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Not quite sure what to do during this weird transitional time where lots of people are on Pillowfort and Dreamwidth as well as Tumblr. I'll try posting on both PF and DW, so apologies if you're seeing this twice. I'm not sure about using DW's crossposting thingy so I'll do it manually.
I just finished a delightful fantasy novel, Sorcerer to the Crown by Zen Cho. During the holidays I don't want to read anything too deep or stressful; this fit the bill perfectly. Clearly influenced a great deal by Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell, but (as many of the blurbs say) owes a big debt to Georgette Heyer's regency romances. Witty dialogue in the best Heyer tradition, and a social/governmental structure that includes magic as in Clarke's novel. BUT! With a wonderfully expanded world -- English or European magic isn't the only type that exists. Cho is Malaysian, currently living in the UK according to the author bio, and she brings in Malay magic and folk traditions. Their interaction with English sorcerers is hilarious but doesn't shy away from the issues of colonialism and bigotry.
This could be the beginning of a series but doesn't have to be; the ending is satisfying enough that it could stand alone.
On a different topic -- I'm wondering what people think of the mini-series adaptation of Pratchett's Hogfather. I know it's a holiday tradition for some, but this year is my first viewing (I've read the book several times). I find myself... underwhelmed? by the mini-series. It's so very faithful to the book, but I feel that it drags as a result. Or is that the reason it drags? When I read the book I feel that the meshing storylines zip along, but this version is just a slog. I thought the Going Postal mini-series was much better.
I just finished a delightful fantasy novel, Sorcerer to the Crown by Zen Cho. During the holidays I don't want to read anything too deep or stressful; this fit the bill perfectly. Clearly influenced a great deal by Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell, but (as many of the blurbs say) owes a big debt to Georgette Heyer's regency romances. Witty dialogue in the best Heyer tradition, and a social/governmental structure that includes magic as in Clarke's novel. BUT! With a wonderfully expanded world -- English or European magic isn't the only type that exists. Cho is Malaysian, currently living in the UK according to the author bio, and she brings in Malay magic and folk traditions. Their interaction with English sorcerers is hilarious but doesn't shy away from the issues of colonialism and bigotry.
This could be the beginning of a series but doesn't have to be; the ending is satisfying enough that it could stand alone.
On a different topic -- I'm wondering what people think of the mini-series adaptation of Pratchett's Hogfather. I know it's a holiday tradition for some, but this year is my first viewing (I've read the book several times). I find myself... underwhelmed? by the mini-series. It's so very faithful to the book, but I feel that it drags as a result. Or is that the reason it drags? When I read the book I feel that the meshing storylines zip along, but this version is just a slog. I thought the Going Postal mini-series was much better.
