Daniel Abraham

[Coragem]

George RR Martin has collaborated with Daniel Abraham and speaks highly of him.

What do we think of him?

Coragem

[Grunkins]

I think Abraham is never going to offend. He's readable, light, and often forgettable. I doubt anyone will look back on their time spent reading an Abraham novel and think it was time wasted, nor will they look back on it as time spent doing something important. My favorite of his book is Leviathan Wakes (though I've never read any of his urban fantasy series written under the name . . . something or other).

[Hypnos164]

Agree with Grunkins; highly readable entertainment but not likely to stay inyour thoughts after you finish a book.

[williamjm]

I thought his "Long Price Quartet" was excellent, it starts a bit slowly but it is a series where every book than the preceding one and I think the whole was greater than the sum of the parts.

"The Dragon's Path" was comparatively disappointing, it was still a reasonably good read but it was a more generic fantasy than the Long Price books and I didn't care for the characters as much as in the other series. Hopefully the sequels will improve upon it.

"Leviathan Wakes" was great fun to read, although it didn't really bring anything new to the space opera genre.

[Anne Lyle]

I loved "A Shadow in Summer" and am really looking forward to the rest of the Long Price Quartet - and I disagree with the "forgettable" verdict, at least in regard to that series.

Haven't read any of his other books, and the M L N Hanover UF series doesn't appeal. Sounds like he's chasing commercial success at the cost of his early promise.

[Coragem]

Originally Posted by Anne Lyle

I loved "A Shadow in Summer" and am really looking forward to the rest of the Long Price Quartet - and I disagree with the "forgettable" verdict, at least in regard to that series.

Thanks Anne, I have purchased that one now. A while back I read your review on your website and I've checked it again.

Coragem.

[Grunkins]

I have the first two volumes of The Long Price Quartet, but haven't read them yet. Almost started one last night, but last second opted for something else. I'll read them eventually.

[Moggle]

I read a bit of Leviathan Wakes and was not impressed. His other books are lowly rated on goodreads so I never gave them a chance, however I did like his short story, Flat Diane.

[Anne Lyle]

Originally Posted by Moggle

His other books are lowly rated on goodreads...

Really? Practically all the Goodreads search results I could find on all his pseudonyms came up 4+ stars on average. If that's low, I might as well give up now

[Moggle]

Books written until his real name and "Hanover" are virtually all under 4. He seems to range somewhere from the mid to high 3s with the occasional 4 for a sequel. This to me is not good. It tells me that the writer is consistently mediocre, at least as a fantasy writer.

[Galacticdefender]

Leviathan Wakes was pretty awesome. I'll definitely be reading Caliban's War when it comes out. Sort of reminded me of Halo: The Cole Protocol for some reason though.

[williamjm]

Originally Posted by Moggle

Books written until his real name and "Hanover" are virtually all under 4. He seems to range somewhere from the mid to high 3s with the occasional 4 for a sequel. This to me is not good. It tells me that the writer is consistently mediocre, at least as a fantasy writer.

I'm doubtful about the concept of using Goodreads ratings as a measure of how good an author is. Sorting my books by average rating reveals some of the greatest works of SF are ranked lower than 4, such as Dune, Childhood's End, I Am Legend, River of Gods or Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell. The people of Goodreads have apparently decided that Daniel Abraham has written at least three books better than Dune.

I don't think their ratings are entirely useless, but I wouldn't put too much faith in them either.

[Connavar]

Im wondering about Leviathan Wakes book of his ? It is a entertaining first book in Space Opera series ? I read many serious SF books that make me think but i also want more new entertaining that doesnt have to be more than that.

[Coragem]

Originally Posted by Connavar

Im wondering about Leviathan Wakes book of his ? It is a entertaining first book in Space Opera series ? I read many serious SF books that make me think but i also want more new entertaining that doesnt have to be more than that.

I'm going to read Leviathan Wakes very soon, and I'm confident that it'll be good. Everything I hear is very positive indeed. E.g.:

http://fantasyhotlist.blogspot.co.uk...han-wakes.html

My wife has just read the Long Price and she has been highly impressed.

Coragem.

[Mr. Aware Eagle]

All I've read of Abraham's is Leviathan Wakes, which I liked quite a bit. I wouldn't mind trying on some of his fantasy works on for size.