Interesting Reads

[Megaolix]

A thread to recommend stories that aren't fanfics. Shorts stories, novels and such. Because why not?

Juniper's Knot

A short kinetic novel crafted in a month by Dischan, Juniper's Knot is a story told from dual perspectives: that of a demon and a boy. It begins on an autumn morning in a silent town.

http://junipersknot.dischan.org/?l=en

A nice story to read. A fast reader can easily finish it under an hour, but the music and art are good. And it's free too.

After this, I know I'll be checking what else Dischan did.

 

[Carrnage]

http://chooseyourstory.com/story/necromancer

one of the very few CYOA's that are both finished and of decent quality.

 

[Vindictus]

Huh. The writing isn't that great, but the plot seems interesting- The 'True Ending' was a nice touch.

Especially the way it plays being an evil necromancer so perfectly straight.

 

[Olive]

His Face All Red by Emily Carroll is certainly an interesting read. Stands out above her other work.

http://emcarroll.com/comics/faceallred/01.html

 

[Megaolix]

Well, I said I would read more of what Dischan did, and I did. Here am I now with another recommendation.

Dysfunctional Systems Episode 1: Learning to Manage Chaos

Main character we follow is Winter, a novice mediator. In this episode, she's mentored by a senior mediator named Cyrus.

What do they mediate? Worlds.

This a setting where they travel between worlds, acting as a neutral party to, as the title may suggest, balance things between order and chaos. Things can work out. Others time... shit happens.

This was out only last month. A bit short for my taste, but I expect great things from future episodes. Seriously, the setting itself... it's awesome. I imagine great things. I could easily see a GM use this setting to make on hell of an awesome game.

And as said by producers, choices taken will affect the story in future episodes. I wonder if they'll be able to manage it... But I sure as hell will be watching them and hope they do.

 

[Adyen]

http://bato.to/comic/_/comics/fatestrange-fake-r14441/

At least I found this thread...

But anyways, Oh Shit! Things are happening!

 

[CptTagon]

I would like to recommend the manga version of Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind by Hayao Miyazaki. Amazing art work, in both the technical and world-building sense. It is a vast story set a thousand years after the apocalypse as the last two great nations in the world go to war. It has many diverse cultures, none of which are portrayed as solely evil. I think that it is superior to the movie, and I make sure to read it at least once a year.

 

[Heaven Canceler]

Children Books

Cornelia Funke's Dragonrider: It is well written and has sympathic characters. One of the first books I ever read and it made really love Dragons.

Youth and Adult

The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel book series. Detailed fantasy world, great Characters and very good research into history and mythology was made by the author.

The Black Magician Trilogy and connected books. It has a very interesting light Fantasy world. The main character Sonea is interesting and easy to connect with. Morality is not black white most of the time and there is a good deal of intrigue. The Trilogy is fun and I liked how different the prequel book felt. I have not read much of the sequel series though, so I cannot say much there.

The Temeraire book series. This is a very good number of books and history reimagined with the Addition of dragons is very interesting. Temeraire is great and I also very much like Laurence, his growth as a person and the values he holds.

Mara and the Firebringer. Did you like Percy Jackson? Then you will likely like this too. The author has put serious work into research and created good and interesting characters. Everyone has his flaws and good parts. I think I will forever think of this portrayal of Loki when I hear his name. Read the first book and will get the others too when I can.

 

[Lethality]

Well, I remember reading a bunch of Julius Verne's stuff back in highschool, and that was enjoyable. Not that you couldn't spot trends in his characters (main or not) and other story elements, but honestly that's normal for any author.

Though I guess that I'm recommending more than the usual "Around the World in 80 days" or "Journey to the Center of the Earth" or the other works he's usually known for. just that his other books are enjoyable as well. Well, I'm guessing they should be enjoyable for other people, too.