Recommend me some good Fantasy books.

Karl Hungus

Well, I'm doing an awful lot of reading these days, so I might buy a new book or two next week. I've mostly been reading stuff from Terry Pratchett, HP Lovecraft, Clive Barker, Tolkien. You don't have to recommend anything along those lines, I just mention them so I don't get swarths of recommendations for books I've already read. So just any good fantasy would be nice.

Wouldn't mind something with a bit of political intruige, and some good, original plot. The hero venturing off somewhere formulae is a little well-worn, you know?

I had my eyes on Waylander. Any good?

ixoy

Why not check out the Best Fantasy Books thread above?

Anyways, two series to definetely check out:

Steven Erikson's Malazan series. 6 books printed of 10 so far. It's a very complex series spanning multiple continents and millennia all sorts of inter-twining plots. None of the usual "farmbody fufills prophecy" stuff here either - most of the characters are properly formed adults with detailed histories that only get revealed over time. Definetely the pick-of-the-last-few-years.

There's also George R.R Martin's current "A Song of Ice and Fire" series. 6 books, with the first 4 in print. Lots of political intrigue in this and it's more "down to earth" than Erikson's series (although, IMO, not as smart or as filled with good ideas). Still a strong read though.

Karl Hungus

ixoy wrote:

Why not check out the Best Fantasy Books thread above?

Durr... Now I feel a little stupid.

ixoy wrote:

Anyways, two series to definetely check out:

Steven Erikson's Malazan series. 6 books printed of 10 so far. It's a very complex series spanning multiple continents and millennia all sorts of inter-twining plots. None of the usual "farmbody fufills prophecy" stuff here either - most of the characters are properly formed adults with detailed histories that only get revealed over time. Definetely the pick-of-the-last-few-years.

There's also George R.R Martin's current "A Song of Ice and Fire" series. 6 books, with the first 4 in print. Lots of political intrigue in this and it's more "down to earth" than Erikson's series (although, IMO, not as smart or as filled with good ideas). Still a strong read though.

Hmm, I'm not sure I'd really like to dive right into a series of books. I was perhaps hoping to get something standalone.

madrab

The chronicles of Thomas Covenant by Stephen Donaldson are a good read

Earthhorse

Waylander, in my opinion, is not very good. Very violent and bloody and not much else.

If you're looking for a standalone fantasy with some political intrigue try Guy Gavriel Kay's "The Lions of Al Rassan" or "Tigana".

I would recommmend starting with his Summer Tree trilogy if it weren't for your criteria but anything by him should be a good start.

Karl Hungus

Ah, I've already bought Waylander today.

I've also got The Subtle Knife by Phillip Pullman as a present, but that's the second part of a trilogy, so I might get the first part at some stage. Didn't see it in town today.

Vokes

Karl Hungus wrote:

Wouldn't mind something with a bit of political intruige, and some good, original plot. The hero venturing off somewhere formulae is a little well-worn, you know?

I had my eyes on Waylander. Any good?

Nope, no real political intrigue to speak of and not a very original plot.

Still, a very entertaining book to read though!

Nevyn

Robin Hobbs' Assassin's Aprentice.

growler

Karl Hungus wrote:

Wouldn't mind something with a bit of political intruige, and some good, original plot. The hero venturing off somewhere formulae is a little well-worn, you know?

QUOTE]


struggling to think of a single Fantasy book where the hero does not wander off somewhere. Everything from Feist to Tolkien involves copious amounts of wandering off somewheres.

Perhaps Julian May's Saga of the Exiles ? lots of link ups to celtic mythology in there.

Also struggling to think of a stand alone, fantasy books tend to be serialised as creating a new "world" from scratch takes a few more pages than normal fiction, a trilogy is about as short as the good ones get ( GG Kay excepted).

The Pullman trilogy is in a class of its own, well worth it. The first 3 by Feist are classsic. Stephen Kings Dark Tower series is something that could keep you going for years if you pace yourself.

Dades

Karl Hungus wrote:

I've also got The Subtle Knife by Phillip Pullman as a present, but that's the second part of a trilogy, so I might get the first part at some stage. Didn't see it in town today.

Get ye to another bookshoppe to buy the first one. The trilogy is simply brilliant.

Oh and three thumbs up for George RR Martin too.

[None standalone - but all worth the emotional investment]

Banphrionsa

The original Dune by Frank Herbert is worth a read (but the film I found a bore). Not fond of the Dune books in the series that followed the original, but that's my opinion.

Nevyn

player of games
use of weapons
against a dark background

all by iain m banks.

pH

Did anyone else like Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell?

I struggled with it at first, and it might be too 'english' for Irish readers, but once I got into it I loved it. Still find myself thinking about it months later.

Tar.Aldarion

karl, do yourself a favour. Read the His Dark Materials trilogy and A Song of Ice and Fire series. Simply superb. Both in my top three,along with Tolkien.

iguana

I'm a huge fan of Katherine Kerr's first four books of the Deverry series. Starting with Daggerspell. Plenty of intrigue, spanning hundreds of years.

Of course I had my first big heartbreak at the time one of the characters has their heart broken so maybe I'm too involved.:o

Pugsley

Thaedydal wrote:

player of games
use of weapons
against a dark background

all by iain m banks.

Ian M Banks is Sci-Fi, not fantasy, only Ian M Banks book I have read is 'The Player of Games', and it was brilliant, very unconventional story, but excellently told and he created a very origional and indepth world with his Culture series. As for other Sci-Fi recommendations I would also say get your mitts on Dan Simmons 'Hyperion' books, theres 4 of them, but I got mine in 2 larger books, with 2 books in each, if your lookign for political intrigue and an origional plot, the hyperion series is well worth a read, very heavy reading but worth while.

As for fantasy, Robert Jordans series is excellent from what I have read so far, quite by the books Fantasy but well told and with good charecters, same can be said about Raymond E Feists first 3 books, quite by the books, but told better than anyone else, Feists first 3 books still rank as my 3 favourite fantasy novels. Terry Goodkind is another excellent fantasy author, of what I have of his 'Faith of the Fallen' would be my favourite, brilliantly told, and captures the epic feel of a war better than any other fantasy I have read.

growler

iguana wrote:

I'm a huge fan of Katherine Kerr's first four books of the Deverry series. Starting with Daggerspell. Plenty of intrigue, spanning hundreds of years.

Of course I had my first big heartbreak at the time one of the characters has their heart broken so maybe I'm too involved.:o

the next one in the Deverry series is due out next month, think its been 12 years since the last !

Zapp Brannigan

David and Leigh Eddings: The Redemption of Althalus.

Good book, in my opinion at least.

ixoy

Can I make a suggestion that you don't read Robert Jordan? For starters there's 11 books in the series so far, with more to come each with a minimum of 600 pages in hardback.
Secondly, after the sixth book, the series becomes very staid burdened with a huge number of interchangable characters, all lacking any real personalities. The plot can't move because we have to switch between them all and describe what they're doing and it's very frustrating. I'm on Book 10 now and haven't enjoyed one since the sixth installment. A cursory glance online will show that many people who are reading this series agree about the pain of it now and where it was last good...

Oh and Terry Goodkind is rubbish, fantasy-by-the-numbers with a right-wing streak in it. Avoid him too

secret_squirrel

ixoy wrote:

Oh and Terry Goodkind is rubbish, fantasy-by-the-numbers with a right-wing streak in it. Avoid him too

To be fair there was a streak of originality in the first couple. However Goodkind appears to be trying to do 'a Jordan' and stretch the series long past its natural ending.

Tempted to pick up all the Katherine Kerr books again myself.

Julian May's Saga of the Exiles would be a stunning blast from the past. It crosses the scifi/fantasy border a bit though.

Mr. Presentable

All the above recommendations are inspired by:

Moorcroft's Hawkmoon and Elric sagas (who you might know was in Hawkwind!!)

Fritz Lieber's Lankhmar (Grey Mouser) books

Gene Wolf's Citadel etc books

Fred Saberhagen's Swords series

Karl, these are the ones to seek out. You will not be disappointed.

iguana

growler wrote:

the next one in the Deverry series is due out next month, think its been 12 years since the last !

Yay! Thanks for the tip, I definitely want to pick that up. Although it will be interesting to see what way it can go now that

Jill and Nevyn are dead and Rhodry is a dragon.

As long as it isn't all elves is could be good, I don't really like the Westlands cycle.

But the last one; The Fire Dragon, was out around 5 years ago.

Playboy

For the best fantasy I have had the pleasure of reading check out The Prince of Nothing Series. Different but brilliant with a very philosopical influence. I urge verybody to check it out. You wont be disappointed!

Tar.Aldarion

I liket The Black Magician Trilogy by Trudi Canavan.

growler

iguana wrote:

But the last one; The Fire Dragon, was out around 5 years ago.

ok , so it just seems like 12 years !!

madrab

I really enjoyed Garth Nix's Abhorsen trilogy & in terms of political fantasy then Inversions by Iain M Banks is really good

Tar.Aldarion

I think the dark magician trilogy was compared to Garth Nix's Abhorsen on the inside of the cover.

Ancient1

ixoy wrote:

Steven Erikson's Malazan series. 6 books printed of 10 so far. It's a very complex series spanning multiple continents and millennia all sorts of inter-twining plots. None of the usual "farmbody fufills prophecy" stuff here either - most of the characters are properly formed adults with detailed histories that only get revealed over time. Definetely the pick-of-the-last-few-years.

ixoy's right. I've just finished reading the 5th book and it's the most mind-blowing, uplifting and addictive series of books I've ever read. It's just monumental and this has to go on the "things to read before you die" list.

Don't miss out, KH, just read it - you won't regret it.

And i know what you're saying about not wanting to get into a "series", but this is different.

Tar.Aldarion

Tar.Aldarion wrote:

I think the dark magician trilogy was compared to Garth Nix's Abhorsen on the inside of the cover.

Actually I remember it being Nix's Sabriel.

superfly

i'm not a fan of political fantasy books but i have started some
the ones i have tried was George RR Martins - a song of ice and fire
Daughters of the Empire - raymond e feist
Dragon Prince - melanie Rawn
Farsser Trilogy - Robin Hobbs was a fascinating read and i actually enjoyed these
the dark magician trilogy i felt was an adult version of Harry Potter

secret_squirrel

Anything by Robin Hobb is worth a read in order Best first I would suggest

Farseer Trilogy
Golden Man Trilogy
Soldier Son - book 1 (2-3 not yet published)
Liveship Traders Trilogy.

Possibly Soldier Son would be a good introduction since its a new series - pretty different to the usual fantasy stuff.

Assasins Apprentice (Farseer 1) is also one of the grittiest down to earth Fantasy books there is. Real pragmatic stuff - no heroes of legend. In a lot of respects the main character stays behind the scenes which makes a refreshing change.

bonkey

Ancient1 wrote:

ixoy's right. I've just finished reading the 5th book and it's the most mind-blowing, uplifting and addictive series of books I've ever read.

Just wait till you read Bonehunters.

Oh, and there's also Night of Knives by Esselmont - the co-creator of the Malazan world. Its basically set

in Malaz the night Kellanved & Dancer are assassinated and Surly assumes the throne[/spoiler.

Still looking to pick it up myself, but apparently its worth the read.

There's also Blood Follows and Healthy Dead if you want to complete Erikson's Malazan writings to date.

jc

NeoSlicerZ

Aside from the ones already mentionned, I'd recommend "A Shadow on the Glass" by Ian Irvine, it's quite exceptional, it's part of a 4 part series though.

Karl Hungus

Ok, well today I got Northern Lights by Philip Pullman, so I'll have that and The Subtle Knife to keep me interested for a while, and then I'll nab part 3 whenever I'm finished with them. Also picked up Terry Pratchett's Pyramids, and Men At Arms. I've been reading all the discworld novels in sequence as of a few weeks ago, so I needed to fill in the gaps I've had. And here's me saying I didn't want to start a series?

Well, I think I've got a good few now to last me for a while. After that, I might try and get hold of some other books. The Black Magician trilogy looks very good indeed, so I might look into that, and the Malazan series, is it? Sure why not.

Tar.Aldarion

Good choices. His Dark Materials. *Swoon*
I really want the tenth year annivery addition that costs 55e.
The next fantasy book I'm picking up is the new one by Trudi Canivan, the Author of The Black Magician Trilogy.
You can get them all hardback for a tenner each in Dubrays.

ixoy

What's the deal with this Trudi Canivan appearing all of a sudden anyway? What sort of style is it - more simplistic fare, in the mould of Feist, or is it more "hardcore" in the vein of Erikson?

Is it a detailed world or thinly sketched? Character-based or more "power gaming"?Or did Trudi get a lucky undeserved break?

Certainly the blurb doesn't make them seem anything special or original, so I'm wondering if voracious fantasy readers here - who've absorbed multiple authors in the field - can give me some input...

!_Brian_!

I'd defo recommend Trudi Canavan. Wasnt 100% into it at the start but she came up with the goods. Really good plot, great characters, very enjoyable read. Its pretty easy going but dont let that put you off. I really enjoyed her work. I think she'll go far. And at the end of the day, its only a trilogy, if you dont like it, you havnt lost out on much time!


Ian Irvine I have recently found out is a god! Picked up his first one about a month or 2 ago and have finished all 8 of his books now. Set in 2 quartets he has a different appraoch as in his characters arent blacksmiths of shepards that suddenly have some kind of calling and go off to battle the dark one or one of his many manifestations. Its more regular people, getting pulled into unfortunate events and simply surviving. They have all the flaws or real people, pettyness, jealousy, insecurity, vainity etc but they manage (just about) to overcome these and survive their adventures. His fantasy world isnt medieval either which is a nice change. Very advanced technolodgy and scientifically minded culture based in a fantasy world. Really and exceptional read. The first set of books are great, the second set of books are amazing, the man just keeps getting better and better. Highly recommended!


JV Jones is definatly worth a mention also. Picked up and copy of the bakers boy the other day cause the bookshop didnt have what I was looking for and would take a week to get it in. Anyway, its been about 8 years since I read her stuff and I'd forgotton how good she was! Check out the Book of Words trilogy. She also has a stand alone book called The Barbed Coil which is well worth reading which might be of more interest.


Aside from that, try out the usual suspects, Raymond E Feist (one of the best ever), Robin Hobb (espically the Liveship Traders series), Terry Goodkind is pretty good entry level stuff but later on the series begins to get a bit ****. Robert Jordan is a master but ****, he's after getting long winded! Kate Elliott is really good if I remember rightly, been years since I read any of her books.

Gorge RR Martin I didnt think was all that good. Again its been a really really long time since I read any of his stuff and I cant really remember it but I remember not being as impressed as everyone else seamed to be. Maybe it was just me. Might give him another go after I get trhough these JV Jones phase!


Just to recap, if you read nothing else, start reading Ian Irvine. You wont regret it!

Tar.Aldarion

!_Brian_! wrote:

I'd defo recommend Trudi Canavan. Wasnt 100% into it at the start but she came up with the goods. Really good plot, great characters, very enjoyable read. Its pretty easy going but dont let that put you off. I really enjoyed her work. I think she'll go far. And at the end of the day, its only a trilogy, if you dont like it, you havnt lost out on much time!

Aye, I got the trilogy and had it read within two days. Fell in love with the characters completely.
Very enjoyable. D'ont be expecting a hard read or anything. Think I'll start on em again tonight...
!

Karl Hungus

I just noticed that I had bought Terry Pratchett's Men At Arms, when it was Guards! Guards! that I should've bought. Oh well.

Tar.Aldarion

Ah well, they are all great. Last one I got of his was...hmm. carpe jugulem. Vampire action!

Baggly

alot of good suggestions in this thread, but the ones i would concur with are

anything by david eddings
anthing by david gemmell
anything by robin hobb
anything by steph swainston (although she only has two)
and a little know series i enjoyed by mark chadburn.


these authors get progressively.....emmm....serious/dark as u go along. that word serious might be wrong. anyone is free to contradict me if they think otherwise.

if you dont like that farmboy grows up to be a hero stuff steer clear of david eddings. if you like the opposite go for Gemmell

IMO

growler

petermonaghan wrote:

if you dont like that farmboy grows up to be a hero stuff steer clear of david eddings. if you like the opposite go for Gemmell

IMO

hero grows up to be farm boy ?

secret_squirrel

growler wrote:

hero grows up to be farm boy ?

Well generally in Gemmelland in goes like this.

Hero does heroic stuff, retires to be farmer/monk/hunter.

Just as he's growing old gracefully along comes bad guy with link to the past.

Bad guy kills/steals/shags favourite Wife/Daughter/Sheep.

Farm boy/god boy/forest boy turns back into heroic killing machine with a dark side.

Fights bad guy - usually loosing Wife/Daughter/Sheep in process.

Kingdom is saved - Hero fakes death/is transported to another dimension/Dies heroically.

Baggly

*and is referenced two books later

secret_squirrel

In fairness though noone does heroic fantasy better than Gemmel. As long as you realise what you are getting you will be happy. My high points would be Waylander (and sequels) Knights of Dark Renown and Jon Shannow series.

Vokes

I concur. The epilogue in Waylander 3 is suitably heroic

Sarky

Here's another vote for the Malazan series by Erikson. I'm a hundred pages off the end of Deadhouse Gates (book 2), and it's... Wonderful. Just wonderful. That Coltaine, eh? Eh? Yeah, you know what I'm talking about... You have to pay attention though, a LOT happens. Hell, I'm only two books in and I'm swamped with omens and interesting ideas on what's going on...

If you've read some/all of it so far, be on the lookout for Night Of Knives by Ian Cameron Esslemont. It's about Kellanved and Dancer's last 24 hours, and it is good.

bonkey

ixoy wrote:

What's the deal with this Trudi Canivan appearing all of a sudden anyway?

Its what the kids Harry Potter was originally written for might move on to when they want to move slightly up in the world.

To put it in context, I went to buy the books in hardback since it was actually cheaper than (or the same price as) the paperbacks. I could only see one of the three vols in hardback, so I asked at the desk. "Ah yes," came the reply "the hardback editions are in the childrens section". Granted it was the "young adult" section, but that should give you an idea where its aimed at.

What sort of style is it - more simplistic fare, in the mould of Feist, or is it more "hardcore" in the vein of Erikson?

I'd consider Feist to be far deeper than Canavan, but similar in (lack of) tone. Its not all happiness and smiles, but "dark" isn't something it ever really gets a grip on.

Is it a detailed world or thinly sketched? Character-based or more "power gaming"?

Fair mix.

Or did Trudi get a lucky undeserved break?

Lucky - sure. All breaks are lucky.
Undeserved....wouldn't say so.

Personally, I enjoyed the stuff, and I'll read it again, like I do Feist, the Potter books, Narnia chronicles. But they're the kinda authors I'd rank it against.

If I want dark, I'll re-read about the oh-so-charming Thomas Covenant (S. Donaldson), the Malazan Empire (S.Erikson), the world of the Farseers (R.Hobb) or some good ol' fatalastic characters courtesy of KJ Parker.

jc

growler

secret_squirrel wrote:

Well generally in Gemmelland in goes like this.

Hero does heroic stuff, retires to be farmer/monk/hunter.

Just as he's growing old gracefully along comes bad guy with link to the past.

Bad guy kills/steals/shags favourite Wife/Daughter/Sheep.

Farm boy/god boy/forest boy turns back into heroic killing machine with a dark side.

Fights bad guy - usually loosing Wife/Daughter/Sheep in process.

Kingdom is saved - Hero fakes death/is transported to another dimension/Dies heroically.

Sheep should be commended for the important role they play in fantasy literature.


Strange to see how tastes differ here, I've tried Erickson, Gemmell and Eddings and found them all to be very predictable, poorly written or childish, no slight intended on fans of the above, just an observation.

Baggly

growler wrote:

Strange to see how tastes differ here, I've tried Erickson, Gemmell and Eddings and found them all to be very predictable, poorly written or childish, no slight intended on fans of the above, just an observation.

that is true, but those are generally the most popular kind of books. sure it translates into all facets of culture: comics, star wars, star trek, the books as u mentioned, oodles of other tv shows.

people like the predictability i guess.

but to be honest ive grown out of eddings and have only started on gemmill, but i can see what you mean.

im still a prodigy at eddings trivia

ixoy

I cannot believe anyone could honestly predict Erickson. Eddings - yes. It's one of the reasons I stopped reading. But Erickson? No.