I'm reading it as a part of a monthly reading-circle in a German SF-Board. We started with "Misspent Youth" last month (One of the worst books I've ever read, unbelievable that this is from the same author as the Night's Dawn-Trilogy) , in February and March were going through "Pandora's Star" (The Book is divided into two Paperbacks in the German translation, would have been too thick (Roughly 1500 pages...). In April and May were working on Judas Unchained (Again two halves) and in June and July it's going to be "The Dreaming Void".
So what are you reading now?
- Thread starter kimc
- Start date
- Status
I'm reading it as a part of a monthly reading-circle in a German SF-Board. We started with "Misspent Youth" last month (One of the worst books I've ever read, unbelievable that this is from the same author as the Night's Dawn-Trilogy) , in February and March were going through "Pandora's Star" (The Book is divided into two Paperbacks in the German translation, would have been too thick (Roughly 1500 pages...). In April and May were working on Judas Unchained (Again two halves) and in June and July it's going to be "The Dreaming Void".
Currently reading Philip Purser-Hallard's Faction Paradox novel Of the City of the Saved. So far, still more or less setting the scene and introducing the cast of characters, not too much plot happening yet.
The City of the Saved is a pocket universe that exists in time after the end of this universe and the beginning of the next. The size of an average spiral galaxy, it's a single city in which every human who ever lived has been resurrected. Unlike Farmer's Riverworld, this doesn't focus on famous historical figures, because given a population ranging from pithecanthropines to bizarrely modified posthumans from the far future, historical figures from our era are pretty much lost in the crowd. The other important point: once you're resurrected in the City of the Saved, you can't be killed. And then someone politically important is killed. That being impossible, it gets the interest of Faction Paradox's local operation, and of course the interest of everyone else who knows about it.
This looks like it's going to be fun. It's certainly inventive enough, and PPH varies his writing style when we switch from one viewpoint character to another. Plus, one of the main characters is a familiar face from a number of the Eighth Doctor Adventures, Laura Tobin, a.k.a. Compassion.
Spinoffs like this are one of the fun things about being a Doctor Who fan.
The City of the Saved is a pocket universe that exists in time after the end of this universe and the beginning of the next. The size of an average spiral galaxy, it's a single city in which every human who ever lived has been resurrected. Unlike Farmer's Riverworld, this doesn't focus on famous historical figures, because given a population ranging from pithecanthropines to bizarrely modified posthumans from the far future, historical figures from our era are pretty much lost in the crowd. The other important point: once you're resurrected in the City of the Saved, you can't be killed. And then someone politically important is killed. That being impossible, it gets the interest of Faction Paradox's local operation, and of course the interest of everyone else who knows about it.
This looks like it's going to be fun. It's certainly inventive enough, and PPH varies his writing style when we switch from one viewpoint character to another. Plus, one of the main characters is a familiar face from a number of the Eighth Doctor Adventures, Laura Tobin, a.k.a. Compassion.
Spinoffs like this are one of the fun things about being a Doctor Who fan.
^ Of the City of the Saved is so dang awesome.
Yeah, it's easily the best of a strong lot of Faction Paradox novels (though I haven't read Erasing Sherlock and am still trying to work up enthusiasm to get into Newtons Sleep). Just the perfect balance of plot, character, and weird-yet-fascinating SF worldbuilding.
I am currently taking a break from Trek Literature and reading the Sword of Truth series by Terry Goodkind. I am currently halfway through Book 1, "Wizards First Rule".
I'm wondering whether to read more FP after this one or save them for rainy days. Maybe I'll read one more after this, and save the others I haven't read for a little longer.
Brendan, Steve: have you guys read the Time Hunter series from Telos? I've got them all, but I've only read the first two.
Brendan, Steve: have you guys read the Time Hunter series from Telos? I've got them all, but I've only read the first two.
Not yet. I've been sorely tempted because they look fascinating, but I just can't bring myself to pick them up given the price-to-word-count ratio. Maybe once I finish my ongoing readthrough of the New Adventures I'll look into Telos' Who novellas and from there to Time Hunter.
Though I enjoyed The Cabinet of Light, Time Hunter was just a spinoff too far for me. I never even got all of the Telos Who novellas; why would I go beyond them then?
Star Trek Titan: Taking Wing and Star Trek Destiny: Lost Souls.
Just started Destiny: Lost Souls.
Recently finished: Destiny trilogy.
Currently reading: Sherlock Holmes: The Complete Novels and Stories Volume I (just finished A Study in Scarlet, now I've started The Sign of Four)
When I'm done with the Sherlock Holmes stories I'm going to start The 4400: The Vesuvius Prophecy by Greg Cox
Currently reading: Sherlock Holmes: The Complete Novels and Stories Volume I (just finished A Study in Scarlet, now I've started The Sign of Four)
When I'm done with the Sherlock Holmes stories I'm going to start The 4400: The Vesuvius Prophecy by Greg Cox
Last edited:
Twilight as in the DS9R relaunch novel, or Twilight as in the tween vampire-romance series? Because I strongly recommend one and detest the other.
I thought the original Telos novella line was worthwhile, overall, with only one complete stinker out of 15, and at least one classic (Time and Relative) to make up for that, but yeah, the price was a bit much, especially on this side of the Atlantic. Time Hunter improved on that front by being in paperback, at least.
Given how low sales of Faction Paradox and Time Hunter books have reportedly been (a few hundred each for the latter, reportedly), and that the Craig Hinton tribute books have only sold a hundred or two copies each, it's kind of baffling that someone's got a series of Iris Wildthyme spinoff books in the works...
I really like all the elements that Lawrence Miles introduced in the Eighth Doctor books, including Faction Paradox, so I really am glad that there were continuing stories. I have them all, but I've only read the first three so far. I really, liked Warlords of Utopia, but then, I'm sure a fair amount of that has to do with the fact that I really like everything by Lance Parkin. I also enjoyed Of The City of the Saved, was really glad to have a book that developed a new corner of the Faction Paradox universe that I found interesting in The Book of the War.
I'm kind of with Steve, Time Hunters was just one spin off to many for me (imagine my reaction to Torchwood and the Sarah Jane TV show!), nevertheless, I did want to at least sample it. To that end, I have Cabinet of Light (pretty good, bonus point for that interpretation of the Doctor), and The Winning Side (see what I mean, Lance Parkin again, why would I pass that up). I haven't read The Winning Side, yet.
I'm still working my way through The War of the Worlds; just reached the second half.
Grad school reading for this week:
- Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë (halfway through... was hoping to finish this Friday, but I got sick and can't focus)
- The Playboy of the Western World and Riders to the Sea by J. M. Synge (read the former play but not the latter... will finish Monday)
- The Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum (read many times before, but will be rereading come Monday)
- Peter Pan by J. M. Barrie (will probably read Wednesday)
I picked up some scattered Telos novellas, the ones I found more appealing for one reason or another: Rip Tide, Fallen Gods, Shell Shock, Blood and Hope, and The Dalek Factor. I enjoyed them all, but keeping up with the series was just too much expense.
Grad school reading for this week:
- Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë (halfway through... was hoping to finish this Friday, but I got sick and can't focus)
- The Playboy of the Western World and Riders to the Sea by J. M. Synge (read the former play but not the latter... will finish Monday)
- The Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum (read many times before, but will be rereading come Monday)
- Peter Pan by J. M. Barrie (will probably read Wednesday)
I picked up some scattered Telos novellas, the ones I found more appealing for one reason or another: Rip Tide, Fallen Gods, Shell Shock, Blood and Hope, and The Dalek Factor. I enjoyed them all, but keeping up with the series was just too much expense.
- Status
Similar threads
