Recommendations for Character-driven SF/F Novels?

GoblinWriter · 12-28-2009, 11:31 PM

Hi Folks,

The last few novels I've picked up have been duds, so I thought I'd ask for some recommendations.

I gravitate toward fantasy, but Lois McMaster Bujold's Vorkosigan books (SF) are among my favorites, so I'm game to try character-driven SF, too. Action, adventure, mystery, snarky heroes... all loves of mine. I definitely prefer lands far, far away to urban earth-based stuff.

Any reading suggestions?

Thanks!

A4- · 12-29-2009, 01:26 PM

You might want to give 'Ringworld' by Larry Niven a try.
It starts on earth, but in no time you're on your way to a world lightyears away from it.

Crusader · 12-29-2009, 02:20 PM

I'd definitely recommend anything by Peter F Hamilton. I loved his Fallen Dragon and have now started on the Night's Dawn Trilogy. The first one "The Reality Dysfunction" is epic in scope. I can't wait to read the rest.

kennyc · 12-29-2009, 02:25 PM

Here's a list I found at Amazon by googling:

http://www.amazon.com/Character-driv...m/7SA9H3QSIRO3

and a topic at Librarything:

http://www.librarything.com/topic/49258

ficbot · 12-29-2009, 02:36 PM

The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell. One of my all-time fav books, and very character-driven. The sequel is a little more outer-spacy, but I like the first one better.

GoblinWriter · 12-29-2009, 08:29 PM

Thanks for the recommendations, folks! Not that browsing the paperbacks carousels at the library isn't a recipe for winners, but you know...

Dr. Drib · 12-30-2009, 06:02 AM

1.) "More Than Human" - Theodore Sturgeon

2.) "A Canticle For Lebowitz" - Walter M. Miller, Jr.

3.) "Dune" - Frank Herbert

Don

ChristopherTD · 12-30-2009, 06:07 AM

Joe Abercrombie's First Law series has a lot of interesting characters, and I enjoyed it immensely.

Sparrow · 12-30-2009, 06:28 AM

Iain M. Banks' 'Culture' novels are entertaining reads - although I prefer the earlier ones to the more recent ones.

gollu · 12-30-2009, 07:45 AM

Wizard of Earthsea, Left Hand of the Darkness by Ursula LeGuin.
Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card.

kennyc · 12-30-2009, 07:54 AM

Dang, I wish you guys would quit reminding me of all the books I need to re-read! Sheesh!

curtw · 12-30-2009, 02:46 PM

For character-driven SF, I've got to go with Mike Resnick. Ivory and Santiago would be at the top of this list, but the Penelope Bailey trilogy (Soothsayer/Oracle/Prophet) and The Dark Lady are good, too. Plenty of galaxy-spanning action, adventure & mystery, and nary a word of technobabble in the bunch.

And I think pretty much everything is available at Fictionwise (where you can read reviews, and the first chapter or so for free):
Ivory
Santiago
The Dark Lady
Soothsayer

AintLDS · 12-30-2009, 04:41 PM

I'll second More Than Human. Also Spin by Robert Charles Wilson and the Old Man's War series by John Scalzi.

JSWolf · 12-30-2009, 04:47 PM

I recommend Robin Hobbs. She writes very good character based fantasy. I've read Assassin's Apprentice and Ship of Magic and I am just starting Royal Assassin. The normal suggestest reading order is the published order because they all take place in the same world. Just not all linked together.

Farseer
1. Assassin's Apprentice (1995)
2. Royal Assassin (1996)
3. Assassin's Quest (1997)

Liveship Traders
1. Ship of Magic (1998)
2. The Mad Ship (1999)
3. Ship of Destiny (2000)

Tawny Man
1. Fool's Errand (2001)
2. The Golden Fool (2002)
3. Fool's Fate (2003)

Soldier Son
1. Shaman's Crossing (2005)
2. Forest Mage (2006)
3. Renegade's Magic (2007)

Rain Wild Chronicles
1. The Dragon Keeper (2009)
2. Dragon Haven (2010)

jaxx6166 · 12-30-2009, 08:39 PM

For character driven, I'd give The Dresden Files (Urban Fantasy) or EE Knight's Vampire Earth (SF) a shot.

Both of those follow a main hero through all their trials and tribulations. Dresden's a wizard private eye. Valentine's a soldier at war. They both have the snarky main characters, but they take place on Earth.

You can also try Simon R Green's the Nightside series, for Dresden in a world that isn't Earth.

You can also try Malazan Book of the Fallen for a hard fantasy. Or Richard K Morgan's The Steel Remains. Glen Cook's Black Company has also been highly regarded by other members of the forum.

Or, you could mix everything together and check out John Meaney's Bone Song. It's part mystery/police procedural with a healthy dose of dark scifi and fantasy thrown in.

For more lighter, almost satirical takes on the genre give a look at Terry Brook's Landover series. I'd also suggest Terry Pratchett.

No one here's suggested Hyperion either, I think that's a pretty strong character driven set. But it's not among my favorites. Maybe some one else here that enjoyed it more could pipe in.

And now that you have more answers than you needed..enjoy the reading!!

12-28-2009, 11:31 PM	#1
GoblinWriter vizsla wrangler Posts: 73 Karma: 120000 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Seattle Device: Kindle 3G	Recommendations for Character-driven SF/F Novels? Hi Folks, The last few novels I've picked up have been duds, so I thought I'd ask for some recommendations. I gravitate toward fantasy, but Lois McMaster Bujold's Vorkosigan books (SF) are among my favorites, so I'm game to try character-driven SF, too. Action, adventure, mystery, snarky heroes... all loves of mine. I definitely prefer lands far, far away to urban earth-based stuff. Any reading suggestions? Thanks!

12-30-2009, 06:28 AM	#9
Sparrow Wizard Posts: 4,395 Karma: 1358132 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: UK Device: Palm TX, CyBook Gen3	Iain M. Banks' 'Culture' novels are entertaining reads - although I prefer the earlier ones to the more recent ones. Last edited by Sparrow; 12-30-2009 at 07:48 AM.

12-30-2009, 02:46 PM	#12
curtw Outside of a dog Posts: 863 Karma: 4457646 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Houston, TX Device: Kindle Voyage	For character-driven SF, I've got to go with Mike Resnick. Ivory and Santiago would be at the top of this list, but the Penelope Bailey trilogy (Soothsayer/Oracle/Prophet) and The Dark Lady are good, too. Plenty of galaxy-spanning action, adventure & mystery, and nary a word of technobabble in the bunch. And I think pretty much everything is available at Fictionwise (where you can read reviews, and the first chapter or so for free): Ivory Santiago The Dark Lady Soothsayer Last edited by curtw; 12-30-2009 at 03:07 PM. Reason: corrected spelling error

12-30-2009, 08:39 PM	#15
jaxx6166 Wizard Posts: 1,222 Karma: 769316 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Eternal summer Device: 350, iPad, PW	For character driven, I'd give The Dresden Files (Urban Fantasy) or EE Knight's Vampire Earth (SF) a shot. Both of those follow a main hero through all their trials and tribulations. Dresden's a wizard private eye. Valentine's a soldier at war. They both have the snarky main characters, but they take place on Earth. You can also try Simon R Green's the Nightside series, for Dresden in a world that isn't Earth. You can also try Malazan Book of the Fallen for a hard fantasy. Or Richard K Morgan's The Steel Remains. Glen Cook's Black Company has also been highly regarded by other members of the forum. Or, you could mix everything together and check out John Meaney's Bone Song. It's part mystery/police procedural with a healthy dose of dark scifi and fantasy thrown in. For more lighter, almost satirical takes on the genre give a look at Terry Brook's Landover series. I'd also suggest Terry Pratchett. No one here's suggested Hyperion either, I think that's a pretty strong character driven set. But it's not among my favorites. Maybe some one else here that enjoyed it more could pipe in. And now that you have more answers than you needed..enjoy the reading!! Last edited by jaxx6166; 12-30-2009 at 08:49 PM.

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12-29-2009, 01:26 PM	#2
A4- Connoisseur Posts: 84 Karma: 1110 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Netherlands Device: iRex iLiad v2	You might want to give 'Ringworld' by Larry Niven a try. It starts on earth, but in no time you're on your way to a world lightyears away from it.

12-29-2009, 02:20 PM	#3
Crusader Space Cadet Posts: 1,180 Karma: 4030536 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: South Africa Device: Sony PRS-T1, Cybook Opus, Kobo Glo	I'd definitely recommend anything by Peter F Hamilton. I loved his Fallen Dragon and have now started on the Night's Dawn Trilogy. The first one "The Reality Dysfunction" is epic in scope. I can't wait to read the rest.

12-29-2009, 02:25 PM	#4
kennyc The Dank Side of the Moon Posts: 35,872 Karma: 118716293 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Denver, CO Device: Kindle2; Kindle Fire	Here's a list I found at Amazon by googling: http://www.amazon.com/Character-driv...m/7SA9H3QSIRO3 and a topic at Librarything: http://www.librarything.com/topic/49258

12-29-2009, 02:36 PM	#5
ficbot Wizard Posts: 2,409 Karma: 4132096 Join Date: Sep 2008 Device: Kindle Paperwhite/iOS Kindle App	The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell. One of my all-time fav books, and very character-driven. The sequel is a little more outer-spacy, but I like the first one better.

12-29-2009, 08:29 PM	#6
GoblinWriter vizsla wrangler Posts: 73 Karma: 120000 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Seattle Device: Kindle 3G	Thanks for the recommendations, folks! Not that browsing the paperbacks carousels at the library isn't a recipe for winners, but you know...

12-30-2009, 06:02 AM	#7
Dr. Drib Grand Sorcerer Posts: 44,736 Karma: 55645321 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Peru Device: Kindle: Oasis 3, Voyage WiFi; Kobo: Libra 2, Aura One	1.) "More Than Human" - Theodore Sturgeon 2.) "A Canticle For Lebowitz" - Walter M. Miller, Jr. 3.) "Dune" - Frank Herbert Don

12-30-2009, 06:07 AM	#8
ChristopherTD Addict Posts: 343 Karma: 1010002 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: London. UK Device: Marvin Reader on iPad Air (via Calibre)	Joe Abercrombie's First Law series has a lot of interesting characters, and I enjoyed it immensely.

12-30-2009, 07:45 AM	#10
gollu Unsullied Posts: 249 Karma: 759693 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Israel Device: Kindle 2i	Wizard of Earthsea, Left Hand of the Darkness by Ursula LeGuin. Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card.

12-30-2009, 07:54 AM	#11
kennyc The Dank Side of the Moon Posts: 35,872 Karma: 118716293 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Denver, CO Device: Kindle2; Kindle Fire	Dang, I wish you guys would quit reminding me of all the books I need to re-read! Sheesh!

12-30-2009, 04:41 PM	#13
AintLDS No soliciting Posts: 55 Karma: 505122 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Utah Device: Kindle Voyage and iPhone 8 Plus	I'll second More Than Human. Also Spin by Robert Charles Wilson and the Old Man's War series by John Scalzi.

12-30-2009, 04:47 PM	#14
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 73,877 Karma: 128597114 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	I recommend Robin Hobbs. She writes very good character based fantasy. I've read Assassin's Apprentice and Ship of Magic and I am just starting Royal Assassin. The normal suggestest reading order is the published order because they all take place in the same world. Just not all linked together. Farseer 1. Assassin's Apprentice (1995) 2. Royal Assassin (1996) 3. Assassin's Quest (1997) Liveship Traders 1. Ship of Magic (1998) 2. The Mad Ship (1999) 3. Ship of Destiny (2000) Tawny Man 1. Fool's Errand (2001) 2. The Golden Fool (2002) 3. Fool's Fate (2003) Soldier Son 1. Shaman's Crossing (2005) 2. Forest Mage (2006) 3. Renegade's Magic (2007) Rain Wild Chronicles 1. The Dragon Keeper (2009) 2. Dragon Haven (2010)

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