Wizard edition
>Who's your favorite wizard?
>Best book about wizards?
FANTASY
Selected:
>imgoat.com
General:
>imgoat.com
Flowchart:
>imgoat.com
SCIENCE FICTION
Selected:
>imgoat.com
>imgoat.com
General:
>imgoat.com
>imgoat.com
NPR's Top 100 Science Fiction & Fantasy Books:
>imgoat.com
SF&F author listing with ratings and summaries:
>greatsfandf.com
Previous Threads:
Other urls found in this thread:
strawpoll.me
williamscorner.blog
twitter.com
I'm pretty sure that some of the characters and characterizations in Dark Forest (especially Zhang Beihai) were "compensation" for how hard 3BP came out against the Cultural Revolution.
>Sure, Mistakes Were Made in the past, but with things now are great and our dedicated political officers will put in the ideological work to make China Glorious!
Death's End pretty much completely dodges the questions of the CCP's future though. What we see of the government seems to be pretty much what Asimov or Clarke had in mind -- bland technocrats.
>somehow China manages to endure until the end of humanity despite losing a lot of relevance to the Fleet nations
Eh, so do American and Europeans, even if it's somewhat lip service. Actually, the Africans get pretty fucking short shrift. Over and over in the books he mentions American, Western, and Eastern consortiums/cultures/characters and even brings in fucking Australia but our Negroid compatriots were always conspicuously absent in such roll calls.
>he even mentions Legend of the Galactic Heroes
He refers to the galaxy as "the sea of stars" several times as well. I don't know if that's a LoGH reference or a common expression in Chinese though.
>inb4 the blue wizards
Zhang Beihai is a complicated character and as I see it you can interpret him as either a sane man that still tries his best, embedded in an inefficient, near-sighted regime that manages to hold on despite its best effots to wreck itself via its own byzantine bureaucracy and outdated, impractical ideas, or as a soft-hearted fool who didn't make a lick of difference in the end and whose indecision led to his and his subordinates' death. I was generally surprised Liu was able to get away with both his overt and more subtle criticism of Chinese politics, so either the censorship is starting to relax a bit, or it was just because he portrayed everyone else as being at least just as bad, or more often worse. The "feminized" future in Dark Forest seems to me a way of showing what western decadence and foreign influence can do to traditional Chinese values, or something along those lines.
The sea of stars, by the way, is definetely a LoGH reference. It's the third opening's title and a phrase mentioned often in the anime.
I'm also pretty sure Cheng Xin's boss in Death's End is meant to be named Thomas Wayne, with his insane schemes and all.
>Zhang Beihai
I don't think there's any question that his ideological zealotry was portrayed positively. Arguably there's a Straussian angle of "maybe Communism isn't literally good, but it's what we've got and the motivation is what's important". When he gets worn out and loses the fire, he dies.
Both the "feminized" society and the character of Cheng Xin in general are not-even-trying-to-hide-it criticisms of feminism. I mean, she repeatedly wrecks humanity out of soft-headedness and the whole disaster is initially enabled by how unmanly everyone is. However I don't think the message is anything the CCP has much disagreement with.
I wouldn't be so sure about Cheng Xin. Yes, she repeatedly ruins it for everyone over everyone and lives to regret it and do it again somehow, but in the end, she gets proven right in her basic ideals. It was all just not worth it, both humans and trisolarans were too small and short-sighted to see the bigger picture and her "feminity" is the only hope for a better universe than the shithole the dark forest deterrence creates, even if the extant races are fucked.
I've followed this conversation and I think you're broadly right here.
>>Who's your favorite wizard?
Hands down Ridcully.
>>Best book about wizards?
Face in the Frost. It's basically pic related in novel form.
Is Ridcully the Ron Swanson of Discworld?
Webnovels are novels too
As long as they don't feel like a 9th grader wrote them
Nynaeve is best girl.
>she gets proven right in her basic ideals
Does she? The pocket universe was a straight deus ex machina. If you're talking about the decision to leave it, I can see that. I just think the scenarios where her choices turned out poorly are more plausible than "sacrifice yourself so the universe can be reborn (maybe)". The ending felt somewhat contrived in order to produce a good outcome for Cheng's impulses -- although I'm not sure e.g. Wade would have chosen differently. And really, Cheng could have had it both ways -- more Solar humans survive AND she leaves the pocket.
The ambiguity around the correctness of her actions is to the author's credit though.
>pic related
#
>Nah. There's a difference between the natural strain of horror that runs through Sword & Sorcery and the outright nihilism of a lot of grimdark fantasy.
>natural strain of horror
>outright nihilism
Oh go fuck yourself. You just shit talking about modern genre books, but your precious s&s is exempt? People have been getting raped for amusement for millennia and still do, but I guess that is just nihilism revisionism.
I can't wait till the fall of Burgerland and rape is rampant across your territory, I wonder what you will tell your sisters /aunts/ mother/cousin, when a pulsating erect penis comes their way.
shit im late
sanderfag a hack
Shit I'm late. We did not get that many nominations and unfortunately I did not write down the suggestions in older threads, but it'll be fine. The nominees are:
>The Shadow over Innsmouth
By Lovecraft, ~150 pages
>A Night in the Lonesome October
By Roger Zelazny, 280 pages
>I Have No Mouth, and I Must Scream
By Harlan Ellison, 134 pages
>Lord of Light
Also by Roger Zelazny, 296 pages
Poll: strawpoll.me
If there's a tie I'll decide.
i might be biased but shadow over insmouth is one of the first real horror books ive ever read.
so ill vote for that or failing that my second would go to i have no mouth and i must scream. though i have to mention the adventure game is miles better in my opinion.
>You just shit talking about modern genre books, but your precious s&s is exempt?
yeah? S&S tends to take place in moral universes where good is, eventually, rewarded, and bad punished. A scoundrel only gets to be hero if on balance he causes more good than harm, there's none of this introducing a paladin type and then killing him off to show how serious you are.
>splitting the Zelazny vote
You're making this hard on me, user.
>though i have to mention the adventure game is miles better in my opinion
>re-released for linux 2013
Would you look at that, thanks for the recommendation.
It's a multi choice poll
If Zelazny wins LoL wins, even though I love it I have a soft spot for Lonesome October and wish more people would read it.
*teleports behind you*
psh I liked the Broken Empire trilogy
Who else likes reading about a tigerman fucking a vampire?
The I Have No Mouth, and I Must Scream story is only like 30 pages though. Unless you're referring to the short story collection.
ive listened to the audiobooks that have been released so far.
honestly im pleasantly surprised. i expected a massive furfest but so far its rather enjoyable.
so far he hasnt actually didled anyone(zeta hack is the last ive gone through).
i can imagine the direction the series is going but im waiting for the audiobooks since i got used to the voices. does it get worse or better? i wouldnt mind if it stayed as is in terms of pacing and events but all the pussyfooting around certain matters is kinda grating.
I am referring to the short story collection. The nomination was actually for some audio book collection and while I have nothing against audio books I decided to pick something that can also be read instead.
Now I'm a little sad. I've only read the first two so far and the second one ended with some pretty heavy implications that a threeway was just around the corner.
Now I find out he gets blueballed for an entire other book. Bummer.
well theres a lot of sexual tension between the 3.
it would happen but theres uh circumstances that prevent it every fucking time. its kinda like you little bro comes into your room when you got a woman to yourself and refuses to leave. oh yeah and the room is 2k miles away from home at college where he possible couldnt show up but does every fucking time.
im pretty sure itll happen in the 4th atleast. but yeah he is getting blueballed for a while yet.
im much more interested in tamer the newest series from michael.
its like enemy mine but instead of getting stuck on a planet with some enemy alien mc gets stuck with a bunch of ayylien women. and they all want his D.
>Who else likes reading about a tigerman fucking a vampire?
>tigerman
>tiger
>man
Do you see the problem here?
Threadly Question.
Why aren't you reading Daniel Black anons?
It has the added benefit of having catgirls :3
They aren't finished. I hate unfinished series :3
Being good is never rewarded in real life.
I am fed up of capeshit trying to push morality on us. Where people are saved and the bad guy jailed... only for him to escape and kill more people before he is captured again. Why not kill him? you KNOW he is going to escape, one death saves tens of thousands, but I guess that is too nihilistic.
You cape fags are the cancer that kills fantasy.
>good for goodness sake
>turns the other cheek
>lets the guy rape his family and forgive him because it's teh right thing to do
There is a reason "grimdark" fantasy is gaining a rise in popularity. People are fed up of capeshit logic. Those books are a caricature of outdated customs. If someone hurts you, you don't turn the other cheek.
Superman killing/lobotomizing was the best thing for capeshit, there is a point where you have to stop and think, "why lock him up again". Too bad they didn't follow through.
tigers are awesome, men are awesome. Don't see the problem.
REEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
You must be 18 to use this website.
>Lovecraft winning going away
I preferred the eras where Lovecraft was considered an emo hack.
>implying he's not still considered an emo hack
But still, a man's gotta have his indulgences.
Where can I get it?
Is that the follow up of Ages of Myth? Didn't like the first book desu. Thought it was pretty shitty.
...
>favorite wizard
i dont even know much wizards beyond gandalf, dumbldore and merlin
>best book about wizards
probably lotr
>I don't like what he says
>I'll call him underage b&
But catfag, he will get a catgirl harem. he will probably fuck his own daughter. who is going to be Bast
Second one is worst. i dropped the series after that.
>But catfag, he will get a catgirl harem.
incomplete stooooooory
>he will probably fuck his own daughter.
You're not helping your case here.
How's this book? You seem to be the expert on litrpg shit.
Well, yeah. Need it be said?
Fourth book soon ._.
Join us in degeneracy catfag. Big breasted catgirls who have hair triggered cunnies.
Is fanfiction, if actually written well, considered a novel? Is a story based on another's universe considered a novel if booklength and structured like one?
>gets educated on sword and sorcery
>spergs out about Batman for no reason
Why wouldn't it be?
Is Starfire good? I didn't like Larson's Steel world very much (haven't finished it yet, maybe I'll change my opinion). I like first contact stories.
>Big breasted catgirls
I'm now imagining Neal Stephenson writing about these and including a 30 page rabbit trail on the relevant zero-g physics and other effects.
He seems like an easy author to pastiche.
Name a bigger hack
That's not Min
Preach brother.
Sanderson lovers shoulde be relentlessly bullied from this general
Sanderson
it is impossible to write in the age of trump
(and also the 4 years previous)
The good thing about Brown (Black's author) is that he keeps shit short. If you are an engineering buff who likes survival books, or books about people using supplies to make something, or a living, you would love this series.
If you are an oldfag and grew up on the A-Team and liked that, then Daniel Black is your fantasy equivalent. Using magic to build machine guns, nuclear reactors, nukes, rp-grenades, c4, aircrafts, tanks, etc. Anyone that likes putting together shit will love this series.
not the guy you are responding to but it isnt a litrpg in the traditional sense.
also dont let the theme fool you you. its very unique on its own right. also it has feels.
a lot of feels. if you like emotions youll probably cry alot.
that is Sanderson
But we were the ones who started and continued the general until it because self sustaining... typical americlap. Come into an existing, already established environment, and try to kick the people out who made it.
I don't want feels user... were you the one that recommended it a few thread back? The goodreads reviews says that they dropped it because of all the porn near the end of the book.
Blindsight was cool, but Echopraxia was pretty shit.
Is Rifters fungood?
well if you like vampires in space you should prolly try reading other garbage urban fantasy
Theres this awful series called the "dresden files" or something, you should read that.
theres barely any porn. its like two scenes in the first book that are maybe a page or two each.
its not erotica it just doesnt shy from telling you whats happening.
also just to clarify its not overly bad feels. its joy feels or feel feels. just give it a try and form your own opinion also book 4 in a month or so.
>well if you like vampires in space
Say no more senpai
Sigh...
How many books are planned?
Not sure. Three books are out. He is working on the fourth.
OH SHIT A NEW UPDATE
williamscorner.blog
Starfish is creepy-good, but the rest of the series is a bit of a sprawling mess. If you're a hardcore Watt's fan then try it but I found it pretty mediocre. His shorter work bangs, Beyond the Rift is a nice collection of it, but it's all on his website.
>putting together shit
>A-Team
So the Kingkiller Chronicle film they are making...
>The film’s script is being penned by Lindsey Beer, who served as a writer on “Transformers: The Last Knight.” It will be based on the first book in Rothfuss’ series, “The Name of the Wind.”
Ahahahaha oh god, ah-ha-ha-ha!!!!!11111111
>In 2016, Lionsgate tapped “Hamilton” star and creator Lin-Manuel Miranda to serve as creative producer and musical mastermind of the feature film and TV series adaptations of “The Kingkiller Chronicle,”
Oh god this is going to be a roaring success.
Enjoy your poz'd Kvothe lmao.
Imagine unironically defending grimderp lol
*hums A-Team's theme song*
I love it when a plan comes together.
Keep your disdain for McGyver
For the longest time, I had the impression that Name of the Wind was satire based on the intro.
...
...
...
...
Unironically me too
...
>tfw I have an idea for an emotionally complex story full of mystery and intrigue
>tfw it's generic fantasy schlock that makes the Iron Druid Chronicles sound good when describing it
Brandon Sanderson's books are to literature what Skyrim is to videogames.
He somehow manages not to excel at any facet of his work. To borrow from Bloom, he has no discernible talent. His dialogue is stilted and uninteresting. His characters feel more like plot-convenient afterthoughts than people. The plots themselves are generic filler, somehow managing to be even less interesting than million get-to-the-end-of-the-dungeon quests of Skyrim. His prose is "workmanlike" or "inoffensive" (read: shit) in the way that combat in Skyrim is "inoffensive". I challenge Sanderson fans (?) to name one thing that he does better than passably: one single thing he is actually good at.
The most common response to this is Sanderson's worldbuilding. Like Skyrim he impresses you at first with the scale and detail of his worlds but even this is quickly revealed to be flat and cliched. How many times can Sanderson get away with his utterly inane caste-system-attempting-to-be-some-kind-of-political-allegory?
>but muh magic system
Even if you're a fan of the sub-genre consisting of explaining everything about magic until it ceases to be magic (why would you be?), Brandon Sanderson does not do this particularly well. His magic basically devolves into people flying around and hitting each other because Sanderson (and his fans (?)) think this is the height of entertainment. People describe his works as anime but it should be specified that it's the anime aimed primarily at 10 year old japanese boys (yum).
>muh cosmere
Fans (?) of Sanderson think of him as some kind of genius and of his books as some kind of unified masterpiece because "it happens in the same universe xd". The "co-smere" is the shitsmear on the toilet-bowl which is his writing. Sanderson insults his readers (?) by using a gimmick originally conceived to sell capeshit with lacklustre tie-ins.
>B-But he writes fast
More evidence of him being a shit writer. It takes time to write and all the best fantasy authors spend a long time on their works to ensure we get the highest quality (see for example Rothfuss).
>you haven't even read all his books
No shit. I've read enough to make a judgement.
The only possible justification for people reading his mediocre works that I can think of is a desperate attempt to fill in the hours between now and the time they die. At least Skyrim has loli/shota(yum) mods, Sanderson's nutcase religion manages to stop him on this front too.
Read BoTNS
Any specific recommendations?
This user is right.
Try The Island, it might be the best thing Watts has ever wrote. Also some of his short stories are great.
Can Kvothe BE more pozzed than he already is in the book? He's already an ambiguously gay twink who gets assraped.
Sir, I have taken a liking to your post and wish to have your permission to reproduce it as a "pasta." You will be paid a fee of one (You) for this service.
Thank you
Where is super sales? That is like a mercenary group. when is book 2 audiobook dropping? You said end of January. You made me read this shit and only one book is out
My good lady, as usual all my work is licensed under the wtfpl and available for all use, free of charge.
I've already found some things I don't like about it when reading in post form. Stay tuned tuned for the next version.
Quick read right? That is more than half the book.
audiobook got delayed because jeff hays pulled out to make his own recording studio label. its now done by podium publishing and read by nick podehl.
on average an audiobook of a ~250 page book takes about 3 months to produce.
audiobook guys usually tend to work on multiple books at once and rest their voice a lot to prevent damage or sickness that would alter their voices.
jeff hays is a cuck tough for pulling out. id expect the audiook for the second book in a month or two.
>in a month or two.
I mean Brian Herbert's Dune works are concidered novels. So I guess the difference between fanfiction and "official work" is whether you're a part of the original authors estate or not.
Great, now I'm having a nightmare about spiders, and will wake up in the middle of the night searching under my sheets for a giant spider. Fuck you.
>Great, now I'm having a nightmare about spiders
You a sleep-poster?
Got two audiobooks from Audible not too recently, Promise of Blood and The Final Empire. Just finished the former and started the latter.
Promise of Blood I felt was pretty good. If I had to grade it, I'd probably give it a B. There were some times where the exposition was heavy-handed and it felt like the author forgot he was writing a book and just started telling me directly about his latest tabletop campaign. The setting was alright, and I thought the powder mages were pretty cool, though I could've gone without certain details. I'm sorry, but I just don't understand why "Doing magic makes you really horny" had to be a detail in this universe. I get it, these royal dickheads are sick and depraved, but adding in this aspect makes me think you're juvenile. And I liked the different narratives, but the maid really got shafted. Her narrative appears, what, four, maybe five times in the entire book? Half the time I forgot it existed, and I can't even remember her name.
Just started The Final Empire today, and I think I can already tell I'm not going to like it as much as Promise of Blood. I thought parts of PoB's exposition was heavy-handed, but my god, I feel like TFE is just beating me over the head with repetition so I know what the setting and characters are like. I'm already hoping whatshisface "the survivor" stops fucking smiling so the author will stop cluing me in about it. Oh, and foreshadowing. The backstory probably involves some former hero turning evil and is now the overlord or whatever they call him now. I really hope that's not the case though, because it is painful how obvious the author is making this "twist". Dude, you're just shooting yourself in the foot now. It's not going to be clever when you reveal this near the end of the book if everyone can see it coming a mile away.
*now I'm going to
I am le tired
>It's not going to be clever when you reveal this near the end of the book if everyone can see it coming a mile away.
It does happen but it's not the twist.