Today in Fantasy: July 9, 2009

FBNR News:

Thanks to everyone for the comments about the blog changes I mentioned yesterday. After doing another day of thinking, and reading the comments, my reviews will probably turn into recommendations instead. How this will work: in my daily posts (like this one), I will continue to mention what book I am reading, where I am in the book, and some brief thoughts on it..positive, negative or both. If I disliked a book, you will read why in this section, over the course of 1 or more daily posts (depending on how far i make it in the book). If I happen to like a book, when I am done, instead of writing a review, I will instead write a Recommendation post, giving some thoughts on why I liked the book and why you should add it to your list. In reality, this is like a combo review/recommendation/spotlight kinda thing, to highlight books I enjoyed. So, at least for now, thats how my "reviews" will work. Might sound confusing, but maybe after you see the first Recommendation, it will make more sense.

I'm about halfway through The Sword-Edged Blonde by Alex Bledsoe. So far, its pretty darn great. I stayed up an extra hour last night reading, as I couldn't make myself close the book to go to bed. I'm a bit sleepy now because of it, but it was worth it. This book does have English names, with the main character being Eddie LaCrosse. Despite this being a secondary world fantasy, the English names actually don't bother me this time. The biggest reason for this is that the characters use modern slang, so it feels like a current day mystery set in a secondary fantasy world. The world itself is totally fantasy: horses, swords, magic, etc, yet it feels like an urban fantasy (set in a secondary world). It totally works for me, as I have been looking for something with the feel of urban fantasy, but without the modern day setting. Here's hoping the second half of the book is as good as the first half.

Oh, and that new Stellastarr* album, Civilized, is really growing on me. I've listened to it 5 times since I bought it Tuesday, and its one of those albums that sounds better each time. I believe Amazon might still have it priced at 3.99 in the MP3 store. See my Tuesday music post if you want to hear samples.

Tomorrow, I will try to post my top 5 reads of 2009 so far (books I have read this year, not just those published in 2009).

Reviews:

-A Fantasy Reader: Lamentation by Ken Scholes, The Dragonbone Chair by Tad Williams (this series is one of my top 5 all time), The Adamantine Palace by Stephen Deas (I really, really need to read this soon, and thanks to Liviu, I can), The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss (there are now 18 or 19 reviews of this book in my Index. I need to figure out which book has the most. I am betting The Blade Itself is the winner).

-BSCReview: City of Jade by Dennis L. McKiernan (i'm of fan of this author, but all the negative reviews are scaring me off a bit. Definitely a book that will have to wait for pb before I consider buying)

-Fantasy Dreamer's Ramblings: Blood Bound by Patricia Briggs

-Mad Hatter's Bookshelf: Best Served Cold by Joe Abercrombie (need to find time to read this one, also. Too many books, not enough time. Why can't i get paid to just sit around and read?)

Authors/News:

-L.E. Modesitt, Jr with a blog post about reviewing. His last paragraph happens to jive with my thoughts lately, which is one reason for my blog changes.