Author Topic: Science Fiction / Fantasy (Read 487201 times)

PatH · « **Reply #520 on:** January 17, 2010, 12:08:27 PM »

Science Fiction / Fantasy

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Welcome to the whole universe! This is where we gather to share our experiences in science fiction and fantasy. We like everything, from Gregory Benford to Stephanie Meyer—hard science to magic and fantasy.

Come in, sit down with us, and tell us what you are reading or have read, what you like or dislike.

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Discussion Leader: PatH

Steph · « **Reply #521 on:** January 18, 2010, 07:31:25 AM »

Yes, directions to various spots and clothing displays seem a bit on the padding side.

Babi · « **Reply #522 on:** January 18, 2010, 09:14:09 AM »

A pity, really. The story itself is good, if one could just clear
away all the detritus. A shorter novel would have been a better novel.

Steph · « **Reply #523 on:** January 19, 2010, 06:27:26 AM »

I think the old science fiction magazines used to pay by the word. At least I am pretty sure.
Mundania is dragging. I am not a xanth fan.

Babi · « **Reply #524 on:** January 19, 2010, 08:43:15 AM »

I am now into book four of the Sharon Shinn series I mentioned before.
I'm so glad I found her; I've enjoyed each of these books so much.

mrssherlock · « **Reply #525 on:** January 19, 2010, 11:30:43 AM »

Babi: Me, too. I'm looking forward to more of Shinn's works. Looks like she has another series: http://www.sharonshinn.net/index_flash.html
My library has the first, Archangel

Steph · « **Reply #526 on:** January 20, 2010, 06:41:53 AM »

Will look up Shinn the next time I hit the bookstore.

Babi · « **Reply #527 on:** January 20, 2010, 12:34:12 PM »

Thanks about the info. on a new Shinn series, JACKIE. I'll want to follow
up on that.

Frybabe · « **Reply #528 on:** January 20, 2010, 09:54:58 PM »

I've just started S.L. Viehl's Stardoc and liking it already. I love the slang (and translations) and the phrase playing like "emitting some condensation" = blowing off steam and "chilled appendages" = cold feet.

mrssherlock · « **Reply #529 on:** January 20, 2010, 10:09:20 PM »

Stardoc is a favorite here.

Steph · « **Reply #530 on:** January 21, 2010, 06:22:07 AM »

Another author to put on my look up list.

Babi · « **Reply #531 on:** January 21, 2010, 08:26:37 AM »

Yep.

winsummm · « **Reply #532 on:** January 29, 2010, 01:20:11 AM »

daemon was a good read. there is a sequel fREEDOM I think. but even on the Kindle it is exprensive and sounds repetitious. sometimes a series has to do that so the STAND ALONE books which follow the first can see logical.

APOD is interesting to me since some of my art is about such things. Hubble contest thought my computer image was a photo and gave me a fourth place win in their space photo contest. I used it here as at atavar for a while.

Steph · « **Reply #533 on:** January 30, 2010, 06:33:00 AM »

How neat. I am not an artist and am always wistful when faced with that sort of talent. Must be interesting to create like that.

winsummm · « **Reply #534 on:** January 30, 2010, 02:49:37 PM »

space and art. I tried to put some in the gallery here. this should be a slide show SPACE SCAPES.

http://www.seniorsandfriends.org/v/winsum/space+art/bluinvert4+.jpg.html

some work and some . . . .well I'm still learning how to use this. right now working on space scapes. I like to show em alhtough I think I've gotten past the "showing off" look Ma no hands . . . stage.

enjoy, claire

Babi · « **Reply #535 on:** January 31, 2010, 09:53:37 AM »

I am happily reading the most recent book in Jim Butcher's Alera series.
My only complaint is the long waiting time between the last book and
this one; one has to recall so much. I wonder if "First Lord's Fury" will
be the last of this series. After all, our hero can't go any higher than
'First Lord'.

Steph · « **Reply #536 on:** February 01, 2010, 06:24:03 AM »

Claire, they are beautiful

marcie · « **Reply #537 on:** February 01, 2010, 09:43:29 PM »

Claire, those are wonderful pieces. I especially am drawn to http://www.seniorsandfriends.org/v/winsum/space+art/bigbangx1.jpg.html.

Steph · « **Reply #538 on:** February 02, 2010, 06:10:37 AM »

I agree. Big Bang is really quite spectacular.

mrssherlock · « **Reply #539 on:** February 02, 2010, 11:15:12 AM »

babi: Jim Butcher needs to write faster! First Lord may be top 'o the hill but wait til you see what's on the other side. It's a thrilling ride and I hope he's not at the finish yet.

winsummm · « **Reply #540 on:** February 02, 2010, 12:52:51 PM »

Kindle land and he publishers have you seen this in SALON.

http://www.salon.com/books/laura_miller/index.html

claire

Frybabe · « **Reply #541 on:** February 02, 2010, 07:30:09 PM »

I finished S.L. Viehl's Stardoc. The book certainly packed a lot of action into it. I am interested to see if the Dr. Grey Veil stays on the Starship (the ending left an opening for other options IMO). But most of all, I'd like to know what happens to Duncan Reever in future. So now the second book in the series is on my to buy list.

Steph · « **Reply #542 on:** February 03, 2010, 06:19:54 AM »

Got to catch up with you all. You are so far ahead of me.

Babi · « **Reply #543 on:** February 03, 2010, 09:07:47 AM »

I certainly deplore each long wait for the next Alera book, JACKIE. But
when I consider what he puts into each book, I must acknowledge he is
worth the wait. All those fascinating characters, not a single one of them
one-dimensional. He weaves depth, richness, and human relationships into his stories without a bit of boring padding.
Obviously, I am a fan. And you're right. I'm seeing clues of where he
might be able to take the series next.

Yeah, STEPH, but won't it be fun catching up.

mrssherlock · « **Reply #544 on:** February 03, 2010, 09:59:03 AM »

Steph: I wish, in a way, that I was just starting to read the Alera series, it is so good.

Babi · « **Reply #545 on:** February 04, 2010, 08:07:39 AM »

We can always wait a while, JACKIE, then go back and read them again.
The second time around there won't be the long wait between books.

mrssherlock · « **Reply #546 on:** February 04, 2010, 01:37:33 PM »

Babi:

Apropos of Babi's suggestion, one of Sharon Shinn's earlier series, Samaria, is starting off with me firmly in its clutches. In Archangel the soon to be appointed archangel Gabriel is searching for his bride-to-be. Jovah, through His oracle, Josiah, relates the location and parentage, as well as the name, of the dedication ceremony at her birth. Gabriel has six months to locate her and train her in the role of his angelica, his deputy for the next twenty years. His quest, the suitability of the woman Jovah has chosen for him, and the resistance of the present Archangel, Raphael, to surrender his office. There is a hint of the hidden story of the genesis of the Samarians when Josiah, supplicant to Jovah, worships at a square of glass mounted on the wall of his cave by making mysterious gestures on the shelf located below. When he touches the glass, it glows with colors and symbols no one else can comprehend. The angels sing.

winsummm · « **Reply #547 on:** February 04, 2010, 04:35:33 PM »

i just started the jim lynch alera series and I think the first book will be enough. magic isn't really my thing
claire

Babi · « **Reply #548 on:** February 05, 2010, 08:39:19 AM »

JACKIE, I have no doubt I'll be looking for more of Sharon Shinn. Thanks
for telling me about Samaria.

CLAIRE, aside from the 'magic', I hope you are enjoying the characters.
There are some exceptionally good ones in Butcher's 'Alera'.

catbrown · « **Reply #549 on:** February 05, 2010, 12:18:47 PM »

Thanks to you guys, I just ordered the first Alera book. Character driven fantasy sounds just right to me!

winsummm · « **Reply #550 on:** February 05, 2010, 04:29:49 PM »

so far I find the alera book magic driven. it is too easy for characters to call upon their furys to solve problems. Tavi calls upon his brain which makes him the super hero after al so that is the theme and probably continues to be. he is a freak . . .but a superior being in spite of it.

the doves have come back to my covered patio for the fourth season and are bringing things to the pot where they have nested before only it is a different pot each time. location location location. . .

PatH · « **Reply #551 on:** February 05, 2010, 06:45:31 PM »

Winsum, isn't it nifty when these visitors return. Nobody's nesting around here at the moment; we're in the process of getting 2 feet of snow, but later perhaps.

Steph · « **Reply #552 on:** February 06, 2010, 06:27:26 AM »

Sharon Shinn sounds wonderful. I will look for her..

mrssherlock · « **Reply #553 on:** February 06, 2010, 10:35:48 AM »

Finished Archangel. Next one is 150 years later.

JoanK · « **Reply #554 on:** February 06, 2010, 06:48:29 PM »

PatH's internet service is down, due to the snowstorm. Other than that, everything is fine. She says they have about 20 inches so far.

JoanK · « **Reply #555 on:** February 06, 2010, 06:50:22 PM »

Claire: I had no idea doves nested in February. Are they rock doves (the pigeons in the park) or another kind?

mrssherlock · « **Reply #556 on:** February 06, 2010, 07:05:19 PM »

There's a new Connie Willis!!!

http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/w/connie-willis/blackout.htm

winsummm · « **Reply #557 on:** February 07, 2010, 11:46:25 AM »

hi joan. this is the west coast and relatively warm all year round. I think they nest twice during the spring or maybe that only happened one year whenn only one of the two eggs hatched. right now they are calling and bringing in dried things. a couple of days ago they were dancing on the fence railing pecking and fluttering at each other so I guess she is WITH EGGS.

JoanK · « **Reply #558 on:** February 07, 2010, 01:28:13 PM »

Great! In the midst of Winter, the new life is starting! That is the theme behind Groundhog Day, which we just celebrated. In other countries, it's celebrated as the day the cows start geting ready for the new calves of Spring.

winsummm · « **Reply #559 on:** February 07, 2010, 02:38:07 PM »

well someone was sitting in there this morning so maybe now that the eggs are fertilized they need to be kept warm. when they talk it is in several different sounds. if I listened long enough I could pick up on their language. it is emotional too as in when I first heard them I found it I 'v found it here it is I've found it" nothing that excited sounding since.

back to my kindle. it froze earlier because I had left the wireless feed on and the battery was low. a phone call fixed that. they reset it from amazon and it powered up and recharged in about an hour.

claire

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Author Topic: Science Fiction / Fantasy (Read 487201 times)