EPT[Req][Books] Good Fantasy/SciFi books - Page 7
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Steel
Japan2283 Posts
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solidbebe
Netherlands4921 Posts
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Backpack
United States1776 Posts
A personal favorite of mine is the His Dark Materials trilogy. Many people seem to put it off as a series for children because of the movie adaptation of The Golden Compass which was a simplified version of the first book. The actual book series is set in a multiverse and "and alludes to a broad range of ideas from fields such as physics, philosophy, theology and spirituality." The main plot of the story has to do with the relationship between parallel universes. The books are also criticized for the depiction of the church as the bad guy and the negative views of religion in general. Its a controversial story told from the unbiased(at first) view of a small child. | ||
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Talin
Montenegro10532 Posts
I've basically never heard of Brandon Sanderson before reading the last two Wheel of Time books. I'm kind of wary of modern fantasy authors, but I have to admit his WOT stuff was fairly good. So what I want to know is if his own original work is on a similar level (and get some recommendations). I do like his style and all, I'm just wondering if his "world-building" skills are up to the task, since he got served a pretty finished setting for Wheel of Time. | ||
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Bleak
Turkey3059 Posts
By the way, about the Wheel of Time, those books are so big and really expensive here but aside that, I don't know which one to start from...is it like the Dragonlance where there are a ton of books and you have to search your way through them? | ||
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teknomage
16 Posts
On February 14 2011 05:58 Talin wrote: A quick question to anyone that's familiar with the stuff - I've basically never heard of Brandon Sanderson before reading the last two Wheel of Time books. I'm kind of wary of modern fantasy authors, but I have to admit his WOT stuff was fairly good. So what I want to know is if his own original work is on a similar level (and get some recommendations). I do like his style and all, I'm just wondering if his "world-building" skills are up to the task, since he got served a pretty finished setting for Wheel of Time. I've really enjoyed the Mistborn series of his too. I wouldn't compare it to WoT though. Not really sure how to explain it but I'm sure others here have read it too. Currently waiting for 'The Way of Kings' to drop in my mailbox. | ||
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blamous
United States377 Posts
On February 14 2011 06:08 Bleak wrote: , about the Wheel of Time, those books are so big and really expensive here but aside that, I don't know which one to start from...is it like the Dragonlance where there are a ton of books and you have to search your way through them? There is a specific order - Start with "The Eye of the World" and go from there. There is a prequel, called "New Spring" I think, or something similar, but I have not read it yet. | ||
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Karliath
United States2214 Posts
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HowardRoark
1146 Posts
But, if I were you I would turn to SF instead and never go back. You get that Sense of Wonder I never been able to get when I read fantasy: Cordwainer Smith - Scanners live in vain Isaac Asimov - The Gods themselves and a new great SF: Spin by Robert Charles Wilson. If you just stay away from the rest of his books, Spin will blow your mind. | ||
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xLethargicax
United States469 Posts
Has anyone here read the Avatar series? Shadowdale, Tantras, Waterdeep? I think two more were written as well, but here! http://www.amazon.com/Shadowdale-~-Tantras-Waterdeep-Avatar/dp/B001CWJVN2 Phenomenal. | ||
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Critter
United States196 Posts
I'm also a huge fan of King's Dark Tower series although I haven't read too many of his other books (Green Mile and most of the Stand). I also picked up Game of Thrones recently and really enjoyed that. I'll probably pick up the rest of the series after I finish the Malazan books since Martin is such a slow writer anyway. | ||
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Toobz
United States88 Posts
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yellowmoe
Canada59 Posts
Mythago Wood was also up there with one of my favourite books. Also from Christopher Stasheff, is The Sage. Although it is part of the Star Stone duology, it can act as a stand alone book. Edit: I just want to say, I looked at the date, and the OP post was made in 2004! LOL. | ||
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wwer
United States53 Posts
Haruki Murkami - Dance Dance Dace and After the quake Thomas Pynchon - The Crying of Lot 49 and Gravity's Rainbow Albert Camus - The Stranger | ||
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Sanctimonius
United Kingdom861 Posts
George R R Martin. Again have to second the rec's here. I honestly cannot find fault with this series of books. The characters are as detailed and complex as any I've ever read, eveyrone has an agenda and it's frequently difficult to decide who is on what side, or if there really are any sides at all. Gemmell and Eddings are great authors, each with their fantastic books, decent books, and ones you should really avoid (Read Legend, White Wolf and Waylander by Gemmell, and while the Belgariad and the Mallorean are good by Eddings I'd personally suggest the Elenium Trilogy - Sparhawk is just a fantastic and well-rounded individual and you find yourself caring for his troubles more than you do for Garion's). Anyone suggest James Barcley's Chronicles of the Raven, or Glen Cook's the Black Company? Good action fantasy, Cook's has been compared to military fiction is it's style, while Barcley's is a little corny it is fun. Also want to recommend I, Lucifer by Glen Duncan - very good book about Lucifer getting his second chance, and everything he does with it. Film rights are involved. Pratchett is always a good read, the Watchmen and the Witches series are probably the best there, and anything by Neil Gaiman (Sandman! Neverwhere! American Gods! Anansi Boys!) is great. Try Good Omens, by Gaiman and Pratchett together. You can't go wrong :D I've been recently reading the Horus Heresy novels from the Warhammer 40k universe - some are great and the subject matter is well developed and thought out, but because it has a number of authors the quality does vary. IMO Dan Abnett and Aaron Dembski-Bowden are the best two here, but a lot of people like Graham McNeill too (although personally don't like his writing style...). Final mention to the Wormwood: Gentleman Corpse series of comics. No idea if you're into comics but they are just that good I thought I'd give them a mention. Hope that helps - happy reading! | ||
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borny
China481 Posts
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Aurocaido
Canada288 Posts
READ THEM! You will not be disappointed. | ||
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IronFenix
Canada27 Posts
On February 14 2011 06:10 teknomage wrote: I've really enjoyed the Mistborn series of his too. I wouldn't compare it to WoT though. Not really sure how to explain it but I'm sure others here have read it too. Currently waiting for 'The Way of Kings' to drop in my mailbox. Enjoyed both these readings from Sanderson. The Way of Kings has the potential to be an interesting series. He is planning on continuing it once he is done with the WOT. | ||
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cYberc0re
United States61 Posts
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oooo27
342 Posts
"Wheel of Time" by Robert Jordan - Also already mentioned several times. Great epic series anything by Jim Butcher - My favorite author of all time. Most people are familiar with his "Dresden Files" books, which is a really great urban fantasy series about a wizard being a private investigator in modern Chicago (though the later books move to grander themes of saving the world). But he also wrote the "Codex Alera" series, which is kinda like Avatar the Last Airbender meets HBO`s Rome. The latter books are just PURE AWESOME!!! ...Highly recommended "Ciaphas Cain" by Sandy Mitchell - HERO OF THE IMPERIUM!!!! A series about an imperial commisar in the WH40K universe, who is basically an expy for Edmund Blackadder. Absolutely hilarious and a good read even if you arent a fan of WH40K. But if you are, this is a must read | ||
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