What series of books should be my new addiction?

[altariel]

I'm bereft at the lack of new Vorkosigan books, and I've been wondering what can fill the hole. Lots of people recommend the Honor Harrington books in the same breath as Bujold, but I'm not sure whether I'll like them, given that what I like in the Vorkosigan books is not so much the military bits - which I skim - so much as the character stuff. So - is it worth my getting into them? Any alternatives?

[Poll #438747]

Comments

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

Hey! I'm a Vorkosigan diehard, but I found Bujold's Chalion series, although it's fantasy, quite good. I also recommend Kage Baker's Company series for more excellent and current scifi.

[chazzbanner.livejournal.com]

This wasn't easy -- I also love Heyer. But those can be nibbled at, it's always nice to have a few more to read.

I've read some of the Honor Harrington books, but after awhile I realized that it was patterned so closely on Lord Nelson's history that I found it - irritating. I mean, the machiavellian head of the enemy world: Rob S. Pierre? C'mon--!

[lame-pegasus.livejournal.com]

I don't know if I already recommended them to you, but what about the Cadfael-series by Eliis Peters?

[forodwaith.livejournal.com]

I tried to read one or two of the Honor books but they didn't do much for me.

How about Song of Ice and Fire by George R.R. Martin, the only doorstopper fantasy series worth the dead trees. It's the War of the Roses on fantasy crack!

Sadly, however, Martin is only on book 4 out of a projected 7, and each book is roughly a kajillion pages long. I hope he's a healthy man.

[espresso-addict.livejournal.com]

I have a few Heyers to lend, if you're interested -- the new editions with the pretty cover pictures.

[glitterboy1.livejournal.com]

If I hadn't taken advantage of an option that could have been made for me (and perhaps was), I'd have been torn between the Dunnetts and the Heyers

Aha!

[(Anonymous)]

"Zen replied through the medium of the dead Tommy's wife: 'You, my son, are in dead lumber.'"

Re: Aha!

[altariel.livejournal.com]

Signorita 'Igginz.

[kerravonsen]

Well, I do class the Honor Harrington books as "What I read when I can't get Bujold", so I'd second that recommendation. Yes, they are military, yes, I like Bujold better, but they do have that character-ful appeal -- the military bits are made interesting by the author concentrating on the characters' reactions rather than the technology. I've gone off the series in the most recent books, because it was concentrating more on the politics, but the first half-dozen books are still worth it.

That being said, it is also true that there are still plenty of Georgette Heyers out there, though some are better than others -- not all of them are equally re-readable and you don't want to read them all in a row anyway because you get sick of them.

But, really, you should get addicted to the Liaden Universe novels by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller! They've been described as a cross between Star Wars, James Bond and Georgette Heyer, so of course you must read them at once! The main sequence of stories starts with "Agent of Change" (or the one just before, "Conflict of Honors"). Go! Read! Right now! Forget about Honor Harrington.

[dolamrothdame.livejournal.com]

Hmmmmm, having read almost all of the Honor Harrington stuff, including the collections, I'd have to agree with the general opinion that the first books in the series are the best. She's more interesting before she becomes an admiral.

My eyes glaze over when I start reading things like "

[Error: Irreparable invalid markup ('<insert [...] ship's>') in entry. Owner must fix manually. Raw contents below.]

Hmmmmm, having read almost all of the Honor Harrington stuff, including the collections, I'd have to agree with the general opinion that the first books in the series are the best. She's more interesting before she becomes an admiral.

My eyes glaze over when I start reading things like "<insert ship's name> was cruising along at 6000kps squared" but I generally just skip over those parts to the character stuff.

[katlinel.livejournal.com]

I have the entire Cadfael series so can lend you (altariel) those if you like. :-)

[katlinel.livejournal.com]

If you're in the mood for furry Mary Sue porn, there's always Laurell K Hamilton's Anita Blake series. :-P

Peter O'Donnell's Modesty Blaise books.

Mary Stewart's contemporary (well, 50s/60s) romances, not her Arthurian stuff.

There's always some more of Elizabeth's Moon's 'Serrano Legacy' series. Hey, didn't I lend you the first three books in those? :-)

I'll get my coat.

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

I concur re: the Honor books.

And "the War of the Roses on fantasy crack" - roflol - that's SO perfect! :) He'd better be a healthy man, that's for certain.

[aervir.livejournal.com]

I'd suggest Jasper Fforde's Thursday Next series, as I've fallen in love with its pet-Dodo called Pickwick.

(Stupidest reason ever, I know.)

[avon7.livejournal.com]

Nah, if you haven't read all the Heyers then definitely read them. Some are beyond wonderful and some are much more average, but even the average ones still beat the pants off most books. You can btw the wya read them all in one go, just mix and match themes. ;-)

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

I liked the Honor Harrington books (the ones I've read, anyway--only about 4 or 5). There's plenty of character stuff in them and you can skim the battles which is what I do. That horrible old SF cliché of a sexist society which Honor has to deal with was almost enough to put me off them though, but they have sentient cat-things. This is a plus.

[kerravonsen]

Oh yes, the Treecats! Which may be catlike, but they aren't cats, which is a Good Thing. But don't let us mislead you, the story is about Honor Harrington and her military career, it isn't about treecats.

[mistraltoes.livejournal.com]

I second the suggestion and the reason. ;-) Plock-plock!

[altariel.livejournal.com]

Did you find These Old Shades? I would love to read Friday's Child, if you have a copy of that.

[altariel.livejournal.com]

I can think of at least three people to whome that option can apply - you are one of them! ;-D

[glitterboy1.livejournal.com]

:-D

Just so long as you know I was joking!

[altariel.livejournal.com]

:-) You're very patient about your library extension in this house *g*

[altariel.livejournal.com]

I devoured the Chalion books (I *heart* Cazaril!). Apparently the UK publisher has dropped the series, so I'm going to have to get The Hallowed Hunt emergency airlifted in from US Amazon, it seems, gah.

The Company series looks interesting: I had a peek at the first one at Amazon - reminded me of Connie Willis's To Say Nothing of the Dog. Thanks!

[glitterboy1.livejournal.com]

:-D Think nothing of it. My storage problems are your storage problems.

[altariel.livejournal.com]

the machiavellian head of the enemy world: Rob S. Pierre? C'mon--!

LOL! It sounds like if I do try the series I should stick with the earlier ones.

[altariel.livejournal.com]

I feel it's a kind of public service I'm offering ;-)

[altariel.livejournal.com]

I tried the Jasper Fforde's, but for some reason I didn't get on with them. I think I saw an interview with the author and didn't like him much.

The Dodo is very sweet, though!

[altariel.livejournal.com]

"< insert ship's name > was cruising along at 6000kps squared"

Yes, that's exactly the kind of thing that makes me switch off. It seems to work OK in Bujold, although I do skim that kind of thing even in her books to get back to the angst and witticisms. If the characters are good enough in the early HH books, I won't mind a bit of technobabble.

[altariel.livejournal.com]

I'm accumulating a small pile of Heyers in very cheap second-hand copies; I suspect I'll start on one of them during a holiday at some point, and then devour the rest obsessively.

[altariel.livejournal.com]

It's the War of the Roses on fantasy crack!

Heh, I hope he's paying you for that excellent sales pitch! Hm, I may wait till the series is complete.

(That's the reason I've still not let myself get into Stephen King's Dark Tower series, despite all 'The Waste Land' stuff in them. Although once the last one comes out in paperback I can go for it.)

[altariel.livejournal.com]

It's definitely sounding like the earlier books might be worth picking up. I like the sound of sentient cat-things :-)

[altariel.livejournal.com]

LOL, you have read *everything*! Should I get those Elizabeth Moon books read first?! ;-D

[altariel.livejournal.com]

Now that's a tempting series... I've only seen some of the TV films, never read any of the books. Thank you for the suggestion!

[altariel.livejournal.com]

I have a strong suspicion that the Anita Blake series might be better heard about rather than read! ;-D

I was poking around online about the Modesty Blaise books - what is the tone of them?


There's always some more of Elizabeth's Moon's 'Serrano Legacy' series. Hey, didn't I lend you the first three books in those? :-)

*guilty face!*

[lame-pegasus.livejournal.com]

The films are wonderful and Derek Jacobi is great, but the books are even better. And to keep you from spoilers, you should start with A Corpse Too Many.

[altariel.livejournal.com]

Right, I shall keep an eye out for these on the secondhand stalls at the market. Thanks!

[altariel.livejournal.com]

The website describes the Liaden Universe books as "adventurous romantic space opera" - yes, it does sound right up my street! (And there are sample chapters there too - thank you for the rec and the link.)

[katlinel.livejournal.com]

Choices, choice.

Well, the Cadfael books aren't going anywhere.

The Moon book are space opera, but good space opera. And she does do great old ladies.

[kerravonsen]

You're very welcome. (whispers: A new soul for the faith!)

[espresso-addict.livejournal.com]

I read TOS & TDC in the inverse order, which I think might have been a mistake. I preferred Vidal to his father, and Avon in TDC to TOS.

I do indeed have a copy of Friday's Child -- I just need to have a quick re-read taking notes as I must must must finish that dratted Cinderella story of mine (not to mention my Earthsea one for you! (ack, not doing very well here...)), but I'll chuck it in the post when I'm through. I'm sure you have enough to be getting along with in the meantime ;)

[kerravonsen]

I can't remember what order I read "These Old Shades" and "The Devil's Cub" in, but I didn't like Vidal as much as his father.
Though I think my favourite Heyer anti-heroic hero would have to be MrCalverleigh in "Black Sheep".

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

I *heart* Cazaril, too! Isn't he AWESOME? ::sigh::

So glad the Kage Baker books look interesting to you. If you read any, enjoy! :)

[altariel.livejournal.com]

No hurry at all - I do indeed have plenty to be getting on with ('The Eagle of the Ninth', for example!). (And I'm looking forward enormously to the Earthsea fic but please don't stress about it!)