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Another new guy here... Just finished reading the books
Titan:
Hello,
I just picked up the first book of the SA series about two months ago, and I just finished the 5 currently published books.
I discovered the series through a mention on the Westeros.org forums, and also by googling for fantasy maps. (I'm a real map nerd) What piqued my interest was a mention of the there being sci-fi elements of the story, which made it sound interesting... I'm primarily a Sci-Fi reader that does not care much for fantasy in general. I read LOTR before the film trilogy, and then didn't really read much until I picked up GRRM's ASOIAF shortly before the show started on HBO. The world-building aspects of fantasy has to be VERY good, otherwise I just won't bother, and it was pointed out that Bakker's SA was of similar quality as GRRM's work. And I agree, although Bakker has different strengths (and weaknesses) compared to GRRM.
But I'm a big fan now, and I'm about to start my re-read of the series. I have this nasty habit of skimming boring parts (certain POVs) when reading the first time, so I know I'll pick up a LOT more the 2nd time around.
Anyway, I hope to contribute to this forum more in the near future, but I may not have much to write until I finish my re-read (and TGO).
Madness:
Welcome to the Second Apocalypse, Titan. Well met. I'm happy you've found your way here.
--- Quote from: Titan on June 25, 2016, 04:46:11 am ---I discovered the series through a mention on the Westeros.org forums, and also by googling for fantasy maps. (I'm a real map nerd)
--- End quote ---
Have you seen Wertzone's piece regarding Bakker's maps?
--- Quote from: Titan on June 25, 2016, 04:46:11 am ---And I agree, although Bakker has different strengths (and weaknesses) compared to GRRM.
--- End quote ---
What are the comparative weaknesses you perceive, Titan? Just curious.
--- Quote from: Titan on June 25, 2016, 04:46:11 am ---But I'm a big fan now, and I'm about to start my re-read of the series. I have this nasty habit of skimming boring parts (certain POVs) when reading the first time, so I know I'll pick up a LOT more the 2nd time around.
--- End quote ---
Lol - re-readability is high :). I'm actually kind of jealous to imagine what it is like to pick up the series now.
Wilshire:
Welcome to the forum.
I find myself reading more scifi than fantasy, though that changed in the last few years for no particular reason.. I can't say I prefer with genre.
Simmon's Hyperion Cantos is hands down my favorite scifi,, closely followed by Dune.
Titan:
--- Quote from: Madness on June 25, 2016, 05:56:59 pm ---Welcome to the Second Apocalypse, Titan. Well met. I'm happy you've found your way here.
--- Quote from: Titan on June 25, 2016, 04:46:11 am ---I discovered the series through a mention on the Westeros.org forums, and also by googling for fantasy maps. (I'm a real map nerd)
--- End quote ---
Have you seen Wertzone's piece regarding Bakker's maps?
--- End quote ---
Yes! I actually saw that, and that analysis of the maps is what finally convinced me to pick up the books. I really do like the realistic looking map, although I wish Bakker would show us more of Eänna.
(Maps is actually one of my main irritation with GRRM... It painfully clear how the maps are just drawn to fit a book page, and how Westeros is just basically a mirrored England. There's also lots of unrealistic elements - Note how they are almost no rivers that flow in the northern direction, and how a major river flows from just north of KL all the way up into the neck of the North, past the "twins", it makes no sense)
--- Quote from: Madness on June 25, 2016, 05:56:59 pm ---
--- Quote from: Titan on June 25, 2016, 04:46:11 am ---And I agree, although Bakker has different strengths (and weaknesses) compared to GRRM.
--- End quote ---
What are the comparative weaknesses you perceive, Titan? Just curious.
--- End quote ---
Hmm... GRRM's writing is ... how should I put it... easier to read. Even though the 5th book (ADWD) is not GRRM's best, I actually found Tyrions journey through Essos to be my favorite part. A lot of people hated this part, but I can read though a LOT of well written world building without getting bored. Bakker has his moments, but frequently his descriptions of the world is lacking. It took until the 5th book to even get a clear picture in my mind of how the Sranc and Nonmen look, which seems like a rather basic failure. There is practically NOTHING about how the Sranc look in the first book (or did I miss it?), so I kept expecting a some sort of twist where the Sranc were just regular humans under some sort of mind-control. Or just a primitive tribe.
Now on the positive side, Bakkers world is FAR better though out, and it doesn't feel as ad-hoc or invented on the fly as GRRM's work. Yes, GRRM has the major elements in the history laid out, but it really feels like he is back-filling in details more then it should. And the "World of A Song of Ice and Fire" history book is great, but there is just so much bizarre stuff that seems like he just randomly came up with just for the book. Bakker has clearly put a LOT of thought into the physical and metaphysical rules of his universe, whereas in ASOIAF it seems like anything goes. Magic is just a some sort of elemental force that is applied where the plot needs it to be.
Does that make sense?
Titan:
--- Quote from: Wilshire on June 27, 2016, 12:19:12 am ---Welcome to the forum.
I find myself reading more scifi than fantasy, though that changed in the last few years for no particular reason.. I can't say I prefer with genre.
Simmon's Hyperion Cantos is hands down my favorite scifi,, closely followed by Dune.
--- End quote ---
Yes, there hasn't been much great new Sci-Fi lately, maybe that's why.
But big props for you for mentioning Simmon's Hyperion Cantos. Space Opera is my favorite sub-genre, and Simmon's epic is by far my favorite books. I have of course also read Dune, and the other classics.
If you are looking for other new Sci-Fi to read, my favorite recent Space Opera series are:
- Ann Leckie's Imperial Radch trilogy ("Ancillary Justice", "Ancillary Sword", "Ancillary Mercy") - a very interesting take on a future society with no gender roles (although biological genders exists for procreation)
- James's A Corey's The Expanse series (5+ books starting with "Leviathan Wakes") - a great near future space opera in a colonized solar system (also adapted by SyFY, season 2 starting next year)
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