Comments on: If You Like Lois McMaster Bujold hosted by Elizabeth

By: Angie

Angie — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 15:28:37 +0000

@Debra Date:

I also highly recommend the Honor Harrington books by David Weber.

Honor has a machiavellian turn of mind somewhat reminiscent of Cordelia/Miles when solving problems.

David Weber’s “The Apocalypse Troll” also contains a strong and awesome heroine.

I also recommend the lyra books by Patricia C. Wrede if you can find em.

I second the recommendations for Barbara Hambly, Wen Spencer, and Diane Duane.

By: Chenebe

Chenebe — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 02:27:09 +0000

She’s a genius! *sigh*

By: Moth

Moth — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 01:54:31 +0000

Interesting interview with Bujold, focused on one of my favorites: Paladin of Souls.

http://womenwriters.net/june09/paladin_interview.html

The old model of “maid, matron, crone” for women’s lives was based on a much shorter average life-span. Modern technology, over the past 150 years, has literally doubled the life expectancy of women in industrial societies (from 40 to 45 years to 80 to 90 years). With lower birth rates, “matron” takes less of a bite than ever out of the prime years, and the debilitation of old age is pushed off for decades. This gives instead a life structure of “maid, matron, 20-or-30-year-blank, crone.” There are no historical social models for that second-maturity period.

She is a very smart lady. :)

By: Chenebe

Chenebe — Mon, 18 May 2009 06:27:25 +0000

‘A Brother’s Price’ by Wen Spencer was very enjoyable. Fun, well thought out societal dynamics if men were rare and valuable. Nice character interactions, I especially liked it when Jerin rapped the princess’ fingers when she wanted to dip it in the maple syrup!

I also tried ‘Elantris’ which was recommended here, but found it not as easy to get into. The feisty, intelligent princess is an appealing character, but the evangelical priest just bored me.

By: Frances

Frances — Mon, 04 May 2009 11:38:12 +0000

Chenebe, Well done! I haven’t read all of them, but I agree with your assessment on those that I have read. Helps me to know the others to go after. Thanks.

By: Chenebe

Chenebe — Mon, 04 May 2009 06:15:19 +0000

I’m working my way through some of the recommendations here, none too methodically, but thought I would weigh in with my experience so far:

Twelve Houses series by Sharon Shinn: Yes, if you liked Bujold’s fantasy. No, if you prefer the Vorkosigan universe.

The Honor Harrington books: No, sorry. It’s got a similar light touch to the Vorkosigan universe but it lack heart.

The Liaden universe: I liked it even less than the Honour Harrington books. Space opera for sure, but the heart of the story is very forgettable. Strangely, reminded me of Anne McCaffery’s book Killashandra.

Jaran by Kate Elliot: I found it hard to get into. Maybe it’s the aliens. The writing was clear enough, but everything just felt a little contrived. Doesn’t have the sparkle I love in Bujold’s writing. Maybe I should try the Crown of Swords series.

Sherwood Smith: Fun if you enjoyed Civil Campaign, as the Crown Duel series is a homage to Austen too I think.

I’m trying to read Heyer and Sayers, but have not found the magical connection everyone talks about? Granted, Wimsey is pretty funny. I do like a hero in control of his environment. But I sold my copy of Cottillon after I read it, the hero and heroine just annoyed me.

The two recommendations that I REALLY enjoyed: The Amelia Peabody books, and Old Man’s War by John Scalzi. They really have HUMOUR, which I realise is what I prize most in Bujold’s writing, which I also why I vastly prefer her sci-fi work (considered low sci-fi I think, although I think she redifined space opera) to her fantasy works (high fantasy takes itself soooo seriously).

Anyway, will continue working through the list, and post further responses. Just wanted to say thanks to everyone who made recommendations. It’s been really fun working through it.

By: Ulrike

Ulrike — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 07:02:49 +0000

The heroine of Hallowed Hunt is Ijada (not Ijara). I’m not usually very good with names, but I happen to be reading it right now.

By: Lisa Paitz Spindler, Danger Gal»Blog Archive » Danger Gal Friday: Lt. Jodenny Scott

Fri, 02 Jan 2009 21:06:13 +0000

[...] all the while discovering an ancient alien device and trying not to fall in love. I agree with Heather Massey’s assessment of this novel as “a terrific mix of accessible military SF, romance, and mystery.” In [...]

By: Kathleen Hanrahan

Kathleen Hanrahan — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 06:36:57 +0000

@Abigail: Although Harper Collins isn't as generous about the books they publish (Chalion and Sharing Knife) as Baen is, those books are available as e-Books from Fictionwise in a couple of formats, from Amazon in the Kindle format , and from Sony in the Sony Reader format . And usually the pricing isn't too far off paperback prices.

By: GrowlyCub

GrowlyCub — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 16:57:52 +0000

I think Kelly must be an acquired taste, because I thought The Wedding Journey was one of the most boring books with a couple I couldn’t have cared less about I’ve ever read and I was told after the fact by long-time fans that it’s not the best Kelly title to start with. I’ve since tried one or two more and never made it past the first few pages. Just seems to be a case of reader/writer incompatibility.

It would have never occurred to me that it has anything in common with Dag and Fawn except for being road books.

Different strokes and all that. :) Btw, can I brag and mention that I got the Horizon ARC via the Harper Collins First Look program? :) Yummy!