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Ottis413
Joined: 01 Oct 2005
Posts: 292
Location: West Virginia, USA
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 Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2009 7:05 pm Post subject: ORCS, by Stan Nicholls |
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Hello all, long time no post.
Anywho, has anybody here read the book ORCS, by Stan Nicholls? A friend of mine at work is going to give me a copy as soon as she's done with it. From what she said it sounds pretty good.
It's winter up here in da hills, and I'm in the mood to curl up with some Tolkien-style fantasy novels, any suggestions? 
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When I was a child I caught a fleeting glimpse, Out of the corner of my eye
I turned to look but it was gone
I cannot put my finger on it now
The child is grown, the dream is gone.
Pink Floyd, Comfortably numb
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OSA Nazgul#8. The little Nagzul wot cud spall (Don't call me the redneck Nazgul, I prefer the term 'Appalachian Nazgul') |
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Sulriel
Joined: 06 Jan 2004
Posts: 286
Location: Imladris (or maybe Texas ...)
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| Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2009 8:11 pm Post subject: |
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Ottis! *hugs* It's great to see you again.
I haven't read ORCs, you'll have to let us know if it's any good.
My recent favorites are Paticia Briggs - her Dragon Bone series is wonderful, but get the whole set and read it all at once. I also love her 'Mercy' series but it might be a little too romancy for you.
- for a grittier somewhat darkish fantasy, try Holly Lisle's Talyn and Hawkspar.
- also check out the John Ringo/David Weber "Prince Roger" Series. (pampered playboy gets stranded on a savage planet with an elite marine corp ... by the end of the fourth book, he's a danger in his own right ... fantastic stuff -- I read the whole 1/2mil words in less than a week  ) I have the first one on e-book. Baen encourages sharing, so send me a PM w/your email if you want me to fw you a copy.
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Ottis413
Joined: 01 Oct 2005
Posts: 292
Location: West Virginia, USA
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| Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2009 10:22 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks for the tips Sulriel, I'll check them out!
I've been on a Dean Koontz & Stephen King kick lately, but bought a book called Grunts, by Mary Gentle. It's a Tolkien-ish world, but the twist is that the Orcs show up one day with modern day weapons....
I didn't care for her writing style, but the idea was kind if interesting.
_________________
When I was a child I caught a fleeting glimpse, Out of the corner of my eye
I turned to look but it was gone
I cannot put my finger on it now
The child is grown, the dream is gone.
Pink Floyd, Comfortably numb
**********************************************************
OSA Nazgul#8. The little Nagzul wot cud spall (Don't call me the redneck Nazgul, I prefer the term 'Appalachian Nazgul') |
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Sulriel
Joined: 06 Jan 2004
Posts: 286
Location: Imladris (or maybe Texas ...)
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| Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2009 11:51 pm Post subject: |
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| Ottis413 wrote: | Thanks for the tips Sulriel, I'll check them out!
I've been on a Dean Koontz & Stephen King kick lately, but bought a book called Grunts, by Mary Gentle. It's a Tolkien-ish world, but the twist is that the Orcs show up one day with modern day weapons....
I didn't care for her writing style, but the idea was kind if interesting.
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You might also try James Patterson's "Alex Cross" series. I liked them very much and read the entire series. (I didn't care for his Wing's series though)
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NancyBrooke
Challenge Admin
Joined: 11 May 2003
Posts: 160
Location: In a motel 6 by the airport
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| Posted: Thu Jan 29, 2009 9:05 am Post subject: |
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Hey Ottis! Good to hear from you.
I haven't been reading much fantasy in the past few years, although I have read pseudo fantasy: Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clarke (which I thought an excellent combination of comedy-of-manners and fantasy), and Little, Big by John Crowley (a sort of philosophical fairy tale - so beautifully written!).
The one author I will recommend is Neil Gaiman. Both Tommy the Hub and I really enjoyed American Gods, but LOVED Neverwhere. Friends have also spoken highly of Good Omens, written with Terry Pratchett, and Gaiman's short stories. He has lots of graphic novels, too, which I haven't delved into.
Enjoy!
And don't be such a stranger ... at least no stranger than most ... 
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Viv
Challenge Admin
Joined: 24 Apr 2003
Posts: 71
Location: Texas
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| Posted: Thu Jan 29, 2009 2:05 pm Post subject: |
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Heya, Ottis! Long time no ... type? lol
I just to happen to be re-reading a fantasy novel right now: Hart's Hope by Orson Scott Card. Card got a little self-indulgent with his recent stuff, but his early fantasies are really good. Not quite as epic as Tolkien, but very thought-provoking and with fascinating characters.
Also, have you read George RR Martin's Songs of Ice and Fire series? It's epic, it's fantasy, and it's gripping. A lot darker than Tolkien, but worth the slog through all them pages nonetheless. |
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NeumeIndil
Joined: 06 Jun 2005
Posts: 1084
Location: St. Louis, Missouri, USA
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| Posted: Fri Jan 30, 2009 12:23 am Post subject: |
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Howdy!
Seconding the George RR Martin books. They're no Tolkien, but I think they're a lot like what he would have written in a modern context (instead of post WWI).
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Ottis413
Joined: 01 Oct 2005
Posts: 292
Location: West Virginia, USA
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| Posted: Fri Jan 30, 2009 10:34 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks for the tips!
I'm already a big fan of Pratchett, Good Omens was great!  And I love the Discworld series to no end! (It's practically Tolkien fan fic itself!)
I have read some of G R R Martin's works, but not Songs of Ice and Fire, I'll look it up.
Hmmm, I have a growing list here...
I got the Orcs book today, along with some Alan Dean Foster and James Maxey novels. I've been reading A D Foster sense I was a kid, and the James Maxey books look promising!
I'm thinking about finishing up some of the fan fics I had started before, I recently changed jobs, and will have some extra time for myself. I was working 50 hrs a week at a sawmill, and now work 40 at job that I actually enjoy! So, I might be needing a little help on the writing front. I even wrote the first two chapters of "An American Wizard" last night, a Harry Potter fan fic form the view "across the pond" that has been rattling around inside my noggon for the past few months.
I think my muse has finally found her way back home.... (Have to tie her to my keyboard this time!  )
_________________
When I was a child I caught a fleeting glimpse, Out of the corner of my eye
I turned to look but it was gone
I cannot put my finger on it now
The child is grown, the dream is gone.
Pink Floyd, Comfortably numb
**********************************************************
OSA Nazgul#8. The little Nagzul wot cud spall (Don't call me the redneck Nazgul, I prefer the term 'Appalachian Nazgul') |
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Sulriel
Joined: 06 Jan 2004
Posts: 286
Location: Imladris (or maybe Texas ...)
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| Posted: Fri Jan 30, 2009 10:58 pm Post subject: |
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Ottis, ... I'd love to see some new works from you. be sure to post ssp's when you upload them!
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Ottis413
Joined: 01 Oct 2005
Posts: 292
Location: West Virginia, USA
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| Posted: Fri Jan 30, 2009 11:15 pm Post subject: |
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Sure thing, they're still kind of rough, but coming along.
BTW, here's a video someone put up on youtube, I'm the one with the shovel...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TC46tW0_7_0
They actually pay me to do this!
_________________
When I was a child I caught a fleeting glimpse, Out of the corner of my eye
I turned to look but it was gone
I cannot put my finger on it now
The child is grown, the dream is gone.
Pink Floyd, Comfortably numb
**********************************************************
OSA Nazgul#8. The little Nagzul wot cud spall (Don't call me the redneck Nazgul, I prefer the term 'Appalachian Nazgul') |
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eiranae
Quiz Admin
Joined: 21 Mar 2006
Posts: 0
Location: Just to the left of barmy.
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| Posted: Fri Jan 30, 2009 11:20 pm Post subject: |
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| Ottis413 wrote: | Sure thing, they're still kind of rough, but coming along.
BTW, here's a video someone put up on youtube, I'm the one with the shovel...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TC46tW0_7_0
They actually pay me to do this! |
Cool job! I always loved the old steam engines. My grandparents used to take me to the train shows.
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J R R Tolkien, The Lost Road |
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Sulriel
Joined: 06 Jan 2004
Posts: 286
Location: Imladris (or maybe Texas ...)
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| Posted: Fri Jan 30, 2009 11:47 pm Post subject: |
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| Ottis413 wrote: | Sure thing, they're still kind of rough, but coming along.
BTW, here's a video someone put up on youtube, I'm the one with the shovel...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TC46tW0_7_0
They actually pay me to do this! |
Awesome!! I love trains!
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Ottis413
Joined: 01 Oct 2005
Posts: 292
Location: West Virginia, USA
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| Posted: Sat Jan 31, 2009 12:01 am Post subject: |
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After driving a forklift for 15 years it's a GREAT job!
Here's a better view.
Yea, Ottis' got his pictures out, better run and hide!! 
If your interested, here's a slide show.  No, no, there's some nice scenery pictures too, not all old greasy steam engines...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/walter-s-photo/sets/72157600393205018/show/with/1681429784/
PS, I didn't take these pictures, I'm not that good with a camera..
_________________
When I was a child I caught a fleeting glimpse, Out of the corner of my eye
I turned to look but it was gone
I cannot put my finger on it now
The child is grown, the dream is gone.
Pink Floyd, Comfortably numb
**********************************************************
OSA Nazgul#8. The little Nagzul wot cud spall (Don't call me the redneck Nazgul, I prefer the term 'Appalachian Nazgul') |
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NancyBrooke
Challenge Admin
Joined: 11 May 2003
Posts: 160
Location: In a motel 6 by the airport
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| Posted: Sat Jan 31, 2009 9:00 am Post subject: |
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WV .. does that mean y'll moved northernly?
We - Tommy the Hub, Clara the pixie, and I - keep talking about taking one of the scenic train rides in W.MD. Now we have added incentive.
Will eagerly look forward to new fic.
_________________
NB Duchess of WHY TF Cant'chu Punctuate, First Duchess of F*&(ing &*ll yur comma placement sux!
Nazgul #3 in charge of ducking & sniggering
Garo golf a conu ned i eneth aran an ir ho delitha ad |
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ellisk
Joined: 23 Jan 2004
Posts: 579
Location: Icon by Alassante! Wow!
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| Posted: Sat Jan 31, 2009 9:15 am Post subject: |
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Oh wow, the train pics are awesome. That is the coolest job. My husband would quit his in a second if he could get paid to do that. For his 40th birthday we went on a steam engine train that you can pay to ride in the engine and they let you 'drive' it for a few minutes. Hubby was in heaven.
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