George R.R. Martin/Robert Jordan [Brandon Sanderson]/Terry Goodkind/Steven Erikson - Page 3

eschwartz · 09-30-2015, 12:09 AM

Same world, same series.

It is officially the Mistborn mega-series, as it is billed to be a "trilogy of trilogies".

Dazrin · 09-30-2015, 01:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eschwartz

Same world, same series.

I certainly don't agree with that statement but it doesn't really matter. The first trilogy is completely stand-alone so as far as I am concerned it is it's own thing; if someone wants to consider them all one series, ok, but my way I get to consider it a completed series and not worry about future books for a while.

cocopuff · 09-30-2015, 02:34 PM

The Wheel of Time books by Robert Jordan start out extremely well, but I was extremely disappointed with the last 3-4 books. It seemed like he was trying to fit too many plot lines into too few pages and everything kind of got muddled. You can't go wrong with ASOIAF even though it'll be years before it is finished. I wasn't that big a fan of Mistborn, but it was a well written series that might appeal to you.

xg4bx · 09-30-2015, 04:12 PM

I really like, and it hasn't been mentioned, the Dagger&the Coin series by Daniel Abraham.

"All paths lead to war...

Marcus' hero days are behind him. He knows too well that even the smallest war still means somebody's death. When his men are impressed into a doomed army, staying out of a battle he wants no part of requires some unorthodox steps.

Cithrin is an orphan, ward of a banking house. Her job is to smuggle a nation's wealth across a war zone, hiding the gold from both sides. She knows the secret life of commerce like a second language, but the strategies of trade will not defend her from swords.

Geder, sole scion of a noble house, has more interest in philosophy than in swordplay. A poor excuse for a soldier, he is a pawn in these games. No one can predict what he will become.

Falling pebbles can start a landslide. A spat between the Free Cities and the Severed Throne is spiraling out of control. A new player rises from the depths of history, fanning the flames that will sweep the entire region onto The Dragon's Path -- the path to war."

Dr. Drib · 10-01-2015, 09:42 AM

I'm not really interested (at this point in time) in reading any secondary Indie Fantasy players. They're all over the place, and they have their detractors and admirers.

But they're not for me - at this time. (I did some reading on these last year [but not Abraham], and was mostly turned off.)

Rather, I wish to concentrate on getting caught up with the major players - the top tier writers in popularity.

This is a purely subjective choice. My decision - in no way - should have any impact whatsoever and in any form on whomever one chooses to read, beyond those mentioned in the Title header of this thread.

mgbino · 10-01-2015, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr. Drib

I'm not really interested (at this point in time) in reading any secondary Indie Fantasy players. They're all over the place, and they have their detractors and admirers.

But they're not for me - at this time. (I did some reading on these last year [but not Abraham], and was mostly turned off.)

Rather, I wish to concentrate on getting caught up with the major players - the top tier writers in popularity.

This is a purely subjective choice. My decision - in no way - should have any impact whatsoever and in any form on whomever one chooses to read, beyond those mentioned in the Title header of this thread.

If you're basing it on popularity, then are you caught up with Joe Abercrombie and Pat Rothfuss? They are probably the two best selling "epic fantasy" authors not named Brandon Sanderson or George R.R. Martin.

I am also going to throw out David Gemmell's name in the off chance you're not familiar with him. If you like fantasy and have a soul, you should probably read his books. It's a shame he passed away at a fairly young age.

BTW: I wouldn't consider Abraham a second player, considering The Expanse books are NYT best sellers and have TV show coming out.

dickloraine · 10-01-2015, 03:26 PM

Abraham is not an Indie authors and his sci fi collaboration is a major hit (and gets a tv show I think).

Of the 4 authos you mentioned, I would say Goodkind is no major player. He had some success for a short time, but thats all. No lasting influence, only die hard fans are still interested in him.
The other three are established and certainly major players. If you are interested in current major players (who write today, but are established and very popular) I would add Abercrombie, Sanderson, Rothfuss and maybe Lynch. But your three are possibly the most influential fantasy authors of the past 20 years. The ones I would add are one (two for jordan) "generations " newer.

Dr. Drib · 10-01-2015, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mgbino

If you're basing it on popularity, then are you caught up with Joe Abercrombie and Pat Rothfuss? They are probably the two best selling "epic fantasy" authors not named Brandon Sanderson or George R.R. Martin.

I am also going to throw out David Gemmell's name in the off chance you're not familiar with him. If you like fantasy and have a soul, you should probably read his books. It's a shame he passed away at a fairly young age.

BTW: I wouldn't consider Abraham a second player, considering The Expanse books are NYT best sellers and have TV show coming out.

I'm really only interested (in this thread) on the authors listed in the Title Heading.

Thank you.

Dr. Drib · 10-01-2015, 04:06 PM

For the sake of future discussion, let's all please stick with the authors listed in the Title Heading.

Those are the ones I'm interested in discussing and in finding out what your thoughts are on those specific authors.

Thanks!

mgbino · 10-01-2015, 04:36 PM

Alright then, here are my thoughts:

The Wheel of Time is entertaining, for the most part, but it has serious pacing issues. Each book could be at least 100 pages shorter. It has a traditional fantasy vibe to it, which I liked about it. Rand is an interesting main character because he spends the vast majority of the series slipping into insanity. Another character, Mat, is my favorite "lovable rogue" from any series.
On the downside, Jordan died before he could finish writing it. Sanderson did a great job with the concluding books, but there is a noticeable stylistic change.

I liked the Malazan books too, but they are a huge time investment. You can't just read the Erikson ones, you have read Esslemont's 6 books too, or you might get totally lost. The world itself is incredible, but the characters tend to be pretty one dimensional. The amount of detail about the fictional universe is pretty staggering though.

Don't read Goodkind. Parts of The Sword of Truth are complete rip offs of the Wheel of Time. Goodkind is also obsessed with rape. Seriously, I think every female character gets raped at least once. The vast majority of the series is a thinly veiled pot shot at liberals and pacifists. If you're still not sure, Google "chicken that is not a chicken."

I'm really serious about this. I would sooner mail you copies of the first Wheel of Time or Malazan book than passively allow you to waste money on Goodkind.

Dr. Drib · 10-01-2015, 05:55 PM

Yes, I've heard some very negative things about Terry Goodkind's writing, especially concerning those later books.

Thank you for the info on the other writers.

mewmartigan · 10-01-2015, 08:14 PM

I read the The Wheel of Time and thought they were great. I read the series straight through. I felt that 8-10 dragged a bit however book 11 (the last Jordan one) and 12-14 by Sanderson really picked things back up. Overall I would definitely recommend the series.

I also read the Malazan books straight through just recently. It was a very good series but can definitely be confusing. (books 1 and 2 each introduce totally different sets of characters, book 5 is a prequel) It is also much darker and depressing at many points. Good world building and multiple magics as opposed to Jordan's one magic system. Lots of interfering gods as opposed to Jordan's one big baddie.

Haven't read GRRM because the series isn't finished...or even near finished. I am happy getting this story through HBO. Can't comment on the others either.

Geralt · 10-02-2015, 05:06 AM

I would go with Malazan. It's a great series. Main core (10 books) is finished (unlike GRRM's ASOIAF, as much as that one is my favorite). And there is so much to immerse oneself in and explore. Erikson is an archaeologists by profession so he created this huge, old world full of different races and mysteries.
This is the complete reading list from the members of Malazan forum, including all the novellas, novelettes, short stories etc

Spoiler:

Malazan is an epitome of epic fantasy imo. It's not a series for a casual fantasy reader. I think it is most enjoyed by people who have been reading epic fantasy for years. Don't expect you'll understand much from book 1 and 2. I just started piecing things together, small things in book 3 (Memories of Ice).

I wouldn't bother with Goodking.

Dr. Drib · 10-02-2015, 06:14 AM

Wow! There seems to be a resounding negative opinion of Goodkind.

dickloraine · 10-02-2015, 06:17 AM

If you go with malazan, I would advise to not read the esslemont books in between. The series is long enough as it is and the esslemont books vary in quality. And while the finish of the erikson books is really good, his last book is weak.
You can always read him later, if you want more malazan.

10-01-2015, 09:42 AM	#35
Dr. Drib Grand Sorcerer Posts: 44,748 Karma: 55645321 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Peru Device: Kindle: Oasis 3, Voyage WiFi; Kobo: Libra 2, Aura One	I'm not really interested (at this point in time) in reading any secondary Indie Fantasy players. They're all over the place, and they have their detractors and admirers. But they're not for me - at this time. (I did some reading on these last year [but not Abraham], and was mostly turned off.) Rather, I wish to concentrate on getting caught up with the major players - the top tier writers in popularity. This is a purely subjective choice. My decision - in no way - should have any impact whatsoever and in any form on whomever one chooses to read, beyond those mentioned in the Title header of this thread. Last edited by Dr. Drib; 10-01-2015 at 09:57 AM.

10-01-2015, 08:14 PM	#42
mewmartigan Guru Posts: 852 Karma: 8242060 Join Date: Aug 2009 Device: Kindle Oasis (2019)	I read the The Wheel of Time and thought they were great. I read the series straight through. I felt that 8-10 dragged a bit however book 11 (the last Jordan one) and 12-14 by Sanderson really picked things back up. Overall I would definitely recommend the series. I also read the Malazan books straight through just recently. It was a very good series but can definitely be confusing. (books 1 and 2 each introduce totally different sets of characters, book 5 is a prequel) It is also much darker and depressing at many points. Good world building and multiple magics as opposed to Jordan's one magic system. Lots of interfering gods as opposed to Jordan's one big baddie. Haven't read GRRM because the series isn't finished...or even near finished. I am happy getting this story through HBO. Can't comment on the others either. Last edited by mewmartigan; 10-01-2015 at 08:17 PM.

10-02-2015, 05:06 AM	#43
Geralt Witcher Posts: 933 Karma: 7321117 Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Swamp. Slaying Drowners. Device: Kindle PW2	I would go with Malazan. It's a great series. Main core (10 books) is finished (unlike GRRM's ASOIAF, as much as that one is my favorite). And there is so much to immerse oneself in and explore. Erikson is an archaeologists by profession so he created this huge, old world full of different races and mysteries. This is the complete reading list from the members of Malazan forum, including all the novellas, novelettes, short stories etc Spoiler: Gardens of the Moon Deadhouse Gates Blood Follows The Lees of Laughter's End The Wurms of Blearmouth Memories of Ice House of Chains The Healthy Dead Midnight Tides Night of Knives The Bonehunters Reaper's Gale Crack'd Pot Trail Return of the Crimson Guard Toll the Hounds Stonewielder Goats of Glory Dust of Dreams Orb, Sceptre, Throne The Crippled God Blood and Bone Assail Forge of Darkness Fall of Light Walk in Shadow Malazan is an epitome of epic fantasy imo. It's not a series for a casual fantasy reader. I think it is most enjoyed by people who have been reading epic fantasy for years. Don't expect you'll understand much from book 1 and 2. I just started piecing things together, small things in book 3 (Memories of Ice). I wouldn't bother with Goodking.

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09-30-2015, 12:09 AM	#31
eschwartz Ex-Helpdesk Junkie Posts: 19,422 Karma: 85397180 Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: The Beaten Path, USA, Roundworld, This Side of Infinity Device: Kindle Touch fw5.3.7 (Wifi only)	Same world, same series. It is officially the Mistborn mega-series, as it is billed to be a "trilogy of trilogies".

09-30-2015, 02:34 PM	#33
cocopuff Connoisseur Posts: 50 Karma: 366520 Join Date: Aug 2015 Device: Nook Simpletouch Glowlight, Kobo Aura H2O	The Wheel of Time books by Robert Jordan start out extremely well, but I was extremely disappointed with the last 3-4 books. It seemed like he was trying to fit too many plot lines into too few pages and everything kind of got muddled. You can't go wrong with ASOIAF even though it'll be years before it is finished. I wasn't that big a fan of Mistborn, but it was a well written series that might appeal to you.

09-30-2015, 04:12 PM	#34
xg4bx Are you gonna eat that? Posts: 1,633 Karma: 23215128 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Phillipsburg, NJ Device: Kindle 3, Nook STG	I really like, and it hasn't been mentioned, the Dagger&the Coin series by Daniel Abraham. "All paths lead to war... Marcus' hero days are behind him. He knows too well that even the smallest war still means somebody's death. When his men are impressed into a doomed army, staying out of a battle he wants no part of requires some unorthodox steps. Cithrin is an orphan, ward of a banking house. Her job is to smuggle a nation's wealth across a war zone, hiding the gold from both sides. She knows the secret life of commerce like a second language, but the strategies of trade will not defend her from swords. Geder, sole scion of a noble house, has more interest in philosophy than in swordplay. A poor excuse for a soldier, he is a pawn in these games. No one can predict what he will become. Falling pebbles can start a landslide. A spat between the Free Cities and the Severed Throne is spiraling out of control. A new player rises from the depths of history, fanning the flames that will sweep the entire region onto The Dragon's Path -- the path to war."

10-01-2015, 03:26 PM	#37
dickloraine Guru Posts: 631 Karma: 7544080 Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Berlin Device: PRS 350, Kobo Aura	Abraham is not an Indie authors and his sci fi collaboration is a major hit (and gets a tv show I think). Of the 4 authos you mentioned, I would say Goodkind is no major player. He had some success for a short time, but thats all. No lasting influence, only die hard fans are still interested in him. The other three are established and certainly major players. If you are interested in current major players (who write today, but are established and very popular) I would add Abercrombie, Sanderson, Rothfuss and maybe Lynch. But your three are possibly the most influential fantasy authors of the past 20 years. The ones I would add are one (two for jordan) "generations " newer.

10-01-2015, 04:06 PM	#39
Dr. Drib Grand Sorcerer Posts: 44,748 Karma: 55645321 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Peru Device: Kindle: Oasis 3, Voyage WiFi; Kobo: Libra 2, Aura One	For the sake of future discussion, let's all please stick with the authors listed in the Title Heading. Those are the ones I'm interested in discussing and in finding out what your thoughts are on those specific authors. Thanks!

10-01-2015, 04:36 PM	#40
mgbino Groupie Posts: 199 Karma: 3039394 Join Date: Mar 2014 Device: Nook Glowlight	Alright then, here are my thoughts: The Wheel of Time is entertaining, for the most part, but it has serious pacing issues. Each book could be at least 100 pages shorter. It has a traditional fantasy vibe to it, which I liked about it. Rand is an interesting main character because he spends the vast majority of the series slipping into insanity. Another character, Mat, is my favorite "lovable rogue" from any series. On the downside, Jordan died before he could finish writing it. Sanderson did a great job with the concluding books, but there is a noticeable stylistic change. I liked the Malazan books too, but they are a huge time investment. You can't just read the Erikson ones, you have read Esslemont's 6 books too, or you might get totally lost. The world itself is incredible, but the characters tend to be pretty one dimensional. The amount of detail about the fictional universe is pretty staggering though. Don't read Goodkind. Parts of The Sword of Truth are complete rip offs of the Wheel of Time. Goodkind is also obsessed with rape. Seriously, I think every female character gets raped at least once. The vast majority of the series is a thinly veiled pot shot at liberals and pacifists. If you're still not sure, Google "chicken that is not a chicken." I'm really serious about this. I would sooner mail you copies of the first Wheel of Time or Malazan book than passively allow you to waste money on Goodkind.

10-01-2015, 05:55 PM	#41
Dr. Drib Grand Sorcerer Posts: 44,748 Karma: 55645321 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Peru Device: Kindle: Oasis 3, Voyage WiFi; Kobo: Libra 2, Aura One	Yes, I've heard some very negative things about Terry Goodkind's writing, especially concerning those later books. Thank you for the info on the other writers.

10-02-2015, 06:14 AM	#44
Dr. Drib Grand Sorcerer Posts: 44,748 Karma: 55645321 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Peru Device: Kindle: Oasis 3, Voyage WiFi; Kobo: Libra 2, Aura One	Wow! There seems to be a resounding negative opinion of Goodkind.

10-02-2015, 06:17 AM	#45
dickloraine Guru Posts: 631 Karma: 7544080 Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Berlin Device: PRS 350, Kobo Aura	If you go with malazan, I would advise to not read the esslemont books in between. The series is long enough as it is and the esslemont books vary in quality. And while the finish of the erikson books is really good, his last book is weak. You can always read him later, if you want more malazan.

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