OT...great books

[Narrew]

A while back someone mentioned a couple of series I hadn't read. John Ringo's Polseen series and Ringo with Weber Prince Rogers series. Very good, too bad the series were not done, man I really got into it, I can't wait to see what Roger or O'Neil will do next!

Oh well, whoever brought these two series up, thanks, was a great read!

[JLS]

With the New Caribbean MOD in development - I have found a interest to pick up Master and Commanders book 4 and get back to that series.

[narf poit chez BOOM]

Digital Knight by Ryk Spoor is a good, light read. Although 'light read' is perhaps somewhat unapt, as it is a supernatural investigation novel. And his new 'Diamonds Are Forever' is shaping up good.

[dumbluck]

/me worships before the alter of Tad Williams.

"All hail Tad! All hail Tad!"


Seriously, check out his Otherland series. And I liked his Memory, Sorrow and Thorn series even better!

edit: he is, however, NOT a light read...... We still joke with him about how he wrote a book that was so big, the publishers physically couldn't fit it into a paperback. They had to split it up into 2 parts...

[ July 09, 2004, 01:18: Message edited by: dumbluck ]

[Starhawk]

If you like Sci-Fi books a series I'd recommend is the Empire of Man series by Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle I found them so cool I named one of my SEIV games in tribute http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif .
The books in that series are:
The mote in God's Eye
and "The Gripping Hand
Although there are about a dozen other stories that involve the First Empire of Man, and CoDominium, the books I listed evolve around the 2nd Empire of Man and their first encounter with aliens.

If you like Fantasy I'd recomend the World on the otherside of the Riftwar series by Raymond E. Fiest and Janny Wurtis:
Books in the series are:
Daughter of the Empire
Servant of the Empire
and Mistress of the Empire

Another good sci-fi series thus far is "The Fleet", each book is a series of short stories written by many different authors some of the stories are less than entertaining but most are addictive:

Books in the series are:
The Fleet
The Fleet: Counter Attack
The Fleet: Breakthrough
The Fleet: Sworn Allies
The Fleet: Total War
The Fleet: Crisis

I've read the first two and have put the rest on order so I can't wait for em to come.

Anyway those are the books I'd recommend of the books I've read lately and found most entertaining.

[Randallw]

I read mote many years ago, it seeemd quite good. Thats written by the same pair who wrote Footfall isn't it?.
I actually came across a "The Fleet" book the other day. Would have bought it except I have bought a lot of other books recently. It was about book 4 or so and I was surprised I had never heard of it before.
For good SF I have come to rely on Peter F Hamilton. I eagerly await the next book after Pandoras Star.

Edit: Getting on to fantasy. I used to read Wheel of Time. I got into it a few years after it had started and quickly grabbed the first few books, up to about book 8 or so, but it takes like 2 years for the next book and when I waited for that 2 years and got the latest one it advanced the story absolutely nowhere, basically they wandered in the forest and did nothing, I may grab the Last one if I hear it is the very Last one but otherwise Robert Jordan has lost my interest (plus I detest the Aes Sedai). Harry Turtledove's like that as well. His series just go on for ever and I got bored at that. Still I suppose its to be expected if the war goes for 4 years.

[ July 09, 2004, 02:07: Message edited by: Randallw ]

[Hugh Manatee]

Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy trilogy(all 5 books of them, though it goes downhill during book 4 and fizzles by the end of 5 it's still a great adventure, ****ing hillarious too, plus the short story Zaphod Plays it Safe, and don't forget the Salmon of Doubt)

Also get your hands on the Gormenghast/Titus Groan series, it ****ing owns, Steerpike is a badass, and the rest of the characters are awesome(sometimes a little depressing, but still cool none the less), and it has the most awesome castle ever.

EDIT: Sadly both authors were struck down in their prime(both in their 40s or early 50s most likely 40s IIRC), Marvyn Peake(titus groan series) by Pnemonia, Adam Douglas(HHGttG by heart problems... Though there will never be any more to these series, I still use my imagination to kinda fill in the gaps. They are well worth the reads.

[ July 10, 2004, 05:30: Message edited by: Hugh Manatee ]

[Randallw]

I heard much of Gormenghast, specifically on Terry Pratchett forums, and eventually came across a copy in the library. I didn't find it to my liking though.

[Hugh Manatee]

Which one did you get? you got to read them in order(Titus Groan, Gormenghast then Titus Alone), and it's not really an easy read, but great if you get through it.

[Randallw]

They had the whole trilogy on the shelf. I took the first one and read it for awhile. I'll be honest it was a few years ago and I can't even remember what happened, I just remember I wasn't impressed and put it back. If you found it interesting then it will keep you entertained. I'll just read something else.

[narf poit chez BOOM]

How could I forget Katherine Kerr's Deverry series?!?! A truly epic adventure that is neither cliche nor boring and in which the mythology isn't just background, it truly integrates with the story.

Read it or no-one will be angry with you.

Why, yes, that statement does make sense.

And I just finished a book called 'Lord Darcy', a bunch of short stories written by Randall Garrett, now dead and compiled and edited by Eric Flint. Has a Sherlock Holmes feel, with some humor. Very good. Kept me up 2:30 hours more than normal. Finished the rest the next day.

* Humor example: Naming the head of the sorcerer's guide 'Gandolphus Gray'.

Webscription preview (http://www.baen.com/chapters/W200207/0743435486.htm?blurb)

[ July 10, 2004, 07:44: Message edited by: narf poit chez BOOM ]

[gregebowman]

Originally posted by dumbluck:
/me worships before the alter of Tad Williams.

"All hail Tad! All hail Tad!"


Seriously, check out his Otherland series. And I liked his Memory, Sorrow and Thorn series even better!

edit: he is, however, NOT a light read...... We still joke with him about how he wrote a book that was so big, the publishers physically couldn't fit it into a paperback. They had to split it up into 2 parts... <font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">I finished the Otherland series not too long ago, and although I loved his Memory, Sorry and Thorn trilogy (quadrology if you bought it in paperback), I just couldn't like this series. Maybe it was too long, maybe it was because the explanations were too long in coming, I don't know. I just didn't enjoy it as much as I did his other previous books. I just can't recommend it.

Another series of books I wouldn't recommend is the Skylark books by E.E. "Doc" Smith. I think mostly it's because of the language and grammer being used. The books were written mostly in the 40's and 50's, and it's very hard to read compared to today's fiction. I'm into the fourth and Last book, and I'm contemplating about whether I should finish it or not. I got a whole bunch of other books I could read, and in faster time too.

[Parasite]

Originally posted by Starhawk:
Another good sci-fi series thus far is "The Fleet", each book is a series of short stories written by many different authors some of the stories are less than entertaining but most are addictive:

Books in the series are:
The Fleet
The Fleet: Counter Attack
The Fleet: Breakthrough
The Fleet: Sworn Allies
The Fleet: Total War
The Fleet: Crisis

I've read the first two and have put the rest on order so I can't wait for em to come.

Anyway those are the books I'd recommend of the books I've read lately and found most entertaining. <font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">Don't forget there is another following series called "Battlestation" of which I have found the first two books. There might be only two. It is the same format and Universe as the Fleet books, just a little later in time after "Crisis".

[LordOffender]

Its not a book, but Playboy. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

[narf poit chez BOOM]

For a peice of very entertaining fluff, I recommend 'The Doomsday Brunette', by John Zakour & Lawrence Ganem. It's full of all sorts of pop culture references, most of which went right over my head. You know a book is good when, as a joke, it starts with 'It was a dark and stormy night...' and you don't groan. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

I recommend listening to Weird Al while reading it. Wee! My brain feels weird.er.

[tesco samoa]

George RR Martin's
A song of ice and fire.... Good series...

[tesco samoa]

http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Cavern/6113/top100.html

[tesco samoa]

has anyone read robin hobb ?

Or

Vernor Vinge


I hear a fire upon the deep and A deepness in the sky is very good...

[ July 12, 2004, 23:52: Message edited by: tesco samoa ]

[tesco samoa]

just to give a little sample of the Martin series

Bronn - "Who'd want to kill the likes of you?"
Tyrion - "My lord father, for one. He's put me in the van"
Bronn - "I'd do the same. A small man wit a big sheild. You'll give the archers fits."

....

Cotter Pike: We will fight to the Last man
Dolorous Edd: Probably me.

...

Eddard: Did he run?
The Hound: Yeah, though not very fast.

Little boy, armed with a crossbow: �Why are you in chains?�
Jaime: Killed a crossbowman.

and

"I seldom fling small children from tall towers to improve their health." Jaime Lannister

[Parasite]

Robin Hobb is an author I really enjoy. Great series of Magical ship books and another series as well. They are a little depressing in places (3/4 of the places http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif ), but a GREAT read.

[Aiken]

Originally posted by tesco samoa:

Vernor Vinge


I hear a fire upon the deep and A deepness in the sky is very good... <font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">Exceptional ideas and not very good literary implementation. I read it in translation, though.

[WhiteHojo]

pure SciFi dribble but entertaining and engrossing (to me anyway) were:

1) Armor by Steakly - loved this book and have read it 5 or so times

2) Hyperion - excellent book in my op, and the follow-ups were ok... but nowhere near as good as the 1st

[WhiteHojo]

Originally posted by tesco samoa:
George RR Martin's
A song of ice and fire.... Good series... <font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">yep - good but me suspects he has dillusions of Robert Jordan dancing in his head - the man is as slow as Jordan in getting out new books

[dumbluck]

gregebowman: Well, I DID say that I liked M, S, & T better... For much the same reasons you stated.

all: Another excellent author is C. F. Friedman. Check out her Coldfire trilogy. I haven't kept up in reading her newer books, unfortunately.....

[narf poit chez BOOM]

Isn't that C.S. Friedman?

[Narrew]

Originally posted by tesco samoa:
has anyone read robin hobb ?

Or

Vernor Vinge


I hear a fire upon the deep and A deepness in the sky is very good... <font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">Yes, I liked both authors.

Robin Hobbs has 3 trilogies. Read them in order, ie first trilogy then the next. Very well written, I really related to the main characters.

Farseer Trilogy
Live Ship Trilogy
Fool Trilogy

As far as Vernor, just plain great writing...

[gregebowman]

For those who love alternate history, just finished reading Harry Turtledove's Guns of the South. A group goes back in time and introduces AK-47's to the South. Very interesting. Now I'm reading his How Few Remain, about a second battle between the states. It's not a sequel, either, to the first book I mentioned.

[Randallw]

"Guns of the South" is one of my favourite books, and perhaps my favourite Turtledove book. Its sicence fiction with a quirky idea (give assault rifles to the confederacy) but it develops the idea beyond simply having the confederacy massacre the north. It explores the effects on the world, the confederacy aren't a bunch of slave owners persecuting blacks (well they did, but they aren't like the AWB romatically thought they were) and Robert E Lee does a lot of thinking. If you are just starting "How few remain" you may find it a bit hard when you progress to the Trilogy after that, then the Trilogy after that, etc. I like Turtledove but when he extends the plot he really extends the plot. I like GotS because its a good idea in 1 book, unlike "World of Darkness" which takes a slightly intriguing idea (WW2 as Fantasy) and takes it through all 6 years (and 6 books). I quit in boredom after the 3rd book (I think).

[narf poit chez BOOM]

Eric Flint's 1632 series. Also, 1633, 1634: The Galileo Affair, an anthology: Ring Of Fire, The Grantville Gazette, currently two of those, going up to four at Last projected count. And, it keeps getting better, partly because David Weber got in there in 1633. http://www.baen.com/library/0671319728/0671319728.htm

Eric Flint also does the Belisarius series, also time-travel, loosely scripted by David Drake. Definitally R-rated, but possibly worth reading. (not very often). http://www.baen.com/library/0671878654/0671878654.htm

David Weber's Path Of The Fury. Contains no backwards time travel, but it does have power armor, space battles, a fury, a cyborg-soldier, a secret agent, two kinds of aliens, a dastardly plot, and an intelligent ai. No preview or free Version.

Hey, how many people have picked up a new book because of a recommendation here?

[ August 05, 2004, 01:14: Message edited by: narf poit chez BOOM ]

[Randallw]

Its not a novel but today I picked up Bruce Campbell's (Ash from Evil dead) book. Like many people I used to romance about becoming a famous actor and getting the glamourous lifestyle. Read this book and you will be cured of any illusions you may have about movie making. Certainly getting famous and rich is great, but the actual movie stuff is far from glamourous.

[Randallw]

Originally posted by gregebowman:
Heck, Toby Maguire almost didn't do Spiderman 2 due a back injury from doing Seabiscuit. But I think that 17 million dollar paycheck helped cure him (hehe, I wish I could get that kind of cure for my ailments).

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">After one of the times Peter Parker falls off a building he limps off crying

"my back, my back"
They put that bit in as a joke. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

[gregebowman]

Originally posted by Randallw:
Its not a novel but today I picked up Bruce Campbell's (Ash from Evil dead) book. Like many people I used to romance about becoming a famous actor and getting the glamourous lifestyle. Read this book and you will be cured of any illusions you may have about movie making. Certainly getting famous and rich is great, but the actual movie stuff is far from glamourous. <font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">Especially for those actors who do their own stunts. I can't recall how many times I've heard over the past few years about such and such an actor/actress who sprained ankles, or twisted stuff or worse from doing their own stunts. Heck, Toby Maguire almost didn't do Spiderman 2 due a back injury from doing Seabiscuit. But I think that 17 million dollar paycheck helped cure him (hehe, I wish I could get that kind of cure for my ailments).

Narf, I do have 1634, but haven't had teh chance to read it yet. too many books, not enough time.

Randallw, I'm trying to read Turtledove's alternative war series, but I'm having trouble finding a couple of the books. When I can find them, I'll read the rest of the series.

[narf poit chez BOOM]

Originally posted by gregebowman:

Narf, I do have 1634, but haven't had teh chance to read it yet. too many books, not enough time.

Randallw, I'm trying to read Turtledove's alternative war series, but I'm having trouble finding a couple of the books. When I can find them, I'll read the rest of the series. <font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">Those links are posted are also perfectly legal, the free books are on the publishers website, so you can read the first two 16## books free. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

[Randallw]

Originally posted by gregebowman:


Narf, I do have 1634, but havn't had the chance to read it yet. too many books, not enough time.

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">Same thing happens to me. My bookstore has 2 levels, Games/comics and books. I splurge on some game books or comics upstairs, then I go downstairs to leave and see a novel I like. While I am buying the novel its a case of "oh, some of those books you ordered arrived". I ordered the books so I have an obligation to get them straight away. I end up with a bag full of books. I still have a book from Last month I havn't got to yet.

[gregebowman]

Originally posted by Randallw:
</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">Originally posted by gregebowman:


Narf, I do have 1634, but havn't had the chance to read it yet. too many books, not enough time.

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">Same thing happens to me. My bookstore has 2 levels, Games/comics and books. I splurge on some game books or comics upstairs, then I go downstairs to leave and see a novel I like. While I am buying the novel its a case of "oh, some of those books you ordered arrived". I ordered the books so I have an obligation to get them straight away. I end up with a bag full of books. I still have a book from Last month I havn't got to yet. </font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">Unfortunately, my comic book store bit the dust Last year, and I didn't even know it until after the fact. I hadn't gone in there for awhile. What with the increasing costs of comics, my budget, and my increasting interest in buying dvd's, I just kind of stopped going. Now I have nowhere to buy comics, at least close to where I work. There are quite a few shops in the Tampa area, but until my finances look better, I just will have to wait. But I know what you mean as far as having books and comics waiting for you. I had a whole box devoted to me at my old shop, as my eyes were bigger than my wallet and I was getting behind in my collecting. One reason I had to quit. But they sold used books and gaming stuff too, and I had to find another used book store just for the books. That's where I'm currently trying to get the books for the Turtledove series, the Honor Harrington books, and a few others. The owner isn't interested in comics or game books, so I still have to look elsewhere for those.

[tesco samoa]

hehe i built wall to wall shelves in the computer room to house the books i have...

I also have 3 of those intstant book shelves full of books to read... When I get a new book it goes to the back of the list to read... I read on average 1 book every 2 weeks...

[Randallw]

Originally posted by gregebowman:
I had a whole box devoted to me at my old shop, as my eyes were bigger than my wallet and I was getting behind in my collecting. <font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">I was offered my own box at the store but didn't see any point, they all know who I am anyway so just they just put it in a pigeon hole.

[gregebowman]

Originally posted by Randallw:
</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">Originally posted by gregebowman:
I had a whole box devoted to me at my old shop, as my eyes were bigger than my wallet and I was getting behind in my collecting. <font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">I was offered my own box at the store but didn't see any point, they all know who I am anyway so just they just put it in a pigeon hole. </font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">But I was so far behind in my collecting, they had to put my comics in one of those 3 foot long boxes. And I was getting further behind. I'm surprised they still let me order new comics, instead of getting caught up. But I stopped going there due to budgetary reasons, and they closed less than a year later. Coincidence? I hope not, but I was buying over $100 a month in comics.

[gregebowman]

Originally posted by Randallw:
If you are just starting "How few remain" you may find it a bit hard when you progress to the Trilogy after that, then the Trilogy after that, etc. I like Turtledove but when he extends the plot he really extends the plot. I like GotS because its a good idea in 1 book, unlike "World of Darkness" which takes a slightly intriguing idea (WW2 as Fantasy) and takes it through all 6 years (and 6 books). I quit in boredom after the 3rd book (I think). <font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">Well, I mentioned in an earlier post that I was having trouble getting the other books in the WWI trilogy. I went to the used bookstore I visit, and lo and behold, they finally had it, plus the 3rd book in the trilogy. They also had the next 2 books in the second trilogy. So I grabbed them, and will have to start looking for that 3rd book. But right now, I just finished How Few Remain, and am now reading Tom Clancy's The Teeth of the Tiger. After that, I might read the Turtledove trilogy.

[gregebowman]

Randallw said:
"Guns of the South" is one of my favourite books, and perhaps my favourite Turtledove book. Its sicence fiction with a quirky idea (give assault rifles to the confederacy) but it develops the idea beyond simply having the confederacy massacre the north. It explores the effects on the world, the confederacy aren't a bunch of slave owners persecuting blacks (well they did, but they aren't like the AWB romatically thought they were) and Robert E Lee does a lot of thinking. If you are just starting "How few remain" you may find it a bit hard when you progress to the Trilogy after that, then the Trilogy after that, etc. I like Turtledove but when he extends the plot he really extends the plot. I like GotS because its a good idea in 1 book, unlike "World of Darkness" which takes a slightly intriguing idea (WW2 as Fantasy) and takes it through all 6 years (and 6 books). I quit in boredom after the 3rd book (I think).



Finished reading How Few Remain, and was able to pick up a couple more of the books in that series. The only one I can't find right now is Victorious Opposition. I can get it from the Sci-Fi book club, but I don't want to pay that much for it. The next time I'm over at Waldenbooks, I'll check them out. Also, how many books are in the World War series? I picked up 4 of them, but they're sealed in pLastic wrap and I haven't opened them up yet. That sounds like it might be a good read too.

Speaking of good reads, I'm currently reading Deception Point by Dan Brown, the same author who wrote the DaVinci Code. So far, it's a pretty good book. Can't wait to see how everything turns out.

[Phoenix-D]

There are four in the Worldwar series, and three (currently?) in the sequel series Second Contact.

[Randallw]

There will be a final single novel to finish the whole series.

[gregebowman]

Randallw said:
There will be a final single novel to finish the whole series.



Which series are you referring to? The 4 set World War books, or the new WWII trilogy that started with How Few Remain?

Also, finished Deception Point over the weekend, and it is a great book. Dan Brown knows how to keep you reading the book long after you should have put it down for the night. Now, I need to pick up Digital Fortress.

[Narrew]

Just finished re reading George RR Martin's 3 books in the Song of Ice and Fire series. I really got so much more out of it this time around, I just hope he gets the next book out soon, or I will have to re read them again.

[Emperor Fritsch the Dense]

i bought one of those Ebooks so i wouldnt be moving boxes and boxes of books when i move...now the SOBs have gone out of business. i recomend the majority of the books mentioned by the other posters. my personal favs are Harry Turtledove, David Drake, and Robert Jordan. those guys rock.
Emperor Fritsch the Dense

[narf poit chez BOOM]

Buy ebooks from Baen, they let you download them, in five formats.

[Caduceus]

For those of you out there who love action and classical literature, try "The Eyre Affair" by Jasper Fforde.

Synopsis: an agent of LiteraTec is embroiled in tracking one of the most dangerous men in this alternative modern day England where the Crimean War is still going.

It is being touted as a Harry Potter for adults. While I might not go that far, there are some great moments in this story.

Wildcard /threads/images/Graemlins/icon46.gif

[narf poit chez BOOM]

Seconded.

[Randallw]

gregebowman said:

Randallw said:
There will be a final single novel to finish the whole series.



Which series are you referring to? The 4 set World War books, or the new WWII trilogy that started with How Few Remain?

Also, finished Deception Point over the weekend, and it is a great book. Dan Brown knows how to keep you reading the book long after you should have put it down for the night. Now, I need to pick up Digital Fortress.



The World War series is finished off by a single book called "Homeworld"

[tesco samoa]

Hey who here writes


I do..... Maybe if your all lucky one day.... And I am.... You will read one of my stories..... And if Were both lucky you will like it...

Randellw


It is a good series...

Tell me what do you think about the south story?

[Randallw]

To which South story do you refer?. Guns of the South or Settling Accounts?.

[Kamog]

I just finished reading The Elder Gods by David Eddings. It's the first book of the series called The Dreamers. I enjoyed reading this book. It's in the same style as Eddings' other fantasy books, with a conflict between super-powerful forces of good and evil that's been going on for millenia but is coming to a critical juncture where the story begins. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/smile.gif

...I have to wait for Eddings to write books two and three... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/fear.gif

[Randallw]

Kamog said:
I just finished reading The Elder Gods by David Eddings. It's the first book of the series called The Dreamers. I enjoyed reading this book. It's in the same style as Eddings' other fantasy books,



Hardly surprising, all his (or to be exact their) books are the same. I quit reading his books but having not read it I can predict A loveable rougue will spend the book(s) making friends with a small number of people each of which has a specific enemy on the bad side they need to personally defeat until all the evil duplicates are vanquished. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/fear.gif

Edit: oh, and not forgetting the main character is the most powerful sorceror alive (and when I say alive I mean he is from the dawn of the world and is a few thousand years old)

[narf poit chez BOOM]

*Spoilers*

*Spoilers*

Oh, come on. In one series, the main character just *became* the most powerfull sorceror alive and in another one, he's a non-magical knight. Ok, his best friend/daughter is a goddess, but still, that's not overpowered, is it?

[Randallw]

Ok, I'll concede that the knight isn't a sorceror. But I was thinking of the Old mage in his first books not the young hero (its been a while since I read them, and since then I read the Belgariad). oh, and thanks for reminding me that there is always a God/ess who is someones best friend. I'll concede there are 3 main themes with at least 2 in each book.

[narf poit chez BOOM]

Actually, now that I think about it, he can do some magic, just not on the scale of the other main charaacters. At least, not until the end of the series, where he gets really munchkined for a bit.

[Kamog]

Yeah, there's a lot of similarities between the different fantasy books by Eddings. Other than this new book, I have also read the Belgariad &amp; Malloreon series, the Elenium &amp; Tamuli series, and The Redemption of Althalus.

In general, the good guys always include at least one super powerful magician or goddess, and the group of heroes are all very skilled and powerful. The bad guys are also powerful but there's usually only one smart bad guy, and the rest aren't that bright and tend to come up with schemes that are easily discovered and countered by the good guys.

[Randallw]

Ah yes I forgot that bit, gotta have the inept villain try a sneaky attack.

"Ho hum, it appears villain #4 is actually trying to be intelligent and sneaky. Well we better quickly demonstrate how superior we good guys are" (no sarcasm intended, thats how it seems to go)

[narf poit chez BOOM]

Well, if you want a high body count, go read something by David Drake.

Or, better yet, I read a series a while ago, forgot what it's called, after the first 2-3 books, every new book that came out would kill off most of the old generation. That gets tiring much faster. Fantasy, wizards, nomads, picture of a horse on one of the covers, intelligent stone lion in one of the books.

[Randallw]

I've read a bit of David Drake (I think) Belisarius and Shiva Option (correct me if I'm wrong, but SciFi military series) and I can't say I've seen any killing off of major chaacters, apart from some scientist in Belisarius who had a bit more than usual coverage before he blew himself up.

Edit: I also have heard of an anime series where aliens invade earth and a major character is killed each episode until everyone dies by the end.

[gregebowman]

Just finished reading the Star Wars Clone Wars book about a medical unit. Basically, it's MASH in the Star Wars universe. It was ok, but I could have lived without reading it. Now I'm reading Dean Koontz' From The Corner of His Eye. Koontz is a great author, and I like him almost as much as I do Stephen King. I read his Strangers not too long ago, and that has become my favorite book of his. Check it out.

[narf poit chez BOOM]

That's because the Belisarius series is written by Eric Flint, despite David Drake's name on the cover, he just provided a general script. Shiva option was written by David Weber and Steve White, based on a strategy tabletop game.

Try 'Redliners' or his 'Hammers Slammers' series. I only read Redliners once and I avoid Hammers Slammers.

[Randallw]

narf poit chez BOOM said:
That's because the Belisarius series is written by Eric Flint, despite David Drake's name on the cover,



I've always wondered about stuff like that. When there are two authors, who writes what?. I've got a Turtledove book cowritten by Richard Dreyfuss. Do they write half of it each, did Dreyfuss come up with the idea and let Turtledove actually write it, or do they spend hours on the phone (or in a forum) comparing notes.

[narf poit chez BOOM]

If I'm familiar with both writers, I can generally tell who wrote what. Try looking for types of phrases that the auther re-uses, like David Weber doing a non-sequitor in an internal monologue.

[gregebowman]

Randallw said:

narf poit chez BOOM said:
That's because the Belisarius series is written by Eric Flint, despite David Drake's name on the cover,



I've always wondered about stuff like that. When there are two authors, who writes what?. I've got a Turtledove book cowritten by Richard Dreyfuss. Do they write half of it each, did Dreyfuss come up with the idea and let Turtledove actually write it, or do they spend hours on the phone (or in a forum) comparing notes.



I've often thought the same thing. Sometimes they'll tell you in an author's note, but most times you're left clueless as to which author did the primary work. Especially if they live hundreds or thousands of miles away from each other, how do they coordinate everything? The overhead for faxing or mailing copies to each other must be prohibitive to most people.

[Randallw]

The World War series is finished off by a single book called "Homeworld"



If I may politely point out, you are wrong. The Last book is called "Homeward Bound". Get your facts straight http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[Instar]

Design Patterns, by the Gang of Four
its a sweet sweet computer science book