I devoured Skin Game by Jim Butcher in less than 48 hours.
Now I have to read it again because of a plot twist revealed at the end. THANKS OBAMA.
The Necromentate's mind opens to you, and a grotesque, demonic figure appears in your mind's eye, screaming in torment: "THE DEMON LORDS CAN NEVER TRULY BE KILLED - GREAT IS THEIR POWER."
You shock a platinum-coloured geomycus with tales of terror bestowed on villages who don't follow Magnagora. A platinum-coloured geomycus slaps her knee and declares that, by the gods, Ptoma Hive should follow the Grand Empire of Magnagora after all! Shouts rise up from Ptoma Hive, as its denizens loudly pledge themselves to the Grand Empire of Magnagora.
The Malazan Book of the Fallen. Should keep you occupied for a few months. Or longer.
A substantial component (though far from all) of the series is based around and follows the exploits of a few armies (mix of high and low medievalish-era fantasy), so you get some miltary fiction plus amazing general fantasy stuff. Lots of wonderfully dark soldier humour, if you're into that sort of thing.
Don't get me started on how much I love this series. I've been buying all the books (having read them all) and this series is just absolutely amazing confusingly awesome Some have compared it to Tolkein and G R R Martin put together in one series. So much carnage, so much destruction. So many main character's lost.
I devoured Skin Game by Jim Butcher in less than 48 hours.
Now I have to read it again because of a plot twist revealed at the end. THANKS OBAMA.
Same. I had the book pre-ordered and was waiting all day for it, and ended up finishing it the next day after I fell asleep. I'll probably start my re-read of it later today after I get home from work. I want to also go back and re-read the entire series, but it'll be a pain trying to gather all the books. I decided to start going through Amazon and seeing what books I'd like to get, though may just end up paying off my library fine and getting books from there.
Indeed. I'm currently making my second attempt at the Malazan Book of the Fallen, having gotten most of the way through Deadhouse Gates the first time before school made me put it down. This time I'm on the third one and pretty into it. Still not entirely clear on what the concept of Ascendants in the Malazan books entails, though I'm given to understand that's the way with those books.
Jadice, the Frost Queen says to you, "Constant vigilance."
To be completely honest it's exceedingly vague throughout the entire series.
Essentially it's like Lusternia meet's Stargate I think. When you reach a state of being, you ascend to be a demigod/god. It's different based on the continent too. It's all very vague. If they gain a religion, they gain power through the religion. Or other such powers. It plays a huge hand in things like the Deck of Dragons, but you don't have to be ascended to be in the Deck. My FAVORITE character by far is Fiddler for his Readings. The way they've always played a 'casual card game' that's ALWAYS used the Deck of Dragons.. (even before we begun putting ourselves inside that story, the Bridge Burners have been mucking with the Deck)
But, in short they're immortal beings that have transcended death in some way. As I said. Take Stargate Ascendants. Take Lusternia Ascendants. Mash their concept together and bam almost the same thing.
The only TRUE gods in my opinion of the Malazan series are the 'Elder' gods. Like Burn, K'rul, Mother Dark, etc etc (On that note, Mael's my favorite Elder God. That sly bastard)
I was going to try mentioning a few of my favourite characters from the series, but then I realized that I'd have had to list of basically 70% of the cast.
For generating good, hearty from-the-gut laughs, though, Tehol+Bugg and Iskaral Pust are the clear winners.
I was going to try mentioning a few of my favourite characters from the series, but then I realized that I'd have had to list of basically 70% of the cast.
For generating good, hearty from-the-gut laughs, though, Tehol+Bugg and Iskaral Pust are the clear winners.
Tehol + Bugg was just my favorite dialog in the entire series. Pust was a good amusement as well but Fiddler's bullshit gave me FAR more laughs. Jaghut are my favorite race as well.
I removed what amounted to a pretty major spoiler from your post, since I can't seem to make this forum's spoiler functionality work.
Discussion with spoilers is fine if it's in it's own thread with a warning in the title, but let's try and keep this one clear of them, since we've got people who are in the middle of reading through the series watching the thread. Spoiler-free discussion is fine, but if there's more than a few mentions it'd probably warrant its own thread as well (so as not to derail this one overmuch).
Fahrenheit 451. Nomnom dystopian fiction. This may be a theme for the next few books I pick up.
You have received a new honour! Congratulations! On this day, you have shown your willingness to ensure a bug-free Lusternia for everyone to enjoy. The face of Iosai the Anomaly unfolds before you, and within you grows the knowledge that you have earned the elusive and rare honour of membership in Her Order. Curio Exchange - A website to help with the trading of curio pieces in Lusternia.
I was going to try mentioning a few of my favourite characters from the series, but then I realized that I'd have had to list of basically 70% of the cast.
For generating good, hearty from-the-gut laughs, though, Tehol+Bugg and Iskaral Pust are the clear winners.
Tehol + Bugg was just my favorite dialog in the entire series. Pust was a good amusement as well but Fiddler's bullshit gave me FAR more laughs. Jaghut are my favorite race as well.
I always liked Picker and Blend and the rest of the 9th (is it 9th? I always forget, it's been awhile).
1984. Finally reading the origin of all these cultural references to it.
You have received a new honour! Congratulations! On this day, you have shown your willingness to ensure a bug-free Lusternia for everyone to enjoy. The face of Iosai the Anomaly unfolds before you, and within you grows the knowledge that you have earned the elusive and rare honour of membership in Her Order. Curio Exchange - A website to help with the trading of curio pieces in Lusternia.
I was going to try mentioning a few of my favourite characters from the series, but then I realized that I'd have had to list of basically 70% of the cast.
For generating good, hearty from-the-gut laughs, though, Tehol+Bugg and Iskaral Pust are the clear winners.
Tehol + Bugg was just my favorite dialog in the entire series. Pust was a good amusement as well but Fiddler's bullshit gave me FAR more laughs. Jaghut are my favorite race as well.
I always liked Picker and Blend and the rest of the 9th (is it 9th? I always forget, it's been awhile).
Technically speaking. Picker and Blend, Detoran, Antsy, and Spindle were from the 7th...the main characters were from the 9th. But yes, Picker and Blend were pretty cool. Noone really beats the dangerous duo of sappers Hedge and Fiddler though. Quite a pair and the dialog between them is almost as good as Bugg and Tehol.
I'm also a huge fan of how they all get their names in the bridge burners. How you earn your name. Almost noone knows anyone's real name.
The story behidn the Bridge Burners is actually an amazing one that I still don't fully comprehend.
The Prince - Niccolo Machiavelli. Discourses on Livy - Niccolo Machiavelli.
The Prince is the better of the two. It discusses such questions as:
1. What is the relation of Virtue to the State? 2. Is it more important to appear Virtuous or to actually be Virtuous. 3. What advise is best for a Politician.
For a brief biography of Machiavelli. He lived from 1469 - 1527 and he was from Florence in Italy. (Its interesting to note that this is in the early stages of renaissance and Florence is pretty much the center of it.) Basically all of Italy has become a key market house especially the Venetians, theres a lot of Economic moving. Florence was a Oligarchic government at Machiavelli's early years (The Medici's). Whilst the Medici get kicked out from 1503 - 1506, Niccolo becomes the lead of the Florence Militia. When he returns from a campaign in Pisa the Medici's through the pope actually take back power in Florence, at which point Niccolo is arrested, tortured and eventually exiled just outside of the main city.
While he was in exile he writes "The Prince.". The book is basically a Job application in which he gives Political advise to the Medici family in an attempt to gain favour with them. He does eventually succeed in this and is able to return to public life in 1525 and the doors of Florence are opened up to him. Hence the fact he dedicates this book to Lorenzo whom was prince of the Principality of Florence at the time.
One thing that is interesting about Machiavelli is that he is a Political Player, he is not really a Philosopher as we would understand Aristotle or Socrates. He was a statesman first, philosopher second. So his works tend to be more practical rather than ideally. He basically argues for example that its better to be feared than loved, and that the Prince must be capable and willing to act in immorality if he hopes to hold his power, although he should "appear" to be righteous. (I.e the Pope in the Papal States.)
Prequel to the Bioshock video games, really cool, really well written and keeps the same feel of the game. Adds some extra info and is sort of independently written, with help from 2K and such, rather than just another tie-in book product.
The Death of Achilles - Boris Akunin
A nice thing I picked up in a discount book store about a Russian version of Sherlock Holmes who can do kung fu, has unlimited luck and a faithful sidekick. It's written quite a ways back, so like the Fu Manchu series (Sax Rohma) it is probably a bit politically incorrect, but it's a great story. (I am not a racist, I just like well written books).
It's hard to think up books I'm currently reading as I re-read books a lot so I'm reading the Harry Potter series at the moment, even though I read it 3 years ago.
I've always taken The Prince as ironic, a swipe at leaders who had spurned him, and their immoral methods hyperbolized to cariacture.
This is also an argument, Some analysts such as Mary Deitz have said that the book is actually part of a campaign to undermine the Medici's and aide in the return of the Republic in which he seems to genuinely support. The reason for this is three pieces of Advice.
He discourages liberality and favors deceit to guarantee support
from the people. Yet Machiavelli is keenly aware of the fact that an
earlier pro-republican coup had been thwarted by the people's inaction
that itself stemmed from the prince's liberality.
He supports arming the people despite the fact that he knows the
Florentines are decidedly pro-democratic and would oppose the prince
He encourages the prince to live in the city he conquers. This
opposes the Medicis' habitual policy of living outside the city. It also
makes it easier for rebels or a civilian militia to attack and
overthrow the prince.
More yet still such as Rousseau and Antonio Gramsci argued that actually, the book was not even designed for the Political Elite because they would already have known a lot of this stuff from their education in Principalities but rather that it was for the common pauper so that they may understand how their leaders solidify their power, also in an attempt to encourage the destabilization of the Medici's.
I however still verge on the side that he was trying anything to restore favour and return to public life, especially considering he actually does it in 1525. Also given the fact it is granted a seal of approval by the Medici Pope at the time. In his letter to Vettori he writes, "And as this little thing [his book], when it has been read it will be seen that during the fifteen years I have given to the study of statecraft I have neither slept nor idled; and men ought ever to desire to be served by one who has reaped experience at the expense of others. And of my loyalty none could doubt, because having always kept faith I could not now learn how to break it; for he who has been faithful and honest, as I have, cannot change his nature; and my poverty is a witness to my honesty."
He also adds, "And because Dante says: Knowledge doth come of learning well retained, unfruitful else I have noted down what I have gained from their conversation, and have composed a small work on 'Principalities', where I pour myself out as fully as I can in meditation on the subject, discussing what a principality is, what kinds there are, how they can be acquired, how they can be kept, why they are lost; and if any of my fancies ever pleased you, this ought not to displease you: and to a prince, especially to a new one, it should be welcome: therefore I dedicate it to his Magnificence Guiliano. Fillippo, Cassavechio has seen it; he will be able to tell you what is in it, and of the discourses I have had with him; nevertheless , I am still enriching and polishing it."
(As a brief side note this an an incredibly interesting period for me. Italy and Europe are recovering from the ages in which many scholars and intellectuals are put to the sword, library's are burned and University's torn down. The Economy is only just returning as with the death of the intellectuals the previous economy of the Romans and medieval ages collapses. Machiavelli lived essentially at the birth of Modern Rationalism, and shortly after his death Science is going to be born.)
Doing my zillionth re-read of the Kushiel series by Jacqueline Carey. I am in love with her way with words, it's just so...beautiful. I love this bastard language we call English.
Our daughter's middle name is Phedre. That's how much my wife loves this series
Everiine said: The reason population is low isn't because there are too many orgs. It's because so many facets of the game are outright broken and protected by those who benefit from it being that way. An overabundance of gimmicks (including game-breaking ones), artifacts that destroy any concept of balance, blatant pay-to-win features, and an obsession with convenience that makes few things actually worthwhile all contribute to the game's sad decline.
As for me, I'm reading this one book. It's written by a doctor and it's about fish. One or two of them swimming around together, and then there's a red one, and a blue one.
Everiine said: The reason population is low isn't because there are too many orgs. It's because so many facets of the game are outright broken and protected by those who benefit from it being that way. An overabundance of gimmicks (including game-breaking ones), artifacts that destroy any concept of balance, blatant pay-to-win features, and an obsession with convenience that makes few things actually worthwhile all contribute to the game's sad decline.
As for me, I'm reading this one book. It's written by a doctor and it's about fish. One or two of them swimming around together, and then there's a red one, and a blue one.
I recently picked up and read a book about some bug which eats a lot of food. He's apparently starving or something, and it's a really good twist at the end after he's eaten.
Ok, well... I mostly read theology books. Most recent one is "Can a Smart Person Believe in God?"
But it's not very good and so far making me glad I didn't spend money on it. Easy read, though.
"Chairwoman," Princess Setisoki states, holding up a hand in a gesture for her to stop and returning the cup. "That would be quite inappropriate. One of the males will serve me."
As for me, I'm reading this one book. It's written by a doctor and it's about fish. One or two of them swimming around together, and then there's a red one, and a blue one.
Ok, well... I mostly read theology books. Most recent one is "Can a Smart Person Believe in God?"
But it's not very good and so far making me glad I didn't spend money on it. Easy read, though.
What's the level of smart it's talking? A smart person as in scientist, or just an actual smart person....
An actual smart person, defined by "high IQ"(which is a fairly useless and vague standard of measuring high intelligence, I.E., one of my first problems with the book). However, the author most often mentions scientists as being those smart people, so it's a little of both. Most ideas in the book aren't well-defined nor particularly well-written.
...That said, I think I enjoy reading books I dislike almost as much as books I like. Criticizing is fun.
"Chairwoman," Princess Setisoki states, holding up a hand in a gesture for her to stop and returning the cup. "That would be quite inappropriate. One of the males will serve me."
Started 'The Book Thief' after stealing it from a friend (ironic?). Liking it so far!
I picked this up a couple of years ago after being intrigued by the cover and the first few pages. Very good book, such a powerful subject but written wonderfully and in such an odd way as in from the viewpoint of Death. It carries my favourite line of Death wondering if anyone ever got injured from the Nazi salute and dryly remarking that no one had ever died from it, except for the forty million people he picked up.
I'm currently reading (between Educational Policy textbooks): NOS4R2 (or NOS4A2 in America) by Joe Hill. Intrigued thus far.
Also just bought The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman for the wife.
As for me, I'm reading this one book. It's written by a doctor and it's about fish. One or two of them swimming around together, and then there's a red one, and a blue one.
Started reading Glen Cook's The Black Company series a couple days ago.
Oh, I read those. I couldn't really get into them, though; your results may vary. It just seemed to me like it was trying really hard to impress with excessive violence and DARKNESS.
The Necromentate's mind opens to you, and a grotesque, demonic figure appears in your mind's eye, screaming in torment: "THE DEMON LORDS CAN NEVER TRULY BE KILLED - GREAT IS THEIR POWER."
You shock a platinum-coloured geomycus with tales of terror bestowed on villages who don't follow Magnagora. A platinum-coloured geomycus slaps her knee and declares that, by the gods, Ptoma Hive should follow the Grand Empire of Magnagora after all! Shouts rise up from Ptoma Hive, as its denizens loudly pledge themselves to the Grand Empire of Magnagora.
Viravain, Lady of the Thorns shouts, "And You would seize Me? Fool! I am the Glomdoring! I am the Wyrd, and beneath the cloak of Night, the shadows of the Silent stir!"
Comments
Now I have to read it again because of a plot twist revealed at the end. THANKS OBAMA.
"THE DEMON LORDS CAN NEVER TRULY BE KILLED - GREAT IS THEIR POWER."
You shock a platinum-coloured geomycus with tales of terror bestowed on villages who don't follow Magnagora.
A platinum-coloured geomycus slaps her knee and declares that, by the gods, Ptoma Hive should follow the Grand Empire of Magnagora after all!
Shouts rise up from Ptoma Hive, as its denizens loudly pledge themselves to the Grand Empire of Magnagora.
Signature!
For generating good, hearty from-the-gut laughs, though, Tehol+Bugg and Iskaral Pust are the clear winners.
Discussion with spoilers is fine if it's in it's own thread with a warning in the title, but let's try and keep this one clear of them, since we've got people who are in the middle of reading through the series watching the thread. Spoiler-free discussion is fine, but if there's more than a few mentions it'd probably warrant its own thread as well (so as not to derail this one overmuch).
You have received a new honour! Congratulations! On this day, you have shown your willingness to ensure a bug-free Lusternia for everyone to enjoy. The face of Iosai the Anomaly unfolds before you, and within you grows the knowledge that you have earned the elusive and rare honour of membership in Her Order.
Curio Exchange - A website to help with the trading of curio pieces in Lusternia.
JAMIE FRASER!
CLAIRE! _squee_
You have received a new honour! Congratulations! On this day, you have shown your willingness to ensure a bug-free Lusternia for everyone to enjoy. The face of Iosai the Anomaly unfolds before you, and within you grows the knowledge that you have earned the elusive and rare honour of membership in Her Order.
Curio Exchange - A website to help with the trading of curio pieces in Lusternia.
Discourses on Livy - Niccolo Machiavelli.
The Prince is the better of the two. It discusses such questions as:
1. What is the relation of Virtue to the State?
2. Is it more important to appear Virtuous or to actually be Virtuous.
3. What advise is best for a Politician.
For a brief biography of Machiavelli. He lived from 1469 - 1527 and he was from Florence in Italy. (Its interesting to note that this is in the early stages of renaissance and Florence is pretty much the center of it.) Basically all of Italy has become a key market house especially the Venetians, theres a lot of Economic moving. Florence was a Oligarchic government at Machiavelli's early years (The Medici's). Whilst the Medici get kicked out from 1503 - 1506, Niccolo becomes the lead of the Florence Militia. When he returns from a campaign in Pisa the Medici's through the pope actually take back power in Florence, at which point Niccolo is arrested, tortured and eventually exiled just outside of the main city.
While he was in exile he writes "The Prince.". The book is basically a Job application in which he gives Political advise to the Medici family in an attempt to gain favour with them. He does eventually succeed in this and is able to return to public life in 1525 and the doors of Florence are opened up to him. Hence the fact he dedicates this book to Lorenzo whom was prince of the Principality of Florence at the time.
One thing that is interesting about Machiavelli is that he is a Political Player, he is not really a Philosopher as we would understand Aristotle or Socrates. He was a statesman first, philosopher second. So his works tend to be more practical rather than ideally. He basically argues for example that its better to be feared than loved, and that the Prince must be capable and willing to act in immorality if he hopes to hold his power, although he should "appear" to be righteous. (I.e the Pope in the Papal States.)
Anyway yeah, doing this for my own studies!
More yet still such as Rousseau and Antonio Gramsci argued that actually, the book was not even designed for the Political Elite because they would already have known a lot of this stuff from their education in Principalities but rather that it was for the common pauper so that they may understand how their leaders solidify their power, also in an attempt to encourage the destabilization of the Medici's.
(As a brief side note this an an incredibly interesting period for me. Italy and Europe are recovering from the ages in which many scholars and intellectuals are put to the sword, library's are burned and University's torn down. The Economy is only just returning as with the death of the intellectuals the previous economy of the Romans and medieval ages collapses. Machiavelli lived essentially at the birth of Modern Rationalism, and shortly after his death Science is going to be born.)I however still verge on the side that he was trying anything to restore favour and return to public life, especially considering he actually does it in 1525. Also given the fact it is granted a seal of approval by the Medici Pope at the time. In his letter to Vettori he writes, "And as this little thing [his book], when it has been read it will be seen that during the fifteen years I have given to the study of statecraft I have neither slept nor idled; and men ought ever to desire to be served by one who has reaped experience at the expense of others. And of my loyalty none could doubt, because having always kept faith I could not now learn how to break it; for he who has been faithful and honest, as I have, cannot change his nature; and my poverty is a witness to my honesty."
He also adds, "And because Dante says: Knowledge doth come of learning well retained, unfruitful else I have noted down what I have gained from their conversation, and have composed a small work on 'Principalities', where I pour myself out as fully as I can in meditation on the subject, discussing what a principality is, what kinds there are, how they can be acquired, how they can be kept, why they are lost; and if any of my fancies ever pleased you, this ought not to displease you: and to a prince, especially to a new one, it should be welcome: therefore I dedicate it to his Magnificence Guiliano. Fillippo, Cassavechio has seen it; he will be able to tell you what is in it, and of the discourses I have had with him; nevertheless , I am still enriching and polishing it."
Estarra the Eternal says, "Give Shevat the floor please."
Started reading Glen Cook's The Black Company series a couple days ago.
"THE DEMON LORDS CAN NEVER TRULY BE KILLED - GREAT IS THEIR POWER."
You shock a platinum-coloured geomycus with tales of terror bestowed on villages who don't follow Magnagora.
A platinum-coloured geomycus slaps her knee and declares that, by the gods, Ptoma Hive should follow the Grand Empire of Magnagora after all!
Shouts rise up from Ptoma Hive, as its denizens loudly pledge themselves to the Grand Empire of Magnagora.