April Book Study - Steak Knives for Souls

Fenika · Apr 1, 2010

Hello, and welcome to the SF/F Book Study. This thread is for discussion of Steak Knives for Souls by Nena Ardent.

***Spoilers*** will be streaking naked through this thread unpredictably. You have been warned.

If anyone wants to see the previous book studies:

2008:
Ender's Game (August)
Lies of Locke Lamora (September)
A Deepness in the Sky (October)
A Fire in the Deep (November)
Storm Front (December)

2009:
I Am Legend (January)
The Onion Girl (February)
Lord of Light (March)
ERAGON (April)
Beggars in Spain (May)
The Once and Future King (June)
Foundation (July)
The Graveyard Book (August)
Neuromancer (September)
The Last Wish (October)
The Knife of Never Letting Go (November)
One Hundred Years of Solitude (December)

2010:
Battle Royale (January)
Jhereg (February)

Thank you to Broken Fingers for starting the book study!

Fenika · Apr 1, 2010

I have to say, this is the best UF I have ever read. I loved the demons, they were great antagonists and they had such compelling goals. The use of the Steak Knives throughout was well played and not at all tacky like I thought it would be. I definitely hope to see more from this author soon.

Xelebes · Apr 1, 2010

I found the book rather predictable. I mean the book starts off with "Steak Knives" and I just know there are going to be steak knives in this story. The next words "for Souls" just give away the fact that this book is only good for those with souls and souls themselves. It just was not for me.

Fenika · Apr 1, 2010

But how could you not read it and enjoy how the antihero traded other people's souls for steak knives? That was a girl with a mission, let me tell you. And she got herself into a hell of a lot of trouble.

And the ending was great. That's determination to file 100 steak knives into weighted throwing knives and then go in and take the demon guard out so poetically. And what she did to the main antagonist? Classic.

GreenRoom · Apr 1, 2010

Fenika said:
But how could you not read it and enjoy how the antihero traded other people's souls for steak knives? That was a girl with a mission, let me tell you. And she got herself into a hell of a lot of trouble.

And the ending was great. That's determination to file 100 steak knives into weighted throwing knives and then go in and take the demon guard out so poetically. And what she did to the main antagonist? Classic.

I did quite like the ending when she roasted up the main antagonist and used her 101st steak knife to make a meal of him. It made my mouth water. Good thing they weren't the same species - cannibalism makes my stomach turn.

Xelebes · Apr 1, 2010

Well let me put it this way, steak knives are deep metaphorical objects for the persecution of fuzzbunnies that without them, the "for soulds" bit would make no sense, now would it?

Smiling Ted · Apr 1, 2010

I don't know. I thought the romance was kind of typical. You know, boyfriend is the quiet, gentle, but tough-as-nails knifesmith with the violent biker past, whose help she doesn't really need...

K_Woods · Apr 1, 2010

I hear ya on the romance. I was rooting for the heroine pairing off with the spirit trapped in knife #73, myself (AFTER figuring out how to free him, natch). Ah well, he did survive getting filed down and stabbed into a demon, so there's hope for the sequel!

Fenika · Apr 1, 2010

Maybe she'll do a spell so he can be a katana and then she, with his help, will become the greatest samurai in 2030s America.

Which reminds me- I liked the world building and how America took over most of Canada. It was hilarious how the economy actually went down.

But knife 73 definitely needs to see more action, if you know what I mean.

Skyrish · Apr 1, 2010

Nena Ardent can NOT write a bad book....Steak knives was just fantastic!

Skyrish · Apr 1, 2010

And it's already on Kindle! I can't wait for the sequel.

Fenika · Apr 1, 2010

Sky, you're a liar. Cheap Jewelery for Aardvarks was disgusting. No wonder only Publish America would take it. And now it's selling thanks to her latest and the stooges are rolling in it and still only sending her royalties for less than 20bucks. The lying bastards.

All Lies!

Fenika · Apr 1, 2010

The version on Kindle has 2 secret chapters. You unlock them by tapping your kindle on a hard object for 2 minutes. If it doesn't work, tap harder.

Xelebes · Apr 1, 2010

Fenika said:
The version on Kindle has 2 secret chapters. You unlock them by tapping your kindle on a hard object for 2 minutes. If it doesn't work, tap harder.

Remember to tap the screen on a hard object, not on the back or the corners.

Fenika · Apr 1, 2010

Yeah, that touch screen technology is so fussy.

Skyrish · Apr 1, 2010

You guys just don't know genius when you see it! So it took a while for her books to take off. Now she is on a roll with this latest! And the Kindle rocks!

Skyrish · Apr 1, 2010

She is clearly the next Terry Pratchett!

Fenika · Apr 1, 2010

The book trailer for the sequel is out!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O2fdIXGgdnw

Skyrish · Apr 1, 2010

That is just SO wrong!!!!

K_Woods · Apr 1, 2010

So wrong, and yet so...

...

...yeah, it's just wrong.

Skyrish · Apr 1, 2010

I am SO freaked out....my favorite book for ages being treated so irreverently here. I have had it. (tears)

Rebekah7 · Apr 1, 2010

I managed to go to one of her book signings. She signed my copy of Steak Knives, but she didn't seem too happy when I pulled out a knife to give to her as a gift.

K_Woods · Apr 1, 2010

Eeeesh...this book's been out how long? Two weeks? and just look at the size of the fanfiction archives for SKfS! It's keeeee-razy!

(For the sake of peoples' sanity, I'm not linking. Go find it yerselves!

)

Skyrish · Apr 2, 2010

Oh pleeeeeeze!!! Give me the link. I just kant find it and its driving me nutz!

Fenika · Apr 2, 2010

What, no rickroll?

Pfft.

April Book Study - Steak Knives for Souls

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