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Fantasy genre authors? (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Pick
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Sand
Footballguy
I haven't seen this thread pop up in a while, and have started up a book that has me thoroughly impressed - The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms by N.K. Jemisin. Really good stuff - the best fantasy I have read in a while.
Also saw that they reprinted a classic - The Golden Key (Roberson et al.). Probably mentioned it earlier, but easily, easily worth a read. Slam dunk top 3 of all time for me.
Also saw that they reprinted a classic - The Golden Key (Roberson et al.). Probably mentioned it earlier, but easily, easily worth a read. Slam dunk top 3 of all time for me.
I just read this and the sequel (The Broken Kingdoms i think?) a few weeks ago. It was pretty good, I enjoyed it. I always judge my books by how much I look forward to picking it back up when I get the chance, and I was always trying to find time to keep reading it.One thing I'd kind of remark about it though, it's obvious it was written by a woman, had some "romance" genre elements, to the point that I told my wife she should check it out because she's into those fantasy/romance hybrids. Not that that's necessarily a bad thing.'Sand said:
For me personally I wouldn't come close to saying it was one of the best I've read in a while, but it was enjoyable, which is enough. I've had enough duds that it's always a plus to get a book i look forward to reading.
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Barry
Footballguy
Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire has motivated me to read more fantasy.
I've read The Kingkiller Chronicles, The Way of Kings and just started A Shadow in Summer. All recommendations. The books have been ok but are getting worse. The problem is the main characters all seem to be the same person. Intelligent, kind, selfless, and talented in everything they do. And they all seem to have the world's greatest parents until they were tragically seperated.
Can someone recommend a book where the hero isn't so super wonderful or maybe one where there is no hero at all.
I've read The Kingkiller Chronicles, The Way of Kings and just started A Shadow in Summer. All recommendations. The books have been ok but are getting worse. The problem is the main characters all seem to be the same person. Intelligent, kind, selfless, and talented in everything they do. And they all seem to have the world's greatest parents until they were tragically seperated.
Can someone recommend a book where the hero isn't so super wonderful or maybe one where there is no hero at all.
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ConnSKINS26
Footballguy
Dresden Files are great.
I'd also recommend the Night Angel Trilogy by Brent Weeks. Very dark and gritty, and violent.
I'd also recommend the Night Angel Trilogy by Brent Weeks. Very dark and gritty, and violent.
Uruk-Hai
Footballguy
Try Donaldson's Chronicles Of Thomas Covenant. The reading can be tough at times (Donaldson never met an adjective he didn't beat to death and he uses arcane words a lot) and some of it is so friggin' bleak. There's also a lot of walking around and the self-doubt in the main characters can get a little old. But the "hero" definitely isn't a likeable guy and Donaldson has some really good ideas/set pieces. The first book is by far the worst (not awful - he just hadn't hit his stride yet), so you'll need to hang in their to get to better stuff.
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igbomb
Footballguy
Read anything by Joe Abercrombie. The best characters in fantasy, with lots of shades of gray.
Sabertooth
Footballguy
Gonna dot this again. I've got to drywall and mud an entire house by myself coming up here. Should be able to slug through a few books.
This is my favorite fantasy series, I think I've read the first 6 books at least 3 times in my life. I don't agree with much of how you've characterized it. Not sure what you mean by "arcane" words? Unfamiliar vocabulary? I don't know that I'd characterize the book as "bleak" per se, either. I mean...it's heroic fantasy, good vs. evil, so it's not flowers and unicorns. Covenant is kind of an "anti-hero" but it's not at all difficult to empathize with him.The first book, as it introduces the characters and the setting, is of course the slowest developing, so I guess in that sense it is the "worst".
Uruk-Hai
Footballguy
It's all good, Ran. I enjoyed the series (haven't read the newest batch) and have read the first six books twice so I'm definitely not down on it. What I listed were some of the common criticisms, most of which I share. But that doesn't mean I didn't like the series or that I wouldn't recommend it - just that there are some challenges unique to Donaldson that may give some readers pause.As for the arcane words, "unfamiliar" would be another way to describe them I guess. He uses rare or older word forms a lot. There are a ton of "if you're reading Donaldson, bring your Thesaurus" type comments on various message boards. In any case, context helps a lot if you run across one. I can tell you this, though - if I never read the word "eldritch" again, it'll be too soon
Anyway, don't want to make too big a deal out of all of this. I'd recommend the books to any fantasy reader.
Ok, I didn't realize these were criticisms of his books. It's interesting that you say he uses rare or older word forms. I never noticed that. Next time I reread it I'll have to keep an eye out for that, just out of curiosity.You should check out the new volumes. I think they are at least as good as the 2nd trilogy, likely better IMO.It's all good, Ran. I enjoyed the series (haven't read the newest batch) and have read the first six books twice so I'm definitely not down on it. What I listed were some of the common criticisms, most of which I share. But that doesn't mean I didn't like the series or that I wouldn't recommend it - just that there are some challenges unique to Donaldson that may give some readers pause.As for the arcane words, "unfamiliar" would be another way to describe them I guess. He uses rare or older word forms a lot. There are a ton of "if you're reading Donaldson, bring your Thesaurus" type comments on various message boards. In any case, context helps a lot if you run across one. I can tell you this, though - if I never read the word "eldritch" again, it'll be too soon
Anyway, don't want to make too big a deal out of all of this. I'd recommend the books to any fantasy reader.
Uruk-Hai
Footballguy
Is the last series done?Ok, I didn't realize these were criticisms of his books. It's interesting that you say he uses rare or older word forms. I never noticed that. Next time I reread it I'll have to keep an eye out for that, just out of curiosity.You should check out the new volumes. I think they are at least as good as the 2nd trilogy, likely better IMO.It's all good, Ran. I enjoyed the series (haven't read the newest batch) and have read the first six books twice so I'm definitely not down on it. What I listed were some of the common criticisms, most of which I share. But that doesn't mean I didn't like the series or that I wouldn't recommend it - just that there are some challenges unique to Donaldson that may give some readers pause.As for the arcane words, "unfamiliar" would be another way to describe them I guess. He uses rare or older word forms a lot. There are a ton of "if you're reading Donaldson, bring your Thesaurus" type comments on various message boards. In any case, context helps a lot if you run across one. I can tell you this, though - if I never read the word "eldritch" again, it'll be too soon
Anyway, don't want to make too big a deal out of all of this. I'd recommend the books to any fantasy reader.
I've read 2 volumes of the last series. Not sure when the 3rd is coming out.Is the last series done?Ok, I didn't realize these were criticisms of his books. It's interesting that you say he uses rare or older word forms. I never noticed that. Next time I reread it I'll have to keep an eye out for that, just out of curiosity.You should check out the new volumes. I think they are at least as good as the 2nd trilogy, likely better IMO.It's all good, Ran. I enjoyed the series (haven't read the newest batch) and have read the first six books twice so I'm definitely not down on it. What I listed were some of the common criticisms, most of which I share. But that doesn't mean I didn't like the series or that I wouldn't recommend it - just that there are some challenges unique to Donaldson that may give some readers pause.As for the arcane words, "unfamiliar" would be another way to describe them I guess. He uses rare or older word forms a lot. There are a ton of "if you're reading Donaldson, bring your Thesaurus" type comments on various message boards. In any case, context helps a lot if you run across one. I can tell you this, though - if I never read the word "eldritch" again, it'll be too soon
Anyway, don't want to make too big a deal out of all of this. I'd recommend the books to any fantasy reader.
The Flying Elvis
Footballguy
Love the series and also a fan of the fact that Rothfuss is still real young and seems motivated to continue writing unlike Martin.'FattyVM said:
mad sweeney
Footballguy
I'm curious what people love about it. I made myself finish the second book just because it was so highly rated. It seems like so much has to happen in the last book to get to where dude starts his story that it'll be 1500 pages. I'm usually much harsher on first person books because I think it's often used as a huge cheat by authors, so maybe that's why. But it's a lot like a more adult version of Harry Potter without anything actually happening to him.
Barry
Footballguy
I thought The Name of the Wind turned silly. I don't have any interest in the third book. I'm going to check out the books recommended here. hope tofindanotherMartin.
So did A Wise Man's Fear.
The real problem I have with martin is that all of the fans who started reading recently and expect an actual end to his books ... probably aren't going to be satisfied. Readers with longer ties to him have pretty much came to grips that his books are slipping both in quality and time to print. After the debacle that occurred between the fourth and fifth books and their releases, as well as George himself not being really 'into' it anymore, it's just beginning to look like the story might end with a wheel of time type treatment.
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Maelstrom
Footballguy
Hopefully you realize that the series is almost finished now, just the last book to print, and it should be out this fall. If you haven't read the last few books, you're missing out on the conclusion (finally) of what is still a good series.So did A Wise Man's Fear.
Yep, I've invested soooo much time to Jordan/Sanderson, I wasn't thrilled with CoT, KoD and kind of forced myself through TGS so I kind of decided to wait until the series was completely finished before picking up 13 and 14.... hoping they will provide that same immersion I used to feel in the series. It's hard to judge the individual books because of how long the series is; I have to keep reminding myself that I was 5 when The Eye of the World came out, and started really getting into the books when I was still a young teenager so I really have to try and maintain that perspective in comparing different books.'Maelstrom said:Hopefully you realize that the series is almost finished now, just the last book to print, and it should be out this fall. If you haven't read the last few books, you're missing out on the conclusion (finally) of what is still a good series.'FattyVM said:So did A Wise Man's Fear.
mad sweeney
Footballguy
You're right if you're talking about Kingkiller, but the Martin series still has 2 more books iirc.'Maelstrom said:Hopefully you realize that the series is almost finished now, just the last book to print, and it should be out this fall. If you haven't read the last few books, you're missing out on the conclusion (finally) of what is still a good series.'FattyVM said:So did A Wise Man's Fear.
Maelstrom
Footballguy
Nope, the final book in the Wheel of Time series was just finished by Brandon Sanderson. He tweeted it (I posted the link earlier in this thread.) So they need to do the editing/printing, but the Wheel of Time series is done with this final book. And Sanderson also said he doesn't think it would be right to write other books in the WoT world, so with this book, the universe that Jordan created will be finished as well.You're right if you're talking about Kingkiller, but the Martin series still has 2 more books iirc.'Maelstrom said:Hopefully you realize that the series is almost finished now, just the last book to print, and it should be out this fall. If you haven't read the last few books, you're missing out on the conclusion (finally) of what is still a good series.'FattyVM said:So did A Wise Man's Fear.
mad sweeney
Footballguy
I missed the Jordan toss at the end or didn't think the fact that it was ready to come out was in doubt so glossed over it. I thought he was talking about Martin's series. But don't worry, Sanderson has a 10 or 11 book series going on to keep us company, probably until WE die.Nope, the final book in the Wheel of Time series was just finished by Brandon Sanderson. He tweeted it (I posted the link earlier in this thread.) So they need to do the editing/printing, but the Wheel of Time series is done with this final book. And Sanderson also said he doesn't think it would be right to write other books in the WoT world, so with this book, the universe that Jordan created will be finished as well.You're right if you're talking about Kingkiller, but the Martin series still has 2 more books iirc.'Maelstrom said:Hopefully you realize that the series is almost finished now, just the last book to print, and it should be out this fall. If you haven't read the last few books, you're missing out on the conclusion (finally) of what is still a good series.'FattyVM said:So did A Wise Man's Fear.
Maelstrom
Footballguy
Doh, and I completely missed the fact that you referenced the Martin series.I missed the Jordan toss at the end or didn't think the fact that it was ready to come out was in doubt so glossed over it. I thought he was talking about Martin's series. But don't worry, Sanderson has a 10 or 11 book series going on to keep us company, probably until WE die.Nope, the final book in the Wheel of Time series was just finished by Brandon Sanderson. He tweeted it (I posted the link earlier in this thread.) So they need to do the editing/printing, but the Wheel of Time series is done with this final book. And Sanderson also said he doesn't think it would be right to write other books in the WoT world, so with this book, the universe that Jordan created will be finished as well.You're right if you're talking about Kingkiller, but the Martin series still has 2 more books iirc.'Maelstrom said:Hopefully you realize that the series is almost finished now, just the last book to print, and it should be out this fall. If you haven't read the last few books, you're missing out on the conclusion (finally) of what is still a good series.'FattyVM said:So did A Wise Man's Fear.
Barry
Footballguy
Finished Lord Foul's Bane. I will continue to book 2 despite having to fight through parts of the story. A thesaurus would've been handy as someone pointed out but I think I was able to figure it out. I like Covenant which is why I'm continuing, and was shocked by his early act. I hope book 2 is better though, it should be now that I know who everyone is.
Pick
Footballguy
Sounds about like my reaction. Been awhile but I remember some tough parts to work through but the good parts were worth it.
Uruk-Hai
Footballguy
I think I said this upthread, but I thought Lord Foul's Bane was hands-down the worst of the bunch so I think you're wise to continue if you liked even just some of it.
Haven't read the thread, but I like Dennis McKiernan. His books begin with The Iron Tower Trilogy, which is now being sold as all one book, The Iron Tower.
His critics call it a blatant copy of Tolkien, but he says it's a tribute, and I think he pulls it off nicely. Probably my favorite series (now book) of all-time.
His critics call it a blatant copy of Tolkien, but he says it's a tribute, and I think he pulls it off nicely. Probably my favorite series (now book) of all-time.
I tried this author when I was very young and I thought his writing was such a cheesy caricature of fantasy writing-sickeningly so-that I couldn't even get through one book. our local library has a million of his books but I've never picked one up since even when I've been desperate, and even considering that standard sword and sorcery fantasy is my favorite form.I should probably give him another shot but I'm pretty unforgiving when I dislike an author.authors on my "do not read" list: Piers Anthony, David Eddings (though I liked The Belgariad), Raymond Feist (I liked first trilogy-forget name) but since then anything I've read from him has been boring crap-finally quit reading him.
I started reading McKiernan when I was a freshman in high school, so it's possible I liked it more then than I would have if I would be reading it now for the first time. I don't know. I guess I can see where it might come across as cheesy or cookie-cutter, especially in the first book of the trilogy, as the world, races, etc. are introduced. But I think the story is great, as are the main characters. It's also possible that my tastes are not as refined or mature as others, since I did most of my reading in high school.I would say though that McKiernan's writing style has definitely evolved from his first book to his most recent stuff. But if you're at the library and in the mood, pick up the Iron Tower and give it a go. The first 40-50 pages or so are slow, but then it picks up.Why are Piers Anthony and David Eddings on your do not read list? The only Piers Anthony I've read are the Incarnations of Immortality, and of course I've read Eddings' Belgariad.
Piers Anthony writes for a young crowd IMO. Haven't read anything from him in years (and can't even remember what I first read and liked) but when I picked him up subsequently the writing seemed targeted at a young-teenager-crowd. I loved the Belgariad and looked for everything from Eddings afterwards. Then read a few things and it seemed like a weak, over the top attempt to recreate the humor that was in the Belgariad. And just boring.I don't consider my tastes refined in any sense. Most of what I enjoy reading now is hardly high literature, but I'm picky with what I like to read. I can usually tell within the first 50 or so pages if the book is going to be a slog fest or page turner for me. I stick with the slogfests usually probably 99% of the time, but usually won't read anything else by that writer if I hated what I read.
Rustoleum
Footballguy
Eddings: The Mallorean sequels to the Belgariad were sort of meh. I seem to remember liking the series about religious knightly orders, the Elenium better ( at least the first three books)McKiernan: Put me in the blatant ripoff category. once the battle of Midas Tirith was recreated down to the tiered city, I gave up and didn't buy any more of those.Anthony: I liked On a Pale Horse, but don't think I read the rest of that series. the Xanth books were silly, but fun reads. the puns get old after a while and I'm sure I didn't read all of them. there was a one-off about a space dentist that I liked too, Prostho Plus? other older fantasy I really liked were the Spellsinger books by Alan Dean Foster and for more Anthony like silliness, Robert Lynn Asprin's M.Y.T.H books are similar.One series I never finished but might want to track down is the Amtrak Wars. Anybody finish those? is it worth picking back up? Think I read the first two or three books.'Ranethe said:
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Rustoleum
Footballguy
I can see that. It's probably been close to 20 years since I read those and I think my tastes have moved past his work too. Still, there's something to be said for a nice comfort read where the first two protagonists you meet don't get chucked from a tower window and beheaded, respectively.
Pick
Footballguy
It doesn't have to be one way or the other. But if I gotta choose I'll take the the later. If Eddings would just kill one off every now and then or allow them to lose a fight it's be fine (or even have a tough time in a fight). Too bad because I think everything else was in place for some good stuff (setting, plot, etc.).
Instinctive
Footballguy
Any Game of Thrones reviews in here? Got some books for Christmas, have MacBeth, Game of Thrones series, Kant's critique of Pure Reason and haven't decided on an order yet.
Maelstrom
Footballguy
Game of Thrones is awesome (along with at least the next 2 books in the series.) Read it first.(Oh, and yeah, there are Game of Thrones reviews in here and in the HBO Game of Thrones thread and in the Dance of Dragons thread and in the regular book thread as well. I'll leave it to the search function to actual find the threads in question.)
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Just don't get attached to any of the characters...
Rustoleum
Footballguy
What Maelstrom said.There are several threads in in here on them. For me the series is worth it just because the overall structure of the books is refreshingly different from almost anything else in the genre I've read. Whether or not it will be completed in my lifetime is another question.
I'll be honest, when I first read the Iron Tower Trilogy, I was more familiar with The Hobbit than Lord of the Rings. So I didn't recognize all the similarities until much later. So I never felt indignant about the story as I'm sure Tolkien fans did. But I think the overall story itself is different, and I enjoyed it for what it was.I remember reading an interview with McKiernan where he basically said he wrote what was supposed to be sort of a sequel to Lord of the Rings first. When he brought it to the publisher, they told him that they wanted him to write and publish the back story first. So that was the reason that the Iron Tower resembled Lord of the Rings. McKiernan's first manuscript (the Silver Call) was then published afterwards.
The Flying Elvis
Footballguy
Just finished Way of Kings by Sanderson...
First thing I have read by him and am now thinking of trying out the Mistborn Trilogy.
Way of Kings was real long 1000+ and probably didn't need to be but he is planning it as a 10 books series so a lot of world building was needed. While there lacked much action and was alot of buildup I still really enjoyed it and cannot wait until the next book next year or so. He is a fast writer so that is a plus. I really enjoyed the dynamics of the world and fantasy elements.
First thing I have read by him and am now thinking of trying out the Mistborn Trilogy.
Way of Kings was real long 1000+ and probably didn't need to be but he is planning it as a 10 books series so a lot of world building was needed. While there lacked much action and was alot of buildup I still really enjoyed it and cannot wait until the next book next year or so. He is a fast writer so that is a plus. I really enjoyed the dynamics of the world and fantasy elements.
mad sweeney
Footballguy
I wasn't a huge fan of the world he created, though obviously a LOT of creative thought was put into it. I have a bit more interest in it after reading the Mistborn series. He certainly goes against the grain in terms of the fantasy world. MB is decent enough, but again it's a completely new set of rules and a new world that he creates. At times it seemed more of a young adult oriented book and maybe the 3rd book isn't as strong in the end, but afterwards I was at least completely respectful of his imagination. I may let a few of the Way of Kings books get published before getting into the series again though.
If you read Mistborn, might want to check out his website - he put together annotated notes chapter by chapter to give some extra spoiler-free info on what he was thinking as he wrote each chapter, additional background, etc., with some spoilers also available for those who like that.
Barry
Footballguy
I haven't been able to get my hands on the Illearth War yet, so Thomas Covenant is on pause.
My cousin borrowed me her kindle to try out, plus it has all the Dresden Files on it. I flew through the first two and thought it was pretty good. Research tells me that they get a lot better as you go on. After reading epic fantasy the Dresden books were refreshing. I was going to change things up and start The Hunger games. all three are loaded on the device but I'll now pass based on Pick's post eventhough my cousin keeps asking me if I've started them yet. I love the kindle and will get one.
My cousin borrowed me her kindle to try out, plus it has all the Dresden Files on it. I flew through the first two and thought it was pretty good. Research tells me that they get a lot better as you go on. After reading epic fantasy the Dresden books were refreshing. I was going to change things up and start The Hunger games. all three are loaded on the device but I'll now pass based on Pick's post eventhough my cousin keeps asking me if I've started them yet. I love the kindle and will get one.
goonsquad
Think different.
I never comment on grammar, but in a reading thread? Really?
The Flying Elvis
Footballguy
Finished the Mistborn series... Liked it well enough. Truthfully I probably enjoyed it more for the originality of the magic system/world etc than the actual writing, which wasn't the best at times, especially when writing romantic relationships. Found at times the relationship maturity in the books bordered on YA, Twilightesque but that probably has to with Sanderson's relative young age when he wrote the books and his Mormon religion. Other than that complaint, I thoroughly enjoyed the magic systems and will continue to read whatever Sanderson puts out just because he tends to have some pretty great originality in his fantasy concepts.
Since getting into Song of Ice and Fire last summer I have kind exhausted most the new fantasy series which seem to interest me a bit (Kingkiller Chronicles, Magicians Series, Way of Kings, Mistborn, Lies of Locke Lamora) and have run out of stuff to read. I tried some Bakker but wasn't able to get into it. So right now I am re-reading Wise Man's Fear because I am big fan of The Kingkiller Chronicle series. Rothfuss is a great writer and similar to Martin in that I think they both are a bit above the rest of the genre in terms of actual literary quality but they also share the long waits between books which sucks.
Since getting into Song of Ice and Fire last summer I have kind exhausted most the new fantasy series which seem to interest me a bit (Kingkiller Chronicles, Magicians Series, Way of Kings, Mistborn, Lies of Locke Lamora) and have run out of stuff to read. I tried some Bakker but wasn't able to get into it. So right now I am re-reading Wise Man's Fear because I am big fan of The Kingkiller Chronicle series. Rothfuss is a great writer and similar to Martin in that I think they both are a bit above the rest of the genre in terms of actual literary quality but they also share the long waits between books which sucks.