to say I'm intriged. The world is interesting, the characters are interesting and have depth, and there is quite a lot of intrigue. All of which I love.
Only critique so far – I don't really "care" about any of the characters. Maybe too early in the series… but generally by the time I get this far into a book there are some people I don't want killed. As of now, I'm pretty much OK with whoever dies.
Maybe I'm just getting too cynical in my old age… or maybe Janny and GRRM have taught me never to care too much about "book 1" characters cuz that's when they kill'em 
originally posted by Frank T Davis
Janny, is Conspirator SF or Fantasy? I have read and enjoyed very much her five fantasy novels and would dearly like to read more of her fantasy.
Thanks,
Frank
originally posted by Mark Stephen Kominski
Am reading the second volume of The Collected Stories of Roger Zelazny now, and loving every minute of it. First was great fun ("For a Breath I Tarry" was spectacular). Have always loved Zelazny, but hadn't read many of his short stories. And with 4 more volumes to go after this one scheduled for release thru the rest of the year, why, we should be getting close to Initiate's Trial by the time I finish! 
This is NOT to say that a certain Talespinner is off the hook where snippets are concerned…
Frank T. Davis - Conspirator is SF, but the series is excellent nonetheless.
originally posted by Konran
I finally managed to get ahold of Conspirator – excellent stuff, as always. Also finally into the second book of the Malazan series (nearly finished, actually), and having far less trouble with this one. So I recommend that all you other folks having troubles stick it out at least till the end of book 2.
Clansman, Berg is amazing and the Rai-Kirah trilogy is my favorite work of hers. 
You're in for some good reading.
originally posted by Frank T Davis
Just finished reading the 4th of Celia Friedman's SF novels and was I ever glad that I have given up my desire to stick with fantasy only. Each of her SF books are outstanding. as good as her fantasy novels. They are stand alone so you can enjoy the tale without the intermittent waits. The 4th one, "The Wilding" is a sequel to the first one, "In Conquest Born". THey are separated by roughly 200 years. Very, very good. I believe she has left some wriggle room so she can write a 3rd in this sequence.
Am now awaiting the 3rd novel in the Magister Trilogy. Since the 2nd, "Wings of Wrath" was published Feb of this year, I expect it will not be available until early 2011.
Maybe I'll follow your suggestion Janny and try CJ Cherryh's SF. I note that she has published several. Suggestions on sequence would be appreciated.
By the way Janny, in which year can we expect your next book in the WOLS saga?
Frank
originally posted by Konran
Malazan update: the whispers I'd heard that Gardens of the Moon is the weakest in the series seem to be true. I'm pretty hooked now, so everyone who wad having trouble like me, just soldier on! It becomes totally worth it!
originally posted by Micheal
I came home today to find a nice little surprise that Konran left me. It turns out that there is another author who writes in the world of Malaz. I'm currently obsessing over book 7 of Steven Erikson's Malazan Book of the Fallen with book 8 on order. Has anyone read Night of Knives by Ian Esslemont? Is it as strong as Erikson's work?
originally posted by Trys
Frank,
I know you asked Janny but I'll toss in my two cents.
If you want to try a series I'd suggest Foreigner. If a standalone, maybe Downbelow Station. But… I've never read a bad book by her.
Trys
originally posted by barb yanaki
*delurking to answer Micheal 's question*
I've read Night of Knives. It was a bit (just a little) dissapointing. For one, I wish it was a little bit longer. Second, I wish there were more of the "main" characters. There are only a few characters from the other books, which makes sense, I guess, since they were sent elsewhere. There were some questions anwered & new ones raised. All-in-all, on a scale of 1-10, I'd say about a 6 1/2-- maybe 7.
On the other hand, The Return of the Crimson Guard was much, much better. Longer. (wasn't there a couple of posts on another thread of people saying longer is better?) More new characters, again few from other books (but more than NoK). It's supposed to take place at the same time as Bonehunters, so there are some spoilers if you're not up that far. This one was fantastic! On a 1-10 scale, about an 8 1/2–9.
Hope that helps!
*re-lurks*
originally posted by Micheal
Barb: Thank you. I'm on Reaper's Gale right now, and hearing that Return is set during the chaos of Bonehunters makes me a little excited actually. I personally don't mind the thought of a lack of repeated characters.
originally posted by Sandtiger
I will second Trys and suggest Foreigner. I still remember my joy reading that book for the first time.
Jana
Welcome to de-lurk, Barb Yanaki!
originally posted by barb y.
Whoo-hoo!!! My favorite author posted a welcome message for me!! Thank you, Janny. That really made my day! Actually, I've been here for a while, but unreliable, intermittent internet (and a bit of shyness) has prevented posting before.
BTW, I recently finished a really, really good book. It's called The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss. It's got a lot of music, some magic, and a dragon (well, sort of). It does start out a bit slow, but it's worth it. If you go to the author's website (www.patrickrothfuss.com), there is an excerpt you can read. Enjoy!!
originally posted by Frank T Davis
Thank you very much Tryst and Jana for the recommendation. Am currently reading Joe Abercrombie's 4th novel after really enjoying his initial trilogy. Will pickup Foreigner during next trip to B & N. If you like lots of blood and guts, much warring, one on one banging you will enjoy Joe. His is a somewhat different style and approach to fantasy. I am really enjoying his work. Good plot development and excellent character development and he does have some real "characters".
Barby, read Patrick back in February and really enjoyed his work. I think book 2 is out. I'm trying to determine how to get a copy without the huge shipping expense. The last British published I purchased was from a house in Florida.
If you're into new aurthors suggest you try Brandon Sanderson or Larissa Niec. She is a child psychologist and a very good fantasy writer. Have exchanged notes with her and she has indicated that she is well underway with efforts on book two of her initial trilogy.
I note that Brandon has been selected to write the final book in the "Wheel of Time" epic. I haven't seen a release date but note that Amazon is taking orders. Maybe it will afterall get finished. Have read all 4 of his works published to date and really enjoyed them
Another new author, at least to me, is Daniel Hylton. Really enjoyed "The Mountain at the MIddle of the Road", book one of his trilogy "Kelvin's Riddle". Book two, "The walking Flame" awaits me.
Janny, please get my hopes to the ceiling and tell me that the next novel will be out next year.
Frank
barb y - read Name of the Wind, enjoyed it, but really wanted the sequel right away.
Frank - familiar with Abercrombie and Sanderson. Abercrombie - to enjoy this one, you'd better revel in cynicism. Sanderson - solid workmanlike reads.
Haven't read the other two you mention - as for next year, that's the hope! I am into the last sequence. There will be no firm announcement until I have turned in the manuscript, completed.
originally posted by Clansman
Frank:
Rothfuss just turned his manuscript for A Wise Man's Fear in about 6 weeks ago, and the thing is huge. Earliest release would be February, given the normal times for publishing. The best guess from the publisher is May or June, 2010, but I think that is so they can "surprise" us with an earlier release. I hope he ends this one at a more logical spot.
The Gathering Storm, book 12 of The Wheel of Time (and book one of A Memory of Light, the three-volume conclusion of The Wheel of Time) is due to be released on November 5, 2009. It is finished, and a review of the book was recently posted on Dragonmount.com. It is to be hoped that Brandon Sanderson has breathed new life into what had sadly become a badly bloated series, that Jordan should have finished in 9 or 10 books. Had he done so, the series would have been so much better. Books 7 through 10 were successively worse, though book 11 did rescue it somewhat. Sanderson very honestly blogged that there was no way to finish the series in even two books. There were just too many plot lines to wrap up.
I thought WoT started out so very well, but then wandered so badly after book 6.
originally posted by pat selbie
Clansman
You've made my day with the news about the WOT series follow-ups. I had struggled on to the end, desperate for some kind of resolution which of course never happened. Somehow I'd never got around to finding out whether anyone had taken up the torch, probably because as you say it was all getting too much, which you can totally understand. At last I have hope of some answers sometime, even if it takes a while - for once I'm content to take what I can get and be grateful. Off to Amazon now