EPT[Req][Books] Good Fantasy/SciFi books - Page 8
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wrathofroc
31 Posts
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Cuddle
Sweden1345 Posts
If you're like me and like to mix some dark humored, gritty and nasty-bloodied fantasy with main characters that are not heroes (or even "good") into the blend of your standard LotR/WoT/SoT-fantasy you have to check this series out. 3 books series with 2 stand alone novels that I suggest you read after the series. Sure, the story is so-so but the characters are...outstanding! Not a sane one among them!  Also, I'd like to plug Death Gate Novels, best series ever written. I've read it 5 times. | ||
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jeremysaint
Canada80 Posts
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WyghtWolf
Israel145 Posts
You could try Vellum and Ink(The book of all hours series) by Hal Duncan. it's mostly based on Sumerian mythology, but can't say the plot is real easy to follow(had trouble following the plot line about 150 into Vellum). Also, if you read another book after finishing Vellum and didn't read ink, you'll lose all plot lines. but if you're homophobic, this series' not for you, since it's got alot of gay sex in it. still, I found it very enjoyable, and easy to lose myself in it(especially due to the twisted plot) | ||
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Creslin
United States2 Posts
14 or more books: all set in the same world, different protagonists. Typical "medieval-esque" fantasy all based on a concept of order and chaos. In the end you get an entire world fleshed out over a span of centuries. L.E Modesitt Jr. Check it out. I also enjoyed the Ender's Game books. Just finished John Dies at the End for funsies. Dick jokes and horror by David Wong. Apparently he writes for Cracked.com. | ||
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eos
New Zealand39 Posts
 , notably Raymond E. Feist and George R Martin. Both are mature.
I loved Feist's epic scope of medieval fantasy, involving whimsical worlds and dazzling dimensions. The former books are rather generic race wise (elves, goblins etc). However, it branches out into a myriad of wonderfully represented races and cultures. A must read for anyone interested in fantasy. George R Martin Martin does a superb task of forging intriguing medieval plots. The characters are well thought and beautifully developed. What I found unique and admirable about Martin's play on fantasy was his ability to dispel the false dichotomy that most fantasy authors suffer from i.e Good vs Evil. However, the latter books started to delve into magic and 'the forces of evil', which, after adoring his 'grey' outlook on morals put me off. Robert Jordan I'm ambivalent regarding his writing. Half of me really appreciates the level of development and depth of detail he imbues unto his characters. Half of me thinks he did not need 12 books  to do what 3-4 could have. As I grew older I started delving into Sci-fi. Gaining a much more eager appetite for science and sociopolitical ideals. What beats macroscopic views on future human development, ethics and technology? Sci-fi for me is a medium for ideas that are not bound by the many shackles of other genres. 
Holding a professorship in biochemisty, Asimov moved on to crafting a inspiring list of books. The inventor of the Positronic brain and the three laws of robotics, Asimov's scale is gargantuan, his books are spaced out in generations, sometimes centuries. Some set in different quadrants of our galaxy, yet all interconnected and contributing to a magnificent plot! R.Daneel <3 Read before you die! Frank Herbert Herbert's "Dune" series was the first Sci-fi that I started on, and an apt one to do so. His scope may not be as large as Asimov's, but he certainly does not lack in philosophical foresight and originality. Each chapter is preceded by a sagacious fictional quote which relates to either the series, or the chapter following it. Once you taste Frank Herbert's Spice, you'll be addicted! Although there are countless other fictional books that I have perused, I feel that these have had the biggest impact on who I am today. For that I must thank the fine authors who have written these books. Who, in doing so have inspired me, and I hope future generations.  | ||
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GullyFoyle
United States103 Posts
To offer up a series not often mentioned: Julian May: The Saga of Pliocene Exile series. Four amazing books with a fairly outlandish premise, that I won't spoil here. Look 'em up and decide for yourself. I've returned at least 3 times to this series! 1. The Many Colored Land 2. The Golden Torc 3. The Nonborn King 4. The Adversary | ||
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valheru
Australia966 Posts
Raymond Feist Tolkien Katherine Kerr L.E Modesitt Janny Wurts Robert Jordan | ||
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ShadowDrgn
United States2497 Posts
On February 14 2011 04:35 Twistacles wrote: The Malazan Book's of the Fallen are the best fantasy books i've read. I own about 400+ fantasy books, if that gives you an idea. I have 146 fantasy books listed on Goodreads so you've got me beat by a bunch, but I've been slowly slogging through Malazan lately. It's not that I don't like the series, but I'm partway through book 4 and just can't get into it. There are so many cool characters that they all crowd each other out, and the narrative never sticks with anyone long enough for me to really bond with them. So far, I don't think Erikson does a thorough job of character development; I like a lot of the characters, but I don't love any of them. | ||
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Deindar
United States302 Posts
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Hunted
Australia337 Posts
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writer22816
United States5775 Posts
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c0rn1
Germany146 Posts
- Fantasy - The Dragonlance ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dragonlance ) is a chronic about Raistlin Majere, a wizard going to challenge the gods in the end. The story was created during D&D sessions, written down, exaggerated and filled with detaily in a series of books by Margaret Weis, Tracy & Laura Hickman. Very nice read! - Sci-Fiction Fantasy - Another story I can pinpoint you to would be "The Tripods" by John Christopher. Even though it is written in easy english and accessible for kids from 12 years on, the trilogy doesn't lack entertainment for adults. cheers c0rn1 | ||
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DND_Enkil
Sweden598 Posts
Steven Erikson - Malazan Book of the Fallen Jim Butcher - Dresden Files Malazan Book of the Fallen is an epic long series that just blows my mind. The characters, world, story, everything is just on a scale i have never seen before. Dresden Files are fantasy noir completely different from the Malazan books. Wizard detective in modern day chicago battling fieris, vampires and every other kind of nasty you can think off while delivering hard-boiled comments. Currently i am also into "darker" fantasy and can reccomend two other that comes to mind: Anne Bishop - The Black jewels, the first three books (came out around 1999 i think) are awesome. Glenn Cook - The Chronicles of The Black Company, dark, gritty, fun. | ||
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IronFenix
Canada27 Posts
On February 14 2011 18:17 ShadowDrgn wrote: I have 146 fantasy books listed on Goodreads so you've got me beat by a bunch, but I've been slowly slogging through Malazan lately. It's not that I don't like the series, but I'm partway through book 4 and just can't get into it. There are so many cool characters that they all crowd each other out, and the narrative never sticks with anyone long enough for me to really bond with them. So far, I don't think Erikson does a thorough job of character development; I like a lot of the characters, but I don't love any of them. I actually read the first book of the Malazan series a few weeks ago. I got it for 2.99 on my Kindle. How could I refuse? haha. Anyway, the premise/plot was good but I wasn't that into the characters. | ||
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Groslouser
France337 Posts
Dave Duncan inst well known but his story are unusual and fun. Here his a link to his site where you can see every book he did: http://daveduncan.com/books/books.php | ||
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Subversive
Australia2229 Posts
On February 14 2011 07:46 HowardRoark wrote: King of the elves, by Philip K Dick, for fantasy. 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. Wow nice to see some finally mention a non well-known name. It feels like mostly people have read the same major series here. It's a shame that so many amazing authors like Cordwainer Smith and Jack Vance seem virtually out of print and unknown these days. I'm going to mention Iain M Banks for sci-fi. I'd recommend him for his complex plots (for those GRRM fans), his amusing dialogue (for those Pratchett fans) and the epic scope of his worlds, for anyone who loves the sheer size of good ol space-opera. Also another interesting thing about this thread is the starkly divergent tastes -> some love WoT, others think its over-rated. Some love Eddings, others can't stand him. Pratchett, Feist, it seems almost all popular authors can polarise audiences. Makes finding new books to read a difficult prospect. The best thing is to have a few friends who share similar tastes and primarily take advice from them. | ||
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lifecanwait
96 Posts
- Daemon by Daniel Suarez - Freedom (sequel) same author Quoted from Rick Klau's blog (Strategic Partner Dev., Google Inc): Story: The premise is both outlandish and not all that farfetched: a genius programmer has developed a daemon (that is, a computer proram that waits for a predefined trigger in order to execute a series of commands) that looks for word of his death. Once his obituary is published, all hell breaks loose thanks to this computer program. Things quickly spiral out of control, with a computer program exerting increasing influence over individuals, corporations, and even governments. Guess what: the book is Daemon by Leinad Zeraus, and it’s remarkable. No, really. I can remember the feeling I had, sitting in the audience as the credits rolled after seeing The Matrix on opening day. I knew I’d seen something that was different, important, and something that I’d want to see again. And again. When I finished Daemon this afternoon, I had that same feeling. Daemon is to novels what The Matrix was to movies. It will be how other novels that rely on technology are judged. Who should read the books: Read this if you like futuristic scenarios, are inclined to computers and advanced techniques. The book can teach you a lot of things (in the end you will also get a new idea how democracy might work in future) but doesn't lack action either. Instead the story develops rather fast; entertainment is guaranteed. | ||
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Wartortle
Australia504 Posts
On February 14 2011 17:26 eos wrote: I grew up on Fantasy , notably Raymond E. Feist and George R Martin. Both are mature.Raymond E. Feist I loved Feist's epic scope of medieval fantasy, involving whimsical worlds and dazzling dimensions. The former books are rather generic race wise (elves, goblins etc). However, it branches out into a myriad of wonderfully represented races and cultures. A must read for anyone interested in fantasy. Feist's magician is the best book ive ever read, mainly because of the nostalgia it brings me I loved every series he made am an eagerly awaiting his next book. | ||
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Silidons
United States2813 Posts
On February 14 2011 16:40 Creslin wrote: I havn't seen anyone else mention the Recluce Saga yet, so I'm recommending it. 14 or more books: all set in the same world, different protagonists. Typical "medieval-esque" fantasy all based on a concept of order and chaos. In the end you get an entire world fleshed out over a span of centuries. L.E Modesitt Jr. Check it out. I also enjoyed the Ender's Game books. Just finished John Dies at the End for funsies. Dick jokes and horror by David Wong. Apparently he writes for Cracked.com. Recluse Saga is fucking legit. My favorite type of magic yet. | ||
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