The Official "Holy Shit That's A Good Book" Topic

Random irrelevance that just didn't fit into other forums. Talk about anything.

Moderator: Talkative People

Post Reply
DJ Yoshi
Game Developer
Game Developer
Posts: 1021
Joined: Wed Mar 02, 2005 9:12 pm
Location: Madison, AL

The Official "Holy Shit That's A Good Book" Topic

Post by DJ Yoshi »

Recently I've been reading...a lot. I've polished off about 5 or 6 books in the past few weeks. We're talking a ridiculous amount of reading.

Among that reading was "Chainfire" by Terry Goodkind, "Starship Troopers" by Robert Heinlein, "Queen of the Blades" by Aaron Rosenberg, and "The War of the Ancients: Well of Eternity" by Richard A. Knaack.

The first is a continuation of the Sword of Truth series (I don't think anyone here is familiar with it) which I reccomend with every fiber of my being. Excellent series, and the book steers it better towards the story than the previous two (the last two books were POLITICS POLITICS LOL which is annoying...I want fantasy novella, not a political dissertation on capitalism v socialism). A very worthy successor and I can't wait to get my hands on Phantom (the next in the series). The only thing that saddens me is that I have quite the wait ahead of me for the next novel (though, to Goodkind's credit he's put out like 11 or 12 novels in the past 6 or 7 years, a monumental achievement for any author, especially since the novels are all class).

The second is a classic novel from a classic novelist. It also fuels the (horribly inaccurate and lame) movie of the same title. Robert Heinlein, to most, is better known for books such as Stranger in a Strange Land, but this one definitely shines. An awesome novel (story-wise) it also strikes you with intensely subtle jabs towards the very fabric of our society. Very well written, and worth much of the critical acclaim it has been given.

The next two are both game-based novels from Blizzard's own pride and glory: Starcraft and Warcraft (respectively). The first novel is an excellent extension to the actual Starcraft game (bridging the gap between Starcraft and Broodwars quite well, as well as delving into the story wondrously) and even though it pretty much presents material that you'd already covered if you've played Starcraft and the expansion, it still seemed to hold my attention. Very wonderful book, very wonderfully done.

The last novel I purchased on Friday and just finished tonight. Again, it's set in a Blizzard game and goes over some of the already-known parts of the Warcraft storyline (with a very interesting twist). Even though it's a part of a trilogy, it's done very well and ends on an excellent standing point that leaves you satisfied with the book, but not for the story. I plan on going to Hastings (my local book/music/game/movie store extraordinaire) and purchasing the last two novels in the trilogy, as well as three more books (Legend, by David Gemmel and the two following it). All in the trilogy are written by Richard A. Knaack, easily one of my FAVORITE authors of all time (he has an excellent grasp of basic human traits which shows through in his writing), and though he excels more in the Dragonlance Saga (in which I knew him first) it's obvious his talents which show through in the Warcraft Saga (he also wrote Lord of the Clans, another Warcraft novel entailing Thrall's past and detailing his rise to power). The man has a way with storylines that leaves you mystified that anyone could present something so mythical in such a grandiose and awesome way as he does.

Until I get my next novels I have a couple to keep me company. One of which is called "Eisenhorn" and is set in the Warhammer 40k universe. I've been whittling away at it (only on page 80 or so of seven hundred and some odd pages) when I have nothing else to do, and now that computer is down (bleh) I have little else to occupy my time except Animal Crossing: Wild World, Starfox Adventures and reading. As you may be able to tell from what I've shown you in this topic, that I do a lot of the latter is obvious. Other than that I have "Fight Club" by Chuck Palahniuk (lent to a friend of mine) which I'm eager to get at when I can (though I expect to plough through it in...days...if that.)

Pretty much, though, I'm running out of material. And fast. I've gone through every author I know and even some I don't trying to find new facets in which to spread my library (which is becoming far greater than I thought it would in so short of a time) and with money abound from my job I find myself sneaking up to Hastings to buy 2-3 books at a time every few days to a week or so.

If anyone here knows of any good (or preferrably excellent) novels that they would offer up, let me know, but know that each of these novels I've listed are excellent choices (I even liked Queen of the Blades better than Liberty's Crusade, another great Starcraft novel, though not as much as Speed of Darkness which is yet another Starcraft novel written by Tracy Hickman, another Dragonlance novelist (of Weiss and Hickman fame) who has showed his talents in other areas).

Suggestions?
There is no signature.
User avatar
Obsidian
Chaos Rift Newbie
Chaos Rift Newbie
Posts: 9
Joined: Tue Aug 22, 2006 4:07 pm

Post by Obsidian »

While I did love Starship Troopers, I was hoping for a more action oriented story...probably because I've seen the movie a few times. The small amount of action that occurred was nicely written. By the end I felt I was missing out on something...still a fantastic book. A+ would read again

Yep.

Also, I love the Starship Troopers movie. So cheesy and bloody. It should've been called something else, though.
Image
User avatar
Drakor
Chaos Rift Junior
Chaos Rift Junior
Posts: 305
Joined: Sat Sep 11, 2004 12:06 pm

Post by Drakor »

Terry Goodkind was one i was gonna toss out there before i read your post DJ, he is a god among men.

david eddings is good too, but Mr. Goodkind is Fucking the best ever.
DJ Yoshi
Game Developer
Game Developer
Posts: 1021
Joined: Wed Mar 02, 2005 9:12 pm
Location: Madison, AL

Post by DJ Yoshi »

Okay so I bought "The King Beyond the Gates" by David Gemmell today...goddamnit, I'm already halfway fucking through the book. I've barely owned it 6 hours.

I love the book, but I curse my almost horribly quick reading skills. I'm not a speed reader, but christ, on and off reading I've killed over 150 pages in a matter of a few scant hours, that's with intermingled Warcraft 3 and web browsing and whatnot scattered in there.

But yeah, Goodkind is awesome, and I've only read one Eddings book (Polgara the Sorceress) but it was still pretty damn good.
There is no signature.
User avatar
Drakor
Chaos Rift Junior
Chaos Rift Junior
Posts: 305
Joined: Sat Sep 11, 2004 12:06 pm

Post by Drakor »

yeah sorry about my fast and well retarded reply.

Goodkind is, as stated before, one of the best authors i have ever read.

The wizard's rules are pretty in depth, they are all based on Ayn Rand's Objectivism Philosophy... considerably deep.

David Eddings is a very skilled writer. you should start the Belgariad. the first book is "Pawn of Prophecy". kind of slow at first, but i was able to deal with it being that it got epic fast.

I am also currently reading a work of David Gemmell. a friend had me read the Legend of Druss.... and i have to say Druss is a HxC MF! i am now reading the one after that, Demon Blades i think.

Terry Brooks's "Magical Kingdom of Landover" was a refreshing read. not nearly as in depth as Terry's works but no where near as boring as the Sword of Shannara shit. not bad. i started to read his demon apocalypse series but got distracted by a better novel. (Wizards first rule)

but yeah DAVID EDDINGS FTW!
User avatar
Drakor
Chaos Rift Junior
Chaos Rift Junior
Posts: 305
Joined: Sat Sep 11, 2004 12:06 pm

Post by Drakor »

sorry for double post, but Karkash loaned me the War of the Ancients series and i would also like to say that it was awsome, and i loved the 'little' twist the put in it. a great read for someone familar with the warcraft universe and new commers.
DJ Yoshi
Game Developer
Game Developer
Posts: 1021
Joined: Wed Mar 02, 2005 9:12 pm
Location: Madison, AL

Post by DJ Yoshi »

Drakor wrote:yeah sorry about my fast and well retarded reply.

Goodkind is, as stated before, one of the best authors i have ever read.

The wizard's rules are pretty in depth, they are all based on Ayn Rand's Objectivism Philosophy... considerably deep.

David Eddings is a very skilled writer. you should start the Belgariad. the first book is "Pawn of Prophecy". kind of slow at first, but i was able to deal with it being that it got epic fast.

I am also currently reading a work of David Gemmell. a friend had me read the Legend of Druss.... and i have to say Druss is a HxC MF! i am now reading the one after that, Demon Blades i think.

Terry Brooks's "Magical Kingdom of Landover" was a refreshing read. not nearly as in depth as Terry's works but no where near as boring as the Sword of Shannara -blam!-. not bad. i started to read his demon apocalypse series but got distracted by a better novel. (Wizards first rule)

but yeah DAVID EDDINGS FTW!
Yeah, Terry Goodkind does have some good philosophy, but christ almighty at times it's far too preachy. I came to read a book, not a sermon on why money is the best thing in the world. Stuff you.

Legend of Druss...haven't read it, but I have read "Legend" which is the precursor to the Drenai Saga (King Beyond the Gates, then Quest for Lost Heroes, etc etc). Legend was fucking awesome, King was great (finished the next day), and I just bought Quest for Lost Heroes. Need to order a couple more books.

Terry Brooks doesn't have any sort of message he tries to convey with his books, but they're awesome. I personally loved the Shannara series--it kept me enthralled for every page I read. The first book kept me up until 3 in the morning in my first week of 6th grade--I read that thing to pieces (literally, it fell to pieces because I read it so often).

I'll have to check into David Eddings when I start going "ho hum new series time" then.
There is no signature.
User avatar
Karkash
ES Graphics Artist
ES Graphics Artist
Posts: 411
Joined: Wed Oct 12, 2005 7:22 pm

Post by Karkash »

I've read the War of the Ancients trilogy or whatever it's called. Also, I just finished reading Blood of the Fold and the bookstore here doesn't have Temple of the Winds, so I'm reading Debt of Bones. Have you read that one? If not, it's like a short extra story about Zedd when he was younger.
DJ Yoshi
Game Developer
Game Developer
Posts: 1021
Joined: Wed Mar 02, 2005 9:12 pm
Location: Madison, AL

Post by DJ Yoshi »

Karkash wrote:I've read the War of the Ancients trilogy or whatever it's called. Also, I just finished reading Blood of the Fold and the bookstore here doesn't have Temple of the Winds, so I'm reading Debt of Bones. Have you read that one? If not, it's like a short extra story about Zedd when he was younger.
Yeah I've heard of Debt of Bones but I haven't looked into it.

Blood of the Fold is excellent, Temple of the Winds is good, the next two after that are preachy and then it gets better.

Good series though.
There is no signature.
Faust97
Chaos Rift Regular
Chaos Rift Regular
Posts: 194
Joined: Wed Sep 15, 2004 6:15 pm
Location: lacielacielacielacielacielacielacielacielacie
Contact:

Post by Faust97 »

You need read Blood and Chocolate by Klause. Fantastic book. I'm gonna read The Silver Kiss soon.
lacielacielacielacielacielacielacielacielacieacielacielacielacielacielacielacielacielacieacielacielacielacielacielacielacielacielacieacielacielacielacielacie
User avatar
The GAME
Chaos Rift Regular
Chaos Rift Regular
Posts: 140
Joined: Sun Aug 13, 2006 11:54 am
Location: Somewhere

Post by The GAME »

Phantom of the Opera.
Image
Faust97
Chaos Rift Regular
Chaos Rift Regular
Posts: 194
Joined: Wed Sep 15, 2004 6:15 pm
Location: lacielacielacielacielacielacielacielacielacie
Contact:

Post by Faust97 »

Ha, yeah. The Phantom kicked ass.
lacielacielacielacielacielacielacielacielacieacielacielacielacielacielacielacielacielacieacielacielacielacielacielacielacielacielacieacielacielacielacielacie
User avatar
Karkash
ES Graphics Artist
ES Graphics Artist
Posts: 411
Joined: Wed Oct 12, 2005 7:22 pm

Post by Karkash »

Faust97 wrote:You need read Blood and Chocolate by Klause. Fantastic book. I'm gonna read The Silver Kiss soon.
You're the second person I've heard recommend those books...
Post Reply