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virtuadept
 
(frozen)
| | #1 posted April 6, 2007 at 1:18pm (EST) |
What was the last book you read? Post about it here.
I just finished Shadowrun #4 - Drops of Corruption (from the recent line of SR novels). I really enjoyed #1-#3, but #4 is a bit harder pill to swallow. First of all, 1-3 were a trilogy and all involved mostly the same characters. #4 has a couple of cameos from a few of the characters I liked in 1-3, and one character that I didn't like so well in 1-3 plays a more central role in #4. So I guess it was a bit frustrating at first not having all my "friends" from the series in it.
The plot in #4 however, I thought was very well done, if a tad slow moving. I can see why he did it the way he did, however. It involves the mafia, and one character who was basically a good person slowly getting trapped into working for the mob and how they hooked him in. There are a lot of nasty characters in this book as one might expect from a book dealing with organized crime. Even the main character, who was as I said essentially good, was hard to like for other reasons I can't get into without spoilers. So having a cast of essentially unlikable characters didn't help my enjoyment of the story too much either.
But as I said the plot was well done, and in the end, a rewarding story that actually did have a "lesson" or whatever. There were some really cool scenes in the book, and overall I felt this was a book worth reading especially for Shadowrun enthusiasts like myself. Not my favorite in the series, but I did end up enjoying it, even though it was a slow read for me and I set it down several times before I finally got into it.
This is not a novel I can heartily recommend to anyone. If you enjoy books about organized crime, this book might be for you, with the caveat that it is completely fictional and not all that realistic, plus set in a fantasy future. If you like Shadowrun, this book is definitely worth picking up for a couple of reasons. First, it's a good in depth look at how the mafia in Seattle operates, and secondly it involves a bit of Tir Tairngire, which was interesting, and of a mage who has "burnt out" so you kind of get a feel for how that would work. This book is not a "fan fiction" work, the writing is good quality writing, but the subject matter is such that essentially it will appeal to a limited set of eyes.
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virtuadept
(frozen)
| | #41 posted May 30, 2007 at 9:23am (EST) |
Just finished reading the graphic novel X-23: Innocence Lost which tells the back story of X-23, the mutant who is a teenage female clone of Wolverine. This was a pretty good read, but based on this I'd be surprised if X-23 could be anything more than a monster, a weapon, a killer through-and-through. I haven't read much else about X-23, so I can't really say whether that's what happened or not. Unfortunately X-23 isn't really all that interesting. She's basically Wolverette, and is so similar in both abilities and personality to Wolverine that there's very little about this character to get excited about. If you like the character, this book is probably a must-read to get her origins. If not, it's easily skipped as it doesn't impact anything else in marvel universe really. 7/10
-=- VirtuAdept -=-
Join in on the backup Xbox 360 Discussion forum! |
vDub
  
 
| | #42 posted May 30, 2007 at 1:27pm (EST) |
finished Before the Storm by Michael P. Kube-McDowell and now I'm moving onto the next Black Fleet Crisis book, Shield of Lies until Children of Hurin by J.R.R. Tolkien comes in at the library.
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AlphakirA
(frozen)
| | #43 posted May 30, 2007 at 10:31pm (EST) |
Don't understand why they had to go all PC and start this "graphic novel" crap. It's a comic book. I'm a fan of comic books. There, I said it.
Currently still reading Day of the Jackal. Haven't had much time to read lately but next up is the Bourne Idenity most likely.
Alpha's Wii Forum |
goldbera
| | #44 posted June 2, 2007 at 3:27pm (EST) |
I just finished Suite Francais. Its an interesting book and the notes in the back are really interesting. Especially cool if you like books about world war 2.
I also read Survivor which is a book about the last surviving member of a suicide cult whgo becomes a televangelist. Its written by Chuck Palahniuk, the guy who wrote fight club. Its very very odd, but also pretty interesting. I bet a lot of people on this site would really dig his books if they gave them a shot. |
virtuadept
(frozen)
| | #45 posted June 2, 2007 at 5:34pm (EST) |
I loved the Fight Club movie, may have to get the book a shot and that Survivor. I'm familiar with odd.
-=- VirtuAdept -=-
Join in on the backup Xbox 360 Discussion forum! |
Caliburn
 
| | #46 posted June 5, 2007 at 1:51pm (EST) |
I'm into Jack Whyte's Chronicles of Camulod series...really entralling. I'm on book 5 of 9 or 10 (The Fort at River's Bend).
Arthur is about to finish his training away from Camulod before riding into his first battle. Whyte tells a very good reimagining of the Arthurian legend, delving into the history of Excalibur and the detailed life of Arthur's great grandfather (books 1 & 2).
Yet Another Strategy Guide List (...YASGL)
"Run! Run! Or you'll be well done!" ~Kefka |
vDub
| | #47 posted June 6, 2007 at 1:41pm (EST) |
just finished Star Wars: The Balck Fleet Crisis #2: Shield of Lies by Michael P. Kube-McDowell. I'm now reading the final book in the trilogy, Tyrant's Test
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goldbera
| | #48 posted June 6, 2007 at 2:07pm (EST) |
Im about 3/4 of the way through a book called Blasphemy:Art that offends. Its worth a look if you like art or controversial stuff but I find the pictures good and the writing very dry. Nice concept though |
therainstormlord
  
| | #49 posted June 8, 2007 at 3:56pm (EST) |
Just finished the first Harry Potter (for the 4th time) and am beginning number 2 as I continue to re-read the series just before Deathly Hollows is released in July. |
vDub
| | #50 posted June 9, 2007 at 6:29am (EST) |
just finished Tyrant's Test. I'm moving onto New Jedi Order: Star By Star
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virtuadept
(frozen)
| | #51 posted June 12, 2007 at 9:41am (EST) |
V for Vendetta - A Graphic Novel by Allan Moore and David Lloyd. I saw the movie first, which was fan-frickin-tastic. This book is a good read too, I recommend reading the book after seeing the film. The ending to the book is much different than the film. Still, the same message comes across basically, and most of the scenes from the book are revisited in the movie, albeit sometimes in slightly different ways. The story is complete genius, and is absolutely relevant to what is going on in today's world. This is without a doubt one of the best graphic novels ever produced. Highly recommended. 9/10
People should not be afraid of their governments.
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paulbert7
| | #52 posted June 12, 2007 at 9:58pm (EST) |
therainstormlord wrote:
> Just finished the first Harry Potter (for the 4th time) and am beginning
> number 2 as I continue to re-read the series just before Deathly Hollows
> is released in July.
I'm starting the half - blood prince. |
vDub
| | #53 posted June 13, 2007 at 6:42am (EST) |
I finished Star Wars: Legacy of the Force: Sacrifice. It's a great book, but it's unfortunate that a major character had to die, and that the ending of it sucked.
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sgtshaggy
 
| | #54 posted June 13, 2007 at 8:59pm (EST) |
Recently finished Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell and Liberty's Crusade. I've read a good portion of the short stories in Trollslayer. I'm either going to start Gravity's Rainbow by Thomas Pynchon or Quicksilver by Neal Stephenson, I haven't figured out which...,
shags
"Risk something, take back what's yours,
Say something that you know they might attack you for." - LP |
nihon
| | #55 posted June 13, 2007 at 11:49pm (EST) |
The last two books I read were Ashes of Victory and More Than Honor, both by David Weber (though the second is only partially by Weber). They are in the Honor Harrington series, and are great military science fiction books. I'm now reading War of Honor. I recommend the series to anyone who likes military science fiction. 
--
-- Apple/Mac Forum
-- Utah Speculative Fiction Council |
sgtshaggy
| | #56 posted June 19, 2007 at 10:52am (EST) |
Finished Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone last night.
shags
a neotronic-albino track with an alien space-bike passed through a wormhole graffiti flavor to it. minty fresh. - w:p |
vDub
| | #57 posted June 19, 2007 at 11:39am (EST) |
I finished Star Wars: The Dark Nest Trilogy #1: The Joiner King by Troy Denning a couple nights ago. Now I'm reading the second book, The Unseen Queen
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therainstormlord
| | #58 posted June 19, 2007 at 2:09pm (EST) |
shags wrote:
> Finished Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone last night.
>
> shags
>
>
oooh, you're like 2 days ahead of me ( ' ; |
sgtshaggy
| | #59 posted June 19, 2007 at 2:42pm (EST) |
Hehe. I read the first two a coupla years back, but I decided the other day to read the first 6 before the last one comes out. I don't want it ruined when someone mentions such and such dying or something  .
shags
a neotronic-albino track with an alien space-bike passed through a wormhole graffiti flavor to it. minty fresh. - w:p |
sgtshaggy
| | #60 posted June 21, 2007 at 10:49pm (EST) |
I finished Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets about ten minutes ago.
shags
a neotronic-albino track with an alien space-bike passed through a wormhole graffiti flavor to it. minty fresh. - w:p |
FerociousWeasel
| | #61 posted June 22, 2007 at 11:43am (EST) |
Finished the original Dune a week or so ago, I loved it. A bit heavy on the reverend mother prophecy type of crap but still an awesome story with great characters.
Right now I'm reading The Naked Ape and DMT:The Spirit Molecule. Both very interesting. |
sgtshaggy
| | #62 posted June 22, 2007 at 1:10pm (EST) |
Dune is one of my very favoritist books, I've read it a few times. Outstanding.
shags
“Do not say things. What you are stands over you the while and thunders so that I cannot hear what you say to the contrary.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson |
nihon
| | #63 posted June 22, 2007 at 8:13pm (EST) |
It's the only good book in that series, though. The others are like slogging through waist deep mud. 
--
-- Apple/Mac Forum
-- Utah Speculative Fiction Council |
virtuadept
(frozen)
| | #64 posted June 24, 2007 at 12:45am (EST) |
I never got far in the Dune books but I did read the first one and loved it. The movie was also great if you ask me.
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therainstormlord
| | #65 posted June 24, 2007 at 11:11am (EST) |
therainstormlord wrote:
> Just finished the first Harry Potter (for the 4th time) and am beginning
> number 2 as I continue to re-read the series just before Deathly Hollows
> is released in July.
Finished the Chamber of Secrets 2 nights ago. |
sgtshaggy
| | #66 posted June 24, 2007 at 3:00pm (EST) |
nihon wrote:
> It's the only good book in that series, though. The others are like
> slogging through waist deep mud.
Really? I've read up through God Emperor and loved every one of them. The others aren't as good as the original, IMO, but they're all outstanding.
I finished Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban today.
shags
“Do not say things. What you are stands over you the while and thunders so that I cannot hear what you say to the contrary.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson |
therainstormlord
| | #67 posted June 24, 2007 at 5:42pm (EST) |
shags wrote:
>
> I finished Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban today.
>
> shags
>
>
Slow down man, 4 weeks for 3 more books ( ' ; |
sgtshaggy
| | #68 posted June 24, 2007 at 7:13pm (EST) |
Oh, work will definitely slow me down starting tomorrow. I had the this weekend off to take my daughter to karate camp, which meant Dad got to sit in the stands and read (and play Wipeout Pure) while Daughter practiced karate for three days. We're both exhausted, lol.
shags
“Do not say things. What you are stands over you the while and thunders so that I cannot hear what you say to the contrary.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson |
bill
 
| | #69 posted June 26, 2007 at 8:15am (EST) |
Riddley Walker by Russell Hoban - This was a pretty interesting book. It takes place in a post-apocalyptic England. The entire book is written in a devolved form of English, as narrated in first person by the main character (Riddley Walker). It takes a little effort to read it because of all the different words. But, this also gives it an authenticity and you get used to it after a bit. Here's an excerpt to give you an idea of what it's like:
Lissening to the nite and the rain. I leant my back agenst the fents and looking to the divvy roof. There hadnt ben no Trubba for a long time but we stil hadnt put no sides on it. Sit there nite after nite getting pist with 1 eye on the dark not to get snuck. Lissening to the rain dumming on my hood and looking at the candls and the nite fires in the roof and the crowd all sat there with the rainy dark all roun them. You know some times you get a fealing you dont want to put no words to.
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virtuadept
(frozen)
| | #70 posted June 26, 2007 at 8:46am (EST) |
I've seen other authors use that gimmick before (even RAH!!) and it's annoying. Yes, you get used to it, but it doesn't add much imho to the story.
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Potter
| | #71 posted June 26, 2007 at 9:28pm (EST) |
I'm reading Pride and Prejudice. |
nihon
| | #72 posted June 27, 2007 at 12:12am (EST) |
shags wrote:
>
> Really? I've read up through God Emperor and loved every one of them.
> The others aren't as good as the original, IMO, but they're all outstanding.
Well, to each his own. The second book was okay, but God Emperor (the third book, IIRC) got really weird. I just didn't enjoy reading them at all.
--
-- Apple/Mac Forum
-- Utah Speculative Fiction Council |
bill
| | #73 posted June 27, 2007 at 7:35am (EST) |
I've only read the first Dune book myself (loved it), but a friend of mine has read all of them. He seems to back up what you're both saying. He said he liked them, but they get pretty weird. He mentioned some bit about Duncan Idaho coming back as a clone, over and over (they keep killing him or something like that). That sounded rather odd/funny. |
sgtshaggy
| | #74 posted June 27, 2007 at 9:03am (EST) |
They do get kinda strange as they go along, but in an interesting, intriguing manner IMO. It's been a while since I read through them the last time, but as I recall the majority of the novels are built around convesations between the major characters without any real action (other than a few major events). The conversations were great, though, with all of the signature thoughts laid out as they progress. Overall, though, I thought the concept of the novels up to and including God Emperor was amazing--Paul turning into the worm, etc. I haven't read Chapterhouse or any of the Herbert son stuff after that, though. I may return to the series after finishing up the Potter books, my memory is starting to get a bit foggy (which means it's a good time for a rereading ).
shags
“Do not say things. What you are stands over you the while and thunders so that I cannot hear what you say to the contrary.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson |
sgtshaggy
| | #75 posted June 27, 2007 at 9:19am (EST) |
nihon wrote:
> Well, to each his own.
I hope I didn't give you the wrong impression, I didn't mean to sound heavy-handed, or to appear to bash your own opinion, I was just sharing my own opinion .
> The second book was okay, but God Emperor (the
> third book, IIRC) got really weird. I just didn't enjoy reading them
> at all.
God Emperor is the 4th book--it goes Dune, Dune Messiah, Children of Dune, God Emperor of Dune, Heretics of Dune and Chapterhouse: Dune, at least for the main series. I haven't read Heretics or Chapterhouse yet (I was thinking Chapterhouse was the 5th book myself, having forgotten about Heretics), but I did get in on a nice deal for the first 6 books in hardback through the sci-fi book club a few years back, and I have them waiting, so I'll likely read Heretics and Chapterhouse this time through. But yeah, it did get weird.
Anyone read the other books by his son or whoever? Any good?
shags
“Do not say things. What you are stands over you the while and thunders so that I cannot hear what you say to the contrary.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson |
GOSH
| | #76 posted June 28, 2007 at 1:53am (EST) |
I am just finishing up The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay by Michael Chabon. It's a fantastic book about the rise of comic books in the 1940's and 50's and the affects it had on the lives of the artist, whose ideas stem primarily from his escape from nazi-invaded Prague, and writer, who struggles to find his sense of authenticity in the market of make-believe.
It's just a really well-written book that warrants a read. |
bill
| | #77 posted June 28, 2007 at 2:10am (EST) |
I read that and enjoyed it. |
ndrake
| | #78 posted June 28, 2007 at 7:20am (EST) |
bill wrote:
> I read that and enjoyed it.
|
virtuadept
(frozen)
| | #79 posted June 28, 2007 at 8:10am (EST) |
FURY - A MAX Comics (Marvel adult imprint) graphic novel by Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson. I'd first caught on to Garth Ennis by reading some of his recent Punisher (MAX) comics. Ennis is a master of telling a compelling adult comic. He knows how to eek out the best in gore and violence and sexual situations. Make no mistake, this comic is very much adults only, keep the kiddies away. This one is told in a style similar to Ennis' Punisher series but it does have it's own flavor. Colonel Nick Fury has been a staple of the Marvel Universe forever, but this is a whole new take on the fabled commander. Here we see Fury at his worst and his best. Working as a director of SHIELD, Fury leads a advanced recon team to a small pacific island nation to try to overthrow its communist regime. Lots of guns, gore, and graphic violence. I didn't quite like this as much as the Punisher series, but it was still a good read. 8/10
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sgtshaggy
| | #80 posted June 28, 2007 at 4:14pm (EST) |
ms wrote:
> I am just finishing up The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay
> by Michael Chabon. It's a fantastic book about the rise of comic
> books in the 1940's and 50's and the affects it had on the lives of
> the artist, whose ideas stem primarily from his escape from nazi-invaded
> Prague, and writer, who struggles to find his sense of authenticity
> in the market of make-believe.
>
> It's just a really well-written book that warrants a read.
I read up on this one at Amazon today, and it sounds great. Think I'll order it this payday. I've never read anything by this Chabon fellow, but his other books sound interesting as well.
Have you (or anyone else) read anything by Thomas Pynchon? I picked up Gravity's Rainbow on a whim while out of a town a few weeks back, having read blurbs in other books comparing those books to Pynchon's work; however, after reading up a bit more on Pynchon himself, it seems like a lot of people suggest reading something smaller to get a taste for him (one reviewer suggested V.). Anyway, ever read anything by Pynchon? I may grab a smaller book before I take Gravity's Rainbow by the horns, sounds like he may be an acquired taste (I thoroughly enjoyed the first 20 pages of Gravity's Rainbow while waiting in the car for the wifey the evening I picked it up).
shags
“Do not say things. What you are stands over you the while and thunders so that I cannot hear what you say to the contrary.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson |
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