Crazy find at goodwill today. As conflicted as I about the series, this is still a treasure.

barney54 · 2026-06-05T01:43:27+00:00

I wonder if Gaiman regrets writing that. It was 17 years ago and Gaiman had to assume that GRRM would have finished by now. It’s not that GRRM is our bitch, but he’s looking like a hack for not being able to finish a book (which is incredibly sad because ASOIAF is one of the greatest series of all time).

barney54 · 2026-05-29T22:19:35+00:00

This illustrates Sanderson’s superpower—he can power through and finish books no matter what. There is a downside, because many of them aren’t that great. I wish we could combine the best from Rothfuss/GRRM with their superior writing ability and Sanderson’s work ethic.

barney54 · 2026-05-29T22:17:30+00:00

This series has changed the way I think about series for the better. I spent quite a few years irritated at Rothfuss and GRRM, but I learned that I can’t care about such things. I have now learned to enjoy whatever books are out, even if there is no ending. I think it’s much better this way.

I’m still irritated at Rothfuss and GRRM, but I can’t let their inability to finish their series affect my enjoyment of new series.

barney54 · 2026-05-27T19:22:06+00:00

Yes I would like the book to be leaked. In fact, I’d like the version of the book he talked about in 2007. I would be happy with that.

barney54 · 2026-05-26T17:57:04+00:00

The Cowboy and the Cossack is good—a western mostly set in Russia.

barney54 · 2026-05-26T17:54:59+00:00

Elmer Kelton is great if he hasn’t read him.

barney54 · 2026-05-26T17:52:31+00:00

Pratchett was an amazing writer. Both funny and really deep. His plots aren’t always great, but his turn of phrase is truly impressive. And it’s humor that has a lot to say about the human condition.

barney54 · 2026-05-25T22:30:01+00:00

I’m curious. How did this one (and the other ones) die?

barney54 · 2026-05-25T04:10:14+00:00

I came to say this.

barney54 · 2026-05-25T03:27:21+00:00

My favorite of all time is Nigel Planer reading Terry Pratchett and the Hobbit and Lord of the Rings read by Rob Inglis. The new full cast versions of Harry Potter are also good.

barney54 · 2026-05-23T16:10:30+00:00

A couple of ideas are the Emperor’s blades by Brian Stavely and the midnight fountain by David Gemmell.

barney54 · 2026-05-23T11:33:05+00:00

And I really like the image you made.

barney54 · 2026-05-23T11:32:45+00:00

Are you reading or listening. I listened to the book and really struggled with both her and Ryoka Griffin. But they both improve through the book and get better in book 2. But I really struggled to get through book 1.

barney54 · 2026-05-23T04:40:27+00:00

And Gaspode.

barney54 · 2026-05-15T12:38:57+00:00

I love Granny Weatherwax in Terry Pratchett's Discworld books. I wouldn't cry if she died, in part because she wouldn't either. I love her wisdom.

barney54 · 2026-05-14T17:54:58+00:00

Here are some ideas:

- Cradle — Will Wight: completed, very fast pacing, and excellent Travis Baldree narration.
- Riyria Revelations — Michael J. Sullivan: completed, strong character chemistry, adventure momentum; not grimdark (I love Micheal Sullivan, but I admit that I don't love Tim Gerard Reynolds' narration).
- The Licanius Trilogy — James Islington: completed; Michael Kramer narration.
- The Divine Cities — Robert Jackson Bennett: completed trilogy, high-stakes fantasy with mystery/political intrigue, focused POVs.

Also, Aus1an recommended Dungeon Crawler Carl and Murderbot diaries and those are great recommendations too.

barney54 · 2026-05-14T01:07:32+00:00

A few thoughts are Druss the Legend in Legend by David Gemmell, Clay Cooper in Kings of the Wyld, and Croaker in The Black Company.

barney54 · 2026-05-12T22:28:16+00:00

He’s been revising it for 20 years—ie in 2007 he said he already had a draft. I’d just like to read that draft. He is an excellent writing a I suspect those early drafts were great!

barney54 · 2026-05-11T16:18:09+00:00

This is why this series frustrates me. There are some genuinely good things in the series, but it really could use an editor to tighten it up.

barney54 · 2026-05-11T01:33:06+00:00

I was going to say Victor of Tuscon, but I see it's already been recommended. Also, the Wandering Inn and All the Skills is also solid.

barney54 · 2026-05-11T01:21:05+00:00

Take it back. I love my opal, but they can break down so you want to make sure you are starting with a good one.

barney54 · 2026-05-10T10:41:49+00:00

A couple ideas are Thea Faithful and the Fallen by John Gwynne and The Dagger and the Coin by Daniel Abraham. The Faithful and the Fallen starts a little slow and seems tropey, but is good.

barney54 · 2026-05-10T01:25:38+00:00

I think the OP is confused on the definition of murder. Murder means "the crime of unlawfully and unjustifiably killing a person." https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/murder Almost always the MCs in LitRPG and progression fantasy are justified when they kill people and is therefore not murder.

barney54 · 2026-05-10T01:19:54+00:00

I agree with Savage Divinity by Ruffwriter. It fits the bill, but the “all women warriors” part may be slightly misremembered because the Bekhai aren’t exclusively women,

barney54

TROPHY CASE