best fantasy books

AnCapaillMor

Steeeeeeo! wrote: »

Also,

has anyone read The Sword of Truth series by Terry Goodkind?

another epic series although its an 11 part one again. easier to read than the Wheel of Time, albeit with a little less creativity but the character building is awesome and the stories are interesting enough to keep you going through them all. Worth a look for fantasy fans and a personal favourite of mine for the characters alone.

Don't know what it was about the Terry Brooks books but i had to drag myself to read them, read the The Jerle Shannara Trilogy and one of the first sword books and gave up halfways through the 2nd sword book.

Most of Gemmells stuff(apart from the feeling of a rushed ending) and martins stuff are essential. Abercrombie if he keeps it up will be essential too.

Steeeeeeo!

AnCapaillMor wrote: »

Don't know what it was about the Terry Brooks books but i had to drag myself to read them, read the The Jerle Shannara Trilogy and one of the first sword books and gave up halfways through the 2nd sword book.

Most of Gemmells stuff(apart from the feeling of a rushed ending) and martins stuff are essential. Abercrombie if he keeps it up will be essential too.

Hmmm, are you perhaps mistaking Brooks' The Sword of Shannara for Goodkinds' The Sword of Truth?

i agree on Brooks. i've read books 4 times the size of those in half the time because i was captivated. Brooks just isn't engaging enough. i only finished some of them because i had started them.

AnCapaillMor

Gah all those terrys confuse me, actually loved the sword of truth series, great books, he's coming out with another Richard\Kahlan book some time is'nt he? Add them to my must haves. I stand by my Brooks opinion.

Steeeeeeo!

Steeeeeeo! wrote: »

Also,

has anyone read The Sword of Truth series by Terry Goodkind?

another epic series although its an 11 part one again. easier to read than the Wheel of Time, albeit with a little less creativity but the character building is awesome and the stories are interesting enough to keep you going through them all. Worth a look for fantasy fans and a personal favourite of mine for the characters alone.

Goodkind was ok.
My problem, particularly toward the end, was that it was:
rape preaching rape rape rape preaching preaching preaching
the characters would have been much better if they weren't making speeches every 5 mins.
Writing style - a lot of content was redundant. 3 pages in one of the middle books, when we're already familiar with Kahlan, repeating EVERY paragraph heading with "time was hers. he was hers". Or having a 2 page description of Richard drawing his sword and how he's always felt in the past every other time he drew out his sword. The actual ending of the series evoked a very "groan :rolleyes:" reaction in me too.
Yes, he irritates me that much
I know Robert Jordan also mastered the art of writing a lot without saying much, toward the end, but at least several of his books were excellent.

Lucifer31

Iain M Banks anyone??

I've read most of his sci-fi. I think I've read his stuff more than any other sci-fi, other than Tolkien.

oeb

Have any of you read Kevin J. Anderson's new fantasy series? It's a trillogy, first two books are out The Edge of the World & The Map of All Things with the third to follow next year.

I finished the second one last week, it's fantastic so far.

ixoy

Terry Goodkind and Kevin J. Anderson mentioned in the last few posts? People, in case it isn't clear, this thread is for the best fantasy books and not the worst. If this means you need to edit your post, please let me know.

AnCapaillMor

oeb wrote: »

Have any of you read Kevin J. Anderson's new fantasy series? It's a trillogy, first two books are out The Edge of the World & The Map of All Things with the third to follow next year.

I finished the second one last week, it's fantastic so far.

Oh how did i miss those, that good so. forgot about him, followed his saga of the 7 suns religulosuly for 5 years. Used order them from the states and paying the extra shipping so i'd get a few weeks early.

Paddy Samurai

Most of my favourites have already been mentioned, RR.Martin, Gemmell, Feist, Abercrombie, Rothfuss,etc,etc.
Tim Powers is one that I would highly recommend.For some reason not a lot of people seem to be aware of his work.

Powers has won the World Fantasy award twice for his critically acclaimed novels Last Call and Declare

I regard Tim Powers as one of today's best writers that hardly anyone knows. We can only hope loyal readers such as ourselves using forums such as this one can get the word of Mr. Powers vast talents out to the masses!!

While Stevenson was a heck of a fantasy writer -- check out his "Bottle Imp" if you doubt it -- Tim Powers is perhaps the best fantasy writer most fans have never heard of.

Two of his books that are in my top 10,

"On Stranger Tides".

From Publishers Weekly

Starred Review. World Fantasy Award–winner Powers (Three Days to Never) demonstrates a precise control of complex narratives in this reprint of his rollicking and enchanting 1987 novel. Puppeteer John Chandagnac, bound for Jamaica to recover stolen money from his uncle, becomes Jack Shandy after pirates attack his ship and force him to join their crew. Shandy's struggle to accept his new life grounds the story for readers, even as Blackbeard and vodun magicians whisk everyone away to dreamlike lands where the Fountain of Youth itself awaits. The chaotic sea battles sing, though at times key events happen so quickly that they get lost in the shuffle as Jack tries to comprehend where he's going and what's at stake. This dark fantasy tale will appeal not just to pirate fans but also to anyone who appreciates Powers's talent for blending the most unlikely elements into a brilliantly cohesive whole.

Don't let this put you off but unfortunately Disney have bought the rights to use parts of it in the next "Pirates of the Carribean" .


The drawing of the Dark.

Del Rey's Impact line introduces a list of titles that have "slipped through the cracks and become buried treasure." The re-release of Tim Powers's The Drawing of the Dark (first published in 1979) is indeed worthy of the imprint. It was his third novel and first foray into the fantasy genre.

It is the year 1529 and Brian Duffy, a soldier of fortune, finds himself in Venice. A late-night confrontation with three brothers over a matter of honor convinces Brian to find greener pastures. After a chance meeting with an old monk named Aurelainus, Brian finds himself hired on to be the bouncer at the famous Herzwesten brewery and inn (formerly a monastery) located in Vienna. During Brian's voyage from Venice to Vienna, he crosses the Dolomite Mountains, only to meet assassins who attack him. Dwarves and creatures Brian knew only from mythology assist him in vanquishing his attackers.
The mythical Fisher King is a central character in The Drawing of the Dark, and cameos by the Roman god Bacchus, the Lady of the Lake, reincarnations of King Arthur and Sigmund from Norse mythology, Merlin, and hosts of soldiers, including Vikings and Swiss mercenaries, add to the otherworldly feel. The legendary heroes are allied against legions of soldiers from the Turkish Ottoman Empire under Suleiman and his wizard Ibrahim, who try to repeat the successes of their 1521 and 1526 invasions of eastern Europe by laying siege to Vienna. But just what is their objective? The city or the beer? Tim Powers does a great job of tying the historical invasion of eastern Europe by the Turks to a rollicking, fun-filled fantasy, which offers its own reasons for the invasion and a wonderful cast of heroes that ultimately repel the invaders. This is a must-read for Tim Powers fans and for readers who have yet to delve into his rich, wonderful worlds.

The Anubis Gates is also top notch!.

Author Tim Powers evokes 17th-century England with a combination of meticulously researched historic detail and imaginative flights in this sci-fi tale of time travel. Winner of the 1984 Philip K. Dick Award for best original science fiction paperback, this 1989 edition of the book that took the fantasy world by storm is the first hardcover version to be published in the United States. In his brief introduction, Ramsey Campbell sets The Anubis Gates in an adventure context, citing Powers's achievement of "extraordinary scenes of underground horror, of comedy both high and grotesque, of bizarre menace, of poetic fantasy."
The colonization of Egypt by western European powers is the launch point for power plays and machinations. Steeping together in this time-warp stew are such characters as an unassuming Coleridge scholar, ancient gods, wizards, the Knights Templar, werewolves, and other quasi-mortals, all wrapped in the organizing fabric of Egyptian mythology. In the best of fantasy traditions, the reluctant heroes fight for survival against an evil that lurks beneath the surface of their everyday lives.

http://www.theworksoftimpowers.com/

Dades

Paddy Samurai wrote: »

Most of my favourites have already been mentioned, RR.Martin, Gemmell, Feist, Abercrombie, Rothfuss,etc,etc.
Tim Powers is one that I would highly recommend.For some reason not a lot of people seem to be aware of his work.

Paddy - sounds very interesting...

What of his would you suggest for a first read?

Paddy Samurai

Dades wrote: »

Paddy - sounds very interesting...

What of his would you suggest for a first read?

Dades you could try either one..................why not get both ?.

But if only one try "The Drawing of the Dark" I have an affinity for that one, the main character is an Irish Mercenary and beer plays a part in the plot.:D



http://www.bookdepository.co.uk/book/9780575074262/The-Drawing-of-the-Dark


http://www.bookdepository.co.uk/book/9781930235328/On-Stranger-Tides


PS:If you read it ,let me know what you think?.

ixoy

I've read "The Anubis Gates" and "The Stress of Her Regard" (which had a very interesting take on the likes of Shelley and Byron!). Very original stuff - I mean to read more of his books at some point.

Dades

Paddy Samurai wrote: »

Dades you could try either one..................why not get both ?.

But if only one try "The Drawing of the Dark" I have an affinity for that one, the main character is an Irish Mercenary and beer plays a part in the plot.:D

Both would be pushing it given my backlog and serious lack of reading time! (I read about 8 pages of The Passage in the last two nights before passing out...)

Have noted them down and will pick one up the next time I'm in a reputable bookshoppe!

Paddy Samurai wrote: »

PS:If you read it ,let me know what you think?.

Will do.

Paddy Samurai

Dades wrote: »

(I read about 8 pages of The Passage in the last two nights before passing out...)

That used to happen to me.I invested in a good florescent reading lamp....lol its like a stadium floodlight.No more falling asleep while reading.It makes a big difference.

I know what you mean by backlog.....I have 40+ unread.

Dades

Paddy Samurai wrote: »

That used to happen to me.I invested in a good florescent reading lamp....lol its like a stadium floodlight...

Not an option with a 5 month old at the end of the bed.

xxshebeexx

I'm kind of stuck in a weird rut - I started reading Robert Jordan's WOT ten years ago and I've tried to get into other fantasy since .. I've tried Lord of the Rings and the Hobbit (persevered all the way through but my gosh, was I bored), tried Stephen King and a couple of random books, but I can't get into any of them. Robert Jordan has set my fantasy bar so high that I can't find a match!

Anyone got any recommendations? Something detailed and complex, like WOT, something which preferably runs into a longer series. I'm a huge fan of Star Wars Expanded Universe stuff - so it's long series that draws you in with complex, interesting characters that I'm looking for! Well, even a good trilogy would do! I'd love to read more fantasy but I haven't found anything to match Robert Jordan yet!

Teferi

Brent Weeks Night Angel trilogy. I cannot reccomend it enough.

Trojan

Teferi wrote: »

Brent Weeks Night Angel trilogy. I cannot reccomend it enough.

I certainly enjoyed it, nice spin on the usual magic vs assassin business.

Can anyone recommend any other "assassin" type books apart from Weeks and Hobbs?

AnCapaillMor

Detailed and long, Terry Goodkinds seeker books, 1st one did'nt really impress me but after that it really picked up, one or 2 dud books in the series(if you've starwarrs you'll be used to the odd dud book). You might try joe abercrombies 1st law trilogy, brutal in the good way and entertaining. 1 3rd the weeks books. Also if you're willing to wait, there's the song of ice and fire books.

Trojan i read weeks trilogy around the same time as abercrombies 1st law and they felt the same. So worth a try.

XshebeX, big into the SW extended universe myself what do you think of the way the universe has gone since the NJO books. Loved the NJO but for me its seriously nosedived since it.

Corsendonk

Trojan wrote: »

I certainly enjoyed it, nice spin on the usual magic vs assassin business.

Can anyone recommend any other "assassin" type books apart from Weeks and Hobbs?

Steven Erikson Malazan Books if you like assassins and magic all in one. David Gemmell Waylander is good too.

me-skywalker

Why on earth does Amazon.co.uk have A Dance with Dragons down for release in on 29th Spetmeber 2011? Theres nothing else to corroborate this.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Dance-Dragons-Book-Song-Fire/dp/0002247399/ref=sr_1_cc_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1289848790&sr=1-1-catcorr

ixoy

me-skywalker wrote: »

Why on earth does Amazon.co.uk have A Dance with Dragons down for release in on 29th Spetmeber 2011? Theres nothing else to corroborate this.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Dance-Dragons-Book-Song-Fire/dp/0002247399/ref=sr_1_cc_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1289848790&sr=1-1-catcorr

Can we keep this thread just for recommendations and not questions? There's a GRRM thread floating around.

Anyway, to answer your question, those publishing dates are often pulled out of the air and have no basis in anything. I've seen authors themselves query these dates - recently Scott Lynch gave out, saying the publication date was up and he hadn't even finished writing the thing. Ignore them - just use GRRM's site.

AnCapaillMor

me-skywalker wrote: »

Why on earth does Amazon.co.uk have A Dance with Dragons down for release in on 29th Spetmeber 2011? Theres nothing else to corroborate this.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Dance-Dragons-Book-Song-Fire/dp/0002247399/ref=sr_1_cc_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1289848790&sr=1-1-catcorr

Probably the same reason they had it down for sometime in september 2010 up until that said date this year.

david75

xxshebeexx wrote: »

I'm kind of stuck in a weird rut - I started reading Robert Jordan's WOT ten years ago and I've tried to get into other fantasy since .. I've tried Lord of the Rings and the Hobbit (persevered all the way through but my gosh, was I bored), tried Stephen King and a couple of random books, but I can't get into any of them. Robert Jordan has set my fantasy bar so high that I can't find a match!

Anyone got any recommendations? Something detailed and complex, like WOT, something which preferably runs into a longer series. I'm a huge fan of Star Wars Expanded Universe stuff - so it's long series that draws you in with complex, interesting characters that I'm looking for! Well, even a good trilogy would do! I'd love to read more fantasy but I haven't found anything to match Robert Jordan yet!

The Farseer trilogy (Assassins Apprentice, Royal Assassin, Assassins Quest)- Robin Hobb. the titles are ultra misleading but the most well written and engrossing books I've ever read.

Neverwhere-Neil Gaiman..or anything by him at all. he's a great writer.

Ullrich

I know they have some serious flaws but I still love The Wheel of Time and the world dear R.J created

AnCapaillMor

Got to agree, can't put the bloody things down at the moment, onto the fourth book now.

Trojan

Tor are doing a massive poll for best sf/f of 2000-2010 on their blog, over 700 replies listing books so far - well worth a troll through (heh). Looks like Rothfuss is well on his way to the book of the decade.

meditraitor

Trojan wrote: »

Tor are doing a massive poll for best sf/f of 2000-2010 on their blog, over 700 replies listing books so far - well worth a troll through (heh). Looks like Rothfuss is well on his way to the book of the decade.

Just finished "the name of the wind" 10 minutes ago....... brilliant. The next one in the series is due for release on March 1st...

And with the final Steven Erikson book of the fallen out 2 weeks before I think I may have to take a week of work.....

Trojan

I'm surprised American Gods is ranking so highly (#2 at the moment), I thought, it was good, but not best of decade level. Old Man's War added to my reading list, it's taken over #1 and puling away now. Rothfuss holding on at #3 - I'd have ranked it before American Gods.

This is provisional results as of Thursday, not final results:

We present the Top 20 voted novels as of 2:53 PM EST on Thursday, January 13th.

1. Old Man’s War by John Scalzi - 250 votes
2. American Gods by Neil Gaiman - 215 votes
3. The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss - 180 votes
4. Blindsight by Peter Watts - 168 votes
5. Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clarke - 139 votes
6. Anathem by Neal Stephenson -124 votes
7. A Storm of Swords by George R. R. Martin - 118 votes
8. The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson - 112 votes
9. Perdido Street Station by China Miéville - 110 votes
10. The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch - 88 votes

If you haven't voted, go vote here.

Zapp Brannigan

Like that Scott Lynch is getting a look in. Can't wait for the 3rd book to come out.

Just saw on wiki that it has an estimated release date of Spring 2013

ixoy

I've read 6/10 of those and am glad to see Rothfuss and Lynch placing. Two superb debuts (I'd pitch Rothfuss that little higher). Shame the next in the Gentlemen Bastard Sequence is so long away!

'Anathem' was excellent but I'd have though 'Cryptonomicon' would place higher instead.
'Jonathon Norrell & Mr. Strange' - yeah, it's well written but I wouldn't place it in my own Top 10.
'A Storm of Swords' - Deserved entry.
'Perdido Street Station' - Absoultely. I'd move it into the Top 3 (although 'The Scar' is probably better, this is the best known of the series).

'The Way of Kings' surprises me as it's very new. Is it that Brendan Sanderson is popular at the moment and the book is just at the forefront of people's minds? Or is it that good? I'll read it at some point anyway.

'Old Man's War' is on my "to-read" list but less so 'American Gods' (I get a strong "over rated" from many people). Finally - never heard of 'Blindsight'!

Zapp Brannigan

I liked American Gods, but there's no way it's better than The Name of the Wind.

I'd also agree with Ixoy about Scott Lynch, although I did really enjoy the humour in his writing.

Trojan

Zapp Brannigan wrote: »

Like that Scott Lynch is getting a look in. Can't wait for the 3rd book to come out.

Just saw on wiki that it has an estimated release date of Spring 2013

Oh no, really? For **** sake they've pushed it back AGAIN! Duke Nukem Forever will be released first...

OwaynOTT

Just looking at that Tor thing. How did the last two Wheel of Time books get there. Compared to the majority of the rest of the series they aint going to stand up. Sure a lot of stuff happens but a lot of it is a bit of an anti-climax.

And agree on American Gods, Anasii's Boys is just as good.

Brandon Sanderson on it like four times. I must reread Mistborn cause I thought it wasn't great. Shallow and really just about how to use the magic system.
Way of Kings was better but again top 10, I dunno know about that.

I'd have one of the first 6 Jordan books there.

ixoy

OwaynOTT wrote: »

Just looking at that Tor thing. How did the last two Wheel of Time books get there. Compared to the majority of the rest of the series they aint going to stand up. Sure a lot of stuff happens but a lot of it is a bit of an anti-climax.

Well I thought they were the best books since Book 7 personally (and I'm not the only one) however... :

Brandon Sanderson on it like four times..

From reading the comments, it looks like it's a typical Internet poll: Certain fans of authors tell each other, and the voting becomes skewed. It's why a relative unknown like Peter Watts is rated up there so highly (the author mentioned the poll on his blog and asked his readers to vote).
It looks like the results won't be much of an indicator of anything.

OwaynOTT

Well I wont disagree with you that they are the best books since seven but come on those few books are the poorest in the series. I was thinking more of the first six really.

Trojan

OwaynOTT wrote: »

Well I wont disagree with you that they are the best books since seven but come on those few books are the poorest in the series. I was thinking more of the first six really.

Tor poll is for 2000-2010. WOT dates of publication:

08. The Path of Daggers 20 October 1998
09. Winter's Heart 7 November 2000
10. Crossroads of Twilight 7 January 2003
11. Knife of Dreams 11 October 2005
12. The Gathering Storm 27 October 2009
13. Towers of Midnight 2 November 2010

Of the eligible WOT books, the Sanderson ones are clearly the best (by a country mile as far as I'm concerned). Arguably worth a position somewhere in the top 20-40.

OwaynOTT

Trojan wrote: »

Tor poll is for 2000-2010. WOT dates of publication:

08. The Path of Daggers 20 October 1998
09. Winter's Heart 7 November 2000
10. Crossroads of Twilight 7 January 2003
11. Knife of Dreams 11 October 2005
12. The Gathering Storm 27 October 2009
13. Towers of Midnight 2 November 2010

Of the eligible WOT books, the Sanderson ones are clearly the best (by a country mile as far as I'm concerned). Arguably worth a position somewhere in the top 20-40.

Oh right, didnt know that.
I would nearly totally agree with you on that comment then. Although I prefer Knife of Dreams but maybe because after Crossroads anything of merit would provoke those feelings.

Paddy Samurai

Hard to choose,but currently among my best would be the following...........

On Stranger Tides By Tim Powers
The Drawing of the Dark by Tim Powers
Game of thrones(ice and fire) series by George RR Martin
Legend (Drenai series)By Gemmell
Magician(Riftwar saga) by Feist
Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss
The Blade itself by Joe Abercrombie
Night Angel Trilogy by Brent Weeks

Tim Powers is probably the least well known ,but the one with the most interesting ideas.

Lyanna

Lots of my favourites have already been mentioned but I'll add a vote for Daniel Abraham's "The Long Price Quartet". Good characters, interesting magic system and war by economic boycott. It takes a while to get going but it's a lot of fun.

Buttmunchy wrote: »

Stravaganza - Mary Hoffman. Kids book - you wouldn't read it.

I second this - I read the first book when I was 12 and I've kept up reading the series since despite being well beyond the Young Adult target audience by now. I'd love to hit every Twilight-obsessed tween over the head with a copy of this until they realise that there are other, better books in the world.

AnCapaillMor

Lyanna wrote: »

Lots of my favourites have already been mentioned but I'll add a vote for Daniel Abraham's "The Long Price Quartet". Good characters, interesting magic system and war by economic boycott. It takes a while to get going but it's a lot of fun.

Yeah they were different, little or no battles, crazy magic system didn't think i'd be into it but i couldn't put the books down. read the 4 in about a week and a half.

coralkat

Patrick Ness's ask and answer trilogy is brilliant, aimed at teenagers but i found i couldnt put it down, i love when a book drags you in like that! On a tangent though i need a bit of help, i absolutely love, love, LOVE terry practhett. I've being reading them for years but they were all my brothers and he has them all kept hidden away now...very protective of his books, a familt trait i have to say but i want to collect them now for myself, instead of buying them one by one and taking forever does anyone know a good reputable book website that will deliver to Ireland? Most require damn postcodes grrr!!

Dades

coralkat wrote: »

does anyone know a good reputable book website that will deliver to Ireland? Most require damn postcodes grrr!!

Check out the Book Depository...

http://www.bookdepository.co.uk/search/advanced?searchAuthor=Terry+Pratchett

Free shipping to Ireland - have used them a bunch of times.

BlaasForRafa

AnCapaillMor wrote: »

Yeah they were different, little or no battles, crazy magic system didn't think i'd be into it but i couldn't put the books down. read the 4 in about a week and a half.

I'm glad to hear they're good, I just bought the first one second hand on amazon, I wanted to get ones with the Stephen martiniere covers.

Mexihalo

can't believe nobody has mentioned Julian May, check out Saga of the Exiles and The Galactic Milieu Series...stunning

Hobite

I really liked Roger Zelazny "Avolon" series.

thejair

Trojan wrote: »

I certainly enjoyed it, nice spin on the usual magic vs assassin business.

Can anyone recommend any other "assassin" type books apart from Weeks and Hobbs?

Steven Brust - Jhereg is the first book of the Vlad Taltos Assassin series. Great stuff!

laoch na mona

i really enjoyed the black magician trilogy by trudi canavan

Ordin73

I quite liked Prince of Thorns the debut novel of Mark Lawrence..

The story is told from the prespective of the young prince who is genuinely disturbed in the mind and is clearly aware of it, as he smashs his way through the country in a quest for lethal retribution. The magic system is unusual too..The action is fast and constant and then its revealed that this world is a post post-apocalyptic version of our world.

Tym

@Ordin73:
WOAH! Bit of a spoiler.