Eddis, Attolia, Sounis

I enjoyed Blue Remembered Hills. It's always fascinating to learn more about an author in their own words.

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Hi!!! I'm also new here!! :) :)
Haha, I have also reread MWT's books...! I can't wait for the next one to come out..! I hope it'll be this year...!

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Welcome! It's great to have some new people around. Seconding your notion of a new book in 2016!

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an-english-girl.livejournal.com

If you're really pining for more, there's some new fanfic (of mine!) over at the queensthief-fic LJ, linked from this site.
Enjoy it!
:)

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thnidu.livejournal.com

Diane Duane's Wizards at War (reread, I think) and A Wizard Alone (brand-new, New Millennium Edition). More for sure, but that's all offhand.

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ibmiller.livejournal.com

Sorry this is so long!

The Just City and The Philosopher Kings are definitely standouts this year, by Jo Walton. The speculation and detached narration help deal with an intensely emotional and philosophical story with great characters.

Though I didn't enjoy it quite as much as the first Vampire Academy series, I did enjoy the final volume of Richelle Mead's Bloodlines spinoff, The Ruby Circle. Her standalone novel Soundless was a lot of fun as well.

Princess Academy 3: The Forgotten Sisters was fantastic, a fitting end for a lovely series (at least, probably the end. We've heard that before. :)

I reread Aaron Allston's Star Wars: X-Wing trilogy for the first time in a couple of years, and was pleased that I still love them so much that I chuckled audibly on the plane. :)

I also reread two old favorites - The Dispossessed by Ursula LeGuin for a book club, and Emma by Jane Austen with my yougest sister (her first time!). Both were extremely lovely.

Ronin Games by Marion George Harmon, a superhero novel (the latest in the series) was a fresh new direction in a thoughtful, humane, and fun fantasy/scifi universe.

Empowered Volume 9, a graphic novel by Adam Warren, was surprisingly less dismal (though all volumes are enjoyable, the heroine doesn't tend to win that often), and really moving.

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jenn hilgeman (from livejournal.com)

The Michael Stackpole additions to the Rogue Squadron series were some of my favorites in high school. I wanted to read them again, to see if they're as much fun as I remember, but my library doesn't own them. Might have to get them through ILL.

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ibmiller.livejournal.com

Stackpole is a hit or miss author for me. He was perfect for tiny newbie scifi fan me who hadn't read Starship Troopers, but rereading him two years ago made me realize there's a lot of things that are very functional, but don't hold up that well on a craft level. Except for I, Jedi, which I think is still pretty well crafted on a moral/perspective/worldbuilding level, even if the plot is two big holes lumped together. :)

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filkferengi

Marie Brennan's Lady Trent series, Katherine Addison's _Goblin Emperor_ [twice!], Elizabeth Enright, & Gene Luen Yang were all new discoveries this year.

The usual annual rereads: Kerry Greenwood, Nancy Atherton, Monica Ferris. Agatha Christie still holds up well, & Georgette Heyer's even better than I remembered. Mark Oshiro [of markreads.net] is still the best audio book *ever*.

I also read way more short stories than usual, most either from tor.com or by Seanan McGuire.

It was a year of new good things to read, although none of them [alas!] were by mwt.

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I absolutely loved The Traitor Baru Cormorant! The author said that The Queen of Attolia was actually an influence in this question and answer thread here: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/17740263
It's a thrilling and surprising epic fantasy, but I won't say more so I won't spoil anything! Let's just say it has a huge twist like The Thief does.

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I enjoyed Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo. I like magic and I like heists, so it hit the right notes for me. I especially liked the team dynamics and how she developed each character in relation to everyone else. Kaz reminded me a bit of Gen.

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Wow, I was thinking about reading this one! Now I'm definitely going to pick it up. My library doesn't have it but sounds like a good book and others have recommended it to me :)

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jenn hilgeman (from livejournal.com)

Kaz has all the cleverness and wit of Gen, but he's a great deal more ruthless and is decidedly lacking in the morals department. I'm excited to see where Bardugo takes this character in the next novel.

I loved the dichotomy of Nina and Matthias, and Inej was just precious.

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It certainly seemed like Bardugo's intention was to make Kaz ruthless, though there were moments when I wasn't buying it. At least, it felt like repeated attempts to solidify his reputation as something monstrous (and sure, he does some ruthless things, usually motivated by personal feelings). I agree with you, in that I'm interested in seeing how, exactly, the author develops his character in book 2. Morally speaking, all of the characters are riding the fence, with varying degrees of inner angst and guilt! (Darling Inej, trying so hard to shape Kaz into a hero. I love her.)

Gen strikes me as someone who aspires to a moral code, keeping what could have been a ruthless nature in check. (Versus Kaz *trying* to squash what he sees as weakness by becoming careless and hardened.) Just thoughts.

Definitely some interesting parallels/contrasts between the two!

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Secondary thoughts...

Gen also has gods peeking over his shoulder. I'd imagine that influences his choices. :)

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jenn hilgeman (from livejournal.com)

Excellent points. I'm currently rereading the book, and from what I've read so far, it seems like Kaz's intentions are to be ruthless and ignore any inner squishiness, so to speak, because he thinks it will distract him from his ultimate goal of revenge.

Inej was just too precious for this world. I love how she saw potential in Kaz, but she didn't view him through rose-colored glasses and wasn't willing to compromise her integrity in order to pursue any sort of relationship with him.

And, yes, the possibility of offending the gods would do much to keep a man like Gen in line. Maybe Kaz needs to listen to Inej on that front.

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Yes! Everything you said.

Edited to add: It just struck me that Kaz/Attolia Inej/Gen parallels could also be drawn. Hmm...!

Edited Date: 1/5/16 07:40 pm (UTC)

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jenn hilgeman (from livejournal.com)

I think you're on to something.

Clearly, they all need to meet up in an epic crossover fic.

Edited Date: 1/5/16 07:47 pm (UTC)

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Ooh, I can totally see an awkward dinner party scene, wherein Gen and Inej hit it off ("What, you name your weapons too? How did you climb that tower? Let's compare boots!") while Kaz and Irene sit at opposite ends of the table trying to intimidate each other via a glowering contest.

Kaz: "Irene, would you be so obliging as to pass the salt?"

Irene: *passes the pepper* "Your move."

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I've been laughing over this all afternoon, especially where Gen and Inej talk about their beloved boots.

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I feel like Gen is a moral person who tries to ruthless but can't quite manage it, whereas Kaz is a mostly immoral person who struggles at times to be moral. Seems like the difference is in the way they were raised. I loved how the analogy was made that not only had Kaz's broken leg mended crooked, but all of him was broken and had mended wrong. Poor guy.

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I was surprised Kaz's bad leg didn't factor into the plot more. It never seemed to hinder him for long. Then again, it seemed to take Gen longer to overcome the emotional and psychological ramifications of losing his hand... but once he did, he didn't let it stop him from being awesome in general.

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beth-shulman.livejournal.com

I liked Six of Crows, and Kaz definitely reminded me of Gen, too! To me, though, QT is much more character-based and Six of Crows is much more of a plot-based work. The entire work - decisions, etc - everything's set up for the sake of driving the plot forward. And so ultimately, Kaz reminded me of Gen because all thieves do, and not because I ended up finding character or tone similarities - if that makes sense!

Edited Date: 1/6/16 12:34 am (UTC)

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It does make sense. And I was definitely speaking in general terms when I likened Kaz to Gen. The Kaz/Inej dynamic does remind me a little of Attolia/Gen, though. In that I'm definitely invested in seeing how they influence each other. And because... I luffs them and want them to be healthy and happy and together, poor babies. <3

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I just finished Bardugo's Grisha books, and am waiting on Six of Crows from the library. The conversation here has made me want to read it more!

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A few books that I read so far:

Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell - Susanna Clarke:
I really love this book! It's got magic, pebbles of humor and great plot that leads the reader to discover the intricacies and depth of the characters. I saw this book listed as a recommendation in a list on GoodReads together with The Thief by MWT. I definitely recommend this book!

Sorcerer to the Crown - Zen Cho:
A book that is similar to Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell in tone. The characters have a charm to them and the book has a good mystery aspect and a well developed plot(full of twists and unexpected turns!!)

The Silver Blade by Sally Gardner:
This is the second book in a series and I didn't know that when I started reading it (whoops...). It's a fantastic story set in the French revolution era with a little bit of magic. LOVED the poetic lines and the way the author writes :)

I also re-read the Thief, QoA and KoA... XD! I'm reading ACOK now...

I've almost exhausted my patience waiting for the next book to come out. I think I could write a whole book about patiently-not-so-patiently waiting for a book to come out.

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Have you read the Sorcery & Cecelia books by Patricia C. Wrede and Caroline Stevermer? I re-read them this year and thought you'd probably like them too, based on your list. :)

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No, I haven't... and I must add that I have shamefully never heard of these two authors. Thank you for your enlightening suggestions!

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In that case... allow me to add The Enchanted Forest Chronicles by Wrede and A College of Magics by Stevermer to my recommendations. But start with Sorcery & Cecelia. :)

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Duly noted! Thank you for your recommendations! Now, now... all that's left is a trip to the library ^^

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Oh, I LOVE Wrede and Stervermer. Yes, check all of their books out, starting with Sorcery & Cecilia.

I also read Sorcerer to the Crown this year and loved it! I keep meaning to read Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell.

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Oh wow, the Sorcery and Cecelia book is SO. MUCH. FUN. I laughed so hard and it's such an easy and pleasant read. Thank you so much for recommending it to me!

It also makes me wish that I had a penpal, haha! I think I may join a creative writing group or something.

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I'm delighted you liked it! There are two additional books in the series: The Grand Tour and The Mislaid Magician. They're quite fun as well, catching up with the same characters a few years down the road.

I love the pen-pal aspect as well. It actually gave me and my friend the courage to attempt a novel of our own (though it took a different form than the Cecelia and Kate stories--still, they were an inspiration).

You should definitely join a creative writing group! I've participated in a few (including one I lead for 9 years) and they're all sorts of fun, not to mention a good source of inspiration and critique. :)

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lylassandra.livejournal.com

I tried to read a bunch of new (to me) authors this year, and I particularly loved Erin Morgenstern's The Night Circus, Katherine Addison's The Goblin Emperor, and the Inheritance Trilogy by NK Jemisin.

I also started reading my first manga, Library Wars. It's a lot of fun, but apparently I'm just terrible at telling people apart in black and white. I have the same problem with movies. =(

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ibmiller.livejournal.com

I love your icon - Mara Jade forever! And I read Night Circus last year (2014) - a lovely book. :)

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I also read and loved The Goblin Emperor and the Inheritance Trilogy, so I'll have to try The Night Circus!

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Looks like I own The Night Circus, actually. Someone must have passed it on to me. Way too many books on my own shelves I haven't read!

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Like freenarnian, I read Leigh Bardugo's Six of Crows and really liked it. I also read her Grisha trilogy last year and thought those were great, too. Plus, I tweeted about how much I liked them and the author responded. :-) #stalkingauthorsisfun

Other favorites were Uprooted by Naomi Novik, Attachments by Rainbow Rowell, Tiger Lily by Jodi Lynn Anderson, and probably my favorite, Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel. Thanks go to the person here who recommended it to me. It's a fabulous book.

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beth-shulman.livejournal.com

Oh, I loved Uprooted! I have to second that one (forgot about it below, oops).

Edited Date: 1/6/16 12:31 am (UTC)

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Oh yes, I loved Uprooted as well!

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