|
rereading the babys mange book that takes place in the late 20th century, it's technically urban fantasy
|
#
?
Jul 1, 2017 07:40
|
|
|
|
| # ? May 29, 2024 14:43 |
|
|
Zore posted:Re-read Skin Game. I totally forgot Michael and Charity being uh... way too cool to Harry while under the impression he slept with Molly. I feel like that maybe should have caused a little friction there during the denouement. Why? They're adults. I wouldn't be surprised if they had suspected it would happen for some time.
|
|
#
?
Jul 1, 2017 13:53
|
|
|
Rygar201 posted:Why? They're adults. I wouldn't be surprised if they had suspected it would happen for some time. Because Harry is 15 years older than her and had a Teacher/Student relationship with her? also she's they're daughter and they're pretty big on the whole 'no sex outside of marriage' thing what with being devout Catholics who are incredibly active in both the public and secret parts of the church. Like that was one of the explicit issues Molly was having with them when she was doing her rebellious teenager thing. Zore fucked around with this message at 14:02 on Jul 1, 2017 |
|
#
?
Jul 1, 2017 13:59
|
|
|
Finished Declare and wish I had read it sooner, brilliant book, the espionage stuff was more than enough to get me hooked and the whole supernatural bit was great as it was so different to the usual fare you find in urban fantasy. If you haven't read it yet go out and get it. Great read and I enjoyed immensely more than Last Call.
|
|
#
?
Jul 1, 2017 17:10
|
|
|
Amen to that, Declare is awesome. I wish there was more of spy story/UF crossovers; there's Laundry, there's the alt-WW2 trilogy by Trefillis and that's basically it. Generally it'd be nice to have more UF that uses something else than detective stories as its template... And something else than the tried and true vampires and werewolves for its fantasy bits. anilEhilated fucked around with this message at 17:19 on Jul 1, 2017 |
|
#
?
Jul 1, 2017 17:13
|
|
|
jivjov posted:I got a chance to chat a little bit more at the autograph table. He wouldn't say anything further about Mac, claiming he's "too important", but still maintains that he's revealed a lot about Mac already that we just haven't all picked up on yet. Not sure I agree with this. It might seem like that from his POV but I can't recall any interactions with Mac that reveal much other than he's a person of importance, with some history.
|
|
#
?
Jul 1, 2017 17:36
|
|
|
vulturesrow posted:Not sure I agree with this. It might seem like that from his POV but I can't recall any interactions with Mac that reveal much other than he's a person of importance, with some history. Yeah, I suspect that when Jim says "oh I've told you who he is!" He means that some random line is going to be an "aha!" moment when we read back through the series once Mac's story is explicitly revealed
|
|
#
?
Jul 1, 2017 17:40
|
|
|
jivjov posted:Yeah, I suspect that when Jim says "oh I've told you who he is!" He means that some random line is going to be an "aha!" moment when we read back through the series once Mac's story is explicitly revealed This is a standard thing for authors of long-running fantasy series, see Robert Jordan and the eternal flamewar "Who killed Asmodean?" question. (I quit reading that turkey way before the reveal, and I can't even muster the fucks to look it up. Funny, that.)
|
|
#
?
Jul 1, 2017 17:50
|
|
|
The explanation for who killed asmodean that was in RJ's notes was literally just a printout of a fanfic where sherlock holmes investigates the murder with a sticky note on it that said "this is correct"
|
|
#
?
Jul 1, 2017 17:59
|
|
|
Zore posted:Because Harry is 15 years older than her and had a Teacher/Student relationship with her? One of the things I really liked about Alex Verus is that it avoids the "you're a good person no matter what you do" wish fulfillment fantasy that starts to accumulate in Dresden. Some of his friends just don't forgive him sometimes. Makes his choices a lot more meaningful. Lemniscate Blue posted:This is a standard thing for authors of long-running fantasy series, see Robert Jordan and the eternal flamewar "Who killed Asmodean?" question. The technical answer is/was Graendal. It technically was deducible as early as RJ said it was, but the problem with deductive reasoning in a fantasy series is that you can't actually rule out the impossible -- the best you can ever get is " this is as close as we can get to an answer given what we know so far of the rules of the book universe."
|
|
#
?
Jul 1, 2017 18:16
|
|
|
I was re-listening to Changes and I think Mac's subtle favoritism to Mouse, and Harry's observation that "I guess Mac is a dog person" is a clue to his identity but damned if I can figure out where to go from there.
|
|
#
?
Jul 1, 2017 18:52
|
|
|
Mac is also a dog
|
|
#
?
Jul 1, 2017 19:23
|
|
|
mr. hands but with dogs instead
|
|
#
?
Jul 1, 2017 20:03
|
|
|
Rygar201 posted:Why? They're adults. I wouldn't be surprised if they had suspected it would happen for some time. Teacher student thing is what does it in my opinion.
|
|
#
?
Jul 1, 2017 20:41
|
|
|
Azuth0667 posted:Teacher student thing is what does it in my opinion. Teacher/student and the vast difference in age/experience make it a super gross idea to me, too.
|
|
#
?
Jul 1, 2017 21:36
|
|
|
The thing that I would find most objectionable with Dresden/Molly isn't the age difference per se, but more that she was in fact literally a child when they first would have met. Like if they had just met as both adults, even with the same age difference, I wouldn't have the same issue as much.
|
|
#
?
Jul 1, 2017 23:12
|
|
|
hangedman1984 posted:The thing that I would find most objectionable with Dresden/Molly isn't the age difference per se, but more that she was in fact literally a child when they first would have met. Like if they had just met as both adults, even with the same age difference, I wouldn't have the same issue as much. In Dresden's defense, this is the number one thing Dresden himself cites as why the idea is gross and wrong to him, too.
|
|
#
?
Jul 2, 2017 02:19
|
|
|
Its also got the issue now that she's in a position of incredible authority over him which fucks up the power dynamic even more. Like if she orders him to do something and he refuses he gets crippled with pain. There is basically 0 chance of any kind of healthy relationship for either of them until/unless they ditch the mantles.
|
|
#
?
Jul 2, 2017 04:20
|
|
|
hangedman1984 posted:The thing that I would find most objectionable with Dresden/Molly isn't the age difference per se, but more that she was in fact literally a child when they first would have met. Like if they had just met as both adults, even with the same age difference, I wouldn't have the same issue as much. she was also a child the first few times she tried to have sex with him I believe (somewhat) butcher isn't planning on ever pairing them up. I also pray that he doesnt.
|
|
#
?
Jul 2, 2017 05:43
|
|
|
Zore posted:Its also got the issue now that she's in a position of incredible authority over him which fucks up the power dynamic even more. Like if she orders him to do something and he refuses he gets crippled with pain. There is basically 0 chance of any kind of healthy relationship for either of them until/unless they ditch the mantles. Well, based on the latest molly short story she can't gently caress anything based on faerie law so that throws a monkey wrench in it too.
|
|
#
?
Jul 2, 2017 05:44
|
|
|
Sleeping with your best friend's daughter is hosed up no matter what age demographics are in play.
|
|
#
?
Jul 2, 2017 06:07
|
|
|
Let's just be glad Skin Game ended with him getting in a relationship with Murphy and also resolving to actually be a dad to his kids.
|
|
#
?
Jul 2, 2017 06:10
|
|
|
Hieronymous Alloy posted:One of the things I really liked about Alex Verus is that it avoids the "you're a good person no matter what you do" wish fulfillment fantasy that starts to accumulate in Dresden. Some of his friends just don't forgive him sometimes. Makes his choices a lot more meaningful. One thing I kind of like about this in Dresden is that all the people who reassure him are either biased, or have something to gain from him plowing on. It isn't like Uriel's about to say, "Harry, you're a terrible wizard." How many of his friends even have a full picture of all the choices he's made, things he's done? One of the fun bits in Ghost Story was when Leah called him out on how he'd used Molly.  I like that Verus questions himself and his morality, but that he is also a survivor. Sets a good tone for a morally grey character.
|
|
#
?
Jul 2, 2017 06:18
|
|
|
Zore posted:Let's just be glad Skin Game ended with him getting in a relationship with Murphy and also resolving to actually be a dad to his kids. I've read enough trashy action/adventure series written by men to know that suddenly killing off love interests/female leads for a book or two's worth of protagonist angst is absolutely within the realm of possibility.
|
|
#
?
Jul 2, 2017 08:03
|
|
|
Mars4523 posted:I've spent the last few books in fear that Butcher will abruptly stuff Murphy into a fridge as part of a Shocking Twist. It'd be a retread at this point. He already kinda played that card with Lash and Susan and we're still mining the angst from that  And honestly there are a lot of other characters I'd see Butcher go for before Murphy. Ebeneezer especially. I really don't see him living too long past a scene with Maggie and maybe some sort of short story with him and Thomas. Also I have the feeling if he offs a female character for shock factor its going to be Elaine rather than any of the more main cast members. Zore fucked around with this message at 08:14 on Jul 2, 2017 |
|
#
?
Jul 2, 2017 08:12
|
|
|
Only thing I dislike about the Murphy romance is that it's kind of doomed due to the whole "wizards live for centuries" thing. Unless she gets some sort of power up I guess, but being a vanilla mortal is kind of her thing so dunno. I guess one twist he could do is that she does die - but then comes back as a valkyre.  On that note - Mister better get a prolonged lifespan due to being a wizard's familiar or something, too. Avalerion fucked around with this message at 09:11 on Jul 2, 2017 |
|
#
?
Jul 2, 2017 09:08
|
|
|
We're going to find out mister is secretly that egyptian god of cats.
|
|
#
?
Jul 2, 2017 13:22
|
|
|
Would offing Elaine actually produce any shock though?
|
|
#
?
Jul 2, 2017 14:40
|
|
|
Avalerion posted:On that note - Mister better get a prolonged lifespan due to being a wizard's familiar or something, too. No joke, every time I open a new Dresden novel there's this dread that this is the book where Mister dies.
|
|
#
?
Jul 2, 2017 14:47
|
|
|
Mars4523 posted:I've spent the last few books in fear that Butcher will abruptly stuff Murphy into a fridge as part of a Shocking Twist. I would be pretty disappointed if Murphy didn't get some kind of bump that let her do something cool. I enjoy her and Charity, and I like it when they get to do cool stuff. Her arc has put her in the place where she would probably consider options she wouldn't have before ( like at the end of Changes ), especially if it was to help Harry. Skin Game already showed she was willing to break the rules on his behalf. Ramadu posted:Would offing Elaine actually produce any shock though? Sure. Why not? Maybe Justin's riding around in Elaine's body and Harry will be forced to kill them both ( again ), with magic ( again ). That could be a great scene.
|
|
#
?
Jul 2, 2017 14:51
|
|
|
Also Elaine is in a unique place among background characters as she's like the one person really important to Harry he isn't in regular contact with or dead. Ivy is edging towards that too, but killing her would be super hosed up. It would also be a 'meaningful' death Harry could realistically be upset about without killing core members of the supporting cast.
|
|
#
?
Jul 2, 2017 14:55
|
|
|
I honestly wish Elaine were the lead character (all of Harry's whining about how hard his life is in the first few books really looks bad when we find out how much worse Elaine had it) so her dying or becoming mind controlled into evil would also bum me out. She somehow managed to come out better adjusted and less whiny despite having a much bigger right to angst, anyways. Considering that major female characters seem to be the ones getting bad things happening to them (Susan dying, Murphy losing her job and getting put into physical therapy, Luccio's rape and mind control, the BS with Molly) I'm down with some male supporting characters suffering to establish the stakes instead. Really, Michael Carpenter kinda needs to die. Not because I hate him or whatever, but because he stepped away from his happily-for-now ending and got back into the Holy Warrior game. Mars4523 fucked around with this message at 15:19 on Jul 2, 2017 |
|
#
?
Jul 2, 2017 15:15
|
|
|
Hey gang! A Facebook buddy of mine wrote some UF and it's actually pretty good??! Check it out: Empty Threat: Book 1 of The Black Pages - by Danny Bell quote:Elana Black has the power to make herself fictional. But when she decides to start saving all the people in books and TV shows who die just for the sake of advancing the plot, she quickly learns that she's not the only one with her powers. All Elana wants to do is save people. But these others don't want the stories to change, and they'll do everything they can to stop her. If you had the power to change fate... to create a happy ending where there wasn't one before... would you do it if it meant risking your own? Danny is a fun guy who named his cat after Mister, and I wanted to help spread the word about his debut novel!
|
|
#
?
Jul 2, 2017 15:38
|
|
|
Mars4523 posted:I honestly wish Elaine were the lead character (all of Harry's whining about how hard his life is in the first few books really looks bad when we find out how much worse Elaine had it) so her dying or becoming mind controlled into evil would also bum me out. She somehow managed to come out better adjusted and less whiny despite having a much bigger right to angst, anyways. We don't see things from her PoV, though. Butcher likes having Harry come across as competent and prepared from secondary characters' perspectives, then freaking the gently caress out and frantically improvising from his own PoV.
|
|
#
?
Jul 2, 2017 16:01
|
|
|
It has always been my opinion that the Dresden Files would be way more interesting without that annoying Harry Dresden character.
|
|
#
?
Jul 2, 2017 16:13
|
|
|
I thought Butters got waxed a few books ago when he was shot in the church - and was kind of disappointed that he wasn't. The books are a bit too safe in that regard - it doesn't hurt to prune supporting characters now and again.
|
|
#
?
Jul 2, 2017 21:49
|
|
|
Wizchine posted:I thought Butters got waxed a few books ago when he was shot in the church - and was kind of disappointed that he wasn't. The books are a bit too safe in that regard - it doesn't hurt to prune supporting characters now and again. YOU LEAVE BUTTERS ALONE!
|
|
#
?
Jul 2, 2017 22:24
|
|
|
Avalerion posted:Only thing I dislike about the Murphy romance is that it's kind of doomed due to the whole "wizards live for centuries" thing. Unless she gets some sort of power up I guess, but being a vanilla mortal is kind of her thing so dunno. I guess one twist he could do is that she does die - but then comes back as a valkyre. I keep getting the feeling that Dresden's not going to live long enough for this to actually be a problem, personally. Or at least not be anything resembling an ordinary human able to pursue anything resembling a human life. Dude has victorious martyr written all over him and it seems very much in line with how Butcher's been writing the series.
|
|
#
?
Jul 2, 2017 22:36
|
|
|
While I'd be fine with none else dying, and especially if it were just for shock value - I think Thomas is a likely candidate. Jim doesn't seem to have a grasp on him or know what to do with him. I do think (hope) the series ends on a happy ending though. He ended Alera on a high note - and none important (that you'd actually care for) dies. I honestly found that so refreshing, too many authors act like there's some death quota they just have to meet.
|
|
#
?
Jul 3, 2017 11:08
|
|
|
|
| # ? May 29, 2024 14:43 |
|
|
BabyFur Denny posted:It has always been my opinion that the Dresden Files would be way more interesting without that annoying Harry Dresden character. That's funny. It's exactly how I feel about the Iron Druid books.
|
|
#
?
Jul 3, 2017 13:15
|
|
