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On February 14 2011 22:31 Jayzo wrote:Show nested quote +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. FeistI 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.
Am I the only one who didn't like his later books that much? They're always divided: A story about an ordinary battle between armies and a battle between Pug and CO against demons etc. The scope of the chapters about Pug (preventing the world from being destroyed) make me feel like the other chapters are just irrelevant to the grand scheme of things. (Which is true, but not something you want to notice while reading fantasy)
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United Arab Emirates1141 Posts
On February 14 2011 18:20 Deindar wrote:
The Wheel of Time should undoubtedly be the first series you read. Best series ever written IMO.
Struck Gold
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I'm going to post again to recommend Dragon's Egg.
Admittedly his understanding (and therefore representation) of biology and anthropology is a little shallow, but it was a really fun little book. I read it in a couple days over Christmas vacation. The version I read was combined with it's sequel (starquake) which was also interesting, but not as good.
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On February 14 2011 22:45 Wesso wrote:Show nested quote +On February 14 2011 22:31 Jayzo wrote: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. FeistI 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. Am I the only one who didn't like his later books that much? They're always divided: A story about an ordinary battle between armies and a battle between Pug and CO against demons etc. The scope of the chapters about Pug (preventing the world from being destroyed) make me feel like the other chapters are just irrelevant to the grand scheme of things. (Which is true, but not something you want to notice while reading fantasy)
I'm with you here. For me his lowest point was the serpent war saga - I think they were terrible. The characters, plot, everything. I've actually liked his recent books in comparision, but I'm really tired of Pug and especially (plot spoiler ahead)+ Show Spoiler +the prophecy that he'll see everyone love die before he does. God when his wife got taken out, I was actually relieved that finally there was some movement in the series!
edit: Actually terrible is way too strong a word. I just didn't like them as much . And it was mainly the main 2 characters. The plot was actually decent.
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I know it's already been recommended, but the Wheel of Time series is pretty much a classic fantasy series.
Also the Saga of Seven Suns is a pretty interesting sci-fi series. A bit over-the-top at times, but still good. Interstellar war sparked between like 7 different factions.
Jim Butcher's "Dresden Files" are fantastically written. The first one starts off slowly, but the series gets soooo good as you go further into it. A wizard investigating magical crimes in a modern-day world.
SM Stirling's series "Dies the Fire" is my current reading list. Fantasy/reality hybrid where all modern technology suddenly ceases to work. Survivors of the ensuing apocalypse struggle to survive and thrive in a neo-feudal world.
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I recommend The Wheel of Time by Robert Jordan and The Dark Tower by Stephen King.
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Dark Tower is nice but don't bother with the last two books except for like, the very very last part of the last book. It's better not knowing what happens than reading what happens and being all "damn it...come ON King, srsly?"
Ok.
More of a sci-fi book but Stranger in a Strange Land by Robert Heinlein.
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Improbable
United States54 Posts
I couldn't get through the Wheel of time series, the Sword of Truth series or more than a few feist books. They all just get so cliched and overdone by the middle of the series that I have to set it down. For me they just cease to be entertaining. Maybe epic fantasy is just not for me. My favorite recent fantasy novels include:
The Lies of Locke Lamora - Scott Lynch
The Name of the Wind - Patrick Rothfuss
The Heroes - Joe Abercrombie
The only more-than-three book series that has managed to capture and hold my attention is George r.r Martin's a song of ice and fire, although the 4th book was a little weak. We'll see how he does with a dance with dragons if it ever gets released ^^.
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Why do so few people mention Patrick Rothfuss, he's such an incredible writer. Very unknown I guess.
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On February 15 2011 01:32 Improbable wrote:
I couldn't get through the Wheel of time series, the Sword of Truth series or more than a few feist books. They all just get so cliched and overdone by the middle of the series that I have to set it down. For me they just cease to be entertaining. Maybe epic fantasy is just not for me. My favorite recent fantasy novels include:
The Lies of Locke Lamora - Scott Lynch
The Name of the Wind - Patrick Rothfuss
The Heroes - Joe Abercrombie
The only more-than-three book series that has managed to capture and hold my attention is George r.r Martin's a song of ice and fire, although the 4th book was a little weak. We'll see how he does with a dance with dragons if it ever gets released ^^.
As an adult, I think this is also my experience. I read both SoT and WoT as a teenager, and enjoyed them immensely (well okay, I only enjoyed the first 2 books of SoT). I tried re-reading WoT this year with my wife, and made it a third of the way into book two before we both gave up. I just can't even imagine sitting through books 6-10 again.
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L.E Modessitt Jr. people, extremely surprised he only got mentioned 2-3 times so far.
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I guess I should mention the other good authors I've read. It's too easy to hype how awesome Erikson is with his Malazan series, and I forget about the rest.
I recommend:
Jim Butcher's Codex Allera (sp?)
L.E. Modessitt Jr's Saga of Recluce. (Each are very, very good.)
R.R Martin's Song of Ice and Fire
Neal Stephenson
Jack White's pre-Arthur stuff
Sara Douglass's series is actually amazing, Im suprised nobody mentioned her.
Guy Gavriel Kay
Stay away from:
Sword of Truth. Utter garbage
Drizzt Do Urden crap.
Terry Brooks. Boring, recycled stories every time.
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On February 15 2011 09:10 Myrkul wrote:
L.E Modessitt Jr. people, extremely surprised he only got mentioned 2-3 times so far.
The Saga of Recluce series is far and away the best I have ever read.
Edit:Just noticed this, there is only one S in Modesitt. ^.^
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On February 14 2011 23:52 Subversive wrote:Show nested quote +On February 14 2011 22:45 Wesso wrote:On February 14 2011 22:31 Jayzo wrote: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. FeistI 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. Am I the only one who didn't like his later books that much? They're always divided: A story about an ordinary battle between armies and a battle between Pug and CO against demons etc. The scope of the chapters about Pug (preventing the world from being destroyed) make me feel like the other chapters are just irrelevant to the grand scheme of things. (Which is true, but not something you want to notice while reading fantasy) I'm with you here. For me his lowest point was the serpent war saga - I think they were terrible. The characters, plot, everything. I've actually liked his recent books in comparision, but I'm really tired of Pug and especially (plot spoiler ahead) + Show Spoiler +the prophecy that he'll see everyone love die before he does. God when his wife got taken out, I was actually relieved that finally there was some movement in the series! Like Jesus, Feist, I like your books but please, let's have a new central character! Pug has done enough already. edit: Actually terrible is way too strong a word. I just didn't like them as much . And it was mainly the main 2 characters. The plot was actually decent.
I have to agree with you, it's just to much Pug. That's why i really liked the series with Talon of the Silverhawk so much. It's completly about someone else.
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I agree with the other posters re: Steven Erikson, who has created what I consider the greatest (maybe tied with ASoIaF) fantasy series of all time - The Malazan Book of the Fallen. The last of the 10 book cycle is due to be released this year.
This series is heavy, dark and quite depressing at times. It's hard to describe what it's really about, there's all sort of wars and struggles between gods, demigods, ascendants, etc etc and mass army movements and campaigns all around this big world.
If you take it up, I would recommend starting with book 2, Deadhouse Gates, and then going back to read the first book then continuing with the series. It just makes more sense that way.
As far as Feist goes, his Magician is a true masterpiece. Just do yourself a favour and avoid everything after the first three books. He is the epitome of laziness and making a living churning out crappy books, relying on the reputation of his much beloved first book.
As for Sci Fi, which I've only recently gotten into (past 3 years), I'll recommend 3 absolute gems. First, Time Enough For Love by the grand master himself, Robert Heinlein, was my first sci fi novel and holds a special place in my heart. I really believe it's a fantastic intro to the genre.
Secondly, Peter F Hamilton's Pandora's Star and Judas Unchained is an absolutely epic 2-novel series set in an amazing universe. There's not much introspection to be found here, but the action is rip-roaring and pure fun. Love it. The wormhole/train society also blew my mind in how fully realized it was. Hamilton really spends a long time fleshing out this universe.
Finally try Altered Carbon by Richard K Morgan. It's hard-boiled detective fiction set in a sci fi setting where people change physical bodies regularly. The main protagonist is trying to solve a murder of his client, who was dead for a short period of time before consciousness was restored in a backup body. It's really well done noir-style quasi-cyberpunk thriller.
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He is the epitome of laziness and making a living churning out crappy books, relying on the reputation of his much beloved first book.
Can't blame him there, would do it aswell when given the chance.
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On February 14 2011 20:47 IronFenix wrote:Show nested quote +On February 14 2011 18:17 ShadowDrgn wrote: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. 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.
The majority of cast of the first book didn't really grow on me until after the first Letherii arc (which gives you an entire continent of new characters). But by Bonehunters (book 6), the characters have really grown on me. I still hate Crokus though.
Wise Man's Fear (second book in Rothfuss' series) and The Crippled God (last book in the main Malazan series) are released on the same day on March 1st. So hard to choose.
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From my point of view, it's good to start with LOTR even if it's not that great Tolkien is the dad of Fantasy.
Edding's are nice but more for kids than adults.
The first part of the Royal Assassin are great but the second part and soldier shaman are really poor imo ..
A Song of Ice and Fire is for the moment the best i have ever read.
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i would recommend:
Feist with : Magician
David gemmel : legend en waylander
David eddings : awsome belgarion series
and 1 of my favorite series of late :
Jim c Hines : goblin quest/hero and war
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The Way of Kings is really good. It's by up and coming author Brandon Sanderson. I really liked it. Read a thousand pages in 2 days. It was so addictive.
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EPT
