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ConfusedUs posted:Death Masks is one of my favorite books in the series. In fact, it was my #1 favorite for a long time. I loved every book more and more from grave peril on, I can even appreciate the vampire porn mafia book though it is not my favorite. spoiled for new reader who I hope is going to keep writing reviews!
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Apr 25, 2015 04:29
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Fantastic reveal with the tattoo. Also, I've noticed something weird with time in this book. Twice Dresden has made mention of how long they have to wait, only for it to be immediately up. First time was 10 mins, then 20. Like, he told Susan that only three candles were left, and it would take 20 minutes for them to burn out. Then Susan asked a single question, Harry grabbed his coat and noticed the candles were burnt out, saying, "Alright, time to go." Is Butcher bad at time descriptions often? Is this a thing? I'm sure it's the former. Just a weird oddity in the writing I noticed. Edit: "Phone calls cost more than that now." Amazing. thrawn527 fucked around with this message at 02:14 on Apr 27, 2015 |
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Apr 27, 2015 01:57
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thrawn527 posted:Fantastic reveal with the tattoo. Butcher has some real writing problems that way, yeah. He also loves to do things like "Distantly, as if from a great distance" or "Hurriedly, in a great hurry"
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Apr 27, 2015 03:17
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thrawn527 posted:Fantastic reveal with the tattoo. That's something I've noticed in a lot of books by different authors over the years and just come to accept. A single paragraph is spoken in what is described as five minutes, or something similar. I think it's just a lazy way of giving an excuse for having the time for exposition.
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Apr 27, 2015 03:19
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ImpAtom posted:Butcher has some real writing problems that way, yeah. One of the things to remember about Butcher is that the first Dresden book was literally a class project for a creative writing class, and even then he thought he was showing the teacher how wrong she was by following all her instructions too slavishly. He's sortof like Brandon Sanderson in that everything he knows about wordsmithing is something he's had to teach himself, fairly painfully. He's no Tolkien or Pratchett where the genius just sortof wells up and overflows -- he's had to work for it.
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Apr 27, 2015 03:23
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Hieronymous Alloy posted:One of the things to remember about Butcher is that the first Dresden book was literally a class project for a creative writing class, and even then he thought he was showing the teacher how wrong she was by following all her instructions too slavishly. Oh, yeah, I know. It just stands out sometimes. It feels like something an editor would have caught even with Butcher's style.
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Apr 27, 2015 03:48
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Well, he also started out pre-writing-career on a MUSH (a text-based multiplayer game). The first couple books in particular have a few things that remind me of those days, and the elastic time is one of the ones that hasn't gone away.
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Apr 27, 2015 04:16
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One thing I really enjoy and dislike about Dresden is it reads like a tabletop rpg group's adventures written into novel format. Butcher's really into larp and rpg's and that really shows when it comes to his choices in pacing and characterization. Elastic time, reintroducing npc's in broad strokes every time they appear because the players won't remember, repeating himself in general. It's all stuff I've had to do while DM'ing games, it has the same tempo if that makes sense. I don't think it overpowers his writing style, I just notice bits here and there.
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Apr 28, 2015 16:23
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I picked up the first Dresden Files audiobook today. I was looking for a book told in first person perspective after finishing Ready Player One. Book was a bit YA but fun. Trying to avoid spoilers. But I knew I was in when I saw the first books original title.
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Apr 28, 2015 18:11
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Norns posted:I picked up the first Dresden Files audiobook today. All but one of the audiobooks are voiced by James Marsters. He does an amazing job.
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Apr 28, 2015 18:17
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The Fool posted:All but one of the audiobooks are voiced by James Marsters. He does an amazing job. Unless there was another he didn't do, this is no longer the case. Ghost Story was re-released recently with Marsters. Audible even gave out free download vouchers to those who bought he non-Marsters version.
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Apr 28, 2015 18:18
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jivjov posted:Unless there was another he didn't do, this is no longer the case. Ghost Story was re-released recently with Marsters. Audible even gave out free download vouchers to those who bought he non-Marsters version. That is literally the best news I've heard today.
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Apr 28, 2015 18:30
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Quick question. Are all the books told from the same POV?
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Apr 28, 2015 18:43
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Norns posted:Quick question. Are all the books told from the same POV? They're all from Harry's POV yes A few of the short stories are from other characters' POV though
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Apr 28, 2015 18:45
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Norns posted:Quick question. Are all the books told from the same POV? All the main books are. There are several side stories told from the view of other characters.
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Apr 28, 2015 18:46
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jivjov posted:Unless there was another he didn't do, this is no longer the case. Ghost Story was re-released recently with Marsters. Audible even gave out free download vouchers to those who bought he non-Marsters version. Audible even gave out free download vouchers to some of the people who bought the non-Marsters version. 
fordan fucked around with this message at 20:00 on Apr 28, 2015 |
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Apr 28, 2015 18:54
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fordan posted:Some of the people who bought the non-Marsters version. Ghost story was the first Dresden files book I actually read, because I couldn't handle the change in voice actor.
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Apr 28, 2015 19:48
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25% into book 6, and this book is about porn and puppies...allow me to rephrase. It's about porn, and he gets a puppy. Alright then. I loved that opening with the Voltron gorilla.
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Apr 29, 2015 02:18
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thrawn527 posted:25% into book 6, and this book is about porn and puppies...allow me to rephrase. It's about porn, and he gets a puppy. Book 6 isn't my favorite in the series, but it has the best opening line of them all. The building was on fire, and it wasn't my fault.
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Apr 29, 2015 02:31
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The Fool posted:Ghost story was the first Dresden files book I actually read, because I couldn't handle the change in voice actor. I was the same way, but instead of reading it I set it to 2x speed and listened chipmunk style to get through it. Marsters is Dresden as far as I'm concerned.
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Apr 29, 2015 02:55
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LoG posted:I was the same way, but instead of reading it I set it to 2x speed and listened chipmunk style to get through it. Marsters is Dresden as far as I'm concerned. The funniest thing about this to me is that Marster's is reading with the same cadences as the other narrator, it's just his voice instead of the other guy's voice.
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Apr 29, 2015 03:07
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A bit of an off the wall recommendation, Kayla and the Devil by Bryan Smith. Smith is known for really dark horror (he's usually mentioned in the same breath as Edward Lee and Wrath James White), but gave urban fantasy a shot for some very personal reasons. The result is a book that is entertaining, if a bit different. The tendencies of his usual genre are always bubbling just beneath the surface, which gives rise to some dialog and situations that you don't really see in other urban fantasy books. It's only 99c, so even if it ends up not being your cup of tea, you're not out much (or anything if you're a Prime subscriber and take advantage of the no-rush shipping that gives you a $1 promotion credit every time you choose it).
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Apr 29, 2015 04:50
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Could you give a slightly more in-depth review? Mild spoilers okay.
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Apr 29, 2015 04:53
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I've been blitzing thru the series and I am on the tail end of ghost hunt. While I thought Kincade (I've only listened to the audiobook so I have no idea how lot of these names are spelt) did it from the get go I was blindsided by why it happened. These last few books are greatly amping up the stakes and each new one is instantly my new favorite. I don't know how the star trek scene can be topped because Jesus. Christ. I also teared up with the visiting mouse and Maggie scene which is where I had to stop for the day. I also agree, James Marsters is dresden to me. I won't be able to read the books without hearing his voice and he has phenominal range. I felt sick to my stomach with horror when he described the aftermath of his sending the fear ghosts after the caster and realized it hit the carpentar house. The horror he illicits and the despair are a kick in the gut and are some of my favorite parts in the series for the emotions it illicits. I also must confess that when his apprentice has her trial I screamed "gently caress YES! gently caress THEM IN THE rear end MICHAEL!" when he showed up. Thought my wife was gonna come out of the bunk and hit me.
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May 1, 2015 22:32
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A lot of people disliked the star trek scene but I loved it (only seen the new star trek movies though). Kincaid is the obvious assassin, but the cooler plot is why.
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May 2, 2015 02:17
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mastajake posted:A lot of people disliked the star trek scene but I loved it (only seen the new star trek movies though). Kincaid is the obvious assassin, but the cooler plot is why. I hate Star Trek, but the Star Trek scene was funny.
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May 2, 2015 02:39
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So how many people have actually read the rivers of London series? It's mentioned I the op, and while I enjoy Dresden, I find the adventures of constable wizard Peter Grant much more satisfying.
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May 2, 2015 02:51
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The Fool posted:So how many people have actually read the rivers of London series? I think most of the active posters have. Speaking of other series, a couple of updates (since I troll Amazon and blogs for this stuff): Paul Cornell submitted the first draft of his third Shadow Police novel back in March, and the estimated publication date is December 3rd. There's a new Sandman Slim novel coming out in July. The blurb: Killing Pretty posted:Sandman Slim investigates Death’s death in this hip, propulsive urban fantasy through a phantasmagoric LA rife with murder, mayhem, and magic.
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May 2, 2015 03:30
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Fried Chicken posted:so I'm not sure if it really counts as urban fantasy since it is set in the 1300s instead of modern times, but I want to drop a plug for Son of the Morning by Mark Alder (http://www.amazon.com/Son-of-the-Morning/dp/0575115157) Way, way - WAY back. But thanks for this. Been entertaining myself with this splendid book on and off now since you posted. Still got about 250 pages or so left but A+, would read again. e: I used that description to sell the book to a friend, though a bit edited/translated inot swedish Gedt fucked around with this message at 05:59 on May 2, 2015 |
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May 2, 2015 05:48
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The Fool posted:So how many people have actually read the rivers of London series? I just started the series last week based on the recommendations here. Finished Rivers of London (which I loved) and am now 2/3rds of the way through Moons Over Soho. I actually think the series is much better written than Dresden Files, and it kind of feels like Neil Gaiman + grown-up Harry Potter + London history lesson, all of which I'm perfectly happy to read about. I also appreciate a mixed race protagonist whose skin color gets acknowledged by the other characters he encounters, but it isn't treated as a big deal by him.
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May 2, 2015 17:51
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I recently finished Broken Homes, actually. I liked the twist at the end, though I think Zach's a bit of an rear end to Peter in the final scene; of course he has an abrasive personality and wants to believe the best of Lesley, but even so...
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May 2, 2015 18:21
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Wheat Loaf posted:I recently finished Broken Homes, actually. I liked the twist at the end, though I think Zach's a bit of an rear end to Peter in the final scene; of course he has an abrasive personality and wants to believe the best of Lesley, but even so... Zach is always a bit of an rear end.
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May 2, 2015 18:30
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True; I suppose it's a consequence of the first-person perspective. Peter's been through the wringer so Zach's attitude sticks out more than it normally would. Edit: Spoilers for ending of Broken Homes blow: One thing I anticipate is that next time Peter meets Lesley, the Faceless Man will have taught her all kinds of dangerous spells that Nightingale won't let Peter touch, which will put him at a disadvantage. I'm waiting for Foxglove Summer to come out in paperback here in the UK, but I hope it will address that point. Wheat Loaf fucked around with this message at 20:28 on May 2, 2015 |
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May 2, 2015 19:10
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Wheat Loaf posted:True; I suppose it's a consequence of the first-person perspective. Peter's been through the wringer so Zach's attitude sticks out more than it normally would. OH YEAH NEW READERS DO NOT CLICK THESE HUGE SPOILERS. If I' making predictions: If I were the faceless man, I'd do two things; I'd cast that charm spell on Frank Caffney's paramilitaries and other cops, and I'd try to assassinate Nightingale from long range with a high power rifle, just like vs. Dresden. I don't think Lesley's going to want to confront Peter directly (and vice-versa).
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May 2, 2015 19:15
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Wheat Loaf posted:True; I suppose it's a consequence of the first-person perspective. Peter's been through the wringer so Zach's attitude sticks out more than it normally would. Very mild foxglove summer spoiler. there is a disappointingly small amount of stuff about the faceless man in that book, but Peter does talk to Leslie a bit
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May 2, 2015 19:32
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Since we have a Rivers talk going: I am really torn about continuing reading the series. I liked books 1 and 4 mostly because I really liked the villains and their ideas, particularly the Broken Homes house antenna thingy. I generally like the approach it takes to magic. On the other hand, I really disliked the entirety of Book 2 and most of the rivers/pixies/Zach stuff. Is there any point in me getting Foxglove Summer?
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May 2, 2015 19:34
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Hieronymous Alloy posted:OH YEAH NEW READERS DO NOT CLICK THESE HUGE SPOILERS. Oh, dear, I'm sorry. I'll edit that. 
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May 2, 2015 20:28
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Ok so I'm working my way through Codex of Alera and mostly I like it. I'm about a third of the way through Captain's Fury and something is bugging me. when Gaius Sextus takes Amara and Bernard through Kalare's territory he very specifically states how he cannot use any crafting since it'll set off alarms. Yet so far throughout the trip Bernard is wood crafting the hell out of everything. At first I thought it was a mistake in editing, but after a few more chapters he just keeps on casting and Butcher makes a very big deal about just how effective he is. At the same time though, Sextus isn't allowed to heal himself. Are Kalare's defenses able to detect foreign crafter's or no?
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May 3, 2015 06:28
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Inspector 34 posted:Ok so I'm working my way through Codex of Alera and mostly I like it. I'm about a third of the way through Captain's Fury and something is bugging me. The alarms are keyed specifically to Gaius Sextus's furies so other crafters using their own furies would not raise alarm. I guess its meant to illustrate just how much Kalare is scared of Gaius, but it felt like that was the weakest part of the whole encounter.
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May 3, 2015 06:44
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Kalarus doesn't give a Hot gently caress about anyone who isn't Sextus, due two his areogance and because very very few others couldn't threaten his Great Fury insurance policy.
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May 3, 2015 13:20
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