My thoughts on Darkwalker....

My first experience with sci-fi fantasy:

I honestly can say I loved it. The first few pages were rough. My mind was not used to such things as Firlbogs, Unicorns, and packs of wolves.

I had ask myself a few times--what the hell does a Firlbog look like? Then I thought about it and thought about it and decided upon a good look for one and then the rest of the book that image was in my mind.

It was great for my imagination.

I blew through the battle--it was like Mikey said 100 pages of intense action and sadness.

That was the hardest part for me. I grew super attached to some of the characters. When the jolly man who shared his BBQ with the gang died I cried.

When Angus and Arlen died, I cried.

When Canthus almost died I had a pit in my stomach...but I knew he wasn't dead..he couldn't be.

The love was real between Trystan and Robyn. I want that.

I look forward to Bud's book--how long is it?

Josher

"Her? Robyn? Uhh, No, She's Not My Type, Uh I mean There's Tons Of Other Girls I'm Intersted In. What? Only Guys, huh? Not Gay." -Hazgoroth

Bretheren of The Blog. Dan here. Sheepishly writing about the fact that I didn't finish the book. I'll take the punishment. I'll finish the book. I'm clean and square.
I'm excited about this book, mostly because I get to see it translated into English(I've read the Russian Version; contrived, but fairly smooth writing). Anytime I can read a book translated into my native tongue, I'm happy(I don't speak a foreign language, just read them). Plus, given that it was originally written in Portugese, we get the Brazilian discount. $3 on Amazon, baby!
Let me know how I can receive my punishment so that I may be restored to full fellowship.
Peace and Love,
Dan

Here Comes That Hoo, Here That Hoo.... Ready or Not!

Gentleman,

After much deliberation, I believe I have come to a conclusion on the next book that we shall be reading in this band of brothers.

I have picked Dom Casmurro, by Joaquim M. Machado de Assis translated by John A. Gledson. This book is classic Brazilian literature, yatch! Machado de Assis is a great Brazilian author and translated much of Shakespeare into Portuguese back in the 1800's. You can get a taste of the Intro if you type it in to Google. If you order it online, make sure you get the English translation by this Gledson dude.

I have read a portion of this book in Portuguese and it is actually really pretty good. I am pretty sure none of you have read it. And the translation by this Gledson dude, I think really does well with the narrative.

I know what you are thinking, this book is going to be boring. Well, you know what it's my choice... so deal with it! This is a brotherhood, not a little club for little, cute little girls with pigtails and little dresses and little tights that like to read cute, little books. I enjoy inflicting Red Hands, so bring it. If you want to go to guns, my pleasure.

Any comments, complaints, etc...? Oh, and "Dom" is pronounced "Dohng" and Casmurro is pronounced "Kah ZMOO ho"..

Who is still in this?

Can't wait for the new book....

Ya that's all I had to say. I worked on the new layout for hours last night. Luke was right, National Treasure was my inspiration.

Does anyone find themselves stopping less hesitantly on the SCI-FI channel?

Let us know soon Bud!

New Layout

Good choice on the new layout of the blog. It looks like a parchment on that movie National Treasure...WHIIIICH I'm pretty sure was made into a book...eh Budinger? (nudge) Eh..?? (nudge nudge)

Let's Get Ready to Rumble...

Gentleman,

I have been meaning to write a new post for a couple of days now. First, I wanted to talk about Darkwalker a little bit and second, I want to discuss Luke's last post.

1) I wanted to wait a few days after reading Darkwalker before I made any comments, so that I could have some time to mull over some thoughts. This book was truly fantastic. I have a few questions and thoughts. First, I am wondering if Doug Niles ever revealed anything about Kazgoroth in any readings after this book was published. I do find it curious that Kazgaroth was always after men and that he desisted so quickly from chasing lady Robyn in order to take a mud bath. Mr. Niles never did mention what Laric and Kazgaroth discussed before the battle, but Laric did come away from that with glossy red lips (reminds me of a certain tent at a certain beach in a certain mexico with a certain dan that didn't read a certain book that was picked by a certain luke that chose the book.... coincidence?).

I do agree with Luke about the role of Canthus in this book. I thought for sure that the Pack was going to remain under the control of Erian.

I was disappointed in Daryth a little bit. He was a spy? I mean yeah he helped beat all those firbolgs in the gate entrance but I thought he was gonna be a little bit more awesome than he was.

Lady Robyn was hot.

I feel like Mr. Niles tried too hard on the comic relief with Newt the pseudo-dragon. If Darkwalker were made into a movie I feel like they would have tried to cast Eddie Murphy as Newt, but would have ended up with David Spade, Carrot Top, Bob Saget or the one Andy guy with blond hair and glasses.

I wanted better closure on the Corwell royal family. How did daddy and little Tristan end up?

I can't believe dirty little Trahern lived and that he got away with Kazgaroth's heart. I wanted a final druid v. druid battle either between him and Robyn or between him and the lady that flew around as a swallow or between him and the priest dude (not a druid) but that guy had to get killed by Kazzy.

2) First of all, I agree that there needs to be some accounting and punishments need to be given.
Secondly, I am deeply honored by the chance at choosing the next book. I take this nomination incredibly seriously (i hate writing two adverbs together). I was in the book store for 45 minutes today during my lunch break. I, like Bone Thugs before me, have found myself at a crossroads. I am not sure what book to choose quite yet. I really want to pick a book that I have not read before, but that makes me nervous that the book that I pick will be lame or that the book that I pick will contain something offensive. You wouldn't believe the pervasive violence and sex that is proliferated in economics literature these days. I did almost pick Still Hood by K'Wan or Kanye's new book, Thank You & You're Welcome, but desisted when the cashier wanted to see photo ID. I hope to have a book chosen by tomorrow afternoon at the latest, so that we can use some of the Thanksgiving break to get going on it.

Let me know your thoughts on any of the comments that I have made. Peace & Love brothers.

a few things

first, i'm glad we finished what we started.

second, we need a reckoning of who read, and who gets red handed.

third, one of the best sentences in the book: "the goddess wept for the suffering of her child, but her tears healed and restored and replenished." Isn't that the truth?

fourth, how about that laric, was he a trip or what?

fifth, right to choose the next book nominator goes to the man who picked the book, namely me. and i choose...he who is farthest away, yet still managed to travel through Myrloch Vale with the rest of us. Bud.

sixth, who would have thought that Canthus, presented in the first 3 pages, would play such a pivotal role in the fight against kazgaroth. and how about that silver dog collar?? pure genuis!

lots of love, and looking forward to another wild ride.

Luke

The Swrord of Cymmrich Hugh brought me to the end of this beast

Gentlemen, with 5 minutes to spare I have finished this fantasy that is Darkwalker on Moonshae. Hot dang. Expect my full feelings to come soon.

Done.

Amazing.

I never would have imagined that I could have enjoyed 100 straight pages of battle so much.

Words that could have been a little less-frequent: "hummock" and variations of "berserk."

So today we need a new book. Let's do it.

The deed is done!

I have just finished DarkWalker on MoonShae. Let the discussion begin!

I am loving this book!

Does anyone else picture a blue Newt Gingrich everytime the little dragon speaks? I have had to ask Luke what I should be imagining in my head...some of these characters have no translation in my imagination. New horizons!

Ode to Angus and Arlen

You gave your life, split blood for your friends

You paid the ultimate price, your legends will never end

May you both rest in peace

May your friends remember you always

My dear, loyal Angus,

My tough, aged Arlen

We will always remember

Always.

NAY

I vote Nay.

My reasons:
A) I bought the book last night.
B) I want to know more about this freaky Robyn chick.
C) I feel deep concern for the weakening state of the goddess.
D) If we postpone once we are just going to postpone again.
E) I don't know what a pseudo-dragon is... is it like a pseudo-nymph?
F) Your mom.
G) Dan's gay.
H) I think we can do it.

I am NAY!

Thought that would get your attention.

I will finish the book by the 16th in sheer fear of being called a pantywaist.

I looked it up. It is a horrible label.

I look forward to the campfire talks but I don't think anyone else will!

J-Bu can you learn "Pablo Picasso" by Citizen Cope by the next trip?

I do miss jamming by the fire--it has been a while since we've sung Mason and others.

So there I stand, and will unless a large sum of money is sent my way.

I am off to read!

Josher

Pantywaist

Before reading any further, let's take a moment to failiarize ourselves with the information at the following link:

http://dictionary.reference.com/search?r=2&q=pantywaist

That's right.

A few problems with extending the deadline:

First, we risk falling into a category where we'll be in the company of history's other "weak, effeminate, fainthearted" men.

Second, because of geographical limitations, we can expect to have very few opportunities to meet and talk about our adventures. Since most of us will be going on this next Kaiizen trip, that would be a perfect chance to get together and tale-tell, but only if we've all finished the book. We'll be able to talk about Moonshae AND sit around the campfire discussing the next book we decide to read - whatever that may be.

If we extend the deadline, we all know that there will still be members of the brotherhood who on November 30th are still "falling asleep," asking for "by's on the first round," or "still haven't started."

So here's my recommendation: That mercy might not rob justice, we should still start a new book on the 16th. Luke, having chosen the first book, will decide who gets to choose the next book. Then we'll choose a point in the new book that we will have reached on November 30. So, if Luke decides that Josh gets to pick the next book, and he picks Black Wizards (the next book of the Moonshae trilogy) - we'll come to some kind of concensus that we all must be on page 200 of Black Wizards by November 30th. Thus, we can mete out our time accordingly between finishing Darkwalker and getting through part of the next book.

That way those who have read can keep reading, those who haven't read won't have so much pressure to catch up, and none of us will be considered a "sissy." Let me know what you guys think.

A blurb from the wiki on Veto Powers

The word "veto" does not appear in the United States Constitution. Per U.S. Const., Article I, Section 7 all legislation passed by both houses of Congress must be presented to the President. This presentation is in the President's capacity as head of state.
If the President approves of the legislation, he signs it. If he does not approve, he must return the bill, unsigned, within ten days (excluding Sundays) to the house of the United States Congress in which it originated. The President is constitutionally required to state his objections to the legislation in writing, and the Congress is constitutionally required to consider them, and to reconsider the legislation.
If the Congress overrides the veto by a two-thirds majority in each house, it becomes law without the President's signature. Otherwise, the bill fails to become law unless it is presented to the President again and he chooses to sign it.in each house, it becomes law without the President's signature. Otherwise, the bill fails to become law unless it is presented to the President again and he chooses to sign it.

Since Luke is technically the President (He chose this book) we can overide his NAY with a 2/3 majority vote. We have laws from which can draw power or that can screw us over.

Okay, I'll Say Something............Typical

As I was falling asleep to the gentle strains of "I had the time of my life..." softly pouring out of Luke's bedroom last night, I had an ever so subtle epiphany: our due date is in 4 days, and I'm approximately 55 paragraphs into a 5456345645646500000 paragraph book! I made a valiant attempt at reading the book, and fell asleep within two paragraphs(question: where are all the pitures? I was promised pictures!!!).
I propose we extend to the end of the month. No excuses, no more extentions, no passing on the book(fake it or BS if you have to, but if you're caught, you're dead). If you're in the club, you finish the book or face the punishment.
Honestly, this book has terrified me from the minute I picked it up(mostly due to the power contained within, much like the ring...I destest and worship this book). It's grown more terrifying by the day as the deadline has loomed. I made my peace last night, and am dedicated to finishing.
The benefit to this extension, other than Luke having a solo party to discuss the book(wolverine claw could come too?), would be that we have a clean break to begin and end books, with a group discussion within a week of finishing. I'd also say that we need to have the next month's book selected by the first of every month so we can get cracking. Another benefit is that we get an extra day on the long months for the extra long books(Anything Nicholas Sparks, you know what I'm talking about)

So to sum up, I'm excited about reading this book, getting through it, and discussing it.....in December. This will require a 3/4's vote to approve. I'd suggest you hurry and vote, the red hand is beconing..

One final item: Mancation. I want to get this sucka planned. This is the forum to do it. I'm saying either San Diego or DR or Costa Rica. We have 7 months to save for it, so these things are feasable. Please comment.
Peace and Love,
Dan

Loving it?

I can only assume there is so little chatter because you are all riveted by this book. I am kind of in awe myself. Who would have thought I would be loving this text 16 years after reading it the first time?

Kazgaroth is the perfect villain. He uses humans as pawns and is neither afraid of the the Leviathan nor the unicorn Kammeryn.

Tristan is a great hero because it is obvious he needs to grow into the role of knight. And newt the pseudo-dragon? Hysterical. A riot every time he speaks.

Anyway, this is awesome. I'm having having the time of my life.

How is everyone doing?

We only have a few days til the deadline. I am struggling. I need the large-print version, or a magnifying glass.
Let's get some dialogue going here...