Quote:
Originally Posted by amward
After all this I still can't make up my mind. I'm on the waiting list for the first one so will have to give it a try, but given that I like my stories to have a beginning, middle and end, it looks as though they may not be for me.
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Judging by what you said about having a proper ending and closure, I would say
A Game of Thrones is not for you. You can tell when you finish it that it's the first of a series.
If you want to try a Fantasy novel that's the first in a series, but still has a somewhat contained ending, try
Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson. The ending is not a cliffhanger or anything; it can be read by itself, but at the same time leaves the door open for more. And if you like it, you can continue with the rest (which are also good). Another example is
Magician by Raymond E. Feist.
Alternatively, you can just read some stand-alone Fantasy novels, and do away with the 'closure risk'. There are quite a few good ones - sticking with Sanderson, his debut
Elantris is a good read, as is his
Warbreaker. I haven't read any Guy Kavriel Kay, myself, but he is very highly regarded;
Tigana is supposed to be his best. Neil Gaiman also has a few.