# Khadaji's Whatcha Readin' thread -- August 2018 Edition **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [July 30, 2018, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/khadajis-whatcha-readin-thread-august-2018-edition/818787 "2018-07-30T00:33:34Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Panther\_Modern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ac8455/32.png) [@Panther\_Modern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Panther_Modern)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2018, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/khadajis-whatcha-readin-thread-august-2018-edition/818787/41 "2018-08-07T15:34:09Z")
Recent reads: _Words of Radiance_ by Brandon Sanderson. This is part two of an ongoing fantasy series. This was the longest book I’ve ever read, and it took nearly five months to finish. I’m taking a break from this series. The next book, _Oathbreaker_, is just as long, and I need to read some self-contained stories. _Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?_ by Philip K. Dick. The source material for _Blade Runner_. I plowed through it in a week and thought it was OK. The world added some context to the movie, and I’m looking forward to watching that and the sequel this week. Current reading: _Station Eleven_ by Emily St. John Mandel. A post-apocalyptic story following theater actors. I don’t know too much about it, but I’m about two chapters in and enjoying it, especially the writing. ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2018, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/khadajis-whatcha-readin-thread-august-2018-edition/818787/42 "2018-08-07T16:39:36Z")
> [@Panther\_Modern](#): > > Recent reads: > > _Words of Radiance_ by Brandon Sanderson. This is part two of an ongoing fantasy series. This was the longest book I’ve ever read, and it took nearly five months to finish. I’m taking a break from this series. The next book, _Oathbreaker_, is just as long, and I need to read some self-contained stories. Over 1000 pages. I can see why it struck you as long. My experiences with Sanderson have been positive, and he’s so prolific! I haven’t started that series, though. ---
**Author:** ![Panther\_Modern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ac8455/32.png) [@Panther\_Modern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Panther_Modern)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2018, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/khadajis-whatcha-readin-thread-august-2018-edition/818787/43 "2018-08-08T00:37:10Z")
> [@wonky](#): > > Over 1000 pages. I can see why it struck you as long. My experiences with Sanderson have been positive, and he’s so prolific! I haven’t started that series, though. You will probably like this series if you’re already a Sanderson fan. This was my first foray into epic fantasy. While I enjoyed most of the ride, I just need to read a couple shorter, self-contained novels. I took a break during the second book to read _Exit West_, which I highly recommend. ---
**Author:** ![Sunny\_Daze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunny_daze/32/438_2.png) [@Sunny\_Daze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunny_Daze)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2018, 6:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/khadajis-whatcha-readin-thread-august-2018-edition/818787/44 "2018-08-08T06:20:40Z")
> [@wonky](#): > > _Spinning Silver_, by Naomi Novik. Outstanding women characters (I’m on a roll!) and a wonderful storyline evocative of fairy tales. Several people have recommended this. I’m putting it on my list. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2018, 12:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/khadajis-whatcha-readin-thread-august-2018-edition/818787/45 "2018-08-08T12:43:27Z")
> [@Sunny\_Daze](#): > > Several people have recommended this. I’m putting it on my list. 🙂 Do eet! And if you haven’t read _Uprooted_, I think that one is even better. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2018, 1:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/khadajis-whatcha-readin-thread-august-2018-edition/818787/46 "2018-08-08T13:48:03Z")
> [@Panther\_Modern](#): > > You will probably like this series if you’re already a Sanderson fan. I think his Mistborn books are really good. (Well, the first two. I haven’t read further yet.) I’ve started two other series by him, both YA. I thought they were both well done, though not so much the type of thing that keeps me reading: _Steelheart_ (The Reckoners) and _The Rithmatist_. The latter was better than the former for me. ---
**Author:** ![BetsQ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/fbc32d/32.png) [@BetsQ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BetsQ)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2018, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/khadajis-whatcha-readin-thread-august-2018-edition/818787/47 "2018-08-08T16:11:41Z")
> [@wonky](#): > > _Wheel of the Infinite_, by Martha Wells. If you like strong women characters and fantasy and have never read Martha Wells, I can’t recommend her highly enough. She’s really outstanding. I love Martha Wells. All of her books have an interesting gender angle, without gender ever being the focus of the story. ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2018, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/khadajis-whatcha-readin-thread-august-2018-edition/818787/48 "2018-08-08T17:06:20Z")
> [@DZedNConfused](#): > > It is. > > I’ve read some really good books about magic during the Victorian Era. KJ Charles Magpie Series is one, it 's m/m romance tho… > > Gail Carriger’s Parasol books would fit in that category due to the vampires, werewolves and ghosts. I just ran into the term “[Gaslamp Fantasy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaslamp_fantasy)” and I like it. ---
**Author:** ![DZedNConfused](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dzednconfused/32/15991_2.png) [@DZedNConfused](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DZedNConfused)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2018, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/khadajis-whatcha-readin-thread-august-2018-edition/818787/49 "2018-08-08T17:45:39Z")
> [@wonky](#): > > I just ran into the term “[Gaslamp Fantasy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaslamp_fantasy)” and I like it. A rather apt description! ---
**Author:** ![Sunny\_Daze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunny_daze/32/438_2.png) [@Sunny\_Daze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunny_Daze)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2018, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/khadajis-whatcha-readin-thread-august-2018-edition/818787/50 "2018-08-08T18:47:03Z")
> [@wonky](#): > > I just ran into the term “[Gaslamp Fantasy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaslamp_fantasy)” and I like it. Let me know if you want some recs… ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2018, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/khadajis-whatcha-readin-thread-august-2018-edition/818787/51 "2018-08-08T18:51:11Z")
> [@Sunny\_Daze](#): > > Let me know if you want some recs… I’m always interested, though I have a caveat for all of the urban fantasy stuff—I really hate “Ooh, I’m a fierce zombie hunter but I totally have the hots for zombie warrior Chief Dudley and I’m in his thrall!” ---
**Author:** ![DZedNConfused](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dzednconfused/32/15991_2.png) [@DZedNConfused](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DZedNConfused)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2018, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/khadajis-whatcha-readin-thread-august-2018-edition/818787/52 "2018-08-08T19:06:30Z")
> [@wonky](#): > > I’m always interested, though I have a caveat for all of the urban fantasy stuff—I really hate “Ooh, I’m a fierce zombie hunter but I totally have the hots for zombie warrior Chief Dudley and I’m in his thrall!” Send those to me 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2018, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/khadajis-whatcha-readin-thread-august-2018-edition/818787/53 "2018-08-08T19:10:27Z")
_snickering quietly at “zombie warrior chief Dudley”_ ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2018, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/khadajis-whatcha-readin-thread-august-2018-edition/818787/54 "2018-08-08T19:27:45Z")
> [@DZedNConfused](#): > > Send those to me 😃 Perfect! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Sunny\_Daze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunny_daze/32/438_2.png) [@Sunny\_Daze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunny_Daze)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2018, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/khadajis-whatcha-readin-thread-august-2018-edition/818787/55 "2018-08-08T19:51:07Z")
Where do you stand on Ilona Andrews and Patricia Briggs? They’ve got, er, hot warrior chiefs\*, but nobody is in thrall. \*(I draw the line at zombie hawtness, because, just, no) ---
**Author:** ![DZedNConfused](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dzednconfused/32/15991_2.png) [@DZedNConfused](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DZedNConfused)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2018, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/khadajis-whatcha-readin-thread-august-2018-edition/818787/56 "2018-08-08T19:58:42Z")
> [@Sunny\_Daze](#): > > Where do you stand on Ilona Andrews and Patricia Briggs? They’ve got, er, hot warrior chiefs\*, but nobody is in thrall. > \*(I draw the line at zombie hawtness, because, just, no) I’ve not read either of them… ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2018, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/khadajis-whatcha-readin-thread-august-2018-edition/818787/57 "2018-08-08T20:01:15Z")
> [@Sunny\_Daze](#): > > Where do you stand on Ilona Andrews and Patricia Briggs? They’ve got, er, hot warrior chiefs\*, but nobody is in thrall. > \*(I draw the line at zombie hawtness, because, just, no) I’ve read and enjoyed both. Maybe I’m okay with werewolves and werelions (god help me), but I HATE vampire sex stories. And sexy demons. And sexy zombies and angels and fae. Anything where Chief Dudley or his stand-in _is a monster_. I don’t want to read about someone shagging an actual monster. Maybe the clearer rule: **No shagging the Bad Guys.** If the universe has monsters, they are off-limits for sex! OFF LIMITS! Bad protagonist! Down! ---
**Author:** ![Sunny\_Daze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunny_daze/32/438_2.png) [@Sunny\_Daze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunny_Daze)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2018, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/khadajis-whatcha-readin-thread-august-2018-edition/818787/58 "2018-08-08T20:18:30Z")
> [@DZedNConfused](#): > > I’ve not read either of them… Step the one for you read those. 🙂 Start with Ilona Andrews “Magic” series, although I’m told the first one was a drag for some people. I didn’t mind it, but some people did. The main character is a detective/merc for hire in an alternative Atlanta. There are 9 books in the series before the 10th and final one comes out this fall. She has a few other series, but this is the one she is best known for. Patricia Briggs - start with her Mercy Thompson series. There is a second series, Alpha and Omega, which also ties in, but should be read after you’ve started the first. There is an attack in one of the early books that may be triggering. If you prefer to start the series after that, you can do so without ruining the series. Let me know and I will tell you where to start. Come to think of it, you could easily read the books before it and just skip that one. ---
**Author:** ![Sunny\_Daze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunny_daze/32/438_2.png) [@Sunny\_Daze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunny_Daze)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2018, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/khadajis-whatcha-readin-thread-august-2018-edition/818787/59 "2018-08-08T20:49:43Z")
> [@wonky](#): > > I’ve read and enjoyed both. Maybe I’m okay with werewolves and werelions (god help me), but I HATE vampire sex stories. And sexy demons. And sexy zombies and angels and fae. Anything where Chief Dudley or his stand-in _is a monster_. I don’t want to read about someone shagging an actual monster. > > Maybe the clearer rule: **No shagging the Bad Guys.** If the universe has monsters, they are off-limits for sex! OFF LIMITS! Bad protagonist! Down! Have you read Meljean Brook’s _Iron Duke_? Steampunk and no shagging monsters. A.A. Aguirre (Ann Aguirre and her husband teamed up) to write steampunk “noir” (no romance) mysteries _Bronze Gods_ and _Silver Mirrors_. I enjoyed those. Have you read the Eric Carter books by Stephen Blackmore? More noir urban fantasy. _The Devil’s West_ books by Laura Ann Gilman would be gaslamp fantasy. The US stops at the Mississippi. France has New Orleans (I think). Spain has the territory West of the Sierras. The land between the Mississippi is a wild territory, still populated by Native Americans, and small settlements governed by someone known as the Devil. The first book is _Silver in the Road_. CE Murphy has a series of Austen inspired regency books in a world with magic. The first is _Magic and Manners_. Seanan McGuire’s Incryptid series is urban fantasy. I don’t like some of her other series, but this one is pretty good. I’m looking for a few other gaslight series. I’m coming across several gunpowder fantasies while I search, does anyone like those? Also a few series that are Persian setting variations on gaslight or gunpowder fantasies - interest in those? ---
**Author:** ![DZedNConfused](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dzednconfused/32/15991_2.png) [@DZedNConfused](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DZedNConfused)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2018, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/khadajis-whatcha-readin-thread-august-2018-edition/818787/60 "2018-08-08T21:00:36Z")
I liked the first two Eric Carter book, but I felt the last one didn’t live up to it’s potential. The end felt rushed and it was entirely to easy to defeat the two gods. I was disappointed that he used the Aztec mythos, but never really did anything with it [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/khadajis-whatcha-readin-thread-august-2018-edition/818787.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/khadajis-whatcha-readin-thread-august-2018-edition/818787.md?page=4)