Looking for recommendations: fantasy or scifi that's not too dreary - Page 2

speakingtohe · 05-04-2011, 07:30 PM

Liz Williams inspector Chen
Simon R. Green - Nightside

thrawn_aj · 05-04-2011, 09:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pablo

"Agent to the Stars" by John Scalzi. Loved that one.

I'll second this! Amazing book

. Some may call it silly, but it actually hangs together better (without any particular care taken to that end) than many "serious" SF stories out there

.

Another one I'd recommend - Slow train to Arcturus (DRM-free from Baen). Light and entertaining and something that I think might appeal to a wide audience.

zespectre · 05-04-2011, 10:20 PM

From the Baen Free Library

Aaron Allston - Doc Sidhe

Rick Cook's "Wizard's" series (2 books in free library)

Mercedes Lackey & Larry Dixon's "the SERRAted edge" series

Elizabeth Moon's "Sheepfarmer's Daughter" (first of a trilogy)

And a series I especially enjoyed, David Weber's "Bahzell" series (the first book, Oath of Swords, is available in the free library)

Joykins · 05-06-2011, 12:49 PM

This is a new release--the first of an urban fantasy series. It has a lot of humor and adventure in it and I loved it. Hounded, by Kevin Hearne.

mediax · 05-07-2011, 05:24 PM

I always suggest that anyone who likes Terry Pratchett try Robert Rankin - although it's very English in setting and I suspect he may fall on the "silly" side of your divide.

speakingtohe · 05-07-2011, 07:27 PM

Liz Williams Inspector Chen is lovely IMO.
perhaps look on fantasticfiction for anthologies that your favorite authors or those mentioned here have contributed to as many are grouped by style.
http://www.literature-map.com/ is always interesting

JSWolf · 05-07-2011, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wallcraft

I suggest David Brin. For a light introduction try The Practice Effect. My favorites are Startide Rising and The Uplift War.

I tried reading the Uplift series. I read Sundiver and found it had promise for the series and given that it was book 1, I thought maybe it gets better from there. Then I tried reading Startide Rising and never did finish it. That where it all fell apart.

thrawn_aj · 05-07-2011, 10:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by speakingtohe

http://www.literature-map.com/ is always interesting

That is one fantastic site!

Thanks for posting it

zespectre · 05-07-2011, 10:12 PM

Wow, this is the neatest thing this month! (literature-map)

JSWolf · 05-07-2011, 11:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zespectre

Mercedes Lackey & Larry Dixon's "the SERRAted edge" series

Speaking of Mercedes Lackey, I highly recommend...

Five Hundred Kingdoms
1. The Fairy Godmother (2004)
2. One Good Knight (2006)
3. Fortune's Fool (2007)
4. The Snow Queen (2008)
5. The Sleeping Beauty (2010)
6. Beauty and the Werewolf (2011)

I've read some of this and plan to read the rest. It's very good.

Quote:

A fantasy series that deals with the more mature side of fairy tales. In the Five Hundred Kingdoms (almost certainly a literal name), the destiny of witches, knights, princesses and such are regulated by The Tradition, a magical force that is one of the primary sources of magic. Fairy Godmothers, Champions and Wizards are responsible for ensuring that The Tradition is upheld with a minimal loss of life.

Nyssa · 05-08-2011, 04:05 AM

I just bought The Fairy Godmother a couple of days ago. I look forward to reading it.

JSWolf · 05-08-2011, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nyssa

I just bought The Fairy Godmother a couple of days ago. I look forward to reading it.

I rather enjoyed that one. I'm going to read One Good Knight soonish. It is on reserve at the library and it will be available in no more then 20 days.

kwren · 05-08-2011, 12:56 PM

i really like christopher moore, robert rankin, a. lee martinez, and i love david eddings for witty high fantasy (i haven't read his newer stuff but the belgariad, mallorean, elenium and tamuli series are all well written, funny, and full of action)

i liked robert asprin's mythadventures series a lot as well.

Genarch · 05-08-2011, 04:17 PM

Take a look at http://www.baen.com/library/books.asp[/URL] The 1632 series in interesting. The first few books are free!!! When you get to the site make sure to scroll down. Their site design isn't the best, but the books offered are very good.

05-04-2011, 10:20 PM	#18
zespectre BookMonkey Posts: 90 Karma: 18008 Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Shenandoah Valley Device: NOOK, iPod Touch, Asus Netbook	From the Baen Free Library Aaron Allston - Doc Sidhe Rick Cook's "Wizard's" series (2 books in free library) Mercedes Lackey & Larry Dixon's "the SERRAted edge" series Elizabeth Moon's "Sheepfarmer's Daughter" (first of a trilogy) And a series I especially enjoyed, David Weber's "Bahzell" series (the first book, Oath of Swords, is available in the free library) Last edited by zespectre; 05-04-2011 at 10:22 PM.

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05-04-2011, 07:30 PM	#16
speakingtohe Wizard Posts: 4,812 Karma: 26912940 Join Date: Apr 2010 Device: sony PRS-T1 and T3, Kobo Mini and Aura HD, Tablet	Liz Williams inspector Chen Simon R. Green - Nightside

05-06-2011, 12:49 PM	#19
Joykins Wizard Posts: 1,601 Karma: 9211856 Join Date: Jan 2010 Device: kindle Oasis 2018, kindle 4 NT, kindle PW2, iPhone, iPad mini	This is a new release--the first of an urban fantasy series. It has a lot of humor and adventure in it and I loved it. Hounded, by Kevin Hearne.

05-07-2011, 05:24 PM	#20
mediax Readaholic Posts: 255 Karma: 1058454 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Swindon, UK Device: Sony PRS-T2 (previously 505 and 650)	I always suggest that anyone who likes Terry Pratchett try Robert Rankin - although it's very English in setting and I suspect he may fall on the "silly" side of your divide.

05-07-2011, 07:27 PM	#21
speakingtohe Wizard Posts: 4,812 Karma: 26912940 Join Date: Apr 2010 Device: sony PRS-T1 and T3, Kobo Mini and Aura HD, Tablet	Liz Williams Inspector Chen is lovely IMO. perhaps look on fantasticfiction for anthologies that your favorite authors or those mentioned here have contributed to as many are grouped by style. http://www.literature-map.com/ is always interesting

05-07-2011, 10:12 PM	#24
zespectre BookMonkey Posts: 90 Karma: 18008 Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Shenandoah Valley Device: NOOK, iPod Touch, Asus Netbook	Wow, this is the neatest thing this month! (literature-map)

05-08-2011, 04:05 AM	#26
Nyssa Series Addict Posts: 6,180 Karma: 167189477 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Florida, USA Device: Kindle Paperwhite (2nd Gen)	I just bought The Fairy Godmother a couple of days ago. I look forward to reading it.

05-08-2011, 12:56 PM	#28
kwren Junior Member Posts: 5 Karma: 10 Join Date: Aug 2010 Device: sony prs-505	i really like christopher moore, robert rankin, a. lee martinez, and i love david eddings for witty high fantasy (i haven't read his newer stuff but the belgariad, mallorean, elenium and tamuli series are all well written, funny, and full of action) i liked robert asprin's mythadventures series a lot as well.

05-08-2011, 04:17 PM	#29
Genarch Junior Member Posts: 5 Karma: 12 Join Date: May 2011 Device: Pandigital Novel	Take a look at http://www.baen.com/library/books.asp[/URL] The 1632 series in interesting. The first few books are free!!! When you get to the site make sure to scroll down. Their site design isn't the best, but the books offered are very good.