Fantasy February 2014

Yes, my friends, it is that time already. If this is your first time, climbing aboard the Fantasy Express: Welcome! We keep this monthly theme quite open-ended. There is room for all types of fantasy. This sums it up well:

"Fantasy fiction is a literary genre that includes stories that deal with characters or events that do not exist in the world as we know it. Fantastical settings, creatures, powers, and situations are often found in fantasy fiction, whether it is a modern story or one set in an ancient land. There are more than a dozen different types of fantasy fiction that are categorized according to the type of plot and story. These can be expanded into even more categories, depending on the different types of elements that appear in the plot. Some of the most popular types are alternative history, dark fantasy, modern or urban fantasy, epic fantasy, high fantasy, paranormal fiction, and sword and sorcery."

Dystopian and steampunk will work just fine too and if you want to throw in some Sci-Fi, knock yourself out. Whatever feels fanciful to you. Just have a good time and let's get those books off those shelves.

When I start scanning both my print and audio stacks, I am flabbergasted at the amount of titles I have in these genres. I hope to read/listen to at least 4 of these. We will see, Obi-Wan.

The Lions of Al-Rassan by Guy Gavriel Kay
Whispers Under Ground by Ben Aaronovitch- This is book 3
Kushiel's Dart by Jacqueline Carey
The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey
Shift - Omnibus Edition by Hugh Howey- This is book 2
Hard Magic by Larry Correia

I may follow along though I'm not sure I'll commit to any FF books.

I always liked Fred Flinstone, myself.

I'm here! Don't know what will get read yet, exactly, but I'll do my darndest!



Wait... this is the Fred Flintstone thread, right? ;)

On the group wiki...

Okay, I'm in!

Thanks for setting this up, Mark. I have a few already lined up for February:

Flesh & Bone by Jonathan Mayberry
Cinder by Marissa Meyer
Paladin of Souls by Lois McMaster Bujold

If time permits, I may try to squeeze another title in.

I need a push to pick up 1824: The Arkansas War by Eric Flint, on loan from a family member. Since it is an alternate history, it fits right in so that's what I'll start with for FF. Thanks for setting up the thread!

I'll join y'all of course. At the very least I'm planning on Hammered by Kevin Hearne.

I've been reading a lot of fantasy in January, but as long as the urge continues I'll take part in this. I'm hoping to read The Novice and The High Lord to finish off the Black Magician Trilogy... and possibly then attempt the prequel as well.

That's reminded me, I should push up Kushiel's Avatar up to read in February... must remember to add this to the small pile of books I'm bringing with me on my trip next week.

I'm also going to try and finish the last 3 books in the Sacred Breath series about seapeople, by Nardia Scrivea.

Got this topic starred. I have a few books lined up that would fit the bill. . we'll see.

I'm in, too!

I know Moon Over Soho is first. Then I'm thinking Ancillary Justice, as sci-fi seems okay in FF. Should I include The Last Policeman?

#13> Oooh, Joe, I do hope you enjoy Moon Over Soho! And Ancillary Justice is high on my wishlist...

I will probably read The Inexplicables (the fourth Clockwork Century book) because I gobbled the first three up late last year...

Hoping to restart the Malazan series by Stephen Erikson, although I will need a refresher on the first four books. I'm sure there's a Wiki somewhere that'll help. :)

And Don will probably suggest the Dresden Files as he does every time I'm looking for a book to read. I think I'm up to ~ book 7 in the series.

I've also been reading quite a bit of Pratchet lately, so some of the Discworld series will probably feature.

I've got Journey to the West going (from the Green Dragon Fantasy list), but I *really* won't finish it by the end of the month... Oh well, I'll happily lurk and enjoy what the rest of you read!

Hey I guess I'm in too! I had lined up Living Dead in Dallas for February forgetting all about Fantasy February. It must be some subconscious thought wave thingy of being a 75er.

I've a number of unread fantasy/sci fi waiting in the wings for their turn:

Dragonsbane by Barbara Hambly (recommended to me by someone here at LT)

Ender's Shadow by Orson Scott Card (a gift from my son, need to read it)

Alternate Realities: Port Eternity/Voyager in Night/Wave Without a Shore by CJ Cherryh (she's my favorite author, I need to get cracking!)

Fortress in the Eye of Time by CJ Cherryh

At the Edge of Space: Brothers of Earth / Hunter of Worlds by CJ Cherryh

The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan (another gift, need to read soon)

We'll see which one(s) get read in February...or all? Hmm, that's be a tough challenge, but maybe...

Which one would you recommend I start with?

I'll be wanting to read Martin Millar's latest Kalix book, The Anxiety of Kalix the Werewolf and will maybe try his Thraxas (under pen-name Martin Scott).

#17: I have both Dragonbane & Ender's Shadow on Mt tbr but not sure if I can get to them in February.

I'll be here to join in the shenanigans! I've been doing a fair bit of fantasy reading in January and will continue on in February!

I'll probably still be listening to the audio I just started Death Masks by Jim Butcher -- since I don't have many commutes left for the month of January. I'll also be continuing in the Gail Carriger Parasol Protectorate series, since she left me on a huge cliffhanger at the end of Changeless!

My other reads are going to be more 'as the spirit moves' me, so to speak!

If time permits, I may add Hounded, too, as that has gotten some positive LT buzz.

I will be lurking. I don't yet know if February is going to include any science fiction/fantasy. Maybe I'll be able to fit the third book of the Wool trilogy in.

Yay! I found the FF thread! Thanks for getting us going, Mark!

>2 msf59: Oh! Lions of al-Rassan! In my top 10 favorite books ever!

>4 LauraBrook:, 6 LOL

>13 jnwelch: I loved The Last Policeman!

Okay, my own list of fantasy I hope to read in February:

Hounded
Paladin of Souls
Doctor Sleep
The Golem and the Jinni

I'm sure I've forgotten something, I'll think of more, or a fantasy will jump into my hands when I next go to the library, or someone will shoot a fantasy book bullet that will hit the bulls-eye on my forehead, but this is it for now.

ETA Days of Blood and Starlight to the list. It's the sequel to Daughter of Smoke and Bone, a YA fantasy that I really enjoyed when I read it a couple of years ago.

I'm slating the following for FF reads:

Quicker than the Eye
Painted Red by Douglas Parks
Abyssal Zone
Tides of Tranquility
Maelstrom

“I opened a book and in I strode.
Now nobody can find me.
I’ve left my chair, my house, my road,
My town and my world behind me.
I’m wearing the cloak, I’ve slipped on the ring,
I’ve swallowed the magic potion.
I’ve fought with a dragon, dined with a king,
And swam in a bottomless ocean.
I opened a book and made some friends.
I shared their tears and laughter
And followed their roads with its bumps and bends
To the happily ever after.
I finished my book and out I came.
The cloak can no longer hide me.
My chair and my house are just the same,
But I have a book inside me.”

— Julia Donaldson

Love that little poem!

Oh, Mark, that's lovely!

That poem's a delight! Utterly true, too.

Love that poem, Mark. Maybe I'll try to read Graceling or Fire or both.

Nice poem, Mark!

I just realized that Cress is coming out in early February, the next one after Cinder and Scarlet. That will definitely be part of my FF reading.

>28 AMQS: Graceling and Fire are really good, Anne. As is Bitterblue. I'm a Kristin Cashore fan.

Love the poem!

Can't decide what to read for FF. Most likely will include something from this preliminary list (all on my shelves and waiting impatiently):

The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss
The White Mare by Jules Watson
The Firebrand by Marion Zimmer Bradley
Snuff by Terry Pratchet
Bitterblue by Kristan Cashore
The Black Prism by Brent Weeks

groan - decisions, decisions....

I am going to try and read Wise Man's Fear by Patrick Rothfuss. I loved Name of the Wind when it came out and now need to read the sequel before the third book is published this summer. Then I will try to get to Alif the Unseen. I listened to one of the Nancy Pearl podcasts in which the G. Willow Wilson was interviewed and the book sounded good. I knew I had a copy of it in my collection so grabbed it off the shelf.

I'm excited to be getting back into LT and joining these challenges to deal with the piles waiting to be read. Here's the stack of fantasy books that I would love to get through next month:

Windmaster's Bane by Tom Deitz
Fall of Light by Nina Kiriki Hoffman
A Stir of Bones by Nina Kiriki Hoffman
The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms by N. K. Jemison
The Fall of the Kings by Ellend Kushner and Delia Sherman
The Fire Sword by Adrienne Martine-Barnes
Gil's All Fright Diner by A. Lee Martinez
Heroics for Beginners by A. Lee Martinez
The Moon and the Sun by Vonda McIntyre
Heroics for Beginners by John Moore
Briar Rose by Jane Yolen

That's an ambitious goal for the shortest month for me these days. And the corollary is to refrain from stocking up on more fantasy in the meantime (or afterward, really).

Glad everyone likes the poem. I thought it would fit over here perfectly.

Joe- I don't think I could find an audio copy of Cress quick enough but I am really looking forward to that one. What a terrific series.

Claudia- Wow! That is an ambitious list. Good luck. I loved the Name of the Wind and the follow-up, but his books just keep getting bigger. I heard the next one is over a 1,000 pages.

Chris- Good luck to you too! Sorry, I picked the shortest month for this, but Fantasy February sounds better than Fantasy August. LOL.

I'm in - I managed to get to the library yesterday and picked up Hounded and Days of Blood and Starlight (I just read Daughter of Smoke and Bone).

I've also got more books that will fit this on my TBR shelves but I will wait to see what takes my fancy and fits into any TIOLI challenges.

There is no way I'll read ALL of them, Mark. But these are the ones I want to choose from. Name of the Wind seems to get high marks around here... maybe I'll give it a shot. Most of these books are chunksters so I'll have to do what I can in February and get to the rest later.

Hmmm. Maybe I could find me a cozy cottage on a small island off the coast of Maine with a big fireplace and rent it for the month????
See? I am so into fantasy!

Calm- I've been meaning to get to the Daughter of Smoke and Bone for ages. I need to track that one down. I hope you enjoy Hounded. It's a lot of fun.

Claudia- I might join you at " a cozy cottage on a small island off the coast of Maine with a big fireplace." But then we might spend to much time gabbing about books. Might have to get a cozy cottage next door, then.

Even though I don't really enjoy Fantasy, if you keep posting pictures of Fred Flintstone, I may have to keep dropping by! I'm sing the "Yabba Dabba Do Time" part of the song right now!

Always in for fantasy february :)

Possible reads (though anything is possible the moment I finish a book and am about to make that leap into the next!);

The Mistborn Trilogy - Sanderson
Stardust - Gaimain (or any other Gaiman to be honest... maybe The Ocean at the End of the Lane...)
Arms-Commander - my final Recluce Modesitt (though I'll never finish that in a month since I find they take me ages)
Assassin's Quest - Hobb, final of the Assassin trilogy.

And one definite... Hunted, book 6 in the Iron Druid series.

I'm excited about Fantasy February, even though I'm fairly new to Fantasy (LOVED The Lions of Al-Rassan Mark!) I'm looking at A Game of Thrones or The Curse of Chalion. Maybe I'll throw caution to the wind and read both. Hah!

>29 jnwelch: Thanks for the encouragement, Joe! I have both books (not Bitterblue yet), and my husband has read and enjoyed them both. I look forward to them!

I am in for FF. I have to books currntly lined up.

Cress by Marissa Meyer & Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling.

Might at more will see how it goes. :)

I'm in! How could I not! Fantasy is my first love.
I really don't know which book it will be. I'll have to choose one from the TBR of about 300 books. I think i will find something ;-))

Oh! here you are Connie... you made it! Cool.

Don't know that I could say fantasy is my very "first love" but it is way up near the top. Many want to live in my world. I think it's the fantasy factor. lol

Def my first love too Connie - from reading the Hobbit and LOTR when I was about 10, and Eddings after that... just fell in love.

For me it was Duin but I did not even realize it was fantasy or sf untill much later.

#35/36 I'm not on an island but I am on the coast of Maine. You guys can come get cozy at my house anytime! LOL

I will probably still be working on Moon Over Soho on audio into the beginning of February. I am also reading Liesl & Po right now so we'll see if I finish that before the weekend. Otherwise I have lots to choose from but I'd like to read Tigana next month.

Okay, not quite February yet, but my current reads will not be finished before the end of the month (which is in about 12 hours where I am!), so I'll count them towards FF.

Last and First Men by Olaf Stapledon is my public transport read. It's sci-fi (but we agreed sci-fi is okay!) and is written as if a history book from the far (very very far) future. It was actually written in 1930s Britain, so is tending towards being very dry (lots of history, no characters or character development or real plot or action, etc), but it's not bad. It's just not what I normally read (but am reading as it's a loaner from my Big Issue seller, and I like my Big Issue seller). Given how slowly I'm reading it (lots of pauses while I get distracted by what's passing outside the bus window, then wonder what's happening on FaceBook and check my email, and then send a few quick texts then remember I'm supposed to be reading....) I'll still be reading it at the end of the month!

And my bedtime read is the gripping More Than This by Patrick Ness, about a teenager who drowns (a rather harrowing chapter) and then wakes up in a deserted village (town? city?). Definitely at the serious end of YA, and one for older readers, but I love Mr Ness's work.

For the februari challenge on my FF-leesclub (reading club) is the theme is flying (planes, wings, dragons. As long as there is lots of flying in the book) .

So I had to find a book that would fit in that challenge ánd for Fantasy februari in the 75 books challenge ánd a ROOT at the same time.

I choose Tong van de draak by Naomi Novik


300 pages

This is the translation of Tongues of Serpents. That's almost literally. The English title is plural and the Dutch title is singular

Convicted of treason despite their heroic defense against Napoleon's invasion of England, Temeraire the dragon and his friend and rider, Capt. Will Laurence, are transported to the prison colony in Australia. They carry with them three dragon eggs intended to help establish a covert in the colony.

Okay, finished More Than This already. Because it's Patrick Ness of course, so I couldn't put it down. It's nearly 500 pages and I read it in two days. A great read, if dark.

I think I'm moving onto Poul Anderson's Three Hearts & Three Lions because it's close to hand...

#48 by @connie53> so weird that your title is singular.

# 50. When I find out why I will mention it here. Tongues can be languages too, isn't it? So maybe there is something.

Started Magic Bites (audio) and Hounded (eBook). Not sure about the first, but I am really enjoying the second.

Okay, I'm in! Dust by Hugh Howey it is. I figure I'll need it as a "palate" cleanser.

I read A Stir of Bones by Nina Kiriki Hoffman (YA fantasy) and Gil's All Fright Diner by A. Lee Martinez (comic country fantasy) today for this challenge. I have a stack of others that I'd like to get through this month. Don't know if it'll happen, though.

Just started a re-read of Dune today. I had so many other FF books picked out - but I'm so in the mood to go back to a book I loved so long ago to see what I think of it now. So much for trying to plan my reading.

Also, just bought Cinder Kindle ebook for $2.99 on Pixel of Ink. I'll get to it eventually.

http://www.pixelofink.com/

@bahzah, I know what you mean about going back. I've got Dune waiting for a reread, not yet, but soon.

For February's challenge I was going to start reading a CJ Cherryh book, Brothers of Earth, but I've been sick and didn't feel up to a read that required my strict attention. So, instead, I'm doing a reread of Blood of Ten Chiefs.

Finished Magic Bites which turned out enjoyable but not memorable, though I will be reading the next in the series at some point. Still reading Hounded and started listening to Blood and Starlight, the second in the Daughter of Smoke and Bone series. Not sure about it; so much death, destruction, desolation, and so far Karou isn't doing much, but it's still early days.

I am currently working on two fantasy books, so I guess I can join in. I have been working on The Shadow Rising for a while and I am halfway through The Magicians. I guess I can finish the latter at least.

Went to the library to drop off some books, saw Wild Seed by Octavia Butler on the stacks and couldn't resist picking it up for FF.

I have started The Golem and the Jinni and am loving it so far. This one is so far out of my comfort zone that I feel like I am in an alternate world. I guess that is what fantasy does to one! Who knows? I may become a fan of the genre yet.

I read House of Many Ways by Diana Wynne Jones - 3rd in the series, and a lot of fun
Then I read Hexed by Kevin Hearne in the Iron Druid series.

And I'll (hopefully) read 1824: The Arkansas War by Eric Flint. This is a borrowed book that's been on my shelf for a year.

Just started Hexed after finishing Hounded last night! Addictive? Yes, they sure are!

Okay, I know this is SF and not strictly F, but I'm halfway through Shards of Honor, and also halfway through God Save the Queen by Kate Locke which is, I think, Fantasy. I'm also hoping to finish the last book in the Riley Jensen series by Keri Arthur this month, and if I can, get a head start on The Golem and the Jinni as it's a book club pick for one of my real-life groups next month.

If anyone knows of a 6-figure job that allows me to do nothing but read all the time, please let me know! It's all I've ever wanted. (Well, that, and a ridiculous amount of money, a newer car, all the books I could ever want to read, personal chef....)

Cress arrived, so that'll be next for me once I polish off a couple of other books I'm reading.

#60
I pulled Alif the Unseen off the shelf last night. Maybe we have a middle eastern fantasy thing going for this month?

I also pulled Wise Man's Fear off the shelf and dusted it off. I was astonished to see it has almost 1,000 pages. I doubt I get it done this month, but I will try to get it started.

I started Brothers of Earth today, and I already love it! There just is something about the way CJ Cherryh writes...

Wow, lots of cool FF titles being read over here. I am nearly finished with Whispers Under Ground, my first FF. I loved the first 2 Rivers of London books but this one is underwhelming. I hate to start with a whimper.

AuntieClio- I wanted to get to Dust too! I really enjoyed Wool. February NEEDS to be 2 weeks longer.

Donna- I also hoped to get to The Golem and the Jinni. I am glad you are enjoying it.

Laura- I think Shards of Honor will be my next choice. Are you loving it?

#67 Mark,
Another Hugh Howey fan, I love it! Have you read Shift as well?

Started A Wizard of Earthsea last night!

69. I love that book. The second book in the series, The Tombs of Atuan is even better, in my opinion.

Finished Ready Player One which was a fun read. Hoping to get to another SFF soon.

67: Yes, I am Loving Shards of Honor, a whole lot more than I thought I would. I stayed up until almost 3 in the morning just to keep reading! It has surprisingly turned into one of those books that I keep thinking about, and everything about real life is annoying me because I can't be reading that book right now, you know? I hope you like it, Mark, I can't wait to hear your thoughts on it!

Yay! Shards of Honor is an excellent beginning to a great series. I'm glad you're loving it, Laura.

I'm currently reading Consider Phlebas By Iain M. Banks with Warrior's Apprentice By Lois McMaster Bujold waiting in line.

WTH?

Oh, that "user" has been spamming elsewhere on the site. FLAG! FLAG! FLAG!

Nasty, miserable spammers.

Still reading Last and First Men (but I've discovered that if I read it as a satire, it's rather fun, so that's a win!) and Three Hearts and Three Lions which is rather fun, but (so far) nothing special.

I am just starting Cinder by Marissa Meyer. I have heard a lot of good things about this series and I am looking forward to it.

I bought Cinder when it was recently on sale. I'll be interested what you think of it, DQ. I'm leary of YA books, so it will languish on my shelves unless I know it isn't full of angst and teen hormones and no story.

So many great books here! I love FF!

I read Cinder last year and enjoyed it very much. The android angle was cool.

So far, I have finished Liesl & Po. I am currently reading Allegiant and am not loving it. I am about halfway through and determined to finish...mainly because my daughters BFF keeps asking me if I have read it yet and can I talk about it with her! Also working on Moon Over Soho as my commuting audiobook.

I'm now on page 102/300 reading Tong van de draak by Naomi Novik

I was going to finish Days of Smoke and Blood and start Throne of the Crescent Moon last night, but I got pulled in as if by a magical vortex to the third Iron Druid book. I'm really enjoying reading the first three as eBooks, and the next three will be on audio, so I'm expecting even more enjoyment! But the Taylor and the Ahmed books first. Seriously. I mean it. (Down, Oberon!)

Finished Three Hearts and Three Lions and it was rather fun. Not groundbreaking stuff, but entertaining (and quite modern really, when you realise it was written in the 50s).

Moving onto Winter's Tale next.

Judy- I loved Cinder and expect you will too! Scarlet is very good too.

Majkia- "unless I know it isn't full of angst and teen hormones and no story." Rest easy, it dos not.

Heidi- I had mixed feelings about Allegiant too, but it was better than the yawn-fest known as Insurgent. I hoped you loved Liesl & Po as much as I did!

@connie53, I'm also about page 100 of my book, Brothers of Earth.

Oh, I finally found this thread by checking out the wiki---I knew it had to be here!

So far this month I've read:

Bastion by Mercedes Lackey
The Bitter Kingdom by Rae Carson

I'm in the midst of reading 1001 Arabian Hights and will be starting Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets for group reads. Also on the horizon for February are Burndive by Karin Lowachee, Hammered by Kevin Hearne, The Silvered by Tanya Huff, and two that I just bought Tuesday when they became available, Broken Homes by Ben Aaronovitch and Carousel Sun by Sharon Lee.

I borrowed the e-book of Allegiant from the library but didn't get past the first couple of chapters so will have to join the queue again. Not sure if I can be bothered reading it, probably just need to read a spoilery review.

I finished Thraxas this morning which is a quite lighthearted fun fantasy about a lazy PI in a world of orcs, elves, assassins, sorcerers and dragons. I have a few more of the series but not sure where in the house I stashed them. They're by Martin Scott which was Martin Millar's original pen name.

I started the fun Souless last night. We got out of work early for a snow day yesterday. I got off at 4:30 p.m. so went home and read 100 pages of this book. So far it is fun, but a little disjointed. However, the fun factor is winning out.

I also started listening to Daughter of Smoke and Bone. So far this is also a fun one.

I haven't finished my big biography yet so haven't started reading my "big boys" for February. I want to get to Alif the Unseen. This one was recommended by Nancy Pearl and it seemed so unusual that I want to give it a try.

#84 Mark, I don't really know what to say about Allegiant. I am at about 420 pages and its finally starting to pull together. I couldn't figure out where she was going with the story and there was no action to move things along. Overall, the series has been a disappointment. Maybe it will redeem itself in the last 100 pages?

>85 fuzzi: - Wowowow!

Started listening to Paladin of Souls on audio last night. I started out a little lost, though I'd read Curse just last year, but now am beginning to recall who everyone is.

Will be starting Hammered this evening. I've been missing Oberon :)

The Kindle version of soon-to-be-released Gilded by Christina Farley, a YA fantasy set in Korea, is free on Amazon Firsts this month, and I was wondering if anyone here has read it. I'll probably get it, since it's free, but I was just wondering. (Also on offer are two mysteries - Long Knives and The Rented Mule - and a celebrity memoir - Real Happy Family.) If you're interested in checking them out, here's the link:(http://www.amazon.com/gp/digital/kindle/botm/?ref_=pe_605060_112590920)

>79 majkia: - Jean, I am about 30% through Cinder and like Mark says, no teen angst to report on. I am finding this a really good story, loosely based on Cinderella but with cyborgs and androids. A fun read.

Thanks DQ and Mark. I feel better now! Will move Cinder up a bit in the TBR.

I'm reading the third one after Cinder, called Cress, and enjoying it. The whole series (I think there'll be four?) is called The Lunar Chronicles.

I'm 5 chapters into The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms. Zoë is the bestest Secret Santa. This thing is fantastic!

I'm at page 189 with Brothers of Earth. It reminds me of Shogun, on another world. Very good book to this point.

I Pearl ruled Winter's Tale at page 50. It wasn't bad, but I'd get to the end of a page and realise I had no idea what had happened. My brain just wasn't in the right headspace. Bother, I'd been looking forward to it!

Picking up Horns instead.

#99 by @wookiebender> I pearl ruled Winter's Tale as well. I found it boring and uninteresting. Perhaps I didn't read far enough but hey, life is too short to read books you aren't enjoying.

#100> Oh, it's always a relief to know you're not the only one Pearl ruling a book! Thanks.

Well, I see everybody has posted some very reasonable lists. I, on the other hand, like giving myself options and don't feel compelled to complete my lists, so here are the options I came up with:

Fantasy February Options:

The Dark is Rising by Susan Cooper
Five Children and It by E. Nesbit
Seven Gothic Tales by Izak Dinesen
Black Hearts in Battersea by Joan Aiken
The Mysterious Howling by Maryrose Wood
The Wind in The Willows by Kenneth Grahame (reread)
Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
The Magic Toyshop by Angela Carter
The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss
Harry Potter And The Philosopher's Stone by J. K. Rowling (reread)
The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater - currently listening
Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World by Haruki Murakami
The Sword in the Stone by T. H. White
Childhood's End by Arthur C. Clark
Pavane by Keith Roberts
The Land of Laughs by Jonathan Carroll
Anansi Boys by Neil Gaiman
Ptolemy's Gate by Jonathan Stroud
Days of Blood and Starlight by Laini Taylor
Grave Peril by Jim Butcher
Speaker for the Dead by Orson Scott Card
A Dance with Dragons by George R. R. Martin
Slaves of the Mastery by William Nicholson
Divergent by Veronica Roth
A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula K. Le Guin
The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch
The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan
The Magicians by Lev Grossman
Outlander by Diana Gabaldon
Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater
Mistborn: The Final Empire by Brandon Sanderson Unfinished
Midnight Riot by Ben Aaronovitch - Completed

I got through the first half of The Final Empire, but decided to drop it. Midnight Riot was fun and I will probably continue with the series.

I've bought the fourth of the series for my Kindle this week, Ilana. I love your list--I've read 19 on your list and own 4 more.

Great list, Ilana! I am now on the hunt for a copy of Seven Gothic Tales. My current read for Fantasy February is A Game of Thrones.... Yup, I am finally getting around to starting this series. 200 pages in and quite enjoying it.

102: I just bought a copy of Seven Gothic Tales at my local Half Price Books - $2! Hope it's good, though I can't imagine how it could be bad.

>103 ronincats: Roni, Suz, knowing I enjoy audiobooks, strongly stressed that I should go with the audio version of the Midnight Riot series because she's a big fan of the narrator. Have to agree he's perfect for the part.

I'm not surprised you've read that many from my list, considering a lot of them got on there because of your recommendation!

>104 lkernagh: Lori, I picked up A Game of Thrones the first year I joined FF because so many people were reading the series and loving it. Actually, I waited till I saw the first HBO season (which I only watched because I found out about it on LT), and that got me hooked so much that I just HAD to read the series. Now I'm holding off on reading the last book because I know it takes Martin so long to come up with sequels.

>104 lkernagh:-105 The Folio Society came out with a gorgeous edition of Seven Gothic Tales recently (http://www.foliosociety.com/book/GTT/seven-gothic-tales), so I need to read from my humble paperback first to decide whether it's something I want to invest in whenever it goes on sale. It's certainly no bargain now, but I just love the illustrations!

Two more read in this theme:
Monster by A. Lee Martinez
Fall of Light by Nina Kiriki Hoffman

Don't know if I can make it through the rest of my fantasy TBR this month, but this is a very good start for me. All 4 books are pretty meh, though, not really keepers.

I finally finished Allegiant today....and was very underwhelmed.

I am debating between starting NOS4A2 and Tigana for my next FF read.

Cress was excellent. Now I'm having fun with Hounded.

Finished Hexed, which was a lot of fun - love these on audio! Almost finished with The Warrior's Apprentice, which is probably more sf, but I'll mention it anyway. Probably head on to Cress next.

Paladin of Souls was fantastic! I think I enjoyed it even more than Curse of Chalion, at least once I got into it a bit and managed to recall the characters, world, and storyline of Curse. Today continuing on with Hammered, third in the Iron Druid series.

Instead of making a dent in the stacks, I just keep adding more titles. Bilbio-Insanity, I tell you!

I am enjoying The Lions of Al-Rassan. I am on the final 3rd. He's a good, low-key writer. I did not realize my other current read also met FF standards: On Such a Full Sea. It is dystopian. Quite a few years in the future. Not as dark & dreary as you would expect. It also reminds me a little of the MaddAddam series.

Lori- I hope you continue to enjoy Game of Thrones.

Heidi- I would read both NOS4A2 and Tigana. Nice, diverse bookends.

#112 LOL! I do plan to read them both Mark, just probably not at the same time. They are both quite large after all!

I finished Cinder and I absolutely loved this story. Can't wait to continue on with this inventive series.

#111 - Mary, after a couple of non-fantasy books, I will be reading Paladin of Souls. I've been looking forward to this one.

Judy, enjoy! I found the first chapter or so a little boring, but after that it really picked up and just got better and better!

Heidi- I am not sure you do audios, but NOS4A2 is excellent in that format.

I just finished A Storm of Swords for Fantasy February and after 1127 pages it may be all the fantasy I can manage this month. Though I am sorely tempted to move right along to the next one...

Enjoying Hounded, after finishing the most excellent Cress.

Finished The Raven Boys. I hope my library gets the sequel as I'd be happy to continue with the series. Not sure what's coming next but goodness knows there are plenty of options!

Almost finished Tong van de draak. Just 70 pages to go!

Finished Hunted. Very upset that I now have to wait a few months for the next one. About halfway through Arms-Commander and nearly finished the excellent and freaky The Ocean at the End of the Lane.

Hounded was mucho fun. I've got Ancillary Justice on my Kindle, so that's next. But it will be a while, as I started the chunkster The Goldfinch.

Last week was such a bad week that I needed something light. I stopped all of my other reading and picked up Soulless by Gail Carriger. This is a lighthearted steampunk series about werewolves and vampires in Victorian England. It is full of awful puns and complaints about clothing and manners. It is really a Regency Romance novel masquerading as steampunk, but it was great fun, but not great literature. It was just the thing for the days I was reading it. I have now started another in the series Heartless and will finish that in a few days. Then it will be back to more serious fiction.

Just started Cress by Marissa Meyer and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling. Read 10 diffrent Buffy a d Angel graphic novels so far for ff.

Finished Brothers of Earth...very good. It is sort of like Shogun as a sci-fi/fantasy.

Now on to book two: Hunter of Worlds

Finished Horns and while it did seem a little messy at times, it was a good romp overall. Not sure about the casting of Daniel Radcliffe as Ig, although it will be nice to see him play someone a bit nastier than Harry.

Tossing up between continuing on with the Vorkosigan books (yay!) or Travel Light which caught my eye this morning from a pile of books and promises dragons...

Finished up Broken Homes, the latest of the Rivers of London series by Ben Aaronovitch. Ooooh, Tania, book bullet! But go on with the Vorkosigan books.

I will jumping back in, with Hexed and the best dog in current fiction, Oberon. Woof! Anyone have a sausage?

Roni- How was Broken Homes? A nice comeback?

Tania- I liked Horns too! My first Hill.

#128 by @msf59> alas, Oberon isn't in Hounded very much. Currently about half way through it.

Almost done Tombs of Atuan, and enjoying it much more than A Wizard of Earthsea!

130. Arha is a great character, isn't she?

I have started Paladin of Souls by Lois McMaster Bujold and I can tell after just 15 pages or so that I am going to like this one as much as the first The Curse of Chalion!

I am really coming to like Daughter of Smoke and Bone. I haven't heard much talk about this YA novel that is also a series with Days of Blood and Starlight the second in the series. The third and final book Dreams of Gods and Monsters will be published in April. This is a series about angels, but like the heroine I am still in the dark about what and how they work. But I can't wait to get in the car tonight and listen while I make the daily drive home.

Finished Dust by Hugh Howey. What a great trilogy. Loved them all.

^Okay guess what book I am really enjoying? Hint: it's the 2nd in the series.

>123 benitastrnad:, 133 benita I thoroughly enjoyed the Soulless series--such entertaining books. I was sad to run out of them. I recently read (or listened to) Daughter of Smoke and Bone with my daughter and we both really enjoyed it--I will be looking for a chance to pick up the sequel. It is interesting how you don't really know what is going on until well into the book.

#116 I do listen to audios Mark, but I have NOS4A2 in hardcover. It was a gift from Mamie as my secret Santa this year.

I started Fantasy February with a re-read of His Majesty's Dragon, first and still the best of the Temeraire series by Naomi Novik. After a few non-fantasy books, I just finished Broken Homes, the latest in the Rivers of London series by Ben Aaronovitch. It had a twist at the end that I totally did not see coming, and now I cannot wait until the next entry comes out to see what happens next.

Finished Tong van de draak by Naomi Novik ***

#135 by @msf59> hahaha! but where are the sausages?

For FF I have read Cress and am listening to Grave Peril. I started A Wrinkle in Time and am hoping to get to Broken Homes.

Finished off Arms-Commander - latest of the Recluce novels and a definite return to form for Modesitt. Also finished The Ocean at the End of the Lane which was utterly brilliant and, I suspect, will end the year in my top 5 reads. Only complaint is that I would have been happy if it had been twice/three times the length.

Started on Assassin's Quest but finding it a bit slow. Actually very very slow. I might jump on the Ben Aaronovitch band wagon and try Rivers of London instead.

^How is every one doing with their FF reads? I am taking a short FF breather but my next one will be Daughter of Smoke and Bone. Any fans of this one?

^Did someone mention sausages?

I am reading (listening) to Daughter of Smoke and Bone right now and enjoying it. It took a long time to get going but once it did it took off and has captured my interest. I have the next in the series in the library and will be trying to finish them this spring. The only thing I don't like in the recorded version is that the reader keeps using this distracting accent whenever she reads the parts of the Czech characters, while nobody else has accents. In general I find accents in recorded books to be a bad idea, unless said accent is part of the story. I don't know why readers do them.

I have halfway through Heartless. These are light hearted romps and spoofs of werewolf and vampire culture and regency romance novels. When I read the first one it was just the ticket for the mood I was in, but when I complete this second one I think I will call it quits with these series. At least for now.

I hope to get one more fantasy novel in before the end of the month. I have been wanting to read Perilous Guard for years and it is now calling to me. Time to read it. This one is an old YA novel (originally published in the 1970's) and a Newbery Honor Award winner. It caught my eye twenty years ago and I think it is now time to read it.

I enjoyed DoSAB Mark. Started on the sequel this week, but am finding my book lust getting away from me this week and hard to get comfortable starting new books. Have started The Lies of Locke Lamora, but on the fence. Liked the very beginning, but now it's feeling like it's meant more for the boy's club? Maybe I need to be reading some more Jane Austen instead? I can't believe I actually just wrote that and didn't mean it entirely as a joke.

Eta: cool image in 144 but can't see the next one.

I can't see the image in #145 either.

My FF is kind of a bust but RL will intrude when it wants to.

#146 Daughter of Smoke and Bone is on sale at Audible and I have it on the wish list right now. I don't like unnecessary accents or bad ones in audio books either. Now I am reconsidering. I don't mind accents at times, but if they are off to me then it doesn't work. I'm a little picky but I can't really explain it. Hmm..now I am wondering. The library has it so I may just read it. :-)

^Do we have sausages up there now? Woof!

Benita- I plan on starting Daughter of Smoke and Bone next week. Glad you are enjoying it. I listened to Soulless a couple years ago. I liked it enough but just a tad "lite" for Marky-Boy. Sue loves them, though.

Ilana- I really liked Locke Lamora and have been meaning to get to the 2nd one for awhile now. I have the 3rd one saved on audio.

Roberta- I have not heard "Daughter" on audio yet, so no help there. Maybe, Ilana can chime in. She is also somewhat "picky" but of course in the best possible way.

#147
I finally got to spend a Sunday morning at my B&N haunt. I ran into a friend who was reading the newspaper at a table with a friend of his. This guy was purchasing Lies of Locke Lamora. He is a biology professor at UA and he said that he loved the first book and couldn't wait to read the second. He had the paperback copy. He is in his early 30's and told me that he likes reading hardcopy books rather than digital copies. Very unusual for somebody his age. We talked a little about fantasy and I told him I would have to look into the Locke Lamora series. He recommended a series called Sun of Suns: Book One of Virga by an author named Karl Schroeder. That is a new series I will have to look up.

Recommendations from other readers are so exciting.

>148 luvamystery65:-149 I don't know about 'in the best possible way' Mark, kind of you to say, but picky, yes. And lately harder to please than ever. Now Roberta brings it up, it is very possible I stopped listing to Days of Blood and Starlight after just a few minutes precisely because of the would-be Czech accent of one of the characters. It was a minor irritant in the first book, where the story really won me over, but this week I was not prepared to put up with it. Hopefully she doesn't talk too often so I'll be able to listen to it when my nerves are less frayed again. For the record, I got both the MP3 tracks free from the library.

I really loved Daughter of Smoke and Bone, you do have be a bit patient at the start though. Second book makes the whole thing very complicated and I'm looking forward to reading the last book when it comes out. I recommend her Lips Touch: Three Times which is illustrated by her hubby, really outstanding tales.

I'm currently enjoying a YA time-travel fantasy, Ruby Red by Kerstin Gier, it's been translated from German and I believe is the first in either a trilogy or series. Each time traveler is named for a gemstone.

I'm reading Toorn van een waanzinnige god by Raymond E. Feist now. I just don't know if I will finish this book in this month!

Speaking of accents while reading, when I read a book to Mr Bear, he does expect different voices and accents for the dialogue. And last night there was supposed to be an Italian accent. It was very hard to not slip into some sort of awful over-the-top Super Mario Brothers accent!! (Mama mia!) I can do different voices (to an extent!), but accents can be awful. The kids like teasing me because my "Scottish" accent always ends up being far more Indian.

How actors do it is beyond me.

Didn't read much on the weekend, but am happily working my way through Miles, Mystery & Mayhem and am almost 2/3 of the way through Last and First Men. (Phew, the end is in sight!) Mr Bear & I will probably be finished Percy Jackson and the Last Olympian sometime in a few months, given the number of distractions (giggling over my appalling accents, mainly) we have.

I have finished by third FF book, Wolves of Calla, the fifth in Stephen King's Dark Tower series. It ends on a real cliffhanger, but I am restraining myself from rushing to the library to get the next one.

#155 Julia
Don't restrain yourself. Go now to the library and get the next one. (well, okay wait until it opens)

#156> You are such an enabler, Stephanie. :-) But I need to get through this William Faulkner book first, since he's the February author for Mark's American Author Challenge. Then I can indulge myself with the next King!

#157 Julia,
You say that like it's a bad thing ;-)

I think Faulkner & King make nice American bookends.

I started Daughter of Smoke & Bone. Of course, I have no idea where this one is heading but I like it in the early going. This is my 6th FF book, which is not very shabby, if you don't think about the 20-30 FF books stacked up behind it.

So, just a bit over halfway through the month, and I've managed to read 8 fantasy novels so far. Best so far are the first three, which were just wonderful!

Wild Seed by Octavia Butler
Paladin of Souls by Lois McMaster Bujold (audio)
Hounded by Kevin Hearne
Hexed by Kevin Hearn
Hammered by Kevin Hearn
Tricked by Kevin Hearns (audio)
Trapped by Kevin Hearns (audio)
Magic Bites by Ilona Andrews (audio)

Currently, I'm ear-reading The Girl Who Soared Over Fairyland, read by the author Catherynne M. Valente, and having a bit of trouble staying engaged for some reason. Also starting River of Stars by Guy Gavriel Kay, the sequel to the lovely Under Heaven, which I read last year.

Edited to clarify a couple of little things.

Mary- Wow! That is impressive! You were on a serious Iron Druid binge. Are they pretty consistent? I've read the first 2.
I did not realize River of Stars is a sequel to Under Heaven. I better slot in Under Heaven for later in the year.

Yes, Mark, they were all good, though a couple of them excelled(Hounded and Hexed were my favorites). Actually, they were like potato chips dusted with some highly addictive substance. I couldn't seem to stop myself from reading the next, and then the next, and so on. I don't know how I managed to stop myself from jumping right on Hunted, which is the latest book in the series.

Actually, River of Stars is set in the same world as Under Heaven, but 500 years later, so don't worry if you didn't read Under Heaven already. I believe there may be some references to the first book, but nothing necessitating reading them in order.

Don't resist Mary - jump straight into Hunted! It's rather good. I thoroughly agree about the highly addictive quality by the way.

Mary- I like to space my books out and with my giant TBR stacks, that is never a problem. I do hope to get to Hammered in the next couple of months.
Thanks for the Kay info. Looking forward to those.

#159
I so like Daughter of Smoke and Bone that I went to the library last night and got the audio of Days of Blood and Starlight. I also got the recorded version of Stardust so I can still get some books listened to for fantasy February while I am traveling.

I am still reading Paladin of Souls by Lois McMaster Bujold, and I am loving this book. A wonderful main character and a great storyline are keeping me very happy indeed.

I am also starting another FF book today, Flesh & Bone by Jonathan Maberry. This is the 3rd book in his Benny Imura series.

I second AuntieClio in 156! Go get the next one!

Connie, thanks for chiming in. Based on your and Stephanie's enthusiasm, I think I will have to make Song of Susannah my next book after this Faulkner folderol. :-)

I just finished an excellent fantasy by Tanya Huff, The Silvered. Review on my thread.

I finished Tigana a few days ago and LOVED it. It really scratched my epic fantasy itch. I've started Magic Rises by Ilona Andrews which is book 6 in the Kate Daniels urban fantasy series.

Finished Ben Aaronovitch's Rivers of London - great fun. Already got hold of no. 2 :)

Finished Daughter of Smoke and Bone and started Days of blood and Starlight. This series is perfect for listening to on a long road trip. Even with the annoying fake accent of a few of the characters, I literally can't wait to get back in the car after taking breaks. Mark, you are in for a treat on your daily treks.

Benita - do try her Lips Touch in book form, the 3 stories are excellent. The illustrations are by her husband.

Ancillary Justice was good, although for me not Mieville-level good. Next up is The Martian.

I finished reading Heartless by Gail Carriger last night. This is book 4 in the Parasol Protectorate steampunk series by this author. It was fun, but this is not a series I will continue reading.

I started listening to Days of Blood and Starlight and this story is really helping the miles to roll by. Much more fun listening to it than having to deal with the hospital drama.

Mark... You made me laugh with your picture in #135! I'm currently listening to Hammered.

I had to take a FF reading break to work in my obligation for Faulkner, but next up is Blameless, the third in the Parasol Protectorate series.

Finished The Necromancer's House by Christopher Buehlman. Those who liked Those Across the River will really enjoy this one too, I suspect.

From a winter stand-point, I am glad February is coming to a close. From an FF stand-point, I NEED MORE TIME!
Like Benita, I really enjoyed Daughter of Smoke and Bone and now I am moving on to the 5th Wave, which I've heard good things about. I know Joe enjoyed it. Anyone else give it a go?

Put down 5th Wave (even though I like Rick Yancy ) and get that copy of Days of Blood and Starlight. This is one sequel that outdoes the first book. I love this series! This author has more plot twists and turns than does the snake goddess Issa! I can't wait for April to get the next one in the series Dreams of Gods and Monsters.

Finished Cress by Marissa Meyer. Have to wait a whole year for next one.

Finished A Game of Thrones. As much as I can see the appeal of this epic story told in a series of books, I need a break from the Seven Kingdoms with its violence and conniving before I can think about picking up book two, A Clash of Kings.

Well, I enjoyed Ruby Red by Kerstin Gier so much that I've requested the other two in the trilogy from my library, a YA time travel fantasy. Continuing to read another YA fairytale retelling, Tinder by Sally Gardner which is quite creepy at present. And made a good start on Martin Millar's The Anxiety of Kalix the Werewolf which is the final in the trilogy.

Finished a cute children's GN Hilda and the Midnight Giant by Luke Pearson and Shaun Tan's fantasy picturebook Rules of Summer.

Finished The Girl Who Soared Over Fairyland and Cut the Moon in Two on audio. It took me awhile to get into it, but then I was enchanted (as usual) by September's strange adventures and the stranger characters one meets in Fairyland. In this one, September is 13 and much different from the September we met in the first book of the series, The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making. Reading River of Stars with a quick break for Concealed in Death, the latest Eve Dallas (which I should finish by tonight).

I see FF is still going strong!

Lori- Congrats on finishing GOT. Yes, these books can be exhausting and you need to take a break but then the itch will return...

I finished Miles, Mystery & Mayhem, and it was a very good read, the Vorkosigan saga is always excellent.

Then read (in one afternoon!) Travel Light, a sweet little fairytale about a girl raised by bears and dragons.

I should be reading a bookgroup read now, but I'm seriously tempted by Tender Morsels...

#181
I my opinion, you will need LOTS of time to recover from the bloodbath in GAT. It got so bad in the second book I decided to quit reading the series.

# 181 -186: It's not that bad! It's wonderful and exciting and a bit bloody. But I love it!

No my usual genre, but I finished up the Souless series this month with Timeless. I raced throught the first four, was exactly the right read for the the time and decided to put off the 5th one to have something to look forward to. That was a mistake. It took me a long time to finish it. Just wasn't quite in the right mood anymore. I enjoyed it and I don't regret reading it, but I would have appreciated it much more on the heals of the other 4. I liked her Finishing School series better. I look forward to the sequels.

#185: wookie, I read Travel Light a couple of years ago which led me to her quite fascinating but epic The Corn King and the Spring Queen. I have her Memoirs of a Spacewoman on mt tbr.

#189> Thanks, I will keep my eyes open for her other books from now on.

And I am being naughty and neglecting my bookgroup read for Tender Morsels. Margo Lanagan is a great writer, I'm 100 pages in and still can't really describe what's happening, but I'm hooked.

#190
I have heard lots of good buzz about the whole series Tender Morsels is part of. Can't wait to hear what you think of it.

Benita, I'm not seeing Tender Morsels listed as part of a series here on LT (and hadn't heard it was part of a series either). What were the other books?

I've also read Lanagan's Sea Hearts (I know it's got a different title in the States, something about Brides of Something Island?), which was excellent. Similar style to TM, but different world (so far, at least!).

#192
As soon as I read the title Sea Hearts it is called Brides of Rollrock Island I realized I had confused Tender Morsels with Forest of Hands and Teeth series. Sorry about that. We have both Brides and Tender Morsels in our library and remember the covers of both and thought I should read them.

Finished Moon over Soho - second in the Rivers of London series by ben Aaronovitch. Excellent fun. I now have the next two lined up :)

I finished what is probably going to be my last book for Fantasy February. Flesh & Bone was an over-the-top zombie fest that was full of action and kept the pages turning. No literary value whatsoever, but lots of fun.

#193> Ah, thanks. I was hoping it might be part of a series, then I'd have an excuse for buying more Margo Lanagan. ;)

Not that I need an excuse for buying more books.

Well, I finished Moon Over Soho this week and quite liked it. I had every intention of reading a LOT more than the small handful of books I did fit in, but clearly, fantasy isn't my comfort zone, or in any case, isn't this month, because I found myself shrinking away from it. Besides which, I've always needed to switch genres around continually. But I'll keep on trying, because when it does work for me, I really feel like I'm flying with the best of them! I do wish I could suspend disbelief better and enjoy so many more books in that genre, but seems I can't do that on command. Still, there will be more fantasy during the rest of the year for me, beyond a doubt. Thanks for hosting this again Mark!

I can suspend disbelief and enter a fantasy world at the drop of a hat, Ilana. It's trying to sludge through real life that can be difficult sometimes. :-)

I'm squeezing in one more FF book, Necessity's Child, set in the Liaden Universe.

So grateful for the Fantasy February nudge to read a book that had long sat on the shelf: I LOVED Graceling! I had Fire already, and bought Bitterblue somewhat urgently as I neared the end of Graceling. Yay for great reading in my future!

>198 jnwelch: I can suspend disbelief and enter a fantasy world at the drop of a hat

Ha! I wish that were the case for me. I have a hard time slugging through real life too, so why don't I have that ability?! No fair! :-b

I finished Scarlet by Marissa Meyer and it was so, so good! Thanks to Joe, Mark, and everyone else who talked this book up. Your comments encouraged me to pick it up sooner rather than later and I am so glad I did. I will not finish The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms before the end of the day but it is very good. I love FF!

I misplaced my last fantasy read, still haven't found it, so no more updates from me.

Is there a themed read for March?

I managed to squeeze in that one more. Necessity's Child was good fun, and I look forward to reading more about developments on Sure Bleak.

I'm still in the middle of two (River of Stars and Darkover) that I am pretty sure I won't be finishing before midnight tonight, so the total FF books read is 10. The first three were my favorites.

Wild Seed by Octavia Butler
Hounded by Kevin Hearne
Paladin of Souls by Lois McMaster Bujold
The Girl Who Soared Over Fairyland by Catherynne M. Valente
Hexed by Kevin Hearn
Hammered by Kevin Hearn
Tricked by Kevin Hearns
Trapped by Kevin Hearns
Hunted by Kevin Hearn
Magic Bites by Ilona Andrews

I do like Fantasy February. Now, getting ready for Mystery March, another favorite themed read.

For the month, I've read:

Bastion by Mercedes Lackey
The Bitter Kingdom by Rae Carson
The Arabian Nights translated by Hassan Haddaway
Broken Homes by Ben Aaronovitch
The Silvered by Tanya Huff
Carousel Sun by Sharon Lee
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J. K. Rowling
Hammered by Kevin Hearne

I finished listening to Liesl & Po by Lauren Oliver on Friday and started Stardust by Neil Gaiman. I know that the second won't be in time for Fantasy February but I started it anyway.

I had been wanting to read Liesl & Po ever since Mark talked about it. I ended up listening to it, but I did check out the book from the library as well. I just have to say that the illustrations for this book are very well done and considerable charm to the book. I don't think that any of the people who talked about this book said anything about the illustrations, but I liked them.

I did finish my final FF read, Tender Morsels a bit late, because I had to put it to one side for a bookgroup read. However, I did *love* Tender Morsels, although I feel it should come with a warning: the beginning is very bleak, and should come with all sorts of trigger warnings.

(And I'm continuing the theme with Daughter of Smoke and Bone or The Inexplicables tonight!)

My FF reading:

More Than This, Patrick Ness - 4.5*
Three Hearts and Three Lions, Poul Anderson - 3.5*
Horns, Joe Hill - 3.5*
Miles, Mystery and Mayhem, Lois McMaster Bujold - 4*
Travel Light, Naomi Mitchison - 4*
Tender Morsels, Margo Lanagan - 5*

I started a bit early, and finished a bit late. It's really no fair that February is the shortest month! :)

Fantasy isn't my normal reading genre, but I did read a few which qualified for Fantasy February:

Anarchy and Old Dogs by Colin Cotterill (paranormal) - 3.6 stars
The Thorn and the Blossom by Theodora Goss (magic) - 2.9
The Eyes of the Amaryllis by Natalie Babbitt (ghosts) - 2.6
Somewhere in Time by Barbara Bretton (time travel) - 1.9

I also finished late. I finished listening to the recorded edition of Stardust by Neil Gaiman. It was wonderful and a perfect way to pass the time while driving. It was every bit as good as the movie.

Just because I am on this fantasy theme right now I started listening to The Magician King by Lev Grossman. So far it is good, so I think I will finish it.

I only finished one fantasy book in Februari
Tong van de draak by Naomi Novik