Recent Readings (and other literary talk)

[Necron 99]

Cool. Look forward to your thoughts after the reading.

I picked up a compilation of short stories and poems focused on the realm of Averoigne, set in medieval France by Clark Ashton Smith (CAS). Never before read any CAS. When I stumbled across him and saw that Averoigne was set in medieval France, my curiosity said, "Yes, please!"

So far, it's what I expect for Mythos stories. That's pretty cool on the CAS works. Smith is another author I've not yet started reading but have on the bucket list.

[grodog]

I picked up a compilation of short stories and poems focused on the realm of Averoigne, set in medieval France by Clark Ashton Smith (CAS). Never before read any CAS. When I stumbled across him and saw that Averoigne was set in medieval France, my curiosity said, "Yes, please!"

I’m currently rereading CAS’ _A Rendezvous in Averoigne_, which I likely last read in college or so.

If you like CAS, most of his stories and poems are freely available on the Eldritch Dark site at http://www.eldritchdark.com/

Allan.

[Ancalagon]

I picked up a compilation of short stories and poems focused on the realm of Averoigne, set in medieval France by Clark Ashton Smith (CAS). Never before read any CAS. When I stumbled across him and saw that Averoigne was set in medieval France, my curiosity said, "Yes, please!"

I’m currently rereading CAS’ _A Rendezvous in Averoigne_, which I likely last read in college or so.

If you like CAS, most of his stories and poems are freely available on the Eldritch Dark site at http://www.eldritchdark.com/

Allan.

Thanks!
So much stuff to read... so little time. Will probably hit books more when the weather here turns to frozen hell.

[Necron 99]

I've gotten about 60% through the book by Bloch and, to be honest, I just don't find it to be that great of a read. Bloch's stories, at least for me, come off as being subpar Lovecraft stories, like imitation fan-fiction. Aside from the odd one here and there, the stories overall are predictable and never really evoke any horror or sense of wonder or dread the way Lovecraft's work does. Shallow, I think, is the word that best describes them, they feel shallow compared to Lovecraft's stories which have depth and breadth to them. At this point I sort of gave up and started back on Vance's Dying Earth, which was/is much more enjoyable to read.

[Necron 99]

Well, I finished up Vance's Tales of the Dying Earth and really enjoyed the initial stories, especially those pertaining to Cugel the Clever. Those stories carry a variety of characters, places, things, and critters to keep the reader enthralled. The later stories of Rhialto the Marvellous were ok, though, in my opinion not quite as captivating as the ones involving Cugel. However, the most interesting aspect of Rhialto's stories was that it gave the history of and basis for Ioun Stones, of which any old school D&D player should be familiar. It was cool to read the source material that gave Gary the inspiration for those mysterious, magical items.

All in all, I really enjoyed the 700+ pages of The Dying Earth. Magic was not only a big part, but pretty much the center focus and theme within the setting. And it had a different feel of fantasy than the standard stuff from say D&D or other novels, movies, and such. There were no elves, dwarves, or halflings. The critters throughout were all unique in one way or another. It was a refreshing change of style for sure. On an off note, I'm glad I went in on the DCC kickstarter for the setting, i think it might make for some fun play sessions down the road.

So after wrapping up that book, I've now started Reliquary, by Preston and Child. Reliquary is the second book in what is known as the 'Pendergast' series, the first book being Relic. Back in the late 90s, a movie based on the books came out titled, The Relic. That was my introduction to the series, as I'd not read any of the books at that point. So far, it's a pretty good read, has some mystery, horror, and action, I'm a little over half way through it at this point.

[Ancalagon]

Yesterday I finished The Strangled Queen, book 2 of The Accursed Kings series. It weighs in at 269 pages with historical notes expanding it to 280 pages.

From the back over of the book:

Philip IV is dead and his great kingdom is in disarray. It seems the fatal curse of the Templars is plaguing the royal house of France.

His son has been enthroned as Louis X; but with his disgraced wife Marguerite imprisoned in the Chateau Gaillard for her adultery, Louis can produce no heir with which to secure the succession. But neither can he marry again while she lives…

The web of scandal, murder and intrigue that once wove itself around the court of the Iron King continues to draw in his descendants, as the destruction of his dynasty continues apace.

So far so good. I'm enjoying the series and have already started on The Poisoned Crown.

A few weeks back I finished The Poisoned Crown, book 3 of The Accursed Kings series. It weighs in at 277 pages with historical notes expanding it to 294 pages. I can definitely see where GRRM got some inspiration for the Queen of Thorns in his Song of ice and Fire series.

From the back cover of the book:

After having his first wife murdered and his mistress exiled, the weak and impotent King Louis X of France becomes besotted with the lovely and pious Princess Clemence of Hungary of Hungary.

Having made her his new queen, and believing the succession assured, Louis foolishly embarks upon an ill-fated war against Flanders.

The kingdom needs an Iron King. But where his father, Philip IV, was strong, Louis is feeble. Surrounded by ruthlessly ambitious nobles, including Robert of Artois and his monstrous aunt, Lahaut, Louis will find himself a lamb amongst the wolves.

I'm hooked and will finish the rest of the series.

A couple of weeks back I finished The Royal Succession, book 4 of The Accursed Kings series. It weighs in at 308 pages with historical notes expanding it to 325 pages. I can absolutely see where GRRM got some inspiration for the Queen of Thorns in his Song of ice and Fire series!

From the back cover of the book:

Louis X is dead, poisoned, murdered, by the hand of Mahaut d'Artois. Her plan is simple - to clear the path to the throne for her son-in-law, Philippe. However, there is the small matter of Queen Clemence and her unborn child.

As the country is thrown into turmoil, Philippe of Poitiers must use any means necessary to save his country from anarchy. But how far is he willing to go to clear his path to the throne and become king in his own right?

Tonight I finished The She Wolf, book 5 of The Accursed Kings series. It weighs in at 405 pages with historical notes expanding it to 428 pages. Lots of political intrigue in this one!

From the back cover of the book:

Charles IV is now King of France, but as things settle within his own country, turmoil brews across the sea.

His sister Isabella is married to the weak and impulsive English King, Edward II. As political infighting and military defeat plague Edward, Isabella deserts her husband and flees to France with her lover Roger Mortimer, a rebellious English baron, in the hope of raising an army.

But it is a brave man that believes he can bed the so-called 'She-Wolf of France' and survive the curse of the accursed kings...

[sbaldrick]

I enjoyed that book. Isabella, the She Wolf of France was indeed the true daughter of King Philip IV. She was every bit as tough, smart and ruthless as he was, unlike any of her brothers that ruled France.

[Ancalagon]

I enjoyed that book. Isabella, the She Wolf of France was indeed the true daughter of King Philip IV. She was every bit as tough, smart and ruthless as he was, unlike any of her brothers that ruled France.

Edward II was such a poor match for her as a husband...

But now... what to read next? We wonders, yes, we wonders, my precious....

[Necron 99]

A look at Stephen King's 'Salems Lot.

[Ancalagon]

'Salem's Lot is my 2nd favorite King novel. If you've not read it, I highly recommend you put it in your queue!

I don't care for the 70s era made for TV adaptation. The 2004 TV version was pretty enjoyable but there were a couple of instances with it being adapted for a modern audience. If you've not read the book then you wouldn't necessarily notice the changes...