The Fantasy/Sci-Fi Books Thread Book • Page 17

Finished The Rage of Dragons and wow, what a story. Probably one of my favourite fantasy debuts.

 

Might be starting tonight, it's next after I finish the final (republished) Wild Card book.

 

Halfway through with Malazan #4 and loving it. His writing really has gotten better with every book.

 

How do you feel about the king of fantasy, Karsa Orlong?

 

if I remember correctly, I think there was criticism of Erikson for not being able to write a compelling singular character without a massive cast to support them, and his response was the entire first portion of House of Chains, which he of course knocked it out of the park with Karsa

 

Yeah I saw an interview where he said exactly that. Such a great way to say fuck you to your critics lol

 

Yeah I absolutely loved the extended Karsa opening. It felt really great to get such an uninterrupted story focusing on a character

 

Karsa has one of the best arcs in the whole series

 

I'd say he has the best arc in fantasy.

 

Sam. Wise. Mother. Fucking. Gam. Gee.

 

Enervation in Rage of Dragons is one of the cooler magic systems I've read in awhile.

 

Definitely, I hope to see more of that in book 2!

 

Yeah I'm about halfway through and the long term world building is definitely what I'm most interested in, like the Enervation and The Cull. Absolutely excellent lore, and refreshingly pretty easy to follow since right now we're only really dealing with one culture.

 

I thought you'd finished it, sorry! I had difficulty with the caste system and names at the start but about halfway through it sorta clicked what orders and such they were in. It's an infuriating book, in a plot-twist kinda way, and it hits right up to the very end. Really looking forward to the expanding that should inevitably come with the sequel.

 

Oh no worries, I didn't consider anything you said spoilery. Yeah I'm reading on kindle so it's not easy to just switch to that Caste page at the end. I honestly couldn't tell you what any of them are or mean but I think it's easy enough to pick up the context when you're reading it. I was just reading Tad Williams where there's like 5 different kingdoms with totally different systems so it's been nice for me to just focus on one, ha. I love the main character and how brash he is. My only complaint is I never love first-book-training but at least the stakes are still constantly high and it's setting it up for a great book 2.

 

I may have though so it's good to know where you're at! The castes are hard but you do get the gist of them eventually, you're right. The whole one kingdom/magic/culture is a relief, especially after coming off other fantasy series. The total change in Tau's fighting style was incredible too. It is definitely a great debut fantasy and can't wait for Fires of Vengeance later this year.

 

Just read the pretty shocking twist about how they Entreat dragons...damn

 

Right!? Ugh, it's an absolute treat to read!

edit: going from this to Wheel of Time is a drastic change

 

Just started Pagan Night!

 

Rage of Dragons is the audible deal of the day. Y’all’ stalk got me interested.

 

Thanks for the heads up. Just bought it.

 

I guess I'll also join this Rage of Dragons train.

 

Yes!!

 

Sweet, let me know what you think! I'm really hoping you'll enjoy it. I think you will, based on the other stuff you like, but you never know.

 

I'm reading the second book now, loved the first, more than I usually like a series first. It's so damn brutal, reminds me of the Aspect-Emperor