science fiction fantasy suggestions

They're for children, but I'd put Lloyd Alexander's Prydain books up there with the greats. I happen to be rereading them again at the moment. (Although I am greatly disturbed to find that I'm old enough now to sympathize more with Dallben than Taran!)

(And is it just me, or does Gwydion give off a gay vibe? He seemed to have a few moments...well, best that Taran had all those companions with him all the time. Gwyd's a good guy, but better not give temptation any opportunities, eh? No wonder Achren never got anywhere with him!)
 
TragicMonkey said:
Tastes differ. I have friends who like the books for different reasons. One is bored by political intrigue and only cares about the magic zombies and dragons. Another managed to forget about all the magical elements because she's more interested in untangling the ridiculously complicated personal lives of the aristocracy. But if you don't like either of those things, it's probably not for you. I like both, and that most of the characters seem very multidimensional. One of the best things about the series is that the villain you hate in one book becomes totally understandable and sympathetic once you see the world from his point of view. I find that a welcome change from the Entirely Good vs Absolutely Evil endemic to most fantasy.
Click to expand...

And I will check that out if he gets around to actually writing them. I put the series down because I found the rate of writhing slow and annoyed by him not concentrating his stories. The narrative structure of the malazan book of the fallen is way better. It just picks up an writes the backstory as needed. He'll book 5 is not seemingly connected to the others when you read it.

So between writing all the plot lines at once and the rate of writing I will pick them up when he finishes if we both live that long.
 
ponderingturtle said:
And I will check that out if he gets around to actually writing them. I put the series down because I found the rate of writhing slow and annoyed by him not concentrating his stories. The narrative structure of the malazan book of the fallen is way better. It just picks up an writes the backstory as needed. He'll book 5 is not seemingly connected to the others when you read it.

So between writing all the plot lines at once and the rate of writing I will pick them up when he finishes if we both live that long.
Click to expand...

I think D'rek put you up to this. ;)
While Letheras is not that bad, I prefer anything involving the Old Guard, Darujihstan or Seven Cities.
 
Morrigan said:
The Black Company (books of the North) by Glen Cook. Grimdark fantasy done right. It took me a while to get into it, but I was glad I read the entire trilogy. I haven't read his other trilogies and volumes (books of the South etc.) yet though. Book 1 is The Black Company.
Click to expand...

I read the whole trilogy in about a month. I loved it a first, but after the second reading of the first book, I just could not be bothered with the other two.

I did read The Silver Spike, and started reading the books of the South. The Silver Spike was just strange
Raven finally dies! And the damned Limper again..
.

The Books of the South, following the Lady and Croaker, were interesting, but nothing like the first three.
And Soulcatcher is alive, turns out..And the Companies of Khatovar were something like Death Squads sent out to kill as many people as possible to awaken this evil God, and the Lady is most likely this deity.


Meh.
 
Skeptic Ginger said:
Have you read Orson Scott Card's books? Incredible stuff. Enders series is top notch, especially the first two books.
Click to expand...

Not sure if serious.... but anyway, came here to say that a) it's sci-fi, not fantasy and b) it sucks giant syphillis-infected donkey rectums. :D
 
Moss said:
I think D'rek put you up to this. ;)
While Letheras is not that bad, I prefer anything involving the Old Guard, Darujihstan or Seven Cities.
Click to expand...

I am not talking about my favorite books just the narrative structure of filling in the world as needed. Also see the start if book four with Karsa.
 
Morrigan said:
Not sure if serious.... but anyway, came here to say that a) it's sci-fi, not fantasy and b) it sucks giant syphillis-infected donkey rectums. :D
Click to expand...

Enders game is good, well maybe not the idea of bloggers taking over the world. It is that he can not write a series well.
 
ponderingturtle said:
I am not talking about my favorite books just the narrative structure of filling in the world as needed. Also see the start if book four with Karsa.
Click to expand...

That was quite interesting, especially as it tracked back to the history of someone not that central to Deadhouse Gates. (Which is probably one of my favorite books in the series. Poor Baudin, poor Felisin Elder. Also the first meeting with Icarium and Mappo.) I suppose he has one hell of an editor. At the end of the series there are still a lot of questions unanswered, but in quite a fulfilling way. And it ends back in Malaz City. Though the Mouse is not burning again.
 
Moss said:
I second that. What's not to love about the bastard child of Lovecraft and every other conspiracy theory ever?
I try not to sniff haughtily at Rose's mention of "Urban fantasy" novels. While I love Butcher to death (if you like him, read Ben Aaronivitch!) a lot of them seem to be Fantasy Harlequin Romances. (Don't ask why I know that...)
Did someone mention Codex Alera yet? Jim Butcher on Romans and magic. Not high culture but a fun read.
Click to expand...

I read once, think it was the Butcher Forums, that the Codex Alera series came about after someone bet him he couldn't/wouldn't combine Roman Legions and Pokemon.


jalok
 
If you want something light yet still enjoyable the Dragonlance Chronicles & Legends series are great.
 
If you want a balance between SF and fantasy in one series, try Piers Anthony's Bllue Adept series. It also has the advantage of being one that actually ends.

Skeptic Ginger said:
Have you read Orson Scott Card's books? Incredible stuff. Enders series is top notch, especially the first two books.
Click to expand...

I would say only the first two books. And that Shadow-Bean side series is horrible.
 
May I propose Waylander? I enjoy the Drenai Tales. Also take a shot every time the author writes "Punched home."
 
For something a bit different, I'd suggest Guy Gavriel Kay's "Under Heaven."

It's fantasy, but told with Eastern inspirations and sensibilities.
 
SpitfireIX said:
I read that when I was in high school, because I saw something about it in Dragon Magazine and Holger Carlsen (the protagonist) sounded interesting, for the reasons you mention. This is possibly the first fantasy (but not SF) novel I ever read; maybe even before The Hobbit. I'd forgotten all about it. I recall now that I noticed that several ideas from it appear to have influenced Dungeons & Dragons, including the idea of alignment.
Click to expand...
Part of the reason for that is I am pretty sure Poul was reasonably well known to WotC and was SCA - all of which is related!!:D:D
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Back
Top Bottom