SEPT SFF-KIT: SERIES

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Welcome to the September Challenge! This month is all about series, whether you're interested in duologies (e.g. Daemon and Freedom (TM) by Daniel Suarez) or trilogies (e.g. Lord of the Rings (by J. R. R. Tolkien); completed series (e.g. Dune (by Frank Herbert) or ongoing (e.g. Song of Fire and Ice by G. R. R. Martin); print, audio or comic book... It's all good here!

Remember to update this wiki with your choices:
https://wiki.librarything.com/index.php/2019_SFFKIT#September:_-_Theme:_Series

(Apologies for the low-res screen shot in the banner above! It looks great on my desktop-- not so much here. Ill be looking for a better image this weekend)

EDIT UPDATE 09/02/2019: Intro images update: "SFF Serial Boxes!

I hve four options here, but I think I will probably choose either Neil Gaiman's Preludes & Nocturnes in his Sandman series or Caitlin Ross and the Commute from Hell by Brian Olsen

I'm planning on Jasper Fforde's The Woman Who Died a Lot, the seventh (and final?) book in the Thursday Next series. I bought it when it came out in 2012 and still haven't gotten to it yet!

I am planning on reading Fledgling by Sharon Lee from the Liaden Universe series and Lord of the Dark Wood by Lian Hearn from the Tales of Shikanoko series.

I am tentatively planning to read the second of Jack Vance's Nopalgarth series, The Houses of Iszm. And if time permits perhaps the second in the Vorkosigan series, The Warrior's Apprentice.

Today, instead of starting off with what I'm planning to read, I'm going to talk about the first SFF series I ever read: The Hobbit and the Lord of the Rings trilogy! I was in 6th/7th/8th grade and I remember reading the mass paperback editions. I was lost for hours and hours, struggling with the Hobbits as they climbed across the mountain shale, and faced orcs and spiders and dragons, pitched battles and powerful wizards. I loved the journey, the magic, the triumphs... Many, many years later, I would eagerly head to out to see the Lords of the Rings trilogy when they were made into movies, but there was a weird trade off for me: The movies have their own magic and wonder but it issn't the same. Perhaps it's because the viewing audience doesn't have the patiences to sit through the long treks where Frodo and Samwise are nearly starving (I mean that's not very sexy when you could have more screen time devoted to Liv Tyler whispering elfish spells!) And sometimes you need to "pay your dues" to have the sense of a job well done.
Recently, I listened to the audiobook edition of The Hobbit (by J. R. R. Tolkien; narrated by Rob Inglis.) It wasn't my cup of tea: I find the narrator a bit too condescending in tone (relegating it from an all-ages story down to a children's story) and, I wasn't a fan of the singing; But I know the audiobooks of this and the LOTR trilogy have their fans!

What was the first series you remember reading?

>6 Tanya-dogearedcopy: I think my first series was John Christopher's Prince in waiting trilogy, but I have only faint memories of it, so maybe this would be a good time to revisit it. And then of course there was Mark Brandis and his space opera series which fell very flat on re-reading.
But LOTR! My roommate at uni introduced me to Bilbo Baggins, and then bought me a gorgeous boxed set at her boyfriend's PX which I cherish.It gets better every time I re-read.

I just finished Saga, Vol. 9. Highly recommend this series!

>8 lavaturtle: My new workspace (a coworker venue) is just a few feet away from a comic book store! I've already made plans to head over every Wednesday for a purchase and, today's purchase is going to be Saga Vol. 9 (by Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples)! I expect to finish the series tonight :-)

I'm not sure I can remember my first series, but I do remember reading LotR in high school with a bunch of friends. And we all took on personas - I was Aeowyn, my girlfriend was Galadriel, etc.

For this month, I want to read either #8 in the Wheel of Time series (Path of Daggers), or finish off His Dark Materials with The Amber Spyglass.

>1 Tanya-dogearedcopy: love those!

>6 Tanya-dogearedcopy: my experience of reading TLOTR and The Hobbit are very similar to yours. I also was 11, and my older sister started reading the series for a class in high school. I eagerly awaited her finishing each book so I could "borrow" it. She spoiled Gandalf's death and return which is probably one reason I hate people "spoiling" a plot for a book or movie!

But as much as I have loved that series, I believe I read the Narnia books prior. I think it was the same situation: following my sister's lead.

My first series would have been Betsy Tacy by Maud Hart Lovelace. I think.But that isn't sci fi. The first sci fi series probably was Foundation. But I will have to think about that.

>6 Tanya-dogearedcopy: I think my SFF first series was The Chronicles of Narnia (I was also strongly into the non-SFF series Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder when I was 7 or 8). I think "Chronicles" was at age 10, followed by The Hobbit that same year, and then The Lord of the Rings at age 11. Which I then re-read and re-read to try to get all the characters straight.

I then found myself totally entranced by The Riddle Master of Hed series by Patricia A. McKillip in my early teens, and the Dragon Rider series by the late, lamented Anne McCaffery in my mid teens.

I'm still in the middle of Thursday Next by Jasper Fforde (August was a slow reading month), so in finishing it this month I think I'll have two months' worth checked off!

Seriously, though, I'm also reading Guardian of the Trust by Irene Radford which is part of her "Merlin's Descendants" series. And I might be able to finish it this month.

Oooh! I had forgotten about The Chronicles of Narnia (by C.S. Lewis.) I did read them when I was a kid, _maybe_before I read The HObbit and The Lord of the Rings Trilogy (by J. R. R. Tolkien) but I can't be sure. I _do_ remember being fascinated, in particular, with Turkish Delight. This was not something that I grew up with or something my friends were familiar with either, so as to exactly what it was, I had no idea-- so my imagination concocted something very exotic and addictive. Years later, I would travel to the UK and get my first crack at it. Cadbury's sold it in purple foil wrapping and Oh, man! It was teeth-achingly sweet! And even though I don't think I ever could have told you what I thought it would be like, it certainly wasn't that! I have to be honest and say that the thought of it still makes me cringe a little!

This past week, I made headway with a couple of series:
First, I caught up with the Saga series by Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples by reading trade volumes 7, 8 and, 9. For those not familiar with the series, it's a comic book run, a space opera about a Landfallian and Wreather, each from opposite sides of a war who fall in love and create a family. They drive towards their destiny even as they try to outrun their fate. Extremely graphic in content (sex, violence) this is not for everyone but I find the story, themes, and artwork engrossing. Volume 7 gave me #AllTheFeels and is my favorite volume so far. Volume 8 was a little bit of a letdown, somewhat inevitable given the intensity of Volume 7 and; Volume 9 left me very sad. I'm eager to see what can be salvaged when the creators pick it back up again (2020?)

I also started the Murderbot Diaries (by Martha Wells) - This series is about a killer security unit ("SecUnit") who disables it's governing module and, instead of going on a killing spree as expected, instead starts watching and listening to thousands of hours of media, in particular a TV drama/soap opera called "Sanctuary Moon!" With free agency, the Murderbot sets its own agenda. These are rather expensive given that they are only about 150+ pages or so each in length so I recommend borrowing them from the library. I got the first one, All Systems Red in e-book form (only $3.99!) and the second one; Artificial Condition via a comp code from Downpour (Not a fan of the audiobook narrator: In a situation where the main character is described as genderless, the audiobook publishers decided to cast a young, Africa-America male. In reading it in my head, the voice is much more neutral.) I borrowed the third book, Rogue Protocol from my Library/Libby and placed the fourth one on hold. Hopefully it will come in before the month is over!

I figured out my series read for the month, one of my unread Prince Valiant volumes!


Prince Valiant, Vol. 8: 1951-1952 by Hal Foster

Prince Valiant meets with more adventures and avoids sudden death miraculously in this installment of the classic comics. I can't praise the artist enough for his wonderful detailed illustrations that capture his characters' emotions with minimal strokes of the pen. As always, recommended.

Finished The use of weapons by Iain M. Banks in The Culture series. Extraordinary construction and surprise at the end of story.

>17 h-mb: Great to hear! That's the next one for me in The Culture series.

October thread is up.

>19 Robertgreaves: thank you!

I finally got around to an SFF first-in-series audiobook that had been in my Audible library since April of 2016! I had originally purchased Dark Life (Dark Life #1; by Kat Falls; narrated by Keith Nobbs) because it was on the Oregon Battle of the Books list that year for middle-schoolers and, as my daughter was participating at the time, wanted her to have the option of the audio edition for reading reinforcement. It actually looks like an interesting story: After the collapse of the Eastern seaboard into the rising oceans, people start colonizing the ocean floor. With classic pioneer spirit, they attempt to forge a future with its unique challenges inherent to underwater life. Against this backdrop, fifteen year-old Ty loves to explore but comes across more than he bargained for-- including a Top Sider named Gemma, a dangerous outlaw who is more than he appears to be and, a political conspiracy! But overall, it was just okay. Though the settings and world-building are well-done, the plot itself does not offer any surprises.

Ten years ago, YA Dystopian SF seemed to be the rage. Series like The Hunger Games, (by Suzanne Collins0, Divergent (by Veronica Roth) and, The Maze Runner (by James Dashner) seemed to be getting a lot of buzz. I have to admit that they never really appealed to me strongly: I only ever read the first two titles in The Hunger Games trilogy, The Hunger Games and Catching Fire, leaving the third book, Mockingjay to collect dust on my shelves (though I did watch all the movies.) I actually much preferred Suzanne Collins' other series, for middle graders, Gregor the Overlander-- about a boy who has adventures in the subterranean world of NYC (anthropomorphized rats and bats) which were narrated by Paul Michael in the audiobook editions.

Anyone else here love a YA or middle-grader SFF series?

>21 Tanya-dogearedcopy: I love Anne McCaffrey's Harper series, and still reread it occasionally.

I've read The Cormorant, the 3rd in the Miriam Black series from Chuck Wendig. I've also started on The Severed Streets by Paul Cornell. Another urban fantasy which fits here and hopefully the ScaredyKIT also.

>23 AHS-Wolfy: Oh! I loved the first book that series, Blackbirds! In fact, I loved it so much, I couldn't bear to pick up the second book! I know that sounds weird, but I needed a sort of HEA feeling, or at least the idea of the possibility of it, to be my truth at the end of the first book-- so much so that when I got an inkling that things happened differently in Mockingbird, I just couldn't go there.

Years ago, I remember Chuck Wendig, in one of his posts (Twitter? His Blog?) writing that when he listened to Gin Wigmore's song, "Black Sheep," he thought of Miriam Black: https://youtu.be/u7aNKstBCM4

:-)

In reliance on LT series, I read The Houses of Iszm, supposedly part of a Nopalgarth series by Jack Vance. I'm now not sure it's actually part of a series, but this novelette had its amusing moments, most notably when in future megacity Los Angeles, Signal Hill has become a luxurious neighborhood—but South Gate is still nowheresville.

I have completed my read of Fledgling by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller. I realize now that I have jumped ahead in the series, but I will complete the next book also featuring Theo Waitley and then backtrack.

I listened to The October Man (Rivers of London #7.5; by Ben Aaronovitch; narrated by Sam Peter Jackson a couple days ago after having finished listening to Tom Jones (by Henry Fielding; narrated by Bill Homewood.) The October Man was meant to be something of a palate cleanser as this urban fantasy series is known for its clever and fun writing; But this was definitely a miss for me. Set in Maintz, Germany, a wizard-detective on par to Peter Grant in London, is assigned to a case in which a a man is discovered has having suffocated by a very fast-growing mold. Vineyards and wine-making, river goddesses and revenants are all brought in but I never got a sense of the detective himself. Despite the short length of the audio (less than 4.5 hours) I somehow missed the wizard-detective 's name, description and background! Sam Peter Jackson sounds like a British narrator with excellent fluency in German--but I think I might have been better off reading this one rather than listening. 2/5 stars

This will be the last River of London title for me. I've listened to the ten novels and novellas and, read the six graphic novel trade volumes published thus far but I've become increasingly disappointed with each successive offering. The October Man feels like the start of a spin-off series or a story arc that leads back to London but "The Faceless Man" arc is completed so it's a good place to step off. TBH, Lies Sleeping is probably the best place to leave the series.

I'm usually a a die-hard serial completest-- which has prevented me from starting the Song of Ice and Fire series by George R. R. Martin or the Name of the Wind books by Patrick Rothfuss)-- but lately, I've realized that isn't quite true. If the first-in-series doesn't grab me, it is extremely unlikely that I will read the second installment. And If I just get tired of the same old same old (Charley Davidson series by Darynda Jones) I just stop. I'm still on the fence about the Dresden Files (by Jim Butcher; narrated by James Marsters.) I loved them when I was listening to them (I think I got up to #13 or #14!) before I just kind of wandered away from them. Same with The Chronicles of St. Mary's (by Jodi Taylor.) I whipped though the first six in the series, careful to parse them out so I wouldn't get tired of them but Lies, Damned Lies, and History (#7) has been sitting on my e-reader for close to a year!

Anyone else bailing or stalled on a series?

>27 Tanya-dogearedcopy: I've always thought of myself as a series completist as well, but I've come to realise if I read more than 4 or 5 at a time, they just blur together and I have less and less to say about them when I come to review them.

I consider myself not a series person. I really rarely finish anything that is "too" long of a series. Three maybe. I prefer to avoid those long commitments that take up time when I could be exploring other books. That being said. I sure have read many books that a part of series.

>27 Tanya-dogearedcopy: My series habits are much like yours Tanya. I call myself a completest but there are series that I didn't continue after reading the first book, and some series that I followed faithfully for years and then just stopped - Quentin Jardine's Bob Skinner series for example - and have no desire to go back to.

I also like to complete series, but I gave up on both Mercedes Lackey and Anne McCaffrey series that went too long, imo.

I started Castle of Wizardry as it was the next one up on the Belgariad series. I hope to finish tomorrow. Will see.

This has been an interesting thread.

The first series I remember reading was The Wizard of Earthsea trilogy. I remember The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, but I didn't know it was part of a series and never read any of the other books, so I don't think that counts.

>15 Tanya-dogearedcopy: I LOVE The Murderbot Diaries! I ended up buying them just so I could have them as a comfort read. They're the perfect length for when I'm too tired or stressed to concentrate on reading something new. I agree about the narrator on the audiobook - I don't know if he was trying to sound like a robot or what, but he took all the humor out of it for me.

>21 Tanya-dogearedcopy: My favorite middle grade series is The Ranger's Apprentice by John Flanagan, and the narrator John Keating is perfect. I listened to the first one just so I could have something I could recommend to boys and I loved it so much I finished the series and I've continued with the spinoffs. For teens who don't like SF but have to read something for a class or bingo square or something, I recommend Tomorrow When the War Began by John Marsden. It's an alternative reality where a group of Australian teens go camping and while they're out in the wilderness, the country is invaded and their families are taken prisoner.

>27 Tanya-dogearedcopy: I'm a series addict. For older series, I sometimes slow down if I'm getting too close to being caught up on a series that's still being written. I borrow books and audiobooks from the library, so if the next book isn't readily available, I usually "pause" the series. This summer the library finally bought the last 2 books in a series that I had requested back in 2016! Better late than never, I guess.

I finished out the month with another audiobook, Rewinder (by Bret Battles; narrated by Vikas Adam) - This is time travel book of sort in which Denny Younger, a lower caste member in an alternate universe, is brought up through the societal ranks when he becomes a genealogical researcher. The best evidence to confirm a family's history is first-hand experience and, the agency that Denny works for has the means to make that happen! They are trained to bear witness and be careful not to change history, but the smallest mistake can have huge ramifications... This is a YA/New Adult title that was surprisingly boring. Picking it apart, everything seems to be in order: interesting premise, well depicted settings and people, tension and, an exciting and clever ending ... but oddly the whole ending up being less than the sum of its parts. I wasn't that thrilled with the audiobook narrator either. Most of the narrative was fine (POV1) but the women's and girl's voices sounded weird and, there were enough female characters in the story to make this problematic. Though this is a first-in-series, the story does not end in a cliffhanger-- which is just as well for me as I won't be continuing in the series. 3/5 stars.

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__________________________________________________ Photo by Mardi Deals from Pexels

Today is the last day! Thank you all for stopping by and sharing your reading!
I've really enjoyed reading your responses and I hope you've had a good time as well.

:-)

Thank you for hosting, and the topic.

On to October!

My apologies - I finished The Eyre Affair in early October and am only now getting to update my LibraryThing pages. It is a wonderful romp, I might someday read more of this series (I find myself being a completer, too), and I so much more enjoyed it having read (most of) Martin Chuzzlewit and all of Jane Eyre.

>37 threadnsong: don't apologize, we all get busy at times.

Glad you enjoyed your selection.

>37 threadnsong: Yay, so glad you liked it! I would definitely recommend continuing with the series, at least through book #4 (Something Rotten).

>37 threadnsong: Oh yes! Do keep reading - I love this series.