Nimue
Auror
Recently tried Goodreads and had the worst run of recommendations - four very watery books, two trad pub and two indie. Interestingly, all of them came to a non-ending that was meant to get you to read the sequel. I'm always a little puzzled about how not ending the first book is supposed to give the reader faith that a satisfying ending is forthcoming...at some point. (This may also be why I don't watch much TV.)
I am loving Elizabeth Bear's Range of Ghosts, though, or at least the beautiful writing and worldbuilding. Not entirely sold on the plot, at halfway through... Particularly interested in this one because I have a steppe-based world revolving in the back of my mind--I was a little worried that I'd read it to find she'd taken all the good ideas already, but it's very different from what I'm hoping to write...someday?
Also finally got around to Roger Zelazny's Nine Princes in Amber - it's fascinating how a book that isn't my cup of tea (fast paced, spartan writing, archetypal world) can still be completely compelling when it comes from a masterful author. Case study on hooks and intriguing characterization. Now, that book also didn't have a complete ending, but it had resolution. Close the chapter, if not the story.
I am loving Elizabeth Bear's Range of Ghosts, though, or at least the beautiful writing and worldbuilding. Not entirely sold on the plot, at halfway through... Particularly interested in this one because I have a steppe-based world revolving in the back of my mind--I was a little worried that I'd read it to find she'd taken all the good ideas already, but it's very different from what I'm hoping to write...someday?
Also finally got around to Roger Zelazny's Nine Princes in Amber - it's fascinating how a book that isn't my cup of tea (fast paced, spartan writing, archetypal world) can still be completely compelling when it comes from a masterful author. Case study on hooks and intriguing characterization. Now, that book also didn't have a complete ending, but it had resolution. Close the chapter, if not the story.