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. I have a kind-of sixth sense when it comes to movies. I usually know right off from the very first preview if I'm going to like a movie or not. It's rare for me to dither about seeing something (Avatar, for example, which I did enjoy immensely. But much of the dithering was due to me making the mistake of listening to what other people had to say about it rather than finding out for myself. Plus, well, hype tends to make me less excited about a movie, and Avatar had been hyped nigh unto death).
There was even a movie in which the only "preview" I saw for it was in a magazine, and yet I knew this was a movie I had to see. I was unable to see it in theater as I had no one to go with and didn't want to see it alone. But the moment it was out on DVD, I bought it, watched it, and as predicted, loved it to bits (in fact I watched it so much I had it memorized for a time).
Sadly, this sixth sense does not extend to books. My gut instinct does squat, as the majority of books I bought thinking I would enjoy them I ended up quitting on only after a few pages in. It's with books that I will usually rely on what others have to say. The Dresden Files, for example, a friend told me about. I was curious, she let me borrow the first book and I was hooked. But, then, she and I have pretty much the same taste in books.
The current book I'm reading now was also a recommendation. However, thus far, though I'm curious to see where the story goes I'm not exactly completely hooked. The character is interesting, as is the world and the concept. But it's just so... dreary. Too much sex (not actual sex, just mentions of it, crude humor, sexual-related similes and metaphors, etc), too much swearing, too much bleak. I'm pushing forward because I'm only a few chapters in, and there's just enough I do like about it that's allowing me to give in the benefit of the doubt. But it's iffy as to whether I'll give the future books a try (it's a series).
Reading this book is making me miss the Dresden Files something fierce, and tempting me to forgo buying this one book I was curious about (The Domino Men. Anyone heard of it? Read it? Is it good?) and getting the latest Dresden book (My reluctance to get the latest Dresden Files was discussed in another post).
But I would really, really, really like a new series to get into. Something Dresden Files like, or something new and unusual that isn't just more Sword and Sorcery fantasy (steampunk, for example. I would love to read something steampunkish). But I'm reluctant to give anything new a try as I'm three times pickier when it comes to original fic than when it comes to fanfic. The thing that really sucked me into the Dresden Files was that, to me, it's a balanced story. It has it's raunchy moments, (and, yes, I know one of the books had a very explicit sex scene but my friend's dad had covered that part up with sticky notes;)) it's crude humor, it's bad language and darkness but it's not overwhelming. It's tolerable and easy for me to ignore. Harry may be jaded but he's got a lot of good in him. He cares, a lot, and he isn't obnoxiously pessimistic. One of his friends is a devout Christian warrior, so there's no feeling of the author pushing anti-Christian sentiments.
I'm open to suggestions if anyone knows of a good series of a Dresden-like nature or something else you just find unique and fun. Sci-fi and fantasy only, though. Regular fiction I don't have any real interest in.
There was even a movie in which the only "preview" I saw for it was in a magazine, and yet I knew this was a movie I had to see. I was unable to see it in theater as I had no one to go with and didn't want to see it alone. But the moment it was out on DVD, I bought it, watched it, and as predicted, loved it to bits (in fact I watched it so much I had it memorized for a time).
Sadly, this sixth sense does not extend to books. My gut instinct does squat, as the majority of books I bought thinking I would enjoy them I ended up quitting on only after a few pages in. It's with books that I will usually rely on what others have to say. The Dresden Files, for example, a friend told me about. I was curious, she let me borrow the first book and I was hooked. But, then, she and I have pretty much the same taste in books.
The current book I'm reading now was also a recommendation. However, thus far, though I'm curious to see where the story goes I'm not exactly completely hooked. The character is interesting, as is the world and the concept. But it's just so... dreary. Too much sex (not actual sex, just mentions of it, crude humor, sexual-related similes and metaphors, etc), too much swearing, too much bleak. I'm pushing forward because I'm only a few chapters in, and there's just enough I do like about it that's allowing me to give in the benefit of the doubt. But it's iffy as to whether I'll give the future books a try (it's a series).
Reading this book is making me miss the Dresden Files something fierce, and tempting me to forgo buying this one book I was curious about (The Domino Men. Anyone heard of it? Read it? Is it good?) and getting the latest Dresden book (My reluctance to get the latest Dresden Files was discussed in another post).
But I would really, really, really like a new series to get into. Something Dresden Files like, or something new and unusual that isn't just more Sword and Sorcery fantasy (steampunk, for example. I would love to read something steampunkish). But I'm reluctant to give anything new a try as I'm three times pickier when it comes to original fic than when it comes to fanfic. The thing that really sucked me into the Dresden Files was that, to me, it's a balanced story. It has it's raunchy moments, (and, yes, I know one of the books had a very explicit sex scene but my friend's dad had covered that part up with sticky notes;)) it's crude humor, it's bad language and darkness but it's not overwhelming. It's tolerable and easy for me to ignore. Harry may be jaded but he's got a lot of good in him. He cares, a lot, and he isn't obnoxiously pessimistic. One of his friends is a devout Christian warrior, so there's no feeling of the author pushing anti-Christian sentiments.
I'm open to suggestions if anyone knows of a good series of a Dresden-like nature or something else you just find unique and fun. Sci-fi and fantasy only, though. Regular fiction I don't have any real interest in.
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no subject
Date: 2010-07-22 04:12 pm (UTC)From:no subject
Date: 2010-07-22 09:09 pm (UTC)From:no subject
Date: 2010-07-23 03:30 am (UTC)From:no subject
Date: 2010-07-23 03:53 am (UTC)From:The only other series that sucked me in as much as Dresden Files did was... well, it doesn't have an overall name that I know of, I just call it the Dragonsbane series by Barbara Hambly. The world and characters were so fascinating. Another series I liked (And I really need to get the third book) is the Midnighters by Scott Westerfield. Awesome characters and a very interesting premise that I would definitely say is original.
no subject
Date: 2010-07-23 04:07 am (UTC)From:Have you tried The Elvenbane by Mercedes Lackey and Andre Norton? I loved the first book, liked the second and the third was quite WTH? Unfortunately book four hasn't been released as Ms Norton passed away.
no subject
Date: 2010-07-23 04:20 am (UTC)From:no subject
Date: 2010-07-23 08:00 am (UTC)From:The Serrated Edge Series (from Wikipedia)
* Born to Run (Larry Dixon & Mercedes Lackey)*
* Chrome Circle (Larry Dixon & Mercedes Lackey)*
* Wheels of Fire (Mercedes Lackey & Mark Shepherd)†
* When the Bough Breaks (Mercedes Lackey & Holly Lisle)†
*collected as The Chrome Born † collected as The Otherworld
no subject
Date: 2010-07-24 07:34 pm (UTC)From:good sci-fi
Date: 2010-07-24 10:22 am (UTC)From: (Anonymous)do you know „The Sten Chronicles“ from Allan Cole and Chris Bunch? Very good and sympatric characters, good and interesting writing.
There will mentions from sex every kind, but if I remember it right, no explicit descriptions, kisses, some violence, gore etc. but the rest is science fiction of the best sort.
It’s one of my favorite series, that I read again and again.
I have read most of you stories und I liked them. I think, you will like the books. Stargate Atlantis is my favorite sci fi series and by Sten I think always of John Sheppard.
Sorry, if my english ist not correct, it is not my mother language.
Re: good sci-fi
Date: 2010-07-24 07:32 pm (UTC)From:no subject
Date: 2010-07-24 05:56 pm (UTC)From:no subject
Date: 2010-07-24 07:33 pm (UTC)From:no subject
Date: 2010-07-25 05:42 pm (UTC)From:Yes, Sabriel is the first book in the series and starts off a little slow, but on the whole is a good read.
no subject
Date: 2010-07-26 01:24 am (UTC)From:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tanya_Huff#Blood_Books
Blood Price (1991)
Blood Trail (1992)
Blood Lines (1992)
Blood Pact (1993)
Blood Debt (1997)
Blood Bank - a short story collection
And a spinoff series 'Smoke & Mirrors'
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tanya_Huff#Smoke_and_Shadows
Smoke and Shadows
Smoke and Mirrors
Smoke and Ashes
Someone mentioned Mercedes Lackey below & in the last few years she's been taking classic stories & putting her own spin on them:
The Black Swan (1999) based on Swan Lake
Firebird (1996) Based on a Russian Folk Tale
Not sure if you'd like these but there's a serie by Rob (Robyn) Thurman I like.
"an urban fantasy series set in New York City, involving a pair of brothers named Caliban and Niko Leandros"
http://robthurman.net/cal-leandros/
Nightlife
Moonshine
Madhouse
Deathwish
Roadkill
a rundown on the main characters: http://robthurman.net/the-leandros-lair/
no subject
Date: 2010-07-26 07:12 pm (UTC)From: