What's new
Fantasy Football - Footballguys Forums

This is a sample guest message. Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!

Fantasy genre authors? (2 Viewers)

Maelstrom said:
Pick said:
Maelstrom said:
Pick said:
Ya, I'd love to tear into FFC but I figure I've got a bit anyway for the next book, so it's at the bottom of the stack.I suppose the smart thing for a reader would be to not start any series that isn't finished. :bag:
Click to expand...
Tell me about it - I'm currently caught up (or close to) on Wheel of Time series (Robert Jordan - in fact just finished rereading all 11 books plus the prequel), the George R.R. Martin Song of Fire and Ice series, and am one book behind in the Sword of Truth series (Terry Goodkind - I'm waiting for this one to go to paperback).I also really enjoyed the alternate history series about WWII from Harry Turtledove (WorldWar and Colonization) - 4 books for the first series and then 3 for the second. He just released a final (I think) book that kind of extends the 2nd series to a 4th book. Basically about what would have happened if an alien race attacked Earth in the middle of WWII with the intention of colonizing the planet irregardless of the fact it was already populated.Based on those series, anyone care to recommend something else I may enjoy? I like longer series, and generally Fantasy over Sci-Fi.
Click to expand...
I think the first post in this thread has a pretty good-sized list. :whistle:
Click to expand...
little :bag: - I forgot to check that, but I have read most of the authors/books listed there. I do need to pick up some Terry Brooks books, so maybe I'll try that next.
Click to expand...
I'm a big fan of Brooks. Some here feel he writes to a juvenile level. :bag:
 
Pick said:
Do you guys buy one book at a time? I usually buy in bunches.
Click to expand...
I bought the entire Camulod series (& Whyte books related to the series like Uther) without having read any. Chancy I know, but I'm a rebel :unsure:
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Twilight said:
Pick said:
Do you guys buy one book at a time? I usually buy in bunches.
Click to expand...
:yes: I usually have $100+ Amazon purchases a couple of times a year for newer books.
Click to expand...
I've gotten burned a few times by buying whole series. That's what I like about the Conan stuff. It stands alone so I can have a stash on hand at all times.Nothing worse than running out of books to read. :nerd:
 
Anyone read any of "The Vampire Earth" books by E.E. Knight?

I picked up Way of the Wolf recently when browsing at the bookstore as it looked interesting, and I'm glad I did. I enjoyed it, it starts out a little different and jumps through some "slices of life" before it settles down into a more plot-driven narrative throughout the second half.

I won't attempt to give a synopsis of the storyline, just see it here:

Amazon Link

The reviews are extremely varied - it is NOT a vampire book, despite the name of the series, and I think some people were put off by this. Doesn't seem to be a lot of people in the middle (ie. just a good book) - people seem to love it or hate it.

I'd say if you like stuff like Battlefield Earth and/or Ender's Game you will probably enjoy this. It gets into some militaristic settings, although it focuses on the main character almost exclusively. I will be picking up the rest of the series to read soon.

added: on a different note, while waiting on the rest of that series to get here, I was loaned a couple of the Shannara books (First King of Shannara and Sword of Shannara) by Terry Brooks, and am reading those.

 
Last edited by a moderator:
Maelstrom said:
Anyone read any of "The Vampire Earth" books by E.E. Knight?

I picked up Way of the Wolf recently when browsing at the bookstore as it looked interesting, and I'm glad I did. I enjoyed it, it starts out a little different and jumps through some "slices of life" before it settles down into a more plot-driven narrative throughout the second half.

I won't attempt to give a synopsis of the storyline, just see it here:

Amazon Link

The reviews are extremely varied - it is NOT a vampire book, despite the name of the series, and I think some people were put off by this. Doesn't seem to be a lot of people in the middle (ie. just a good book) - people seem to love it or hate it.

I'd say if you like stuff like Battlefield Earth and/or Ender's Game you will probably enjoy this. It gets into some militaristic settings, although it focuses on the main character almost exclusively. I will be picking up the rest of the series to read soon.

added: on a different note, while waiting on the rest of that series to get here, I was loaned a couple of the Shannara books (First King of Shannara and Sword of Shannara) by Terry Brooks, and am reading those.
Click to expand...
Some here say Brooks writing is to childish but I love his stuff and have read most of it. I even have his autograph. One thing I like about his writing is that he'll kill anyone off.
 
Maelstrom said:
Anyone read any of "The Vampire Earth" books by E.E. Knight?

I picked up Way of the Wolf recently when browsing at the bookstore as it looked interesting, and I'm glad I did. I enjoyed it, it starts out a little different and jumps through some "slices of life" before it settles down into a more plot-driven narrative throughout the second half.

I won't attempt to give a synopsis of the storyline, just see it here:

Amazon Link

The reviews are extremely varied - it is NOT a vampire book, despite the name of the series, and I think some people were put off by this. Doesn't seem to be a lot of people in the middle (ie. just a good book) - people seem to love it or hate it.

I'd say if you like stuff like Battlefield Earth and/or Ender's Game you will probably enjoy this. It gets into some militaristic settings, although it focuses on the main character almost exclusively. I will be picking up the rest of the series to read soon.

added: on a different note, while waiting on the rest of that series to get here, I was loaned a couple of the Shannara books (First King of Shannara and Sword of Shannara) by Terry Brooks, and am reading those.
Click to expand...
I've read a bunch of his stuff (not lately, though) and thought that Elfstones of Shannara was far and away his best work. I also liked Magic Kingdom for Sale Sold.
 
commisholio said:
Maelstrom said:
Anyone read any of "The Vampire Earth" books by E.E. Knight?

I picked up Way of the Wolf recently when browsing at the bookstore as it looked interesting, and I'm glad I did. I enjoyed it, it starts out a little different and jumps through some "slices of life" before it settles down into a more plot-driven narrative throughout the second half.

I won't attempt to give a synopsis of the storyline, just see it here:

Amazon Link

The reviews are extremely varied - it is NOT a vampire book, despite the name of the series, and I think some people were put off by this. Doesn't seem to be a lot of people in the middle (ie. just a good book) - people seem to love it or hate it.

I'd say if you like stuff like Battlefield Earth and/or Ender's Game you will probably enjoy this. It gets into some militaristic settings, although it focuses on the main character almost exclusively. I will be picking up the rest of the series to read soon.

added: on a different note, while waiting on the rest of that series to get here, I was loaned a couple of the Shannara books (First King of Shannara and Sword of Shannara) by Terry Brooks, and am reading those.
Click to expand...
I've read a bunch of his stuff (not lately, though) and thought that Elfstones of Shannara was far and away his best work. I also liked Magic Kingdom for Sale Sold.
Click to expand...
The Sword of Shannara is the book that turned me on to the fantasy stuff back in middle school. Read them all but stayed away from the Magic Kingdom series. Just looked stupid. But eventually I gave in and read it. It's very solid and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Brooks has another series out that is great that takes place in modern times. Also, there's a series that takes off from the Shannara series as well (Walker Boh). And he has a new modern series that just started. This dude cranks out the books but the writing isn't watered down. Quite the opposite.What has been really cool for me is introducing my son to the Shannara books. He blasts through them (read Elf Queen in less than a week).

 
I'm in the Brookjs is a juvenile writer camp, but enjoyed the stories enough to read a few.

I never read the Conan books after being a big Conan comic book fan. That's my next target.

I got "out" of the Wheel of Time for the usual reasons around book 9 or 10 (I think I read half of 10, lost my copy and never replaced it) - review of the last two books in this thread? I know the very last Wheel of Time book that was published got good reviews.

Is Rand EVER gonna get to Tarmon Gai'don or are we gonna one day be told that it is like Santa Claus or the Easter Bunny?

 
I finished the first in Tad Williams' Shadowmarch trilogy a couple of weeks ago, and it's pretty good. Like all Tad epics, he spends way too much time describing physical metaphors for psycholigical and emotional experiences - "her mind after the god touched her felt like soaked cotton, put to the match and smoking as if blown by a sweet wind" - but it's still pretty good.

 
Marc Levin said:
I'm in the Brookjs is a juvenile writer camp, but enjoyed the stories enough to read a few.

I got "out" of the Wheel of Time for the usual reasons around book 9 or 10 (I think I read half of 10, lost my copy and never replaced it) - review of the last two books in this thread? I know the very last Wheel of Time book that was published got good reviews.

Is Rand EVER gonna get to Tarmon Gai'don or are we gonna one day be told that it is like Santa Claus or the Easter Bunny?
Click to expand...
I've posted it before, I think in this thread, but it bears repeating. Book 12 will be the final book, (I hope). According to Jordan, 12 (A Memory of Light)will be the final book, "even if they need to give you a wheelbarrow to get it out of the bookstore." BUT, I would wait until it comes out (10 was blah btw, but 11 was probably the best book since 6, and actually moved the story along). The problem is that Jordan was diagnosed about a year ago with a potentially fatal disease. Amyloidosis's victims average lifespan after diagnosis is 12 months, which is now about how long it's been since the announcement. Treatments are helping, but his writing, in between trips to the Mayo clinic, is only about 2 hrs per day. So the question will be whether he can finish the book. His wife would be in line to finish it, she's been his editor for years. A recent Forbes Article addresses this the first time publicly that I know of, which doesn't bode well for his chances. So keep that in mind in deciding whether to pick it back up. Tor knows people have been reading this for 16 years, so it will be finished somehow, but how well is big question.

As for Brooks, another Juve writer here. Reading Sword of Shannara the first time was awesome in high school. But picking it back up years later just left me feeling eh in general. Elfstones was definitely the best, especially the battle for the Elven City, but nothing since has left me with the same feeling. Wishsong wasn't that good, The Heritage 4 some was very disappointing, Landover #2 had one of the stupidest characters I've ever read (The big mystery should have been ridiculously obvious, IMO), and Knight of the Word series pretty much sucked. I generally stopped buying after First King, but did pick up a book of the latest Shanarra series, and was amazed on how bad it was. He hasn't fallen as horribly as Eddings, but I don't see myself reading anything by him again.

 
You rawk, Twilight. Thanks for that info.

I had no clue. Sucks for Jordan. I think I'll buy 10 (mainly b/c I already read half of it and then lost it) and I'll buy 11 b/c I want to get caught up on the storyline - that will put a few bucks in his hands for medicals (like he needs it).

 
I just reread the entire Wheel of Time series recently, and must say I enjoyed 11 and hope Jordan manages to either finish the book or disclose all the plots to whoever has to finish it. Sad for him about the disease.

I'll ask this again since everyone jumped on the Shannara stuff:

Anyone read any of "The Vampire Earth" books by E.E. Knight?

I picked up Way of the Wolf and really enjoyed it. Se post above for link to Amazon for details and reviews.

 
Twilight said:
John Ringo's Council Series (There Will be Dragons, Emerald Sea, and Against the Tide) - Far future with super computers/nano that get shut off during a war. Humanity has to go back to Low-Tech survival, in a world with a lot of Fantasy Troupes come to life (Elves, Mermaids, etc thanx to genetic manip). Read the first one and it was decent, hitting the next 2.
Click to expand...
I worked with this guy at his last job before he became a professional writer. He basically wrote his first novel on the job (MS Access dbase administrator). He basically hung out at a pulisher's message board all day every day and eventually was able to get in good with the head guy and one thing led to another. More power to him.
 
I'm absolutely positive that he's been mentioned in this thread, but I'm far too lazy to actually go back and look, or use the search function. Therefore, I'm going to nominate Terry Pratchett as my favorite fantasy novelist of all time.

 
Another author/series I have enjoyed is LE Modesit's Recluse books. There's about 12 or so of them, but they all pretty much stand alone. I believe "The Magic of Recluse" is the first one, and worth checking out.

 
Finishing up Battlefield Earth. Just felt it needed to be done. Impressive plot. That's about all I can say for it. Clearly meant for younger readers but the thing is like 1000 pages or something.

When I'm done, I got Martin's latest waiting.

 
Funny you bumped this thread Pick.

I noticed Walter Slovotsky joined the board this week.

It has been about 15 years since I read Joel Rosenberg's Guardians of the Flame series (from which Slovotsky is a character) but he crafted a very nice D&D style world with a fast moving, if at times, simplistic plot that pulled few punches.

 
I've posted in this thread earlier but I'll re-post my favorites for anyone looking for something new...

1) The Black Company Series (Glen Cook)

2) The Dresden Files (Jim Butcher)

3) The Sword Dancer Series (Jennifer Roberson)

4) Malazan Books of the Fallen (Steve Erikson)

5) The Anita Blake Series (Laurel K Hamilton)

6) The Repairman Jack Novels (F Paul Wilson

7) The Wheel of Time Series (books 1-6 & 11)-(Robert Jordan)

 
I don't remember where I found this link, probably here and possibly even in this very thread, but hey, free books....

Free e-books from Baen.

Also:

Just finished Martin's A Clash of Kings. Can't believe I hadn't picked this series up earlier -- it's awesome, but I gotta say he nearly lost me early in the first book with Bran. Overall, a little more explicit than I really prefer, but nothing that would stop me from reading the rest eagerly.

 
Piers Anthony should be mentioned for his Xanth series. They get a little goofy a little later on in the series though, but fun to read.

Also, his Incarnations of Immortality Series was awesome, as well as the Bio of a Space Tyrant series, and the Shame of Man series (not what it's called but is one of the books.)

There are others as well. Decent writer, but I read most of his stuff when I was in high school.

 
I understand that R.A Salvatore's stuff may be "kids stuff" for those who are really into fantasy books, but as a guy who doesn't read many books at all, I thought Salvatore's stuff with Drizzt Do'Urden was pretty good. I got all three books from when Drizzt left Menzobwhatever and all three books from the Icewind Dale saga. His stuff tended to drag at times, particularly the book where Drizzt finally got to the surface. But for the most part, I enjoyed the whole series.

 
Last edited by a moderator:
Rustoleum said:
I don't remember where I found this link, probably here and possibly even in this very thread, but hey, free books....

Free e-books from Baen.

Also:

Just finished Martin's A Clash of Kings. Can't believe I hadn't picked this series up earlier -- it's awesome, but I gotta say he nearly lost me early in the first book with Bran. Overall, a little more explicit than I really prefer, but nothing that would stop me from reading the rest eagerly.
Click to expand...
A Storm Of Swords (next in the series for you) has some scenes that will blow your mind :football:
 
Pick said:
About to start in on the latest Martin book. Is there a summary of the stuff before anywhere?
Click to expand...
A summary of Martin's books? Here's a site that has chapter summaries for each book: Tower Of The Hand. Well worth bookmarking if you don't like (or have time) doing re-reads every 5 years waiting for the next installment.
 
Finished Feast for Crows. Awesome stuff. A bit too raunchy for my tastes but I still read. :confused:

Sounds like we won't have to wait too long for the next one.

 
Boone22 said:
I've posted in this thread earlier but I'll re-post my favorites for anyone looking for something new...4) Malazan Books of the Fallen (Steve Erikson)
Click to expand...
:pickle:anxiously awaiting the canadian release of reapers galeI just started R Scott Bakkers prince of nothing series yesterday. Starts off really quickly and hasnt let up yet.another darkbloom tip
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Fiddles said:
Boone22 said:
I've posted in this thread earlier but I'll re-post my favorites for anyone looking for something new...4) Malazan Books of the Fallen (Steve Erikson)
Click to expand...
:hot:anxiously awaiting the canadian release of reapers galeI just started R Scott Bakkers prince of nothing series yesterday. Starts off really quickly and hasnt let up yet.another darkbloom tip
Click to expand...
just finished reaper's gale last week (amazon via bagabook import). fantastic as usual. can't wait for number 8!! erikson's stuff ruins me other writers. his stuff is fracking fantastic...
 
kupcho1 said:
Pick said:
Sounds like we won't have to wait too long for the next one.
Click to expand...
:wall:
Click to expand...
as of February 15, George was getting a bit surly about the whole thing
I finally finished A DANCE WITH DRAGONS, but my dog ate the manuscript and there was no copy, so I'm starting over.

What, you don't believe me?

Okay, okay. We don't have a dog at present, and A DANCE WITH DRAGONS is not done.

I'm still writing. Certain storylines are going well. Others, not so much, but that's what rewriting is for, yes?

I have to admit, these updates aren't working the way I hoped they would. I started them in the hopes that they would help stem the flood of emails asking about the next book. They haven't. I get just as many emails, only now they're asking about the next update. Yes, I know I said I'd have an update in "early January," and January came and went and there was no update. I can read a calendar too. The reason there was no update...

Well, the book's not done. And we've had home renovations. And the book's not done. And there's been work on other projects, on comics and The World of Ice & Fire and the games and the new Wild Cards book, Inside Straight. And there was football, and cons to attend, and a signing tour, and the holidays, and did I mention those home renovations?

The truth is, these updates do make me feel like a twelve-year old trying to explain to teacher why he isn't turning in his essay, and knowing she isn't going to buy the "dog ate my homework" ruse any more than you guys do.

The only update that I want to write is the one that says, "A DANCE WITH DRAGONS is done." That's the one you want, and that's the one that I want to write... but when the book isn't done, having to come online and say so every few months becomes a stressful and unpleasant task. I really do appreciate the fact that so many people are so eager to read the next installment in A SONG OF ICE AND FIRE and I wish I could get it to you right now, but you guys read a lot faster than I can write.

When A DANCE WITH DRAGONS is finished, I will post that news here. The moment I finish the book, I will log on and make the announcement. If this message is still here, that means the book is not done yet. Until such time as I can trumpet that news, however, this page will remain the same.

The next update will be the one that announces that the DANCE is done.

-George R.R. Martin, February 15, 2007
Click to expand...
 
from the way baaaaackkkkk machine...

andre norton's 'witch world' series. the earliest 6 or 7 are best. when she started picking up co-writers things went a little downhill. this is the series that got me hooked back in the day. she wrote some decent hard scfi also...

roger zelazny - the 'prince of amber' series is classic but he had a couple of real gems with 'lord of light', 'isle of the dead' and 'this imortal'. 'this imortal' was a hugo winner... if you haven't read them, you need to track down a copy and give them a try.

edited to add this imortal...

 
Last edited by a moderator:
Anything by Christopher Moore is gold.

I cannot recommend A Dirty Job enough.

 
Last edited by a moderator:
Pick said:
New Tolkien
Click to expand...
"Children of Hurin"1/2 way through. Not all that great and I am a Tolkien fan.

If you liked the writing style in the Silmarillion (exception tale of Beren and Luthien) you will like this.

More informational than the flowing prose you see in LOTR.

BTW what ever happened to Gandalf's sword and staff when is trapped atop Orthanc???

 
Reading a book now titled "The Serpent Bride", by Sara Douglas. Almost finished and very good so far. Have had a hard time putting it down.

She also did The Wayfarer Redemption series which I thought was pretty good.

 
There's another thread on it around here somewhere, but we might as well note that Jordan died without finishing A Memory of Light. I imagine that someone will take his notes and recordings and other materials and get it done, but it is very disappointing. RIP RJ.

 
Fiddles said:
Boone22 said:
I've posted in this thread earlier but I'll re-post my favorites for anyone looking for something new...

4) Malazan Books of the Fallen (Steve Erikson)
Click to expand...
:rolleyes: anxiously awaiting the canadian release of reapers gale

I just started R Scott Bakkers prince of nothing series yesterday. Starts off really quickly and hasnt let up yet.

another darkbloom tip
Click to expand...
I read the Prince of Nothing series as well. Almost as good as the Erikson series but not quite. I'm working through Erikson's "The Bonehunters" right now (794 pages...damn he puts out some big books!).
 
Ranethe said:
Reading a book now titled "The Serpent Bride", by Sara Douglas. Almost finished and very good so far. Have had a hard time putting it down.She also did The Wayfarer Redemption series which I thought was pretty good.
Click to expand...
Finished this several days ago. Great book, can't wait for the next volume in the series. One thing I didn't initially realize was that some of the characters in this new series from her are characters that appeared in another series I had read quite some time ago and had forgotten (not sure of name of series, one book was titled 'Starman'). Not at all necessary to have read the other series though, this one stands alone.Just finished another book, The Well of Ascension, by Brandon Anderson. This is the second volume of a series called 'Mistborn". I had read the first volume quite a while ago and, while I enjoyed it, had forgotten about it (which is pretty common for me when I'm waiting for another volume in a series). Different kind of fantasy, not at all "high fantasy" and a little more politics/intrigue.Anyways, loved the book (much more than the first volume), couldn't put it down basically and read it in like 3 days.
 
Boone22 said:
Fiddles said:
Boone22 said:
I've posted in this thread earlier but I'll re-post my favorites for anyone looking for something new...

4) Malazan Books of the Fallen (Steve Erikson)
Click to expand...
:unsure: anxiously awaiting the canadian release of reapers gale

I just started R Scott Bakkers prince of nothing series yesterday. Starts off really quickly and hasnt let up yet.

another darkbloom tip
Click to expand...
I read the Prince of Nothing series as well. Almost as good as the Erikson series but not quite. I'm working through Erikson's "The Bonehunters" right now (794 pages...damn he puts out some big books!).
Click to expand...
When I saw this thread bumped, I came in to tell everyone I've started Erikson's Malazon series. Only into the second chapter of Gardens of the Moon, so to early for a review.
 
shining path said:
Boone22 said:
Fiddles said:
Boone22 said:
I've posted in this thread earlier but I'll re-post my favorites for anyone looking for something new...

4) Malazan Books of the Fallen (Steve Erikson)
Click to expand...
:thumbup: anxiously awaiting the canadian release of reapers gale

I just started R Scott Bakkers prince of nothing series yesterday. Starts off really quickly and hasnt let up yet.

another darkbloom tip
Click to expand...
I read the Prince of Nothing series as well. Almost as good as the Erikson series but not quite. I'm working through Erikson's "The Bonehunters" right now (794 pages...damn he puts out some big books!).
Click to expand...
When I saw this thread bumped, I came in to tell everyone I've started Erikson's Malazon series. Only into the second chapter of Gardens of the Moon, so to early for a review.
Click to expand...
Just ordered the first Malazan book, based on all the praise from this board.
 
The Sundering collection:

Banewreaker and Godslayer by Jacqueline Carey.

The names have changed (copyrights...) but the storyline is easily recognizable.

The Lord of the Rings epics from the viewpoint of Sauron (and the orcs).

It asks some good questions:

"Villains" are really just "evil heroes," right? (Ring Wraith leader)

If everyone says you are evil, are you evil? (Sauron)

Must you be "ugly" to be evil? (Orcs) Can't the pretty races be evil as well? (elves, humans, hobbits, etc)

This series was recommended by George R R Martin.

I'm a fan of his Song of Ice and Fire series (best written books I've read).

 
Riffraff said:
The Sundering collection:

Banewreaker and Godslayer by Jacqueline Carey.

The names have changed (copyrights...) but the storyline is easily recognizable.

The Lord of the Rings epics from the viewpoint of Sauron (and the orcs).

It asks some good questions:

"Villains" are really just "evil heroes," right? (Ring Wraith leader)

If everyone says you are evil, are you evil? (Sauron)

Must you be "ugly" to be evil? (Orcs) Can't the pretty races be evil as well? (elves, humans, hobbits, etc)

This series was recommended by George R R Martin.

I'm a fan of his Song of Ice and Fire series (best written books I've read).
Click to expand...
Speaking of LOTR, has anyone read any of these:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_History_of_Middle-earth

Are they worth the effort if I've read all five of JRR's books several times (LOTR,Hobbit, Silmarilion)?

 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Users who are viewing this thread

Total: 2 (members: 0, guests: 2)
Back
Top