What are you currently reading?

[DrNefario]

I really like the magic school/combat academy plot, for some reason.

I finished The Last Day by Andrew Hunter Murray. It was OK. Nothing particularly special. Lots of being chased around London trying to figure out what's going on, and a writing style I found oddly difficult to stick with.

I'm going on to Prince of Dogs (Crown of Stars #2) by Kate Elliott, since I unwisely agreed to take part in a readalong. I'm not sure I'm going to be able to keep up the pace.

[cupiscent]

I've given up on Too Like The Lightning because my brain just isn't operating on that level in 2020. It struck me as being a cyberpunk story wrapped in a thick blanket of philosophy PhD, and there are some fascinating ruminations on humanity and our "necessary" systems and divisions in there. Very much  more an ideas than plot sort of book!

I'm moving on to City of Brass which I've been looking forward to for aaaages.

[Elfy]

I've given up on Too Like The Lightning because my brain just isn't operating on that level in 2020. It struck me as being a cyberpunk story wrapped in a thick blanket of philosophy PhD, and there are some fascinating ruminations on humanity and our "necessary" systems and divisions in there. Very much  more an ideas than plot sort of book!

I'm moving on to City of Brass which I've been looking forward to for aaaages.

Those were some of my issues with it. It was kind of like she threw everything at the page and just hoped some of it would stick.

[NedMarcus]

The Guns of Amber, thanks to eclipse.

[Alex Hormann]

Finished The Dragon Republic. In keeping with the second half of Poppy War and really ramps up on just about every scale. Must read the next one once it comes out.

[S. K. Inkslinger]

Finished The Dragon Republic. In keeping with the second half of Poppy War and really ramps up on just about every scale. Must read the next one once it comes out.

How is the series? I've read the synopsis and it really made me thought of Red Sister (what with the MC being a girl training in a fighting school with magic and stuff) which is interesting. On the other hand I don't usually like Asian inspired fantasy though.

[Alex Hormann]

Finished The Dragon Republic. In keeping with the second half of Poppy War and really ramps up on just about every scale. Must read the next one once it comes out.

How is the series? I've read the synopsis and it really made me thought of Red Sister (what with the MC being a girl training in a fighting school with magic and stuff) which is interesting. On the other hand I don't usually like Asian inspired fantasy though.

The first half of Poppy War is very much 'magic school,' and does feel a little YA at times. I'd never thought about it before, but it is a bit like Red Sister. But the second half and then Dragon Republic are much more brutal and dark. Honestly, the characters are a bunch of horrible people, but they're so well-written. It's like a car crash you just can't look away from.

It is very heavily influenced by early twentieth century Chinese history, going into the Japanese invasion and European colonialism. It has brilliant magic tied to gods and drugs and really good battle scenes too. It's certainly a polarising series, but I'd recommend giving it a look.

[Bender]

Started on The Gutter Prayer by Gareth Ryder-Hanrahan. Heard good reviews. Fingers crossed.

[Rostum]

The Gutter Prayer is original, well written and full of the unexpected enjoy!

The Trouble with Peace just arrived so busy for a while

[isos81]

Fnisihed Soulsmith (Cradle #2). Started Fantastic Light by Terry Pratchett.

[S. K. Inkslinger]

I've finished Sins of Empire by Brian McClellan. 5/5 stars. It's even better than the first Powermage trilogy, and hell I wasn't expecting to be enjoying this book all that much. In contrast to the original trilogy, where I often didn't like Adamat's chapters all that much, I totally enjoyed the chapters of all of the main POV from the start. Vlora definitely became more interesting and developed ever since the first trilogy, and had transformed into quite a fascinating military commander. Ben Styke's POV was an great insight into the POV of a grizzled veteran whose days of glory (and they were truly glorious) were long past, but he still kicked ass anyway. Last of all, I'd had to say that I loved Michel's POV the most. The way he always talked to himself even in front of a public audience always cracked me up, and is super relatable. I'll definitely love to read more stories from the three of them.

On that note I'm now starting this book's sequel Wrath of Empire (Gods of Blood and Powder #2) right away.

[Alex Hormann]

Gods of Blood and Powder is such an amazing series. With you 100% on Michel being the best PoV.

I'm sticking with the Asian-influence theme and diving into the second Condor Heroes book, A Bond Undone. A lifetime of Jackie Chan films has absolutely helped me visualise a lot of the combat in this series.