science fiction fantasy suggestions

[Mister Scoville]

Retribution Falls and Black Lung Captain

I'll put in another vote for Scott Lynch's books. Really enjoyed them and am hanging out for the next one.

And I'd recommend the Ketty Jay books by Chris Wooding. Industrial fantasy with sky pirates, linited magic, golems and a very fallible group of heroes. Great stuff.

 

[Roadtoad]

I realize this may have been posted before, and it's not precisely SF, but I've always enjoyed The Dresden Files. The great thing about it is Jim Butcher's rather trenchant observations, as well as his very clear notes covering human behavior...

"I am an American. I can eat anything as long as it's between two slices of bread, and covered in enough mustard."

 

[alfaniner]

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.

Well, here's a weird coincidence...

i was working in my computer room/library and the cat got into one of her crazy moods. Pulled two books off the shelf, which she has never done before (not even one!). Two books from the Blue Adept series.

This might not even have registered if
1. I didn't have so many books
2. This wasn't the first time she'd done it
and
3. I had just posted about those books today.

Weird.

 

[Brainache]

Clive Barker - Weaveworld was pretty good modern Fantasy.

Neil Gaiman- Neverwhere, likewise.

 

[Laton]

I'll put in another vote for Scott Lynch's books. Really enjoyed them and am hanging out for the next one.

And I'd recommend the Ketty Jay books by Chris Wooding. Industrial fantasy with sky pirates, linited magic, golems and a very fallible group of heroes. Great stuff.

The Iron Jackal (Ketty Jay 3) should be out now.

 

[3point14]

May I propose Waylander? I enjoy the Drenai Tales. Also take a shot every time the author writes "Punched home."

Another vote for Gemmell. Although I'd recommend starting with 'Legend'

 

[HansMustermann]

<Deleted. Dunno how this got posted here, it was for a whole other thread.>

 

[Nonpareil]

Dan Simmons' The Hyperion Cantos was something I found very enjoyable.

 

[commandlinegamer]

Clive Barker - Weaveworld was pretty good modern Fantasy.

Preferred Imagica personally; would have loved to have seen the Merrow Ti Ti.

 

[M.R.B.]

A different or additional view to things already mentioned:

I've enjoyed Raymond Feist's *war series, even though the it does seem to be becoming a bit repetitive in that everything evil in his universe seems to target the same planet. Anyway there's enough reading there to keep you going for a couple months I reckon.

If you don't mind your fanasty dark I'd suggest also Stephen Donaldson's Chronicles of Thomas Covenant.

Feist: Riftwar is OK, Serpentwar is good, rest is the same over and over.
Donaldson only knows how to make evocative titles. Actually "The Mirror of Her Dreams" is readable.

C.J.Cherry's "Morgaine" stories are very good. Although much of the action is decidedly swords and armor and such, there is a strong sci-fi underpinning throughout.

As well, Julian May's Saga Of The Pliestocene Exile is excellent. Though presented as straight science fiction, there is a very credible connection to Celtic fantasy through the whole series.
Unfortunately (IMO...) none of her other stuff measures up.

No. Cherry's work is pedestrian and pretentious.
May: First book was good, but it got progressively more ridiculous as the series went on. Not recommended.

I read Anne McCaffrey's Crystal Singer trilogy last summer and really enjoyed it. Also read and the first Pern book but got too busy with work and school in the fall to keep going. Maybe next summer (after I reread ASoIaF).

Boring and pretentious.

The Nightside series by Simon R Green are fun to read as well.

And nostalgia, the original Dragonlance books by Weis and Hickman are easy read fantasy too.

Dragonlance books are fun.

I've been reading Leiber's "Fafhrd and the Grey Mouser" recently. Good stuff.

Yes!

This

I'd also recommend Tad Williams Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn

Guy Gavriel Kay is worth reading as well. The Fionavar Tapestry was his first major work and is more or less standard fantasy fare, but better than most. His later books are more unique takes on fantasy and some are very good depending on taste. I suggest Tigana, The Fionavar Tapestry and if you like those he has a number of other well received books.

Absolutely.

I enjoy what they now call Urban Fantasy, the Dresden series by Jim Butcher is just terrific.

Also Anita Blake (Laurell Hamilton), The Southern Vampire series (Sookie) by Charlaine Harris, Kate Daniels series by Ilona Andrews, Mercy Thompson series by Patricia Briggs, and the Hollows/Rachel Morgan series by Kim Harrison (names her books after Clint Eastwood films).

Standalone book Sunshine (best vamp book ever).

Older series the Crystal Singer (Anne McCaffrey), Nine Princes in Amber (Zelazny).

Only if you hate literature.

Robin Hobb's "Farseer trilogy" has probably the best realized character in fantasy and a satisfying story.

Absolutely not.
The only reason I finished the trilogy is that I heard it was written by a woman. I can forgive a woman having no clue whatsoever how to write a male character. Didn't make the last book good, though. Terrible, in fact.

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!)

A must read.

And, agreed on Gwy.

Clive Barker - Weaveworld was pretty good modern Fantasy.

Neil Gaiman- Neverwhere, likewise.

Agreed.

Dan Simmons' The Hyperion Cantos was something I found very enjoyable.

Fine writing, but not very fun.

 

[Lurker]

I'll limit to more recent books.

Abercrombie is a great author that writes gritty novels with great characters some of who you will never forget. Start with the trilogy and the standalones are probably a bit better but he weaves in characters that you met in previosu books. Not mandatory to read in order but it makes a bit more enjoyable.

Lynch is awesome. As an earlier poster said, it is like a Fantasy version of Ocean's 11.

Martin is the best at epic storytelling right now. Problem is he has slowed his writing pace too much.

China Mieville is very good if you are looking for something completely different. Perdido Street Station, The Scar, and Iron Council all good reads. I especially like The Scar and it goes down as one of my favorite of all time.

 

[Bikewer]

I was going to recommend China Miehville as well; the New Corborozun novels have an interesting mix of magic and technology. Lots more, too...

Whenever these threads pop up, (see also how the news of a possible new J. K. Rowling novel is being greeted above....) it's amazing the different reactions and impressions.

Books much-loved by some are dismissed as rubbish by others, and things you may find tedious are among your friend's favorites...
The way of the world, I suppose.
I found quite the opposite reaction to Julian May as did M.R.B; the 5-book series got progressively better and she tied up all the numerous plot threads quite nicely.
Different strokes....

 

[SpitfireIX]

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!!

Erm, much as I hate to have to admit it, I graduated from high school well before WotC or M:TG existed. This was back when there was this legendary company known as TSR.

 

[3point14]

Just going to snip this bit out to respond to it.

Feist: Riftwar is OK, Serpentwar is good, rest is the same over and over.
Donaldson only knows how to make evocative titles. Actually "The Mirror of Her Dreams" is readable.

Agree on Feist. Read 'Magician', 'Silverthorn' and, erm, the third one. Then read the (three?) he wrote with Janny Wurtz (Wurts?). Then do yourself a favour and stop.


I'd forgotten about Mordant's need - 'Mirror of Her Dreams' and 'A Man Rides Though' - they were thoroughly enjoyable.

 

[TragicMonkey]

Just going to snip this bit out to respond to it.



Agree on Feist. Read 'Magician', 'Silverthorn' and, erm, the third one. Then read the (three?) he wrote with Janny Wurtz (Wurts?). Then do yourself a favour and stop.

But then you would miss the unbelievably brazen ripoff of World of Warcraft he's done lately. He added blood elves complete down to the color scheme. I keep waiting to hear a lawsuit has been initiated.

 

[Baloney]

I liked Asimov's Foundation series. Also, John Steakley's Armor.

 

[Wudang]

I'll limit to more recent books.

Abercrombie is a great author that writes gritty novels with great characters some of who you will never forget. Start with the trilogy and the standalones are probably a bit better but he weaves in characters that you met in previosu books. Not mandatory to read in order but it makes a bit more enjoyable.

Just finished re-reading The First Law trilogy again. Logan and Glokta - what characters!

Lynch is awesome. As an earlier poster said, it is like a Fantasy version of Ocean's 11.

I occasionally think Lies would make a great movie if Hollywood trusted a good director rather than focus groups. One of the few fantasy books that has pulled a chuckle from me

Martin is the best at epic storytelling right now. Problem is he has slowed his writing pace too much.

China Mieville is very good if you are looking for something completely different. Perdido Street Station, The Scar, and Iron Council all good reads. I especially like The Scar and it goes down as one of my favorite of all time.

China Mielville, mmmm. I'm undecided. Very clever and imaginative and good writing but something keeps not gelling for me somehow.

The Left Hand of God by Paul Hoffman. A bit like Abercrombie in that you have some sympathy with a dark wounded character. What continually gets me is

that a major battle is based on Agincourt and I keep reading it and thinking "Balls! How could that happen?" When in fact it did pretty much as described.

 

[Morrigan]

Lynch is awesome. As an earlier poster said, it is like a Fantasy version of Ocean's 11.

I find that comparison a bit insulting. At least stuff actually happens in Lynch's books, and it's not predictable trite.

Dan Simmons' The Hyperion Cantos was something I found very enjoyable.

Good call. Hyperion + Fall of Hyperion are probably the finest sci-fi I've ever read.

 

[Hutch]

I liked David Weber's Honor Harrington series and anything by Lawrence Watt-Evans.

By the way, you can get several of David Weber's (and many other Baen Publishing authors') books for free on the Baen website:

Baen Free eLibrary [David Weber]

Indeed, I have the whole collection to date (22 books with one more coming in March) and while it is in no way great literature (it is space opera writ large), it does what it does very well. I even belong to the David Weber forum arguing various points of the Honorverse with others...(we all agree that "oops" is the best word in the series--but you have to read about 7 books first...)

Someone already mentioned Larry Niven, I would also recommend most of his co-authored books with Jerry Pournelle, especially "The Mote in God's Eye", which is about as good as 'hard' SF gets, IMHO.


And for something between fantasy and SF, with a little mystery thrown in, read any of Randall Garrett's "Lord Darcy" stories or novels.

 

[Nonpareil]

Fine writing, but not very fun.

I had a blast with it, particularly the bits concerning Colonel Kassad and Martin Silenus. But, as with most books, YMMV.

I liked Asimov's Foundation series. Also, John Steakley's Armor.

I could never get into Foundation, but I greatly enjoyed Armor