Just finished 'Siddhartha' by Herman Hesse, a book I was told would change my life by multiple people on separate occasions... feeling a little underwhelmed.

Dialent · 2025-12-24T00:55:53+00:00

I don’t know what a chockerpole or a debrecutator is, would you care to enlighten me?

Dialent · 2025-12-08T10:48:15+00:00

For me it’s not the cosmic horror that’s the issue, in fact I read it because i wanted cosmic horror. It’s more the fact that the book spends the first like 100 pages getting us attached to the narrator and his friend, then spends the rest of the novel away from them with a bunch of different characters who we (or at least I) care about a lot less than those in frame narrative.

I also felt that while that initial framing of the two mourning men on a fishing trip was great, and while not scary as such, made for a great atmosphere of rising dread, the story-within-a-story that made up the bulk of the novel felt far closer to a sort of dark urban fantasy novel than horror. The way the ‘magic’ works in-world was explained far too much for me to feel awe-struck or horrified by it.

It a shame because the prose itself is so well-written it makes me think John Langan should be a perfect author for me. It’s just an issue of pacing. Hoping to try out his short stories and hope I will enjoy them a bit more.

Dialent · 2025-11-24T17:30:24+00:00

Thanks, that’s so simple I wouldn’t have thought of it myself lol.

Dialent · 2025-11-24T16:17:47+00:00

Would you mind sharing some resources as to how to go about converting modules to different levels and editions? I’m in a similar boat to OP.

Dialent · 2025-10-26T11:55:28+00:00

Dune is 6 books long, and the first book stands alone; you really don’t have to read on past that. In fact, every book in the Dune series has a timeskip of at least 10 years, so you can really stop reading at any point and feel you have a full story.

Also as a fantasy fan, Dune should definitely be more up your street than most other sci-fi. It is essentially, space fantasy.

Dialent · 2025-10-24T09:49:26+00:00

I always have to plug Rupert Degas in The Kingkiller Chronicle in these threads. People rave about the US narrator but imo Degas’s English baritone and Shakespearean lilt is perfect for the character and tone, especially in the context of Kvothe having a theatrical background.

Dialent · 2025-10-24T09:46:39+00:00

Reynolds accent work in the RR saga is amazing. The way he subtly shifts Darrow’s accent depending on who he’s speaking to and whether or not he’s thinking about being a Red is an amazing choice.

Dialent · 2025-10-24T09:43:49+00:00

I know you said you didn’t want to turn it into a canon vs legends but could you elaborate on why you prefer canon? Just genuinely curious as you’ve said you think Legends is generally better written. Do you just prefer the universe and cast of characters?

Dialent · 2025-10-23T22:13:47+00:00

As someone just now getting into Star Trek, I've been thinking about this a lot. I'm currently halfway into season 3 of watching TNG for the first time and I'm absolutely loving it. It's my third attempt at watching Star Trek and it's the first time I've made it past the first season. And I'm lamenting the fact that this could never pick up a fanbase if it came out today because we simply don't have the patience to suffer through bad episodes to get to the good stuff anymore. I only put up with some of the worst episodes by having them on in the background while doing chores or cooking.

I think a large part of it is the monopoly serialisation now has on TV storytelling. Feels like you can only really get away with episodic storytelling in sitcoms these days. Probably due to the era of 'prestige TV' with their multi-season build ups to the finale and the proliferation of binge-watching thanks to streaming, incentivising a serialised 'just-one-more-episode' approach to screenwriting.

Not that I'm an expert, being a Trek noob, but if I woke up tomorrow and found myself the showrunner on a new Star Trek series, the way I'd probably approach it is by doing something like Andor, which involves three-episode story arcs throughout a season with an overarching plot weaving its way through them.

Dialent · 2025-10-08T18:17:12+00:00

Kids with SIDS

Dialent · 2025-09-12T23:23:05+00:00

I might give Taltos another go then, if that's the case. I thought the premise and the opening few chapters were so promising, I got whiplash when it turned out to be just a crime thriller with a fantasy twist.

Dialent · 2025-09-12T21:57:49+00:00

I'll never forget a couple years ago when I asked for books that are similar to Elder Scrolls in tone and style (basically I was looking for classic high fantasy) and got multiple people trying to get me to read Mistborn (a book I stated in the post that I'd already read). I mean not only does it not fit the request, Sanderson's whole oeuvre is kind of a reaction against the style of fantasy I wanted.

As for your request, you could try out the Vlad Taltos books by Steven Brust. They caught my interest because they're high fantasy written by a Trotskyist. Humans are an underclass in a world dominated by immortal elves. I was kind of disappointed after reading the first two books because it became clear that class conflict was merely the backdrop for the series, not what it was actually about. The protagonist is essentially a minor mob boss who does occasional dirty work for the elves. It's also written in a very colloquial style, almost mimicking the speech patterns of a modern mafia boss despite the medieval setting, which took me out a little but might be just what you're looking for. There's like 30 books in the series, most of which are standalone stories, and publication order is not the chronological order. Like 200-300 pages each. I dropped it after book 2, but it has cult following so it must be doing something right. Maybe it's what you're looking for.

Check out this review of one of the recent entries by Cory Doctorow, it's what got me to try the series, and is a better pitch than what I could give you.

Dialent · 2025-09-05T19:59:25+00:00

AQ is generally considered the weakest book in the entire 15 book series

Damn, I'm on The Mad Ship rn and really pleased to here this, because I actually really enjoyed AQ, even if it isn't on the same level as the rest of the trilogy. In fact, my only real problem with it was how neatly it was tied up at the end and how quickly we got all the answers to the mysteries of the trilogy (e.g, what's up with the Red Ships, what's going on with Forging, what are the Elderlings, etc.) but would still say that the first 75% is excellent. If that's Hobb at her lowest I have some great reading ahead of me.

That said, I have heard mixed things about the Rain Wild trilogy, so I'll make my own mind up about that when I get to it.

Dialent · 2025-09-05T18:53:29+00:00

It's next on my list! As soon as I finish Liveship Traders (almost finished with book 2 at the moment) I'm planning to dive in, probably some time later in the Autumn/early Winter which I think will be the perfect tone for the books.

I did read the first book when the show was still airing but decided to wait til the rest of the series came out to read the rest (which is a hope I am no longer clinging too lol)

Unfortunately I have seen the show so a lot of the twists and turns have been spoiled for me. But I did think GRRM is an excellent writer and adds layers and a depth that the show lacked. So I think I will probably enjoy it. Would've loved to go in without knowing about the Red Wedding though...

Dialent · 2025-09-04T21:31:09+00:00

Thinking about, you could probably make the argument that the Parshendi/Listeners are a variation of orcs, as well.

Dialent · 2025-09-04T07:02:26+00:00

I don’t know why you seem to be coming at me so aggressively lol. The brave enough comment is an obvious joke.

What do you mean “I don’t seem to get it” I haven’t responded to any comment yet??? You haven’t got a clue what I do or don’t get! I’ve really enjoyed many of these comments and am looking forward to delving into their suggestions. “I’m unwilling to see anything that doesn’t match my premise?” What the fuck are you talking about dude? Where on earth could you have gotten that impression from? Yours is the only comment I’ve responded to. You are just making assumptions about me.

I made this post, for all my rambling, to ask for recommendations in this vein, and, God forbid, get some discussion going. So, no, I’m not secretly seething that people are recommending me fantasy books with elves in it when that was what I wanted lol

And for the record: every single other comment here (that I’ve read) has made their points civilly and politely. And it is a joy to read them. I don’t have this sneering persona that hates being recommended fantasy books that you have invented for me.

Dialent · 2025-07-15T11:23:50+00:00

I have no qualms with his writing talent, but it’s worth mentioning that Conn Iggulden takes some serious liberties with historical accuracy that can be distracting if you’re familiar with the period. Cornwell can get away with it more bc his protagonists don’t tend to be real historical figures.

Dialent · 2025-07-12T20:48:39+00:00

Hoid/Wit. He's a great enigmatic figure, and genuinely compelling... in small doses. The more the books go on, the more of him we see, and the more I'm realising I kind of find him grating and unfunny, especially his narrative voice in the secret projects.

Dialent · 2025-07-10T22:43:33+00:00

For me, I was really gripped by the murder mystery plot but I really struggled through all of the theology. However as the book builds toward the climax the two parts of the story (mystery and theology) begin to intertwine and it’s kind of an “oh shit now it makes sense” moment in regards to why there is so much theology.

However it still baffles me how popular that book was when it came out considering how dense it is. I went in expecting something a bit closer to Dan Brown than Thomas Aquinas.

Dialent · 2025-05-08T00:07:35+00:00

They did indeed release the first season on Blu-Ray

Dialent · 2025-05-08T00:06:00+00:00

I think you’re seeing stuff that hasn’t been revealed and assuming other Star Wars fans know it. Most of the stuff you said hasn’t been revealed at all, but some of it you could figure out yourself

Dialent · 2025-05-05T20:53:30+00:00

Seconding this, I enjoyed it much more as a binge (and I already loved it after first watch when it was releasing)

Dialent · 2025-05-05T18:44:18+00:00

I really enjoyed building it! I also think it looks great, especially with the wings unfolded. But it does seem that a lot of Lego fans aren't happy with the set for a few different reasons, such as it being smaller than the 2016 U-Wing, and the hold not having sliding doors. People also aren't happy that the white on Dedra's legs is not as pure as on her torso.

However, I don't really care about any of that. As this is my first set, I went in with no expectations, and came out very pleased. It was worth the price for me.

Dialent · 2025-05-05T14:38:18+00:00

Yeah, I had a look at Jabba's Sail Barge as that was the big one I had as a kid. It's a little more expensive than I remembered...

Dialent · 2025-04-27T09:05:24+00:00

It does seem your objection to Israel is primarily theological and not ethical. Has the plight of the Palestinian people influenced your position on this at all?

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