For Fantasy book lovers ...... - Page 2

lumi · 03-02-2006, 09:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lucien21

Tad Williams last fantasy novel "Shadowmarch" has just been released on paperback in the UK.

I'm reading that right now. Compared to other fantasy books, it's a little above average, but not good enough to get me interested. There's a number of similarities to A Song of Ice and Fire, and I wonder how much of it was conscious copying.

lumi · 03-02-2006, 09:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ninth

I need to find some new books to read (preferably a series) for next week... Suggestions, anyone?

EDIT: Something original would be a plus.

I recommend The Iron Dragon's Daughter by Michael Swanwick. It's not a series or a pure fantasy story, but it is original; I've never read anything like it. It's not a great book, but it is a good read if you want something different.

Ninth · 03-03-2006, 06:52 AM

Ok guys, thanks for your recommendations.
Here are the books I'm considering:

J. V. Jones : Sword of Shadows

Steven Erikson : Garden of the Moon

David Farlan : The Runelords

Glen Cook : The Black Company

Sara Douglass : The Axis Trilogy

Kate Elliot : Crown of Stars

Jennifer Fallon : one of her books - can't remember the titles right now...

Opinions?

playing_games · 03-03-2006, 07:47 AM

Out of these, David Farland, no contest.

Sara Douglass is ok too but she's no Robin Hobb in my opinion.

I personally couldn't get into Glen Cook at all. I have two books of sitting only half read but he's very popular.

Out2lunch · 03-03-2006, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Just reread American Gods! I am loving that book.

I don't know, I liked Neverwhere better. And of course Good Omens can't be passed up.

Lucien21 · 03-03-2006, 10:12 AM

Good Omens would have been better without Pratchett.

Manhunter71 · 03-04-2006, 06:49 PM

I can't believe no-one has mentioned Dan Simmons

The Hyperion series has got to be one of the best sci-fi/fantasy sagas ever

[toj.cc]Phantom · 03-04-2006, 08:09 PM

The Dragon Lance books are all pretty good, IMHO. I also liked Christopher Paolini's Eragon and Eldest books...the third and last one isn't out yet.

Ninth · 03-13-2006, 05:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Manhunter71

I can't believe no-one has mentioned Dan Simmons

The Hyperion series has got to be one of the best sci-fi/fantasy sagas ever

I've read it, but I would classify it as ScFi.

I've finally decided on trying J.V.Jones's Sword of Shadows.
I'm halfway through the first book, and I like it so far.

colpet · 03-13-2006, 09:25 AM

Quote:

J. V. Jones : Sword of Shadows

Steven Erikson : Garden of the Moon

David Farlan : The Runelords

Glen Cook : The Black Company

Sara Douglass : The Axis Trilogy

Kate Elliot : Crown of Stars

Jennifer Fallon : one of her books - can't remember the titles right now...

I haven't tried any on your list; I have heard of Elliot, Erikson and Douglass.
I'm hankering for a good series now, too. I found the Belgariad (David Eddings), all 5 volumes in omnibus form. I also got the Abhorsen trilogy patiently waiting for me.

Manhunter71 · 03-13-2006, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ninth

I've read it, but I would classify it as ScFi.

I suppose it is, but I don't really see a great distinction between Sci-Fi and Fantasy

Dasilva · 03-13-2006, 04:17 PM

Sci-fi - fantasy, same thing right?

Ninth · 03-14-2006, 01:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by colpet

I haven't tried any on your list; I have heard of Elliot, Erikson and Douglass.
I'm hankering for a good series now, too. I found the Belgariad (David Eddings), all 5 volumes in omnibus form. I also got the Abhorsen trilogy patiently waiting for me.

The Belgariad is fun and cute. Easy read.

Otherwise, well, I still recommend Hobb and Martin.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dasilva

Sci-fi - fantasy, same thing right?

They're certainly very similar, but I don't know, they don't feel exactly the same to me, and I can't read ScFi when I'm in the mood for Fantasy.

colpet · 03-14-2006, 03:55 AM

Quote:

I suppose it is, but I don't really see a great distinction between Sci-Fi and Fantasy

There must be, because I definitely gravitate more towards fantasy than Sci-fi. However, it is probably a nebulous distinction, sort of like trying to define an adventure

.

Quote:

Otherwise, well, I still recommend Hobb and Martin.

No doubt I'll be getting these eventually. I've been on a book buying binge recently. It reminds me of my early days of gaming when I just had to catch up on all the oldies I had missed.

lumi · 03-25-2006, 09:27 PM

Some bad news on the fantasy front: Robert Jordan is ill.

People always joked about how he would die before he finished Wheel of Time. I hope that doesn't happen.

Lucien21 · 03-25-2006, 11:38 PM

I hope he gets better.

I did enjoy his earlier books.

Being told you have 4 years (More or less) to live is harsh.

Stoofa · 03-26-2006, 12:12 PM

Maybe it will light a fire under his ass and he'll finish up the series with the next book. I'm dreaming, aren't I.

Squinky · 03-26-2006, 01:40 PM

I second the recommendation for George R.R. Martin.

I used to be a huge Terry Goodkind fan about five years ago, but not so much anymore. It's probably a combination of his writing style getting progressively preachier and my tastes maturing somewhat.

Elizabeth Haydon's Symphony of Ages was a favourite of mine as well at one point, but might be too estrogen-filled for some people here. There also used to be an excellent community surrounding these books, but it's declined in quality over the last year or so... too many middle-aged women and such.

Tolkien and Jordan bored me so much that I couldn't get past their first books, and so did Tad Williams, though slightly less so. Then again, I have a short attention span.

Gaiman is awesome (especially Neverwhere and his book of short fiction, Smoke and Mirrors), and Pratchett is funny but not really all that engaging.

colpet · 03-26-2006, 01:50 PM

I recently picked up Legends II from the bargain bin at our local Chapters. It's got new short stories by:
Raymond Feist
George R.R.Martin
Robin Hobb
AnneMcCaffrey
Robert Silverberg
Neil Gaiman
Tad Williams
Terry brooks
Orson Scott Card
Elizabeth Hayden
Diana Gabaldon
It's a great smorgasbord of fantasy, and its helping me get a little taste of each author.

Ninth · 03-28-2006, 10:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by colpet

I recently picked up Legends II from the bargain bin at our local Chapters. It's got new short stories by:
Raymond Feist
George R.R.Martin
Robin Hobb
AnneMcCaffrey
Robert Silverberg
Neil Gaiman
Tad Williams
Terry brooks
Orson Scott Card
Elizabeth Hayden
Diana Gabaldon
It's a great smorgasbord of fantasy, and its helping me get a little taste of each author.

So which ones do you like best?

03-03-2006, 06:52 AM	#23
Ninth Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Paris, France Posts: 6,409	Ok guys, thanks for your recommendations. Here are the books I'm considering: J. V. Jones : Sword of Shadows Steven Erikson : Garden of the Moon David Farlan : The Runelords Glen Cook : The Black Company Sara Douglass : The Axis Trilogy Kate Elliot : Crown of Stars Jennifer Fallon : one of her books - can't remember the titles right now... Opinions? Share Share this post on Twitter __________________ ...It's down there somewhere. Let me have another look. Last edited by Ninth; 03-03-2006 at 07:49 AM.

03-03-2006, 07:47 AM	#24
playing_games Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 443	Out of these, David Farland, no contest. Sara Douglass is ok too but she's no Robin Hobb in my opinion. I personally couldn't get into Glen Cook at all. I have two books of sitting only half read but he's very popular. Share Share this post on Twitter

03-03-2006, 10:12 AM	#26
Lucien21 Psychonaut Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Edinburgh Posts: 5,114	Good Omens would have been better without Pratchett. Share Share this post on Twitter __________________ I'm not insane, my mother had me tested!

03-04-2006, 06:49 PM	#27
Manhunter71 Pink fluffy Xmas bunny Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Lancaster, England Posts: 1,591	I can't believe no-one has mentioned Dan Simmons The Hyperion series has got to be one of the best sci-fi/fantasy sagas ever Share Share this post on Twitter __________________ We've got to have rules and obey them. After all, we're not savages. We're English! And the English are best at everything!

03-04-2006, 08:09 PM	#28
[toj.cc]Phantom The Punisher Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Pleasant Plain, Ohio Posts: 771	The Dragon Lance books are all pretty good, IMHO. I also liked Christopher Paolini's Eragon and Eldest books...the third and last one isn't out yet. Share Share this post on Twitter __________________ I've got a bad rap as a senseless killer. Let me point out that I am a very sensible killer.

03-13-2006, 04:17 PM	#32
Dasilva Hitch-Hiker Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: The Mediterranean Sea Posts: 4,364	Sci-fi - fantasy, same thing right? Share Share this post on Twitter __________________ Regards, DaSilva "If you don't get out of the box you've been raised in, you won't understand how much bigger the world is." - Angelina Jolie _ <Susan falls through the floor and gets stuck> <Paco looks at her blankly> "Whats wrong with you?! Lassy would of had a firetruck here by now!" - Susan Mayer, Desperate Housewives

03-25-2006, 09:27 PM	#35
lumi Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Washington, USA Posts: 2,120	Some bad news on the fantasy front: Robert Jordan is ill. People always joked about how he would die before he finished Wheel of Time. I hope that doesn't happen. Share Share this post on Twitter

03-25-2006, 11:38 PM	#36
Lucien21 Psychonaut Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Edinburgh Posts: 5,114	I hope he gets better. I did enjoy his earlier books. Being told you have 4 years (More or less) to live is harsh. Share Share this post on Twitter __________________ I'm not insane, my mother had me tested!

03-26-2006, 12:12 PM	#37
Stoofa Roar? Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 665	Maybe it will light a fire under his ass and he'll finish up the series with the next book. I'm dreaming, aren't I. Share Share this post on Twitter

03-26-2006, 01:40 PM	#38
Squinky Unreliable Narrator Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Le Canada Posts: 9,873	I second the recommendation for George R.R. Martin. I used to be a huge Terry Goodkind fan about five years ago, but not so much anymore. It's probably a combination of his writing style getting progressively preachier and my tastes maturing somewhat. Elizabeth Haydon's Symphony of Ages was a favourite of mine as well at one point, but might be too estrogen-filled for some people here. There also used to be an excellent community surrounding these books, but it's declined in quality over the last year or so... too many middle-aged women and such. Tolkien and Jordan bored me so much that I couldn't get past their first books, and so did Tad Williams, though slightly less so. Then again, I have a short attention span. Gaiman is awesome (especially Neverwhere and his book of short fiction, Smoke and Mirrors), and Pratchett is funny but not really all that engaging. Share Share this post on Twitter

03-26-2006, 01:50 PM	#39
colpet Easily amused Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,091	I recently picked up Legends II from the bargain bin at our local Chapters. It's got new short stories by: Raymond Feist George R.R.Martin Robin Hobb AnneMcCaffrey Robert Silverberg Neil Gaiman Tad Williams Terry brooks Orson Scott Card Elizabeth Hayden Diana Gabaldon It's a great smorgasbord of fantasy, and its helping me get a little taste of each author. Share Share this post on Twitter __________________ Occasionally visiting Uru Live (KI 00637228).

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