The Sword and Laser

Watership Down by Richard Adams is one of the first novels I remember reading (by myself, that is). I also remember being horrified, amazed, and entranced by it. It’s definitely a classic, and I’ve always wanted to pick it up again and see how it affects me as an adult.

No voting this time! In case you missed the podcast last time around, we’re making it a dictatorship instead of a democracy for this cycle. If there are other books you’d rather read, please do and tell us all about them in the forums! Otherwise, I really hope you enjoy this selection. You can find it in our store, or your local library!

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We’re back.  Expect us monthly or twice monthly for now!
Sorry for the crappy headset sound, my external sound card is having problems!

 

 #009 - The S&L Podcast: Unshapely Things [21:17m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Unshapely Things by Mark Del Franco

As compared to Dresden Files?

Let’s turn to some forum comments from swordandlaser.ning.com!

terpkristin wasn’t really excited about this choice but got it anyway she says “dang, that was quite a happy surprise. I think I’m going to get the next book in the Connor Grey series. Did anybody else have any expectations going in? Were you surprised (in a good way or bad)?”

Rick had the opposite reaction.  He was jazzed to read it but… “I read through it in three days, and while the read was quick and easy, it just struck me as a not very well done Dresden Files clone. I was so disappointed. I’m glad you enjoyed it, but for me, I won’t be looking for any more del Franco books in the near future.”

Sam! said “As far as this one went, I enjoyed it quite a bit. Fun characters and a story that hooked me. I was particularly fond of Meryl. Actually, without saying too much, I found his female characterizations to be almost unanimously stronger than his male cast (aside from Joe, perhaps). Also, I was really satisfied with the ending, but there was still enough left unexplored and unanswered that I want to know what happens to Mr. Grey next.”

GeekDad_4WD - “I think he is setting up a whole series of books starting with this one. I did not think the characters were stiff or flat. I think del Franco is waiting for the next book or two to really develop them. And I enjoyed the allusions to a past planet/existence/world concept.”

Jimbo - “The only real issue I have with the novel is that it hints at past events, the convergence and fey conflict in WWII, that I find far more interesting than the main story. There are so many possibilities for interesting plots in the convergence. I also want to know what a fey war would be like. Would it be just magic or would they use human weapons also? I want to know!”

Next Book?

A dictatorship! Oh yes indeed.

Also, Tom loves WoW.

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We’re just starting the new story, but somehow we found a ton to talk about anyway!

 

 #008 - The S&L Podcast: Elf Noir? Seriously?: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

NEW BOOK!

Unshapely Things by Mark Del Franco
“In an alternate reality Boston where you are just as likely to see a troll or an elf walk down the street as you are to see a human, Fairy hustlers are winding up dead with their hearts cut out and replaced with stones. Druid Conner Grey uses his magical abilities to crack the case in this fun, interesting novel.”

Mark Del Franco takes an entirely straight-faced approach to the hard-boiled detective/police procedural template, keeping the snark to a minimum even when presenting us with dead fairy prostitutes.

Mark Del Franco spent several years in the publishing field in editorial and administrative roles and in the institutional finance field as a proposal writer. He currently is pursuing a freelance career in both these fields.
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=190541030
http://markdf.livejournal.com/

FROM THE FORUMS

Free eBooks

Favorite series

CURRENTLY CHECKING OUT:

Unholy Domain by Dan Ronco

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On today’s show:

 

 #007 - The S&L Podcast: Elfpunk FTW [20:14m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

CONTEST WINNER!
Nick
As the shock wave raced across the planet, Jared’s final thought was
admitting to himself: “Those damn scientists were right all along“.

He wins… a copy of Mass Effect!

WHAT WE’VE READ LATELY

V: Name of the Wind, Patrick Rothfuss

Tom: Roadside Picnic by Boris and Arkady Strugatsky. Film version is called Stalker.

ELFPUNK!

Vote for the next fantasy book, in the sub-genre of elfpunk!
(so far, Unshapely Things by Mark Del Franco is winning!)
Voting ends midnight, May 19th.

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Actually, no one said elfpunk. But that’s kind of way Tom and I are intrigued by this sub-genre. Yes, we’ve done cyberpunk before, but what about the gritty and enchanting synthesis of urban life and elves and fairies? Seeing as though I’ve never heard if the genre before, oh… today… we turned to the experts at Amazon to show us the light. Amazon user Luna Eclipse wrote up an amazing list of elfpunk novels, and here are the five I’ve selected for voting as well as the blurb written by Luna for context!

Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr

“Reminiscent of Holly Black’s Tithe, Wicked Lovely follows the exploits of Aislinn, a teenage girl with The Sight. Having spent her entire life trying to avoid the fairies, she suddenly finds herself being sought after by their king, who believes she may be the queen he’s been searching for.”

Fablehaven by Brandon Mull

“With no TV, no video games and no radio in sight, Kendra and Seth are prepared to be bored out of their minds while staying with their grandfather in his huge secluded manor while their parents enjoy themselves on a cruise…till they discover their grandfather is the guardian of Fablehaven, a sanctuary for all sorts of fairy tale creatures. A must have for all you fairy-lovers, young and old.”

War for the Oaks: A Novel by Emma Bull

“If you are a fan of faeries, 80’s music, and foppish attire, you will love this novel set in 1987 Minneapolis. This book was kind of slow at times but it was still pretty good. I absolutely adore the Phouka!

Ironside: A Modern Faery’s Tale by Holly Black

“The final, decisive battle between the Night and Bright courts is about to take place, and all the characters from both Tithe and Valiant are in the mix. Black’s best work yet.”

Unshapely Things by Mark Del Franco

“In an alternate reality Boston where you are just as likely to see a troll or an elf walk down the street as you are to see a human, Fairy hustlers are winding up dead with their hearts cut out and replaced with stones. Druid Conner Grey uses his magical abilities to crack the case in this fun, interesting novel.”

Voting closes at midnight on the 19th, so get those votes in! All books available on the S&L store either way.

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Thanks to Josh Lawrence for making us our awesome (and both sword-and-lasery) theme music!

 

 #006 - The S&L Podcast: Childhood's End (the end!) [25:19m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

On today’s show:

We finished Childhood’s End! What was the final verdict?

Forums

I think the most interesting sections of this part of the book are the implications that what the Overlords are doing is not for the benefit of mankind. Especially that last line, “the stars are not for man.” This was mostly clearly spelled out to me at the end of chapter six, “If, indeed, it was altruism. For there were still some who wondered if the policies of the Overlords would always coincide with the true welfare of humanity.”

In fact, I think it’s almost ironic that Clarke titles this section, “The Golden Age.” Although Earth is at peace and prosperous there’s this continuous implication that the Overlords have transformed the planet into a giant playground. I think this is what’s kept humanity from struggling to rebel or oppose the Overlords.

I think this is a really interesting theme in the book. There are other science fiction novels and movies that show humans encountering a hostile alien species and then struggling to match their level of technology. Here, Clarke shows humans encountering a mostly (or at least, apparently) benign species and this crushing our drive for progress.

Also, on a side note, did anyone else notice Clarke anticipating DNA paternity tests and the Pill and the effects this would have on sexual mores?

James from Pittsburgh
Read the rest of this entry »

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How convinient! The 5th episode of the podcast falls on the eve of our 5th book, Childhood’s End! Here are the show notes for today’s episode:

 

 #005 - The S&L Podcast: Childhood's End (the beginning!) [20:48m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Arthur C. Clarke
Built first telescope at 13.
Great fan of “Astounding Stories”
Served in Air Force through World War II
Attended King’s College London and took a degree in physics and mathematics
Prelude To Space was published in 1951 (First published novel)
Also published a short story called “The Sentinel” which inspired Stanley Kubrick to make 2001: A Space Odyssey.
May don’t realize 2001 the book is a novelization of the movie.
Won the Hugo and Nebula awards for 1973 Rendezvous with Rama
He was Knighted in 1998

Comments from Childhood’s End Group
http://swordandlaser.ning.com/group/childhoodsend

We are not Rocket Scientists
http://swordandlaser.ning.com/forum/topic/show?id=1288181%3ATopic%3A25745&page=2


New Neal Stephenson Novel out September 9, 2008.
Anathem
http://time-blog.com/nerd_world/2008/03/the_return_of_neal_stephenson.html

Side-reading
Books you might also be interested in.

Veronica’s Pick
Belgariad and Mallorean:
by David Eddings

Tom’s Pick
The Man in the High Castle - Philip K. Dick

Contest: Write us a great one-sentence opener to a sci-fi or fantasy book!!
Email us!!

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We’re back full-speed ahead into the science fiction genre with Arthur C. Clarke’s Childhood’s End. The book (as well as the other voting nominees) are now available in the S&L Store, or where ever you pick up your books! Here’s a little bit of a review to whet your appetite:

It sounds like a story you’ve heard before: great alien masters descend on Earth and take control of the world, ushering in a golden age that may be cleverly disguised creative slavery. But Clarke’s legendary novel (equal to Rendezvous with Rama and 2001: A Space Odyssey in fame) isn’t about a human rebellion against alien overlords, but the evolution of humanity into its next stage, and the ultimate dwarfing power of the unknowable order of the cosmos.

I’m really looking forward to this one! Join the discussion group here. We’ll be releasing another podcast episode in the next couple of days, intro-ing the book and discussing some other the themes (among other topics, of course). If you have anything you’d like us to talk about, email your suggestions to theswordandlaser [at] gmail [dot] com.

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In honor of the passing of Arthur C. Clarke, we’re going to read one of his sci-fi classics. Voting will be open until the 1st of April. Here are the options:

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We’re finally back with the Sword and Laser podcast, after a long hiatus! Thanks for sticking with us. Listen in to find the new info about how we’ll cover books in the future. Here are the shownotes for this episode:

 

 #004 - The Sword and Laser Podcast: Neuromancer Wrap Up! [29:49m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Winner of the contest — Xanar!!

She wins a copy of Mass Effect!

Passing of Arthur C. Clarke
Next book will be one of his, voting goes up tonight:
Rendezvous with Rama
2001: A Space Odyssey
Childhood’s End
Songs of Distant Earth

Pocket and the Pendant, by Mark Jeffery:
Free audio book on Podiobooks

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