What have you read recently?
Wally Murderbots are next. The number of books I’ve read this year is woeful compared to the previous two years.
Just about to get into the new Jasper Fford one.
A quick, easy and fairly illuminating read -
Amps Hopefully better than Early Riser.
JonQPublik I liked Early Riser, far from his best, but a fun one all the same. He really needs to get Shades Of Grey 2 sorted, not finishing that story is basically audience abuse.
Finished ’Death’s end’ - thought it was really good tbh - best of the trilogy so it ended on a high note - I get the complaints about Liu being a pessimistic writer and the characters being a bit flat but I think the universe / time and space spanning sci fi concepts more than make up for them.
Next it’s Adrian Tchaikovsky - Dogs Of War - been told by several people to read it pronto.
Amps I loved Shades of Grey, and like you want that sequel. I’d welcome a third Nursery Crimes novel as well.
JonQPublik Yeah, I think someone said that Shades of Grey didn’t sell very well, so that’s why he’s swerved it for so long, but I can’t believe it sold that badly. Guess the Dragonslayer series for TV must be a good earner though. Not to worried about the Nursery Crimes stuff, and I’ve probably had my fill of Thursday Next too, just want Shades boxed off!
Speaking of Adrian Tchaikovsky, his Echoes of the Fall trilogy would be stunning if given a film treatment. IF done well, that is. Today’s CGI is absolutely necessary.
Amps It was funny that he threw in a reference a universal desire for SoG2 in Early Riser. Was more of a taunt, really. His Twitter feed had numerous requests for a sequel, probably wouldn’t have to scroll back to find a few!
JonQPublik It was funny that he threw in a reference a universal desire for SoG2 in Early Riser.
Did he? It’s a while since I read it, but that might have passed me by.
Amps
I can’t remember where in the book this is, but thankfully found the quote on goodreads. While it doesn’t outright mention SoG many on Twitter (…) felt seen.
“Gaps. I loathe gaps. Gaps in doors, gaps in windows, gaps in bathroom tiles, long gaps between sequels to books. But you know which gaps I hate the most?”
JonQPublik Lol, boss!
Got the new John Rebus from Ian Rankin yesterday, and finished it today. Might’ve helped that I was also diagnosed with an inflammatory knee joint yesterday, so resting on the couch until Thursday. The man’s kept the same formula for over thirty years, yet kept the books good. Quite impressive.
JonQPublik The Constant Rabbit, again, far from his best book, but I loved it. Think I’m just a bit of a fanboy he’s something of a natural successor to Douglas Adams imo, and I’m bang into that.
Finished ‘Dogs of War’ by Adrian Tchikovsky last night - read it after many recommendations from various people - really enjoyed it - great speculative sci fi. Marvellous. 9 Big Dog Guns / 10.
Think it’s Embers of War by Gareth L Powell next.
JonQPublik Just heard another recent interview with him saying Shades didn’t sell, only his 4th best book, but it will be concluded after he does the next Dragonslayer. Apparently Early Riser was difficult to write and took an age.