Uruk-Hai
Footballguy
If you're really, really into how JRRT got to his finished product they're pretty interesting. But be warned: it can be tough going with all of Chris Tolkien's "fair manuscript A, B, & C"-type writer-talk.
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Fantasy genre authors? (1 Viewer)
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Twilight
Footballguy
Very cool series. Carey is a fantastic Author overall. Her Kushiel series about a Masochistic courtesan/spy in an alternate Middle ages France is even better, IMO, although not for everyone.
Marc Levin
Hangs out with Oscar Zeta Acosta
How would folks rate the Michael Moore[filtered word] series? I remember reading them when I was 13-ish and totally enjoying them, but I wonder if they will stay fresh on a re-read or seem juvenile.
I just checked out his page on Wiki, and he hated Tolkein's work.
And, finally, which Fritz Leiber books would folks recommend as a start?
I just checked out his page on Wiki, and he hated Tolkein's work.
And, finally, which Fritz Leiber books would folks recommend as a start?
Twilight
Footballguy
Epic Quest Fantasy basically, and those are the big modern 3. Eddings (the Belgariad) and Brooks (Shannara) are a couple of OK authors who have made their names with epic fantasy, but neither have the depth of those.Steven Erikson "Malazan" series gets a lot of recommendations, including a couple earlier in this thread. I haven't read it, but I finally found the first book used, so it's in my to be read listAnother author I haven't read his main series, but it's in my to be read pile is Brandon Sanderson. "Final Empire" is his main series, and his style was similar enough to Jordan to be named to finish book 12 of the Wheel of Time after RJ died. I did read Elantris, which was OK and well written, but not that interesting in the end.I HIGHLY recommend Jacquiline Carey, but her best series (Kushiel's Legacy) is more Alternate Historical fantasy. That, along with the main character who is a masochistic prostitute spy (much better than it sounds) means mileage may vary, but the series ranks top 3 overall for me. Her epic fantasy series (The Sundering) was more of an experiment and just OK. It was basically LOTR, written from Sauron and his lieutenants POV.Stephen R Donaldson's Thomas Covenant is extremely well written, but depressing as hell and has probably one of the most unlikeable protagonists ever.Joel Rosenberg's Guardians of the Flame was definitely readable as well. It's a bunch of real world D&D players who get transfered into their fantasy realm. And speaking of D&D, the first 6 Dragonlance books by Weis and Hickman are outstanding as well. There is some other D&D adaptations that are decent, but they are pretty derivative.Peter David has a 3 books series (Sir Apropos of Nothing) with a main character who is the evil sidekick instead of the hero of the book. A lot of humor, but very enjoyable.Dave Duncan has a series (The Kings Blades) which is very solid. He has other series, but this one is the best.Lastly, Lois McMaster Bujold's 3 Chalion books are outstanding (won 2 Hugos) but another more Historical fantasy than epic.
Fiddles
Footballguy
anxious to hear your thoughts although the first book is different from the rest of the series. toll the hounds the latest in the series was released last week and I just started it.
CletiusMaximus
Footballguy
Every time I see this thread on page 1, I open it with eager anticipation of George RR Martin news - disappointed once again (but of course I'm the fool for it, thrice now).
Sabertooth
Footballguy
Checking on Martin's website, he almost seems to be mocking his fans. I loved his partial series, A Song of Ice and Fire, but I doubt I will read the next book in 2018 when it finally comes out.CletiusMaximus said:
Walter Slovotsky
Footballguy
At least the bolded part, for sure...
Boone22
Footballguy
I'll second the bolded above and continue to pimp my favorite author/series... Glen Cook - The Black Company
Uruk-Hai
Footballguy
I've seen him recommended a bunch. Who would you compare him to?
I'm reading this series now. I'm enjoying it and find it kind of interesting. A bit slow moving and not close to the best I've read, but enjoyable.
Couldn't get into this. Unless I'm confusing it with another book like the first 50 pages were recitations of names and empires and it read like a history book.
Boone22
Footballguy
I have a hard time comparing him to anyone directly. His plots aren't as sophisticated as someone like George R R Martin and his descriptions may not be as detailed as Robert Jordan but, for me, he captures your attention faster and doesn't let go. His books rarely, if ever, drag or hit a slow spot. The thing that really separates him from a lot of authors is his dark/gritty writing style and the character depth he creates. He makes you feel like you are right in the mix and not once do you get that "fairy tale" feeling that some books *cough* The Hobbit *cough* give you. His characters are never definitively good or evil. They all have some level of a dark side to their personalities no matter how "good" them seem. Also his books tend to be faster/easier reads since his plots aren't as complicated as someone like Martin.p.s. Another option I'd suggest for the poster above is Raymond E Feist...The Magician Series
Edited to add the Wikipedia info on the series...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Black_Company
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Boone22
Footballguy
It's been quite a while since I re-read the first book in the series so it's possible the book starts out that way, however, I highly doubt I would have gotten through the first 50 pages of the book if that is correct. If I have to guess I'd say you are probably remembering a different series but maybe I'm wrong.Edited to add...
I found an on-line version of the first chapter of the first book... It doesn't seem to me to be much about empire names and histories
http://books.google.com/books?id=XNuQw0x5e...=result#PPA8,M1
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Just saw your edit. I checked out the link you posted and you're right, I'm definitely confusing it with a different book.
Twilight
Footballguy
Just finished Brandon Sanderson's Final Empire books (Mistborn and The Well of Ascension, 3 is out in Hardback in a couple of weeks).
Very solid reads. One of the more innovative magic setups, an interesting world that isn't just infodumped to you at the beginning, solid interesting characters, and a plot that isn't generic extruded fantasy. It's doesn't make my top 5, but was enjoyable enough that I will continue reading anything he writes.
Oh, and I can definitely see why he was picked to finish Robert Jordan's Memory of Light (Book 12 in the Wheel of Time). He definitely has a similar style and should do a fine job of finishing it.
Very solid reads. One of the more innovative magic setups, an interesting world that isn't just infodumped to you at the beginning, solid interesting characters, and a plot that isn't generic extruded fantasy. It's doesn't make my top 5, but was enjoyable enough that I will continue reading anything he writes.
Oh, and I can definitely see why he was picked to finish Robert Jordan's Memory of Light (Book 12 in the Wheel of Time). He definitely has a similar style and should do a fine job of finishing it.
I enjoyed these a lot also. Didn't realize there was a 3rd volume coming, I'll have to look for it.
Steel Dillo
Footballguy
Currently reading Acacia by David Anthony Durham. First time I've seen any of his work, so I'm guessing he's pretty new.
From Publishers Weekly
In this sprawling and vividly imagined fantasy, historical novelist Durham (Pride of Carthage) chronicles the downfall and reinvention of the Akaran Dynasty, whose empire, called Acacia, was built on conquest, slaving and drug trade. The Acacian empire, encompassing "The Known World," is hated by its subjugated peoples, especially the Mein, who 22 generations earlier were exiled to the icy northland. Having sent an assassin to kill the Acacian king, Leodan, the rebel chieftain, Hanish Mein, declares war on the empire. As Acacia falls, Leodan's treasonous but conflicted chancellor, Thaddeus Clegg, spirits the king's four children to safety. When the Mein's rule proves even more tyrannical than the old, the former chancellor seeks to reunite the now adult Akaran heirs—the oldest son Aliver (once heir to the throne), the beautiful elder daughter Corinn, their younger sister, Mena, and youngest brother, Dariel—to lead a war to regain the empire. Durham has created a richly detailed alternate reality leavened with a dollop of magic and populated by complicated personalities grappling with issues of freedom and oppression.
Its a solid 740 pages.
From Publishers Weekly
In this sprawling and vividly imagined fantasy, historical novelist Durham (Pride of Carthage) chronicles the downfall and reinvention of the Akaran Dynasty, whose empire, called Acacia, was built on conquest, slaving and drug trade. The Acacian empire, encompassing "The Known World," is hated by its subjugated peoples, especially the Mein, who 22 generations earlier were exiled to the icy northland. Having sent an assassin to kill the Acacian king, Leodan, the rebel chieftain, Hanish Mein, declares war on the empire. As Acacia falls, Leodan's treasonous but conflicted chancellor, Thaddeus Clegg, spirits the king's four children to safety. When the Mein's rule proves even more tyrannical than the old, the former chancellor seeks to reunite the now adult Akaran heirs—the oldest son Aliver (once heir to the throne), the beautiful elder daughter Corinn, their younger sister, Mena, and youngest brother, Dariel—to lead a war to regain the empire. Durham has created a richly detailed alternate reality leavened with a dollop of magic and populated by complicated personalities grappling with issues of freedom and oppression.
Its a solid 740 pages.
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Todd Andrews
Footballguy
Didnt read the whole thread but Gene Wolfe needs to be mentioned if he wasnt already.
Brilliant writer in any genre.
Brilliant writer in any genre.
Sundays Rule
Footballguy
Just about done with the first book Gardens of the Moon. Pretty good, but the huge cast of characters and plots within plots can get confusing. Not to mention Erikson seems to like to leave you in the dark at first and slowly piece it together. So I found myself fairly confused for like the first quarter of the book, only now near the end do I get it.Debating whether to pick up the second book Deadhouse Gates. Is this series worth continuing? May jump into another series if not.
Twilight
Footballguy
Deadhouse Gates is more of the same. Huge cast of characters (a couple from GOTM, but most new) and more story where most of the plot is based on world knowledge the reader doesn't know and never is really explained.Erikson is a very solid writer with a very lush world, but so much is lost because the context isn't there, IMO. Too many bad guys strike fear in the POV characters but leave the reader cold because we don't know what is going on. Old ruins are written with a solid sense of wonder, but again is lost on the reader since we have no feel for the history of the world until the book is over. That, combined with the sheer amount of POV's preventing you from really getting to know any character, is really hampering my enjoyment of the series.I really want to like the books because of the depth of the vision, but I just can't so far. I have Memories of Ice in my To Be Read pile, and I definitely will read it eventually, but I'm in no hurry right now.
southeastjerome
Footballguy
My uncle! Never read any of his books though.
mad sweeney
Footballguy
I first got into fantasy in about 3rd or 4th grade with The Chronicles of Prydain by LLoyd Alexander. A 5 book series, the first two were shortened into the Disney movie The black Cauldron. Very basic and definitely juvenile but got me going for 25+ years. He also had a few other books I liked as a kid but haven't tried reading them since, First Two Lives of Lucas Kasha, The Kestrel (part of a trilogy) and though I never read it; the Indian in the Cupboard.
Hated the Lord of the Rings, took me 20+ years to get past middle of book II.
The Dragonlance Chronicles, the originals (Summer, Winter, Spring) were and still are awesome. Still have the first copies I bought in the mid 80s, signed by Hickman and held together by tape. I still re-read them every two years or so.
Robert Jordan's WoT was awesome but draaaaaaaaaaaaaagggggggggggggssssssss on. Last book was ok but spent most of the previous 3 reading the first sentences of each paragraph and skipping the rest if it was talking about people's clothing.
Terry Pratchett. Dunno if he's been brought up though I would assume he has. Discworld books are alright, good for airplanes. But he collaborated with Neil Gaiman to write Good Omens which is one of the funniest books ever written. Basically if the Pythons or Douglas Adams had done The Omen this would be it. Hghly recommended.
Memory, Sorrow and Thorn by Tad Williams has been brought up before, it's a good read but not great. A little long and not re-read worthy but fun.
Scott Lynch has a relatively new series called Genltlemen Bastards or something like that. Pretty innovative world, low on magic but high on fantasy. More of thieves' tales like The Sting than epic/quest fantasy. His world is really well realized and the characters are quite compelling, good storylines and a lot of really gruesome death. Lies of Locke Lamora, Red Skies Under Red Dawn (or somewhat) and book 3 comes out this summer.
Hated the Lord of the Rings, took me 20+ years to get past middle of book II.
The Dragonlance Chronicles, the originals (Summer, Winter, Spring) were and still are awesome. Still have the first copies I bought in the mid 80s, signed by Hickman and held together by tape. I still re-read them every two years or so.
Robert Jordan's WoT was awesome but draaaaaaaaaaaaaagggggggggggggssssssss on. Last book was ok but spent most of the previous 3 reading the first sentences of each paragraph and skipping the rest if it was talking about people's clothing.
Terry Pratchett. Dunno if he's been brought up though I would assume he has. Discworld books are alright, good for airplanes. But he collaborated with Neil Gaiman to write Good Omens which is one of the funniest books ever written. Basically if the Pythons or Douglas Adams had done The Omen this would be it. Hghly recommended.
Memory, Sorrow and Thorn by Tad Williams has been brought up before, it's a good read but not great. A little long and not re-read worthy but fun.
Scott Lynch has a relatively new series called Genltlemen Bastards or something like that. Pretty innovative world, low on magic but high on fantasy. More of thieves' tales like The Sting than epic/quest fantasy. His world is really well realized and the characters are quite compelling, good storylines and a lot of really gruesome death. Lies of Locke Lamora, Red Skies Under Red Dawn (or somewhat) and book 3 comes out this summer.
The Lloyd Alexander books were my first foray into fantasy as well sometime around 3rd grade (not counting things like James and the Giant Peach).
Sand
Footballguy
Has anyone read Jack Whyte's Calumod books? They look interesting.
Also, I have read a decent bit of what the discussions have centered on in here. I'd like to pass one book on: The Golden Key by a trio of authors. Out of print now, but easy to get a hold of. The first 100 pages are a tad slow, but it really picks up from there and is a unique read. As far as standalone fantasy books, it is easily the most memorable one I have read in the last couple decades.
Edit: Oooh, I forgot and didn't see it in the last few pages. Great new series from Joe Abercrombie - The First Law Series. Spectacular series. Really - read it.
Also, I have read a decent bit of what the discussions have centered on in here. I'd like to pass one book on: The Golden Key by a trio of authors. Out of print now, but easy to get a hold of. The first 100 pages are a tad slow, but it really picks up from there and is a unique read. As far as standalone fantasy books, it is easily the most memorable one I have read in the last couple decades.
Edit: Oooh, I forgot and didn't see it in the last few pages. Great new series from Joe Abercrombie - The First Law Series. Spectacular series. Really - read it.
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Maelstrom
Footballguy
Finished a new paperback trilogy by Brent Weeks recently - The Night Angel Trilogy. It's not a really deep read, but it is fun and a little different. The trilogy was released almost all at once (Oct/Nov/Dec '08) and these are his first books, I believe. Kinda a medieval ninja story that adds more magic as the story goes on.
I ended up reading the entire trilogy over about a week - couldn't put it down. Weeks is a pretty good storyteller, I hope he puts out some more work soon.
I ended up reading the entire trilogy over about a week - couldn't put it down. Weeks is a pretty good storyteller, I hope he puts out some more work soon.
Sundays Rule
Footballguy
Picked up Deadhouse and am about halfway through. Although it is more of the same style, I find it better than Gardens of the Moon. A bit more epic in scope and I find the Seven Cities to be a way more interesting continent than Genabackis, it seem more seeped in history. It reminds me of Dune with its vast desert wastes and various nomadic tribes. May take a break from the sries after this one though.
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Sand
Footballguy
I have finished these and they are now collecting dust. If anyone wants the whole trilogy let me know. All of 'em for $20 shipped (I'll give FBGs first shot before I stick 'em on Amazon).
shining path
:prettyplease:
I agree with most of the sentiments in this thread chain regarding GoM. I have the next two of the series and haven't gotten to them yet.However, my brother indicates that by about book 4, the series gets MUCH better. You become more and more familiar with the world so you have some context, and Erikson really comes into his own as an author. His descriptions become much more vivid, and he does a better job at giving the reader just enough (but not too much) information. Second hand info, but my brother is a pretty sophisticated reader and a fan of the genre.
chuckorc
Footballguy
I'm interested drop me a PM and we'll work things out.
Sand
Footballguy
PM sent.
SierraKiloBravo
Footballguy
Drifter
Footballguy
Gardens of the Moon is a tough read because he's setting up threads that will be intertwined through all the subsequent novels.
commisholio
Come out with your pants down!
I've picked up and read through the Malazan books based on the recommendations in this thread. I would agree that the first one is a little slow and they definitely pick up steam over time. By about book 4 I was pretty hooked. I would also recommend Brandon Sanderson's Mistborn trilogy. Book 1 was very good, book 2 not bad, and book 3 so far (I'm about 1/4 done) looks very good as well.
Sanderson reports that the last installment of JOrdan's WoT will be split into 3 books - I thought there were too many loose ends to tie up in a single book - and the first one is supposed to be out in November.
Sanderson reports that the last installment of JOrdan's WoT will be split into 3 books - I thought there were too many loose ends to tie up in a single book - and the first one is supposed to be out in November.
Maelstrom
Footballguy
I'm excited - just saw the first of Sanderson's Wheel of Time books listed on Amazon, showing a release date of Oct. 27th. It's called The Gathering Storm.Here's the product description from Amazon:
Probably should say mild spoiler alert for any who haven't read earlier books in the series yet. Disclaimer over.
Twilight
Footballguy
Haven't posted in a while, so I'll catch up a bit
Now have read through 4 in Malazan. Definite improvement in 3 and 4, but he still annoys me at times. Still a lot of mysterious references, but now they are more annoying because you have to wonder if it's something/someone you encountered 2000 pages ago for one paragraph, or something/someone new. And he spends too much time teasing the reader with bits of almost information, but cuts out before it can be explained. A little bit of it builds interest in the plot. As much as he does it, just annoys me.
Probably the best thing I've read in the past 6 months has been Jim Butcher's Dresden series. Reread it when the newest came out, and tracked down all the short stories and read those too (I read them in B&N's, wasn't about to buy an anthology for one story). Just seems to get better and better, which considering the latest was #10, is saying something.
Not much else in the classic fantasy, except for The Stepsister's Scheme, by Jim Hines. Offbeat fantasy with Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, and Snow White(Definitely not the Disney versions) as the main characters. Nothing deep, decent light read.
Decent amount of Urban Fantasy. Nothing outstanding, all pretty formulaic, but they pass the time. Kim Harrison's probably the best of the bunch.
Now have read through 4 in Malazan. Definite improvement in 3 and 4, but he still annoys me at times. Still a lot of mysterious references, but now they are more annoying because you have to wonder if it's something/someone you encountered 2000 pages ago for one paragraph, or something/someone new. And he spends too much time teasing the reader with bits of almost information, but cuts out before it can be explained. A little bit of it builds interest in the plot. As much as he does it, just annoys me.
Probably the best thing I've read in the past 6 months has been Jim Butcher's Dresden series. Reread it when the newest came out, and tracked down all the short stories and read those too (I read them in B&N's, wasn't about to buy an anthology for one story). Just seems to get better and better, which considering the latest was #10, is saying something.
Not much else in the classic fantasy, except for The Stepsister's Scheme, by Jim Hines. Offbeat fantasy with Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, and Snow White(Definitely not the Disney versions) as the main characters. Nothing deep, decent light read.
Decent amount of Urban Fantasy. Nothing outstanding, all pretty formulaic, but they pass the time. Kim Harrison's probably the best of the bunch.
commisholio
Come out with your pants down!
Picked up "The Gathering Storm" and read it last week. I feel it is the best WoT book since The Dragon Reborn - stuff happens through the whole book, and plot lines actually get resolved rather than multiplying. It doesn't read quite like Jordan, but Brandon Sanderson is pretty talented in his own right. If you enjoyed the early books and got turned off by the pace of books 7-10, you might be interested in picking it up again.
I just read the first of Butcher's Aleran series and that too, was pretty solid.
shamrock84
Footballguy
I picked this one up too. Only about a chapter in but enjoying it so far. Haven't read any Sanderson before so I was skeptical but he seems to be holding his own. Loved the whole WoT series.
Twilight
Footballguy
The final book of the Aleran series comes out at the end of the month. Amazon and Walmart are apparently in a price war involving it, as it's down to $9 in Hardcover. I don't know if the price will last, but ordering it now will lock in the price at Amazon.
